3rd person POV
A few days later.
The Going Merry sailed into Cocoyashi Village's port, its anchor dropping with a light splash as the Straw Hats made their way onto the dock. Apart from Nami, it was the crew's first time visiting the village since their journey began, and what awaited them was far from what she remembered.
The village was bustling with activity, more lively than Nami had ever seen. People were out in the streets, smiling and talking excitedly. Children ran around without a care in the world, and the tension that used to hang over the place like a storm cloud was completely gone. The dark and oppressive presence of Arlong and his crew had vanished. Instead, the villagers looked free—truly free—for the first time in years.
"This place looks really peaceful," Usopp noted, eyes scanning the surroundings. "I mean, I thought it would still be, you know, recovering or something."
"Yeah, where's all the destruction?" Zoro added, his tone more curious than concerned.
Nami, though still processing the changes, was smiling softly as she walked through her old home. She couldn't believe it—this was the Cocoyashi Village she had always dreamed of seeing. The new site bringing a flood of past memories. "It wasn't like this the last time I was here," she murmured.
Sanji glanced around. "They've done a lot to clean up, haven't they? Maybe that guy Haku did more than just defeat Arlong."
As they walked through the village, villagers noticed Nami and began whispering excitedly. Many waved, some even approached her to thank her, but she quickly realised the thanks weren't just for her—they were also for someone else. A name kept coming up: Haku. It seemed that after Arlong's defeat, Haku had earned a spot in their hearts.
After greeting a few familiar faces, Nami led the crew down the path to her house in the orange grove. As they reached the familiar field of orange trees, they spotted Nojiko, bent over and picking some ripe fruit. Her blue hair glimmered in the sunlight, and she stood up with a smile as soon as she saw Nami approaching.
"Nami!" Nojiko dropped the basket and rushed forward, pulling her younger sister into a tight hug.
"Nojiko..." Nami's voice was thick with emotion. She hadn't realised just how much she missed her sister until this moment. The two held each other for a long time, and for once, Nami allowed herself to let her guard down.
The rest of the crew stood by awkwardly, Sanji with hearts in his eyes as usual, while Zoro crossed his arms, waiting for the emotional reunion to pass. Luffy, on the other hand, didn't wait long.
"Hello! You must be Nami's sister, Nojiko!" Luffy called out cheerfully. "What happened here? Why's everyone so happy?"
Nojiko pulled back from the hug and looked at the crew with a warm smile. "You guys picked the perfect time to come back. After Arlong was defeated, everything changed. The village is finally free."
Nami blinked. "Wait... so it's really true? Haku... He defeated Arlong?"
Nojiko nodded. "He did. And it wasn't just Arlong. After taking care of Arlong and his crew, Haku dealt with Captain Nezumi and the marines too. Exposed Nezumi's corruption and forced him to compensate the village for everything he and Arlong took. We've all been rebuilding the village with that money."
The crew's eyes widened at that.
"Wow," Usopp muttered. "He sounds like a nice guy."
Zoro crossed his arms, impressed despite himself. "Not bad."
Luffy's grin widened. "This Haku guy sounds awesome! I want to meet him, he seems strong!"
Nojiko chuckled. "Oh, you'll meet him soon enough. He's been sticking around the village, staying at the outskirts. He says he's making sure no one else comes to take Arlong's place. He's been a big help, really."
Nami was quiet, processing the information. Haku, the mysterious man she had heard about, had done so much for her village, and yet she hadn't even met him. "What's he like?" she asked, curiosity creeping into her voice.
Nojiko laughed softly. "Oh, he's strong, alright. And evidently, quite dependable and nice. But that's not all."
Nami looked at her sister curiously. "What do you mean?"
Nojiko leaned in, a teasing grin on her face. "You've heard the stories, but you haven't seen him, have you?"
Nami shook her head. "No… What does he look like?"
A mischievous glint sparked in Nojiko's eyes. "He's… well, let's just say he's not what you'd expect from someone who can take down a monster like Arlong."
Sanji raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Not what you'd expect? How so?"
"He's gorgeous," Nojiko said with a laugh, crossing her arms. "Sharp features, smooth skin… Honestly, he looks more like a model than a fighter. You should've seen the reactions when people first got a look at him in the village. He usually wears a mask, but some lucky ones got a glimpse of his face when he was helping rebuild the village. They didn't know whether to thank him or swoon."
"W-what?!" Nami spluttered, caught off guard.
Sanji, on the other hand, looked genuinely confused. "A pretty guy… not a handsome guy? Who's also strong?" He muttered, clearly troubled by the concept.
