Arlong Park Arc: Part IV

[we_are]

Wow, it’s been a while hasn’t it? Well I’m back in the saddle and going to try to give more regular updates. I blame NaNoWriMo for the most part (and holidays etc etc)

Part IV will consist of a little bit of the present day, Usopp reuniting with the others etc, but mostly will focus on Nami’s past since it’s impossible to separate her past from her present. We’ll touch on family being how you make it, cover the importance of money how it stands at this moment, and talk a lot about Bellemere, trying to figure out who she is and the impact she’s had on her daughter’s lives.
Also buckle in, my friends, this is kind of a long one.

As we come to the second half of chapter 76, we come right up on Usopp.




He definitely has a lot to think about. He heads back to Cocoyashi, the first safe place he can think of, probably, but notice how he’s only focused on Nami and her sacrifice rather than himself or even the Merry. He’s figuring Nami out, too and it doesn’t take much. As much as Usopp will jump to conclusions, he doesn’t deny the truth when he sees it—especially when Nami made such a sacrifice for his sake. (the ‘how could you’ is inaccurate, not that anyone is surprised—though it does sort of suggest his shock at what she did. )

I also like the shot of the villagers in the background, though it’s difficult to tell exactly what they’re doing. The one guy in the shorts seems pretty mad about something and the one with the foot propped on a rock…seems to be sharpening a garden tool of some kind? Or at least whacking it with a hammer. I can’t say what it is one way or another but I love the background details that really makes the world feel populated and lived in.



For Usopp, though, not only does he recognize what she did and why she did it. He wants to do something about it. Again, there’s no mention of his own safety or Merry. Though doing something about it does rely on Zoro doing most of the doing. Usopp is definitely not confident enough to make any sort of decision about it on his own – and Zoro is the stronger one. (Another translation suggests this more by saying: I can’t do anything until I hook up with Zoro) But he definitely wants to be proactive about it rather than just sailing away.



And then Usopp realizes a catch in his plan. (I love how bendy his nose is here. It’s super cute) Usopp doesn’t not in any way want to deal with Arlong Park again. He’s probably had enough of Fishmen and he certainly doesn’t want to do it on his own. However, he races toward Arlong Park once more, hoping he can catch Zoro en route and most likely putting himself at risk again. Why? Here so he can touch base with nakama and figure out what to do about Nami. It’s a fairly bold move for someone not particularly strong.




I like the placement of the above panel. Sanji is off to the side, still apart from the group just a little. It’s debatable whether or not Zoro knows Sanji is nakama yet, but I’m going to assume he doesn’t because I’m not sure Sanji would have said—nor would Zoro have assumed it be the case. Either way, he’s situated at least some distance from them and mostly by himself. Still—at some distance and mostly by himself is what we’ve seen of him on his last days at the Baratie. This is still how he associates with people, particularly men who are not squishy and vulnerable like Gin or Yosaku—or Luffy who sits in his own category. You can even see some tension in him.

Also Zoro sitting at Luffy’s head, because of course he is. The Wado against his shoulder means he’s on guard, ready for action—but ready for action whenever Luffy wakes up and decides what it is they should do. Because Usopp’s fate is unknown, (could be alive, could be dead, can’t tell whether you see him alive or dead so in a way he exists in a place in between, sort of like a Schrödinger’s Usopp) he doesn’t have enough reason to go after him. Since, if he’s dead, there’s nothing Zoro can do, if he’s alive there’s nothing Zoro needs to do. Either way it’s up to Luffy to decide the next step and Zoro won’t move without him.

That Luffy is right in the middle of the road is interesting, too. I don’t think he chose that spot for any reason other than he was standing there at the moment—but thematically it means that nothing can happen on that road between Arlong Park and Cocoyashi without him being in the middle of it.

Finally getting down to the lower panel, Sanji’s concerned about Usopp in part—but more concerned about Nami’s character. He’s contemplating whether or not she’s actually a good person, I think, (though good defined here as not a murderer of a companion) and the fact that she might not be is kind of difficult to swallow. He really likes Nami a lot, (or rather the ideal of Nami) and he was looking forward to sailing with her. I don’t think he’s encountered a woman he’s actively disliked (at least not a young pretty one) but I can’t see him liking someone who is a traitor. After all, we’ve seen him against Kalifa, and though he goes wiggly over her and liked her in a sexual sense, she was definitely an antagonist.



This section has always bugged me. You could just write it up as a set up for a gag, and it’s a pretty funny one. But it’s no fun to just write it off that way, besides which I think there’s some interesting characterization going on here.

First, let’s look at Zoro. I think at this point he is reasonably assured that Usopp is still alive. (Especially due to Nami’s outburst and not actually admitting that she killed him. He’s had some time to think about it. Besides which, if he thought Usopp were dead by her hands, I doubt he’d be making light of it) But I think it’s harkening back to when Nami pulled him out of the water and how he was teasing her about it. About not being tough enough. And of course he’s still thinking on his own wavelength in that being considered “small-time” is an insult which Nami would have to prove otherwise, but also perhaps calling her petty by taking it out on Usopp.

I think it’s framed though as sort of a joke. Though only in Zoro terms and in a joke funny to Zoro.
For Sanji’s side, not only is it not funny, but he doesn’t get it. It’s almost like Zoro’s mocking him or mocking her or the situation and he has to stand up to that because he isn’t about to let himself be teased so easily. He also wants to leap to Nami’s defense, as part of his character. But either he doesn’t know what to say about her other than twisting Zoro’s words around to make it so he’s talking about her breasts, or because that was the first defense that came to mind. (or a third part because he thinks they are on the small side, though that’s all relatively speaking and just a thought)

Either way, there is an unfortunate Usopp sandwich XD



Poor poor Usopp. XD I adore Sanji and Zoro’s expressions here. The dawning ‘oh shit’ in Sanji’s face. Remember Sanji is super controlled which means Usopp stuck his face in so fast that Sanji didn’t even have time to react until after he’d kicked Usopp against Wado’s sheathe. This is completely unexpected for Zoro, too. Another character whose very into control. Granted he’s moving to block Sanji’s kick and not really actively attack but Usopp poking his nose in was a complete shock. Like where the hell did he come from. Also Zoro’s line at the very end. Rofl Nice

We cut back to the mikan grove where Nojiko hears crashing coming from the house.



Nami is having a terrible day. You can see what an explosive temper she has even here, though this is, of course, an extreme circumstance. She can’t hold back. She has to vent her frustration somehow or break because of it. I think it’s a testament to her character that she vents on objects rather than innocent people. (Not that she doesn’t wail on others when she’s pissed later on—but there’s pissed and then there’s in a rage). But she likes to break stuff and she likes it loud. The picture frame is cracked, the table and chair flung over, the window shattered. I wouldn’t be surprised if she chucked books through it in her rage. Also I love how it’s not just her being tsun but legitimate anger.

And of course Nojiko comes onto the scene calmly, surveying the mess and asking what’s wrong. Once again she serves as a calm counterweight to Nami’s anger. Though at the same time she doesn’t let the anger dominate her. She’s not really happy with the mess being made, but recognizes it as stemming from something really bothering Nami.



Again, showing their characters. Nami would rather hide things and deal with it herself. Though Nojiko sees right through her because she knows Nami. Also, man, mor evidence of Nami’s destruction. She probably punched that cabinet thing. She’s got a lot of strength in that fist of hers.

Also as an aside, I wonder if Nami is glancing at the treasure map because she’s trying to figure out where the hell to relocate it and this on top of everything else is making the day insufferable.



This is super sweet, though. Inasmuch as Nami wants to keep everything to herself, Nojiko won’t allow that. I can see her making Nami promise to share at least what’s going on—because they’re family. And though Nami (ostensibly) was successful in shutting the village out of her life, Nojiko won’t allow her to do that to her. Though even when Nami doesn’t directly tell her, Nojiko knows enough to guess what might be bothering her. The people that like her enough to come after her. Also Nami being slightly shocked at Nojiko knowing a part of Nami’s life Nami didn’t knew she knew. Man, aside from all that, Nojiko is just super cute in all these shots.



