(This chapter takes place around episode 134 in the anime.)
The sea was glass that morning, clear enough that Nami could see the faint shadows of fish darting beneath the Going Merry's keel. A rare calm had settled over the Grand Line — no storms, no other ships, not even a wandering current — only a long sheet of bright blue stretching toward a thin green shape on the horizon.
"That's land, right? It is land, isn't it?" Luffy shouted from the figurehead, squinting at the shimmering distance.
Nami didn't bother looking up from her log pose. "Yes, Luffy. It's land. Try not to fall off before we reach it."
He grinned, hanging upside down over the railing. "We're gonna eat so much!"
"Eat what?" she said, exasperated. "You don't even know what's on that island yet."
"I'll find something," he said confidently, stretching an arm toward the horizon as if he could grab the shore himself.
Usopp leaned on the railing beside him, shading his eyes. "Looks small. Probably just a trading port."
"Which is exactly what we need," Nami said, rolling the log pose around her wrist to check its arrow. "It's pointing straight there — perfect for a reset. We'll stock up, restock water, and be out by morning."
Sanji emerged from the galley, a cigarette between his fingers and a hopeful look already forming on his face. "An island means fresh ingredients, Nami. Local vegetables! Fruit! Maybe even rare spices! Leave the shopping to me—"
"No," Nami interrupted. "You're carrying crates. We need food and water."
He nearly melted into the deck. "Anything for you, my goddess."
Zoro stretched against the mast, yawning. "Wake me up when we're done shopping."
"Fine with me," she said. "You're staying on board this time. I'm not dragging your lost self out of the jungle again."
That got a small chuckle out of Robin, who was leaning on the upper railing, book in hand. She didn't join in the arguing, only glanced at the island in the distance — a long green curve framed by cliffs and scattered palms. "It looks peaceful," she said quietly.
"Good," Nami replied. "We could use a quiet stop for once."
The crew gathered along the rail as the Merry glided into the shallows. The water near shore was almost luminous — clear turquoise over white sand, dotted with strange orange coral. Small fishing boats drifted lazily between wooden piers. A few gulls perched on the masts, blinking at the new arrivals as if mildly inconvenienced.
No Navy flags, no cannons, no wanted posters nailed to walls. Just the sleepy sound of waves and wind. A relief, for once.
The dock came into view: weathered wood, ropes coiled neatly, a handful of locals in sun-bleached clothes tending to nets. Beyond them, a modest town curved up from the beach, buildings painted in pale yellows and greens, their roofs decorated with seashells and hanging glass charms that tinkled faintly in the breeze.
"Looks like a quiet fishing island," Usopp said. "No Marines, no smoke, no monsters. I give it five minutes before Luffy finds trouble."
"I won't!" Luffy protested. "I promise"
"Mm-hm," Nami said, looping a rope over her shoulder. "Alright. Luffy, Sanji, Chopper, Usopp — you're with me. We'll restock food and medicine, then check in at the log office. Zoro, Robin, watch the ship."
Zoro grunted approval and went back to napping. Robin smiled and opened her book as she lay back in a deck chair.
As the Merry bumped against the dock, Sanji lowered the gangplank and skipped ahead to offer his hand to Nami, who ignored it and hopped down lightly on her own. The heat hit them all at once — bright sunlight, the salty smell of dried fish, and the shimmer of sand already hot underfoot.
The locals gave them polite, curious glances but no alarm. One old man mending a net nodded to them. "Travelers? Haven't had many this season."
"Just stopping for supplies," Nami said with her best winning smile. "Your island's on the trade route, right?"
He shrugged. "Sometimes. Depends on the wind. You'll find what you need up by the square."
They thanked him and followed the narrow boardwalk that wound into town. Children darted past carrying baskets of shells. A woman scrubbed clothes in a basin outside her house, humming a tune that drifted like sea foam. The sound of hammering came from somewhere deeper in, and the faint, rhythmic clack of glass ornaments swaying in the wind gave the place an almost musical air.
Chopper trotted ahead, sniffing the air. "It smells sweet! Like… fruit syrup!"
"That's the candy shop," Usopp said knowingly, pointing toward a stand where bright glass jars were arranged in rows. "I think it would be an excellent place to ask about resupplying."
"You two just want candy," Nami said.
"I can't help it if my nose is gifted!" Protested Chopper.
They walked further in, passing fruit stalls and barrels of pickled vegetables, until the street opened into a wide square paved in smooth coral stone. A large fountain stood in the center, its water glinting like quicksilver in the sun. Around it, workers were busy stringing ropes between lampposts, though Nami paid it no mind. She was too busy calculating prices at the nearest supply booth.
"Water barrels — two for the price of one," she murmured to herself. "Dried meat… too expensive."
Sanji's eyes, however, were not on the market but on the people. Every few steps, he stopped to sigh theatrically. "Ah, the beauty of island maidens! Such grace, such poise—"
"Such work waiting for you back at the dock if you don't help me carry these crates," Nami interrupted, jabbing a finger toward a stack taller than Chopper.
He wilted instantly. "At once, my goddess."
Chopper giggled as Sanji staggered under the weight of the supplies. "You always fall for it."
"It's called chivalry!" Sanji gasped.
They spent a while wandering between stalls, gathering what they needed — fish, fruit, ropes, oil — until the heat of the afternoon began to fade. The workers around the fountain had finished hanging their ropes, but now they were attaching something else: long strips of painted fabric, fluttering in the light breeze. Nami barely noticed, too focused on her purse. Usopp, however, was the first to look up.
"Hey," he said, squinting. "What's that supposed to be?"
They all turned. The square was now strung with rows of bright posters, nailed and tied in every direction — reds, blues, yellows, each painted with the same bold emblem: a blazing sun bursting into petals of light.
The largest banner flapped overhead, its painted letters catching the afternoon glow:
"KARO ANNUAL FIRELIGHT FESTIVAL – TONIGHT ONLY!"
Fireworks. Music. Dances. The works.
Usopp blinked. "Firelight Festival?"
Chopper's eyes sparkled. "A festival? With fireworks?! I've never seen one before!"
Luffy's grin stretched ear to ear. "Will there be meat?"
But Nami's reaction was louder than all of theirs. "A festival? Here?" She looked at the posters as though they were gold leaf. "After weeks stuck on the ship, I'm not missing this. A proper party — good food, lights, music, an actual crowd— it's been forever!"
Sanji's eyes turned to hearts immediately. "Then allow me, Nami-swan, to accompany you this evening! I'll guard your radiant beauty beneath the fireworks—"
"Absolutely not," she snapped, folding her arms. "I've been cramped up with you boys for weeks. I need a night away from all of you."
Sanji froze mid-bow, turning to stone.
Luffy laughed, unbothered. "Guess that means she's going without us, huh?"
"Maybe," Nami said, smiling faintly at the rows of posters. "Though I wonder if Robin likes parties…"