Raphael: <>
System: []
******
Meanwhile, after partying to her heart's content, Nami finally slipped away for a breather. The festival was still in full swing outside, as she could still hear music, laughter, and the occasional drunken cheer drifting through the streets, even though there was a considerable distance between the village center and her house. But right now, she needed a moment to recharge. So, humming to herself, she pushed open the door to her house, ready to kick off her shoes and flop onto her bed.
But the moment she stepped inside, she froze as she heard a noise coming from her room.
Instantly on alert, Nami narrowed her eyes and transformed her fingers into claws. Moving cautiously, she crept toward the door and threw it open with a loud bang, hoping to catch the intruder off guard. But instead of a stranger, a familiar scream greeted her.
"Nojiko?!" Nami blinked in disbelief. "What the hell are you doing in my room?!"
Her sister was standing near the dresser, one hand clutching her chest like she was seconds away from a heart attack, and her wide eyes stared back at Nami in pure shock. On the bed behind her were two bags, fully packed, and a third one halfway filled with Nami's clothes.
"And what's all this?!" Nami demanded, striding in. "Why are you stuffing my things into bags?"
Nojiko held up a hand, still catching her breath. "Can I breathe first, please?"
She reached for a glass of water on the nightstand, took a long sip, then let out a deep, calming exhale. Finally, she met Nami's gaze with a tired but matter-of-fact look.
"I was packing your things so you wouldn't end up running around like a headless chicken tomorrow," she said simply. "Or the day after. You know, whenever you decide to leave with Luffy and the others. Figured I'd save you from your usual last-minute chaos."
"Me? Setting sail with Luffy?" Nami raised an eyebrow, folding her arms as she looked at Nojiko. "Who said anything about that? He hasn't asked me to join his crew, and I sure as hell haven't asked him to take me."
"To take you?" Nojiko wiggled her eyebrows, smirking. "Wow, I didn't realize you were already planning to throw yourself at him like that."
"N-Nojiko!" Nami snapped, her face instantly going red. She looked away, clearly flustered but just as quickly as it came, her smile faded. The warmth drained from her expression, and her voice dropped to a quiet murmur, barely holding steady. "Please don't joke about stuff like that... I don't really like talking about it." She hugged her arms to her chest and rubbed them slowly. "You have no idea how close I was to—"
She didn't get to finish since before the words could fall, Nojiko crossed the room in a heartbeat and pulled her into a tight, trembling hug.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, voice thick with regret. "I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry... for the joke. And for everything you had to go through."
"But I'm here now... I am home," Nami murmured, her voice muffled as she pressed her face into her sister's shoulder. Tears spilled freely down her cheeks, but her smile lingered.
"Yeah," Nojiko said, holding her close, her own tears falling just as fast. "You're home. And I swear, Nami... no one is ever going to hurt you again."
"So then why?" Nami asked, her voice cracking as she pulled back, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. "Why are you packing my things? Why do you want me to leave home... to leave you... when we've barely had any time together?"
Nojiko's expression softened, and she reached up to gently cup Nami's cheek. Her thumb brushed away a lingering tear.
"Nami... believe me, if I could, I'd wrap you in cotton and keep you right here, safe and sound, where I can see you every day. Nothing would make me happier than knowing you were always within reach. But... If I did that, I'd be keeping you caged. I'd be the one clipping your wings. And that... that would be worse than any storm or sea you might face out there."
She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but her voice still trembled as she continued. "I love you so much, Nami. And the thought of you leaving again... going off on a journey for who knows how long, breaks my heart. Especially after spending three whole months wondering if you were even alive, it terrifies me. Every part of me wants to beg you to stay."
"But my little thief," she said, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips, "you've had that dream in your heart since we were kids: to draw a map of the entire world. And I've always known that dream was never going to keep you anchored here forever." Nojiko chuckled softly, took Nami's hands in hers, and looked her straight in the eyes. "So how could I be the one to stand in the way of that? How could I ask you to stay grounded when I know your heart has always belonged to the sea? I'd be the worst sister in the world if I tried to chain you to this place just because I was scared of losing you again. Wouldn't that make me the worst sister in the world?"
"Nojiko, no matter what you say or do, you'll always be the best sister in the world," Nami said firmly, her voice steady and filled with quiet conviction.
For Nami, who had never known her biological family and had long stopped caring why she was abandoned at birth, Nojiko and Bell-mère were the only family that ever truly mattered. But after Bell-mère's tragic death at the hands of Arlong, Nojiko became the only one she had left. So even if her sister had asked her to stay in this quiet village forever, Nami would have agreed in a heartbeat. Yes, there would always be a piece of her that would regret never seeing her map come to life, but if staying meant Nojiko's happiness, she was willing to give that dream up for her.
