One Piece: The Saiyan Pirate

CHAPTER 24: NAMI'S RESOLVE

The afternoon sun blazed warmly over the tranquil shore, its golden rays dancing over the rippling waves and casting a shimmering glow on the water. The Straw Hat Pirates lounged under the cool shade of a cluster of trees, seeking refuge from the heat. Among them sat Goku, the steadfast captain, his usual energetic demeanor tempered by a rare moment of contemplative silence. Beside him, Zoro, the first mate and swordsman, leaned against a tree with his arms crossed, while Usopp, the marksman and handyman, animatedly recounted a tale to Johnny and Yosaku, their friends and low-level bounty hunters.

Sanji, the ever-pervy cook, was sprawled out on the grass, puffing on a cigarette as he listened. Gin, the newest fighter who had joined with Sanji, sat nearby, intently absorbing the story. Usopp and Johnny had just finished narrating the harrowing tale of Nami and her desperate plight.

"So she gathered a hundred million to buy back her home village from Arlong?" Goku asked, breaking the silence that followed Usopp's story.

"Yeah," Gin added, his voice filled with a mixture of admiration and sorrow. "She suffered for eight long years, risking her life against dangerous pirates."

Sanji sighed, exhaling a plume of smoke. "It's hard to imagine the kind of strength it took to endure that."

Johnny nodded solemnly. "She did all that, and yet, she never broke. She fought every single day, not for herself, but for her village."

Yosaku, usually light-hearted, looked serious for once. "And she did it alone. That's what really gets me."

As each member of the crew shared their thoughts on Nami's suffering, a heavy silence eventually descended upon the group. All eyes turned to Goku, who had been uncharacteristically quiet since his initial question. He sat with his eyes closed, deep in thought, remembering the sparse episodes of the Arlong arc from the anime he had watched. The pieces were beginning to fall into place, and he realized why Nami had chosen to live under such dire circumstances. People were counting on her more than he had ever known. There was too much at stake for things to be simple.

"What do we do now, Captain?" Zoro's voice cut through Goku's thoughts, bringing him back to the present.

Goku looked at the faces in front of him. They all looked to him for direction and orders. He took a minute, regaining his calm. "Did you locate the Going Merry?" he asked.

"She's on the North shore," Zoro answered. "We took her there to hide from the patrolling Fishmen pirates."

"Really? You?" Goku asked, raising an eyebrow.

Usopp and Johnny burst into laughter. "Could you point North for me now?" Goku asked, smirking.

Their laughter intensified, with Zoro admitting, "Okay, okay, Usopp and Johnny did the navigating."

Yosaku and Sanji joined in the laughter, the light-hearted moment a welcome break from the serious discussion. Once the laughter subsided, they turned to Goku once again.

"We will be staying here a few days to let Nami get her things in order," Goku revealed. "Head back to the Going Merry and wait for me there. I will go talk with Nami. Zoro, I need you to come with me."

With that, the crew separated once again. The others started heading for the North shore, following Usopp and Johnny, while Goku and Zoro began their trek into the interior of the island.

As they walked, Goku and Zoro engaged in a deep conversation about Nami and the strength of the Fishmen.

"You know, Goku," Zoro began, "the Fishmen are not to be underestimated. They're ten times stronger than a normal human, even more in the water."

"I remember reading some of that in the newspaper," Goku replied. "But seeing it firsthand must be different."

"Yeah," Zoro agreed. "When we were captured, I saw the raw power they possess. They're brutal and relentless."

Goku nodded thoughtfully. "Nami endured that for eight years. It's incredible. But we need to focus on what's next. We can't let her continue to suffer."

"Agreed," Zoro said. "But what's the plan? How do we take down Arlong and his crew?"

"We need to find out more about them, their weaknesses, and use that to our advantage," Goku said, his strategic mind at work. "We also need to rally the villagers. They need to see that there's hope."

"Hope is a powerful thing," Zoro mused. "But it's not going to be easy."

"Nothing worth fighting for ever is," Goku replied, determination clear in his voice.

Their conversation continued, a mix of strategy, concern for Nami, and the strength of their enemies. They discussed the best approaches, the potential risks, and the importance of timing. Eventually, they arrived in Cocoyashi Village, thanks to Goku's instincts, as Zoro's sense of direction proved unreliable once again.

The village was a somber sight. The buildings, once vibrant, now appeared worn and tired, a testament to the years of oppression under Arlong's rule. The villagers moved about with a palpable air of despondency, their eyes downcast and shoulders slumped, each one carrying the weight of their struggles.

