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Bang!
Nami closed the door, suppressing the urge to punch the two guys in front of her. She spoke expressionlessly, "Tell me, why didn't you keep your promise and come looking for me here?"
Ah! Nami-san, even when she's angry, is so cute! Sanji thought to himself, his eyes instantly turning into hearts. Then, just as quickly, he became serious and said in a deep voice, "Nami, something unexpected happened." He recounted how a giant beast attacked the Dream Chaser, forcing him and Goku to intervene, and how they were subsequently discovered by two Fishmen.
After hearing his explanation, Nami's expression softened. She wasn't unreasonable; knowing they had a valid reason, she no longer harbored anger toward them.
"So, you want me to leave with you right now, is that it?" she guessed.
"Mm-hm!" Goku and Sanji nodded in unison.
Nami bit her lip, her expression shifting between uncertainty and resolve. "I can't leave with you yet because my business isn't finished. But it's just one step away. Once this final step is completed, I can go with you."
Sanji opened his mouth but ultimately didn't ask what Nami was doing. "Nami, you..." Goku began to ask what step was left, but he instantly covered his mouth, remembering his promise not to pry into her secrets.
Nami suddenly smiled sweetly. "Oh, don't worry, it'll be done soon. I'll go out for a bit later to completely resolve this matter, and then I'll return as quickly as possible to leave with you. While I'm gone, please stay here and don't go out, okay?"
Goku and Sanji exchanged glances and nodded. "I understand, Nami. You must come back quickly." "Nami-san, we will definitely wait for you here."
In a secluded spot in the tangerine grove, Hatchan was digging tirelessly. Before long, a large treasure chest appeared.
"Is this it, Nojiko?" he asked, looking at the woman standing behind him.
"That's right, all of Nami's savings from these years are inside," Nojiko nodded.
"Then step back a little." Hatchan put down the shovel, grabbed the treasure chest with his six hands, and exerted force. "Get up!" Without showing any strain, he lifted the large, two-meter-long treasure chest out of the ground.
Watching this, Nojiko sighed inwardly at the terrifying strength of Fishmen, noting it would take four or five adult men from their village to lift such a chest. Hatchan freed one hand, took out the bag of treasure Nami had given him earlier, and asked, "Where's Nami? Isn't she here yet?"
"Coming, coming," Nami's voice approached from a distance. "I found a cart for you; it'll be more convenient this way."
"You're so thoughtful, Nami," Hatchan said as he placed the treasure chest onto the cart. Pushing it was easier than carrying it, which blocked his vision.
"Let's go back then. I suddenly remembered I have an urgent matter to discuss with Arlong," Nami urged. She had sensed Hatchan was stalling with his numerous "restroom breaks" and wanted to reach Arlong Park as soon as possible to hand over the 100,000,000 Berries. Simple-minded Hatchan immediately forgot Arlong's instructions to stall and grabbed the cart handle. "You have an urgent matter to discuss with Big Brother Arlong? Then let's go quickly!"
After giving Nojiko a meaningful look, Nami followed.
After watching them leave, Nojiko returned to the house and opened the room door. "They've left. You can come out now." She poured Goku and Sanji fresh cups of tea. "You two just wait here for Nami to return. If things go smoothly, I think she'll be back very soon."
Goku took a sip and immediately grimaced. "Hiss— It's so bitter!!"
Nojiko looked at him amusedly. "Sorry, the tea leaves here are quite ordinary."
"Tea leaves? Is this tea?" Goku asked curiously after a few more small, bitter sips. "Mm-hm! I only knew this thing existed before, but I've never drunk it." He put the cup down; he didn't want another sip.
Sanji, who had been silently pondering, looked at Nojiko. "Just now, the person Nami left with was a Fishman, right?" He and Goku had peeked from the curtain and seen Hatchan's six arms. He knew the Fishman must be from the Arlong Pirates.
Nojiko paused and nodded. "You saw it, huh. It seems Nami hasn't told you about her situation, has she?"
Sanji lit a cigarette. "That's right, Nami-san hasn't told us; she said it was her secret. I'm not trying to pry into her secret now, but I want to ask if she'll be in danger going with that person."
Goku looked over, surprised. "Danger? You're saying Nami will be in danger?" He trusted Nami implicitly to handle her business.
Sanji quietly looked at Nojiko, who frowned and let out a soft sigh. "I don't know either, but I always feel a little uneasy. Nami said it's her secret... it's also her eternal pain, which is why she doesn't want to tell you."
She looked at Goku and Sanji. "Since you are Nami's recognized companions, I think I should tell you her story so that you can understand her better." With that, she began to tell them the story from eight years ago, and the burden Nami had carried since then.