"And I understand what you're saying," Nami continued and gave a small, almost wistful smile, "but what's the rush? I'm only twenty-one. I've got a whole lifetime ahead of me to chase down my dreams. The seas aren't going anywhere."
"But Luffy and his crew will, and so will your opportunity to set sail with good, strong people like them," Nojiko insisted. "Nami, I don't think I need to remind you how dangerous these seas are. You've seen it for yourself how cruel the world can be, with scummy pirates and despicable Navy officers who'd sell their own mother for money, crawling all over it."
"That's why... if you're going to go, I'd much rather you go with them. With Luffy and the others. At least then, I'll be able to sleep at night knowing you're not alone out there, fighting through hell without anyone to watch your back. And don't forget, he gave you that power, the one that lets you transform into anyone, without asking for anything in return. Just so you could take your revenge." Nojiko looked her sister in the eye. "Tell me, Nami... how many people do you know who would do something like that? Who would give away a power that incredible to a complete stranger? Not to make their own crew stronger, not to keep it for themselves, but just to help someone they barely knew?"
"Nojiko, I get it, I really do. And trust me, sis, your sales pitch is working. It's having quite an effect on me," Nami gave a tired laugh before running a hand through her hair with a sigh. "But I still need some time to think it through. Heading out to sea for who knows how long... maybe years, that's a big deal. I can't just make that kind of decision overnight."
She didn't say it outright, but the truth was clear in her eyes: she wanted to go. She wanted to follow Luffy, to see the world, to draw the map she'd dreamed of since childhood. But the thought of leaving Nojiko again, so soon after finally coming home... it made her chest tighten. Especially after seeing the state Nojiko was in this morning, walking away now felt like she would just be tearing open a wound that had only just begun to heal.
Nojiko nodded, finally letting the subject go. "Okay, I understand. I won't bug you about it anymore," she said, with a shake of her head before her expression softened. "Anyway... how about this instead? Want to go visit Mother? I think she'd like to know Arlong's gone for good and that the monster who took her from us won't hurt anyone else ever again."
"Yeah... I'd like that," Nami replied with a small, wistful smile as the two sisters stepped outside, walking side by side as they made their way toward the familiar cliff just beyond the village
******
In front of a neatly tended grave, Nami and Nojiko stood in silence, heads bowed as they offered their prayers to the woman who had raised them. The grave was simple but cared for with deep love, and fresh flowers rested at its base, while the name 'Bell-mère' was etched into the cross stone.
When their prayers were done, neither of them moved. They stood side by side, letting the stillness of the night wrap around them. The cold wind brushed against their skin, carrying with it the distant sound of laughter and music, reminding them that the villagers were still celebrating their freedom, still clinging to the joy of being finally, truly free.
After a long moment, Nami finally spoke. "I miss her, you know... I miss her so much," she whispered, rubbing her forearm.
"I know," Nojiko replied gently, sliding an arm around her sister's shoulders. "I do too."
Nami leaned into the touch, drawing quiet strength from the familiar warmth. After a pause, she added, "You know... sometimes I can't help but wonder how different things would've been. If that cursed day had never happened... if that bastard Arlong had never set foot in our village..." she said, her voice trembling with a mix of sorrow and rising anger at the mention of Arlong's name.
Nojiko exhaled softly. "Yeah... it would've been nice, wouldn't it? To still have her with us," she looked down at the grave, her eyes distant. "But the truth is... we can't change what happened. Bell-mère made her choice. She gave her life so we could live. And I think... if we really want to honor that, we've got to live lives she would've been proud of. Not a perfect life, but a life filled with happiness and fulfillment."
"Yeah... she'd love that," Nami gave a shaky little laugh, brushing a tear from her cheek. "You know, if she were here right now, she'd probably tell me to stop crying and go wash the dishes."
"She definitely would," Nojiko chuckled. "Then she'd ruffle your hair and tell you not to steal anything on the way."
"God, I was such a little brat back then..." Nami whispered, the smile on her face flickering, faltering. Her voice cracked as a fresh wave of guilt bubbled to the surface. "If only... if only I'd told her how much I loved her before she..."
The words caught in her throat. She pressed her lips together tightly, but it was no use. Her head dropped, shoulders trembling as quiet sobs overtook her and tears slipped down her cheeks, falling gently to the earth below.
Nojiko held her sister close, letting her cry without saying a word. But then just as she was about to offer some comforting words when, all of a sudden, a golden, translucent owl swooped down from the sky and landed silently atop Bell‑mère's grave.
"What... is that?" Nojiko breathed, eyes wide as she stared at the glowing creature. Even Nami, still sniffling into her sister's shoulder, looked up in surprise. Her sorrow faded for a moment, replaced by stunned curiosity as the owl shimmered in the soft light.
