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Meanwhile, at Marineford HQ, Sengoku's face was turning an alarming shade of green. The footage they were watching revealed something he hadn't known before: Colonel Nezumi, a high-ranking naval officer, had deliberately falsified reports regarding the Straw Hat Pirates' defeat of Arlong and his crew.
Nezumi had only reported the part where the Straw Hats eliminated Arlong's gang but conveniently omitted critical details—like how Nezumi himself had conspired with the fishmen pirates and framed the Straw Hats as criminals. This manipulation had led to Luffy being labeled a criminal early in his journey, even earning him a bounty of 30 million Beri before leaving East Blue. Nezumi's alterations played no small role in painting the Straw Hats as dangerous outlaws.
Sengoku now realized he'd been duped. If this truth came out publicly, it would be one of the most humiliating scandals in Marine history.
---
*Edward Newgate:* "Hahahaha! What a slap in the face, Sengoku! I've never seen such a swift and brutal takedown in my life! Gurararara!!!"
*Marco:* "This is priceless! Who knew the Marines could be this incompetent?"
*Charlotte Linlin:* "Oh, this viewing system is truly delightful. Sengoku, you're getting exactly what you deserve!"
*Monkey D. Dragon:* "And this is the so-called justice represented by the Marines? Pathetic."
*Monkey D. Kain:* "Shut your mouth, traitor!"
*Sengoku:* "Old man Garp!! Get over here immediately! I demand an explanation!!"
*Colonel Nezumi (in the video):* "Marshal... I swear I don't know what's going on either! Maybe this viewing system is lying??"
But deep down, Nezumi was panicking. He had covered up the truth years ago, spinning tales to protect himself while maligning the Straw Hats. Now, exposed by the viewing system, he feared retribution from the Marines once the screening ended.
*Sengoku:* "Enough excuses! After this viewing ends, you'll come to Marine HQ personally to explain yourself!"
To which Edward Newgate retorted: "Viewing ending? Don't kid yourself. By the time this viewing finishes, do you really think Marine HQ will still exist?"
*Sengoku:* "Stop talking nonsense! With the ancient weapon Pluton revived, we've gained immense power! You'll all see its devastating might soon enough!"
*Gol D. Roger:* "Heh, big talk... Why not prove it instead of running your mouth?"
*Buggy:* "Captain, don't worry—I'm already stationed at Marine HQ. My Devil Fruit powers are unimaginably strong! Hahaha!"
---
Back in Cocoyasi Village, the drama continued.
---
*[Colonel Nezumi arrives at Nami's residence.]*
Nami stood outside her house, leaning against the wall, silently calculating how much money she'd saved. For eight long years, she had endured endless suffering under Arlong's rule, stealing and hoarding treasure to buy back her village.
"It's almost time... Just one more trip, and I should have enough to save the village!" Her eyes sparkled with hope, a rare smile gracing her lips.
But before she could leave, Nezumi's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Squeak squeak... I am Colonel Nezumi of the 16th Marine Branch. Are you the criminal named Nami?"
"Criminal?" Nami paused, then spotted Nezumi and his men approaching. She smirked faintly. "Well, yes. Since I'm technically a pirate, I suppose I am a criminal. But let me remind you—I'm also an officer of Arlong's crew."
She crossed her arms confidently, showing no fear. "You must understand that if you try anything, Arlong won't stand idly by."
"Still..." Nami glared at Nezumi. "Do you have any other business with me?"
"Squeak squeak... What are you talking about, pirates or not? I haven't received such intel." Nezumi feigned ignorance. "I won't harm you. However, according to my information, everything you've stolen belongs to us now. Hand it over!"
With a wave of his hand, Nezumi ordered his soldiers to search the premises.
"Stop!!" Enraged, Nami swung her staff, knocking down one of the marines.
Her face contorted with fury as she confronted Nezumi. "Is this really the job of the Marines?! Shouldn't you be dealing with actual threats like Arlong's crew? They destroy villages and murder innocents without remorse! Everyone knows this!"
"Do you think the World Government cares about justice when it comes to people like you?" Nezumi sneered. "Criminals always act so noble, spouting grand speeches. How naive."
---
As the altercation escalated, the villagers began to gather around. They quickly realized Nezumi wasn't there to help them—he was complicit with Arlong's gang. The sheer audacity of the Marines turning against their own citizens left the crowd seething with anger.
"This is unforgivable!" shouted one villager. "They've been using Nami all along!"
"We can't take this anymore!" another cried. "Let's fight back!"
But Nami intervened, stepping between the enraged villagers and the Marines. "Wait, everyone… please wait. Let me try one last time. I'll gather the money again—it won't take as long this time."
Her voice trembled, though she tried to maintain a brave facade. Behind her forced smile, tears streamed down her swollen, red eyes. The weight of eight years of sacrifice bore heavily on her frail shoulders.
Ken, the village policeman who had always treated Nami like a daughter, couldn't hold back his tears. He pulled her into a tight embrace.
"It's enough, Nami," Ken whispered. "You've done more than anyone could ask of you. Fighting alone for all these years... it's been too painful for you."
Tears poured uncontrollably from Nami's eyes as Ken's words struck a chord within her. All the pain, frustration, and despair she'd suppressed for years finally surfaced.
Ken gently placed his hands on her shoulders. "Leave this place, Nami. Go chase your dreams. You've already done more than enough for us."
"No!" Nami protested, clutching a dagger. "I won't let you go through with this! I won't let anyone else get hurt because of me!"
But Ken calmly grabbed the blade with his bare hand, ignoring the blood dripping from his palm. "Step aside, Nami. It's our turn to fight."
With a firm push, Ken sent Nami stumbling backward. The villagers marched resolutely toward Arlong Park, ready to face their fate.
Kneeling on the ground, Nami listened to the distant cries of the villagers heading toward certain death. Overwhelmed by guilt and despair, she turned the dagger on herself, repeatedly stabbing her left arm—the spot tattooed with Arlong's mark.
One stab.
Two stabs.
Three stabs.
Blood dripped onto the ground as Nami sobbed uncontrollably. Watching this scene unfold, the chatroom fell silent. Regardless of their allegiances, every viewer felt a deep pang of sympathy for the young woman bearing such unbearable pain.
Just as she prepared to deliver a fourth stab, a hand suddenly grabbed hers, stopping the blade mid-air.
It was Luffy.
From the start, Luffy hadn't understood why Nami stole or the burden she carried. Yet, seeing her breaking point, he stepped forward without hesitation.
Nami weakly pounded the ground, crying, "What do you want? You don't know anything! None of this has anything to do with you..."
Luffy simply stood there, unmoving. "Yeah, I don't know."
"I told you to leave this island!" Nami screamed, covering her face with one hand while throwing sand at Luffy with the other.
"I heard you," Luffy replied calmly.
Finally, overwhelmed by emotion, Nami collapsed, her body trembling violently. Through her tears, she looked up at Luffy, her voice barely a whisper.
"Luffy... Save me..."
In response, Luffy placed his straw hat gently on her head. Turning his back to her, he struck a dramatic pose, shouting defiantly into the sky: "Of course I will!!"
On the road ahead, Zoro sat coolly atop a flower bed, Sanji stood casually in the center of the path, and Usopp pretended to nap. Luffy strode past them, radiating determination.
That year, the Straw Hat Pirates didn't know the meaning of fear—or limits.