Upon hearing this, Nami's expression froze. She knew she absolutely couldn't go over there.
Because hidden under her T-shirt was the Arlong Pirates' tattoo. If exposed, she would definitely be arrested by the Marines.
And if she were caught, her agreement with Arlong would be completely voided, and the villagers of Cocoyasi Village would lose all hope of being saved!
In a flash of thought, Nami didn't hesitate at all. She turned and rushed toward the ship's railing, leaping off into the sea below.
The cold sea breeze whistled past her ears, and the sea surface rapidly enlarged in her vision.
Nami's tense nerves relaxed slightly, and a trace of relief swept through her heart:
This way, I probably won't be caught, right?
But just as she thought this, she suddenly felt an irresistible pulling force acting on her body. Her descent slowed rapidly, and she was forcibly dragged back up, flying backward!
When she recovered from her daze, Nami suddenly found a large hand resting on top of her head.
But this large hand brought no warmth; instead, it made her whole body cold.
She saw an exceptionally handsome, cold face slowly approaching her.
In her vision, Ensign White Dove teased with malice:
"Run? Can you run away?"
It's over. It's all over!
Nami's heart turned to ashes.
...
In the captain's quarters, Ivan and Nami sat opposite each other across a wooden table, their eyes meeting. The air was so quiet that the sound of the sea breeze brushing against the sails outside the window could be heard.
After a long while, Ivan cleared his throat.
Tashigi immediately understood and slammed the table:
"Leniency for those who confess, severity for those who resist! Honestly explain your identity!"
Nami piled a fawning smile on her face: "Officer, you must be joking. I'm just a law-abiding citizen!"
Ivan rubbed his fingertips together and snapped his fingers crisply.
A gust of wind rose, lifting the sleeve on Nami's shoulder.
The tattoo representing the Arlong Pirates was thus exposed to the eyes of the three people.
He smiled faintly, "Is this the law-abiding citizen you spoke of, Miss Nami of the Arlong Pirates?"
The smile on Nami's face froze instantly. The color drained completely from her face, and she felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave.
As expected, is there no escape?
But suddenly, Ivan's smile faded. He raised his hand to adjust his slightly slipped glasses and said solemnly:
"Miss Nami, I know you didn't genuinely submit to the Arlong Pirates.
You were forced to stay by his side because they threatened you with the lives of the Cocoyasi Village villagers.
I understand your difficulties."
By the end, Ivan's tone was extremely gentle.
The girl's dim eyes suddenly lit up. She looked up hurriedly and asked, her tone full of hope:
"So you knew everything! Then... then can you let me go?"
"Of course not," Ivan said directly without thinking.
Nami's newly emerged smile froze again.
"But as long as you agree to one condition, I can help you destroy Arlong!" Ivan added.
"You?"
Nami was somewhat distrustful. She knew the news from a while ago that White Dove had been injured by Arlong and fled in embarrassment.
White Dove was no match for Arlong at all. How could he possibly help her?
Being questioned by Nami, Ivan wasn't the least bit displeased. He just said lightly:
"I've eaten a Devil Fruit now, and my strength has increased a lot. I should be stronger than Arlong... Besides, you don't have any other choice, do you?"
Nami's heart gradually sank.
That's right. After being caught by Ivan, she had no choice.
After figuring this out, she immediately became resolute and asked, "What do you want?"
"You!"
As soon as this word came out, it was like a thunderclap exploding in the captain's quarters. The surroundings instantly fell silent.
Both Nami and Tashigi looked at him as if he were a pervert.
Nami was furious inside.
Sure enough, even the rumored White Dove is still a pervert?
As expected, Marines shouldn't be trusted!
However, for the sake of the villagers, she wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice even herself!
Just as Nami was about to give her answer, Ivan also noticed Tashigi and Nami's reactions and immediately realized the misunderstanding.
He hurriedly coughed dryly twice and explained, laughing and crying at the same time:
"Ahem, what are you all thinking?
What I want is for you to work for me and be my navigator. After all, with your skills, it's hard to find a second one in the entire East Blue.
I hope you can join the Marines and become a member under my command. How about it?"
So that's what it was!
The sudden turn of events made Nami completely relax.
Even the original proposition she had planned to accept; working for Ivan now was nothing in comparison.
She didn't hesitate and said decisively, "As long as you can kill Arlong, my whole person will be yours from now on!"
Ivan smiled and extended his hand: "Happy cooperation."
"Happy cooperation!"
...
In the year 1512 of the Sea Circle Calendar, Arlong officially occupied the Conomi Islands and the surrounding waters.
Now, seven years later, his control over the Conomi Islands was deeply rooted. The nearby residents had neither the courage nor the strength to resist him.
Of course, as a powerful pirate who had retreated from the Grand Line, he hadn't completely abandoned his vigilance. So he would often send fish-men as scouts to patrol near the Conomi Islands.
Therefore, when Ivan's warship just appeared near the Conomi Islands, it was immediately discovered by the fish-men.
In the shallow sea, a cartilaginous fish-man saw the approaching large warship and said fiercely:
"That idiot Nezumi! We give him so much Beli for free every year, yet in the end, he can't even report a bit of news in time!
Back then with that Ensign White Dove, it was one thing if he didn't notice, but now such a huge warship has sailed right under his nose, and he's still completely silent. What a useless waste!"
Octopus Hatchan beside him comforted:
"Kuroobi, don't be angry. The most important thing now is to deal with these Marines.
I'll go back and report the situation to Boss Arlong. You be careful."
Kuroobi dismissed it: "Don't worry, Hatchan. They're just mere humans. Maybe before you even find the Boss, I'll have dealt with them all."
Hatchan nodded in agreement. In these years in the East Blue, they had gotten used to lording over others, completely forgetting the miserable situation of fish-men in the Grand Line.
Now they had long been brainwashed by Arlong, believing that fish-men were a species superior to humans.
How could mere humans be a match for fish-men?
After Hatchan left, Kuroobi stared ferociously at the approaching large warship and shouted coldly:
"Brothers, let's charge! Deal with them as quickly as possible! We can't let Boss Arlong down!"
"Yes!" the other fish-men responded savagely.
...
At the edge of the deck, Ivan leaned against the railing, with Tashigi and Nami standing beside him. The three of them gazed side by side at the misty Conomi Islands in the distance.
"We're almost at the warning circle set up by Arlong," Nami reminded with a frown. "This area is full of patrolling fish-man scouts. I'm afraid they've already targeted our ship."
Ivan nodded slightly, his tone calm: "Yeah, they have indeed discovered us."