The morning sun had just climbed above the horizon, spilling gold and amber across the calm waters of the cocoyashi Island range.
A soft breeze carried the scent of salt and citrus from the distant tangerine groves of Cocoyashi Village, blending serenity with the rhythm of waves that kissed the shore.
Out on the ocean, a lone single-mast ship drifted toward the beach—its sails fluttering gently, catching the light like a banner of quiet purpose.
The vessel's dark wooden hull creaked as it cut through the surf, every movement measured and steady. Rope riggings swayed and shimmered with beads of dew, —under the morning glow.
As the ship neared the coastline, gulls circled lazily overhead, their calls echoing across the empty shore. No footprints marked the sand.
The beach stretched endlessly, untouched, pure—its fine grains glinting like powdered gold under the warmth of dawn. Small waves rolled in, retreating with a soft hiss, leaving behind ribbons of seafoam that curled and vanished.
The ship's anchor dropped with a quiet splash, and the vessel rocked gently to rest. The calm was absolute—no voices, no movement, only the steady hum of the ocean and the distant rustle of palm leaves stirred by the wind.
The ship stood poised between sea and shore—an outsider's silhouette against the radiant morning light, waiting, as though the world itself was holding its breath before something began.
A playful voice carried by the gentle sea breeze cut through the silence and stillness -
" So we are finally here .....cocoyashi village eh ? Intresting,..haha ....it's as barren as I imagined it to be ."
Ash grinned as he gazed ahead at the empty beach.
"What did you expect ? It doesn't get more lively then this - moreover we are on opposite side of arlong's base - there shouldn't be many of his goons on this side of the island ."
Nami spoke whistfully as she came out of the cabin , carrying a chest of berries - a Total of 100 million berries.
She paused and looked into Ash's eyes to find any hint of manipulation or malice ,Alas she found nothing but the same wild and crazy energy of grim reaper she knew -
Zoro and Medusa also stood nearby gazed at the shore with quite intrest.
Nami spoke with hesitation -
"Ash .....Y-you still have time...you don't have to really do something like this for me."
Ash smirked and said as he looked into nami's eyes.
" A man's words are Absolute nami - atleast mine are ."
Nami's expression softened -
"Your are kind ash - .....why ?"
Ash smiled softly as he said-
"Let me tell you something that I believe ,....as a person I admire taught me this-"
He paused for a breath and looked over the horizon recalling the words of a character he admired.
"Kindness -people often misunderstand. They say, 'Never be kind to the wrong person — you'll regret it.'-
-But regret only exists when your actions depend on outcomes. True strength lies in doing something not because it benefits you, but because it aligns with your will."
"I am kind when I choose to be — not because you deserve it, not because I expect anything in return, but because it is my choice. Betray me, lie to me, take advantage of me — that is your nature. "
"But my kindness — that is mine. And I do not change who I am just because the world fails to meet my expectations. In a world of schemers and betrayers, to remain untouched — to be kind by will, not by hope — that is not weakness. That is control. That is strength."
Ash paused as he looked into nami's eyes and said with calm confidence -
" -And Ashborn is strong nami ."
Nami was stunned for few seconds but soon she smiled softly and said-
" Ofcourse you are strong - .....idiot."
Zoro also gave a nod of acknowledgement while Medusa smiled as it deepened her belief in her choice that evening.
Ash smiled and waved his hand lazily -
" Now go ahead - we will wait for you here.and remember nami whatever happens doesn't matter ,If you need help- come find me ."
Nami gave a grateful nod with a soft smile and took the chest walking towards the beach.soon her silhouette could be seen disappearing onto the scattered trees on the beach.
Nami's pov :-
The village of Cocoyashi basked in languid sunlight. Its orange fields stretched far and wide, rows upon rows of bright fruit heavy on the branches, their fragrance mingling with the ocean air.
The houses were simple but sturdy, built from coral rock and timber rubbed smooth by decades of sea breezes.
The paths were dusty yet familiar, winding between the orange farms and the shore, leading toward one house that stood slightly apart from the rest—a two-story cottage with pale blue walls, a slanted red roof, and a windmill turning lazily in the back garden.
That house was home.Nami stood before it now, a small figure framed by the rising sun, her orange hair tousled by wind, and her skin darkened by months under unforgiving skies.
In her hands, she carried a heavy wooden chest bound with worn iron bands—the sound of its weight dull against the cobbled path. Her eyes traced the outlines of the home she had dreamed of through every night at sea.
The paint had chipped a little, the flowers in the window boxes had grown wild, and the small bell over the door still swayed with the same musical note that once greeted her after running through the fields as a child.
For three long months, she had fought storms and schemes, charted maps through sleepless nights, and bargained with pirates and merchants alike—all for this one chest, and for what it meant.
As Nami stepped inside, light pooled around her feet across the wooden floors. The air smelled like orange blossoms and old books, exactly the same as she'd left it.
On the wall hung a framed photograph of a smiling woman with auburn hair and gentle eyes—the only memento of Bellemere, the mother they had lost too soon.
From the kitchen came the sound of footsteps.The first glimpse of Nojiko was framed by the soft morning light spilling through the doorway. She stood taller than Nami, her posture composed with the quiet confidence of someone who had learned to stay steady when their world shifted.