But this, man this scene…

First of all it establishes this place as a definite home for Nami. It’s a place she can be herself and act on her true emotions, even if they are rage. It’s also a place where she can sleep, rest, to be protected even if it’s by a blanket over her shoulders and Nojiko will watch over her. Also note the bracelet Nojiko is wearing as we’ll see it again later. And as for Nojiko herself, it’s evident that she cares for Nami—that despite their backgrounds of not even being blood related, it’s irrelevant. Nojiko cares for Nami like a sister. She understands her. She watches over her. She does what she can, even if it’s not fighting. Sometimes enduring is the only thing you can do.

And that strong emotion, it’s a bittersweet feeling. I actually think Nojiko is holding back a little for Nami’s sake though she almost seems as if she wants to be upset herself over this change in circumstance.
Why are “friends” (or probably nakama) the most painful word for her? Well for one I think it’s sort of bitter for her since the Arlong Pirates are her nakama, but they’re only nakama in the sense that they benefit off of her and no matter how much they may get along to some extent, she’s there only under coercion… and I can’t imagine it’s very pleasant. Also, sort of similar to Robin, her specialty being betrayal, she’s had to insinuate herself into a group and then leave them.

Granted, she only steals from pirates and she hates pirates so she was never going to be friends with them to begin with. But I think of course she wants friends, companions, nakama. She wants to feel safe and loved and not having to bend herself in order to survive mentally working under Arlong and doing what she must. But anyone who goes against Arlong would be killed (she believes) and I can imagine that he wouldn’t be happy with anyone getting close to her. In fact, he may even get suspicious, and a suspicious Arlong is a dangerous thing.

After that we cut back to the boys.



Luffy’s concern for Usopp is pretty cute. (Again, supporting him with a hand at his core. I don’t know if there’s a specific meaning behind it, I just like that aesthetic). Of course it’s presented as goofy, but it’s again pointing toward Luffy’s character. He’s not going to assume until he has proof and since the last he heard was that Nami killed Usopp, went to sleep, and woke up with Usopp looking wrecked, it’s a pretty reasonable conclusion to come to.

Sanji quickly smoothes the situation over by explaining and taking responsibility (and bringing Zoro with him) and Zoro’s pretty grumpy about it—which is sort of understandable, I mean, Sanji was the one that overreacted and tried to kick him. Zoro was just defending himself with the Wado. On the other hand, from Sanji’s point of view, it was Zoro’s fault for talking so badly about Nami’s cup size. (and general character)

I love how cute and sheepish Sanji is in the bottom panel. It’s rare that we get to see him like this. But it was pretty much his fault and he’s not the kind to get mad at the squishy vulnerable types who didn’t deserve to get kicked in the face. Though of course he can’t really flat out apologize to Usopp. Who may be a squishy vulnerable type of guy but also a guy, and far less vulnerable than Gin was. Also, of course, he’s still integrating into the group and doesn’t really have that much familiarity with Usopp quite yet.

Usopp, however, has not forgotten about that fruit parfait that he did not receive and it was a travesty to the natural order of things! If Sanji’s not careful, Usopp will start ignoring him next and then what will he do?

Their relationship is kind of hilarious, is what I’m saying.



This is a nice little characterization uptick here.

Tracing Usopp’s story line so far, he’s sort of like the incoming tide, tentatively creeping toward his goal of being a warrior of the sea (and a hero), pulling back, and then pushing forward again, covering a little more ground each time.

At the beginning of the arc, he was primarily after the Merry. He was ready to abandon Nami twice, once when he decided to steal the Merry before they were dissuaded by Fishmen, and once when he believed Nojiko’s words and thought the worst of Nami a little too quickly. But here and a little before this point, as we’ve discussed, his concern is Nami. Because she saved his life and did it in a way that he can’t brush off.

(Not that he would consciously. But he was willing to brush off her contributions on Syrup readily enough) And while he doesn’t have a solution to the problem, he presents the problem to others (who are stronger and must less likely to suffer from sudden death).

In this case, the problem is, Nami must have a reason why she ended up with them. In other words, she must be in trouble. He doesn’t say to go save her. He doesn’t say to interfere. But it’s giving her the benefit of the doubt. Which, for Usopp at this point, is pretty big—considering what happened in Syrup. Also Usopp knows what it’s like to hide behind a different facet of yourself. Not that Usopp does it particularly well (or does it so grandly so that people can’t see the whole truth) but when he’s had time to think about everything that has transpired (and without being in mortal fear of his life) he understands what Nami might be going through.


Nojiko comes into the scene, saying once again that it’s impossible to overthrow Arlong’s control and to try doing so is useless.



I love that Zoro’s the one staying on task for this, asking the important questions. (and the little eyebrow tic. Hee) and Sanji—oh Sanji. That’s the second absolutely gorgeous woman he’s seen so far today and it’s just been fantastic for him. Note, he just thinks she’s beautiful—not even mentioning the tattoos… I do think that Sanji likes a little wildness in a girl.

Nojiko is pretty understanding. She gets that they are here to help and that they are well intentioned. But their good intentions are driving Nami off the deep-end with worry and frustration. But because they are well intentioned, Nojiko is going to tell them the back story so that they will know how hopeless it all is and just what they stand to screw up.

The chapter ends with Nezumi showing up, but we’ll skip over him for the moment in order to stay on task ourselves.




And, of course, Luffy doesn’t care about the past. Why? Because it makes no difference to him. Only the present matters. Only the now. Only what Nami wants now, or who Nami is now, has any bearing on the decision he’s going to make. Everything that happened is pretty much irrelevant because Luffy can only move forward.
The bottom panel is interesting, too. First Usopp drawing most of the attention, because, walking away from someone’s life story? Rude, Luffy! You could at least hear it! Story is pretty important to Usopp as well as, I think, knowing where people come from. But then shifting to the side, I love Zoro and Sanji’s body language. Zoro’s casual letting Luffy do what he wants and, since no action seems to be on the horizon, just relaxing. Sanji with a little tension as he watches Luffy go and seems to want to go up after him, but ultimately doesn’t because, I imagine, what’s the point?



I love that Nojiko doesn’t know what to make of it. She can’t tell what he’s thinking and he can be pretty inscrutable. But mostly, I just love Zoro’s sort of proud expression at the end. He approves of Luffy being Luffy to the utmost. Because at the end of the day, even if no one knows what Luffy is feeling, he’s not going to be anything other than himself and Zoro really digs that. It takes a kind of strength to be just who you are and screw social obligations and what anyone else may think of you.



Zoro tells it like it is. He’s pretty much a realist to Sanji’s idealist, and Luffy’s boundless optimism. He’s also blunt as hell and not afraid to lay it out without any padding whatsoever. But he’s letting her have her say because it’s important to her—and she wants to tell them. This is also the reason why a lot of people view him as the captain, too. He’s the one who is making the decision, saying it will probably make no difference. Though, if you think about it, the reason why her story won’t change anything is because Luffy isn’t there to set their course. In fact, right now there is no course. We know the inevitable outcome, but as far as Luffy is concerned, the only thing he wants to do is stay on the island.



Also “we’ll listen” apparently applies to the group as the whole rather than Zoro himself. It’s largely a gag, and you can decide whether he wanted to listen or not… But for me I think he was of the mindset that either he would listen if he could stay awake, or he would listen as he slept. And sleeping seems pretty abrupt—but at the same time, aside from the fact that we know canonically he only gets about 3 hours a night… he was just eviscerated by Mihawk, beaten up by Nami right where it hurt, beat up Fishman in turn, raced to save Usopp, found out that Usopp was dead, and then realized he was alive. It’s been pretty damn eventful for Zoro all things considered—so it’s probably healthy to get a nap in while he can. XD

Usopp has about had it with all these rude jerks, though.



