44 Chapter 44

Cocoyashi Village is the right spelling but... to much work, plus it really doesn't matter in the grand scale of things. Okay enjoy the chapter guys and remember to leave a review if you can.

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Cocoyasi Village, where Arlong resides with his pirate crew.

Arlong was engaged in conversation with a rat-faced navy officer.

"Hahaha, Arlong, you've had quite a comfortable day!" The rat-like captain grinned, speaking with a sinister undertone.

"Haha, it's alright, but not as great as yours, Captain!" Arlong chuckled, baring a set of sharp teeth resembling an oversized hacksaw blade. He extended his hand and tossed a stack of banknotes, "This is for this month! As a thanks to Captain Nezumi for taking good care of us all this time!"

"Well said, well said!" Captain Nezumi's eyes lit up at the sight of the Baileys. He eagerly pocketed the money, his expression growing even happier. "Making money through our cooperation is the best!"

"That's right!" Arlong raised his glass on the table. "Cheers to our partnership!"

"Cheers!"

Meanwhile, above the ocean, the Going Merry approached Cocoyasi Village.

"Nami... How do you know this place so well?" Tashigi looked at Nami with curiosity.

"Yeah, I want to know too!" Kaya also appeared curious. In other seas, Nami had to carefully observe various signs like currents and weather to command the voyage. However, upon arriving here, she seemed to navigate effortlessly, as if she knew the area well.

Nami smiled helplessly, not wanting to keep secrets. However, before she could respond, Ron approached Makino and jokingly said, "That's because Nami's hometown is here, right?"

"Huh?" Kaya narrowed her eyes in surprise. "Really? Sister Nami, is this your hometown?"

Nami was shocked. How did Ron know? This was a secret she hadn't shared with anyone. Glancing at Ron's confident demeanor, she sighed and said, "Alright. My hometown is Cocoyasi Village. Unfortunately... many years ago, the once peaceful village was seized by Arlong's fishman pirate crew. They massacred the villagers on a large scale, plundering money, and even... killed my mother!"

Nami gritted her teeth, her eyes revealing an intense and unabashed hatred.

"What!" Kaya exclaimed in anger. "These people, they are truly despicable!"

"Arlong's Fishman Pirate Crew is the most notorious in the entire East Blue!" Tashigi sighed. "The Navy has attempted to suppress them multiple times without success. It's bitter for those villagers!"

"Ahem!" Nami cleared her throat and spoke solemnly, "Navy encirclement and suppression? Arlong and the Navy have a secret agreement. After each looting, they hand over a portion of the spoils to the captain patrolling the area, ensuring their safety until now! Do you really think the Marines can do anything?"

"How can that be..." Tashigi took a deep breath, struggling to accept the idea. As a loyal marine lieutenant, she found it difficult to believe such corruption could exist.

"This is something I've witnessed firsthand. Can it be wrong?" Nami expressed her hatred. "The Navy just watches the villagers suffer in oppression but won't extend a helping hand. We've long lost hope in the Navy!"

"Maybe..." Tashigi wanted to argue but found herself at a loss for words.

"Nami!" Makino held Nami's hand, looking at her with pity. "It was really tough for you. Luckily, you've managed to escape. And now with Ron here, you'll surely be able to defeat those villains!"

"Yes, Sister Nami!" Koya chimed in. "It's wonderful that you've escaped. With Ron's help, you can certainly take down those bad guys!"

"I... I..." Nami looked down and spoke sadly, "After Arlong killed my mother, I wanted to do something for my sister and the villagers. At that time, I was a capable navigator. I could chart maps, and I gained Arlong's favor. So, I pretended to trust Arlong in front of the villagers and my sister. In their eyes, I followed Arlong out of the village and worked for him. I made a deal with Arlong that after accumulating 100 million Baileys, I could buy back the village and save everyone. Now, with the money almost enough, I was planning to steal a bit more and return to the village... but then Ron happened."

Nami glanced at Ron, lowered her head, and didn't continue speaking.

The three women suddenly realized the situation.

"Do you really think Arlong will keep his promise after you hand over the 100 million Baileys?" Ron smiled lightly. "What kind of person is he? You don't know, right? A complete villain. Do you think he'll let you redeem the village? Oh, how naive!"

"I..." Nami bit her lip lightly, and there was a trace of tears in her eyes "What can I do? I can only trust him, I have no other way, even the Navy has a deal with him, who else can I count on to help me?"

Kaya, Tashigi, and Makino heard her words and fell silent, Nami as a girl, how could she fight a pirate group led by Arlong, it would be good enough just to survive, so she had to be unscrupulous to raise funds through stealing, and then redeem the village

Makino gently hugged Nami, patted her shoulder, and wordlessly comforted her, and Kaya gently wiped the corners of her eyes, already shedding tears of emotion.

Tashigi bowed her head and said nothing, but pressed her lips, a little disappointed by the Navy's approach.

"Don't worry, since I'm here, none of this is a problem!" Ron walked up to Nami and gently stroked her forehead, "I'm here! I promise to help you get rid of Arlong and his cronies and let the villagers in your village return to their old stable lives!"

"Hmmm!" Nami looked up slightly, and for the first time her face filled with the stains of her tears, she showed a relaxed smile, she was too stressed, she had grown up in this desperate environment since childhood, and there was no hope in sight, and now, Ron, this wolf-looking teenager, who had great strength, maybe he could really save the villagers, and even kill Arlong to avenge her mother Bellemere!