Chapter 54 – [54] : Windmills and Tangerines! Setting Sail!

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Cocoyasi Village, once bleak under the oppressive rule of the Arlong Pirates, was now bursting with life and celebration.

The villagers brought out all the food and drink they could find, their faces radiating genuine joy as they threw a massive feast.

Because the pirates who had violently ruled over them—Arlong and his crew—had been utterly defeated.

All the Fish-Men who had followed Arlong in his tyranny were dealt with; those thrown into the sea, stripped of their Fish-Man traits by Rowen, could only drown helplessly.

These Fish-Men, who had believed Arlong’s doctrine that their ability to breathe underwater made them inherently superior to humans—

—Ultimately suffocated to death in the very sea they claimed as their birthright.

A few, like Hachi, who hadn’t directly participated in the killing and oppression of humans, and had sometimes even restrained Arlong’s murderous rampages, were spared. After discussion among the Cocoyasi villagers, Rowen allowed them to retain their ability to breathe underwater and let them go.

Arlong’s nature was extremely cruel; he viewed humans as inferior beings and wouldn’t hesitate to massacre entire villages.

These few less culpable Fish-Men—whether motivated by preserving their source of tribute or by a sliver of inherent decency—had ultimately prevented many more deaths.

The villagers of Cocoyasi, having regained their freedom, wanted nothing more than for Nami—who had carried their hopes for so many years—to be happy and free.

They didn’t want her kind heart tainted by excessive bloodshed.

Nami shouldn’t have to carry any more burdens for their sake.

From now on, Nami should live for herself, freely upon the sea.

Rowen naturally respected this decision.

Nami just needed to live happily and freely from now on.

Watching Rowen and his crew enjoying the feast, the eyes of every Cocoyasi villager shone with gratitude.

“Shishishi! Parties are the best!” Luffy cheered, his mouth stuffed full, grinning widely.

“Rowen, Eat up! And tell me more about you and Nami~” Nojiko teased, sliding a glass of tangerine wine towards Rowen, eyeing him and Nami with a mischievous grin.

“Nojiko!” Nami’s face flushed scarlet.

“Alright, alright! I won’t ask!” Nojiko laughed, even more amused by Nami’s reaction.

Some things didn’t need to be said to be understood.

Nami, forced by her childhood experiences to shoulder everything herself, rarely showed such shy vulnerability.

Looks like Nami really likes this Rowen guy.

Nojiko smiled, reassured.

For Nami—who had endured such suffering and hated pirates to her core—to happily declare Rowen’s crew her comrades…

Entrusting Nami to Rowen felt right.

“Here it comes! Sea King meat!” The highlight of today’s feast arrived—Momoo, the Sea King kept by Arlong’s crew, expertly prepared by Sanji.

This Sea King had often been used by Arlong’s crew to ‘plow’ through villages that resisted their rule.

Rowen certainly wasn’t going to let it go to waste. He had had it butchered immediately for the feast.

Sea King meat was a rare delicacy in the East Blue.

“Finally!” Rowen’s interest was immediately piqued.

Sea Kings—unique and powerful creatures of the One Piece world.

The power of Poseidon, one of the Three Ancient Weapons, was the ability to command all Sea Kings, allegedly capable of destroying the world.

In the deep sea, there existed colossal Sea Kings exceeding 5,000 meters in length; a coordinated assault by such creatures could generate terrifying tsunamis.

The Sea Kings in the East Blue were much smaller, but still enormous compared to most other creatures.

“This tastes amazing! The freshness of the ingredients, the texture—both perfectly brought out! As expected of you, Sanji! You can make any ingredient taste delicious,” Rowen exclaimed after tossing a large piece of sea beast meat into his mouth.

The flavor was wonderfully unique.

It had the texture of beef, yet the delicate freshness of fish.

Combined with Sanji’s culinary skill, the inherent deliciousness and texture of the sea beast meat were elevated to their absolute peak.

With a cook like Sanji around, eating Sea King was truly the ultimate indulgence.

Of course, for Rowen, the abundant nutrients within the Sea King meat were even more crucial.

“Hmph. Naturally,” Sanji smirked, pleased.

Finally, someone who speaks my language! Rowen’s praise for his cooking was spot-on; it felt like talking to a kindred spirit.

Rowen, noticing a slight increase in the equipping progress for the Modified Exoskeleton Trait, smiled inwardly as well.

“As expected of a Sea King from the One Piece world. Incredibly nutritious.”

Rowen focused, using his Superhuman Demonic Physique (Deep Purple) to rapidly digest the nutrients from the sea beast meat, feeling his physique strengthen, his lips curling upwards.

The reason humans in the One Piece world could achieve such incredible physical strength stemmed from the immense nutritional value found in the world’s meat.

And the nutrients within Sea Kings were even more exaggerated. No wonder the top-tier powerhouses could train their bodies to such ridiculous levels, capable of fighting for days on end using their abilities and Haki.

