Conqueror’s Desire

The night on the shore felt quieter than usual. Only the sound of waves whispered softly against the rocks. MC and Nami sat side by side, basking in the fading warmth of the dying campfire.

But MC felt something was off.

Nami, usually confident and full of energy, suddenly looked restless. She hugged her knees, her gaze vacant as she stared at the dark sea.

MC frowned. "What's wrong? You seem... different."

Nami remained silent for a moment before finally speaking in a soft voice. "You know… I've never truly been free, right?"

MC raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Nami turned to look at him, her expression more serious than he had ever seen. "There's someone out there still after me. Someone who will never let me go so easily."

MC tried to think of who she might be referring to, but he had no clue. Ever since he met Nami, he had never really asked about her past.

"Who?" he finally asked.

Nami averted her gaze, clearly hesitant to answer. "It doesn't matter."

MC let out a sigh. "If it doesn't matter, then why do you look like you've just seen a ghost?"

Silence. Then, in almost a whisper, she said, "Arlong."

MC frowned. "Arlong? Who's that?"

Nami's eyes widened slightly, as if she couldn't believe MC really didn't know. But after a few seconds, she lowered her head and let out a small laugh—not one of amusement, but of bitterness.

"Of course, you don't know… You've never seen the hell he created."

MC grew even more confused, but before he could press further, Nami stood up.

"Forget it. I'm just overthinking things," she said, trying to sound casual.

But MC could see how her hands trembled slightly as she turned away and walked off.

He could let her go, pretend it wasn't important… but there was something in her voice that made him feel he needed to know more.

Because if something was still tying Nami to her past… that meant danger could come at any moment.

And MC wasn't going to let her face it alone.