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At the harbor, the villagers were helping Rowen's crew load supplies onto the Going Merry, enough for their upcoming voyage.
They also carefully transplanted Bell-mère's tangerine trees onto the ship's deck.
"Everything should be ready now, right?" Rowen asked, looking towards Sanji.
"Yeah, nutritional needs are covered," Sanji confirmed. Ensuring his comrades were well-nourished during their journey was his duty.
With Rowen now onboard—a 'big eater' whose appetite surpassed even Luffy's—Sanji had prepared even more ingredients than usual.
But Sanji didn't find it troublesome at all; instead, he meticulously planned Rowen's nutritional balance.
Because having Rowen taste his cooking was truly a pleasure.
The moss-head, Zoro, needless to say, never offered compliments.
Luffy just stuffed his face, occasionally yelling "Delicious!"
Usopp would offer more words, but his ingrained habit of exaggeration made his praise often over-the-top and off-point.
Only Rowen could provide insightful, detailed critiques of his dishes, appreciating the nuances of appearance, aroma, and taste. Every comment hit precisely on the aspects Sanji was most proud of.
For a chef who considered cooking his life, that kind of feedback was incredibly gratifying.
"By the way, where's Nami?" Usopp asked curiously, looking around for her.
"She'll be here soon. Nami... has her own way of saying goodbye," Rowen replied with a knowing smile.
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"What?! Nami's leaving without taking the money?" Down below, Genzo stared wide-eyed after hearing from Nojiko that Nami intended to leave her savings behind.
"That's not right! Nami worked desperately hard for that money!" Nako, the village doctor who had treated Zoro, exclaimed.
"She said she can always steal more... You know Nami; once she decides something, she doesn't change her mind," Nojiko sighed helplessly. Nami loved money because it represented hope for saving her hometown. But more than money, Nami loved her family.
"That fool girl... We're the ones who should be endlessly grateful to her," Genzo murmured, filled with guilt. They hadn't been able to help much, letting Nami shoulder everything... Trying to fight themselves would have only worried Nami and gone against her wishes. But this money... how could they possibly keep it?
Tap! Tap! Just then, footsteps approached.
"She's here," Rowen said, looking towards Nami.
"NAMI!" Hearing the footsteps, all the Cocoyasi villagers turned towards her.
"Set sail! Now!" Nami yelled, keeping her head down, avoiding looking directly at the villagers. She then suddenly broke into a sprint towards the Going Merry.
"W-What's going on? Why is Nami running?" Usopp asked, bewildered.
"The navigator gave the order! Of course, we set sail! On this ship, Nami calls the shots when it comes to navigation," Rowen chuckled.
"That's right!" Luffy yelled in agreement.
Zoro immediately raised the anchor. Usopp and Sanji quickly took their positions.
"That girl! Is she really leaving without letting us thank her or say goodbye properly?!" Genzo, who had watched Nami grow up, instantly understood her intention.
"How could she!" the villagers exclaimed, shocked. They had wanted to properly thank Nami, to give her a proper farewell.
"Hoist the main sail—!" Luffy yelled. The Merry's sail unfurled, and the ship began pulling away from the dock. freēwēbnovel.com
The villagers rushed forward, trying to stop Nami.
"Wait! At least let us thank you properly before you go!" one man pleaded, trying to block her path.
"Nami! I won't allow you to just leave us like this!" Genzo shouted towards her.
"Rowen... is it really okay for Nami to leave like this?" Sanji asked, looking towards Rowen.
"What does it matter? Nami is free now," Rowen replied, watching Nami run with a smile.
The next moment, Nami darted into the crowd of villagers. Utilizing her [Pirate Thief (Blue)] agility, she expertly weaved through them.
The villagers couldn't stop her.
Tap!
Nami burst through the crowd and leaped towards the Going Merry, already drifting away from the dock.
"Nami!" Nojiko cried out worriedly, watching Nami's risky jump.
But the next moment, Nojiko relaxed.
"Honestly, so reckless," Rowen sighed fondly, standing at the deck railing with open arms. He easily caught Nami as she landed.
"Well... you said I was free~" Nami grinned up at Rowen, then pulled away from his embrace, turning back to face the villagers on the dock.
Rustle!
Nami gave her clothes a little shake, and countless wallets tumbled out onto the deck.
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Marine Headquarters! Marineford!
Inside a conference room.
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