I slowly turned toward Nami. Her gaze was lost in the ashes of Arlong Park, as if she still couldn't believe it was truly over. Her shoulders barely trembled, but I could see it — the dam of emotion starting to give way.
I didn't hesitate. I gently wrapped my arms around her, silently at first. My arm came around her shoulders, and she leaned into me almost abruptly, as if clinging to a lifeline in the storm.
I murmured in her ear, voice calm and low:"It's over, Nami… it's really over."
She didn't respond right away. She just nodded against my chest, her fingers clutching at my tunic. And at last, the tears came. Not from pain, but from release. From liberation."I… I waited so long for this…" she whispered. "I wanted him to pay, but… now that he's gone… it's like I can breathe for the first time."
I tightened the embrace."You held on. You never broke. Bell-mère would be proud of you."
That's when Luffy suddenly stepped up and hugged us both, his arms spreading wide. His smile was still there, but softer now — quieter."You're my friends. I'm not letting go."
He squeezed us tight, his forehead resting against Nami's shoulder.She let out a small laugh through her tears, between hiccups."Idiot…"
Koby, standing a little to the side, watched us for a few seconds. Then, timidly, he stepped closer, his cheeks pink, hands clenched nervously. He hesitated… then placed one hand on Nami's shoulder, the other on my back."I… I'm here to help too."
She turned her head slightly toward him, smiled through her tears, and gestured for him to join us. The hug grew, becoming a cocoon in the midst of the ruins.
A little further away, Usopp watched us.He didn't speak. He was keeping an eye on the unconscious fish-men, glancing quickly at the motionless Heartless… then at me. But his gaze lingered longer than usual. He was starting to realize there was something in me far beyond what he thought he knew.
As Nami wiped the last tears from her cheeks, her eyes still clouded with emotion, I leaned in slightly, a soft smile on my lips."What do you say we go give the good news to the ones who've waited far too long?" I asked gently.
She hesitated a beat, then nodded — this time with a real smile.Luffy had already stepped closer after hearing my suggestion, excitement lighting up his face."We'll tell them together, Nami! They're gonna cry with joy!" he beamed.
Koby, still nearby, chimed in naturally:"I'm coming too. I want to see what Nami's hometown looks like."
The three of them headed off toward Cocoyashi, their silhouettes fading into the golden light of late afternoon. Silence returned to the beach, broken only by the sound of the waves.
That's when Usopp, who had stayed behind with me, stepped closer, looking serious.Gone was his usual clumsy or theatrical look — only genuine curiosity, and a hint of concern, remained."Jordan… can I talk to you for a second?"
I turned toward him, intrigued. He stepped in slowly, casting a discreet glance at the Heartless standing silently around the ruins like sentinels."I've been wanting to ask you something for a while."
He paused, then locked eyes with me."You know Sora, don't you? According to the Marine posters, he's the only one who can control these things."
He gestured cautiously toward the Heartless — wary, but unafraid.I lowered my eyes slightly, letting out a quiet sigh.
I walked over to an unconscious fish-man, drew my Keyblade, and slowly plunged it into his chest. A dark wisp escaped. A Roundshadow appeared beside me, blinking slowly.
From the magical wound, a small black orb rose — a heart of darkness — which I absorbed into my body, feeling a subtle physical boost… followed by a shimmering reflection: a forming Nobody, which quickly vanished into a glowing portal that closed as soon as it passed through.
"I'm Sora."
Usopp opened his mouth… but no sound came out.
I reached for my necklace and activated it with a touch. In an instant, my appearance shifted — spiked hair, iconic outfit, a vibrant silhouette recognizable anywhere — the very image of Sora, the one printed on Marine wanted posters.
Usopp's silence turned into a gasp. His eyes widened in pure shock.
Then, with a faint smile, I let the illusion fade and returned to my normal form."I'm not exactly who they describe… but I am the one working in the shadows. I do what needs to be done to free this world from corruption.And I need you to keep that to yourself. At least for now."
Usopp stood frozen for a moment. Then he slowly straightened up, his gaze shining with a mix of awe… and deep respect."I… I have absolutely no problem with anything you've done. You helped Nami. You protected Kaya. And you saved lives today."
