Navigation: The Intuition is Against Heaven, and the Deduction of the Start is a Cremation

Chapter 30: Cocoyasi Village!

East Blue—Cocoyasi Village, once a beautiful seaside village, now stood in ruins. The streets were desolate, the houses worn and broken. A place that had once thrived had now become a living nightmare.

Since Arlong and his crew had taken control, the village had turned into hell itself. Under Arlong’s rule, the people had to pay for their own survival. The price for adults was 100,000 Berries per person, while the price for children was 50,000 Berries per person. Those who couldn’t pay had their homes destroyed by Arlong’s pet sea beast, Mohmoo. Walking through the ruined streets, Nami clutched her backpack tightly, her hand gripping her Clima-Tact. She had finally returned home, but it felt colder than ever.

As she walked past, the villagers spotted her. Their faces tensed and then darkened with pain. One by one, they shut their doors, disappearing into their houses. The sight stabbed at Nami’s heart. She knew why. They wanted to protect her, to distance themselves from the pain. But to her, it only felt like they hated her.

She clenched her jaw, her fingernails digging into her palm. Her eyes flickered toward the tattoo on her left arm, the mark of Arlong’s crew. She bit her lip hard, then forced herself forward. I need to see my sister.

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Creak.

The door to her home slowly opened. A dark-skinned woman with short blue hair looked up. Her sharp eyes softened: “Nami?!” Nojiko’s voice filled with shock as she hurried to close the door behind her. She turned back, taking Nami’s hands in hers. “You’re back.” Her voice lowered, filled with concern. “Are you hungry? Do you need something to eat?”

But Nami shook her head. Instead, she met Nojiko’s gaze with steely determination. “I’m here to buy back the village.” Nojiko’s eyes widened. “…What?”

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At the stronghold of Arlong’s crew, the shark-faced pirate captain lounged on his throne. Beside him stood his two most trusted subordinates— Kuroobi, the sawshark Fish-Man and Chuu, the kiss-lip Fish-Man. Across from them, a naval officer in a white coat sat with a greedy smirk. Marine Captain Nezumi.

“Is that so?” Arlong’s jagged teeth glistened as he grinned. “So, our dear Nami has finally returned, huh?” He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing, “And she went straight home?”

Kuroobi nodded, “She’s carrying a large sum. Likely all the money she’s saved up.” Arlong chuckled darkly. “Then it’s about time we took it from her.” He turned his sharp gaze toward Nezumi. “Captain Nezumi, you know what to do.” Nezumi grinned. “This money was stolen. The government must confiscate it.” His rat-like laughter echoed through the room.

Chichichichi…!

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“That’s right!” Nami held up the sack of money. “I finally have one hundred million Berries!” She beamed. “This is enough to buy back Cocoyasi Village!”

Nojiko’s hands trembled. She knew how much suffering Nami had endured, how many nights she had cried, how much blood she had spilled just to earn this money.

“Nami…” Her voice was heavy with emotion. But before she could say anything, a loud stomping sound echoed from outside.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Nami’s eyes widened. Her heart dropped. A group of Marines entered the village. At the front was Captain Nezumi. The villagers gathered, watching in tense silence. Nezumi smirked, stepping forward.

“I’ve received a report that there are large amounts of stolen money in this village!”

Nami’s blood ran cold. She instantly understood. “YOU—!” She stormed toward Nezumi. “I’M WITH ARLONG! YOU CAN’T TOUCH ME!”

Nezumi’s grin widened.

Chichichichi…

“That’s not what Arlong said.”

Nami’s body tensed. Her chest ached. She had known Arlong was a monster. But some part of her had still held onto hope, a foolish hope that he would keep his promise. She had trusted him. And now he had sold her out.

“Search the village! Find the money!” Nezumi barked an order. The Marines rushed forward, tearing through homes and streets. Within moments, a Marine shouted.

“FOUND IT!”

A heavy chest was dragged out of the ground. When they opened it, countless blood-stained Berries spilled onto the dirt. Nojiko’s face paled. Nami’s legs felt weak. Nezumi laughed.

Chichichichi…

“As expected! A full one hundred million Berries! This money is now confiscated by the government!”

Nami’s hands shook violently. Her vision blurred. Her breath came in short, uneven gasps.

“Put that money down!”

Her voice trembled with rage. She gripped the Clima-Tact tightly summoning dark clouds overhead.

“Thunderstorm!” A bolt of lightning crashed down, striking the Marines and sending them flying.

Nezumi stumbled back in fear. “You—You dare to attack the Marines?!” His voice was filled with panic. “If you do this, your entire village will be labeled a pirate stronghold! The Navy will crush this place!”

Nami’s body trembled. Her fingers clenched around her weapon. Tears burned in her eyes. She had no choice. She let them take the money. Then She ran straight toward Arlong Park.

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“We can’t… just sit here anymore!” A loud bang echoed through the village. Doors flew open.

The villagers stormed into the streets armed with shovels, pitchforks, and clubs.

“They took everything from Nami!” One man roared. “She gave up her life to save us, and now they’re throwing her away?!”

“We won’t let them!”

“We fight!”

Their leader, Genzo, gritted his teeth.

“We die as free men!”

Thud.

The ground shook. A few charred Fish-Man bodies dropped into the village square.The villagers froze. Their eyes widened. Above them, perched on a rooftop, a man in a wide-brimmed hat smirked. Beside him, a golden-haired woman stood silently.

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Ace tipped his hat, “Looks like my foolish navigator got into some trouble.” He smiled down at them. “Let’s go get her back, shall we?”