Chapter 269: Nami’s Excitement, Finding Her Dream

The Straw Hat Pirates disembarked from their ship.

"Compared to that pirate with a 200-million bounty, I think that mysterious man is even more terrifying," Zoro muttered as he stepped onto the shore, his gaze warily locked onto the enigmatic figure ahead.

There was no aura of menace.

Yet the pressure he exuded was greater than even Crocodile's.

Crocodile, who had also just disembarked, noticed the mysterious figure as well.

His pupils shrank.

Unlike the clueless Straw Hats, who had just entered the Grand Line, Crocodile had long been entrenched in these waters.

Just from the man's silhouette, he immediately recognized who he was.

His expression changed dramatically.

His arrogant stride momentarily faltered.

After hesitating for two seconds, Crocodile continued forward.

"I never expected someone like you to appear in Alabasta. You're not here to arrest me, are you?" Crocodile sneered. "A traitorous Marine admiral still chasing after pirates? Kuzan… what exactly are you doing here?"

He directly revealed the man's identity—Aokiji.

Just over a month ago, he had still been a Marine admiral.

"A-A Marine Admiral?!"

Usopp, who had boldly stepped off the ship, suddenly discovered newfound potential within himself—leaping several meters back onto the Going Merry, shaking uncontrollably.

"A Marine Admiral?!"

Nami was on the verge of tears.

Why did they have to run into such a terrifying monster here of all places?

Even Zoro and Sanji, who hadn't shown fear before, now stood frozen.

They had never encountered a Marine admiral before.

They didn't even know much about them.

But they had seen Smoker's strength firsthand—just a mere Marine captain, and he was already overwhelming.

The thought of how powerful an admiral must be was unimaginable.

Aokiji turned around.

He still had that same lazy, listless expression.

Luffy stretched his neck, curiously examining him.

Then he pouted in disappointment.

"An admiral's just like this? Doesn't seem that special," he muttered, unimpressed.

Aokiji's demeanor and presence made it difficult to associate him with a fearsome warrior.

He looked as if he had just rolled out of bed.

Crocodile, however, remained wary.

He knew full well that every admiral was a force to be reckoned with.

If he had to fight an admiral, it would be incredibly dangerous. He couldn't afford to be careless.

Like himself, Aokiji was a Logia-type Devil Fruit user.

But unlike Crocodile, he wasn't foolish enough to underestimate an admiral.

Now that Aokiji was no longer part of the Marines, his actions and choices were unpredictable.

Crocodile kept a close eye on him.

There were no signs of him preparing to attack.

However, beside Aokiji stood a flagpole, its flag tangled in the sea breeze, obscuring the emblem on it.

"So, you've left the Marines… What, are you planning to become a pirate now, Aokiji? Are you trying to claim Alabasta as your territory?" Crocodile sneered, feeling irritated.

If Aokiji intended to protect Alabasta, his plans would become much more difficult.

"The Marines really did lose him…"

Zoro and the others let out a breath of relief.

If he was no longer a Marine, that meant there was no direct hostility between him and the Straw Hats.

"Crocodile, what exactly are you doing in Alabasta? Whatever your plans are, I suggest you leave immediately," Aokiji warned.

Crocodile's gaze turned ice-cold.

So he really was staking a claim here.

But with the secrets of the ancient weapon, Pluton, at stake, Aokiji alone wasn't enough to scare him off.

"You can try and stop me," Crocodile challenged, then turned and strode toward the city.

Aokiji didn't stop him.

Instead, he turned toward the Straw Hats.

"Newcomers bold enough to sail these seas, let me give you some advice—leave. This island already has an owner."

Luffy blinked.

"That won't do! If you wanna stop me, then try it! But I'm going in! I want food! I want food!" Luffy shouted.

Then he charged forward at full speed.

As if he were afraid Crocodile would get there first, as if he was worried there would be no food left for him.

Aokiji simply chuckled.

Zoro and Sanji kept their guards up, but Aokiji made no move to intervene.

Instead, he reached out and pulled the tangled flag free from the pole.

Seconds later—

The flag unfurled.

The Sun and Moon insignia flapped in the wind.

Crocodile, who had been confidently marching forward—

Never dared to fully ignore Aokiji's presence.

His entire body tensed, ready to react if Aokiji suddenly attacked.

But then—

His eyes caught the flag.

The words Sun and Moon were emblazoned across it.

They were blinding.

His raised foot could no longer take another step forward.

A storm raged in his mind.

"The Sun and Moon Pirates' flag?!"

It was like being struck by lightning—Crocodile recoiled in shock, eyes wide with disbelief.

Instinctively, he pulled back.

He retreated to the very edge of the port in the blink of an eye.

It was as if that flagpole marked the most terrifying barrier on the sea—one he dared not cross.

Meanwhile, Luffy, still running, had been secretly competing with Crocodile in his mind—racing to see who would reach the city first.

But when he saw Crocodile suddenly turn back—

His big, clueless eyes blinked in confusion.

Did he… win? Just like that?

He came to a halt.

Turning back, he looked at Crocodile in bewilderment.

"A 200-million bounty pirate… That's it?"

"That emblem…"

Zoro, usually the least reactive, suddenly widened his eyes in shock.

He had seen it before.

Memories from his childhood flooded back like a tidal wave.

No matter how much time passed—

Zoro could never forget that Sun and Moon flag.

It was the symbol of the pirate crew Kuina had followed.

The mark of a legendary swordsman on the sea.

"It's them…"

His hands trembled as he clutched his swords.

Sanji nearly jumped in surprise.

Was the moss-head having a breakdown?

He had never seen Zoro like this before.

"Ah!"

Nami suddenly let out a scream.

She stomped her feet in excitement.

Tears of joy welled up in her eyes as she gazed at the Sun and Moon flag.

She had never forgotten.

She could never forget.

Back in her hometown, in the darkest and most desperate time of her life—

It had been the Sun and Moon Pirates who came to their aid, driving away the oppressors.

After that, her home had never suffered another pirate attack.

The Marines that once tormented them never returned either.

A memory resurfaced—

That warm, gentle hand.

And the words that had given her endless motivation:

"When you grow up, I'll be waiting for you out at sea."

Those words—

Nami had held onto them for years.

She still remembered—five years ago—

When she had returned home, she learned that the Sun and Moon Pirates had visited just days prior.

She hadn't been there at the time.

Kuke had left a message with her sister and adoptive mother.

If she wished to join them, all she had to do was call.

Five years ago, Nami could have taken the easiest and safest route to join the Sun and Moon Pirates.

For three days and nights, she had agonized over her decision.

In the end, she chose to honor her original promise—to seek them out only once she had absolute confidence in her navigation skills.

That way, it would be truly meaningful.

Even now, Nami still carried the contact information Kuke had left for her.

She could call at any time.

"I've found it…"

Tears streamed down her face as she looked at the Sun and Moon flag.

Her dream—

It was right in front of her.

Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined she would find it so soon after entering the Grand Line.

------

DONT FORGET POWER STONE 

________________________________

P/S: If you are interested, you can read up 50+ chapters at patreon.com/Emik01.