He nodded firmly."Honestly, you can count on me. Your secret's safe."
He held out his hand, sincerely.I shook it without hesitation.
I walked past the unconscious bodies of the remaining fish-men, plunging my Keyblade into their chests one by one. Each time, a Heartless formed — always black, always twisted — a reflection of who they were in life: cruel, selfish, corrupt to the core.There was no doubt. No glimmer of light.Only darkness… pure and cold.
Once the final transformation was complete, I released the remaining Torpedivers, letting them swim freely in the nearby waters. Their task was done, and nothing called them to the now-empty ruins of Arlong Park.That place — once a bastion of domination — was nothing but a hollow skeleton now.
I raised my hand, and my five hundred shadows spread silently through the wreckage. They searched every corner, every collapsed room, every hidden floorboard. Arlong's hoarded supplies — stolen from the villagers: food sacks, spare weapons, crates of berries, personal effects… all of it was recovered.
I opened a portal to Heartless Island and sent everything through, piece by piece. My shadows returned to me, their mission complete.
With calm restored, Usopp and I set off down the rocky paths skirting the beach. The sea breeze was rich with salt, and the sky a peaceful blue — as if the island itself was finally breathing freely again.
"You know…" Usopp said after a long moment of silence, hands in his pockets, "it's weird, but I feel good here. Safe."
I turned slightly toward him, smiling."You're already part of the family. You've got nothing to prove to anyone."
He scratched the back of his neck, looking sheepish."And Kaya? I mean… I promised I'd stay with her, but now that I'm with you guys…"
I raised a reassuring hand."Kaya has her place too. With her knowledge, she could be our medic. And thanks to my portals, we'll be able to visit her as often as we want.She'll never be far."
He looked at me, visibly relieved."Thanks, Jordan. You're… seriously the best."
We walked in silence for a few more minutes, savoring the rare peace of the moment… until I suddenly stopped in my tracks.
On the cliffside near the coast, a solitary grave stood, weathered by time but still intact.But it wasn't the stone that made me freeze.It was the silhouette.
Floating above the monument, a spectral form took shape in the air — pale and gentle.A middle-aged woman, eyes turned toward the sea.She wore a light shirt left open over a worn striped sailor's top, with practical pants. Her hair, a deep reddish-burgundy, was tied back in a loose ponytail, a few stray strands framing a face weathered by life, but filled with endless tenderness.An unlit cigarette hung from the corner of her lips.
She wasn't threatening. She wasn't lost.She was simply… present.She stared straight ahead.But I could feel it — her spirit… was waiting.
I tensed."Usopp…" I murmured, my voice carrying a new weight.
He turned toward me, surprised.I stared at him, unwavering.
"Go get Nami. Tell her it's urgent. Bring her here."Usopp saw my face, heard my tone, and simply nodded, no questions asked."Right away."He ran off, disappearing down the stone-lined path.
As for me, I stayed still for a moment, eyes locked on the apparition. With a snap of my fingers, I opened a small portal and sent one of my shadow soldiers to Heartless Island with a single command:"Bring Nojiko."
The wind whispered gently through the pine trees. And Belmère's silhouette… remained there. Unmoving.
Nami arrived first, breathless, worry in her eyes. Luffy and Koby followed close behind, and with them, an older man in a striped jacket, his weathered face radiating fierce kindness — Genzo, without a doubt.
Nojiko stepped through the portal with my Heartless escort, Hachi following right behind.
"Jordan, what's going on?" Nami asked, stopping in front of me, one hand on her chest, panting. Nojiko arrived at her side, breathing hard, her gaze already alert.
I looked at them both and gently placed a hand in each of theirs."Come. I think… someone's waiting for you."
They exchanged a brief glance, then turned their eyes toward the grave."Someone?" Nojiko whispered, her voice cracking slightly."There's a figure. I believe it's the woman who raised you."
Their expressions shifted instantly.Nami's breath caught. Her eyes widened in a blend of shock and fragile hope, like her heart didn't dare believe — but a fragment of her soul desperately prayed it was true.
Nojiko took a step back, her lips parting, her eyes glistening."Belmère…?"
