CHAPTER 23: HIDDEN TRUTHS (III)
The morning sun cast a golden hue over the ocean, its rays reflecting off the gentle waves as Nami sat by the docks, gazing out at the vast expanse of water. Her eyes were heavy with fatigue, dark circles marking the sleepless night she had endured. All night she had waited for Goku to arrive, but there had been no sign of him. The morning hours stretched on, and as midday approached, she decided that she had waited long enough. With a sigh, she stood up and made her way back to Arlong Park.
The park was eerily empty. The usual bustling activity of the fishmen was absent, leaving the place feeling desolate. Nami searched a few places, calling out for any sign of life, but there was no response. Her heart pounded in her chest as she made her way to the dungeon.
The dungeon was dark and damp, the air thick with the smell of mildew. She descended the stairs, her footsteps echoing off the stone walls. Reaching Zoro's cell, she saw him sitting on the floor, his green hair disheveled and his body covered in bandages from his previous battle wounds. His eyes flicked up as she approached, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
Nami unlocked the cell and handed him his swords. "Get your friends, Usopp and Johnny, and leave the island," she urged him. "Leave me alone. Tell Goku to leave me be because I don't want to join his crew or be a pirate."
Zoro stood up, taking the swords from her with a nod. "Why are you doing this?" he asked, his voice low and serious.
"Just go," Nami replied, her voice trembling slightly. "I've worked too hard for too long. I need to finish this."
With that, she turned and walked out of the dungeon, her steps heavy with determination. She made her way through the empty corridors of Arlong Park, her thoughts racing. She had to see this through. She had to make Goku understand.
As she arrived at her home, she was shocked to see Usopp and Johnny coming out of the house. Her sister, Nojiko, followed behind them, a look of concern on her face.
"What are you doing in my house?" Nami demanded, her voice sharp. "I told you to leave me alone."
Usopp and Johnny exchanged nervous glances. "We intend to do just that," Usopp said. "We only wanted some answers because Goku will want answers."
Nojiko stepped forward. "I wanted them to tell their captain why you really joined Arlong before he adds to the trouble of Arlong," she explained.
Nami sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Good," she said. "Tell him to mind his own business."
A voice interrupted them. "Do you really think he will accept that, Nami?"
They all turned to see Zoro standing there, his eyes locked on Nami. "I saw how Goku looked at you. How you looked at him. There is nothing I or anybody else can say that will make him go away. I suggest you do this yourself."
Nami stared at him, her heart pounding. She knew he was right. "Fine," she said, her voice firm. "I'll meet him and get rid of him for good. I've worked too hard for too long."
---
Back at Arlong Park, Arlong and his men returned from collecting tribute from Gosa Village, their mood jubilant as they counted their new haul. Their celebration was cut short when one of the fishmen noticed that the prisoner had escaped.
Arlong's face twisted in fury. "The prisoner escaped?!" he roared. "Find him!"
He glared at his lieutenants, ordering a few of them to scour the island for the escapee. "I suspect Nami has some hidden connection to him," he muttered darkly.
As if on cue, Nami appeared. "What exactly are you getting at, Arlong?" she asked, her voice steady.
"It's very suspicious that you rescued him when he could have died," Arlong accused.
Nami defended herself, her eyes blazing with determination. "I cannot afford to be that stupid after being part of the Arlong Pirates for so long. We had a deal, Arlong. If you intend to honor it, so do I. I have honored it for eight long years."
Arlong's eyes narrowed, but he nodded. "For now, I'll trust you. But we will still search for the prisoner."
He and his lieutenants, minus Hachi, walked upstairs to secure their new cash. Nami followed them into the room. Arlong turned to her, suspicion etched on his face. "What's up?"
"I have the money," Nami said, her voice steady and calm.
"Do you really have 100 million berries?" Arlong asked, his eyes narrowing further.
"Yes," Nami replied without hesitation.
Arlong studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Go get it. I'll consider our deal complete if you can bring it."
Nami turned and walked out, determination fueling her steps. As she left, she overheard Chew inspecting a map she had drawn.
"Is Arlong serious about letting her go?" Chew asked, his voice low.
Arlong nodded. "Her skills are invaluable to our operations in the East Blue, but I gave her my word."
