A CRIME IS A CRIME

In a tropical landscape of palm trees and winding paths, narration explains: “THAT GIRL DECIDED TO NOT SHOW HER TEARS TO ANYONE, AND NEVER ASK FOR HELP! EVER SINCE THAT DAY 8 YEARS AGO”. A close-up shows Nojiko from behind, her tattoo visible, as she continues: “ALL BECAUSE SHE DOESN’T WANT TO SEE ANYONE TO BE KILLED BY ARLONG, JUST LIKE OUR MOTHER WAS…”. Further back in time, young Nojiko and young Nami stand on a forest path facing a kneeling figure. Nojiko says, “WHEN SHE WAS BARELY 10 YEARS OLD” while another voice adds, “DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW PAINFUL IT WAS FOR HER, TO MAKE THAT DECISION TO FIGHT ALONE AND CONTINUE TO LIVE ON,”.

Genzo shouts furiously, “I’LL KILL THOSE PIRATES! HOW DARE THEY CAUSE PAIN TO MY BELOVED NAMI!” while Nojiko explains, “SHE FORCED HERSELF TO JOIN THE VERY PIRATES WHO KILLED HER MOTHER… SO IN ORDER TO SAVE HER VILLAGE,”. Nojiko confronts Genzo: “BECAUSE OF YOU GOING AROUND CALLING NAMI YOUR FRIEND AND CAUSING TROUBLE, THOSE PIRATES ARE STARTING TO DOUBT HER, PUTTING HER 8 YEARS OF HARD WORK IN JEOPARDY! THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT I’VE COME TO TELL YOU NOT TO DO!”. Genzo is suddenly struck on the head with a loud “BONK”, yelling “W-WHAT WAS THAT FOR, SIS!I”. Nojiko pleads, “FOR HER, WHO HAD TO FIGHT ALONE HER ENTIRE LIFE, THERE’S NOTHING MORE PAINFUL THAN HAVING OTHERS CALL HER A FRIEND…! SO PLEASE… DON’T MAKE HER SUFFER ANYMORE!”.

Young Nami reacts in shock: “A THIEF!I YOU’RE GOING TO ROB PIRATES!I”. She decides, “I’LL SAVE UP BIT BY BIT IN THIS TREASURE BOX AND BY THE TIME IT’S FULL, I’LL HAVE 100 MILLION BELI! NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO FIND IT IF I HIDE IT HERE.”. Later, Nojiko tends to Nami’s wounds while Nami insists, “ENOUGH ABOUT THAT, WE HAVE TO TREAT YOUR WOUNDS! I MESSED UP A LITTLE… BUT LOOK! I NOW HAVE 1 MILLION BELI! NAMI! WHAT’S WITH THOSE WOUNDS!I THAT’S RIGHT! I’LL GET BACK AT THOSE STUPID PIRATES FOR STARTING THIS AGE OF PIRATES!”. In a small room, Nami counts money at a table, thinking, “WITH MY EXPERIENCE, I SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THAT MUCH BY SETTING SAIL JUST ONE MORE TIME! IT’S BEEN A LONG WHILE, BUT I NOW ONLY NEED 7 MILLION MORE… BUT THERE’S STILL LONG WAYS TO GO… I STILL NEED 99 MILLION BELI MORE…”.

Nami sits alone at a table, hands clutching her head in anguish. "I'LL FINALLY BE FREED FROM ARLONG...!" she thinks. "ALL MY TROUBLES WILL HAVE BEEN WORTH IT...! JUST ONE MORE TRIP AND EVERYTHING WILL BE BACK THE WAY IT WAS..." A close-up shows her smiling softly, eyes closed. "I'LL BE ABLE TO SMILE FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, BELLEMERE...! AND AT LAST..." In the village street, Luffy stands with his back to the viewer as townspeople gather. Luffy turns with wide eyes and an open mouth, reacting to something off-panel.