Usopp snickered. "Looks like Sanji's feeling threatened."
Zorro, still unfazed, added his five cent. "Well, it doesn't sound like he's a pervert, so he's won in that regard."
That brought Sanji back to Earth. "Watch it, moss-head!"
Zorro still had a playful smirk, as his hand rested on his sword. "Wanna have a go at it, curly-brows?"
Luffy, ignoring their arguing, was far less concerned with appearances. "I don't care if he's pretty or whatever! I just want to fight him! Maybe he'll join our crew!"
Nojiko smiled, though there was a touch of hesitation in her eyes. "I don't know about that…"
Luffy tilted his head. "Why not?"
Nojiko paused, her expression softening as she glanced at Nami, then back at Luffy. "There's something you should know." She took a deep breath and began to explain a moment she hadn't shared with anyone yet.
------
Flashback
A couple of days before the Straw Hats arrived at Cocoyashi Village.
The quiet serenity of Cocoyashi Village's outskirts enveloped a cliff, where the gentle rustling of the wind through the trees provided a backdrop of peace. Belle-mere's grave, a simple pair of sticks tied in a cross to act as her grave-marker, stood there lonely, marking the final resting place of a woman whose legacy still burned brightly in the hearts of her daughters.
Haku stood before the grave-mark, his figure still and composed, like a shadow that had come to rest. In his hands, he held a small bouquet of white chrysanthemums. Chibi was resting on a tree nearby, quietly singing a melancholic melody to match the mood (Sadness and Sorrow by Taylor Davis). Nojiko had watched him from afar, recognising his presence immediately by the stark contrast of his pale robes and mask against the greenery of the landscape. He seemed almost out of place in the tranquil setting, yet something about his quiet demeanour fit perfectly.
As she approached, carrying her own flowers for Belle-mere's grave, Nojiko's curiosity piqued. She hadn't expected to find Haku here, paying his respects.
"I didn't expect to see you here," Nojiko said softly, her voice breaking the stillness.
Haku turned slightly, his mask catching the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees. For a moment, there was only silence between them, as though he were carefully choosing his words. Finally, he spoke, his voice quiet yet filled with an undercurrent of respect. "She was important to you."
Nojiko knelt down beside Belle-mere's grave, placing her flowers gently at the base of the tombstone. "She was more than important. Belle-mere was like a mother to Nami and me. She took us in, gave us a home… and she sacrificed everything for us."
Haku remained silent, his eyes, hidden behind his mask, never leaving the grave. He stepped forward, kneeling beside Nojiko, and placed the white chrysanthemums next to her flowers. "In my village," he began, his voice soft but resonant with memory, "these flowers symbolise remembrance and mourning for those who have passed. But they also represent the purity of the bond between the living and the dead. A reminder that we carry their strength and spirit with us."
Nojiko blinked, touched by his gesture. "They're beautiful."
"She must have been, too," Haku said, his tone carrying a certain weight. "A strong woman, to inspire such love and devotion."
Nojiko's lips trembled into a sad smile. "She was. Belle-mere was everything to us. She faced down an entire crew of Fish-Men alone… just to protect us. Even though it cost her life." She clenched her fists, her heart aching with the weight of the memory. "I wanted to be like her—strong, brave, free. But when Arlong came… I lost that dream."
Haku was silent for a long moment, the wind shifting softly around them. Then, in a gesture that surprised Nojiko, he reached up and slowly removed his mask. The soft clink of it hitting the grass was the only sound as his face came into view—delicate, almost ethereal in its beauty, with sharp yet gentle features and eyes filled with quiet sadness.
Nojiko gasped softly, her breath catching in her throat. She had known Haku was beautiful beneath the mask, but seeing it was something else entirely. His features were almost too perfect, like a figure out of a painting. But what struck her most was not his appearance, but the sorrow in his eyes—an ancient pain that seemed too deep for someone so young.
"There's something I haven't told you," Haku said, his gaze drifting to the sky. "About who I am… and where I come from."
Nojiko found herself leaning in slightly, sensing the weight of what he was about to share.
"I was born in a small village," Haku began, his voice calm but carrying a certain gravity. "My family lived peacefully, but we had a secret. My mother had a special ability, similar to my Devil Fruit powers—something the people of our village feared. When they found out, they came for us. My father… he turned on us, on her. And in the chaos… I was forced to defend myself."
Nojiko's heart tightened as Haku's voice wavered for a moment. She could feel the pain in his words.
"I killed them all… without even knowing how. My own father… the villagers… everyone. My mother died in my hand as I tried to save her." He closed his eyes, as though replaying the memory in his mind. "After that, I was alone. Until I met someone who gave me a purpose. A man named Zabuza."