Then they heard the sound of footsteps approaching from behind. They turned, and there was Luffy, running toward them. He slowed only slightly before stopping in front of the grave, "Hey, Nami. Nojiko," he greeted casually, then turned to the owl. "And there you are. You really made me run all over the place," he added, talking to it like it was a mischievous pet that had wandered off.
"You know what that thing is?" Nami asked, brushing tears from her cheeks and giving him a puzzled look.
"Well, actually—" Luffy started, but the words caught in his throat. A strange feeling tugged at his chest, something deep and unexplainable, while his smile faded too as the Everlight Owl turned its glowing eyes to him.
"Hold on a second, Nami," he murmured, taking a slow step forward. He reached out carefully, his hand hovering for a breath before resting gently on the owl's luminous head, and the moment his fingers made contact, a radiant light burst from the creature, flooding the hilltop in a brilliant glow. The world around him vanished, swallowed in white, and for Luffy, everything else simply faded away.
******
As the blinding light faded, Luffy found himself standing in a small wooden rowboat, gently drifting across a vast red sea. Towering cherry blossom trees lined the distant shores, and their petals fell in a slow, constant rain, casting a soft pink glow over the dreamlike world around them.
But the serene atmosphere was quickly shattered by a panicked voice.
"Luffy! What the hell is going on?! Where are we?!" Nami's panicked voice cut through the stillness like a whipcrack as she stood near the bow of the boat, clinging tightly to Nojiko's hand.
"Oh, you two are here too," Luffy said casually, glancing over his shoulder. In his hand, the Everlight had shifted back into its bracelet form and then smoothly transformed again, this time into a golden paddle. Settling at one end of the boat, he dipped the paddle into the water and began to row.
"There's no need to panic," Luffy assured them with a calm voice. "Everything's under control. So for now... just sit back and enjoy the ride."
Nami and Nojiko exchanged a look, both of them uncertain. But after a moment, they nodded in silent agreement. Luffy had earned enough of their trust to give him the benefit of the doubt... at least this once. Taking a few steadying breaths, the sisters sat at the opposite end of the rowboat, eyes scanning the strange red waters and the drifting blossoms overhead.
Several long minutes passed, broken only by the soft dip of the paddle and the gentle creak of the boat. Then Nojiko finally asked, "If you're not going to tell us where we are... can you at least tell us where we're going?"
"We're heading toward the destination," Luffy replied with a grin that could only be described as infuriatingly vague.
Both Nami and Nojiko scowled in perfect sync, causing Luffy to chuckle under his breath, not to tease them, but because their reactions were exactly what he'd expected. Truthfully, he didn't know the answer any more than they did, but somehow, deep down, he instinctively knew which direction to row.
And so, without another word, the boat drifted onward. Time passed in silence until, at last, the bow bumped gently against the edge of a wooden dock of a small island port.
Luffy stepped out first, his sandals touching the weathered planks with a soft thud, and the moment his foot made contact with the wood, the golden paddle shimmered and twisted in his hand, transforming once more, this time into a glowing firefly. It hovered in front of him for a moment, pulsing softly, before fluttering forward like a lantern come to life and began fluttering ahead, guiding the way.
"Come on," Luffy called over his shoulder as he started down the pier, the Everlight flitting ahead while Nami and Nojiko exchanged another glance, then followed in step behind him.
The island was quiet and peaceful, dotted with large oak trees, cozy-looking huts, and gentle white spirits drifting aimlessly through the air. They glowed faintly in the soft light, seemingly unaware or uninterested in the visitors passing through.
Nami and Nojiko couldn't hide their curiosity. Their eyes darted from spirit to spirit, lingering on the strange, gentle way the beings moved. But even as they kept pace with Luffy, they carefully sidestepped the spirits, almost out of reflex, trying to avoid bumping into them.
Luffy let out a quiet chuckle, watching them dance around the phantoms. "You don't have to worry," he said without turning. "They won't notice you unless you're meant to talk to them. You could walk straight through, and they'd just keep floating," he informed them, knowing that these little white spirits were not only translucent but entirely intangible, so there was no need to worry about disturbing them.
Still, Luffy couldn't deny how captivated he was by everything around him. There was something deeply soothing about the island's peaceful, otherworldly charm—something that stirred a distant memory from his past life. It reminded him of a beautiful, emotional game he had once played, one that lingered in his heart long after the screen had faded to black. And while he didn't yet understand why the Everlight had brought him here, the buzzing rhythm of the firefly's wings told him one thing for certain: whatever it was leading him to... they were getting close.
Finally, they reached a quiet, secluded corner of the island—only to stop dead in their tracks at the sight before them. A grove of tangerine trees stretched out ahead, arranged in a way that was eerily familiar. It was identical to the one in the courtyard of Nami's childhood home. The resemblance was so uncanny, so precise, that both Nami and Nojiko froze, staring in stunned disbelief.