And, gosh this is so cute though. Here’s where Usopp and Sanji are on the same wavelength. They want to understand people and their stories. They like to listen. They want to know what’s going on. For Usopp especially understanding is important because Nami saved him—so he wants to know all that there is about this situation. For Sanji, hey, knowing more about Nami is an unexpected bonus—and being told by a gorgeous women is just frosting on the cake. That is such a happy, open grin and he’s just so pleased I can’t with him. ~~<3
Also Zoro sleeping and snoring away included…because it’s Zoro. What? Like I need another reason.



This is the first time someone says this about the Strawhats and it won’t be the last. XD But the reason they’re giving her a hard time is because they’re stubborn, but also kind and quite obviously care about her. It’s super hard for Nami to deal with because she loves them so much she can’t stand the thought that they’ll be killed.

And Luffy walking, his expression fairly blank, but it’s a watching look. He’s seeing what there is to see. Seeing what comes at him or doesn’t. In this way he can make his own decisions unclouded by anything that went on or anyone’s opinions of the matter.

But even if Luffy isn’t interested in Nami’s past, we are. Because like Usopp, Nami is connected with her village. But unlike Usopp she is very much a part of it. Her past is also the shared past of everyone in the village, including Arlong to some extent. So let’s get right into the past, skipping the scene were Nami wakes up for now.



Right away, you can see this story is shared. Nojiko started it, but in the top right we see Nami reflecting on it. (Most of it we see in the part we cut) But even beyond that, it is not just Nami and Nojiko, but Genzo as well and the other Cocoyashi Villagers.

Firstly, though, let’s look at Nami here. She’s pretty selfish here, yes, but it’s a child’s selfishness and a child’s understanding of the world. She’s not hurting anyone stealing books and she can’t afford one anyway. All of the characters have a core need, whether it be love or strength or attention or control, and Nami is no different. Her core need is stuff right now. She has food. She has love. She’s well taken care of and not expected to be any stronger than a typical ten year old. So she wants stuff. Specifically a book. And not just any book, but one on Navigation. She’s hungry for knowledge, to read and expand her mind on a subject she’s already keenly interested in. What I specifically love about this though is that she isn’t doing this for the sake of anyone. Not even due to anyone’s hopes and dreams for her. She’s studying navigation because she’s super fascinated by it.

Now let’s look at Genzo. He’s angry at her, obviously. But note that this is at least the second time. He’s already letting Nami get away with things she shouldn’t be able to get away with, as we’ll see a little later, but he’s trying to make sure she gets it; too, that stealing is bad.

Also in line with Genzo, the villager just behind Nami sort of expresses the general attitude toward her. A kind of exasperated fondness. Like haha she’ll never change, but she’s just a kid. In other words, she’s quite loved in her home town. You don’t get the feeling that anyone is going to chase her with broomsticks. (Granted she’s not bolting through the village at ungodly hours of the morning yelling at the top of her lungs—but can you imagine what would happen to Usopp if he stole?)

Moving on, Genzo takes Nami to her house and calls out for Bellemere, telling her that her “little cat burgler” or “naughty kitten” has done it again. And then we see the woman herself.



Bellemere with a DON!

At first sight she upends many expectations of what a female character can be. She’s lanky with a small waist, yes, but her hair is shaved (seemingly in deference to her past with the Navy) and she’s smoking. Also she looks pretty pissed off and gruff. That’s likely because Genzo is bellowing at her and hammering on the door. She treats aggression with aggression and takes no nonsense from anyone. I even like the aggressive way she’s standing at the door, standing outside, but still owning her space, saying this is my house and don’t dare set a foot inside.



But as soon as she looks at Nami she’s all smiles and warmth. I think that she’s glad to see her, of course. But I also think this is sort of a front. As we’ll see she’s not happy with what Nami is doing, but in front of Genzo, who is the greatest adversary they have at the moment, Bellemere is steadfastly on Nami’s side, acting as if this is no big deal—even if she has to know what is up.



This is kind of wonkily translated (who is surprised?) but he’s basically saying that it’s Nami who is getting the bad reputation in the village. Even though Genzo is annoyed and is coded as the antagonist in this case, he’s actually looking out for their best interests. Reputations are difficult to change once they are cemented. Plus, you know, he’s likely looking after the book sellers best interests too. Also, just a bit of headcanoning here for funsies, I think this is a relatively recent development for Nami. Maybe she began stealing in the past few months or year or so as she started to discover what she really liked and what she needed to do to get the stuff she liked.



Oh, Bellemere. First, she attempts to diffuse the situation by riling up. Though I think on some ways she believes this. She doesn’t approve of the stealing, again as we’ll see, but she was a kid herself and made plenty of mistakes. To Bellemere all kids make these stupid mistakes – But Genzo is holding his ground, feeling Bellemere is too lax with her.

But still and always we see how much Genzo does care. Even though Nami stole for the umpteenth time, Genzo paid for it for her. Even though he’s an antagonist, he’s not a bad guy and actively seeking to help them out.
And of course she ends by teasing him again, just to make him blush, but she knows he isn’t going to take her up on it so she just taunts him for now to make him blush, all with fondness. I think she would have paid him back, too, in due time. Though it’s difficult to say. Either way it makes him yell and blush. It’s completely adorable. I don’t really think Genzo has any feelings toward Bellemere that way. I think he’s a good bit older than her (or at least enough to treat her or stand in like some sort of father figure) but she is an attractive women and…things as they are. He’s a good man though and can only yell at her for saying things like that D:<



A cute little portrait of all of them.

Nami, you little shit. XD She knew just what she was getting into and even apologizes. But she’d totally do it again. Just looking at her, though, you can tell how well loved and safe she feels here. She’s not even afraid of Bellemere getting mad at her. She’s just happy she got the book she wanted.

Bellemere’s expression is subtle. I think that she feels sort of bad that Nami didn’t come to her for it. As if Bellemere isn’t providing her with enough that Nami thought she had to steal it.

And of course, Nojiko. Little Shit the older version. Though I don’t think she’s actually stolen anything (as will be evidenced presently) but she’s just teasing and poking at Nami as sisters do.
For Bellemere, however, enough is quite damn enough.



She is a former Marine after all, and even joking about stealing is not cool. Unless of course she jokes about it, but that is only to Genzo because he is an outside force and she stands beside her family. However, she’s definitely going to learn them via head conking. It also shows I think that she does take Genzo’s warning to heart. As mch as she wants Nami to be happy, she doesn’t want Nami to gain the same reputation she had—especially since that’s not something that Nami really wants. All Nami does want is a book to feed her growing curiosity.



I think Bellemere is lying a little here. Not that she doesn’t have money set aside, but I don’t think she has enough to really spare on something like a book. If she did, she would have paid back Genzo. However, if Nami had asked and wanted it bad enough, Bellemere would have scraped together money from somewhere and used money she couldn’t afford to spend in order that Nami get something simple that makes her happy.

Bellemere explains why they’re in their current financial situation—but she frames it in a way that this is a temporary thing. This is why we’re struggling because the weather’s been good. But maybe soon…That is because Bellemere’s primary goal is keeping the girls feeling safe and secure, not having to worry about things and just provide as good a life as she can for them.

As for Nami, I think she believes it the story that Bellemere is spinning. Nojiko, not so much.



First, can we just talk about how damn smart Nami is? She’s about ten and can make, not just a map, but a chart and a sea chart at that with the understanding of currents and things gleaned just from reading. She’s not just going to stop there, though. No, her dream is proactive. She’s going to explore the entire world. You can tell even before she says it that she’s planning to move. It’s not just about pinning stuff down but seeing what’s out there. Knowing how to move on the ocean and navigate it by using the stars and wind and currents and whatever else.