“Enhance.”

With such nutrient-rich sea beast meat available, Rowen didn’t need to worry about insufficient fuel. He issued the command internally.

Enhance Superhuman Demonic Physique (Deep Purple)!

——

—[Enhancement successful! Trait tier advanced! Promoted to Apex Purple tier!]—

——

A notification screen, visible only to Rowen, appeared.

A wave of hunger, even greater than the last enhancement, washed over him. But with plenty of sea beast meat remaining, it wasn’t an issue.

As Rowen resumed eating heartily, the depleted stamina reserves were quickly refilled.

Once sated, feeling the surge of power and stamina flooding his body, Rowen smirked again.

Of course, with his Superhuman Demonic Physique advancing to the Apex Purple tier, under the influence of Born of the Sea (Apex Gold), Rowen’s Armament Haki grew stronger as well.

It remained at the Apex Purple tier for now, however. To advance Armament Haki to the Pale Gold tier (minimum Vice Admiral combat threshold), his physique also needed to reach the Pale Gold tier.

(Of course, for others, even reaching Pale Gold physique required diligent training to elevate their Armament Haki accordingly. But for Rowen, possessing both awakened Conqueror’s Haki and the Born of the Sea cheat code, as soon as his physique reached Pale Gold, his Armament Haki would automatically advance.)

The Haki training cheat code truly lives up to its name.

Although it hadn’t reached Pale Gold yet, Rowen’s current Armament Haki intensity was more than sufficient.

Sufficient to take—Smoker’s Logia-type Smoke-Smoke Fruit.

Rowen’s lips curled slightly.

While the Smoke-Smoke Fruit wasn’t strong among Logias, obtaining his first Devil Fruit ability—Rowen felt a surge of anticipation.

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“Rowen, try this,” Nami carefully offered Rowen a tangerine, her face filled with hopeful expectation, interrupting his thoughts.

‘These must be from Bell-mère’s tangerine grove.’ Rowen took the fruit Nami offered, a flicker of understanding in his eyes.

He peeled the tangerine, carefully placed a segment in his mouth, and chewed slowly.

“Delicious. This is the best tangerine I’ve ever eaten,” Rowen said, smiling genuinely, looking fondly at Nami.

This tangerine held Nami’s longing for her adoptive mother, Bell-mère.

It held the strength of a young woman who, even after witnessing her mother’s murder, shouldered the hope of her entire village, determined to buy back their home from Arlong.

It also held Nami’s heart.

Rowen didn’t need Nami to say anything; he understood her feelings.

And Nami, naturally, didn’t need Rowen to elaborate; she understood the meaning behind his words, her eyes curving into smiling crescents.

Today—was the happiest day she had experienced since Bell-mère died.

“Rowen! Nami! Look!” Luffy suddenly yelled indistinctly through a mouthful of food.

Nami and Rowen turned towards the sound.

“How’s this?! Yosaku taught us! The nostril-chopstick dance! Shishishi!” Luffy and Usopp had their arms slung around each other’s shoulders, laughing indistinctly.

Two chopsticks were stuck firmly up their nostrils, the other ends dangling near their mouths.

“Pfft— HAHAHA! HAHAHAHA!” Seeing the utterly ridiculous sight, Nami couldn’t hold back. Her lips quivered, then she burst into unrestrained laughter, tears streaming down her face.

“Hahaha! Hahaha!”

“That’s great, pirate fellas!”

“Keep it going! Keep it going!”

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The villagers of Cocoyasi, seeing Luffy and Usopp’s performance, also erupted in laughter, tears of mirth streaming down their faces.

It wasn’t just laughter at the comical dance; it was the joyous release after years of suffering finally coming to an end.

“How about this?!” Swept up in the festive atmosphere, Luffy and Usopp jumped onto a table, arms still around each other, performing a nonsensical dance that, combined with the nostril chopsticks, looked utterly hilarious.

“Hahaha! Hahahaha!” Joyful laughter filled the air.

“Hahaha! You two idiots! What are you doing?!” Zoro laughed heartily, holding his cup of sake.

“Hahaha!” Even Sanji couldn’t help but laugh.

Rowen chuckled, clapping along, thoroughly amused.

This was a pirate victory feast!

Feasts were meant to be joyous!

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After much revelry, Zoro’s wounds started bleeding again from overexertion. Rowen unceremoniously dumped him at the village clinic for treatment.

“Honestly! Fighting with such severe injuries, then partying instead of getting treatment immediately! If your wounds hadn’t reopened from messing around too much, were you planning on never seeing a doctor?! Don’t you have a doctor on your ship?!” The village’s best doctor, Nako, grumbled as he stitched up the wound Mihawk had inflicted on Zoro.

“It’s just a scratch! Eating and drinking plenty fixes everything!” Zoro retorted stubbornly through gritted teeth, despite the cold sweat beading on his forehead.