A squad of Marines marches into the village square led by a tall officer with a pinwheel on his hat; dramatic speed lines and "SPIN SPIN SPIN" emphasize their arrival. Luffy stares in shock. "WHAT BUSINESS DO THE MARINES HAVE WITH NAMII" he shouts. A fish-man villager looks worried. The Marine captain smirks. "THAT'S NONE OF YOUR CONCERNS. JUST LEAD THE WAY." Luffy erupts in outrage, eyes bulging and mouth wide: "HAVE A PINWHEEL ON HIS HEAD!I...WHY DOES THAT MAN," while townspeople watch from a distance.

Nami smiles confidently. "ALRIGHT! TIME TO SET OUT FOR MY LAST HAUL!" She steps outside a building. Footsteps approach on the dirt path. Captain Nezumi and a hooded Marine officer confront her. Nezumi declares, "CHICHI... I'M CPT. NEZUMI OF THE MARINES' 16TH BRANCH. YOU MUST BE NAMI, THE CRIMINAL." Nami's eyes widen in surprise. "GEN...I" A hooded Marine adds, "AND THE MARINES..."

Nami stands with arms crossed, facing the Marines. "BUT I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW THAT I'M A CREW OFFICER FOR THE ARLONG PIRATES." She continues, "SO TELL ME, WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM MEI THAT ARLONG WON'T SIT STILL IF YOU HAPPENED TO HARM ME. I'M SURE A MARINE CAPTAIN SUCH AS YOURSELF SHOULD BE WELL AWARE." Nezumi grins slyly. "I HAVE RECEIVED REPORTS OF YOUR THIEVERY... DON'T WORRY, WE'RE NOT HERE TO HURT YOU BUT... THE INFORMATION I RECEIVED MENTIONED NO SUCH THING. CHICHI... I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. YOU'RE A PIRATE...I"

Outside a wooden building, Nami stands facing a group of Marines. One Marine explains, "SINCE YOUR VICTIMS WERE PIRATES, WE HAVE NO INTENTION OF LAYING ANY STRONG CHARGES AGAINST YOU." Another adds, "FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD, YOU STEAL TREASURE FROM PIRATES." Nami reacts with a sharp "!!I" The first Marine continues, "HOWEVER, A THIEF IS A THIEF AND A CRIME IS A CRIME." In the next panel Captain Nezumi gestures emphatically with clawed hands, declaring, "SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE GOVERNMENT SO THEY CAN BE RETURNED TO THEIR RIGHTFUL OWNERS." He presses further, "DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M GETTING ATI IT'S ONLY NATURAL THAT STOLEN GOODS OF CRIMINALS," while Nami listens tensely. The scene cuts to a close-up of Nezumi's sneering face as he snaps, "THIS INSTANT!" and orders, "I'M SAYING THAT YOU NEED TO HAND OVER ALL YOUR STOLEN GOODS TO US." Nami's eyes widen in shock; she blurts "WHAT DID YOU SAY!I" as sweat flies and impact lines burst around her with a loud "!!!!"

Marines burst into action. One shouts "YESSIR!" while another yells "SEARCH HER HOUSE!" as they charge forward with loud "ズッ" sound effects. Nami protests desperately, "W-WAIT! YOU CAN'T JUST ENTER OTHER PEOPLE'S HOMES WITHOUT PERMISSION!" Genzo appears in the background, shocked. Nami's face twists in fury as she demands, "WHAT'S THE MEANING OF THIS...!I IS THIS WHAT MARINES SHOULD BE DOING!I" She lunges forward, striking a Marine with heavy impact lines and shouting "AGHHH!" and "I SAID STOP!" The fight spills outside. Genzo confronts the Marines, shouting, "THE ARLONG PIRATES ARE GOING AROUND KILLING PEOPLE AND DESTROYING VILLAGES ON THIS ISLAND! YOU KNOW THAT, DON'T YOU!I" He pleads with Nami, "DON'T YOU HAVE SOMETHING MORE IMPORTANT TO TAKE CARE OF!I" while dust and debris fly around the scene.

