The two stared at each other. Xinan looked at Nami with an expression of earnest, genuine sincerity.
Nami bit her lower lip, her large brown eyes filled with deep hurt. But the pain Arlong inflicted was too deeply etched in her memory. Bellemere had died right in front of Nami, leaving a massive psychological trauma.
Nami would rather suffer in silence than take a risk. Even knowing Arlong was faithless, she desperately stole treasure, clinging to that sliver of impossible hope, gambling on Arlong's mercy—because she never wanted to lose anything she held dear again.
But Arlong was a complete racist, incapable of any kindness, especially toward a human.
In the original story, she suffered quietly until Arlong, colluding with Captain Nezumi, confiscated her treasure under the guise of theft. Only then did Nami completely despair and finally ask Luffy for help.
Seeing Nami's misery, Xinan wanted to smack himself. Why did he have to keep up the pretense of knowing nothing?
But he genuinely felt helpless. This was a real world, and there were many things Xinan truly didn't know. Any sensible person could see that he didn't even know how to find a ship to go to sea.
Seeing Nami was still afraid, Xinan extended his other arm and pulled her into a tight hug. He spoke with tender seriousness, "Don't be afraid. Whatever it is, tell me. I'll face it with you, even if it means death. Nami, don't always carry everything alone. Let me help you, okay?"
The people of Cocoyasi Village knew Nami was forced into her situation, but their cowardice caused them to act like they rejected her. This meant that aside from Nojiko and Genzo, Nami received no encouragement in the village.
At this moment, Xinan's warm embrace and resolute words touched her core. Though Nami was very strong, she also had a vulnerable side and longed for someone to lean on.
"Xinan, save me!"
The girl looked up, tears in her eyes, crying as she spoke to Xinan.
"Of course! I'll fight with all I have." Xinan responded with firm conviction in his eyes and voice.
In Xinan's arms, Nami finally hugged him back and sobbed loudly.
Since Bellemere's death, her slender body had borne every burden.
Now, she had finally found a shoulder willing to share the heavy load. Feeling Xinan's warm chest, she could finally let out a full, cathartic cry.
The pent-up pressure had been building for too long. Nami cried for a very long time before finally stopping. She then opened her heart and told Xinan about Arlong and his crew.
The small boat continued to be pushed by the sea breeze. As Nami recounted Arlong's various atrocities, they didn't realize that dawn had broken.
"It's just 20 million Berries! Don't worry, Nami, I'll definitely win."
It was supposed to be a touching sentiment, but Nami blushed, noticing the heat radiating from the object pressed against her buttock. "Can't you ever be serious?"
Looking at the girl's shy appearance, Xinan said cheekily, "I can't help it! Who told you you're so adorable? It's morning now, just a normal physiological reaction."
"Pervert!"
Nami scolded him with a look of disdain.
Watching the girl, whose eyes were still red from her big cry, the short haircut making her look especially cute and playful, Xinan, whose morning fire was burning fiercely, found it hard to endure.
"To defeat Arlong, Nami, let's dual cultivate!" Xinan chuckled.
"No!" Nami firmly refused.
Although Nami refused verbally, when Xinan leaned in to kiss her, the girl passionately returned his kiss.
The sheets were ruffled, the small boat rocked, and amid the groaning, overburdened sound of the deck planks, the small boat wobbled on toward the distance.
...
Unlike the Straw Hat Pirates, who first went to the Baratie and then to Cocoyasi Village, taking a long time, the two headed straight for Arlong Park.
After a day and a night of sailing, they finally arrived at Cocoyasi Village on the second morning.
"Xinan, maybe you should let me go in first."
Now that they were face-to-face with the situation, Nami was having second thoughts. She was truly afraid to gamble.
"Don't worry! Instead of giving that trash any money, I'd rather you buy a few more pretty dresses."
"We agreed to travel together, to see this world, to draw all the world's sea charts, and then make a fortune! How can we travel if we don't defeat Arlong?"
Xinan spoke with a smile.
Xinan's casual attitude gave Nami considerable encouragement, but she still cautioned him, "Arlong and his crew are completely different from the previous pirates. Their powerful bite can shatter cannonballs, and they can lift a house with one hand. Arlong's power is nothing like a pirate of the level of the Butcher Bakar, so be careful. If things get too bad, run away quickly."
"Relax! I'll definitely win. Thanks for the delicious food, I'm completely recharged from the last two days, and I feel full of strength now," Xinan said, clenching his fist with a grin.
Nami, hearing him make such a joke at this moment, blushed and scolded, "Don't bother listening! Go die, you big pervert who likes to lick people!"
Seeing Nami's shyness, Xinan turned around and burst out laughing as he walked toward Arlong Park.
Once he turned away, Xinan's expression turned serious. Luffy had to struggle quite a bit to defeat Arlong. Although his Devil Fruit power was quite invincible, he couldn't afford to be careless.
Watching his carefree back, Nami's eyes suddenly welled up. Even at a moment like this, he was making such vulgar jokes just to keep her from getting too nervous.
"Xinan, you big idiot, wait for me!"
By the time Nami snapped out of her emotional stupor and realized that Xinan, who had been standing in front of her just moments ago, was nowhere in sight, she quickly dashed toward Arlong Park.
...
"This must be the place!"
Xinan looked at the massive structure, distinct from the houses of Cocoyasi Village, before him. He didn't need a sign to know this was the infamous Arlong Park.
The Fish-Men of the Arlong Pirates probably believed that humans in this area would never dare to trespass on their park or pose a threat to them.
There was not a single Fish-Man guarding the vast perimeter of Arlong Park.
Clenching his fist, Xinan launched a punch.
BOOM!!
With a deafening crash, the sturdy gate shattered into pieces, instantly alarming the Fish-Men inside Arlong Park.
Whether it was Arlong lounging by the pool and sunbathing or the Fish-Men swimming and playing in the seawater, they all turned in unison toward the source of the noise.
And what they saw enraged them all.
Under their furious glares, a young man, a million times better-looking than them, strode through the shattered gate, walking in as brazenly as if he owned the place.
"You're all here, then! Looks like I won't have to bother searching for you later," Xinan said with a wide, arrogant smile.
After smashing the gate with one punch and stepping into Arlong Park, Xinan's gaze swept across the area, finally settling on Arlong, who was reclining in a beach chair.
"You lowly human! Do you have any idea what kind of foolish thing you've just done?"
Arlong sat leisurely in his chair, but his eyes grew savage. The bloodshot shark eyes glared at Xinan.
"Challenging the noble Fish-Men will cost you your life!"
Looking at the group of grotesque, ugly Fish-Men, Xinan retorted with disdain, "Ugly and filthy creatures. Fish-Men are merely fish that resemble humans—lowly, mixed-blood mongrels. There's nothing noble about you."