Chapter 53: Questions in the Rain

Snap!

Patter! Patter!

Dark clouds gathered ominously in the sky, thunder rumbling in the distance. Rice-sized raindrops drifted down with the breeze, soaking everything in their path. The entire world seemed wrapped in a thick curtain of rain, a solemn and almost suffocating silence settling over the surroundings.

The sudden change in weather startled the fishmen nearby. Such an abrupt storm—unnatural and intense—was unheard of in this region.

Nami stood motionless in the rain, her clothes clinging to her from the downpour, yet she showed no sign of discomfort. Her eyes were locked on Arlong, who was laughing maniacally despite the weather.

"There's still one more thing," she said coldly. "Our agreement. Does it still stand?"

She slowly placed a large box onto the wet ground and pointed at it, her lips curling into a sarcastic smile.

"Here it is. One hundred million berries. I'm here to redeem my village."

Arlong's laughter abruptly died. His expression froze.

What happened to that Marine rat? he thought. Didn't he already steal Nami's money?

That damned mouse... Looks like I need a new partner.

His thoughts raced, but he quickly masked his surprise, rising to his feet and approaching the box. After giving it a glance, his gaze shifted back to Nami's face.

"I never expected you to pull this off," he said, eyes narrowing. "Without anyone noticing? Heh… as expected of the navigator I handpicked. Even if you're just a human, you've honored our deal."

But then, a twisted smile stretched across Arlong's face.

"This is a lot of money," he said, almost mockingly. "I don't want damaged or worn-out berries. Nami, you better be sure of what you're offering me."

The fishmen around him erupted in laughter.

"That's right, Nami!" one of them sneered. "We don't want old or torn money."

"Haha! We're not scavengers!"

"This box must be full of junk. We're not accepting it!"

They chuckled and jeered, mocking her as if she were a gullible child. Not one of them treated her like a companion or comrade. Their eyes held nothing but ridicule, as if to say: You're nothing but a tool to us.

But something was off.

The woman they mocked didn't look angry. She wasn't even sad. Instead, her expression remained calm, even amused.

Her eyes shone with a hint of contempt.

"Hah… I knew it," she said softly. "You never saw me as one of your own."

Her words struck deep, and Arlong's face darkened.

There was something about Nami's calm demeanor that unsettled him. It felt like things were beginning to spiral beyond his control.

"Hmph. Don't play games, Nami!" he barked. "If you really have one hundred million berries, hand them over now!"

His eyes were cold, suspicious. He didn't believe she had gathered such a sum on her own. Over the years, he had watched her every move, monitored every coin she earned. He knew her capabilities.

"I will," Nami said plainly.

She held a wooden staff in one hand and lifted the box with the other. "Go ahead, open it. You'll see it's all there—brand new notes."

She added, her voice laced with quiet finality: "Our agreement ends here."

Arlong opened the box. His pupils shrank.

Every bill inside was neatly stacked and brand new. His face twitched as he processed what he saw, a stinging shame rising within him.

A triumphant smile crossed Nami's face.

She had begged Leo for the money. Of course, the notes were flawless—Leo was unimaginably wealthy. She never expected him to agree so easily. After this ordeal, she'd definitely have to figure out a way to make him cough up more of his treasure once she joined his ship!

"Hmmph!"

Arlong's voice, shameless and arrogant, rang out again. "There's only half here! This is nowhere near one hundred million!"

The lie was blatant, yet he delivered it as if it were the truth.

Two fishmen stepped forward, blocking Nami, trying to push her away.

"You're disgusting, Arlong," she said, but this time, her voice held no desperation. Only disappointment.

She no longer looked like the helpless woman she once was.

Arlong's stomach twisted. He could tell something wasn't right.

Boom!

Suddenly, the massive gate to Arlong Park exploded inwards.

Dust and debris flew everywhere. Several of Arlong's subordinates were sent flying, their bodies slamming into walls and crumpling to the ground.

A powerful voice pierced through the smoke.

"Which one of you is Arlong?"

The fishmen turned. Standing in the ruined entrance was a boy with a straw hat and a steely gaze.

Arlong scowled. He'd been too distracted to sense this new arrival.

"Who the hell are you?" he barked.

But the boy wasn't intimidated. He stepped forward, slowly and deliberately.

"Monkey D. Luffy," he replied. "The man who's going to become the King of the Pirates."

Behind him came Sanji, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, eyes filled with disdain. Zoro walked beside him with his hand lazily resting on the hilt of his sword.

At the back, Usopp held his glowing slingshot, clearly nervous but determined.

Leo stood off to the side, unnoticed by all. Leaning against the broken gate, he looked unbothered—just a quiet magician minding his business. But with a casual wave of his hand, he collected the box that sat at Arlong's feet.

If I say nothing, Leo thought, Nami will definitely come back looking for it. Let her owe me again.

Bang!

Without warning, Luffy launched a punch straight at Arlong, sending him flying across the courtyard. He crashed into a wall with a loud crack.

"Waaah! Lord Arlong!!" screamed his followers.

"You bastard!"

"Who the hell do you think you are?!"

The fishmen screamed and charged at the Straw Hats.

"Wait!"

Arlong's voice, cold and commanding, stopped them in their tracks.

Bruised and furious, he rose from the rubble. His mind clicked the pieces together.

So that's it… These people are Nami's allies.

No wonder she had been acting so strangely. No wonder she'd been so calm.

"You… you brought them here, didn't you?" he growled.

Nami didn't flinch. Her orange hair clung to her cheeks, but her expression was bright and resolute.

"Yes," she said firmly. "I did."

"The years of torment you put me through—it ends today."

Arlong's face twisted with rage.

"Fine! Let's see what your little crew can do!"

He kicked aside rubble as he stood tall. "You're just a bunch of low-level mongrels! What can you possibly do to me?!"

He pointed forward.

"Attack!!"

With a roar, the fishmen surged forward. Leading them were Kroobi and Ju, muscles bulging and weapons ready. The battlefield erupted in chaos.

Chuu, spotting Zoro, let out an angry snort. Realizing he'd been tricked by him earlier, he blew hard into a giant conch shell.

"Moo!"

A deep sound echoed from the sea.

Something massive stirred beneath the waves.

But the Straw Hat crew didn't flinch.

Sanji spun into action, sweeping two fishmen off their feet with a flurry of kicks.

Zoro drew his blades, slicing cleanly through incoming enemies.

Usopp fired glowing projectiles from his slingshot, each one enhanced by the experimental ammo Leo had given him. Explosions sent fishmen flying.

Even Leo, despite being a self-proclaimed weak magician, cast subtle protective spells around his friends—small barriers here, a timed blast there—barely noticeable but surprisingly effective.

Amidst the downpour, amidst the cries of battle, Nami stepped forward.

This time, she wasn't alone.

This time, she had people who stood by her.

And Arlong—her tormentor—was about to learn what it meant to cross someone who had found her strength.

Øóffer going on for diamond tier

pàtreøn (Gk31)