"Ah… haha… I never thought Arlong would actually be defeated. We've been trying to capture him for ages in the navy. Come on, take Arlong away for me."
"Hold on." Albert squinted at the sudden appearance of Colonel Mouse, surprised. "Oh? You're still here?"
Colonel Mouse, startled by Albert, took a few steps back, stammering: "Don't come any closer. I'm from the navy. Since your group has taken care of Arlong's gang, just hand him over to me."
With a chuckle, Albert responded to Colonel Mouse: "Alright then!"
"Albert!" Nami stared at him, astonished.
Albert offered Nami a comforting glance and smiled at Colonel Mouse: "I can give him to you. He's about to meet his end anyway, but what about the bounty for Arlong? I was the one who took him down, after all."
Nami's eyes brightened instantly as she nodded: "Exactly! Hurry up and pay up!"
"But…" Colonel Mouse began to protest, but upon seeing Albert raise his fist, he quickly shouted: "Yes, yes, yes! I'll get the bounty for you right away!"
Shortly thereafter, a navy soldier returned with a box. Nami opened it, counted the contents, and found exactly 20 million berries. She turned to Colonel Mouse with a satisfied grin and said: "20 million berries, not a single one less. And remember, don't cause any trouble for the village anymore. We're going to set sail soon, so if you think of stirring things up, you can come find us. Got it?"
Colonel Mouse nodded vigorously in agreement.
"Then you can leave."
He cast a pained glance at the box containing the 20 million berries as he trudged away with Arlong in tow.
Back on the warship, Colonel Mouse seethed with anger, not having anticipated his plans would fail, leading to a loss of money instead. He ended up with nothing and lost 20 million berries.
"Damn it, just you wait! I won't let this slide!"
…
After Arlong's defeat, tranquility returned to Cocoyasi Village.
In Cocoyasi Village.
A man rushed back, panting, and shouted:
"Everyone, Arlong has been defeated! We're free! Let's celebrate!"
"Oh…"
Joy erupted throughout Cocoyasi Village as people flooded into the streets, dancing and shouting with exhilaration. Households brought out whatever food and drink they had, inviting everyone to partake in the festivities.
Albert received a hearty welcome from the villagers of Cocoyasi Village, who kept toasting him. He soon found himself tipsy and slightly queasy, yet filled with happiness. He accepted every toast, occasionally breaking into song and showcasing his culinary skills, earning him great praise from the villagers.
Nojiko looked at Albert enjoying himself and laughed, saying to Nami beside her: "Albert is a good guy; you should hold onto him."
Nami blushed and retorted: "Nojiko, what are you talking about? I haven't taken a liking to him."
Nojiko teased, "Oh really? Maybe I should make my move then."
"Don't!" Nami exclaimed urgently, but seeing Nojiko's playful expression made her cheeks heat up even more as she feigned annoyance: "You're such a nuisance, Nojiko…"
Nojiko waved her off and laughed: "Okay, okay! I won't compete with you for him, dear sister Nami."
"Humph, who wants to compete with you…" After saying this, Nami stole a glance at Albert, her face flushing again.
They joked around for a while, but then Nami's smile faded as she said seriously: "Nojiko, I want to visit Bellemere."
…
At the mountain's peak, a solitary grave sat overlooking the sea. This was Bellemere's resting place.
Nami, Nojiko, and Genzo approached the grave.
"Mr. Genzo, I want to sail with Albert."
"That's okay, but…" Genzo said sternly: "If that guy dares to mistreat you, I won't hold back!"
"Hehe…" Nojiko giggled and said: "Mr. Genzo, you sound like a father worried about his daughter's suitor."
"Nojiko!" Genzo retorted, annoyed: "What are you saying? I'm just looking out for Nami's interests. How could I… how could I be…"
Nami smiled and reassured him: "It's fine, Mr. Genzo; you've cared for us like a father ever since we were kids."
Genzo was speechless, wanting to explain but finally giving in to their teasing gazes.
Nami gazed at Bellemere's grave, allowing a gentle smile to surface.
"Hey! Nami!"
Albert strolled up the mountain slowly.
"Albert, what brings you here?" Nami approached and took his hand.
Albert looked at her, tenderly tousled her hair, and smiled: "I came to find you."
"Mm, come with me." Nami led Albert to Bellemere's grave: "Bellemere, this is Albert. Albert, this is my mother."
Albert bowed solemnly before Bellemere's resting place.
Nami spoke softly to the grave: "Bellemere, I'll be setting sail with Albert now. Look at him, isn't he wonderful? He's very kind to me, his cooking is fantastic, and he's strong enough to have defeated Arlong, so he can protect me well, even if he is a little broke. But that's alright; I'm good at making money. Don't worry, I'll be alright out at sea…"
As Nami recounted her journey, all the hardships and joys over the years, Albert stood quietly by, listening intently.