"What the...?" Nami breathed, her voice barely more than a whisper.
Neither of them could make sense of it. How could something so personal, so deeply rooted in their memories, exist in a place like this? It was like a memory pulled straight from their hearts and planted into the soil of this otherworldly island.
Luffy snapped his fingers in front of their faces, jolting them from their trance. Without saying a word, he turned and stepped into the grove, leaves crunching softly under his feet. The sisters followed close behind, glancing around with wide eyes, still trying to understand what they were seeing.
But as they ventured deeper among the trees, a figure ahead stirred, and someone who had clearly noticed their approach and now turned to face them.
Standing before Luffy was a lynx woman with rich auburn hair tied in a high ponytail. Her sharp yellow eyes narrowed as she studied them. Her fur was a soft tan, marked with darker stripes along her cheeks and arms. Tall ears tipped in black twitched slightly as she assessed the newcomers while a cigarette hung lazily from the corner of her mouth. She wore a green checkered button-up shirt tucked neatly into brown high-waisted pants, and the bold letters 'MACE' spelled across her chest.
Meanwhile, Nami and Nojiko stood wide-eyed—not because of the lynx woman's unusual appearance, but because of the feeling she gave off. Something about her presence was deeply familiar... intimate... like a precious person that had been ripped away from their lives a long ago.
The lynx woman studied Luffy for a long, unreadable moment. Then her gaze shifted—and the moment her eyes landed on the two girls behind him, something in her expression cracked. Her mouth parted in disbelief, and the cigarette fell silently from her lips. "Nami... Nojiko..." she whispered, the names sounding like phantoms pulled from a life long lost.
The girls trembled where they stood. The moment they heard her voice, speaking their names with such warmth, there was no doubt left in their hearts. "Bell-mère..." they choked out in unison, unable to believe not only what they were seeing, but feeling it with every part of their being.
"My girls..." Bell-mère said, her voice thick with emotion. "You've really grown up..."
The very next moment, Nami and Nojiko flung themselves into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Bell-mère wrapped them both in a fierce embrace, her own tears spilling freely as she held her daughters close
Meanwhile, the Everlight gently settled back into Luffy's hand, and a moment later, his mind was flooded with knowledge—why they were here, what this place was, and what he needed to do next. He took a breath, letting it all sink in, then turned toward Bell-mère, who had just released her daughters from her embrace. "Miss. Bell-mère, it's time to go," he said softly, offering her a calm, reassuring smile, which she returned and rose gracefully to her feet.
"Time to go where?" Nami asked, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. "No, actually, forget that. What even is this place? And why does Bell-mère look like that?"
"Relax. You'll get all your answers soon," Luffy said as he and Bell-mère began walking forward. Nojiko and Nami followed behind, though the latter muttered curses under her breath, mostly aimed at Luffy and all the secrets he was still keeping from them.
******
After some time, the group arrived at the heart of the island village, where a shrine stood quietly before them. It was formed from two dark stone arches, their surfaces inlaid with delicate gold patterns that shimmered faintly in the ambient light. At the center of the shrine, hovering just above a stone pedestal, floated a massive glowing crystal orb, slowly rotating in the air, radiating an otherworldly hum.
"Miss Bell-mère, please proceed," Luffy said gently, placing his hand against the crystal's surface. Bell-mère, standing across from him, gave a small nod before mirroring the gesture with her paw. The moment her hand touched the orb, both she and Luffy began to glow, bathing the area in golden light as fireflies drifted in from all directions, swirling around them in mesmerizing spirals.
"Amazing... it's so beautiful," Nojiko whispered, her voice full of awe as her wide eyes took in the glowing scene unfolding before her.
"Hey, look!" Nami suddenly shouted, pointing skyward. Above them, a giant translucent screen of golden light had appeared in the air.
A moment later, the screen came to life...
On the screen, a young Bell-mère, no older than five, laughed as she ran through a sun-dappled field. Her parents chased after her, their faces full of love, while their cozy home sat nestled on a peaceful island in the background. But that peace was shattered one day when pirates descended upon the village. Fires raged, screams echoed, and chaos swallowed the once-happy place. Bell-mère's parents fought desperately to protect her, shielding her with their bodies and urging her to run. With tears streaming down her face, she fled into the woods, but the pirates soon caught up. Just as one raised his blade to strike, a gunshot rang out, followed by many more.
A group of Marines stormed in, led by a fierce, commanding woman. They quickly overpowered the pirates, and the officer swept Bell-mère into her arms, gently assuring the trembling girl that she was safe. Bell-mère clung to her savior, eyes wide with awe, and in that moment, something took root in her heart. Looking up at the woman through her tears, she whispered a promise that one day, she would become a strong Marine just like her.