Also note that the anger doesn’t last for long and they’re sitting happily at the table. Also Nojiko is sitting in the same spot, (perspective wise) as she was when first talking to Usopp at the table.



What I love, though, two things

First, Bellemere’s total faith and support of Nami’s dream. She’s 100% encouraging and supportive.
Second, I love that Nami’s dream has nothing to do with money. She doesn’t want to be a navigator to get treasure. Or even to get a job being a navigator, since in this world, everyone needs one. No. She just wants to be a navigator because she wants to. To see the world and make it her own. In other words, just for the hell of it. This is important because Nami’s dream may need money to go forward, because you have to buy stuff en route, but it’s not about it. Nami is an explorer and a cartographer in her heart. Not to say she doesn’t absolutely love the stuff, too.



And of course here we can see how much Bellemere shapes them. She is lying so that they won’t worry, at the same time she’s sacrificing herself for them. But in this case, it’s only a small sacrifice. Yes, it’s not particularly healthy, but she’ll survive on mikan. The kids need nutrition to grow and so of course they get it. But they can’t know how she really feels. They can’t carry the burden of worry. So she pushes it way by making an excuse. However it doesn’t quite work. Nojiko knows what’s going on and also wants to sacrifice her food.

Maybe she feels she’s eating too much and is guilty for it. And then blatantly calls Bellemere out on this. It’s mostly due to the fact that she’s concerned for her mother. Nami, however, keeps right on chowing down. But she’s not unaffected by this either. You can see it much later on when she’s smiling even though she’s in pain for the sake of the people that care about her. For now, though, she’s just shocked at this news.


She even points out that Bellemere’s hands are yellow and Bellemere snaps at her to shut up and eat. XD and then presents the dress she restyled just for Nami.



Nami, however, is having none of it. She’s kind of bratty, but man it’s pretty hard being poor and there always being a struggle for something new. It’s hard for a kid and it’s hard for an adult. Plus she’s jealous of Nojiko because even if the clothes are hand-me-downs from other people, at least they’re new in that house. Nami is selfish while Nojiko is less so, but I don’t think that’s a completely bad thing. It’s sort of an offshoot of what Bellemere was aiming for. Nami shouldn’t have to worry. Shouldn’t have to get used to being poor or accepting it.

And Nami is pretty blunt about shooting down the dress that Bellemere took time to make (a fact which makes Nojiko mad) and—I think Bellemere a little, too. XD She has a temper, after all and while her expression is peaceful, it seems a little tense like she’s just reining it in and taking herself out to see to the oranges, removing herself from the situation. Though that is just conjecture on my part. You could say she’s not mad and I doubt I’d argue.

There is, however, one thing Bellemere can’t tolerate.



There are no perfect parents in One Piece, and Bellemere is no exception. But this is something a lot more than just discipline. We’ve seen her discipline Nami and Nojiko. A conk on the head and that’s it. Here she’s slapping Nami to the ground. Why? I think she acted instinctively out of fear—and not just worried, but something primal that woke up inside her.

I wonder if it is tied to her own past in some way. We know she was a punk and a rebel, but what about her family? Her parents? Was she an orphan herself? Was she cast out? Accused of not being blood related so she didn’t matter? Or is she just super worried that Nami saying this sort of thing will plant a seed that will fester? I’m more inclined to believe a hard past myself, only because this is such a strong reaction and she looks like Nami’s words punched her in the gut.

Whether you condone it or understand it or not is up to you. I have my own thoughts but they don’t really matter. The point is, this is Bellemere reacting and part of who she is—and sometimes even the most caring kind people do hurtful things when they are scared or angry.

Bellemere tells Nami so what if they aren’t connected by blood? And to never say that again.




And Nami, poor Nami. She is just a kid and has been raised to be just a kid and hasn’t had to look after anyone but herself. She is angry and upset and possibly a little scared at the hit and Bellemere’s anger. And of course a great deal of her is angry. She is tired of being poor and not having new clothes to wear or books she wants to read. But she’s also worried about Bellemere because she thinks Bellemere wants all the things that she wants. Things she can’t have if she’s giving to her kids. She’s also worried about Bellemere being hungry I think, but she can’t express it. She’s too angry to express it and so gets herself on a roll and says things she doesn’t mean because shouting back and using words like that is the only kind of power she has to get back for that slap.



Again, I think Bellemere got burned and got burned bad. She’s treating Nami not like a kid but like a teenager or older sibling. She’s boiling over, but I do think she knows exactly what she’s saying. I don’t think however she’s not really aware of the impact that it will have. This is probably the biggest fight they’ve had, or at least the biggest fight over the most sensitive topic. Nami does leave, angry, because she is a girl as headstrong as her mother and she won’t give in as Bellemere won’t.

And Nojiko, caught in the middle, trying to keep her small family from falling apart and acting like the adult in the situation. It’s an incredibly tough spot to be in.



As soon as Nami leaves, though. Bellemere realizes she screwed up. It’s sort of powerful to see the wind leave her sails as she slumps in a chair, the anger already forgotten? Why? Because Nami left. Nami who is just a kid and Bellemere knows that. I love how she admits that it wasn’t an adult thing for her to do. After she adults up as it were, recognizing that she is the one to make amends, not Nami. What’s the most important is bringing the family back together, re-forming their bonds and being happy. I also love how Nojiko stands up to her, too. She’s not happy with the situation and though Bellemere is her mother and stronger, she’ll let her know how she feels—because it’s so important for Bellemere to understand. Nojiko doesn’t want to lose her family either and knows how hot headed and stubborn they both can be.

Nami meanwhile runs away all the way to the center of Cocoyashi and parks herself in Genzo’s house. Who laughs (good naturedly) that she considers this running away. But it’s telling that she goes straight to him. He is more her father figure than Bellemere’s. Case in point:



She feels comfortable enough with Genzo to talk about her worries, and the truth of her worries. And despite her blow-up and anger, she really is worried about Bellemere, because she feels like a burden. Empathizing with others on this level is relatively new to her and Nami doesn’t always know how to process new feelings, especially when surrounded by so much drama. But Genzo is a good man and comforts her.

Also pulling back from that a little, I love how we get how Bellemere used to be as a child, as well as the incoming back story of how and when she arrived with Nami and Nojiko. Nothing in this world exists in a vacuume. Everyone/thing/place/idea comes from somewhere and had an impact while they were there.




I love this just for the characterization it has and the questions it poses. Bellemere left the village. Why? Who really knows. I like to believe, given what characterization we see of her, it was under her own steam. I can picture like a punk version of the opening song from Beauty and the Beast. You know: “Little town, it’s a quiet village. Every day like the one before…” and, restless and having little to leave behind, she goes off.
But then, coming home a marine! What made her decide to join the marines? I like to headcanon that there was no way she would have become a pirate.

Hell raiser she may have been but typical piracy, especially in the bad old days, was a lot crueler and colder. I don’t think Bellemere would want to hurt people the way a pirate would, nor do I think she craved that kind of freedom. I can see her wanting to do something. Wanting to be tough. Maybe make a change in her life and help people but still be able to work out her aggression and general anger about life. The Marines were a great place to do it. Though, as we’ll see, she quickly burned out.


That’s just my take on it, though. Have a different idea? Feel free to lay it on me! Pretty much anything can fly—but I love that there’s just enough detail so that we can ask these questions even if, ultimately, story wise, they don’t matter. But they’re still important.

Now, here we’re going to enter a flashback within a flashback (The first one we’ve had iirc) Things are going to get a little jumbled because I want to follow Bellemere’s story chronologically while still keeping the framing device (that is, Genzo telling the story to Nami) so bear with me.