Haku's tone softened as he spoke of Zabuza. "He was like a father to me, though we never called it that. He was I became his tool, his weapon. I fought for him, because it was the only way I knew how to live."
Nojiko swallowed, her heart aching for him. "You didn't have a choice."
Haku nodded slightly. "Perhaps. But in the end, I realised that all I wanted was to protect the people I care about. To live in peace, away from violence. To see the world, maybe even… have a family of my own someday."
Nojiko's chest tightened, a strange warmth blooming in her heart. She had never met anyone like Haku—someone who had been through so much, yet still longed for something as simple as peace.
"I want to get stronger," Haku continued, his gaze meeting hers, "because I know the dangers of this world. If I'm not strong enough, I won't be able to protect the ones I care about. I've seen what happens when strength isn't enough."
Nojiko lowered her gaze to the ground, the weight of his words settling over her. She had lived through similar pain, the helplessness of being unable to protect the ones you love.
"I understand," she whispered. "Belle-mere… she taught me how to be strong. But after she was killed, I lost my way. I stayed behind to protect Nami, to keep the village safe from Arlong. But the truth is… I've always wanted to see the world. To be free like Belle-mere wanted for us."
She looked up at him, her blue eyes meeting his dark, soulful gaze. "But I don't know if I can leave now. Nami's my sister… and this village is my home."
Haku remained silent, deep in thought. He studied her for a moment before speaking again. "I understand the importance of home. But you don't have to stay in one place to honour her memory. You can carry it with you, no matter where you go."
Nojiko bit her lip, the temptation of his words tugging at her heart. She had longed for freedom for so long, but the thought of leaving everything behind scared her.
Then, Haku smiled—just a small, gentle smile that made the warmth in her chest grow. "If you ever want to leave, you can come with me. I travel from place to place, helping where I can. You don't have to stay here, trapped by the past."
The offer caught Nojiko off guard. She blinked, her heart skipping a beat. "You… want me to join you?"
Haku nodded, his gaze sincere. "Yes. You, and anyone else who wants to be free. There's a lot out there to see. I won't force you, but the offer is open."
Nojiko's heart fluttered at the idea. She thought of Belle-mere, of the woman who had fought so fiercely for freedom, and of Nami, who had found her own way. Maybe it was time she did the same.
She smiled softly, her decision still uncertain but her heart lighter. "I'll think about it."
Haku nodded in understanding, and as he stood to leave, Chibi, perched nearby, chirped softly as if offering his own encouragement.
Nojiko glanced at the little sparrow, then at Haku, her chest tight with emotions she hadn't felt in a long time. Maybe, just maybe, there was still a chance for her to live her dream.
And with that, the two stood in silence for a moment longer, before turning to leave the peaceful grave of the woman who had inspired them both in different ways.
End of Flashback
------
Back to the present.
The entire crew went silent for a moment, eyes wide in surprise. Nami was the first to recover, her eyebrows shooting up. "Wait, what? He asked you to go with him?"
"On an adventure?" Luffy asked, stars practically sparkling in his eyes. "That sounds awesome! You should go!"
"No way!" Nami cut in, giving her sister a concerned look. "Are you actually thinking about it, Nojiko?"
Nojiko gave a small, uncertain smile. "I haven't decided yet. He's… given me time to think about it. It's just—after being stuck here for so long, the idea of traveling the world again feels… exciting."
Nami frowned, not out of anger but concern. "You really think you can trust this guy? I mean, I know he saved the village, but traveling with someone is a whole different thing."
"Oh, believe me, Nami," Nojiko said, her flustered expression softening into something more thoughtful, "Haku's the most dependable person I've ever met. He's calm, strong, and—" She paused, glancing at Nami before adding with a smirk, "rich."
"Rich?" Nami's face lit up like a fireworks display. "Rich, you say?"
Sanji groaned, slumping forward in defeat. "Oh no, here we go…"
Nojiko stifled a laugh. "Yeah, he's made quite a fortune from his travels. Enough to fix our village and then some. He's really generous too."
Nami suddenly leaned in much closer, her face serious now. "You're sure about this, Nojiko? You're absolutely positive?"
Nojiko blinked. "Positive about what?"
"Positive that Haku really is rich?" Nami's eyes gleamed, her priorities clear.
Nojiko couldn't help but burst into laughter at her sister's sudden shift. "I knew that would get your attention!"
Nami pouted, clearly flustered that her greed had been so easily exposed. "Hey! I'm just… looking out for you!"