I felt their hands tighten around mine. They weren't resisting.They were moving forward, drawn in. Trembling, but filled with a long-held, almost sacred anticipation.
I gently guided them toward the grave, each step heavier with memories. Behind us, silence fell. Luffy crossed his arms wordlessly. Genzo had removed his hat, head bowed. Koby looked on, confused, but respectful. Even Hachi had stepped back, eyes full of reverence for the departed woman.
We stopped a few meters from the weather-worn stone.And then, the figure turned toward us.
I saw her more clearly than ever.The spirit's gaze had found Nami and Nojiko. Her features instantly softened.
A warmth radiated from her — an invisible, pure love that pierced the veil between worlds.
My Keyblade appeared before me in a soft, gentle glow. It floated forward, positioning itself between the grave and us, as if guided by a higher will. A brilliant flash passed through it, and a wave of light rippled out around us.
The woman's silhouette, once visible only to me, began to take form in everyone's eyes. The gasps and sharp breaths behind me confirmed what I had just done. A chill of disbelief passed through the group.
But it was the reaction of the two sisters that pierced me.
Nami and Nojiko let go of my hands at the same time, their eyes suddenly wide. A breath escaped their lips, suspended in time.
Then they screamed."BELMÈRE!!!"
Their voices broke over the rocks like a crashing wave of childhood rediscovered.They ran forward, sprinting toward the now-solid spirit. And against all odds, against all logic… they embraced her.
Not a mimicry of an embrace. Not an illusion.They felt her. Touched her. Clung to her like two lost girls finding their home again.
Belmère opened her arms, tears shining in her eyes, a soft smile breaking across her ghostly face."Nami… Nojiko… I'm so sorry… for leaving you alone…"Her arms wrapped around them, and the three women cried together, as if the years had never passed.
Behind them, no one dared speak. Even Luffy stood still, eyes wide, mouth slightly open. Genzo had taken a step back, hat clutched tightly to his chest.
For nearly ten minutes, they spoke in hushed tones — through tears, laughter, and tender touches. The kind of conversation only souls bound by heart and memory could ever understand.
Then I felt my legs give out.The light of my Keyblade flickered softly. An invisible weight crushed down on my shoulders. My knees hit the ground with a faint thud, my hands planted into the earth. Sweat beaded on my forehead, and my breathing grew short.
I looked up and saw Belmère gazing at me over her daughters' shoulders. Her brows furrowed, and she gently pulled away, approaching with sincere concern.
She knelt before me, placing a hand — intangible yet strangely soothing — against my cheek."You're the one who saved them. The one who gave them back a family."
She ruffled my hair gently, her smile taking on a familiar tone — that tender authority only a mother could convey."So… promise me you'll keep going. That you'll watch over them. Even when you're tired. Even when you think you don't have any strength left."
I nodded slowly, unable to form a single word. My breath trembled in my throat.
Then, she stepped back again.
But before she moved too far, something caught my eye.A silver chain had gently wrapped itself around her spectral wrist. And at its end — a keyhole… ancient, shimmering with a warm, gentle light.
It was a key. A connection.
I summoned the last of my strength. My arm trembled as I called forth my Keyblade one final time. The blade appeared in a glow dimmer than usual, and I slowly pointed it toward the keyhole.
A soft, pure click echoed in the air.Light burst forth, illuminating Belmère's form like a blessing. Her face lit up with a final tear.
She turned toward her daughters and gave them a look full of boundless love."My darlings… you've become so beautiful. Never forget me. And live. Live freely."
Then her body of light split gently into two radiant streams, each curling in a soft spiral toward Nami and Nojiko.
The light flowed into them without pain, wrapping them in a warm aura.They closed their eyes, overwhelmed.
And I, finally… lost consciousness.
My vision blurred, my arms gave out, and I collapsed forward — first to my knees, then face-first into the ground, breathless.The Keyblade clattered beside me, its glow now dimmed.
The last thing I heard before everything went dark… was Nojiko's voice calling my name, and the hurried footsteps of my companions rushing toward me.
(Author's note: Here is the holy grail — the conclusion of the Arlong arc. If you feel like listening to something, search "geomichi506" on YouTube. You might be surprised ^^)