Kuroobi, the triangle-elbowed fishman, chimed in. "I might have a way for Arlong to keep his word and still get what we want. The Marine captain, Nezumi, might get his extra money after all."
Arlong grinned. "No hesitation then. Let's do it."
As Nami walked away, her mind was already formulating a plan. She had to find Goku, confront him, and make him understand. Her freedom was within reach, but the battle was far from over.
Arlong and Chew continued to admire the maps that Nami had painstakingly created over the years. The detail and accuracy in her cartography were astounding. Each island, each coastline, each treacherous reef was meticulously marked. Arlong traced his finger over the lines, a sinister grin spreading across his face.
"Her skill is unparalleled," Arlong said, his voice filled with reluctant admiration. "Every map she makes is worth its weight in gold."
Chew nodded in agreement. "She's too valuable to let go. Her maps are the backbone of our operations in the East Blue."
Arlong's eyes darkened with determination. "Then we won't let her go. No matter what promises were made."
With that, Arlong declared that they would go downstairs and wait for the rat to return, ensuring their plans would not be thwarted by a simple deal.
---
A few hours later, the sun hung high in the sky, casting a bright light over the Conomi Islands. Goku stood at the bow of a small ship, the wind ruffling his straw hat and red vest. His appearance mirrored that of the legendary pirate Luffy, with his sleeveless red vest, blue shorts, and sandals. The straw hat was a gift from Shanks, a symbol of his promise and ambition.
Behind him stood Sanji, with his blond hair covering one eye, dressed in his usual black suit and tie, exuding a suave demeanor. Next to him was Gin, a lean and hardened fighter, wearing his signature bandana and tattered cloak. Yosaku, with his bandana and striped shirt, stood at the rear, his eyes scanning the horizon.
"The Conomi Islands," Sanji said, lighting a cigarette and taking a drag.
"The playground of the Arlong Pirates," Yosaku added, his voice tinged with unease.
Goku's eyes narrowed. "It doesn't matter. If Arlong gets in my way, he'll pay."
Beneath the ship, a gigantic shadowy figure moved through the water. The sea began to churn as the creature rose to the surface, sending waves crashing against the small boat. The crew, except for Goku, panicked as the boat rocked violently.
"So, you've finally revealed yourself," Goku said calmly, his eyes focused on the water.
The others looked at him, confused. "What are you talking about?" Gin asked, his grip tightening on his weapon.
A massive creature burst from the water, its cow-like appearance sending shivers down their spines. It had a grotesque face, sharp horns, and a body covered in scales.
"It must be from the Grand Line," Gin commented, his voice filled with awe.
"What's it doing in the East Blue?" Sanji asked, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"It must have been brought here by the fishmen," Yosaku guessed, his voice shaking.
Goku's eyes narrowed. "Its appearance doesn't matter. What matters is that it's about to sink us."
Goku turned his gaze to the small black smudge of the Conomi Islands on the distant horizon, then back to the creature. With a powerful leap, he jumped straight for its head. The force of his kick sent the creature flying a hundred meters back into the ocean. Goku landed gracefully back on the ship, his composure unbroken.
The rest of the crew stood in stunned silence, their eyes wide with shock at his power and speed.
Goku noticed their stunned expressions and couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. He knew how cool he had just been, but he quickly regained his composure. "Focus on the task ahead," he urged them.
Over the next few minutes, the islands grew larger as they approached. On the shore, they saw a group of people standing and waiting for them on the sandy beach. Among them were Zoro, Usopp, and Johnny.
Zoro, with his green hair and bandaged torso, stood with his swords at his side. Usopp, with his long nose and slingshot, looked anxious but ready. Johnny, with his spiked hair and tattoos, had a grim expression on his face.
As the boat landed on the shore, Goku immediately headed straight for Zoro, his aura ominous and raging. "Where is Nami? What happened?" he demanded, his voice filled with concern and anger.
Usopp stepped forward, attempting to defuse the situation. "It's a long story," he began.
Zoro added, "Things are complicated on these islands."
Goku's eyes burned with intensity as he looked at them, waiting for an explanation. The air was thick with tension, the silence stretching as they prepared to fill him in on the events that had transpired. The stage was set for the confrontation that would change the fate of the Conomi Islands forever.
[A/N: Read 10 chapters ahead of this series available on my patreon at patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels]