Author: Xiao Yifeng
Translator: PapaSmurf0700
Upon listening to Bai Ye's explanation, the Straw Hats couldn't contain their excitement.
Luffy laughed loudly and said, "Bai Ye, you truly are someone we can count on!"
Zoro and Sanji exchanged glances, both seeing the same word reflected in each other's eyes: trustworthy.
Nami and Usopp, overwhelmed with emotion, hugged Bai Ye tightly, tears streaming down their faces.
This left Bai Ye slightly flustered, with an expression of mild annoyance. He said to Usopp, "Hey Usopp, you've gotten your snot all over my robe!"
-----
With the navy gone and the issues involving the Arlong Pirates and Captain Nezumi fully settled, the Straw Hats had also laid out their plans regarding Haki. What was next on the agenda? Naturally, it was time to resume the banquet! Cocoyasi Village soon found itself immersed in joyous celebrations once more.
During these celebrations, the Straw Hats took a moment to relax. Inside a room, Nami lay on a bed, her expression tinged with frustration. "Can't this be removed?" she asked, glancing at her tattoo.
The doctor beside her replied with a sigh, "It's impossible to remove it entirely. It would not only be painful, but it would also leave a scar behind." His eyes settled on the tattoo on Nami's arm, and he couldn't help but feel sympathetic. The hardships she must have faced were beyond his imagination.
Nami, reflecting on her position as a Straw Hat Pirate, felt it was out of place to have Arlong's mark on her body. She fondly recalled a memory of Nojiko getting tattoos to comfort her after she received her own. A smile formed on her lips at the thought.
Holding out a piece of paper to the doctor, she said softly, "Could you use this design to cover up the old tattoo?"
The doctor looked puzzled at first, but upon examining the design, he nodded in understanding. "This will take some time," he warned her.
As he made the necessary preparations, his gaze settled on the paper's design once again: a simple windmill and oranges.
-----
Elsewhere, Bai Ye stood in the orange grove of Nami's home, savoring an orange and nodding in approval. "These oranges are truly delicious," he remarked.
Nojiko, standing beside him in the grove, responded, "Yes, this grove means everything to Nami." Lost in memories, a soft smile occasionally graced her lips.
Seeing her reminisce, Bai Ye chose not to interrupt and instead focused on enjoying the sweet taste of the orange.
After enjoying several delicious oranges, Bai Ye thought to himself, "These are fantastic!" He anticipated that Nami might soon add him to her "keep away from the orange grove" list on the Golden Merry, given his appreciation for the fruit. The taste was so delightful that he contemplated taking some orange saplings to plant in his personal space.
Just as Bai Ye was about to act on his idea, Nojiko spoke up, her voice tinged with emotion: "Do you always see Nami as a true friend?"
Bai Ye turned to face her, sensing the weight behind her words. He noticed tears glistening in her eyes. It wasn't that Nojiko doubted Bai Ye or the others, but she was filled with concern and apprehension for her younger sister. Nami was embarking on a perilous adventure, especially as they would be navigating the treacherous waters of the Grand Line. Being an elder sister, Nojiko's worries were natural.
Setting aside the orange he was holding, Bai Ye's face turned serious. "We would lay down our lives for Nami," he said with unwavering determination. "That's not just my sentiment, but the sentiment of the entire crew."
Witnessing Bai Ye's sincere declaration, Nojiko was momentarily taken aback. A smile soon replaced her tears as she responded, "In that case, I entrust her to you, Mr. Bai Ye."
Acknowledging her trust, Bai Ye nodded in agreement. As Nojiko wiped away her tears, he swiftly gathered a stash of oranges for himself.
-----
Every great moment has its end.
Three days after the grand feast began, it was time for the Straw Hats to depart. Genzo, Nojiko and the villagers gathered to bid them farewell.
Aboard the ship, Sanji's face fell. "Where's Nami?" he wondered aloud, sadness evident in his voice. The villagers too seemed puzzled by her absence. However, Luffy, with his sharp eyes, spotted her in the distance. "Look, Nami's coming!" he exclaimed, waving enthusiastically.
Yet, something seemed amiss. Usopp, peeking from the deck, observed, "Why does it look like Nami's running for her life?" She darted, weaving past the villagers at an impressive speed.
Bai Ye, leveraging his foresight abilities, chuckled and remarked, "This is Nami's final act as the village's Cat Burglar."
And he was right. As soon as Nami made her swift leap onto the ship, she urged Luffy to sail away without delay. The villagers, in their initial confusion, tried to convey their gratitude and well-wishes. But as the ship drifted further away, Nami revealed her mischief: she opened her clothes, letting wallet after wallet tumble out.
The villagers' realization was almost comedic. Their purses had vanished! Lifting their heads, they caught sight of Nami's cheeky grin and heard her shout, "Take care, everyone!"
At first, their responses were shouts of disbelief such as "You cheeky girl!" and "Return our wallets!" However, these later changed to affectionate farewells like "Stay happy, Nami! You're always welcome back!."
As Bai Ye was lost in his thoughts, he noticed Luffy, who was a mess of tears and snot. Handing him a tissue, Bai Ye thought, "This captain is truly like a big kid."
Suddenly, breaking the mood, Nami turned to Bai Ye. "Bai Ye," she started, "I just remembered you haven't paid me yet. And you know, I gave up all my savings."
"Do you plan on taking even this small amount from me?" she asked with a hint of challenge.
Bai Ye looked genuinely taken aback. "What? No!" he exclaimed. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a bag of Bellys. "We agreed on 2 million Bellys. I gave you half upfront," he said, recounting their agreement.
With a cheeky smile, he handed the bag to Nami, "Now, I'm giving you ten million! Consider it a bonus for all your efforts. What do you think, Nami?"
Bai Ye's grin widened as he waited for her response. Nami huffed, "Well, alright then." But her eyes gleamed with the symbols of Bellys, and she darted to her room, presumably to count her newfound wealth.
Bai Ye grew sentimental, thinking of Nami. In the orginal story, Nami resembled a western dragon, hoarding her wealth but rarely spending it. Unlike that tale, this time Nami didn't donate the hard-earned 100 million Bellys to the village. Bai Ye took it, consistent with his habit of claiming all bounties.
He decided to give Nami an extra 10 million Bellys, appreciating her saving habits. He wouldn't have done the same for Luffy, knowing well that Luffy might just use it all up in an instant.
With everything in place, the Straw Hats embarked on their next adventure.
P.S. The author hints that upcoming chapters will deviate from the familiar plot.