"Bell-mère, was that...?" Nami asked, though her voice faltered as she already knew the answer. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she realized just how closely her adoptive mother's childhood mirrored her own.
"Yeah, that was my home," Bell-mère said softly with a gentle smile on her face. Warmth bloomed in her chest at the sight of her parents again. It wasn't that she didn't miss her parents; in fact, she had loved them deeply, and their loss had hurt for a long time, but time had softened the ache significantly, and the grief had long since faded, leaving behind only fond memories of the brief but precious time they'd shared.
"Although... it's a shame I never got to see that lady officer again," she added, a quiet note of regret in her voice. "It would've been nice to see her... to let her know I kept my promise."
Meanwhile, the screen shimmered and the scene changed, now showing a teenage Bell-mère training hard and relentlessly, until she finally earned a place in the Marines' training program.
At the Marine Academy, she wasn't at the top of her class, nor at the bottom, just right in the middle. An average but diligent soldier, driven by the justice she held in her heart. Time passed, and the image shifted again, first to her wearing the white coat of a Marine officer, and later bearing the insignia of a Captain. Her journey eventually led her to the East Blue, where she settled in Cocoyasi Village, building a small, peaceful home for herself while continuing to serve marines with quiet pride.
With their earlier tears now forgotten, Nami and Nojiko watched the scene unfold with growing interest. It was the first time they'd ever glimpsed this part of their adoptive mother's life. And even though both still held their fair share of resentment and mistrust toward the Marines, they couldn't help but feel a deep swell of pride seeing Bell-mère chasing and achieving her dream.
Bell-mère, meanwhile, let out a soft, wistful sigh. "Ah~ those days... I still remember them like the back of my hand," she said, with a smile tinged with nostalgia. Then, with a cheeky glint in her eye, she added, "And just so you know, I had my entire batch wrapped around my little finger," and shot her daughters a smug smirk and a playful wink.
"Of course. We don't doubt that for a second," Nojiko replied with a laugh, shaking her head fondly.
The screen shimmered, and the scene changed again. This time, we found ourselves in the midst of battle in a village of the Oykot Kingdom, consumed by fire and steel as Marines clashed with pirates. Bell-mère fought fiercely, but the conflict was brutal, lives were lost on both sides, and the town was reduced to rubble. Wounded and on the verge of collapse, she lay in the mud, ready to surrender to death... until a small voice pierced the haze. Nojiko stood before her, clutching a tiny, crying Nami in her arms. Something within Bell-mère's heart reignited, and the next moment she rose, gathered them both, and carried them home through the storm.
As the vision continued, Cocoyasi was battered by wind and rain, while the two girls burned with fever. Ignoring her own wounds, Bell-mère demanded that the village doctor treat them first. Only after ensuring their safety did she allow herself to rest. Later, she stood before the other villagers and made her stance clear that she would not register the girls for adoption with the World Government, and despite protests from others, she declared them her daughters. Later, we saw a serene image of Bell-mère sitting on her porch, smiling gently as Nami and Nojiko played nearby.
"Oh, the Battle of the Oykot Kingdom... that was the one that nearly shattered my will to live... to keep fighting," Bell-mère murmured, her eyes growing distant as memories of that brutal day came rushing back, showing her the smoke, the screams, the blood-soaked earth beneath her feet. For a moment, she was back in the heart of the chaos, reliving the horror of that day all over again.
But then, a small, gentle smile found its way to her lips. "Still, I don't regret being there. If I hadn't stood on that battlefield... I never would've met my wonderful daughters or lived through some of the happiest years of my life," she said, pulling both girls into a warm embrace. Her arms wrapped around them tightly as Nami and Nojiko clung to her just as fiercely, their eyes brimming with fresh tears.
The screen shimmered, and the scene changed again, and what followed this time was a gentle, heartwarming montage of Bell-mère's life after the Battle of Oykot Kingdom. She had taken early retirement from the Marines to raise Nami and Nojiko as her own. We saw her chasing after the two girls through tangerine groves, cooking meals while scolding them with a fond smile, patching scraped knees, arguing with teenage Nami's fiery temper, and holding them close during thunderstorms. There were moments of joy and moments of struggle, laughter around the dinner table, tears when money was tight, but through it all, Bell-mère's love for her daughters was unwavering, fierce, and full of quiet pride.
But once again, misfortune struck and Arlong arrived in Cocoyasi Village, demanding a heavy tribute from each villager: 100,000 berries for every adult, 50,000 for each child. Genzo tried to protect them by hiding the girls, but Bell-mère knew from her experience as a former marine that Arlong would ensure that there was no other way than to submit. She refused to lie. Standing tall, she declared that the money she had saved was for her daughters, not for herself. "I'd rather die than not call myself their mother," she said, even as Arlong raised his gun and held it in front of her face.