Nami screams at the top of her lungs, "YET YOU IGNORE THAT CRISIS AND INSTEAD DECIDE TO CONFISCATE THE STOLEN GOODS OF ONE PETTY THIEF!I IS THAT HOW THE GOVERNMENT PRIORITIZES THINGS!I ALL THE PEOPLE ON THIS ISLAND ARE SLAVES UNDER THEIR RULE!" Sweat and motion lines emphasize her rage. Captain Nezumi smirks and orders, "IGNORE HER AND CONTINUE ON WITH THE SEARCH!" He chuckles, "CHICHI...! CRIMINALS SHOULDN'T SPEAK SO HIGH-HANDEDLY, LITTLE GIRL!" Marines begin digging up the orange fields with shovels. One reports, "CAPTAIN, THESE ORANGE FIELDS SEEM RATHER SUSPICIOUS..." Another Marine notes, "YOU PASS THEM BY WITHOUT EVEN A GLANCE AND COME RIGHT FOR ME!I" while the villagers watch in despair. The narration shows the people of the island waiting for Marine help that never comes, as digging continues with "ズッ" and "ズッ" effects.

Nami clutches her head and cries out, "I'LL NEVER HAND OVER MY MONEY TO THE LIKES OF YOU! THAT MONEY IS..." She is struck from behind with a heavy "パァァァァァ" impact, gasping "UGH!" as a Marine swings a club. In the background Genzo shouts, "DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH BELLEMERE'S ORANGES WITH YOUR FILTHY HANDS!" Nezumi looms in close-up, demanding, "IS THAT THE WAY A MERE VILLAGER SHOULD BE ADDRESSING A MARINE CAPTAIN...I" and "DO YOU STILL BELIEVE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO TAKE THAT MONEY AWAY!I" He roars, "THAT MONEY IS FOR THE SAKE OF EVERY RESIDENT HERE IN COCO YASHI VILLAGE!" Genzo, adjusting his pinwheel hat, mutters, "I KNEW ALL ALONG, NAMI...!" Nami stares in stunned silence, whispering "HOW DID YOU... KNOW THAT...I" and "GEN...!I" as shock lines surround her.

In Cocoyasi Village, a marine captain with a stitched face and tall hat confronts Nojiko while villagers watch. Narration states, "EVERYONE IN THE VILLAGE KNEW ALL ALONG." The captain continues, "BACK THEN, WE COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT YOU HAD DONE NO MATTER WHAT, SO WE FORCED NOJIKO TO TELL US THE TRUTH..." Nojiko, sweating and distressed, replies, "THAT'S WHY WE PRETENDED NOT TO KNOW." The captain explains, "OUR HOPES WOULD PRESSURE YOU INTO STAYING IF YOU EVER WANTED TO RUN AWAY FROM IT ALL. BUT WE FEARED THAT IF YOU KNEW THAT WE KNEW," as the scene shifts to the present. Villagers shout, "SO THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES! THEY'RE SAYING THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS HOPELESS." The marine captain spreads his arms and demands, "DOES THIS MEAN THAT ALL THE VILLAGERS IN THIS TOWN WERE ABETTING A THIEF SO WE SHOULD ARREST ALL OF YOUI WHAT ON EARTH IS THE MEANING OF THISI"

Nami's eyes blaze with fury as she roars at the marines, "ARLONGI ATTACK OUR SHIPI I WONDER ABOUT THAT... CHICHI... THEN GET THE HELL OUT THIS INSTANT! ARLONG MIGHT ATTACK YOUR SHIP IF YOU LINGER AROUND TOO LONG, YOU KNOW! IF YOU HAVE NO INTENTION OF SAVING THIS VILLAGE," her hair flaring dramatically. A marine questions from afar, "WE'RE NOT LOOKING FOR A SINGLE GRAIN OF RICE HERE! SHE SHOULD HAVE 100 MILLION BELI HIDDEN HERE! IT'D BE IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO FIND IT! HAVE YOU STILL NOT FOUND IT!I" Nami stares in shock, "WHATI" as another marine chuckles, "HMI OH, I JUST HAD A FEELING SHE'D HAVE THAT MUCH, CHICHI... WHAT!I HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY KNOW HOW MUCH THERE IS!I" Nami screams in panic, "SHAHAHAHA! IT CAN'T BE...!"