First, Genzo tells Nami of how Bellemere arrived on a stormy night with Nami and Nojiko in her arms. (which we’ll get to)



This is so important for understanding Nami as she is right now, especially in contrast to Nojiko. Nami doesn’t remember war. She doesn’t remember devastation or burning buildings, gunfire or blood. She doesn’t remember seeing people dying. Or her own parents. What’s more, she didn’t even have to imagine it, because for all she knew, she was found under a bridge. For ten years she’s lived a peaceful existence without knowing that kind of horror. Nojiko remembers, I think. It’s hard to say but I think, even if she can’t recall the details, that kind of trauma is planted in her psyche. Nojiko knows what it means to lose and to have things ripped away from you. Nami doesn’t. What’s more, Bellemere and Nojiko worked together so that Nami wouldn’t find out. They both protected this summer child from the ugliness of the world.
And the world is ugly.



And oh man even more questions open here. What kind of battle was it? Were they fighting to push bad guys out of the village? Were they pirates? Other? Were they fighting bad guys in the village? How much does she know about who she’s fought?

Clearly, though, whoever it was—the Marines took a beating. I’m willing to bet that both sides pretty much destroyed one another, though I suppose it’s possible the opposing side won and let the wounded behind to die. In either case, I doubt the Marines won and if it hadn’t been a completely eviscerating loss, there would be someone to pick up the bodies.

But also Bellemere. Why does she not want to live? Open to interpretation, of course. But going on my previous theory that Bellemere really doesn’t have any family of her own to speak of; being a hell raiser besides, what does she have to go back to? Maybe also she’s seen too many people die. Her friends and comrades, too, like the guy lying right beside her. Maybe she feels she has nowhere to go and I don’t think she wants to keep fighting with the Marines. If she gets up and goes on it will just be another battle to get into.
Aside from that, it’s worth to note this is the second time we see the Marines in a sympathetic light. The first was those guys who served under Morgan, though it took a while to get there. Here, we don’t know whether they were doing the right thing or the wrong thing, but it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that they are dying and Bellemere is one of them. It’s hard and heavy and you can’t help but feel the devastation that surrounds them.



This, too. God.

Firstly, Nami has no idea the impact she’s had, just by existing. This sets up something we see throughout, the mark characters leave on the world, specifically the Straw Hats, but outside them, too. She has no idea that she helped Bellemere to keep going, and maybe even Nojiko. Maybe she gave Nojiko a goal, to keep moving, to find an adult. And how did she do that? Simply by existing. It’s an awesome sentiment, that sometimes just existing as yourself is enough.

The expressions here are wonderful but painful. Bellemere and Nojiko seem traumatized and only just holding it back, Nojiko especially who looks like she’s going to break down at any second. They are haunted and tragic, and it’s definitely an event that’s going to stay with them.

Of course, their existence presents Bellemere with a choice. She can stay here and die. She can get up and bring them to an official or an orphanage. Or…



She can acquire a boat and take them to safety herself, being a badass in the process. And it’s such an interesting development, too. She’s heavily injured so all signs point to her coming straight from the battle. She didn’t have a Marine coat before (and I doubt she was ranked enough even to get one) so I can imagine her taking it from an downed officer just to keep Nami and Nojiko warm, and then /coff/ borrowing a boat from somewhere. And where does she go? Straight back to home. A few things here:

The coat stays on Bellemere’s shoulders despite the wind. Of course Oda has said somewhat jokingly even if it is true that it’s their spirit that keeps their coat on their shoulders, and it’s the same for Bellemere, too. She wants nothing more in this world than to get her kids to safety. Even above her own health (but not, I think her own life. Because living is too important for her right now) Also worth noting, she did decide to keep the kids herself. She could have sent them off. I’m sure there are places for orphans to go. (and it may even well be Bellemere is an orphan herself) But instead she chooses to give them a family and a safe place to grow up.

For whatever reason she left Cocoyashi, that she brought them back says great things about the town, I think, and Bellemere’s stance on it. To her, this is home. The people of Cocoyashi, and perhaps Genzo, who she feels close enough to to speak of such things, are her extended family. Maybe she’s still more alone than she’d like to be at the end of the day, but she turns to them in a time of crises.



And Genzo, he’s such a wise man. He gets it. A huge theme throughout One Piece that we see everywhere. Shared blood doesn’t necessarily mean close family ties. Not having shared blood doesn’t mean you can’t be a family. Ties of friendship, camaraderie, nakamaship are just as deep as familial bonds. Frankly, I think it’s beautiful.

Even more beautiful is that Nojiko knows right where Nami would be and Genzo knows that they would come looking for her, so the only one out of the loop of her own worth is Nami. And that is a feeling that persists to her current (aka Arlong arc) state. She has no idea what kind of value she has to others. A value far much greater than money as we’ll come to see.

And then Arlong shows up. Isn’t that always the case?



They have a reputation right away. Genzo knows that they’re dangerous and his first priority is telling the girls to hide. However, let’s look at Arlong for a minute (in neither translation does he say beloved and even though it can be construed as sarcastic just, yeaah, no.) The Fishman Pirates have just split up which means that Arlong was released from prison not too long ago. We can’t say how much time has passed and what he’s done in the interim, but I can’t imagine it took him too long to decide to strike up and set up a place for his Empire. And he’s pretty confident and bombastic here. I think he knows this place is going to be a pushover and so goes in fully expecting not to have any trouble—especially if he’s threatening enough. Also Chuu and Hachi posing in the background haha




Arlong thinks he’s the shit as far as these unarmed, unprepared and unprotected villagers go though. Also in terms of his own character, Arlong wants money and Arlong wants blood. He’s just going to disrupt his own monetary base if he kills anyone, but as we’ve seen with Gosa and even when he upended the house in Cocoyashi, money or no, he will not let anything stand in the way of his rage. If he gets mad he will break something because I think in a lot of ways, for Arlong, breaking something is even more satisfying than money. It’s partly in how he asserts his dominance, assures himself he is strong, shows others they are weak, and he is a massive bully who likes to make those weaker than him feel afraid.

But he was damn fortunate to start his plan on Cocoyashi, and to take it so bloodlessly as he does, because look at the guy on the left panel. He’s afraid, yes, but he’s also pissed.




They are all pissed, though not unnecessarily helpless. They just would rather pay up than die. Because life is more important than money. Even though it stings that they have to pay up and stings even more they have to continue to do so. More than that it will seriously affect their livelihood, but at least they still have one. I love, too, how they’re not framed as cowards for being unwilling to fight. No they stand strong. This image is strength with bowed heads and fisted hands. Their manifestation of will is strong and it’s a strong thing to think of enduring, especially when the future is starting to look pretty bleak.
As this is going on, Nami and Nojiko peer at the village from the trees. Nami frets about Bellemere, but Nojiko tells her not to worry because they can’t see the house from the village.

Meanwhile, Genzo notices they’ve taken complete control of the village and hopes they don’t find Bellemere’s house because she probably can’t afford to pay it.



This because Arlong continues his posing shit and being the most badass of cool badasses. He didn’t pose half this much when he was with the Fishman Pirates. But these are humans and he’s the top dog so he’s establishing himself as the leader of the pack in terms of style and gesture. I can sort of see it as a callback to his Fishman Island days (that is largely made up of my headcanon, granted)

Also because of the looks of relief in the left hand panels. Genzo looks a little relieved, but he knows the storm isn’t over—especially if the Fishmen seem to be planning to stay for a while. He likely also knows that they can’t hide Bellemere forever. Nojiko and Nami are still kids, though and don’t think that far ahead. Bellemere undiscovered means that it’s over. Look at how they relieved they are, precious girls.

But it’s far from over, we discover, as one of the Fishmen tells Arlong about the house he discovered past the village. We see the smoke rising above the treeline, the villagers freak out, the girls freak out, and then we have this chilling couple of panels.



