Nojiko found it strange that her little sister was suddenly being so enthusiastic, but she quickly went along with it. "Yes, that's right! Guest, the timing's perfect. Why not stay for dinner before you leave?"
Oguro pretended to hesitate for a moment before nodding. "Then I'll accept your hospitality."
They all moved inside.
One glance at the dining table, and Oguro immediately understood what Nami was up to.
Spaghetti with meat sauce and steak—both dripping with heavy sauce that would easily stain clothes.
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. She really put some thought into this.
Playing along, he took off his Soul King's ceremonial cloak and handed it to Rukia.
Nami's eyes lit up like treasure chests. She quickly stepped forward and said with a bright smile, "Please have a seat, guest! I'll wrap your clothes up for you!"
Rukia, already briefed beforehand, didn't refuse. Instead, she gave a polite nod. "Thank you."
Nami carefully folded the cloak, wrapped it in a clean cloth, and placed it among the orange crates stacked nearby.
During dinner, Oguro casually asked about Cocoyasi Village's situation.
Because of the Arlong Pirates, both Nojiko and Nami only answered vaguely, trying to brush off the topic.
At one point, Nami excused herself to the bathroom. But instead of relieving herself, she quietly swapped the package containing the cloak.
She thought she'd pulled it off flawlessly.
In reality, Oguro and his two subordinates saw everything crystal clear.
Rukia frowned deeply. If Oguro hadn't secretly signaled her to stay put, she would have drawn her blade and struck Nami down on the spot.
To covet the belongings of the Soul King—an unforgivable crime. The punishment was death.
But Oguro only smiled faintly and continued eating as though nothing happened.
If letting his cloak pass through Nami's hands once could win him a genius navigator, he'd call that a bargain any day.
After dinner, Nami hurried ahead to load the crates and the swapped package onto the cart, ensuring Oguro wouldn't bother putting his cloak back on.
I'm a genius! she thought proudly, completely unaware of the trap she'd walked into.
Oguro feigned ignorance all the way back to the ship.
Rukia couldn't hold back any longer. "Lord Soul King, allow me to retrieve your cloak."
Oguro waved his hand lightly. "No rush. Let's set sail first."
As the small ship pulled away from the dock and disappeared over the horizon, Nami emerged from behind a stack of crates at the pier, grinning to herself.
"Hehe! Perfect. I'll take the treasure to Arlong and finally buy everyone's freedom!"
She ran home, dug up her hidden stash of money and jewels, loaded them onto the cart, and set off toward Arlong Park with determination blazing in her eyes.
But she didn't notice two figures standing silently in the sky far behind her, watching her every move.
The moment the ship was far enough from land, Oguro and Rukia used Shunpo to return to the island.
In the world of One Piece, flight was an exceedingly rare ability.
But in the world of Bleach, any trained Shinigami could gather Reishi beneath their feet and soar freely through the air.
It was a tremendous advantage.
Oguro watched Nami's distant silhouette and thought to himself, Originally, Arlong colluded with Captain Nezumi to sabotage her plan to buy back the village's freedom. But this time… without that setup, what will he do?
Half a day later, Nami finally pushed her cart to Arlong Park.
"Huh? Nami? What are you doing here?" The fishman guard recognized her instantly, frowning in confusion.
"I'm here to buy back everyone's freedom! I've gathered the full 100 million Berries!"
For once, Nami spoke with absolute confidence.
The guard knew Arlong had no intention of honoring their deal—but Nami's early arrival threw them off balance. So, after a moment of hesitation, he let her wait outside while he went in to report.
Inside, a towering shark fishman nearly three meters tall lounged on a chair, his jagged teeth gleaming under the light.
Arlong—the most feared pirate in the East Blue, with a bounty of 20 million Berries.
"Arlong, what do we do? Are we really giving Cocoyasi Village back to her?" asked Kuroobi, one of his lieutenants.
Arlong tapped his temple lazily, feigning distress. "What a pain… but a deal's a deal. I am, after all, an honorable fishman! Let Nami in."
The other fishmen grinned wickedly. They could tell from the twisted smirk on Arlong's face that he was up to no good.
Soon after, Nami was escorted inside.
"Arlong! Here's the treasure worth 100 million Berries! Cocoyasi Village is free from this day on!"
She opened the chest, revealing piles of glittering gold, silver, jewels, and stacks of cash that made every fishman's eyes shine.
Arlong's lips curled into a satisfied grin. "As expected of you, Nami. You've gathered the money so quickly! I'll gladly accept it."
At a wave of his hand, the octopus fishman Hachi carried the chest away.
"We're free now, right?" Nami asked again, trembling with excitement.
"That's right. You're all free now," Arlong said, smiling brightly.
"Really? That's… that's wonderful!" Nami clenched her fists, tears welling up in her eyes.
After so many years, she had finally done it.
But then Arlong spoke again—and her world shattered.
"Kuroobi, I heard there's a village nearby that isn't under our control yet. Go there tomorrow and remind them who rules these seas. Oh, and make sure to collect the money while you're at it."
Kuroobi grinned cruelly. "Understood, boss."
Nami's face turned pale. She rushed forward, grabbing Arlong's collar.
"You bastard! You promised me! You said if I gathered 100 million Berries, you'd give us our freedom!"
Arlong tilted his head slightly and smirked, condescension dripping from his tone.
"Of course. Didn't I already give you your freedom? I'm just expanding my territory. That has nothing to do with our deal, does it?"
"You… you bastard! You tricked me!"
Nami swung her fist at him in fury, but Arlong effortlessly flung her aside.
A fishman's raw strength was ten times that of a human's. Against someone like him, an untrained girl like Nami never stood a chance.
Thud!
She hit the ground hard, pain surging through every bone.
Arlong laughed loudly. "Our deal still stands, Nami! Bring me another 100 million, and I'll give you another day of freedom! Hahaha!"
Bang!
Nami was thrown out of Arlong Park.
Behind the gates, cruel laughter echoed.
She staggered to her feet, eyes empty, moving like a ghost with nowhere left to go.
Everything was gone—her freedom, her treasure, her hope.
I can't face them anymore…
And then, a calm voice sounded behind her.
"Miss Nami, could you return my cloak to me now?"
She looked up.
The two people who had bought oranges from her stood there, watching quietly.
Her lips trembled into a bitter smile. "I'm sorry… it's not with me anymore."
Shing!
Rukia drew Sode no Shirayuki, its blade resting coldly against Nami's throat.
"Careful with your words. Lord Soul King may be merciful, but I am not."
Nami let out a hollow laugh—soft at first, then choked with tears.
"It doesn't matter… You can kill me if you want. Everything I had… is already gone."