Nojiko smiled at her sister's attempt to play it cool, but before she could say anything more, Ussop, always quick to jump in, grinned mischievously. "So, Nojiko, you sure talk a lot about Haku. You got a crush on him or something?"
Nojiko blinked, momentarily stunned by the directness of Ussop's question. "W-what? No, it's not like that!" she sputtered, her cheeks flushing.
Zoro smirked, joining in the teasing. "Yeah, sure. You've been singing his praises since we got here. Strong, dependable, and rich? Sounds like he checks all the boxes."
Sanji crossed his arms and added, "And let's not forget 'gorgeous,' right? You really laid it on thick, Nojiko."
Nojiko's face turned an even deeper shade of red. "It's not like that! And you were the ones who asked me about him!" she protested again, laughing nervously. "He's just… a good friend. He's done a lot for the village."
Nami raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh, come on, Nojiko. You can admit it. You've been talking about him non-stop, and I've never seen you this flustered before."
Usopp snickered, leaning in with a wide grin. "It's okay, Nojiko. No need to hide it. Falling for the mysterious hero type—totally understandable!"
Nojiko groaned, covering her face with her hands. "You guys are impossible!"
The rest of the crew laughed along, even Zoro managed to express a smirk. Sanji shook his head, still struggling to accept the idea of a pretty, rich guy swooning the ladies. "So, Nojiko… you're really thinking about going with this guy?"
Nojiko hesitated again, glancing at her sister before replying. "I don't know yet. It's a big decision, but… the idea of seeing the world, of being free, is something I've always wanted."
Nami frowned, her concern returning. "I don't want you to get hurt, Nojiko."
Nojiko smiled warmly and placed a hand on Nami's shoulder. "I know, and I love you for that. But Haku isn't someone you need to worry about. He's looked out for me, for the village… and he's strong enough to protect us both if anything happens."
Nami was quiet for a moment, her eyes studying her sister's face. Then, with a reluctant sigh, she leaned back. "Alright, I'll trust your judgement. Just promise me you'll think it through."
"I will," Nojiko said with a soft smile. "I'm not in any rush."
The room then fell into a comfortable silence. Zoro stretched his arms lazily, his eyes sharp as he glanced toward the horizon. "So when are we gonna meet this Haku guy?"
Nojiko tilted her head, a thoughtful look crossing her face. "He's probably still training around the village outskirts. He doesn't like too much attention, but I'm sure he'll be back soon. We could go meet him now if you want?"
"Perfect!" Luffy cheered, pumping his fist in the air. "I can't wait. I wanna see how strong he really is!"
Nojiko chuckled softly, though she couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and nerves. Haku had already done so much for their village, but now the crew was about to meet him. She wasn't sure how that encounter would go, but one thing was certain—it wouldn't be boring.
------
The Straw Hat crew made their way through the peaceful clearing outside Cocoyashi Village, with Nojiko guiding them toward the spot where she said Haku would be training. Nojiko had been curious about his strength, and now, with her village liberated from Arlong's tyranny, she felt a strange pull toward him—someone who had played a key role in that liberation.
As they neared the clearing, they could hear the rhythmic sounds of training—the soft crunch of snow underfoot and a sparrow's chirping in the air. Usopp's eyes darted around nervously. "Why do I feel like we're walking into some kind of weird winter-wonderland?"
Nojiko answered with a hint of pride in her voice, "It's the result of Haku's Devil Fruit abilities—he can control snow. That's why he asked to stay in this clearing, didn't want to bother the village while he trained."
At those words, Luffy and Zorro both grinned and exchanged a knowing glanse. Yeah, we are totally fighting that guy!
They finally pushed through the trees and stopped dead at the sight before them. Haku, the enigmatic figure who had defeated Arlong, was in the middle of a training routine. He lay flat on his back, bench-pressing a colossal snow-and-ice weight, its intricately sculpted bar supporting massive boulders on each side. Above him, Chibi, his small sparrow companion, fluttered about with tiny weights strapped to her legs, her wings beating with surprising intensity.
Luffy's eyes immediately sparkled with excitement. "Woah! That's so cool! Look at those boulders!"
Nojiko smiled to herself, feeling a sense of pride in Haku's strength. She had seen glimpses of his power before, but witnessing him in full training mode was a whole new experience.
Sanji blinked, the cigarette dangling from his mouth. "Is… is that snow lifting rocks? And why does the bird have leg weights?"
Zoro, ever the swordsman, nodded in approval. "Good form."
Usopp, on the other hand, was trying to make sense of the sight. "Is… is that bird seriously working out?" he asked, pointing at Chibi in disbelief.