I love this juxtaposition. I love how we see Bellemere first, happy in the home, making an awesome meal for her babies. She messed up but she’s going to make up for it as best she can, and she’s cheerful. Arlong is happy, too, of course, but for another reason. It’s really a show of how paranoid he is, I think, when he doesn’t want to let one human slip past his net. Mostly it’s a show of force, and because he’s a douche canoe—and likely because he needs the money, but a lot of it is centered in the idea of no one being able to get away and/or pull a fast one on him.



This set of panels really shows the core of Bellemere’s character. Yes she has a hot temper, but she is not her temper. She is a confident lady, and resourceful with what she has, good at what she has, too. Also in as much as she did slap Nami which was a terrible thing to do, she’s going all out to make up for it. Since, honestly, as I said, I think that is probably the first time she’s ever hit Nami like that. She really does care for them to the best of their ability, and makes sacrifices for their happiness… and I love that in the end XD she’s still not perfect. I’m not exactly up on Japanese customs on giving alcohol to kids—(and interesting both the alt translation and this one uses alcohol, but the official translation uses sake)—but what this really puts me in mind of is Ace, Sabo and Luffy bonding over it. Reinforcing their brotherhood. Though we can’t say with any certainty that Bellemere is doing the same thing, but the meal is definitely about reinforcing their familial bonds.




By the way, the only thing Arlong needs more than money. Which of course they would need. At first I thought, they’re Fishmen, why don’t they know this stuff? But you can live on the land and not know about geology or air currents, or how to use them to your advantage. (which is a poor analogy but you know what I mean). More to the point, this shows how good of a schemer Arlong is and how well he had this planned out. He didn’t just charge in, but had a plan. Aside from the fact that they’ll need maps in general to know where they are and what to avoid, he knows their number one advantage lies in the sea. So before he can make any headway into his plan, he needs to know the lay of the land…or in this case ocean.



I really like this sequence, because it shows that the people of Cocoyashi really do care about Bellemere and her kids. The top panel shows that they’re worried about her, and know her well enough to know the money she doesn’t have. It also further promotes the idea that Cocoyashi isn’t a particularly wealthy village to begin with. Everyone has enough to get by and maybe a little extra, but it’s nothing to sneeze about—so while Bellemere be on the lower end of the economic spectrum, it’s just by perhaps a couple of steps…but enough so they can’t afford to pay for her at all. I can imagine, though, given adequate time, they might have been able to scrape up at least the initial payment.

Secondly, I love how well Genzo knows and looks after Nojiko and Nami. He probably checked on them to tell them what was going on. Also he knows them well enough to know that they would be going home.

Speaking of Nami and Nojiko…



The first part (on the right) is from a few pages back where they first realize that the Fishmen are going toward their home. Their first thought is for their mother. And Nami, who had argued so heatedly with Bellemere before, is now in the lead, racing as fast as she can to warn her and even telling Nojiko to hurry up. I think this is an important bit of Nami’s characterization to remember throughout, actually. No matter how much of a temper she has, or how hard on people she can sometimes be, she will always go running to help the people she cares about should they absolutely need her.



This is excellent, too. Bellemere thinks that Nami and Nojiko are at the door, and why wouldn’t she? She is expecting them, after all, and who else could it be.

But then she stops, considers. I’ve no doubt she can see the Fishmen out the window. Even with all this realization, it would be all too easy for Bellemere to simply go to the door and inspect it. But she doesn’t.



But she doesn’t. She tells them to come in. Why? Because in this moment of overconfidence, Arlong lets his guard down. Maybe he doesn’t think she’ll suspect anything, or maybe he’s confident that she won’t be a threat. I’m sure Bellemere knows her own strengths and weaknesses in this matter and that she won’t be able to take them on if they know she’s coming, but she’s sure as hell going to get a jump on him.



And she does. Because she’s an ex-Marine and a BAMF. It’s really impressive the way she takes him down. Though I wonder why she doesn’t shoot. She has to know it’s to her disadvantage not to. The answer isn’t entirely clear why, but there are several reasons, I suppose. It could be she just doesn’t have the heart to shoot him, either because she’s tired of war or because she’s giving him a chance. It’s also possible she knows that if she does shoot him, there are other Fishmen waiting to pounce and they won’t go easy on her. It’s also possible that she has no bullets or the gun is old and unreliable. If it’s the same one she had as a Marine, it’s going on ten years and then some. Honestly, I think it’s some mix of the above, but also, too, perhaps, trying to threaten him and scare him away from the island and her home. It could ALSO be though she has some bravado herself. Really you can make your own decision about this.

Arlong starts to laugh at her, leading to this:



First of all I’m just so intrigued by Bellemere’s temper, because it is extraordinary. But there could be so many reasons behind it, too, so many different flavors. Is she angry because Arlong sees through her ruse? Is she angry because she hates being mocked but was dead serious about shooting his brains out? (or giving him a chance to back off?) Is it some mix of anger and fear because he’s not buying it? I mean when she yells at him she just looks livid, and you can definitely see a lot of where Nami gets her own temper from.

Meanwhile I love Genzo racing to the rescue, not sure what he’ll find or how he’ll deal with it but determined to do so.

And Arlong being an utter ass, but a competent one. It’s just really incredible how he bites through the gun like it was nothing and then just mocks her. This is good for him, though, this surge of adrenaline. No matter how much he may or may not believe this line about Fishmen superiority, he certainly believes it right in this moment as he bites her freaking gun in half. It’s interesting, too, because it’s a gun (or several) which basically killed Fisher Tiger. But Arlong is seeing that he’s stronger than that. He’s better than that. He can bite her gun and there is shit she can do.

(not accounting for the fact, of course, that she hasn’t fired at him. Also, that no one else has that sort of weaponry on them. He really has it easy here.)

Ugh ugh ugh These next handful of panels are brutal. But onward we must go.



Nojiko and Nami and their basic approach to life.

Nojiko is the one who is a realist. Who knows that the pirates could be already there. She doesn’t know what to do about it. All she can do is run with Nami.

Nami, however, has a plan. First, to sneak out with Bellemere out the back door. If the pirates are there? Well, don’t worry. Why? Well I think that Nami is banking on figuring out what to do when she gets there. It’s a very Luffy sentiment.



And ugh, it just gets so much harder from here. First the Doc, a good man who must do a terrible thing, intercepting them to tell them they’ll have to orphan themselves again. This has got to be super hard for him.
But then interrupted by Bellemere screaming, and the fear and panic on Nami’s face as she hears this. Her entire expression just crumples. Say what you will about Oda’s drawing style (especially in the early days) but his expressions convey so much emotion. These are children whose world is on the verge of collapsing and they hear it. The doctor, too. He hates this. He hates that they hear this, yet there is shit he can do about it. He still has his hard task ahead of him and he can only hope that Bellemere manages to live through this.

As for the last panel? Yeah, the pirate age is pretty brutal. Arlong is certainly a unique representation of pirates as far as backstory and species go (at least in this time and place), but it is another example of how hard the world is in an age of piracy. Of course, everything about this action has Arlong written all over it. He’s making sure it hurts, like pulling wings off a fly. Why? I don’t think so much to prove himself. It may be partly setting an example, but I think a large part of it is revenge. And not a focused revenge either but his general hatred and need for retribution against humans for all the things that have happened. Also more here and now, for her to daring to stick a gun in his mouth. He’s going to make sure she gets it where it hurts.



And we see where Nojiko gets her pragmatism from. Well aside from perhaps witnessing her own war torn village. Bellemere is under no illusion that she is so in over her head that she’ll likely die. That she can’t fight them. That she isn’t strong enough. There’s no vague hope that maybe something will happen. You can tell this because she immediately goes to thinking of her daughters. Implying of course she’s worried about them and what they will do if she dies, or if they’re caught up in this situation with these monsters.

Also I love how, especially seen in Water 7 and Sabody about how Fishmen are gross and monstrous. And we see first that Fishmen can be monstrous. (but they can also be kind and generous and arrogant and frail and all the above) It’s a great set-up to complexity, I think.



