Nojiko, though curious why her sister was suddenly so welcoming, chimed in, "Yes! Guests, the timing is perfect. Why not eat before you go?"
Auguro pretended to consider it, then nodded. "In that case, I graciously accept the invitation!"
The group entered the house. Auguro glanced at the dining table and immediately understood. The meal consisted of meat spaghetti and meat patties. The sauces were very rich, making it easy to stain clothes while eating!
Auguro smiled slightly; Nami had gone to some effort!
He cooperated fully by removing his haori and handing it to Rukia Kuchiki to store. Nami's eyes lit up, and she eagerly took it.
"Please, Young Master, have a seat! I'll make sure your clothing is properly wrapped!"
Having been instructed beforehand, Rukia Kuchiki did not refuse, instead politely saying, "Thank you for your trouble!"
Nami then carefully folded the Soul King's Haori, wrapped it in a clean cloth, and placed it with the purchased oranges.
During the meal, Auguro casually asked about the situation in Cocoyasi Village. Because of the Arlong Pirates, both Nojiko and Nami were evasive and vague in their replies.
At one point, Nami excused herself to use the bathroom, but in reality, she secretly swapped the parcel containing the Soul King's Haori. She thought her actions were flawless, but the entire exchange was witnessed clearly by Auguro and his two subordinates.
Rukia Kuchiki's brow furrowed slightly. If Auguro hadn't subtly restrained her, she would have certainly drawn her sword and struck Nami down! Coveting the Lord Soul King's property was an unforgivable offense, punishable by immediate execution!
Auguro, however, continued eating happily. Trading a temporary loan of his haori for a genius navigator was a bargain he wouldn't mind making several times!
After the meal, Nami pre-emptively placed the empty parcel and the oranges onto a handcart so Auguro wouldn't bother to put the haori back on.
"I'm so smart!" Nami thought to herself, smugly.
Auguro feigned ignorance and returned to the ship.
Rukia Kuchiki couldn't help but say, "Lord Soul King, I should go retrieve your haori!"
Auguro waved her off.
"No rush! Just start sailing the ship out!"
Watching the small ship leave the dock and gradually disappear over the horizon, Nami crept out of her hiding spot near the pier.
"Heh heh! Good riddance! Time to rush this treasure to Arlong and buy everyone's freedom!"
Nami ran home, secretly dug up her buried treasure from the orange grove, loaded it onto the cart, and rushed toward the Arlong Pirates' base camp.
Nami didn't see the two figures standing high in the sky, watching her from afar.
The ship hadn't sailed far before Auguro and Rukia Kuchiki used Flash Step to return to the island. In the One Piece world, flight was a rare ability. However, in the Bleach world, any competent Soul Reaper could condense spirit particles beneath their feet as a foothold, gaining the ability to fly freely. This was an undeniable advantage!
Auguro watched Nami's retreating figure and mused, "Originally, Arlong colluded with Colonel Nezumi to sabotage Nami's plan to buy freedom."
"But this time, without the advance planning, what will Arlong do?"
After about half a day, Nami finally pushed the cart to her destination—Arlong Park.
"Huh? Nami? What are you doing here?" The fish-man guard recognized Nami and asked, confused.
"I've come to buy back everyone's freedom! I've prepared the 100 million Berries in treasure!" Nami had never felt this confident before.
Clearly, the fish-man guard knew Arlong never intended to keep his promise. However, Nami gathering the ransom early had messed up their plans, so he could only make Nami wait outside while he went in to inform Arlong.
A three-meter-tall shark fish-man with a mouth full of sharp teeth sat in the only chair. As the East Blue's most ferocious pirate, Arlong's bounty was a substantial 20 million Berries.
"Brother Arlong, what should we do? Should we really give Cocoyasi Village back to Nami?" asked Kuroobi, an executive of the Arlong Pirates.
Arlong tapped his finger against his head, pretending to be troubled.
"This is such a bother! I suppose I have to hand it over! After all, I am a fish-man of my word! Let Nami in!"
Though his words sounded sincere, the other fish-men saw the malicious grin on Arlong's face and knew he was plotting something wicked. They smirked as they escorted Nami inside.
"Arlong, here is the 100 million Berries in treasure we agreed upon! Cocoyasi Village is free starting today!"
Nami opened the wooden chest, and the gold, silver, jewelry, and Berries inside blinded the eyes of the fish-men.
Arlong's lips curled upwards.
"As expected of Nami! You gathered the money so quickly! Very well, I accept it!"
Arlong waved his left hand, and Hatchan (the octopus fish-man) carried the chest away.
"Cocoyasi Village is free, right?" Nami asked, excitedly confirming one last time.
"That's right! You are now free!" Arlong beamed a radiant smile.
"This is wonderful!" Nami clenched her fists, practically bursting into tears. After persevering for so long, she had finally done it!
However, Arlong's next sentence completely froze her.
"Kuroobi, a village nearby has appeared that is not yet under our control. Remember to visit them tomorrow, make sure they know who the rulers of this land are! And collect their payment, too!"
Kuroobi immediately flashed a cruel grin.
"Understood, Boss Arlong!"
Nami's face went instantly pale. She lunged at Arlong, grabbing his collar, and screamed, "You bastard! You promised me that if I gathered 100 million Berries, you would give us our freedom!"
Arlong tilted his head, glancing at the fragile human girl, and a triumphant smile spread across his face.
"Of course! Haven't I already given you your freedom? I'm just sending my men to occupy a new territory! That has nothing to do with our deal!"
"You fiend! You tricked me!"
In a fit of madness, Nami threw a punch at Arlong's head, but he effortlessly flung her away. Fish-men possess ten times the natural strength of humans. An untrained ordinary person has no defense against a fish-man, much less a teenage girl like Nami.
Thud!
Nami hit the ground hard, her body feeling as if it had shattered.
Arlong laughed maniacally. "Nami, our deal still stands! Just bring another 100 million Berries, and I'll give you one more day of freedom, ha ha ha…"
Thud!
Nami was thrown out of the gates of Arlong Park. Inside, the fish-men's laughter was loud and unrestrained. Nami's eyes were blank, and she walked away like a zombie.
She didn't know where else to go. She had promised to buy everyone's freedom, yet not only had she failed to secure it, but her hard-earned treasure had been stolen. How could she possibly face anyone in Cocoyasi Village now?
Just then, a voice suddenly rang out.
"Miss Nami, could you please return my haori to me?"
Nami looked up to see the two people who had bought oranges at her house standing before her.
She gave a bitter, sorrowful laugh.
"I'm sorry, the item is no longer in my hands!"
Ching!
Rukia Kuchiki immediately drew Sode no Shirayuki and placed the blade against Nami's neck.
"I'm warning you! Lord Soul King might be lenient, but I do not have such a gentle temper!"
Nami, however, let out a hollow laugh. As she laughed, tears silently streamed down her cheeks.
"I don't care! Just kill me! Everything I had is already gone!"