Her hair, deep midnight-blue with a lavender sheen, fell past her shoulders, and her skin was warm and sun-kissed. The gold tattoo that curved along her right arm—the mark of the Sun Pirates—caught the sunlight faintly, a reminder of both pain and endurance she chose to wear proudly.
Her eyes, however, were soft and full of relief as they landed on Nami.
"Nami…"
she breathed, voice trembling slightly. Then, like a released tide, she moved forward and enveloped her sister in a fierce embrace.For a moment, both stayed still.
The smell of sea salt and oranges wrapped around them like memory itself.
"You're thinner,"
Nojiko finally said, pulling back to look her over.
"And that bruise near your shoulder… What kind of trouble did you find this time?"
Nami smiled weakly, setting the chest down with a thud that made the floorboards creak.
"You sound like an old lady, Nojiko,"
she teased, though the weariness in her voice betrayed her.
"I told you, I can handle myself."
"Three months without a single letter, not even a message,"
Nojiko scolded, hands on her hips. But the concern beneath her irritation softened her tone.
"You had me and half the villagers worrying sick. Genzo was about to form a search party."
Nami laughed under her breath, almost sheepishly.
"Guess I owe Genzo an apology, then."
Her eyes gleamed as she turned toward the chest.
"But first… you need to see this."
Nami knelt beside the chest, her fingers grazing the rusted lock before she flipped it open.
Sunlight caught the gleam within—a cascade of glittering coins and crisp stacks of bills.
"Hundred million berries,"
she said quietly, a tremor of restrained excitement in her voice.Nojiko's eyes widened.
"Hundred million—what?"
Her gaze darted from Nami to the chest, disbelief flashing across her face.
"You're joking. There's no way you—""It's real,"
Nami interrupted, her tone calm now, serious. She lowered her head for a moment before continuing,
"It's the money I've been saving… for eight years."
At that, the room fell silent except for the muffled cries of gulls outside. Nojiko's expression shifted slowly, realization dawning and dread following close behind.
Then she whispered.
"Nami… please don't tell me this has to do with Arlong."
Nami's fists clenched against her knees. The name itself seemed to draw shadows into the room.
"It's always been about him,"
she said softly.
"Every berry, every chart I sold, every night I spent running from pirates. It's for him—to buy this village's freedom."
She looked up, eyes glistening but clear.
"Arlong promised. If I pay him one hundred million berries, he'll leave Cocoyashi forever."
Nojiko froze, mouth parting slightly. Then, as understanding settled, fury flared.
"That filthy fish-man,"
she hissed, stepping forward.
"You trusted him? After everything he's done—to Bellemere, to the villagers, to us? Nami, he'll never keep his word!"
Her voice cracked, and for a moment her composure broke. She gripped Nami's shoulders tightly.
"You shouldn't have borne this alone. You should have told me—told Ganzo—told someone!"
"I couldn't,"
Nami answered, her voice rising before breaking into a quiet sob.
"If he found out anyone helped me, he'd have killed them. I had to do this by myself."
Nojiko's anger faltered, replaced by a deep ache in her eyes. She pulled Nami into another embrace, her voice quiet now.
"You're so much like Bellemere sometimes—stubborn to a fault."
After a long silence, Nojiko exhaled sharply and stepped back.
"Then tell me… how did you even get that much money in the end?"
Nami smiled faintly through her tears.
"I had help. A friend came along—a crew I could trust. One of them… he's kinder than anyone I've met. And he promised me something: that I'd never have to do this alone again."
For a heartbeat, Nojiko studied her face. Then she nodded, almost imperceptibly.
"Alright. Then we'll face it together."
Their next stop was the small guard post near the village square where Genzo, the village chief and longtime protector, was stationed.
His frame was broad and imposing—a scarred face with a pinwheel lodged permanently in his hat, a relic of happier days when laughter was a shield stronger than any weapon.
He looked up as the sisters approached, the wooden floorboards groaning beneath his boots.
"Nami,"
He grunted, breaking into a grin that was warm but weary.
"So the sea finally spat you back out, huh?"
"Good to see you too, Genzo,"
Nami said with a half-smile.
"I've brought something."
When she opened the chest before him, his cigar almost fell from his mouth.
"That's… a whole fortune."
Nojiko crossed her arms.
"She says it's for Arlong."
The grin vanished.
"Arlong?"
Genzo's voice hardened, years of bitterness condensed into a single name.
"You're going to him willingly? Nami, you can't—"
"I am."
Her voice was resolute, no longer trembling.
"We'll deliver this money, buy back the village, and end his hold over us forever."
Genzo's shoulders sagged, caught between admiration and dread. At length, he nodded.
"Then I'll come with you,"
he said finally, his tone gravel-deep.
"If he tries anything, he'll answer to me."
[As if you would be able to do shit to him- Dumb bastard ! . . . Sigh~] A/N.
Nami gave a small nod, eyes bright with determination.
"Then it's decided."
The three of them stood together beneath the sunlight streaming through the cracked roof—three figures, bound by loyalty, fear, and hope.
Outside, the orange fields swayed in the wind like ripples of gold. The sea beyond shimmered cruelly calm, as if holding its breath for what was to come.
And for the first time in years, Cocoyashi Village dared to hope.
.
.
.
.
_______to be continued ________