Arima didn't pay much attention to Nami's hesitant behavior. In truth, there weren't many things in this world that could catch his interest.
"Nami, can you take us to the nearest island?"
He looked at her calmly.
But Nami remained silent. She couldn't bring herself to take these people to her hometown, it was now under the cruel rule of Arlong.
Among this group were even children, and she couldn't bear the thought of them being dragged into tragedy.
Sensing her unease, Arima asked tentatively, "Could it be that the island is dangerous? Is that why you don't want to take us there?"
Nami gave a small nod. That island had once been her most beloved place, but now, with evil reigning over it, her hometown had turned into a living nightmare.
Only then did everyone finally understand the worry hidden behind Nami's silence, and their impression of the young woman softened.
"Don't worry about danger! My father is the strongest, nothing in the whole sea can stop him!"
Yuna looked up at her father with adoration. To her, he was nothing less than a god.
Nami couldn't help but find the little girl endearing, though she didn't take her words seriously.
She, too, had once believed that Belle-mere was the strongest mother in the world, until the day Arlong came, and all those beautiful dreams were shattered.
Seeing that these people were determined to head for Cocoyasi Village, Nami grew anxious and quickly tried to dissuade them.
"You mustn't go there! I know a safer town. It's a bit farther, but there's a Marine base stationed there. You should go that way instead!"
"How many days would that take?" Kushina asked.
"About five days. There are only a few barren, uninhabited islands along the way, almost no people at all."
Nami mapped out the route in her mind, trying her best to avoid Arlong's territory. But that meant taking a long detour.
"Hmm, five days?" Kushina turned toward Tsunade. "Tsunade-nee, how long can our food last?"
"We still have plenty, and there's enough fresh water stored in the Kamui space. We don't need to worry about resupplying anytime soon."
"Then should we take the long route?"
Although Kushina's question was directed at Arima, her tone made her real intention clear, she wanted to see that so-called dangerous place for herself.
She might not be a pirate, but she still had an explorer's heart.
As captain, Arima made the decision immediately. "Then we'll head for the nearest island. Even if it's a dragon's den or a tiger's lair, we'll go see it for ourselves."
'Belle-mere, how am I supposed to deal with these people who are marching straight to their deaths?' Nami fretted silently when she realized she couldn't dissuade them.
Then she thought of something. Arlong was greedy. If there was enough ransom money, he probably wouldn't kill anyone.
Judging by the fine decorations of their ship, they didn't seem short on money, half her worry faded away.
Nami followed Kushina into the helm room.
Given the size of this ship, she instinctively assumed the navigation system would be complex. Yet the interior was surprisingly simple, which threw her off at first.
Following Nami's directions, Kushina adjusted the helm, pushed the throttle, and set course toward the target island.
Both women were navigators, and naturally, they had plenty to talk about. By noon, they were already getting along quite well.
"Nami, how did you know our ship would be passing through here?" Kushina asked casually.
"Hmm?... Oh, that. I heard in a tavern that a ship worth hundreds of billions of Berries would be sailing through this area.
They talk about it every day, always discussing the latest rumors. As a navigator, I'm familiar with the weather patterns around here, so I could roughly estimate your route."
"Oh? I didn't know we were that famous! Nami, you've got quite the talent!" Kushina praised her warmly.
"Hehe, nothing much! I learned it all from Belle-mere."
"Belle-mere? Who's that?"
"She's my… foster mother."
At that, a trace of indescribable sorrow crossed Nami's face.
"And she…?" Kushina asked gently.
"She was killed by a monster while protecting me and my sister." Nami's voice grew heavy with grief.
"Was that monster ever caught?"
Nami shook her head quickly, terror and disgust flickering in her eyes.
Suddenly, she grabbed Kushina's hand and pleaded in a low voice, "Kushina, listen to me. Don't go there. That place is hell, it's a paradise for monsters!"
Kushina studied her new friend seriously. "Nami, is that monster living on the island we're heading to?"
Nami's hand instinctively brushed the tattoo on her shoulder. After a long silence, she nodded faintly.
Kushina grinned mischievously. "And what's that monster's bounty?"
"N-No, Kushina, he's really dangerous! He has the highest bounty in the entire East Blue, twenty million Berries! You can still turn back now.
If Arlong finds you, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
Seeing that Kushina didn't seem to take her warning seriously, Nami's tone grew more urgent.
But Kushina just pouted in disappointment. "Nami, do you even know who we are?"
Nami shook her head. Though she'd overheard many people in the tavern talking about this ship, they were all low-level scoundrels who didn't really know anything.
Konoha Senju had once been world-famous, but as time passed, and with the World Government deliberately suppressing all information about the Konoha Senju, those stories faded into obscurity.
Kushina then asked, "So why did you want to get on our ship?"
Nami glanced toward the deck, where the user of the Glare-Glare Fruit was standing, and hesitated.
Unable to resist Kushina's sincere gaze, Nami finally spoke the truth.
"I'm... here to steal money!"
Her head hung low as she confessed. She hadn't expected Kushina to burst out laughing, without the slightest restraint.
Nami had thought she could face ridicule, but standing before Kushina, that laughter pierced her like needles. It was sharp, almost mocking.
She genuinely liked this girl who seemed to be around her age.
Even though they'd only known each other for a single morning, their personalities just clicked, and that was why Nami had chosen to be honest with her.
But to be laughed at so openly, it hurt.
A mix of embarrassment and anger swelled inside her. She couldn't stay there any longer.
Turning on her heel, she tried to leave Kushina's sight.
Realizing she'd unintentionally hurt Nami, Kushina quickly grabbed her hand.
"I'm sorry, Nami! I wasn't laughing at you! I was laughing because our ship doesn't even have a single Berry! Even the rats here would cry if they came aboard!"
Nami froze. Forgetting her anger, she rushed back to the helm to change course, muttering anxiously, "You idiots! If you have no ransom money, Arlong will definitely kill you!"
Kushina held her hand gently. "Don't worry so much, Nami! Hey, look, what do you think this is?"