Chapter 52: Departure, Arlong Paradise

"It's fine if you can't figure it out," Leo said as he casually walked toward the center of the crowd, one hand tucked into his pocket.

"This world isn't simply black and white. Laws exist to protect the people, not to serve power."

He glanced at the others, his voice steady and calm. "When Marines abandon their duty, people like Arlong rise to power. He's not even that strong, yet he dominates because the system allowed him to."

"But… don't they represent justice?" Nami asked in a low voice, her head bowed in confusion.

"Justice? What a grand, hollow word."

Leo's lips curled into a faint smile, as if remembering someone who once believed in justice.

"Nami, they don't represent justice. They've betrayed the people and trampled on morality. They're nothing but parasites."

He looked her straight in the eye. "Just follow your heart. Do what you believe is right."

Luffy's eyes lit up at Leo's words. He didn't understand all of it, but one thing made perfect sense: "Do what you think is right."

Nojiko pulled Nami into her arms, heart aching from the way Nami had just looked—broken and lost.

"Ahem! How dare you attack a Marine!?" a weak voice rasped out.

It was Colonel Mouse, crawling back into the orchard with a painful expression. He froze the moment he saw the Marine corpses on the ground. His furious voice died in his throat.

Sanji didn't speak. The moment he saw that rodent show up again, he stepped forward without hesitation and sent him flying with a powerful kick.

With a loud thud, Colonel Mouse landed hard and didn't get up again.

"Let's go!"

Luffy took off his straw hat, placed it on Nami's head while she was still in Nojiko's arms, and called out calmly to Leo and the others.

"Alright, Captain!!!" Leo replied with a faint grin.

Luffy led the way toward Arlong Park, his steps full of determination. Sanji and Usopp followed, both puffing on cigarettes. Leo looked back at Nami, hesitated, then shook his head and moved on.

Let her have some space. Luffy will take care of Arlong.

"Wait!"

"I'm going too. This time, I want to finish it myself!" Nami called out.

After a long silence, she gently broke free from Nojiko's embrace. A light smile crossed her face. She waved and dashed after them.

Leo turned around in surprise, then smiled. As expected, this group never let him down. They were the kind of people who had lit up his youth—bright, brave, and full of fire.

"Nami! I'm not waiting for you! Whoever gets there first gets to beat up Arlong!"

Leo's voice was cheerful, teasing, laced with a competitive spirit.

"Yes! Sanji, let's run! I want to knock Arlong flying too!" Luffy shouted, his grin wide.

He treated Leo's words as a challenge and immediately began sprinting.

"Don't even think about it!" Nami shouted as she twirled the wooden staff in her hand.

A breeze swirled around her, lifting her into the air. In a flash, she zoomed past everyone and took the lead.

"Nami, you're cheating!" Luffy yelled, glaring at the girl flying ahead. He turned to Leo, only to find him shrugging innocently. Luffy could only speed up in response.

"Hahaha! Come and catch me if you can!!" Nami laughed, her voice echoing through the air.

---

"We're here. This is Arlong Paradise."

Hatchan carefully placed Zoro and the others on the ground, pointing to the large building ahead that looked more like an amusement park than a pirate base.

"Hold on a second, I'll go get Nami for you. Arlong doesn't like humans. If he sees you here, he'll go ballistic."

With a goofy smile, Hatchan scratched his head and signaled for Zoro and the others to hide. Then he pushed the door open and walked inside.

Zoro narrowed his eyes, leaning against the wall of Arlong Park. Although part of him wanted to charge in, Leo had told Nami to handle this herself.

It reminded him of how Leo had let him fight Monka before. His strength had grown immensely after that.

He believed Nami would grow too—this was her moment.

Of course, he would never admit that he hadn't recovered yet and didn't want to fight a bunch of Fishmen in his current state.

So, he waited patiently.

"Hm?"

In the distant sky, a streak of movement appeared—someone flying in fast.

It was Nami.

"Hey! Wait for us!!" came Luffy's unmistakable voice, followed by Leo and the others rushing to catch up.

"Hahaha, it's Zoro! What are you doing here?" Luffy asked with a grin.

"Why didn't you wake me up when you got off the ship?!" Zoro snapped.

Leo chuckled. "None of that matters now. The only thing that matters is defeating Arlong. Once he's gone, everything will be settled."

Zoro grunted but said no more.

Nami landed before they could see the gates of Arlong Park. She didn't want Arlong and the others to notice the change in her.

"Leo, Luffy… I want to go in first."

Her eyes were heavy with emotion as she gripped the wooden staff Leo had modified for her.

Leo and Luffy exchanged a glance, then nodded.

Clang~

Nami pushed the door open and strode inside.

---

"Hahaha, it's Nami!"

"You were gone for quite a while this time. What kind of treasure did you bring back?" Arlong asked, leaning back on a recliner, amusement twinkling in his cold eyes.

"This treasure… is more valuable than all my past deliveries combined."

Nami's voice was calm, her gaze soft. Her hand brushed over her arm, where the tattoo of Arlong's mark had once been—now covered with something that brought her peace.

"It's been so long, and this place hasn't changed at all. Still so careless about security," she muttered.

Arlong scoffed. "Who do you think I am? No one dares cause trouble here."

"True. You're the one who rules over the entire East Blue," Nami said quietly, her eyes flashing with meaning.

"Hahahaha! That's what I like about you, Nami. You always tell it like it is."

Arlong took a few swigs of his drink before turning to the rest of his crew.

"Everyone! Nami's back. Time for a party!!"

"Yeahhh! Let's go!" the Fishmen shouted with joy. For them, partying was a way of life.

"Wait."

Nami's voice cut through the noise like a blade. The room instantly fell silent.

"Oh? What is it, Nami?" Arlong raised a brow. He noticed something odd in her tone. And what was in that box she was carrying?

"I have a question for you, Arlong. Do you know someone named Colonel Mouse?"

Her gaze sharpened like a dagger.

Arlong blinked, then grinned as realization struck.

"Ah… so you found out the money was stolen?"

He chuckled, thoroughly unconcerned.

"Well, that's life. You can just earn it all again, right?"

His laughter echoed through the room. "Of the 100 million Baileys that rat took, 70 million were mine!"

"Hahaha, that's right, Nami! We'll do it again—faster this time!"

"Yeah! You've done it before. Just one more time won't hurt!" the Fishmen added, grinning wickedly.

"Come on! Let's party. It's no big deal!"

Nami didn't respond. She simply stared at Arlong, her grip tightening around the wooden staff in her hand.

Øóffer going on for diamond tier

pàtreøn (Gk31)