Nojiko fixed Albert with a serious gaze and asked, "Do you understand what you're saying?"
Albert acknowledged her concern with a serious nod. "I do. All the pain Nami is experiencing stems from Arlong, and I'm here to help her banish that nightmare."
Nojiko shook her head, her hope in Albert completely extinguished. "You have no idea what Arlong did to Cocoyasi Village or how truly wicked he is."
Albert was well aware of Arlong's deeds, although Nojiko was not. He recognized her worries and urged, "Sister Nojiko, could you tell us about it?"
She hesitated but eventually complied, recounting the tragic events from the past.
An hour later...
"Wuu wuu wuu, Sister Nami has suffered far too much."
"Brother Albert, you must help Sister Nami defeat Arlong!"
...
Albert's face was ashen, and a fierce anger burned within him. He had thought that hearing the story would quell his rage, but he soon realized he was mistaken. He could not overlook the injustices Arlong had inflicted on Nami. All that filled his mind was the desire to confront Arlong and take his life.
"I see, Nojiko. Can you tell me where Nami is now?"
With a grave expression, Nojiko snapped, "Are you really going? That poor girl has been through enough. I told you all this to keep you from disturbing her."
Albert's demeanor shifted; a cold smile appeared on his lips as he replied, "Do you genuinely believe Arlong will allow Nami to go free or let Cocoyasi Village be? Do you think Nami can simply buy back Cocoyasi Village? Ha ha ha! You actually trust a pirate who took Nami's mother's life? What a foolish thought."
Nojiko's face darkened as she watched Albert laugh maniacally. "What are you implying?"
"What does it sound like?" Albert looked at her incredulously. "Haven't you figured it out?"
"No! Arlong will keep his promise!" Nojiko protested, unwilling to accept Albert's implications.
Albert regarded her with pity. "Hmph! He's a pirate, and you really believe what he says."
"No, no," Nojiko murmured. Deep down, she recognized the truth in Albert's words, but she forced herself to hold on to hope. If she didn't believe, what would be the purpose of all their efforts over the years?
Bang...
"Sister Nojiko, the Navy is here!" A young boy burst in, excitement radiating from him.
Nojiko's spirits lifted as she exclaimed to Albert, "Look, the Navy is here! We're saved!"
Albert sneered in contempt. "Hmph, don't celebrate too soon."
"Regardless, we're saved!" Nojiko declared proudly to Albert and then followed the boy outside.
"Joseph, Johnny."
"Yes, Brother Albert?"
"You two go guard the entrance to Arlong's place. Don't let any villagers through until I arrive."
"Why, Brother Albert?"
"The Navy isn't here to rescue Nami; they're on Arlong's orders."
Joseph and Johnny stiffened, understanding the implication, and responded seriously, "Understood, Big Brother Albert. We'll carry out the task."
They hurriedly exited.
Albert took a sip from his cup, a cold glimmer in his eyes as he thought, "Arlong, just wait. Soon, I'll make sure you have no grave."
As Albert waited, Nami came back home. When she spotted him, her face briefly froze, then she smiled, "What's got you chasing after me? Here for the ship? Don't forget, you owe me."
Seeing her smile, for some reason, Albert felt a sharp pang in his heart. He stood up and approached her, gently ruffling her hair. "I didn't come for the ship; I'm here to help you defeat Arlong."
Nami's expression turned icy. "If you're not here for the ship, then leave. My business is mine alone. I'll gather 100 million berries soon and buy back Cocoyasi Village, so I don't need your help."
Albert stared intently at Nami. "Is that what you really believe?"
Nami nodded, looking at him with disdain. "Hmph, you're just trying to win me over, right? Such a transparent ploy. Give it up; I won't be your girlfriend. Just go, now!"
Gently, Albert observed Nami and knew that no amount of persuasion would work at this moment. "Nami, I'm not playing games; I genuinely want to help you, but if you don't want to see me, I'll wait outside for you."
The door creaked open as Albert exited. Nami remained inside, her expression somber, unmoving for a long time.
"Is Nami here?"
A voice called from outside. Nami stepped out and saw A Jian and several navy members at the door. "What do you want?"
The leading navy colonel, sporting a mouse-like mustache, responded, "You're the thief Nami, right? According to our information, you've stolen a significant amount of treasures from pirates, and the government wants to confiscate them."
Nami's expression hardened, but she forced a smile. "I'm a pirate with Arlong; aren't you afraid of his vengeance?"
"Ha! Search her!"
"Stop!" Nami quickly drew her Stick and knocked down the navy officer attempting to intrude.
With a sinister grin, the mouse colonel ordered, "Ignore her; keep searching!"
"Stop it!" Nami shouted as she continued to knock the navy down.
"Stop!" A cold voice interrupted. A figure in a black trench coat emerged from behind a nearby orange tree.
The mouse colonel arrogantly confronted the newcomer. "Who do you think you are to stop me?"
"Albert?!" Nami exclaimed in recognition.
"Hey, Nami!" Albert greeted her with a smile. At that moment, Nojiko also rushed back. Albert addressed them, "I warned you not to trust Arlong. Look at this navy colonel; he's sent by him. Nami, your plan to gather enough money to buy back Cocoyasi Village won't work because Arlong won't allow it."
Panic spread across Nami's face. "No, it can't be! But now... no…"
Seeing her distress tore at Albert's heart. He swiftly stepped in front of the mouse colonel, demanding, "Who sent you?"
While the mouse colonel was initially taken aback, he attempted to maintain his bravado. "Hmph! I don't need to share whose orders I'm under…"
Pfft...
The colonel doubled over, gasping on the ground as Albert withdrew his fist. "Speak!"
In anger, the colonel yelled at his men, "What are you all frozen for? Grab him!"
Whoosh...
The navy charged toward Albert.
Bang bang bang...
"Ah."
With a knife in hand, Albert appeared unfazed as the navy behind him lay unconscious on the ground.
"Stay back!" The mouse colonel recoiled in fear.
Swish...
A knife gleamed as it touched the colonel's neck. Albert, maintaining pressure, demanded, "Speak!"
The colonel, terrified and trembling from the cold steel, complied, "I... I'll tell you! Arlong said Nami has one billion berries here, and we're supposed to split it fifty-fifty afterward."
After hearing his confession, Albert nonchalantly returned his blade to its sheath and ordered the mouse colonel, "Now get out of here!"
"Yes, yes, yes!" The colonel scrambled to his feet and fled with his crew.
"Damn it, Arlong, you scoundrel!" colonel cursed in frustration.
Albert turned to the distressed Nami. "Nami, see? I wasn't wrong!"
"Ah..." Nami cried out in agony, pulling a dagger from her pocket to stab the tattoo on her left arm. "Ahhh... Arlong... Arlong... Arlong…"
Albert rushed to her side, stopping the dagger and enveloping her in his arms. "Quit crying, I'm here!"
"Ah..." Nami sobbed bitterly, clutching Albert tightly. "Please, Albert, kill Arlong for me... please."
Albert draped his coat over her shoulders and gently wiped her tears away. "Don't cry; stay here, and I'll take care of Arlong right away!"
With that, he left without a glance back, heading directly toward Arlong's base. Nami covered her mouth, watching him leave, unable to contain her tears.
...
Upon arriving at Arlong's base, Albert saw Joseph and Johnny stationed by the entrance.
"Brother Albert, you've arrived."
Albert nodded, approached the gates, and kicked them open with a resounding crash.
With the gates gone, the scene inside clarified. Arlong was in the courtyard, surrounded by numerous fishmen, all stunned by the sudden entrance.
"Which one of you is Arlong?"