Darkness.
Endless darkness.
Nami felt as if she were sinking—her consciousness drifting farther and farther away. Fear, oppression, and pain intertwined, drowning her senses completely.
She couldn't move.
She couldn't speak.
Even breathing felt unbearably difficult.
Around her, memories surfaced uncontrollably—
Coco Village.
A blood-stained shore.
Arlong's cruel laughter.
Her mother's gentle smile.
Nami clenched her teeth.
No…
I won't…
I won't go back…
But her voice couldn't escape. Her body trembled as the nightmare wrapped around her like chains.
Not far away, Chopper lay curled on the ground. His small body shook violently as tears streamed endlessly down his face.
"I'm scared…"
"I don't want this…"
"I don't want to be alone…"
The man in the black suit stood quietly, watching everything with indifference.
"This is fear," he said calmly. "The weakest emotion."
He paused, then smiled faintly.
"But also the easiest to control."
He adjusted his glasses lightly, his tone almost gentle.
"You humans… no matter how strong you think you are… you'll always have cracks."
Nami's consciousness wavered. Her vision blurred.
Just as she felt herself about to sink completely—
A sound echoed faintly.
Footsteps.
Steady.
Firm.
Her heart trembled.
This sound didn't belong to the nightmare.
It was real.
"So this is where you're hiding."
A calm, clear voice cut through the darkness.
The man in the black suit stiffened and turned.
At the entrance of the alley stood a figure—
A boy in a Marine uniform.
His eyes were sharp. His presence was cold and clean, like a blade drawn from its sheath.
The oppressive atmosphere loosened instantly.
"A Marine?" the man muttered.
Raifeng stepped forward slowly, his gaze sweeping across the scene—Nami, Chopper—then settling on the man in black.
"Cipher Pol," he said evenly.
The man smiled faintly. "So you know us."
"I was looking for you," Raifeng replied.
The man chuckled softly.
"That's unfortunate. This isn't a place for children."
Raifeng ignored him and walked straight toward Nami.
In that instant—
The pressure crushing her broke apart as his presence cut between them.
Nami gasped as air rushed violently into her lungs. She dropped to one knee, panting hard.
The fear—
It was fading.
"What…?" the man said sharply. "You interfered?"
Raifeng stopped between them.
"Yes."
The man's smile disappeared. His eyes turned cold.
"You shouldn't have done that."
"You touched my people," Raifeng replied.
The man laughed quietly. "Your people? That pirate woman?"
Raifeng's eyes darkened.
Bang!
The ground cracked.
His figure blurred—too fast to follow.
The man reacted instantly, retreating backward—
Too late.
Raifeng's fist passed a hair's breadth from his face.
The shockwave alone slammed into the wall behind him.
BOOM!
Stone shattered. Debris exploded outward.
Chopper stared blankly, then choked out a sob of relief.
"N-Nami… someone saved us…"
Nami lifted her head. Her vision was still blurry—but she saw it.
A Marine boy standing in front of her.
Blocking everything.
Her heart trembled.
That back…
So reliable…
The man wiped the corner of his mouth. A thin line of blood appeared.
"You're dangerous," he said quietly.
"So are you," Raifeng replied.
The pressure in the alley shifted completely.
Fear had changed sides.
Nami clenched her fists, her breathing finally stabilizing. The nightmare imprisoning her was breaking apart.
Hope—
Was rekindled.
She looked at Raifeng's back, eyes shining faintly.
"Don't lose…" she whispered.
Raifeng took a step forward, gaze unwavering.
"This ends here."
The man in black laughed softly.
"You think you've won? This is only the beginning."
He retreated into the darkness—
And vanished without a trace.
The alley fell silent.
Raifeng turned back.
"Can you stand?"
Nami nodded slowly. "Yes…"
Chopper wiped his tears. "I-I'm okay!"
Raifeng nodded once.
"Let's go back."
Nami stood fully upright. Her gaze lingered on Raifeng for a moment, and then—
She smiled.
A faint smile.
Warm.
Filled with hope.
Water Seven's night continued.
But within the darkness—
A light had already been ignited.
And the nightmare…
Was no longer absolute.
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