On the outskirts, far from the core streets of Cocoyashi Village, there sits a modest and simple wooden house.
This house is handcrafted by the former marine, Bell-mère, where Nami and her sister, Nojiko, live.
Creak.
Nami pushes open the wooden door and walks into the house with ease.
“Nami? You’re back?”
Bell-mère, wearing a green checkered shirt, hears the movement and quickly emerges from the kitchen, squatting down to tightly embrace Nami.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I said something too harsh earlier without considering your feelings.”
Her eyes moisten, and she buries her head deeply into Nami’s small shoulder.
Naomi, who is naturally stubborn, wasn’t planning to back down, but upon hearing the tired, tearful voice of Bell-mère, her little temper disappears instantly.
She wants to wear pretty new clothes and eat lots of delicious food, but ultimately, she wants Bell-mère to be happy and not so tired.
“Your stomach must be empty, Nami? Sit at the table and wait. I’ll heat the food for you.”
Bell-mère discreetly wipes away the tears from her eyes, props up her knees with her hands, stands up again, and walks into the kitchen to heat the meal.
Due to the dry weather, the orange business isn’t doing well this year, so she’d rather eat some orange meat to fill her hunger so the two children can have a proper meal.
She wants to save the money for emergencies.
“Wait, Bell-mère.”
Nami reaches out and grabs Bell-mère’s arm.
“Nami, can you stop being so stubborn? Bell-mère has done so much for us!”
Nojiko, with her short blue hair and wearing a similarly simple short-sleeved shirt, frowns slightly, thinking Nami is still temperamental.
Two years older than Nami, she is much more mature and knows that Bell-mère’s statement about “eating orange peel to maintain skin” is a lie to ensure they eat properly.
“No, someone wants to buy our oranges!”
Little Nami points to the people outside the door, and only then do Bell-mère and Nojiko notice the several people standing at their doorstep.
Apart from the familiar guard, Genzo, the rest have never been seen in the village.
“Bell-mère, they came from the sea and heard that the oranges here are very good and want to buy a batch.”
As Genzo explains, he smiles and waves to Nojiko.
At the news, Bell-mère and Nojiko carefully examine the three people.
Because of her experience as a marine, Bell-mère’s gaze slightly narrows, instantly discerning that Icey and his companions are not ordinary people.
Nojiko’s reaction is similar to Nami’s; she’s startled by King’s imposing face and awed by Aqua’s beauty.
Icey also observes Bell-mère, the female marine who courageously protected her two daughters even in the face of the entire Arlong Pirates.
Her tall figure, combined with her short hair, exudes a heroic and confident demeanor.
“Hello, we run a restaurant at sea.” Icey calmly greets.
“I see. Then you’ve come to the right place. The oranges I grow are large and sweet, top-quality!” After a brief moment of surprise, Bell-mère invites Icey and his companions inside.
“Nojiko, go brew some tea, and Nami, don’t just stand there. Come and help.”
After assigning tasks to the two children, Bell-mère sits cross-legged on the sofa in the living room, naturally takes out a cigarette case, and offers cigarettes to Icey and his companions.
Icey, not particularly interested in smoking, was about to refuse, but seeing the cheap cigarette held between Bell-mère’s slender fingers, out of respect, he accepted it.
He lights it up and exhales a smoke ring leisurely.
Seeing this, Bell-mère can’t help but smile knowingly: this deal should go smoothly if things don’t fall apart!
Ah-choo! Ah-choo!
Just as she’s about to probe their psychological price, Aqua suddenly starts coughing violently beside her.
She holds a lit cigarette in one hand while the other hand rapidly beats her chest, her tongue poking out from her mouth, her expression colorful, clearly suffering from being choked by the thick cigarette smoke.
“If you’re not used to it, it’s okay to throw it away.” Bell-mère’s eyes curve into crescents as she lightly laughs.
“How is that possible? How can the great Goddess of Water not adapt to a mere cigarette!”
Always eager to take on chaotic situations, Aqua was instantly displeased, puffing away at her cigarette and then proudly exhaling pure white smoke rings.
“How’s that? This is the power of the great Goddess of Water, Aqua!”
King, always ready to jump into chaotic situations, was not pleased with her response, puffing away at her cigarette, then proudly exhaling pure white smoke rings.
“How’s that? This is the power of the great Goddess of Water, Aqua!”
Beside her, Icey couldn’t help but feel speechless while Nojiko, holding a peeled orange, offered it to Aqua.
This two-year-old sister of Nami is indeed much more mature, knowing how to use such means to promote their oranges.
“Thank you.”
Icey takes the orange and tastes it. It is juicy and sweet, with a distinct sweetness lingering, and it is quite good indeed.
“No problem, let’s go with the price you offered.” He responds readily.
Stating reasons to ask for more money could easily hurt the other party’s pride for no reason.
“Then thank you for your patronage!” Bell-mère smiles happily.
With this big deal done, their future livelihood is secured for a long time, and they no longer have to worry about whether the oranges will sell out!
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