Days later, the Gawain Pirates' wounded had mostly recovered.
With the Cat Brothers and Zango securing Raven Port's nearby routes, the area stabilized.
Gaza reported a surge in merchant ships from both the East Blue and beyond over the past month.
Raven Port was thriving, and Molly was grinning like a sly fox.
Support for the Gawain Pirates had increased significantly, visibly improving the crew's quality of life. Even the lean Sam had noticeably rounded out.
"No idea if this affects their fighting," Gawain muttered, eyeing the plumper Sam and even chubbier Buchi. They scratched their heads sheepishly.
Gawain didn't press them, instead ordering, "We've rested long enough. Time to move. Fetch Kuro and Gin."
"Yes!" They hurried out.
Minutes later, two lean figures—Kuro and Gin—entered Pala Island's hall, sweat on their brows, clearly fresh from training.
Kuro, claw blades still on, looked irritated. "Gawain, what's so urgent?"
Gawain, mindful of Kuro's daily experience contributions, got straight to the point. "It's time to reclaim our stolen treasure."
"Our current ships can't handle the Grand Line's harsh weather. We need funds for a sturdy pirate ship."
Kuro nodded. "Where's the target?"
Gawain pulled out an East Blue map, pointing to an island. "Here."
Gin frowned, studying it. "If I'm not mistaken, this and dozens of nearby villages are under Arlong's control."
"Rumor says he's a Fish-Man from the Grand Line. He won't be easy."
"Hmph," Kuro scoffed. "In the East Blue, we're unmatched!"
Gawain glanced at him, a certain seventy-something powerhouse flashing in his mind.
"I recall Garp didn't return to the East Blue after leaving Luffy with Dadan, right?" he muttered.
"I hope I'm not wrong."
"What?" Kuro asked, puzzled.
Gawain shook his head. "Nothing. Barring surprises, no East Blue crew can match us."
"Krieg couldn't, and neither will Arlong."
"Plus, our goal isn't just treasure. Cocoyasi has a navigator who's world-class."
"Who?" Kuro's eyes lit up.
The crew's navigator had recovered, but Kuro knew their skills were barely adequate for the East Blue—suicidal in the Grand Line.
After the last storm, he understood a skilled navigator's value.
Gawain smiled faintly. "You'll see when we find her."
"Tch, playing mysterious," Kuro grumbled, dropping it.
Gin, as combat captain, had no objections—decisions like this fell to the captain, vice-captain, and navigator.
The trio finalized the plan.
The next day, a small pirate ship with half a month's supplies sailed toward the horizon.
Gawain brought only twenty-odd crew members, tasked solely with maintaining the ship. In battle, too many would be a burden, not a help.
The ship headed for Cocoyasi, vanishing over the horizon.
…
East Blue, Cocoyasi Village, outskirts.
Nami stood under an orange tree, eyeing the buried treasure, calculating its worth.
Her eyes brightened, a radiant smile spreading. "Even at the East Blue's lowest rates, this treasure's worth over 100 million Berries—enough to buy back the village."
She'd been far from her goal, but her heist with Carina had exceeded expectations.
Despite near-death encounters with pirates, the treasure made it worthwhile.
"As for the pirates who lost it, tough luck. They plundered it from islands anyway."
"When the village is free, no one will slave for Arlong, pay his 100,000-Berry protection fees, or risk their lives like Ajiken. And Nojiko…"
Tears slid down Nami's face, absorbed by the soil.
Minutes later, she wiped her eyes, buried the treasure, camouflaged it with leaves, and slipped away.
She didn't notice a Fish-Man surfacing in the distance, a mocking glint in his eyes.
…
Bang!
Nami burst into the top-floor room of Arlong Park.
Arlong, discussing recent matters with Mouse, glanced at her familiar face.
Mouse eyed Nami, then turned to Arlong. "We're settled then. I'll leave you be."
"Mm," Arlong nodded, ignoring Nami. "Hachi, escort our friend."
"Sure," the octopus Fish-Man Hachi grinned, waving Mouse out.
Arlong shifted his attention to Nami, a playful smirk revealing sharp shark teeth. "Our navigator! So smug—have you gathered enough to buy back the village?"
"Of course!" Nami's eyes blazed. "I'm buying Cocoyasi from you!"
"With money, anything's possible," Arlong said, amusement in his gaze.
He followed Nami to the village's edge, watching her unearth her treasure.
"It's all here!" she declared. "Even at the East Blue's lowest prices, it's worth over 100 million Berries!"
She opened the chest before the crowd.
Arlong's face darkened. "Are you mocking me?!"
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