Chapter 43: Nami Feels Wronged

There was no need to say much about Nami's performance just now.

Her words, combined with her recent actions, were enough to fill Luffy and the others with rage.

You have to understand—this was the navigator of their ship, the one they all respected and never dared to mistreat, yet she had been deceived and intimidated by a fishman for many years.

"I want to cook him alive!"

Sanji's eyes blazed with fury. The moment he boarded the ship, his anger had reached a boiling point. His fists clenched tightly, and it was as if the flames themselves might burst forth.

Zoro, too, subconsciously reached for the hilt of his sword. After all the battles and hardships they had endured together, they were now inseparable comrades—relying on each other for life and death.

Even the usually cowardly Usopp's heart filled with anger. He was reminded of Clo from the Black Cat Pirates, who had similarly used deception to get close to Kaya. The memories stirred a fierce protective instinct in him.

Leo gently patted Nami's back, rubbing her head softly as if soothing a frightened child.

"Don't be afraid," he whispered quietly. "We're all standing behind you."

Nami raised her head, her tear-blurred eyes meeting the gentle, encouraging gazes of her crewmates.

After wiping her tears away with a trembling hand, she forced a strong smile:

"Um!!"

Even if Nami hadn't spoken, Leo would have stepped in to help. But it was important for the victim to speak out. Only by voicing the pain hidden inside can one begin to emerge from the haze.

Leo understood this deeply. From his own tragic past—when his family had fallen apart—he had learned a painful truth: no one can always be by your side. Relatives and lovers alike would eventually leave you to face your journey alone.

Being strong for yourself was critical. Exceptional people are often lonely.

Just like the author of his favorite novel—someone who had failed time and again but kept pushing forward alone.

That's why Leo was determined to let Nami express the shadows that haunted her heart.

---

Once Nami had calmed down, the Straw Hat Pirates gathered on the deck to discuss their upcoming battle.

"I heard fishmen's arm strength is about ten times that of humans," Zoro said with a gleam of anticipation in his eyes. "I wonder if there will be a fishman swordsman strong enough to match me. After what happened before, I won't lose again."

"Green algae head," Sanji sneered with a playful smirk, "calm down. You're still weak right now. How can you possibly beat a fishman?"

Sanji placed a delicious-looking dessert in front of Nami.

"Your Highness, this is a happy dessert specially prepared for you," Sanji said, flashing a flattering smile and a rosy glow on his cheeks.

"What! Do you want to fight, golden-haired cook?" Zoro glared at Sanji angrily, clenching his fists despite still recovering from his recent injuries.

"Fight me if you want. Who's afraid of you?" Sanji snapped back, unwilling to tolerate Zoro's mockery, especially since Zoro was supposed to be resting.

A faint smile appeared on Nami's face. She knew they were doing this to cheer her up, and she felt warm inside because of it.

"That's enough, you two," Leo interrupted, raising a hand to stop their bickering. "Let's focus on how to assign combat roles for the battle."

Leo pulled out a stack of wanted posters, spreading them carefully on the table.

"I won't be attacking this time," Leo said calmly. "Think of the Dragon Pirates as the last wave of enemies before the Grand Line. This is more of a test for you."

"Huh?!" Usopp and Zoro's younger brothers shouted in surprise.

They were shocked because these were enemies Leo could easily take care of himself, but now he wanted them to fight.

Ignoring their surprise, Leo continued:

"The Dragon Pirates don't have many with bounties. Besides their leader, Arlong, only the octopus man, Xiao Ba, has some real strength. The others just rely on their physical fitness to bully villagers."

"So," Leo said, locking eyes with Luffy, "I want you all to hold off the weaker fishmen. Leave Arlong for Nami to deal with."

Everyone except Nami and Leo reacted with surprise and disbelief.

Why would Leo leave Arlong—the one Nami had lost to before—to her? No one understood.

"Don't worry," Leo added confidently. "We're still about three days away from Kokoyasi Village. I'll train Nami so she can handle Arlong herself."

After the fierce battle with Mihawk, Leo no longer considered a mere fishman a serious threat.

"Besides," Leo said with a sly smile, "I'm still here."

Hearing that, Luffy and the others thought about Leo's near-godlike and devilish performance in past battles. They nodded in agreement.

Zoro, driven by his swordsman's instinct, asked:

"Who's Xiao Ba? Why does he deserve your attention?"

Leo raised his eyebrows.

"He's a six-sword swordsman."

At the mention of "swordsman," Zoro's grip on his sword tightened, his eyes flashing with dazzling determination.

"You can fight, but you need to take good care of yourself these days. It would be embarrassing to lose just because of a few wounds," Leo warned playfully.

Zoro went straight to the railing of the deck, leaning on it as he closed his eyes.

"I won't lose again," he said, voice filled with conviction.

"So, we just need to hold off those minions, right?" Luffy asked, scratching his head.

"That's right," Leo replied. "And it will be up to you and Usopp."

Usopp, now full of confidence, puffed out his chest.

"I'm not afraid of just a few murlocs, no matter how many come! My bag is full of ammo that Leo specially made for me!"

"Hahaha! Usopp, you're so awesome!" Luffy beamed, blindly believing every word his friend said.

The discussion didn't last long. After Leo assigned everyone their tasks, the group quickly started making noise again, refusing to settle down.

Zoro went off to face Hachi, the octopus fishman, while Usopp and Zoro's younger brothers prepared to deal with the remaining fishmen.

Sanji and Luffy took on their own assignments, and once everything was arranged, they went off to watch Nami face Arlong.

Leo, meanwhile, settled on the boat to rest. Assigning combat tasks was tiring work.

---

Nami rested her hands on the railing at the bow, quietly watching her friends joke and play.

A soft smile flickered in her eyes.

"Are you scared now?" Leo asked, stumbling slightly as he walked over to her side.

"No," Nami said, voice slightly choked. She probably hadn't fully recovered from crying earlier.

"I was just thinking how great it is to have you all."

Her voice was thick with emotion, but it was clear she was no longer depressed—quite the opposite. She was happy.

Leo said nothing more, simply leaning on the railing next to her.

Together, they watched Usopp enthusiastically telling Luffy a wildly exaggerated story about battling three thousand fishmen.

Thank you, Leo, Nami silently whispered in her heart.

Then, with her usual fiery spirit back, she shouted loudly:

"Luffy! Stop listening to Usopp's bragging and turn the rudder!"

The carefree, lively atmosphere had returned once again.

pàtreøn (Gk31)