“Ship’s doctor? Sounds good! But we need to find a musician first!” Luffy poked his head through the doorway, holding several pieces of meat, grinning cheerfully.

“Why?!” Hearing his unreliable captain, Zoro, already enduring the pain of stitches, felt his eye twitch violently.

“Because pirates need to sing!” Luffy declared with unwavering conviction.

“I meant, why do we need a musician first, you idiot?!” Zoro roared.

A doctor is obviously more important than a musician!

“Shishishi! We’ll just let Rowen decide the order later! According to Rowen, we need a doctor and a musician!” Luffy grinned happily.

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The village feast continued, but on a quiet hillside nearby, Nami knelt before a grave marker, her hands clasped together.

“Do you think—Bell-mère would approve if she knew I decided to become a pirate?” Nami murmured, looking up at the blue sky, almost feeling Bell-mère watching over her.

Not far behind her, Genzo and Nojiko stood silently.

“Of course not! She’d never let her precious daughter become a pirate!” Genzo stated bluntly.

“No… she would,” Nojiko countered, smiling softly.

“Besides, even if she didn’t approve, would you actually listen?” Nojiko’s smile widened.

Nami made a playful face, a mischievous grin appearing—just like when she was a little girl, misbehaving under Bell-mère’s watchful eye.

“Hahahaha! You two really are Bell-mère’s daughters!” Genzo suddenly burst out laughing.

“Go live life your own way. More than obedience, Bell-mère wanted you both to be happy,” Genzo said, tears welling up in his eyes as he looked at Bell-mère’s grave.

“Of course! Right now—I’m incredibly happy!” Nami declared, standing up and shouting towards the sea.

She then turned, looking towards the figure standing a short distance away.

Rowen stood there silently, giving her space, yet offering his unwavering presence.

Nami knew this was Rowen’s way—allowing her time with her family.

“Rowen! Let’s go!” Nami called out, her smile radiant.

“Wait. Can I have a word with you alone, Rowen?” Genzo suddenly asked.

“Of course,” Rowen replied with a knowing smile, glancing at Genzo.

“We’ll go on ahead then,” Nami said, instinctively covering the Arlong Pirates tattoo on her left arm.

Rowen knew she was going to get it removed.

“Mm,” Rowen simply nodded, watching warmly as Nami and Nojiko walked away, chatting happily.

After Nami was out of sight, Rowen and Genzo stood in silence for a long moment.

Genzo’s lips moved, struggling to form the words.

“Please take care of Nami—” he finally managed, his voice raspy with emotion, revealing the deep paternal love and concern he held for her.

“I know you’re strong! But if you ever make Nami lose that smile… I don’t care where you are… I will find you… and i will kill you!!” Genzo declared fiercely, tears in his eyes as he glared at Rowen.

“…” Rowen said nothing in return.

He simply placed his right hand gently on the shoulder of this man—a man covered in scars, who, despite his own weakness, had done everything within his power, like a true father, to protect Nami.

Between men, sometimes no words were necessary.

A simple gesture was the strongest promise.

“…..” Genzo wiped the tears from his eyes, a relieved smile finally appearing. He turned and walked back towards the village.

Rowen faced Bell-mère’s grave marker, clasped his hands together, closed his eyes, and bowed deeply three times.

He made a silent promise to the departed Bell-mère:

He would take care of Nami.

He would let Nami live freely—happily—upon the sea.

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Inside Bell-mère’s house.

Nami held a sea map, the Arlong tattoo on her left arm now replaced by a design of a pinwheel and a tangerine. Beside her lay a large bundle—nearly 100 million Beri saved over the years.

The mapping room in Arlong Park, filled with painful memories, had been destroyed by Rowen.

Now, only this single map remained in Nami’s possession—the very first sea map she had ever drawn, the one Bell-mère had praised and approved.

“It’s all over, Bell-mère. It took eight years, but… I finally got my freedom—Everyone else too… they’re all laughing genuinely now—It’s just like you always said… As long as you keep living, good things will definitely happen.”

Nami clutched the map tightly, looking around the familiar room, seemingly speaking to Bell-mère.

“I’m leaving the island now. Don’t worry, everyone is doing well. And… there’s Rowen—This time… I’m going to draw maps for my own dream—I’m going to travel the world with them… with Rowen—That’s my dream.”

Tears welled up in Nami’s eyes.

“So… I don’t know when I’ll be back on this island. I’m leaving now.”

Nami wiped away her tears. Leaving the nearly 100 million Beri behind for the villagers, she slowly walked out the door.

Thump! Just as Nami was about to step outside, she felt a gentle push from behind.

Bell-mère.

Nami turned, looking back at the empty room, but her heart felt overflowing with love.

“I’m off!” Nami declared, her smile brilliant and full of hope.

Be careful out there—

Bell-mère’s photograph seemed to watch Nami’s retreating figure.

In the photo, Bell-mère’s smile was radiant.

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