“…” A deathly silence.
“N-Nami, what d-did you say?” Chief Gen leaned on his cane, his voice trembling, barely believing his own ears.
“It’s true, Mr.
Gen.” She took a step forward and began to chant softly: “Oh, Spirit of Thunder, roaming between heaven and earth, please answer my call—[Thunder Ball]!” “Crackle” A fist-sized, dazzling, pulsating Thunder Ball appeared in Nami’s hand.
The aura and dangerous energy fluctuations emanating from the Thunder Ball illuminated the suddenly pale faces of the surrounding villagers.
“Th-This is…” “L-Lightning!” “That flash of lightning just now, was that you, Nami?” The villagers stared in astonishment at the Thunder Ball in Nami’s hand.
Looking at her face, which was youthful yet etched with determination, they finally began to believe this unbelievable truth.
“Yes.” Nami dispersed the Thunder Ball, her voice carrying a hint of imperceptible choke.
But more than that, there was relief and pride.
“I gained the power of lightning, a power strong enough to destroy Arlong.
I killed him with my own hands.” After a brief silence, there was an overwhelming, tsunami-like eruption of ecstasy!
“We’re free!
We are truly free!” “Arlong is dead!
That demon is dead!” “Nami!
Nami saved us!” “This is wonderful!
Belle-Mere, did you see this!” Crying, laughter, cheers, and shouts intertwined; the pain and despair suppressed for eight years were completely released at this moment!
People hugged and wept, jumping and shouting excitedly.
Some even knelt on the ground, thanking heaven.
Gen was shedding tears of old age.
He vigorously wiped his face and waved his hand towards the skeptical young people beside him: “Go!
Let’s go look at Arlong Park!” A group of brave villagers, led by Gen, ran toward Arlong Park, their hearts filled with both apprehension and excitement.
When they crossed the hill and saw the scene before them, everyone gasped, completely petrified where they stood.
Where was Arlong Park?
All that remained was an immense, charred crater whose edges exhibited a strange, glazed sheen!
The buildings, walls, and even the terrain that once symbolized oppression and fear had vanished completely.
It was as if an invisible giant hand had forcefully wiped them away from the earth!
“D-Did Nami really do this?” A young man’s voice trembled, his legs shaking.
Gen looked at the scene, which resembled divine punishment, his hand gripping the cane trembling violently.
Finally, he let out a long, deep sigh, and a truly relieved and heartfelt smile appeared on his face: “It’s true.
It’s really over.
Nami, that child, she really did it!” Once the news was confirmed, it spread like wildfire throughout the entire village.
The last doubts vanished, and the entire Cocoyasi Village plunged into an unprecedented frenzy!
People brought out their secretly hidden food and fine wine.
They lit bonfires in the village square, singing and dancing.
Laughter and song soared into the sky, drowning out even the sound of the waves.
It had been eight years.
This was the first time they could breathe so freely and laugh so heartily.
However, amidst this ocean of celebration.
Nojiko quietly pulled Nami away, and together with Adam, they returned to the small house where she, Nami, and Belle-Mere used to live.
Outside, the noise was deafening, but inside, it was exceptionally quiet.
The refreshing scent of the tangerine grove drifted in through the window.
Nojiko carefully closed the door.
Turning around, she examined her sister closely under the lamplight.
Unlike the other villagers who were only focused on the euphoria.
She was more concerned about how Nami had obtained this power and what price she had paid.
“Nami,” Nojiko’s voice was soft, filled with heartache.
“Tell your sister, what exactly happened?” “How did you get that kind of power?” “Are you alright!” Nami looked at her sister’s pained gaze, and all her composure quietly melted away in front of her family.
She didn’t hide the matter of mortgaging ten years of her freedom, slowly recounting the events.
Hearing “mortgaging ten years of freedom,” Nojiko’s heart clenched instantly.