First, is another interesting character tidbit about Bellemere. Did Bellemere attack Arlong because she is a Marine and they are pirates? Partly, yeah I can see that. Some of her old training kicking in. But even so I don’t think it was just about that. It’s not just ‘oh you’re a pirate so I’m gonna get you’ but ‘you’re a pirate and also a threat and I’m going to get you and stop you from hurting me/anyone I care about.’ You can argue more for this and you can also argue against it.

But interesting what Genzo suggests, as well. Is he saying that she has an inane sense of justice because he’s seen it displayed before on various occasions? Before she left? After she came back? Where she could just not back down? Or is he just assuming she’s following the Marine ideal? Again you could argue a whole bunch of different ways here. Personally, I think it’s a mix—though that Bellemere really does have a strong sense of Justice. (though how you define that concept is a journey in and of itself.) And for her, Justice almost always equals a physical fight.

Finally, I love that Genzo is correct. This is something that very well can be solved with money however temporarily. Is it an ideal solution? Of course not. But it’s a solution that will keep her alive until a better solution can be found. It’s a better solution than everyone dying. The translation is once again not the best. I prefer the one where he says: There are some problems that can be solved with money!
But of course she had no idea she could pay Arlong off to begin with—and also it’s easy to say you can solve xyz with money with you have money, but Bellemere doesn’t.


At any rate Arlong explains the price and Genzo holds Bellemere, asking how much she has saved up which is, of course, only the price for one adult (100,000)




Thanks to Genzo’s quick thinking, he saves the day (sort of). And man, he’s got to feel relieved at this point. Though he knows it’s only a temporary solution and well he knows it. But of course there’s no indication that Bellemere will go along with it. She’s too stunned and probably still reeling from everything that just happened in the last few minutes. This is a really awesome set up, because there does seem to be a reasonable solution, that they pulled the wool over the Fishmen’s eyes.



I love this panel, too. Because Kuroobi hoodie (lol Kuroobi, pls) but also it shows just how damn thorough Arlong is. Either he told Kuroobi to get it, or Kuroobi knew in advance to get it, or Kuroobi knew Arlong would want it. Arlong is not just a savage brute. He is calculating. He has a plan that requires many steps and really it’s not a bad plan. Considering that he’s pulled it off for 8 years—and who knows how much longer it may have continued had Luffy not come onto the scene.

But it’s also sort of sad in a way. Why are Nami and Nojiko not listed as Bellemere’s children? Or even attached to Bellemere’s household? Is it because no one thought about it? Does it matter in the overall scheme of Cocoyashi?



And ughh this. It’s faint shades of Robin right now, running away so that they will be saved. However that’s just an interesting story beat. I don’t think it’s really significant here.
What is significant? Several painful blows at once.

Firstly, finding out that you’re not officially counted as her daughters. That can’t feel good. Especially for Nami but it’s no great time for Nojiko either. (although she’s the more sensible of the two) Also their expressions in the right panel just kill me. Nojiko looks like she’s in shock. Like she can barely process what’s happening. Nami just looks like she’s going to break down at any second.

And then, right after being told what they are not, they are told they have to run away. The world is a brutal place, even when you’re not on the Grand Line. These girls are young, but are expected to cross the sea to save their own lives. To grow up and have a chance at their way in the world rather than stay here and be killed. They recognize the danger, of course, (as we’ll see), but it nevertheless seems to be a viable solution.

But also, man, I think it does show a subtle bias. Not that the people of Cocoyashi are terrible people, no. They are people doing the best they can. And, granted, Nojiko and Nami do have the advantage of not being in the registry. But do you think they’d make this choice if they were kids from the village with proper parentage? It’s really hard to say. But the priority right now is Bellemere living. Not that the doctor wants to send them to their deaths. No. He doesn’t want anyone to die, least of all them. But Bellemere, who was born and raised in Cocoyashi, definitely must not die. There’s no discussion here of her sacrificing herself.



Poor Nacchan. :( She is suffering here. But this is her attitude toward money in a nutshell. Having money means safety, security, staying with the people that you love. The money she earns is never entirely all for herself. (as we’ll see throughout). But here they are poor and so they have to leave and that’s all she can see. Hell, it would even be hard for an older child to accept and they would probably think the same thing.



Villager Man raises a good point, and shows the concern of the village. They know that it’s brutal out at sea, even if not how much—and in any case these are two little girls. Though it’s sad to see also that they would be going alone. There are no adults who would accompany them? There’s no alternative of hiding the girls and sneaking all three of them out after the fact to make their way on the sea? Though to give them some leeway, this is a huge crises and you can’t always think up alternate solutions when you have to act now.
As for the doctor’s statement, I prefer the translation: Your family or your life! There's no time to be soft-hearted in these dark days!

Which again, the world is brutal and the Doc knows it. And even though living is valued… I think he is placing a huge burden on their shoulders. These girls have to choose whether to live or to be with their family. And they are children. More children than some of the other Straw hats were at that age. (At nine, Luffy had already seen how hard the world was more than once and thought Sabo was dead, Usopp was on his own, Sanji had already started on his career). The choice should go to Bellemere, not them But again, and you could argue with me of course, there’s a subtle bias here. It sort of feels like Bellemere is village born and bred and more family than these girls. Not that the villagers and doctor don’t love and care for them, but perhaps not as much. (Though this definitely changes over time)



Nojiko. She’s like a little adult here. Nojiko is willing to make a huge sacrifice, even of their own lives, for the sake of Bellemere’s. Though she’s still a child in the sense that this was a conclusion she was lead to by the trusted adults in her lives. She’s not coming to it on her own. I think again she came to be this way because it’s role she fills in their family. She is the responsible one (or feels like she is) the peace maker, the one that makes the hard decisions. It’s not a great place to be in, but no family is perfect and they are all struggling to do what they feel is right.

Nami, though, just can’t let Bellemere go. She can’t leave someone she loves. All she’s known is love and the protection of her mother. She hasn’t seen anyone ripped away from her before this and the foundations of her world are shaking.




But, man, whatever else you may have to say about Bellemere, there’s this. Without hesitation, she sacrifices her life for her girls. She doesn’t try to lie or worm her way out of it. She gives that money so that her daughters can live. That is motherhood right there. That is family. She is the adult. She has the choice. She makes the choice. She is sacrificing her life for the future generation that she loves dearly—and that is freaking powerful.

And, hell, let’s take a full page.




It’s pretty self explanatory but it’s all so hard. And even though Bellemere fails sometimes, her family is her primary goal. Her girls. She wants to be called their mother not because they love her (though that’s a plus) but because she loves them so much that she can’t even say the words that they are not family. She can’t even push them away. Stupid as that is, she loves them so much. I love that she’s smiling, too. Ultimately this is something she can feel good about. That makes her legitimately happy even though she’ll never see them again.

Also Nami and Nojiko, god. I mean what can I say. Nami is horrified and traumatized, Nojiko, too, but there’s also an air of frustration about her. Like—no we had a plan so you could live! Words don’t matter! We know you love us and we love you! But of course she’s also touched by the feeling of family and being loved. And you know there’s a fine line between deep familial bonds and trauma in a hard world like this.




I love that as much of a little adult as Nojiko can be? She leads the desperate charge to run to her mother, screaming her name. She’s still a child in the end and in the end they ae still a family. I love that Nami has to tell her that she lied to make everything better. That she wants Bellemere to know that Nami loves her too. Wants her to know it more than anything. Also, ugh, the strength in Bellemere raising an arm to hug her, even though it hurts a lot. There is blood freaking everywhere. But a little pain means nothing to Nami getting a hug. Also again, Nami unintentionally hurts Bellemere. But Bellemere bears it. Not even speaking it out loud. Nami won’t know the pain she is causing. (though I can imagine her thinking it years down the line. Like, that must have really hurt her. Which leads to Nami masking her own pain a lot of the time)



Again here, money related to stuff, materialism. But it’s not painted as a bad thing. She wants to give them things. She wanted to be able to afford to give them everything they wanted. Not to try to buy their love but to show her own and to see that they were happy. They don’t want stuff, though. They want her. Though it’s true that the love of a family is greater than money, it’s still very much the case that not having money is what is going to tear them apart. Naturally, it’s due to an outside force acting upon them, (that is to say Arlong) forcing them into a give or die situation—and they literally have no choice because they have done all they can and are just not strong enough to combat this threat. Nor are they adequately protected from the dangers of the sea.