The marine captain sneers, "I WOULDN'T GO THAT FAR... AS WORKERS OF THE GOVERNMENT, WE'RE ONLY DOING OUR NATURAL DUTY OF PERSECUTING THIEVES..." Nami stands shocked amid impact lines, thinking, "WAS THIS ARLONG'S IDEA!I" She yells desperately, "ARLONG!" while a villager cries, "HOW COULD LET THEMSELVES BE ORDERED AROUND BY A PIRATE! WHY YOU CORRUPT BASTARDS!!!" The captain retorts, "THEY'RE HINDERING THE SEARCH. TAKE THEM AWAY FROM HERE." Marines raise rifles as massive sound effects erupt: "バキン!! ドドドドドドドドドド!!" Nami and others react in alarm.

Nojiko lies injured on the ground after being struck, with a marine standing over her. Villagers react in horror: "OHI DON'T TELL ME THE MARINES SHOT HER! HEY! NOJIKO! UGH...! WHAT'S GOING ON, GEN!I WHAT HAPPENED!I" Luffy appears, gulping in shock, "GULP! YOU'RE STILL HERE!I" as other Straw Hats and villagers gather. Luffy grabs Nami by the shoulders and shouts intensely, "HEY NAMI, WHAT'S UPI NEED ANY HELPI HEY NAMI, WHAT'S UPI SO JUST GET THE HELL OFF OF THIS ISLAND! THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU!"

Nami sprints desperately down a village street as an unseen figure is struck hard, crying out "OOF!" A voice shouts after her, "NAMI! WHERE'RE YOU GOING!I" She runs with fierce determination, tears in her eyes, repeatedly screaming "ARLONG! ARLONG! ARLONG!" In a close-up, sweat flying, she yells the name again. Four panels follow: Nami declares, "IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MANY YEARS IT TAKES, I SWEAR I'LL KEEP MY PROMISE!" Arlong responds, "FINE, THEN LET'S MAKE A DEAL." He continues, "IF YOU CAN PAY THE SUM OF 100 MILLION BERI IN A SINGLE PAYMENT, THEN I'LL NOT ONLY FREE YOUR VILLAGE BUT I'LL LET YOU GO FREE AS WELL!" Nami glares intensely. Arlong sneers, "DO YOU REALLY WANT YOUR TOWN BACK THAT MUCH, LITTLE GIRLI"

Nami races toward the massive structure labeled "ARLONG PARK" while shouting "ARLONG!" Inside the building, a fish-man with a large eye panics, "JUST CAME TO STEAL MY MONEY!" A marine officer with a scar laughs, "THE MARINES YOU'VE GOT WORKING FOR YOU," noting "YOUR FACE SEEMS RATHER FLUSHED." He asks his cartographer, "WHAT'S WRONG, MY TALENTED LITTLE CARTOGRAPHERI" as a small creature reacts with "!I" Arlong grabs Nami by the arm in a violent motion, demanding, "WHAT'S THE MEANING OF THIS!I DIDN'T YOU SAY YOU'D RATHER DIE THAN BREAK A PROMISE INVOLVING MONEY!" Nami struggles, replying, "HMI BUT I DID KEEP THAT PROMISE, DIDN'T II WHEN DID I EVER BREAK ITI"

Arlong looms with a massive toothy grin, growling, "WHEN EXACTLY, DID I EVER BREAK OUR PROMISEI PLEASE, TELL ME!" He adds menacingly, "DON'T PLAY DUMB WITH ME! YOU ORDERED THOSE MARINES TO STEAL MY M..." Nami stares in shock, sweat drops flying. Arlong bursts into laughter, "SHAHA HAHA!" In the background, chained villagers watch helplessly. Nami is shown restrained, her face filled with horror. Cut to Luffy sitting casually on some steps, asking, "JEEZ, WHAT'S WITH HERI" Nami breaks down in tears, screaming "CURSE YOU!!!" as impact lines and droplets emphasize her despair.

No description for this page.