She tightly grasped Nami’s hand, her eyes full of distress and worry: “Ten years, Nami, you…” “Sister, don’t worry.” Nami squeezed Nojiko’s hand back, a sincere and relaxed smile on her face.
“Signing the contract with Big Brother Lin Yi was the most correct decision I’ve ever made.” “If it weren’t for him, I might never have escaped Arlong, and the village…” She paused, then continued, “Besides, Big Brother Lin is very kind.
He doesn’t treat me like a slave.” Saying this, Nami looked up at Adam, her eyes holding a trace of curiosity and anticipation for her new life: “Big Brother Lin Yi, I’m an employee on the ship now.” “What do I need to do?” “Should I sweep the deck?” “Or organize the cargo?” Adam couldn’t help but smile as he watched Nami preparing to “work hard.” He shook his head and said in a calm tone, “It won’t be that much trouble.” “Your job is simple, yet crucial: you just need to be the Navigator of the ‘Myriad Realms Auction House’ ship.” “A N-Navigator?” Nami was stunned.
Immediately, this news exploded in her heart like a massive surprise!
Navigator!
Drawing a world map was her true, deeply buried dream!
She had originally thought that mortgaging her freedom meant losing her dreams and becoming a servant or slave.
She never expected that the first “job” she received would be the role she had always yearned for!
“R-Really?
Big Brother Lin Yi!” “I can really be the Navigator?” Nami stood up excitedly, her face radiant with unbelievable joy.
“Of course.” Adam nodded affirmatively.
“Navigating this ship to reach any corner of the world—that is your responsibility.” “And for you, it should also be your greatest pleasure, right?” “Yes!
Absolutely!” Nami nodded vigorously, so excited she was nearly jumping.
“I will definitely become the world’s best Navigator!” Being able to sail around the world as a Navigator—this wasn’t mortgaging her freedom; this was the realization of her greatest dream!
The slight resentment she felt about the ten-year period completely vanished at this moment.
Seeing her sister’s heartfelt happiness, Nojiko was genuinely happy for her too.
But along with the happiness, a deep sense of reluctance welled up in her heart.
Nami was leaving; she was going out to sea with Adam.
After this separation, she didn’t know when they would meet again.
Nojiko couldn’t help but reach out and gently stroke Nami’s orange short hair.
Her eyes were full of reluctance and tenderness: “Nami, you’ve grown up.
You’re going to pursue your dreams!” “Your sister is happy for you.” Nami also sensed her sister’s emotions.
She held Nojiko’s hand, her eyes starting to redden: “Sister, I…” The two sisters looked at each other in silence, and a deep, mutual reluctance permeated the quiet room.
Adam looked at the gentle and understanding Nojiko.
He pondered for a moment, then suddenly spoke, breaking the silence: “Miss Nojiko, I recall Nami mentioning that your skills in preparing tangerines and cooking are excellent.” Nojiko and Nami both looked at him confusedly.
Adam smiled slightly and extended an invitation: “My ship currently happens to be missing a cook.” “I wonder if Miss Nojiko would be willing to board the ship and take on this position?” As soon as he said this, both Nojiko and Nami were stunned!
Immediately, immense ecstasy overwhelmed both of them!
“Really?
Big Brother Lin Yi!” “Sister can come too!” Nami could hardly believe her ears.
Nojiko covered her mouth, her eyes full of surprise and disbelief.
She wouldn’t have to be separated from her sister!
They could go out to sea together!
To witness the wider world!
“Of course.” Adam nodded, his tone affirmative.
“My ship is very large; one extra person is absolutely fine.” “Furthermore, Miss Nojiko’s addition will make life on the ship much more comfortable.” “I just don’t know if Miss Nojiko is willing?” “Willing!
I am willing!” Nojiko agreed with almost no hesitation.
“Thank you, Mr.
Adam!” “I will definitely work hard as the cook!” “No problem.
You can call me Big Brother Lin from now on,” Adam said happily.
“This is great!
Sister!” Nami cheered and rushed forward, embracing Nojiko tightly.