After finishing the meal, Nojiko walked in and took the dishes out.
“Mr.
Kaguya, there’s something I want to ask you to agree to.”
After helping Mr.
Kaguya lie back on the bed, Nami said somewhat awkwardly.
“Go ahead, what is it?”
“Everyone found the Berries that the Arlong Pirates have extorted over the years at Arlong Park.
Since you defeated the Arlong Pirates, those Berries would normally be your spoils of war.
But that money is the villagers’ hard-earned savings, so I want, I want to return that money to them.
But don’t worry, I won’t let you suffer a loss.
I won’t take Buggy’s treasure; it’s all yours.
All the treasure I’ve stolen over the years will also be yours.
That should roughly make up for the Berries at Arlong Park.”
As Nami spoke, her voice grew softer, and her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes.
Mr.
Kaguya quietly watched her, a slight smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
“Is that all?”
Nami looked up, anxiously awaiting his response.
Mr.
Kaguya suddenly reached out and ruffled her hair, laughing.
“Although I need money too, I don’t need that much for now.
Since it’s everyone’s hard-earned money, returning it to them is fine.
As for Buggy’s treasure…”
He deliberately drew out his words, watching Nami’s nervous expression.
“Let’s split it as agreed.
I don’t want someone crying secretly in the middle of the night.”
“Who, who would cry!”
Nami angrily swatted his hand away, but the joy in her eyes was unmistakable.
She hadn’t expected Mr.
Kaguya to agree so readily, and the heavy weight in her heart finally lifted.
“Mr.
Kaguya, don’t worry, I’ve saved up quite a bit of money over the years.
I can give it all to you if you need money.
If it’s not enough, I can go out and steal more.”
Nami grabbed Mr.
Kaguya’s right hand, holding it against her chest, and said with a serious expression.
“Hmm, I can already feel your sincerity.”
Mr.
Kaguya shook his right hand, rubbing it against Nami’s chest.
Nami’s cheeks flushed red, but she didn’t let go.
“You haven’t fully recovered yet.
If…
if you want it, once you’re completely healed, I’ll give it all to you~”
“Then I’d better recover quickly.”
Mr.
Kaguya raised an eyebrow at Nami.
Unable to bear his intense gaze, Nami blushed and ran out of the room.
“I’ll go tell everyone the good news.
You rest well.”
Kaguya chuckled and shook his head.
In just one day and night, the side effects of fusing with Demonic Power had completely disappeared.
Recovering alongside him was the severely injured Buggy.
miss love duck—
Buggy, having recovered from his injuries, found Alvida with Kabaji.
“Alvida, it’s time we set off.
That brat might still be in Orange Town.
We need to act quickly before he escapes.”
Buggy stood on the deck, his fingers tapping incessantly on the railing, his eyes burning with the flames of revenge.
Alvida leaned lazily against the ship’s side, idly playing with a sparkling gem, and said nonchalantly.
“What’s the rush?
Since that kid dared to steal your treasure, he’s no ordinary person.
We should first find out who he is.”
Buggy snorted coldly.
“Hmph, find out who he is?
If we delay any longer, he’ll be long gone!
My treasure can’t wait!”
“Alvida, if you don’t want that treasure, then give me a small boat.
I’ll go back and get my revenge myself!”
Buggy knew Alvida was greedy, so he deliberately provoked her.
Hearing this, Alvida paused her movements.
“Since you’re in such a hurry, let’s set off.
Men, our target—Orange Town!”
The miss love duck sailed toward Orange Town.
While Buggy was gathering allies to seek revenge on Mr.
Kaguya.
Mr.
Kaguya was training in Cocoyasi Village.
The previous battle with the Arlong Pirates had revealed his shortcomings.
Namely, his stamina and physical strength were insufficient.
Especially when surrounded and facing multiple attackers, his stamina would drain quickly.
So, as soon as he recovered, Mr.
Kaguya began weight training in Nami’s family’s orange grove.
The tool he used was a massive boulder weighing a thousand pounds.
He had discovered this boulder while moving the treasure chest to Nami’s house.
He had specifically brought it back from the forest afterward.
At that moment, Mr.
Kaguya was squatting while holding the boulder, while Nami and Nojiko sat on the doorstep, their small mouths agape, staring at him in awe.
“Thud!”
After completing another hundred squats, Mr.
Kaguya set the boulder down.
The ground trembled slightly, stirring up a cloud of dust.
Nami finally snapped out of her daze and exclaimed in amazement.
“Goodness, what are you made of?
Are you even human?”
Nojiko couldn’t help but stand up, her eyes shining with admiration.
“Mr.
Kaguya, your strength is truly unbelievable.
No wonder you could defeat the Arlong Pirates single-handedly.”
Kaguya wiped the sweat from his forehead and smiled.
“Strength is just the foundation.
A true warrior also needs skill and endurance.
But if you keep praising me like this, I might get arrogant.”
Nami pouted, but the smile in her eyes was unmistakable.
“Hmph, getting cocky after just a few compliments?
But…
since you’re so strong, why not teach me?
I want to become stronger too.”
Mr.
Kaguya raised an eyebrow, looking at her with interest.
“Oh?
Our Little Thief Cat wants to learn combat skills?”
“Of course!”
Nami clenched her fists, a flash of determination in her eyes.
“I don’t want to just stand by and watch important people get hurt like before.
I want to protect everyone with my own strength.”
Mr.
Kaguya nodded, showing an approving smile.
“Good, then starting tomorrow, I’ll teach you some basic training methods.
But training is very tough.
Don’t give up halfway.”
“I won’t!”
Nami glared at him defiantly, but her heart was filled with anticipation.
“Um…
can I join too?”
Nojiko spoke up somewhat shyly, twirling a strand of her hair.
“Although I’m not as agile as Nami, I also want to contribute to the village.”
Mr.
Kaguya looked at the two Sisters, a flicker of contentment in his eyes.
“Of course, but the training intensity might be high.
Be mentally prepared.”
“We’re not afraid!”
The Sisters said in unison, then smiled at each other.
After resting for a while, Mr.
Kaguya hoisted the boulder onto his shoulder again and began a new round of training.
Sweat dripped down his cheeks, glistening in the sunlight.
After watching for a while, Nojiko went back inside to cook.
But Nami remained sitting on the steps, gazing intently at Mr.
Kaguya.
As the sun set, Mr.
Kaguya finished his training, his muscles hot and swollen.
He walked over and sat beside Nami, taking the towel she handed him to wipe off his sweat.
“Watched me all afternoon and still not tired of it?”
Mr.
Kaguya teased.
“Not tired of it, never tired of it!”
To Mr.
Kaguya’s surprise, Nami suddenly threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.
Her cheek pressed against his sweaty chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.