As Goku and Zoro walked through the village, they observed the interactions among the villagers. A mother hurried her child along, casting fearful glances over her shoulder. An old man sat on his porch, staring blankly at the sky. The village had an air of quiet despair, a stark contrast to the lively and spirited places they had visited before.

They eventually ran into Nami. The villagers eyed her with a mix of disgust and fear as she walked through the center of the village. Nami's expression was one of steely determination, but there was a flicker of surprise when she saw Goku and Zoro approaching. She quickly composed herself, remembering they were supposed to be coming.

Before Goku could even say a word, Nami spoke. "Follow me."

From a distance, an unknown figure watched them as they followed Nami into the forest. The path led to a secluded area, away from prying eyes. The trees formed a natural barrier, and the dense foliage provided ample cover. It was a quiet, serene spot, hidden from the rest of the world.

Nami turned to face them. "I assume you heard about my deal with Arlong," she began.

Goku nodded. "Yes, we heard everything."

Nami continued, her voice firm but with a hint of vulnerability. "I don't need your help, Goku. I don't want your help. By myself, I have done all there is to do. Right now, I am so close to everything I have worked for."

Goku stepped forward, his eyes filled with understanding. "Nami, you don't have to do this alone anymore. We're here for you. We're your friends, your crew."

Nami looked away, her resolve wavering. "I've come this far on my own. I can finish this."

Zoro, his voice gentle yet firm, added, "No one should have to carry such a burden alone. Let us help you, Nami."

She took a deep breath, the weight of their words sinking in. The silence stretched on, the tension palpable. Finally, she met their eyes, her own filled with unshed tears.

Goku and Nami stood alone in the secluded part of the forest, the tension between them almost tangible. Zoro had went back in the village to wait for Goku, respecting the need for privacy in the conversation.

Goku broke the silence first, his voice gentle yet firm. "Nami, I know you don't need my help with Arlong. That's not why I came to this island."

Nami's eyes widened in surprise. "Then why are you here?"

"After your deal with Arlong is through," Goku continued, "I want you to join my crew as our navigator."

Nami was taken aback, her mind racing. She had expected many things, but this was not one of them. "Why me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Goku took a step closer, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her heart race. "Because we have a connection, Nami. And Arlong will not stand in the way of that. I've already made up my mind that you will join the crew, not only as our navigator but also as my woman."

Nami's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. She had always longed to hear words like these, to be cherished and needed. For a moment, she felt the urge to surrender everything to him, to let go of all her burdens and responsibilities. But then, reality crashed back in. She had to think of the bigger picture, of her village, her family, and the promise she made to herself.

"No, Goku," she said firmly, her voice trembling slightly. "There is no connection. I will never be your woman or part of your crew. You have nothing on this island, and you should just leave."

Goku's eyes bore into hers, searching for any sign of doubt. "Remember that I too am a pirate, Nami," he said softly but with a chilling edge. "I will stay on this island for five more days. You have until then to either join my crew and be my woman, or there will be consequences. I am not a good guy, I am not a bad guy. It will all depend on my mood by then. You may get rid of Arlong, but remember who I am. I am far more dangerous than Arlong. Trust me when I say you do not want me as an enemy."

With that, Goku vanished, leaving Nami shaken to her core. She felt as if she was about to collapse, his eyes so cold, and the killing intent he exuded far more terrifying than anything she had ever felt from Arlong. She took several deep breaths, trying to steady herself. Those were the words of a desperate man, she told herself. Everything would be fine. Goku was not the type for such things.

Cold sweat ran down her face as she left the forest, unaware that a shadowy figure continued to watch her from a distance.

---

A few hours later, the sun had set, and the village was cloaked in darkness. Nami walked alone among the tangerine groves, a lone lamp in one hand and a shovel in the other. The gentle breeze rustled the leaves, creating a soothing yet eerie atmosphere. She placed the lamp on the ground, adjusting it to provide the maximum light. Its warm glow illuminated the area, casting long shadows over the trees and the earth.

With the shovel, she began to dig at a specific spot among the roots. The repetitive motion was almost meditative, allowing her a momentary escape from the turmoil in her mind. She dug deeper and deeper, the soil giving way under her efforts. Finally, the shovel hit something hard.

Before she could react, a mysterious voice broke the silence. "Well, what do we have here?"

Nami turned, her heart pounding. Surrounding her were at least three dozen marines, their torches casting flickering shadows over their stern faces. They were armed with guns and weapons, their expressions cold and unyielding.

Nami stood frozen, her mind racing. The lamp's light seemed dimmer now, the reality of her situation sinking in. She had been caught.

[A/N: Read 10 chapters ahead of this series available on my patreon at patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels]