The townspeople had some hesitation on their faces.
They had also seen that Nami and this group of pirates had become partners. Even her companions had returned to fight for Nami against the fishmen. But now, they had heard that Nami wanted to attack the Marine branch.
These villagers seemed a bit disgruntled. If Nami ever did that, with the bounty on their heads, they would only be able to see Nami in the news and on bounty posters.
"Let's go quickly, the news will reach Colonel Nezumi soon enough," Nami yelled at them. "Let's hurry—if we delay, the rat might escape, and by then it'll be too late to get revenge." Luffy seemed excited, as if there would be some strong opponent among the Marines. He had just set out to sea, and adventure was his true passion.
"Let's go!" Luffy rushed to the front, leading the way toward the Merry, while the rest of the crew followed closely behind.
[That's great, Nami is mine forever, and no one can take her away from me.]
[But I want to stay in the village and chat with Nojiko. It feels like we've come a long way already.]
[As long as we talk, we can be honest with each other.]
Evan wanted to let Luffy and the others go on their own. Anyway, the Navy branch didn't have any strong players. Luffy could solve it with his fists if necessary. Evan didn't want to get involved unless there was danger.
[Nojiko: Nami, it seems I'm more attractive than you; even your vice-captain is fascinated by me.]
[Nami: How is that possible? That guy is just a pervert! He looks at all beautiful women that way.]
[Nami: So Nojiko, don't misunderstand. He always has those kinds of thoughts when he's around me.]
[Nojiko: Really? But since he got to Cocoyasi Village, eight out of ten things he says are about me.]
[Us: ...]
Nami felt a little irritated that Evan couldn't stop thinking about her sister. She had rewarded him just now, but she didn't expect him to go back to his old ways so quickly. He even said he wanted to stay with her sister. Nojiko was only a few years older than her—she hasn't even grown up yet!
"Evan, what are you doing there? Get me and Robin back to the ship first!" Nami called out, breaking his thoughts.
"Let Luffy and the others go their own way. I need to confirm the route," Nami added, glaring at Evan.
The more this guy wanted to do something, the more she wouldn't let him. She needed to keep him under control, preventing him from going near Nojiko. That would be enough to keep things in check.
"Hahahaha!" Nojiko chuckled and raised an eyebrow at Nami.
Nami didn't feel confident. Nojiko dared not provoke her further.
"Alright!" Evan had originally planned to ask for Nami's permission, but since she had already spoken, there was no way she'd refuse. After all, who would say no to having two beautiful women next to them?
[Looks like Nami predicted my move; she must've awakened Observation Haki like Red Earl.]
[Being able to read other people's memories and thoughts—doesn't that mean I could see everything about Nami?]
[Wait, that wasn't in the original plot. If Nami had that ability, she wouldn't have been so down these past years.]
[Or maybe she can just see what I'm thinking. Is my acting really that simple?]
[Miss Robin hasn't called me out, though. She's even been pretty cooperative.]
[It's still Miss Robin!]
Evan walked over, whining inwardly, and stood beside Nami. He tried to put his arm around her waist, but Nami quickly pushed his hand away and extended her arm instead. Evan caught it, though dissatisfaction was written all over Nami's face. This guy was too handsy, even wanting to touch Robin instead.
"Nami, you'll feel the wind if you don't hold on tight," Evan said, reminding her.
Zoro took one look at them and shuddered.
He'd rather let Luffy carry him than Evan. This guy was a pervert, and his Devil Fruit abilities were even more perverted.
"I just wanted to experience it," Nami replied stubbornly.
Evan shrugged and casually put an arm around Nico Robin, who didn't resist and even smiled at Nami. Robin had already spoken to Zoro and found out about Evan's antics, including how he had made Zoro suffer by teleporting him to the island with his abilities.
Being protected by Evan could minimize damage, but if you let go, you'd feel the wind blasting straight into your face.
"Zap!" In an instant, Evan and the others turned into a bolt of lightning and vanished.
Luffy grabbed everyone else and then latched onto two large trees. With a swift kick, he shot up and flew straight toward the port, without even needing to walk.
"Nami's friend sure knows how to have fun," Nojiko mused, watching the four figures soar through the sky.
"Haven't they thought about how they'll land? Are they planning to land on their faces?" Nojiko chuckled.
"Nojiko, what should we do?" Genzo approached, looking concerned as he gazed at her.
So little was known about Nami in the village now. For her next move, they could only turn to Nojiko for answers.
"Clean up Arlong Park and recover everything we can. After Nami returns, we'll inform the Navy about what happened here. Nami is ready to leave, and we must not stand in her way," Nojiko said, her brow furrowing as she looked at Arlong Park.
There was a fortune accumulated by the fishmen over the years, money that rightfully belonged to the people in the villages under Arlong's control. They wouldn't take a penny more than they were owed.
As for Nami...
Nojiko wasn't sure yet if she should tell the Navy about Nami's plans. But if they didn't, there would be a huge gap in their story.
"Is Nami going to become a pirate?" Genzo asked, his voice heavy with concern.
He had once thought that after expelling Arlong, Nami would return to them. But now, it seemed like she was heading on a different path.
"Let her go be a pirate and search for that so-called treasure. Maybe in time, she'll come back," Nojiko said, shrugging.
She didn't know if Nami would ever return. But if Evan was any indication, Nojiko believed they would see her again someday.