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It was another bright and breezy day.
Onboard the Going Merry, Logan was still at the helm, steering under Nami's constant nagging and sharp directions. Kaya was off on the deck, working out to strengthen her body — she knew that to fully unlock the power of her Healing Fruit, a strong body was key. She didn't want to be the weak link of the crew.
Makino, as usual, was busy preparing meals and brewing alcohol in her spare time. Logan and Nami both loved her homemade drinks, which made Makino feel proud and deeply satisfied with her work.
Seeing everyone busy with their own roles, Logan couldn't help but grin.Yeah, beautiful women really did make life better.
When he was bored, he'd mess around a bit; and at night, well… they'd "discuss" navigation techniques more deeply.
With Kaya's addition, the three who used to play cards could now play mahjong instead — a serious upgrade. And thanks to the Healing Fruit removing fatigue and hangovers, Logan was basically unstoppable.
Life was good. Blissful. Perfect.
Nami lounged on a deck chair, lazily sensing the weather patterns around them. "Hey, Logan," she called out casually, "where are we heading next? I need to map out the route in advance."
Logan didn't even hesitate. "Cocoyasi Village."
"Cocoyasi Village? Oh, I know that pla—"She froze mid-sentence. Her face instantly darkened.
Standing up, she stared at him, her voice trembling. "Can't we go somewhere else? There are so many islands in the East Blue. I can take you—"
"Nami." Logan's tone suddenly grew serious.
"Logan, please… we can't go there," Nami choked out.
Her time with Logan had been one of the few happy stretches of her life in years — a time when she didn't have to think, didn't have to fear.
Sure, Logan could be exhausting at night with his endless "energy," but other than that little quirk, he treated her incredibly well.
After spending years sailing with merchants and pirates alike, Nami could tell when someone was genuine and when they were full of lies. Logan was, without a doubt, the real deal.
And that was exactly why she couldn't let him go to Cocoyasi Village.
If Arlong saw him, he'd never let Logan leave alive.
If Logan insisted on going, she'd have to say goodbye — even if she didn't want to. Not yet. Not like this.
Seeing the pain in her eyes, Logan sighed quietly.
Eight years… and Arlong was still the nightmare that haunted her. Just mentioning her village was enough to bring back that flood of horrible memories — ones she'd buried deep but never escaped.
He looked her straight in the eye. "Nami, listen to me. You're my woman now. I'll make everyone who's ever hurt you pay for it — Arlong included."
In his gaze, Nami saw something she hadn't seen in a long time: unwavering resolve.
She was touched — deeply. But that only made her more desperate.
"You don't understand!" she shouted, her voice cracking. "That's Arlong! You can't beat him! Please, just don't go! I'm begging you!"
"I don't even want the ten million Berries anymore, okay?! Just—don't!"
Her voice broke into a sob as she collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down her face.
The memories hit her like a tidal wave — the villagers who tried to fight Arlong, all slaughtered. Even Belle-Mère, her adoptive mother.
Eight years under his thumb had drilled one belief into her soul: Arlong was unbeatable. Resistance was death.
"What's wrong, Nami?!"
Kaya and Makino, startled by the noise, rushed over and helped Nami sit up, worry all over their faces.
They'd never seen her so broken before.
What the hell had happened?
Logan knelt beside her, gently brushing his hand over her forehead. "Nami," he said softly, "I know you're scared of Arlong. But he's not unbeatable."
Feeling the warmth of his hand, Nami slowly lifted her head. Her breathing steadied.
"You might not know this," Logan continued, "but Arlong only came to the East Blue because he couldn't survive in the New World. There are plenty of people stronger than him."
"And yeah, Fishmen are ten times stronger than humans — but only ordinary humans. Do I look ordinary to you?"
He flexed his arm for emphasis.
Nami couldn't help but snort through her tears. Even now, he was teasing her.
"Come on, Nami!" Kaya chimed in, pumping her tiny fists. "Logan beat Captain Kuro, remember?"
Makino nodded. "She's right, Nami. You've seen the captain's strength yourself. If he says he can beat Arlong, I believe him."
"Really?" Nami asked softly, her heart wavering under their encouragement.
Thinking back, Logan was pretty amazing. His speed alone might even outmatch Arlong's.
"Nami," Logan said firmly, "when we go to Cocoyasi Village, we're not just taking down Arlong — you are."
Nami blinked at him in shock. "What?"
Logan smiled faintly and turned his palm upward. A strange fruit appeared there, covered in swirling, colorful patterns.
Makino gasped. "An… Devil Fruit?!"
She remembered stories of people gaining supernatural powers after eating them — like Luffy turning into a rubber man.
She never imagined Logan had one too.
Kaya's eyes widened. "Wait, you have another one?!"
"They're not the same," Logan said with a shake of his head.
"Nami, eat this Fruit, and you'll have the power to beat Arlong yourself."
His voice was calm but carried a strange pull — something magnetic.
Nami's eyes lit up, the despair inside her giving way to a new emotion.
Hope.
"....."