Chapter 148: Nami Washes Underwear [Tips Appreciated]

The journey proceeded smoothly. Aside from Kaya's immense astonishment at the sudden appearance of Kuro, after some explanation and persuasion from Tang Shen, everyone was getting along quite harmoniously.

According to the set route, the Swan would soon arrive at Cocoyasi Village.

Looking out the window, Nami could hardly believe that this devil-like fellow had actually agreed to her request to go to Cocoyasi Village. With a sorrowful gaze fixed upon the outside scenery, her emotions were exceptionally complicated.

Three days later.

Cocoyasi Village.

Lush woods dotted the small village, interspersed with scattered wooden houses and muddy pathways. A massive quantity of orange trees was cultivated across these intersecting fields; in fact, the entire region was blanketed in orange groves.

Cultivating oranges was no easy task. Weeding, fertilizing, and pest control could keep a person exhausted from dawn till dusk. However, for Nojiko, she found immense joy within it.

Her short purple hair and bangs covering her left eye lent her an air of exceptional vigor. Perhaps due to the frequent work in the orange groves, Nojiko's figure was remarkably tall, slender, and voluptuous. With well-proportioned curves, a slim waist, and straight thighs, a purple floral tattoo extended from her left arm across the valley of her chest, curling into a lovely heart shape that added an extra touch of breathtaking beauty.

Combined with her exquisite yet unadorned pretty face, she was the center of attention throughout the entire Cocoyasi Village.

Caring for the orange grove in the morning, returning home at noon to bathe, have lunch, and rest had already become Nojiko's routine. Whenever this time came, she would always gaze eagerly into the distance toward the sea, anticipating the return of her younger sister, Nami. No matter what hardships she encountered, this young girl in her late teens would always wear a gentle smile.

The Swan finally docked in the afternoon, arriving at Cocoyasi Village.

Looking at the familiar village before her, a myriad of emotions washed over Nami's heart. She forced a bright, sunny smile onto her face—at least, that was how it appeared to all the villagers. Innocent Nami! Radiant Nami! Smiling Nami!

Every smile was merely meant to disguise the pain within, to earnestly cherish this final, retainable sliver of happiness.

"Perhaps... protecting Bell-mère's orange grove and guarding Cocoyasi Village is simply my destined fate."

Nami's soft murmur was interrupted by a fierce voice from outside.

"Hey! Nami, we're home. You promised to treat me to oranges; isn't it about time we get going?"

Tang Shen's call rang out, causing Nami to puff out her cheeks in anger, wishing she could punch this bastard to death.

Koby and Kuro had been dispatched to purchase some supplies, while Kaya remained on the ship. As for Tang Shen and Nami, they naturally went to fetch some of the oranges she cultivated. Tang Shen was well aware that failing to bring fresh fruit on a long voyage could easily lead to scurvy, which was no laughing matter and might drag one's stamina down to zero.

He wasn't sure if the game was programmed that way, but it was always best to be prepared.

"Hmph! We had a deal. Here, you must call me Nami, and you are forbidden from calling me... that name..."

Standing before Tang Shen with puffed-up cheeks, upon realizing that this guy wasn't as terrifying as she had imagined, Nami seemed to have rediscovered her former arrogant confidence.

"What name is that?"

Tang Shen asked knowingly, a teasing smile playing on his lips. To salvage her remaining shred of feminine dignity, Nami had agreed to wash Tang Shen's underwear by hand as repayment, on the condition that Tang Shen wouldn't call her 'slave' in Cocoyasi Village.

"You!!"

Driven almost to the brink of madness, Nami's strength had grown considerably after this period of training, but facing a monster like Tang Shen, every time she lost resulted in her backside getting a spanking. She dared to feel angry yet didn't dare to speak out.

"Alright, alright, Nami really gets angry easily. Considering that you'll be washing my underwear, I'll agree to it."

Tang Shen said casually, though his words caused both Koby and Kuro in the distance to blush deeply; pretending not to hear, they hurriedly scampered off to purchase supplies.

"..."

Nami gritted her teeth. If biting people were allowed, she swore she would make this bastard in front of her kneel and beg for mercy!

Even with overwhelming humiliation in her heart, the moment she encountered the villagers, Nami's pretty face instantly transformed into something intensely radiant—a pure, flawless smile, stunning and bright!

"Isn't that Arlong's lackey? You actually have the nerve to come back!"

culus
"Nami, our village doesn't welcome you!!"

"Get away from us, you fish-man bastard!"

"Bell-mère shouldn't have adopted you; what an ungrateful wretch!!"

...

Along the way, the villagers of Cocoyasi Village directed cold words at Nami. The sharp and scathing remarks pierced straight to the heart, yet she still wore a smile, gazing amicably at these villagers even while being detested!

"Do they really hate you that much?"

Tang Shen still wore a sunny smile on his face. This young girl had it tough, and this group of villagers was thoroughly shameless for letting a child bear such a heavy burden at such a young age.

Yet this was also the tragedy of the weak—enslaved by a bunch of trash who had fled from the New World. Just as Fish-man Island despised humans, the humans here loathed the fish-men; perhaps this was the cycle of cause and effect.

The oppressed fish-men, unable to fight back against the World Government and the Celestial Dragons, adopted the exact same methods toward humans. Perhaps this was human nature—no, bestial nature!

"Yeah, they really hate me."

Nami was smiling as well, as radiant as ever, yet beneath that radiance lay a poignant sorrow.

They were once the people Bell-mère protected. Now that Bell-mère was gone, then... she would be the one to guard her final wish.

Only by smiling could Nami feel the warmth of this sunlight, allowing her to forget the loneliness and pain deep within her soul.

"Sigh..."

With a low sigh, Tang Shen said no more. Since she had made her own decision, why interfere?

"Right! Hmph! Captain, if you dare say even a single wrong word in front of my sister, I..."

She wanted to threaten Tang Shen, but Nami realized... how utterly powerless her threats were. With a flushed, embarrassed face, she finally blurted out, "I'll wash your underwear with my feet!!"

"..."

Tang Shen almost choked with laughter. What kind of threat was that...

"Ahem, I'll knock on the door. After all, we're guests here, and since we didn't bring any gifts, we still need to mind our manners."

Clearing his throat, Tang Shen finally granted Nami a little face.

"Hmph! That's more like it. Nojiko should be home. When the time comes, just say you're my friend—a regular friend!"

Deliberately emphasizing the word 'regular', Nami crossed her arms and said with a hint of smugness.

"Considering you're washing my underwear, I'll help you out this once. Your family has food to eat, right? I'm already starving. Whether it's you or your sister, remember to cook for me."

Not forgetting to tack on that instruction, which earned him a roll of Nami's eyes, Tang Shen straightened his collar and walked over to knock on the door in a solemn manner.

It looked like a very elegant and secluded wooden house.

Knock, knock, knock~~~

He knocked lightly, but the door wasn't even latched. The sound of splashing water seemed to echo from within.

Was the house leaking?

Tang Shen paused for a moment, then strode directly inside.

Next.

Nami, still standing outside the door, suddenly widened her beautiful eyes in shock as she abruptly heard Nojiko's panicked, frantic scream from inside the house.

"Ah—you pervert! Get out right now! How dare you barge in while I'm taking a bath!!"