Chapter 478: To Arlong Park

"What are you doing?! We know Nami wants you to fight Arlong, but there are only three of you!" Genzo shouted, stepping forward with frustration and concern lacing every word. The villagers behind him looked equally tense, gripping pitchforks, staffs, and what few old weapons they had.

Zoro glanced at the man with his usual stoic expression. "Sorry, mister," he said bluntly, "but our captain said this is a battle between pirates. So please... don’t get involved."

The way he said it wasn’t cruel—but it carried the weight of conviction. Genzo stepped back slightly, surprised by the intensity in Zoro’s voice. The others faltered too, uncertain.

But the village doctor stepped forward. His white coat flapped in the breeze, and though his hands trembled slightly with age, his eyes were firm. "I know you’re with Nami... but this is our village. Our home. We want to fight too. Let us stand with you."

Zoro’s sharp gaze turned on him. "Can you even fight?"

It wasn’t an insult. Not entirely. But it landed like one.

Anger bristled among the villagers, but before it could erupt, Usopp quickly stepped in, waving his hands in alarm.

"Wait, wait! Don’t mind what Zoro said. He’s got all the subtlety of a brick. Look, Nami-san doesn’t want you guys to get hurt, okay? That’s why she brought us." Usopp jabbed his thumb proudly at himself, then pointed to Zoro and Luffy. "And don’t worry. We’re stronger than we look!"

Zoro sighed, arms crossed. "Speak for yourself."

Meanwhile, Luffy stretched his arms high above his head, then behind his back. "Nami, take me to Arlong Park already. I’m getting impatient. I wanna hit something."

Zoro turned to the villagers again. "Anyway, please. Don’t interfere. This isn’t your fight anymore. It’s ours."

The villagers stood in silence. Some clenched their fists. Others looked down in frustration. But they didn’t argue. Not after hearing the conviction in their voices.

From the side, Nojiko watched quietly. Her gaze flicked between the ragtag trio of pirates now heading toward Arlong Park... and the small ship bobbing near the shore, ready to sail.

She didn’t understand it all. Why had Nami brought pirates to fight pirates? Why now?

But Nami trusted them.

And maybe... just maybe... that was enough.

"If Nami’s ready to fight," Genzo finally said, looking to his fellow villagers, "then we should be, too. She’s carried this burden alone for too long. We couldn’t protect what mattered... but we can still stand for her."

While Zoro and Genzo continued their tense back-and-forth and Usopp played mediator, I turned to Nami quietly.

"Which way is the 16th Marine Base?" I asked.

Nami stiffened slightly. Her fists tightened.

"...Let’s forget the money," she said after a beat. "Let’s go help Luffy and the others."

A small smile tugged at my lips. "Believe in them. They’re stronger than you think." I took a step closer, lowering my voice. "And I’m not letting those bastards get away with stealing everything you’ve worked for."

I leaned in, just enough for her to hear the next part. "Also, feeding Luffy is a nightmare. I’m already broke."

That caught her off guard. A breathy laugh escaped her lips, and I saw her usual spark beginning to return.

She wiped her eyes and smirked. "Yeah, you’re right. The 16th Branch is the closest Marine Base near Cocoyasi. It’s on the way to Arlong Park. But remember—every berry you recover, you owe me three hundred percent interest."

"Three hundred?" I repeated with mock horror. "That’s robbery."

"Too late to complain." She turned toward the shoreline. "Come on. We’ve got a base to loot."

We walked toward the dock where our ship waited, its sail already fluttering in the wind. Luffy was there, bouncing on the balls of his feet, eager to go.

"Small interest," I muttered under my breath. "If I ever get back to Nazarick, this is pocket change..."

Nami raised an eyebrow. "Pocket change, huh? Then give me a hundred berries right now."

I looked at her hand expectantly stretched out, then at her face.

"...I don’t have any," I said flatly.

She blinked once. Then burst into laughter.

"You’re broke as hell and still talking like a rich man," she said, shaking her head.

"Exactly. You have to speak with confidence. That’s the first rule of being stylishly poor," I said, climbing aboard.

Luffy jumped up next to us. "Nami, let’s go already! Show us the way!"

Nami hesitated for just a moment longer, her eyes glancing toward the village she had fought so hard to protect. Toward Genzo, Nojiko, and everyone else. Her people.

They nodded at her silently. And in that silent nod... was trust.

She turned back to us and gave a sharp nod. "Alright. Let’s go."

We raised the anchor.

The Going Merry cut through the water once more, its prow pointed directly toward Arlong Park.

~~~

655E8 .