As she spoke, a sudden breeze rustled the leaves, seemingly in response to her words.
After a while…
"Alright, Albert, Nojiko, Mr. Genzo, let's go back to the celebration!" Nami stood up and smiled at them.
"Mm!"
The four made their way back to the village to continue the festivities. On her way, Nami stopped by the doctor's to get a tattoo of an orange and a windmill, then returned home to pack her things and say goodbye to Bellemere.
Later that evening, at Bellemere's grave, Genzo sat there quietly with a bottle of wine, drinking silently.
Mr. Genzo.
Not turning around, Genzo said, "You're here; come sit and have a drink with me."
Albert nodded, took a seat next to Genzo, poured himself a glass, and drank.
Genzo gazed affectionately at Bellemere's grave, then turned to Albert and said, "Listen, boy, I heard Nami is going to be on your ship. If you ever take her smile away from her, I'll make you pay!"
"I would never!" Albert replied earnestly.
"Do you understand?" Genzo suddenly raised his voice.
Albert nodded firmly, responding loudly, "Understood!"
...
The following day, Albert and the villagers loaded Nami's belongings and supplies onto the ship, along with her orange tree. They waited for Nami's arrival.
"Set sail!"
Albert heard Nami call, smiled, and set the ship in motion!
"Wait, no! You can't just leave like this!" Nami thundered, sprinting toward them, bypassing the villagers trying to stop her, leaping onto the ship with determination.
Bang, bang, bang…
A pile of wallets tumbled onto the deck. Nami grabbed the money, turned to the villagers, winked, and stuck her tongue out: "Take care, everyone!"
The villagers were momentarily stunned at the sight of the fallen wallets, only to realize in a panic that their own had vanished.
"My wallet!"
"You've got some nerve!"
"You little thief!"
"Come back anytime!"
...
"Boy, remember our agreement!" Genzo shouted at Albert.
Albert looked back and called, "Yes, I won't forget it!"
Hahaha… Nojiko laughed at Nami, who was still pulling her tricks on the villagers even as she was departing. "I'm really impressed with her. My sister is something else; I hope she finds happiness."
Hahaha…
The villagers burst into laughter.
...
On the ship, Albert watched as Nami collected the fallen wallets, sighing: "Is this really okay?"
Nami grinned, saying, "It's fine; I needed the money!"
Albert replied incredulously, "But why leave all of it behind? You should keep some for yourself."
Nami looked affectionately at the villagers of Cocoyasi and explained, "That money is for the village, which I won't take. It's my hard-earned money, and I'll make sure to value it."
Albert smiled but stayed silent.
"Oh, by the way…" Nami turned to Albert and asked, "What's this agreement you had with Mr. Genzo?"
Albert smirked mischievously and said, "Oh, it's just that Mr. Genzo married you to me!"
Nami's cheeks flushed with embarrassment and indignation as she retorted, "That's nonsense! Mr. Genzo isn't my father!"
"Really? I thought he was!"
"Just drop it!"
"Oh, look at Nami getting shy…"
"Cut it out!"
On the deck, Albert and Nami engaged in playful banter.
...
Later that evening, Nami, fresh from a bath and clad in a robe, walked up to Albert, winking at him while showing off her long, fair legs, beckoning him over with a smile.
"Albert, do you want to sleep with me tonight?"
Albert numbly nodded, stammering, "Yes!"
"Then come here!"
With that, Nami retreated to her room.
Awoo...
Albert let out a wolfish howl, quickly morphing into a playful demeanor and rushed to Nami's room, only to find the door locked.
"No way, Nami, how could you do this to me!" Albert cried out.
"Figure it out! If you manage to get in, I'll grant you any request!" Nami teased playfully.
"Really?"
"Absolutely!"
"Hmph, this isn't going to stump me." Albert proclaimed, raising his leg and kicking the door.
With a loud crash, the door flew open.
"You…?" Nami stared in shock at Albert, who stood before her after demolishing the lock.
"I'm here!" Albert declared as he leapt onto Nami's bed.
"Take it easy, you're going to break something!" Nami feigned annoyance.
Albert chuckled, "Alright, Nami, I promise I will improve!"
With that, he embraced Nami, his hands beginning to wander.
"Hmph!" Nami gasped nervously, giving in to his advances.
"Nami, do you remember our first meeting?"
"I do; I thought you were such a fool back then."
Albert gazed deeply into her eyes and said with sincerity, "Nami, I love you, and I don't want you to think of this as just repaying a debt of gratitude!"
Rolling her eyes, Nami pressed her lips against Albert's and responded, "You silly, I love you too!"
Overjoyed by her confession, Albert embraced Nami.