The sun dawned brightly over Cocoyasi Village, casting a golden sheen over the aftermath of Arlong's defeat. The villagers worked together to clean the ruins of Arlong Park, but smiles had returned to their faces, and the air was light with laughter—a sound long lost.
On the Going Merry, preparations for departure were nearly complete. Nami stood silently on the dock, facing her sister Nojiko. Tears shimmered in both their eyes.
"Take care of the village," Nami whispered.
"And you take care of yourself," Nojiko said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'm proud of you."
The Straw Hats watched quietly from the ship. Even Usopp didn't speak. Zoro leaned against the mast, arms crossed. Sanji exhaled a long trail of smoke, while Vihaan sat casually on the railing, eyes sharp but calm.
Nami turned to the crew, her voice lighter now. "You guys deserve to know. Everything."
Bell-mère's Story
As they sat under the orange trees planted on the backyard by Nami herself, she told them everything.
About how Bell-mère found her and Nojiko during a war, took them in, raised them despite poverty. About how she loved tangerines and how their orchard was her pride.
"She gave up her life to protect me," Nami said, voice trembling but proud. "Arlong murdered her because she wouldn't lie. She wanted me to live, even if it meant she wouldn't."
The crew listened silently.
"She believed I could find freedom one day. And I did. With you guys."
Vihaan leaned forward slightly, nodding once. "Then let's keep making her proud."
As the Going Merry began to set sail, the villagers gathered at the dock.
"Goodbye, everyone!" Nami shouted, waving.
But just as the ship drifted away, she sprinted and leapt from the dock, landing perfectly on deck.
And with a mischievous grin, she pulled up her shirt—not all the way, just enough to reveal dozens of stolen wallets stuffed beneath it.
They dropped in a cascade onto the deck.
Everyone—Zoro, Usopp, even Vihaan—blinked.
"What the hell!?" Sanji cried, stunned.
From the dock, a moment of silence…
Then, laughter erupted.
"She stole from us again!" someone shouted.
"But she saved us too!"
"LET HER KEEP IT!"
"No point trying to stop her anyway!"
Nami waved with mock innocence, winking. "Old habits die hard."
A Gift for a Thief
Later that evening, the crew relaxed on deck. Sanji brought out drinks on a silver tray—orange juice for Nami, sake for Zoro, tea for Usopp, and a chilled energy mix for Vihaan.
Vihaan lay back on a sunbed, arms behind his head, shirtless as usual. His abs gleamed under the sunlight.
Nami sat beside him, sipping her juice, stealing glances.
"Enjoying the view?" Vihaan teased without looking.
She playfully elbowed him. "You wish."
Then Vihaan smirked and sat up. "Actually… I got you a present."
She blinked. "A present?"
Vihaan lifted his hand—and from a swirling reflective mirror panel, bags of cash dropped onto the deck. Big, heavy marine-issued satchels.
Nami's eyes sparkled. "Is that…?"
"All from the Cocoyasi Marine base. Corruption funds. I couldn't let it go to waste."
Nami stared at him for a moment. "Vihaan, this is… amazing."
"I figured you'd want to use it to rebuild the village someday. Or at least fund the greatest navigator in the world."
She smiled, then leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Thanks, mirror boy."
Vihaan grinned. "You're welcome, wallet snatcher."
Zoro, watching from afar, muttered, "Tch. Lovebirds."
Sanji nearly dropped his tray, his eyes wide in disbelief. "Oi oi oi! Did she just—?!"
His cigarette drooped from his lips as he glared at Vihaan. "That should've been me!" he whined under his breath, steam practically coming out of his ears.
Meanwhile, Luffy sat cross-legged on the deck, juggling two oranges and sipping juice through three straws. "Nami's happy, so I'm happy!" he said with a grin, totally missing Sanji's meltdown.
Luffy looked up at the sails fluttering in the breeze. "Hey guys, let's go somewhere cool next. Somewhere with meat!"
Sanji forced a smile and muttered, "Sure, Captain. But next time, I'm giving the presents."
Luffy leaned back against the mast, laughing. "Vihaan, you're scary with that mirror thing. Maybe I'll get another Devil Fruit too!"
Vihaan smirked. "You will die idiot, rather focus on mastering your current one!."
The crew laughed, wind in their sails, the sun glowing behind them.