Chapter 50: It's Time to Collect Debts

"Ahem, yes, we're Nami's friends."

Johnny straightened up as he spoke to Hachi, his expression serious now that Zoro had silently agreed to his plan. The two fishmen Nami had previously taken care of were long gone—thrown out and forgotten. There was no need to worry about Hachi (also known as Xiao Ba) discovering the truth.

"Oh, really?"

Hachi scratched the spiky tuft of hair on his head with one of his hands, sheathed his sword, and gave a thoughtful nod.

"So we're all friends. My name's Hachi—Xiao Ba if you like. You've come to find Nami? By my count, today should be the day she returns to Arlong Park."

"Xiao Ba, is it? Can you take us to her?" Johnny asked, rubbing his hands together and grinning eagerly.

"Hop into the octopus pot! I'll take you there!"

With his four arms crossed in front of his chest, Hachi pointed toward a peculiar vessel hidden beneath the Merry—the octopus pot.

He didn't question Zoro and Johnny's story at all. Unlike most fishmen, Xiao Ba genuinely saw Nami as a friend, someone he cared about.

Zoro and Johnny exchanged a glance, said nothing, and jumped right in.

With a flick of his powerful limbs, Xiao Ba began pulling the pot through the water, swimming steadily toward Arlong Park.

---

"No! Absolutely not!!"

Back in the house nestled within the orange orchard, Nojiko slammed her hand on the table, her voice filled with anger and concern. She showed no intention of agreeing with Nami.

"Why not? I'm strong enough now. I can protect everyone!"

Nami stood across from her adoptive sister, her expression dead serious.

"No, you don't understand how dangerous Arlong is. And then there's... that monster."

Nojiko's voice trembled slightly as she mentioned it. That terrifying creature—the one responsible for razing their town to the ground—still haunted her memories.

"I told you, I'm strong enough now! Why can't you believe in me, Nojiko?"

Nami slammed her hand on the table in frustration and turned to leave, furious that even Nojiko wouldn't trust her after all this time.

Unexpectedly, the one to stop her was Leo. He stepped forward and gently pushed Nami back into her seat.

"Nami, sit down."

He looked at her with calm eyes, his voice even.

"Nojiko's only worried about you. Think about it—would you believe someone's strength could increase so drastically after just a short time apart?"

He smiled warmly, attempting to soften the tension in the room.

"Don't worry. We're here for you. You're not alone."

Leo's quiet confidence seemed to affect Nojiko. Her eyes shifted from Nami to the people behind her—Leo, Luffy, and the rest of the Straw Hats. After some silent contemplation, she sighed, her posture relaxing.

"Fine. Nami, if you truly believe this is the right path... I'll trust you."

"Alright then," Leo said with a relieved smile. "Now that Nojiko has given her blessing, let's go find Arlong."

Nami gave a determined nod. Finally, with her sister's support and her friends by her side, her heart felt lighter than it had in years.

"Wait a minute," she said suddenly. "Before that, I need to hand over the money to Arlong and see if he'll honor our agreement."

With Leo and Luffy's support behind her, and the strength she'd worked so hard to cultivate, Nami was now filled with confidence. Her body was stronger, her mind sharper, and she no longer felt the need to face her demons alone.

"Eh? Shouldn't we just go beat him up?" Luffy asked, his head tilted curiously.

"No!" Nami shouted, glaring at him with irritation.

This guy still didn't get it.

As someone who had scraped and saved every Bailey for years, she couldn't bring herself to hand it over without a fight. That money was her lifeblood—the product of countless sacrifices.

"There's no way I'm giving it up that easily."

She thought of Bell-mère, the kind-hearted woman who had raised her. Of the villagers who had lived under Arlong's heel. All of it boiled down to one thing:

She would make Arlong pay.

And if she did hand over the money, she planned to take it back—every last coin—after defeating him.

It would be the perfect start-up fund to rebuild the town.

Now, it was finally time to settle the score.

"Come on! I'll show you where I've hidden the treasure I've collected over the years!"

Nami's voice rang with excitement as she dashed out the door.

She hurried to a nearby shed, grabbed several shovels, and passed them out to Leo and the others. Then she turned back to the orchard and called out,

"Everyone, follow me!"

"Treasure?!"

The mere word made both Usopp and Luffy's eyes gleam with golden light.

They charged after her in a frenzy.

After all, what's the dream of every pirate?

Gold and glory.

"How much do you think it is?" Usopp asked, panting as he ran. "A million? Ten million?"

"Hahaha! We can throw so many parties!" Luffy shouted, his voice full of glee.

Nojiko shook her head with a smile and looked at Leo, the only one among them who hadn't lost his head.

"Nami's done some amazing things over the years. Come, let's take a look."

Leo nodded and followed her, still carrying his shovel.

As for Sanji? He had bolted after Nami the moment she made her declaration, swooning over her strength and passion as always.

---

Meanwhile, at Arlong Park...

"What?! You're telling me Shioyaki and Bisara are missing?!"

Arlong slammed his massive hand down on the armrest of his throne, his expression dark and furious. The intricate golden tattoos on his arms shimmered menacingly.

A terrifying murderous aura spread through the room like a wave.

"Yes, Brother Arlong," Jin Gen stammered. "They were supposed to return hours ago, but there's no sign of them."

Arlong growled low in his throat, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

Jin Gen, trembling under the weight of his brother's wrath, quickly added:

"Xiao Ba went to check the patrol routes. I believe we'll hear something soon."

Hearing this, Arlong took a deep breath and slumped back in his chair, tension visibly draining from his body.

Xiao Ba had always been trustworthy. If anyone could sort this out, it was him.

"Anything else?"

Arlong asked lazily, though his tone carried a razor's edge.

Jin Gen hesitated, then spoke:

"Nami... she's back in the village. A few of our men overheard some noise coming from the orchard."

Arlong grinned, his sharp teeth glinting under the dim light.

"Looks like she's finally finished collecting the money."

He chuckled wickedly, then turned to one of his men.

"Call that rat. Tell him to take some soldiers and pay Nami a visit. He should know what to do."

"Hahaha! You're truly devious, Arlong!" one of the fishmen snorted.

Laughter erupted among the group.

Letting Nami go? Not a chance. She was their navigator, and more importantly, their puppet.

---

"Squeak squeak squeak! Got it! Your boss really knows how to play the game."

The rat-faced Marine officer cackled as he closed the Den Den Mushi.

With a wicked grin, he barked orders to his men.

"Change course! Head straight for Kokoyasi Village!"

"Aye, Sir!"

The warship turned mid-route and began its journey toward the village, leaving behind a dark trail of intentions.

---

"It's right here! All my treasure is buried under this spot!"

Nami pointed excitedly to a patch of earth deep within the orange orchard. Beside it stood an orange tree marked with strange symbols—her secret sign.

"Hurry, Usopp! Start digging!" Luffy yelled, his energy boundless.

Usopp had already dropped to his knees, shovel in hand, clawing at the ground like a wild animal.

The thought of a hundred million berries was just too exciting.

Banquets, feasts, adventures—the possibilities were endless.

"Let's go!"

Nami beamed with pride. Her treasure was more than just money. It was proof of her strength, her resilience.

Now it was time to take everything back—from Arlong, from the Marines, and from her painful past.

The debt was due.

And Nami was here to collect.

Øóffer going on for diamond tier

pàtreøn (Gk31)