In those final moments, she turned to Nami and Nojiko, smiling through tears, apologized to Nami for not being richer and not being able to buy the girls whatever they wanted. The two insisted that it was not the case and urged her to stay alive. But it was too late. Arlong pulled the trigger. Bell-mère collapsed to the ground, her blood soaking into the dirt of the home she had built with love. As the life faded from her eyes, she used her last breath to say the words that had always been true, no matter what, "I love you," while the two girls screamed, reaching out, while Bell-mère lay with a peaceful smile, her final expression filled with love and no regrets.
As the memory faded, so too did the glowing screen above them. The golden light dimmed, and the fireflies that had once danced gently through the air vanished, returning the shrine to its calm, quiet, normal state. But the atmosphere among the group was anything but.
"Arlong... that bastard!" Nami growled, her fists clenched at her sides and her teeth grinding audibly. Her eyes blazed with rage, hatred burning hot and raw beneath the surface. But before the fury could spiral any further, a soft paw came to rest on her head. She blinked and looked up to find Bell-mère beside her, smiling softly at her.
"It's all right, Nami," Bell-mère said gently, her fingers brushing softly through her daughter's hair. "You've already avenged me. You saved our village. You did everything I couldn't. That hate... you don't have to carry it anymore." She reached out with her other paw and placed it on Nojiko's hand, holding both daughters close with a tender look. "I know you both went through so much, and I'm so sorry I wasn't there to protect you when you needed me most. But holding on to that anger will only wear you down, and I would never want to see that happen to either of you."
"N-No... no, you have nothing to be sorry for," Nami choked out, her voice trembling as tears streamed freely down her cheeks. "I should be the one apologizing... for all the awful things I said to you that day." Her breath hitched as the words tumbled out, heavy with guilt. "I'm sorry I said Nojiko wasn't really my sister, just because we're not related by blood. I'm sorry I said I wished I'd been adopted by rich people..." Her sobs grew deeper, her shoulders shaking. "I didn't mean any of it. I never wanted rich parents... I just wanted you. You're the only mother I've ever had, and the only one I ever wanted."
"I know, Nami," Bell-mère said softly, brushing a tear from her daughter's cheek with the back of her paw. "You don't have to explain. No matter what you said, I always knew that my daughters could never truly hate me."
At that, both Nami and Nojiko wrapped their arms around her even tighter, clinging to the only mother they had ever known, and sobbing their hearts out.
However, their heartfelt moment was short-lived. At that very moment, Nami and Nojiko noticed something strange as their bodies had begun to turn translucent, slowly fading from the world around them.
"Luffy! What's happening? Why are our bodies—" Nami's voice faltered as she stared down at her hands, watching them grow more and more see-through with each passing second.
"I'm sorry, Nami. Nojiko," Luffy said quietly, shaking his head. "But you can't go with Bell-mère on her next journey. This reunion... it has to end here."
"No, wait... please, Bell-mère—" Nami and Nojiko began to protest, but Bell-mère gently placed her paws on their heads, silencing them with a soft, comforting touch.
"My most beloved daughters, there's no need for tears," she said softly. "My time has long passed, and this was a rare gift, an opportunity fate gave us to meet again. So don't be greedy, and don't trouble your friend." She smiled as her daughters nodded through their tears. "And always remember, whatever path you choose in life... I'll be proud of you. So go on, chase your dreams with no regrets, knowing your family is always in your heart." Her eyes lingered on Nami, who returned the look with a quiet, knowing smile.
"And no matter what," Bell-mère added, her voice now a whisper, "I love you. I always have. And I always will. I'll be watching over you... forever."
Those final words wrapped around Nami and Nojiko like a warm embrace. Smiling through their tears, they held on to that feeling as a brilliant white light engulfed their vision, and they vanished from the spirit world, leaving Luffy and Bell-mère behind.
******
Once Nami and Nojiko faded from the spirit world, Luffy and Bell-mère quietly made their way back to the small rowboat, resuming their silent journey across the crimson sea. Neither spoke for a long while, letting the lapping of water fill the silence between them. It wasn't until a towering, arch-like structure slowly emerged on the distant horizon that Bell-mère finally broke the silence.
"Here we are," Bell-mère murmured, her voice soft as the silhouette ahead grew clearer. "I guess I've been waiting for this moment for a long time... but my soul just couldn't move on. I stayed stuck between worlds, holding on to the worry I couldn't shake for my girls," Bell-mère said with a wistful sigh, her eyes reflecting the crimson sea around them. "Even now, I still wonder... was I really a good mother to them? I tried, I really did... but sometimes I think they deserved better than what I could give. A safer home. A gentler life. But if nothing else, I want to believe I gave them love. I want to believe that was enough... I hope it was."
