Under Karl’s "acceleration," the small single-cabin sloop reached Loguetown on the second day.
After going ashore, the three of them went to the bank on the town’s central street and deposited one million Beli into the orphanage’s account.
After sending the money, Carina took out a stack of cash and handed it to Karl. "Take this and buy yourself something you like, and top up some fresh water for the boat. Nami and I are going shopping for clothes."
"Okay. I’ll wait on the boat."
Karl nodded, took the money, and left.
As a Barrier-Barrier Fruit user, Carina couldn’t be harmed even by Loguetown’s strongest, Smoker.
At the largest clothing shop in Loguetown, Carina and Nami picked some good, inexpensive outfits and headed into the changing rooms to try them on.
"So that’s it. A secret you want to say but can’t?"
When Nami took off her top, Carina suddenly stepped in. Seeing the Arlong Pirates’ mark on Nami’s left arm, she understood. "No wonder you wouldn’t bathe with me last night—you’re a member of the Arlong Pirates."
"C... Carina..." Nami went pale and hurried to explain.
Before she could speak, Carina went on. "You’re one of the victims of Arlong’s ’empire,’ so you hate pirates, but you had to put to sea and steal to pay protection money... Yesterday’s hesitation and struggle were really you wanting to ask Karl and me to help you defeat the Arlong Pirates, right?"
Nami’s eyes widened. She stared at Carina, stunned that she had read her heart and plan.
"Looks like I hit the mark." Carina smiled, satisfied.
"Mm... you got eighty percent of it," Nami said with a wry smile. "But it’s not just to pay protection money—it’s to buy back the village."
"Oh? Tell me in detail."
Carina’s interest rose. She locked the fitting-room door and stayed inside with Nami as she tried on clothes.
While changing, Nami told Carina about her adoptive mother being killed by Arlong, and about joining the Arlong Pirates to draw sea charts in order to buy back the village, the one-hundred-million-Beli deal, and how she had "fallen out" with the villagers.
Hearing that at eight years old Nami had to set aside hatred and serve the fish-man who murdered her mother, that at eight she had to go to sea and steal just to gather a hundred million Beli to buy back her village, Carina’s face gradually grew cold.
Looking at the girl beside her who had, without noticing, started to weep, Carina’s eyes filled with pity.
Compared to her and Karl, who had to do everything just to fill their bellies and survive, Nami’s path had been even harder.
She hadn’t had a superhuman partner like Karl at her side.
It was clear how much she had suffered all these years.
No wonder the first time they met, the girl carried a formless hostility toward her.
Compared to Nami, she was simply too fortunate.
Carina patted Nami’s shoulder. "Don’t worry. Karl and I will help you." ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢•𝓷𝓮𝓽
Nami fell into Carina’s arms and cried silently.
"Can fish-men be eaten?"
When Carina and Nami returned to the boat and Carina told Karl Nami’s story, he suddenly asked with dark humor.
Seeing the two women freeze, Karl changed the subject, smiling at Nami. "No wonder your emotions were so unsteady yesterday—you wanted my help."
"Actually, after joining us, if you’re in trouble, just say the word."
Karl stretched and walked over to Nami, bending slightly, then teased, "But as payment, you and Carina have to cook for me for life."
Whether it was the warmth of his breath at her ear or his words being too bold, Nami instinctively took a few steps back. The usually bold girl was now blushing scarlet.
"Nami is only fourteen. Watch it, or I’ll throw you in a Marine cell," Carina warned.
Karl lifted his chin, perfectly matter-of-fact. "Relax. I’m only fourteen too."
Carina and Nami were speechless. Nami stared, shocked, at the over-one-eighty-tall Karl.
Fourteen and already that tall?
In this world, plenty of humans top two meters at a young age, but those people tend to be massively built; Karl’s build didn’t look inhuman.
After seeing Karl’s performance yesterday and his appetite last night, Nami understood.
At fourteen and just over one-eighty, Karl might actually count as short for himself.
"I’ve always known about Arlong’s ’empire,’ but I could never find where it was."
After raising anchor and setting sail, Carina unfolded an East Blue map and looked at Nami, as if seeking the answer there.
"Because the Arlong Pirates colluded with the Marines in that sea and rule over more than a dozen villages. Their headquarters is only in Cocoyasi Village," Nami said through clenched teeth. "The Marines aren’t present there, but a Marine force was wiped out by the sea cow Momoo the Arlong Pirates brought from the Grand Line."
"So that’s it. No wonder even the black market had no record of their base," Carina said, enlightened.
"In that case, let’s take out the Marines colluding with the Arlong Pirates while we’re at it."
Karl’s grin turned fearsome in Nami’s eyes. "That way we cut the grass and pull up the roots."
Carina nodded in agreement, then added, "We can end it for good, but we can’t leave any loose ends. If we get bountied, it’ll be much harder for me to make money."
"Not confident in my work?" Karl slipped an arm around Carina’s shoulders and leaned close on purpose.
Carina nudged his armor lightly with her elbow and turned her head so he wouldn’t see her smile.
Karl responded by sliding both hands into her armpits and launching a tickle attack.
"Hahaha—quit it! I’m getting mad—hahaha—"
Watching the childhood sweethearts, as close as she and Nojiko, Nami couldn’t help a pang of envy.