Chapter 35 – Exposing Arlong’s scam

[Speaking of which, although Carina is a great thief, she was willing to give me berries.]

[This is much better than Nami.]

[That woman can't just be described as greedy.]

[With her, it's almost like berries can only go out, not come in.]

[Even though it's because she wants to save up 100 million berries to buy back her village from the pirates, which shaped her character...]

[But her personality is really too special.]

"Hmph, I'm really sorry for being too greedy then," Nami snorts.

Unlike Nami's irritation, Carina feels secretly pleased with what Arton wrote in his diary.

Being recognized by Arton and surpassing Nami are reasons for Carina to be happy.

[It's hard to comment on Nami's personality.]

[If she really could save up 100 million berries and buy back her village, that'd be one thing.]

[But the damn pirate controlling her hometown is just taking advantage of her.]

[Even if she saves up 100 million berries, there's no chance to buy back her village.]

[That guy had already colluded with the Marines.]

[One day in the future, when she's about to save up 100 million berries, the Marines will go to Nami's house under the pretext of theft and forcibly take away the berries she has saved for years.]

"Hmm?! Nami..."

"She's going to experience such a thing?"

"That's a bit too unlucky."

Carina frowns deeply as she reads Arton's diary.

Although Carina and Nami have their moments of rivalry, overall, they share a considerable friendship.

So, Carina can't help but worry about seeing Nami's future so bleak.

"But since Arton knows about Nami's future, he must also know where her hometown is."

"If we can guide Arton to Nami's hometown, perhaps those threatening Nami could be dealt with."

Carina ponders.

[Ain: The Marines are covering for pirates? And it happened in the East Blue! Tashigi, do you know some inside information?]

[Tashigi: I don't know, but if I did, I definitely wouldn't let such a thing happen.]

[Hina: Indeed, if Tashigi knew, she would have told Smoker. With Smoker's character, he definitely wouldn't allow such a Marine to exist in the East Blue.]

[Ain: Arton talks in half measures again. Can't he just specify which Marine is covering for pirates? And which pirate crew is being informed about Nami's hometown? What pirate crew is it?]

[Gion: Covering for pirates means this Marine's position in the East Blue isn't low. I'll arrange for some investigation into this matter.]

Even though Gion and others are reluctant to believe that Marines would cover for pirates, it's still mentioned in Arton's diary.

They'd rather believe it to be true and not let a Marine officer who colludes with pirates continue to exist.

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

Cocoyasi Village.

In Nami and Nojiko's home.

Crack!

"Damn it, how could this be?!"

"Is everything, everything just a scam?"

"What does all of Nami's hard work amount to then?"

Nojiko accidentally crushes the teacup in her hand, trembling uncontrollably with anger.

"No, I can't let Nami's efforts be in vain."

"No matter who tries to take Nami's treasure."

"I won't hand it over to them."

Nojiko's eyes harden as she steps into the yard.

There, buried, lies the treasure Nami has saved over the years.

Though the Marines haven't yet appeared to take these treasures, after reading Arton's diary, Nojiko doesn't want to let those treasures out of her sight for a moment.

"If only Arton would mention my name a few more times."

"Then maybe I could rely on my own strength to confront the Arlong Pirates."

Nojiko looks at the soil hiding the treasure in the yard and murmurs to herself.

Though she has been mentioned in Arton's diary, it was only twice at most.

That's hardly enough for her to gain the power needed to confront the Arlong Pirates.

"Arton… I wonder if he will ever come to Cocoyasi Village."

"If he can come here."

"I'll do everything possible to appear in his diary enough times."

"As long as I can be photographed, be recorded in video, playing the role of Nojiko in the doujinshi is fine too."

At this moment, Nojiko's eyes are sparkling.

Loving Nami deeply, she can't allow Nami's years of effort and grievances to go to waste.

For Nami, Nojiko is already prepared to offer herself.

"I wonder if Nami has a diary book."

"If she sees Arton's diary, I don't know how heartbroken, how angry she would be."

Nojiko murmurs to herself, her heart full of concern for Nami.

Just as Nojiko feared, Nami is currently in a state of immense anger.

"Arlong has been deceiving me all along?"

"He even colluded with the Marines?"

"It's a lie, all my efforts over these years, are they insignificant?"

Nami clenches her teeth, her whole body trembling with extreme anger.

At this moment, she can't even feel happy about being mentioned multiple times in Arton's diary and gaining diary points.

Anger has filled her chest.

"Does this mean I have to stay with the Arlong Pirates forever?"

"No! I don't want that!"

"That's right, as long as I find Arton."

"Even if he doesn't want to take on the Arlong Pirates."

"I can still gain enough diary points to strengthen myself through him."

"Then, even I might be able to take on the Arlong Pirates myself."

"Wait for me, Arton, I'm coming now!"

Nami takes a deep breath and once again quickens the paddling of her oars.

***

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