She paused, letting her hand drift lazily through the water, leaving ripples in their wake. "It would've been nice," she said softly, "to have just a little more time with them. To laugh, to scold them one last time, maybe even to see the women they're growing into. But... maybe it's for the best that I can't." Her smile was faint, touched with sadness. "Maybe it's fate's idea of irony—that for every bit of sunshine life gave me, there was always a storm right behind it. I've made peace with that, I think. And maybe it's better this way... better that Nami and Nojiko won't have to live under the shadow of that kind of luck. They deserve more than the hand life dealt me."
As she finished speaking, they arrived before an Everdoor, framed by the backdrop of a setting sun.
"Okay. Let's go," Bell-mère said, standing with a sudden lightness, as if some invisible weight had finally lifted from her shoulders. "I can't hold it off any longer." She turned to Luffy with a grateful smile. "Thank you, Spiritfarer. Truly. For bringing me this far." Her tone softened as she lowered her head respectfully. "And... as my final request, please look after my daughters. I'm not asking you to be tied down, and I know they can fight their own battles. They're strong, and they've already come so far. But still... as their mother, I'd rest easier knowing someone like you was watching over them when things get rough." Luffy said nothing, only offering a quiet, reassuring nod, and that was all she needed as her smile deepened, full of peace.
"There's something I want to give you," she added, pulling an item seemingly out of nowhere and holding it out to him. "Here. My old lighter. Been with me longer than I can remember. It hardly works anymore," she chuckled, "but I want you to pass it on to the girls. Tell them it's a reminder. Not just of me, but of everything. The good, the bad, all of it. Life isn't one or the other. It's always both, twisted together. If I ever taught them anything, I hope it was that."
"Well then, my friend..." Bell-mère whispered as she stepped forward and pulled Luffy into a brief, heartfelt hug, "...farewell. I'll be watching your journey from wherever I end up and cheering you on, always."
With those parting words, her body began to shimmer, glowing with a soft golden-black radiance as she slowly rose into the air, and a brilliant flood of golden light consumed Luffy's vision.
******
When Luffy's vision returned, he found himself back on the familiar cliff overlooking the sea, right where Bell-mère's grave stood. In front of him stood Nami and Nojiko, both frozen in place, their faces pale with shock and their eyes shimmering with fresh tears. It was clear they had just returned as well and were still reeling from everything they'd experienced.
Sensing that something strange had happened, Luffy instinctively glanced down at his watch. To his surprise, the hands hadn't moved, not even by a second. Despite everything that had unfolded in the spirit world, no time had passed here at all.
'So that's why Nami and Nojiko only just reappeared,' Luffy realized. 'Even though they vanished before I did, we all arrived back at the same moment. Time must work differently over there.' He paused, his brow furrowing. 'I wonder... did the Everlight freeze time in this place, or does time in the spirit world just crawl along like a snail?'
'Don't worry about it, Raphael,' Luffy replied inwardly with a small smile. 'I wasn't really expecting an answer. Besides, let's be honest—figuring that kind of thing out is probably way above our pay grade anyway.'
Returning to the moment, Luffy stepped toward Nami and Nojiko, coming to stand in front of them. "Are you two all right?" he asked, snapping them out of their daze.
"Luffy... what just happened? Was that real?" Nami asked, her voice shaky, as if she were still trying to convince herself the memories of the spirit world in her mind weren't just a dream.
"Well..." Luffy paused for a long moment before he slowly reached into his inventory and pulled out a familiar, timeworn lighter and held it out to her. "...What do you think?"
Nami took the lighter with trembling hands, staring down at it as if it might vanish at any moment. She didn't know why, but the instant it touched her skin, a wave of maternal warmth spread through her, unmistakably reminding her of her mother, Bell-mère. She passed it to Nojiko, who held it just as carefully, and a moment later, their eyes met, wide and brimming with shared understanding, telling Nami that she could feel it too.
"So it wasn't a dream," Nami said softly, her voice thick with emotion. "We really did meet her." But this time, no tears fell. Instead, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Luffy in a tight, heartfelt hug. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Thank you for giving us the chance to see our mom again." She stepped back with a tearful smile, and Nojiko followed, hugging Luffy in turn with quiet gratitude of her own.
"By the way... girls," Luffy said after a pause, "I need to ask you something. Please don't tell anyone about what happened today. It's not that I don't trust the crew, but this power has a will of its own. I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea and thinking I can bring them to see their dead loved ones whenever they ask."
"Don't worry, Luffy. We understand," Nojiko said softly, cradling the lighter in her hands like a treasure. "This will stay between us until you decide otherwise." Nami nodded in agreement beside her.
