Nami's eyes sparkled at the gold, mesmerized, itching to dive into it. She barely heard Morpheus's words.
"I'm in! I'm in!" She exclaimed with her eyes change to a dollar signs. "Give me that gold, and I'm your people!"
Morpheus smirked. Classic Nami, money-obsessed.
"Deal."
The gold was mere dirt to him—with his magic, he could create heaps of it anytime.
He wasn't short on cash.
"Really?" Nami was stunned. She'd spoken impulsively, not expecting him to agree.
"Absolutely," Morpheus said. "I'm no king, but my word is gold. Join me, and this money's nothing."
"I'm so in!" Nami cheered, hugging Morpheus, pressing his face into her chest in a burst of generosity.
After calming down, she spread the news of Arlong's defeat to Cocoyasi's villagers.
At first, they were skeptical, but seeing the Fish-Men pinned at Arlong Park convinced them.
Cheers erupted across the village.
"Arlong's caught! Arlong's caught!"
The villagers, freed from years of oppression, celebrated wildly.
They were especially moved knowing Nami had brought their saviors. Though she thought her plan to buy back the village was secret, save for her sister, the villagers had long known.
Unaware, she became their hero, hoisted high amid cheers.
The celebration lasted from morning to night, everyone drunk and venting years of grievances.
By noon the next day, as they sobered up, Nami gathered the villagers to decide Arlong's fate: kill them or sell them.
Handing them to the Navy wasn't an option—Arlong's collusion with Captain Nezumi was common knowledge, and trust in the Navy was nonexistent.
The villagers debated.
Meanwhile, at Nami's home, Morpheus and Robin sat on the sofa, sipping fresh orange juice and planning their next move.
Nami's sister, Nojiko, approached. "Is it okay? You captured Arlong's crew, but you're letting Nami decide their fate?"
"They're just small fry," Morpheus said dismissively. "Not worth my attention."
Nojiko studied him. Last night, Nami had said Robin was from the West Blue, but Morpheus was a god walking the earth. Nojiko didn't buy it, but his origins were clearly extraordinary.
She worried for Nami. Was it safe for her to follow them?
"No," Morpheus said, reading her concern. "Nami won't get hurt with me. If you're worried, come along. I like your personality."
Nojiko was tempted but shook her head. "Sorry, I can't leave."
Who'd tend Bell-mere's orange grove if she left?
Morpheus said, "You could let her tend it herself."
"What?"
"As a god, resurrecting someone is reasonable, right?"
Nojiko froze.
Robin asked, "Should I do it, Boss?"
Morpheus snapped his fingers, teleporting Bell-mere's coffin from her grave into the living room.
Robin opened it, placing her hand on the skeletal remains and activating the Resurrection Fruit.
Flesh, organs, and veins regrew instantly. Before Nojiko's shocked eyes, a naked woman—Bell-mere—formed.
Bell-mere's eyelids twitched, then opened. Sitting up, she saw Nojiko, now grown.
"You're… Nojiko?"
Despite the years, she recognized her daughter's childhood features.
"Mom!" Nojiko, overcome, threw herself into Bell-mere's arms, sobbing.
Bell-mere, stunned, hugged her back. "You've grown, Nojiko."
Nojiko wailed.
The door burst open, and Nami rushed in. "Nojiko, what's—?"
She stopped, seeing Bell-mere.
Seconds later, both sisters were sobbing in their mother's arms.
Morpheus sighed. Women were made of water.
They cried for over ten minutes, tears streaming, proving the saying true.
Even Morpheus was impressed by their stamina.
He led Robin out, giving them space. He'd return when they were done crying.
For now, he'd wander the village.
***
Bonus Chapter:
100 Power Stones = 1 BC
300 Power Stones = 2 BC
500 Power Stones = 3 BC
700 Power Stones = 4 BC
1000 Power Stones = 5 BC
***
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