Carina said nothing more; she just quietly stepped up to Nami and gently took her hand. Even if they normally bicker, in the end Carina is still Nami's friend. Feeling the warmth of Carina's hand, Nami turned and offered her a gentle smile.
Working together, the group soon made landfall on the island.
"Do we head straight for Arlong Park first, or should we swing by your place?" Arton asked.
"Let's drop by my house first," Nami replied. "Arlong isn't going anywhere."
She knew that Nojiko also had a Diary Copy. Though there was no way to contact her via Den Den Mushi, Nami was sure Nojiko had seen her experiences through the diary during this time. If that were so, Nami felt it best to check in on Nojiko first.
"Besides, when the Arlong Pirates get wiped out," Nami said, "I bet Nojiko and everyone in the village will want to witness it."
Nami lifted her face, showing Arton a wide smile.
"You're right," he said. "I'm sure everyone will want to see it. Let's go, Nami—show us your home."
Nami nodded firmly, then immediately took Arton's hand and started off toward her house. Carina, Uta, and Kaya followed close behind.
[Uta]: Carina, Arton's other hand is free. Not gonna seize the opportunity?
[Carina]: Forget it. This time, it's all for Nami.
[Uta]: Hehe, you two are pretty good friends.
[Carina]: "Friends?" More like rivals! Besides, you've been acting strangely with Arton lately—don't tell me you two really… did it
[Uta]: Who can say? Why don't you go ask Arton?
[Carina]: Tsk, so mysterious. I've actually been wondering if you've been taking Arton off to your Sing-Sing Space for… special services?
[Uta]: Hehe, no use fishing for info, Carina. If you're that curious, go try Arton yourself?
[Carina]: Hmph! I would have if Nami didn't keep butting in—plus you're always hogging Arton. I'd have had my chance by now.
[Uta]: If your resolve is strong, there's always a way.
[Carina]: Then why not use your Sing-Sing powers to create a little private "Uta Space" for me and Arton, huh?
[Uta]: In your dreams!
'Uta Space is where I get my alone time with Arton. No way am I handing it over to you.'
After sending that message, Uta cast Carina a side glance, her refusal obvious. Carina could only sigh.
After a short while, the group reached the streets of Cocoyasi Village. Locals who'd been going about their business paused in surprise at the sight of Arton's group. Seeing that Nami was walking hand-in-hand with Arton, their expressions turned even more astonished. But soon, as if on cue, they all showed deep disgust toward Nami.
Observing this, Kaya frowned.
"Why do they look like that? You'd think they'd be happy Nami's back," she muttered quietly.
"It's normal," Nami said with a smile. "I'm a member of the Arlong Pirates, after all. Of course they'd hate me."
Though she was smiling, anyone could see how pained that smile was.
"How unfair," Carina growled, her brow knitted. "Nami's done so much for them—"
"You can't blame them," Nami interrupted. "I chose this road myself. I was afraid that if I didn't act like I was part of Arlong's crew, the villagers might try something reckless against him. But whatever happens, it'll all be over today."
Hearing this, Carina, Uta, and Kaya finally felt a bit relieved.
"But in my opinion," Arton spoke up, "they're just acting as though they hate you, Nami."
"Acting?" Nami blinked and looked up at him. "What do you mean, Arton?"
"Exactly that." Arton activated his Transparent World ability, closely observing the passersby. "They may look like they despise you, but I can see they actually care for you a lot. That hatred is just an act. Like how you pretended to join Arlong's pirates to protect the villagers, these folks are pretending not to know your real motive. They're supporting you in their own way. If they knew from the start that Arlong had no intention of honoring his deal with you, they would've fought him long ago."
Nami's eyes widened, one hand covering her mouth in surprise. She knew Arton could see the past and future, so she trusted his words. Gazing around carefully now, Nami realized something was off—now that her senses were enhanced by her lightning-based powers, she could perceive it too. Beneath the villagers' show of hatred lay eyes brimming with worry.
"They…they all knew," Nami whispered, biting her lip as tears started to fall.
Carina sighed, stepping forward to take Nami's arm. Uta and Kaya gently patted Nami's shoulders in comfort.
***
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