Chibi, not missing a beat, swooped down and landed on Usopp's head, chirping triumphantly. Usopp froze, his arms stiff at his sides as the tiny sparrow hopped around on his head, her weighted legs swinging slightly.
"Hey! Get it off! Get it off!" Usopp yelped, flailing his arms as Chibi chirped louder, clearly amused by his panic. The rest of the crew burst into laughter, even Zoro cracking a rare smile at the sight.
Luffy, distracted by the spectacle, nearly ran toward Haku's snow bench. "Let me try! Let me try!" he shouted, grinning from ear to ear.
"Wait, Luffy!" Nami called, grabbing him by the back of his vest. "We don't even know if he's—"
Before she could finish, Haku set the barbell down with a heavy thud and sat up, his serene gaze falling on the group. His custom mask, the one given to him by Zabuza, rested beside him on the ground. Grabbing it, he stood up slowly and put it back on, his movements graceful despite the intense training he had just completed.
"Didn't expect visitors," Haku said, wiping the sweat from his brow. Chibi fluttered back to his shoulder, puffing out her chest as if she had been the one doing all the hard work, before shouting "NO PAIN, NO GAIN!".
That got the desirable outcome, as the crew snapped there heads towards Chibi with a mix of confused and starry-eyed gazes.
"A talking bird!" x5
Ignoring the excited group, Nojiko stepped forward, her eyes meeting Haku's. "I thought they'd want to meet the person who saved our village," she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of admiration.
Haku nodded, his calm demeanour unchanged. "I see. So, this is Nami's crew?"
After calming down a bit, Nami stepped forward, introducing everyone, trying to suppress the mix of curiosity and awe she felt. "Yeah, these are my friends: the energetic idiot from before is our captain, Luffy; the brooding muscle-head there is Zorro; the blondy is our cook, Sanji; and that scardy-cat is Ussop."
The rest of the crew didn't even react, still in awe at the marvel that is Chibi. The bird was flying around the guys in circles, mimicking each of there voices, eliciting a giggle from Nojiko.
Nami, still focused, continued. "You're Haku, right? The one who took down Arlong?"
"That's me, and that mischievous attention-seeker there is Chibi," Haku replied, his gaze shifting to Nojiko briefly before returning to Nami. "And you must be Nami."
"That's right," Nami said, her tone more serious now. "Thank you—for what you did for our village."
"It was the right thing to do," Haku replied simply, offering a small bow.
The tension in the air eased as the crew began to relax. Sanji, however, was still grappling with an internal struggle. "Wait, wait. Is this guy beautiful or handsome? I don't know how to feel about this!" he muttered, pacing back and forth.
Zoro groaned, crossing his arms. "Are you really hung up on that?"
Luffy, as usual, ignored the awkwardness entirely and ran up to Haku's snow-crafted weights. "Let me try lifting this!" he said, already gripping the bar.
"It'll break," Haku said calmly. "It's made of snow, not steel."
Luffy pouted, letting go. "Aw, no fair! You get to do all the cool stuff."
Haku chuckled lightly behind his mask. "Maybe I can make something you can lift next time."
Chibi, ever the show-stealer, hopped back onto Haku's shoulder and gave a proud chirp, her tiny weights clinking as she moved. The crew couldn't help but laugh again, even Usopp, who was still brushing bird feathers off his head.
Nojiko, standing next to Nami, glanced at Haku, her admiration for him growing. "He's impressive, isn't he?" she whispered to her sister.
Nami nodded but gave Nojiko a curious look. "Are you thinking about staying with him?"
Nojiko hesitated for a moment, then smiled. "Maybe. He's done a lot for us. I think I could learn a lot from him."
Nami raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She could see the connection her sister was forming with Haku, and though she felt protective, she also trusted Nojiko's instincts.
Zoro, noticing the quieter moment between the sisters, grunted. "Well, if you're gonna hang around him, better get used to training like this."
Haku glanced at Zoro, a small smirk forming behind his mask. "Maybe I can teach you a thing or two about using the snow for more than just weights."
Zoro's eyes gleamed with interest. "I'd like to see that."
As the crew chatted with Haku, Nojiko found herself drawn further into the group, standing close to him. She wasn't entirely sure what her next steps would be, but seeing the ease with which he interacted with Nami's friends, she felt more confident about the idea of travelling alongside him.
Chibi chirped one last time, fluttering off Haku's shoulder to hover in front of Usopp. The sniper flinched as the little bird gave him a smug look, as if daring him to train as hard as she had.
"Great. Even the bird's tougher than me," Usopp groaned, earning another round of laughter from the crew.