"How can it be?!"
Jango gaped at the enormous knife wound across his chest. His vision darkened as he collapsed onto the deck, consciousness fading before he even hit the wooden planks.
He never imagined being defeated by a girl who appeared so frail—and in the blink of an eye, no less.
"I did it?!" Nami nearly jumped with joy when she realized she had defeated Jango. This was no ordinary pirate, but the captain of the Black Cat Pirates with a bounty of 9 million berries on his head. How could she not be elated after taking him down with a single strike?
But in that moment of celebration, a dark shadow materialized behind her. Nami tried to turn quickly, but the attack from the figure was already closing in.
"You bitch! You dare hurt our captain!" A tall, obese man wearing a black cat mask clenched his fist and aimed to crush Nami's skull. It was Buchi, one of the Nyaban brothers with a bounty of 7 million berries.
'Damn it, too late!' Nami attempted to move, but she had just used the unfamiliar Thunder Breathing technique 'Thunderclap and Flash'. After defeating Jango, she had let her guard down for a crucial moment. Facing Buchi's attack, Nami had no time to evade.
In that instant, Ikki appeared beside Nami.
BOOM!
Buchi's fist collided with Ikki's raised arm, producing a heavy thud.
"Captain Ikki!" Nami exhaled with relief at the sight of him.
"Congratulations, Nami, for defeating the pirate Jango with his bounty of 9 million berries," Ikki said. "But you grew careless after your victory. Sometimes, that carelessness can cost you your life—just like Jango lying there on the ground. Remember to stay vigilant in the future."
Jango's strength was considerable in the East Blue. Nami had only defeated him instantly because he underestimated her, seeing only a young girl. Ikki didn't want to see Nami end up like Jango due to similar carelessness.
"I understand, Captain Ikki," Nami lowered her head, acknowledging her mistake.
"Damn it, you're not taking us seriously!" The casual conversation between Ikki and Nami infuriated the surrounding Black Cat Pirates. Enraged, they brandished their weapons and charged toward Ikki and Nami.
In the blink of an eye, Ikki kicked them down one by one. The remaining pirates who hadn't yet surrounded him froze at the display of his terrifying power, not daring to advance.
"Go on, Nami," Ikki said. "Among the current Black Cat Pirates, there are three stronger members with bounties on their heads: Jango, Buchi, and Sham. The others are just weaklings. Jango is already down, so you can take down Buchi and Sham. I'll handle the rest."
Ikki cracked his neck and strolled toward the remaining pirates who were still standing.
"Captain Ikki, I only defeated Jango through the element of surprise," Nami protested, shaking her head vigorously. "How can I possibly win against both Sham and Buchi now?"
"Buchi and Sham together have a bounty of 7 million berries," Ikki turned back with a sly grin. "Nami, do you really want me to defeat those two? If I take action, I won't give you a single berry."
As expected, at the mention of berries, Nami's expression immediately changed. Without another word from Ikki, she charged toward Buchi and Sham, wielding her zanpakuto Gonryōmaru.
...
Ten minutes later, not a single member of the Black Cat Pirates could stand on the deck.
"Phew... finally, it's over!" Nami collapsed onto the deck, looking at Buchi and Sham lying in pools of their own blood. She could hardly believe she had defeated them herself.
Ikki approached, clapping his hands. "Congratulations, Nami. Now you're beginning to look like a real swordsman."
Observing Buchi and Sham on the ground, Ikki felt relieved. Though still somewhat inexperienced, when faced with real combat, Nami had proven quite impressive.
"Ikki, tell me," Nami made an 'OK' gesture, her smile revealing the joy in her heart. "You'll give me their bounties, right?"
"Since this is your first battle, I'll give you their bounties," Ikki extended his hand to help Nami up from the deck. "We're approaching Cocoyasi Village soon. I'll help you back to rest first. I'll handle the treasures of the Black Cat Pirates and deliver Jango and his crew to the Marines."
Nami, already exhausted, didn't refuse. She nodded as Ikki carried her back to the Explorer in a princess hold.
Leaning against the ship's railing, Nami stared at her hands. 'How much closer am I to defeating Arlong now?'
...
After dealing with the Black Cat Pirates, the Explorer continued sailing toward Cocoyasi Village.
Hours later, as dawn approached, under Nami's careful guidance, the Explorer avoided conventional routes. Using the darkness as cover, they docked on the mountain behind Cocoyasi Village.
"If we park the Explorer here, Arlong's fishmen pirates definitely won't notice," Nami declared confidently, hands on her hips as she stood on the shore.
"Captain Ikki, come with me. I'll introduce you to my family," she said. "After Nojiko is safe, I'll continue with your training."
Hearing this, Ikki nodded slightly and followed Nami toward the house where she and Nojiko lived.