Chapter Fifty-Two: The Celebration Banquet

“Mr. Roland, are you sure this will be alright?”
Ajian looked at Roland with concern. He had no idea what Roland’s real intentions were, but no matter what, these people were still part of the Navy.
Was it really okay to treat them like this?
Roland smiled and shook his head. “Mr. Ajian, you needn't worry. I won’t kill them; I’ll hand them over to the Navy at Loguetown. How they’re dealt with is up to the Navy itself.”
“As for me, I intend to join the Navy. If the higher-ups really decide to punish me because of a few corrupt officers, then perhaps the Navy isn’t worth joining after all.”
Roland was confident in his own strength. He didn’t fear the Navy rejecting someone as talented as him simply because of a corrupt colonel in a branch.
Even if such a thing happened, it would only mean he’d have to realize his goals by other means. It wouldn’t change much.
Ajian nodded, accepting Roland’s explanation, then went off to inventory the wealth Arlong had plundered.
He left the matter of the Navy entirely in Roland’s hands.
When the tally was complete, Ajian drew in a sharp breath. The total value was two billion, one hundred thirty-five million Berries—a sum so astronomical he could scarcely imagine it.
All of this money had been extorted from the villagers by Arlong.
If that wealth had remained in their possession, their lives these years would never have been so miserable.
Arlong, damn him…
After cursing Arlong once more, Ajian hurried off to discuss with Nami how best to return the money to the victims.
The villagers of Cocoyasi moved swiftly, dividing the funds into several portions and then taking them back to the village.
Returning the money would be a task for tomorrow or the day after. Tonight, there was something far more important: a celebration.
According to the customs of the pirate world, any major event warranted a grand festival.
Even without that enormous fortune, they now had enough strength to host a proper celebration.
As dusk fell quietly, bonfires blazed in the central square.
All around the flames, an array of delicious foods released tantalizing aromas.
For such festivities, besides food and fire, the most essential element was good wine.
At this moment, Zoro was already lost in his drink. For a man who loved alcohol, nothing suited him better than a festival.
With Ajian’s introduction, the villagers all came to know Roland—a handsome, charismatic man with formidable strength.
People sang and danced, especially the young women. Many laughed around the bonfire, but most of the girls clustered near Roland.
Who wouldn’t be drawn to a man both handsome and powerful?
Unfortunately, he was already spoken for.
Nami, that girl, had an unmistakably close relationship with Roland. They were all from the same village; no one would break ties with Nami over a man.
Moreover, Nami deserved half the credit for saving the village.
After the round of drinks ended, the girls left Roland's side, leaving him and Nami alone.
From afar, Nojiko watched and covered her mouth, chuckling.
Her little Nami had grown up, and Bell-mère could rest easy now.
Once the girls departed, Roland dropped down to the ground, watching the dancers by the fire.
Compared to the rough men aboard his teacher’s ship, the lively, beautiful girls were far more pleasant to watch.
He simply enjoyed the dances, savoring the moment.
Regardless of gender or age, everyone was basking in freedom, laughing from the heart.
Wasn’t his dream to bring such scenes to the entire world?
A world without oppression or exploitation, where everyone lived freely.
Perhaps there would still be pressures, but compared to their previous lives, it would be happiness enough.
He couldn’t create a utopia, but he could at least change the current order so people could pursue their desires within certain boundaries.
Nami, noticing Roland’s gaze lingering on the girls, felt awkward but said nothing. She understood his character well.
She sat beside him, watching the laughter and joy.
In that moment, she felt utterly relaxed—more so than at any time in her life.
It seemed that from the moment she met this man, everything had changed.
Tilting her head, Nami shifted her gaze from the dancers to Roland.
She remembered their first meeting, in the middle of a storm. She had mistaken him for a pirate and planned to rob him blind.
“Roland, thank you,” Nami said softly, smiling gently.
“You’re the navigator I’ve chosen. No need for thanks between us,” Roland replied with a smile.
Nami’s smile froze; she looked away, her expression awkward.
Is that really what she wanted to hear?
But it was this very character that made Roland who he was.
Standing up, Nami seemed to remember something. She turned and walked toward the edge of the village.
She crossed the woods and arrived at a cliff, where a small grave stood—that of Bell-mère.
She sat cross-legged before the wooden cross, a genuine smile on her face.
Behind the cross lay the sea, and though it was deep into the night, moonlight illuminated the waves.
The shimmering surface reflected the gentle breeze.
Nami sat there quietly, gazing at the ocean.
“Mr. Zoro, come dance with us!”
Back in the village, a group of girls found Zoro, who was hiding in a corner, drinking to his heart’s content, and dragged him to the bonfire.
Since Roland was clearly unavailable, his companion might have a chance—especially the one with green hair, who exuded a fierce aura.
Zoro’s reaction was genuine: terror and annoyance written all over his face.
He did enjoy festivals, but only because they allowed him to drink without restraint; it didn’t mean he was ready to dance.
Still, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse the villagers’ goodwill, so he reluctantly joined the girls, while plotting his escape.
In the corner, Coby, spared thanks to his small stature, breathed a sigh of relief. He feared ending up like Zoro, surrounded by girls at the bonfire.
His introverted nature made him ill-suited to such situations.
Yet seeing everyone singing and dancing, their faces radiant with joy, Coby was genuinely happy for them.
He had once dreamed of joining the Navy to defend justice, to ensure people could smile freely.
On the cliff outside the village, Nojiko approached and saw Nami sitting quietly.
“Why are you here?”
“Nojiko, do you think Bell-mère would be proud if she knew I joined the Navy?”
Nami turned to Nojiko, hope in her eyes.
“I doubt it. Bell-mère would think a clumsy girl like you would only cause trouble for the Navy,” Nojiko replied with a gentle laugh.
“I think so too,” Nami laughed as well.
She had agreed to join the Navy with Roland not only because of him, but also because of Bell-mère’s influence.
After Arlong’s death, if she was destined to set sail, she never considered becoming a pirate.
Those lawless, wicked thugs—if she ever became one, Bell-mère would never forgive her.