"Also, Luffy... I've made my decision," Nami said as she stepped forward, determination burning in her eyes. "I want to sail with you and fulfill my dream of drawing a map of the entire world!"
"You seriously want to join my crew, huh?" Luffy asked, and Nami nodded firmly. "I've got no problem with that, and I doubt anyone else will either. But let me warn you..." His expression suddenly turned serious as he locked eyes with her, sending a chill down her spine. "Joining my crew isn't simple. Everyone on my ship has big dreams, and that means we constantly find ourselves in dangerous, life-threatening situations. Sometimes it's bad luck... and other times, it's because we charge straight into the storm ourselves."
"So after hearing that, do you still want to join?" Luffy asked, giving her a real and unfiltered picture of what she can expect when she joins the crew.
"Yes, I still want to join your crew!" Nami said without hesitation, her resolve unwavering. "If I want to chart the entire world, facing a little danger is kind of expected, isn't it?" she added with a playful wink.
"Good. That's exactly what I wanted to hear," Luffy replied, breaking into a wide, proud grin. "Welcome aboard, our navigator and espionage officer."
"The pleasure's all mine, captain," Nami said with an exaggerated, theatrical bow, her usual mischief returning to her smile.
"Great. In that case, start packing, we're setting sail tomorrow," Luffy said with a grin.
"What!? Tomorrow!?" Nami yelped, her eyes going wide with disbelief. "Can't we stay here just a little longer?"
"No, we can't," Luffy replied firmly. "The crew's starting to stagnate. There's nothing left in the East Blue that can push us any further. And besides, I already promised myself we'd reach the Grand Line before the end of the year. So no more delays, we leave tomorrow."
"But—" Nami began to protest, but before she could finish, Nojiko stepped in, placing both hands firmly on her sister's shoulders.
"Don't worry, Luffy! I'll make sure she's packed and ready by morning," Nojiko said with a playful grin, already dragging a flustered Nami back toward the house while muttering about how much there was still left to sort through.
As Nami and Nojiko disappeared into the village, Luffy chuckled at their antics before turning his attention to the new notifications that had just echoed in his mind.
[Congratulations! Side Quest – Spiritfarer has been activated. Subsequent achievements, titles, and rewards may now be claimed.]
"A new side quest? Now that's interesting," Luffy muttered to himself. "Let's see... oh! This time it's one achievement and two titles."
[The First Farewell (SQ): This achievement is awarded to an individual who has helped a spirit resolve their lingering attachments to the living world and pass on to the afterlife.
Reward: Spirit Flower x 1]
"Huh? What kind of reward is this supposed to be?" Luffy muttered, raising an eyebrow as a white flower materialized in his hand. He examined a flower for a moment before he pulled up its description.
[Spirit Flower: A specially crafted reward for a Spiritfarer who has guided a spirit through the Everdoor. When absorbed, it dramatically increases spiritual power.]
"Okay, this is officially busted!" Luffy exclaimed, eyes widening as he finished reading. An artifact that boosted spiritual power? That wasn't just rare but also more valuable than all the custom Devil Fruits he'd received up to this point combined. After all, Haki was the manifestation of one's will and spiritual strength, and anything that could artificially enhance it was arguably the best reward he could have asked for.
"Yes. Do it," Luffy said without hesitation. In the next moment, the flower in his hand dissolved into glowing particles, and a powerful surge of spiritual energy crashed through him like a wave against solid rock. His body tensed, his senses sharpened, and he felt both his Armament and Observation Haki swell in strength, more refined and focused than ever before. But there was something else too... deeper, heavier... a third sensation, more potent and unlike anything he had felt before.
"Conqueror's..." he whispered, clenching his fist as the raw sensation pulsed through his veins. "It's close. I just need the right trigger."
With the spiritual energy still settling within his body, Luffy turned his attention to the newly unlocked titles.
[Spiritfarer: This title is granted to an individual who has received the blessing of the Everlight and has been chosen to fulfill the role of Spiritfarer.
Reward: Randomizer Roll x 2 ]
Luffy gave the first title a quick glance, then dismissed it with a shrug. It was pretty straightforward, just a recognition of his new role, and the reward was nothing special.
But when his eyes drifted down to the second title, something shifted. The air felt colder. A strange weight pressed against his chest, and suddenly, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.
"Why... how could this... Fuck..."
[Known to the Pale Sister: This title is given to an individual who has caught the eye of Death of the Endless. Whether it brings fortune or misfortune... only time will tell.]
To be continued...
******
Hey, if you like the chapter, please consider leaving Comments and Reviews, as it motivates me to write more.
Also, please check out my other fic, Dominant Run!'s new chapter, 36. Greedy Reincarnator, Mariabell Rosso! Part - 2