Guh, so heartbreaking. Here, they are both acting as children, but in their own unique way and a reflection of how they see Bellemere. Nojiko wants Bellemere to fix the problem, trusting that she can, believing in her utterly. Even though Nojiko occasionally had to be the little adult in her household, she still believed in Bellemere’s strength to protect them. And given her past and what she can remember of it, that strength is a huge part of her own personal security. Nami turns to Bellemere for a more passionate thing. About this world map. Something about her but that she also wants to make Bellemere proud. I think, sad as it is, is a great example of how well they were raised.


Arlong asks if they are her daughters. Bellemere says that they are. Nami and Nojiko beg her not to die again.



Also, man, Bellemere is a bamf. She’s going to die, she knows it, but she’s going to die on her own terms and she’s not even going to let this motherfucker see her flinch. She is going to go out strong, also pulling a promise from him. A promise which he either does or doesn’t honor depending on you’re interpretation of ‘don’t touch them’. Also, no one told her that this wouldn’t be a one time thing so had Nami’s maps not worked out, they may have been in trouble next tribute time.

And Nami’s cry for help. It’s so important for her characterization and why she reacts to the things she does later. Right now she’s little and she’s scared and she’s calling for someone and anyone to come save them--

Genzo opens fire first, but is subsequently attacked by Kuroobi.




To the right is Nami’s horror at Genzo getting hurt. Genzo. The one who caught her stealing all the time and is in charge and seemed so strong. He’s easily cut up by Kuroobi.

Also left panel? That is the nature of the Cocoyashi villagers. They will endure only so long until they’ll fight and potentially die for the one that they love. Even if it is only a single person. They are attacking the Fishmen head on for the sake of Bellemere, even though they don’t stand much of a chance.



Again, Arlong being smart about his income base. (which of course means that in the ‘present day’ story line, Arlong can afford to be less than smart). Also, man, ‘die for your stupid love?’ I really don’t think that Arlong understands that kind of self sacrificial love. Even when it’s displayed by people he respects and cares about (Fisher Tiger) I think that, while he cares about his brothers, he is too full of himself and his purpose and living to understand why someone would throw that away.




And of course, she dies with a smile, saying what she needs to say and probably hasn’t in those exact words. (though has shown it often enough) but she wants to let them know before the end and is dying the way she chooses. (since she could have chosen to say the money was for her and lived, though didn’t. And further chooses how she’s going to face it.) It’s a loss that feels like a win in one way.

Finally we’ll round this out with a tragedy.



Because it’s the living who have to suffer at times like these. And their reactions are so indicative of their core character. Nami, crying, but reaching for her as if she can stop it somehow or to do something. Nojiko knowing the inevitable and that it’s hopeless and not being able to look. Genzo just screaming in rage at not being able to do anything to stop it and watching a young woman he cared about deeply die.

And Arlong?

Well his expression is ambiguous. You could say that he’s smiling. But there also seems to be tension there. I mean I don’t think this is his first killing, maybe his first execution style one. And he’s not hesitant at all…but there’s something about it that seems he’s having some sort of negative reaction—or negative thoughts associated with it. Maybe because she is his first example. Maybe because the people are fighting. Maybe because it hits close to home. Or I could be completely wrong, but it’s always worth thinking about alternate interpretations.


Themes

All About Beri: In this section, the issue of money finally comes to a head and explained, threaded into Nami’s backstory, but also how money is going to be used in One Piece in general.

Firstly, Beri Makes the World Go Round and it’s super important because it does? Arlong aside, they need money to eat and for clothing. Bellemere is pretty much living off mikan because they are so poor. You see more places where beri is a basic need outside of this flashback, too. For instance, Zoro needed beri to survive and eat on his quest to find Mihawk, so he turned to bounty hunting. We don’t know Sanji’s financial situation as a child, or Usopp’s before he joined but considering they both know how to handle beri, it’s integral in their lives. The only exception to this is Luffy’s own childhood, because Garp was crazy and he has a hell of a support network with Dadan and his older brothers.

Also tied into that? There’s nothing fun about poverty. There is no message that Nami should accept her financial situation as a child. Even Bellemere wanted to do more for them and get them more things. Yes, at the end they say they don’t care about that but only want her—but that’s a desperate time where there was no money left to give anyway.

At the same time, though money can buy happiness in terms of material value, or in terms of just eating from day to day and having good clothes, you can have only a very little and still have a good life. Even if Bellemere was scraping by, they were a very happy little family. So essentially, while for the most part you need beri to survive, family/togetherness > beri. I think that’s something Nami comes to understand here.

They may have continued to scrape by and maybe had an influx of cash had Arlong not come along and screwed everything over. I do like though that there’s an acknowledgement that Arlong can’t just start his empire by being strong. He needs knowledge with the sea charts (which are probably even more valuable than beri itself), and he needs money to get things rolling. He’s not going to spend it frivolously (although I do believe he does have that capacity. But never to the point where he’s in trouble) because he needs it in order for material goods and to bribe officials. This leads to the idea for both Nami and Arlong that:

Money =Safety: The more you have, the more secure your foundations. For Nami, she’s learned that not having money means that people can take what’s precious away from you. While she does have a taste for the finer things, she also appreciates that money can bribe people, save people, feed them and protect them. Likewise, Arlong needs money to move in the human world. As a Fishman it’s really the only avenue he can go down if he wants to advance in any significant way, and especially to attain his goal.


Family is What You Make It: While it’s suggested in the Baratie Arc that Zeff and Sanji are father and son regardless of blood ties, in this flashback it’s pretty blatant. Family is what you make it. Bellemere decided that Nojiko and Nami would be hers and that was enough for her, and it was enough for them. No matter what Nami may have said to the opposite, she was the one who was most vocal about not leaving because she didn’t want another mother or family. We’ll see tons of other examples of this throughout, of course, the biggest one being the Strawhats themselves.

Tying intimately in with that?

People are Messy: No one is perfect. Even people full of love and good intentions mess up on occasion. For Bellemere, flaws do not take away at all from her strengths. Though she was combatative and probably harsher than she should be, she also loved her girls with a fierce devotion and sacrificed herself for their sakes.

Likewise, even assholes who like to step on people to achieve their own goals have aspects about them that are good. Arlong keeps his highly specific word—Or at least, doesn’t touch Nojiko. Had Nami not been a cartographer, I don’t doubt he would have kept it. Of course there is a selfish reason behind that, but we’ve also seen that he loves his brothers. That does not make him any less of a raging asshole.

But I feel the important thing to take away from this is it’s important to acknowledge the good and bad, not necessarily as a literary function, but as a part of being human.


The World is Brutal: We see more examples of how hard the world is, especially for those poor and unprotected. This is evident even in the East Blue which is the weakest of the four oceans, not even touching the Grand Line. In a brutal world, kids grow up fast. They have to learn a lot of hard lessons in order to survive. But that doesn’t mean that everything is hopeless, as we’ll see—even though it certainly feels that way.


Characters:

Since I feel like I’ve sufficiently covered Luffy, Zoro, Usopp and Sanji already (at least in their contribution to this part) let’s just talk about characters in the aspect of the flashback.

Nami: We see Nami as a child—and though some things have changed about her, this is very much her core characterization. Nami without any walls or barriers is a dreamer. She is loving, passionate, brave especially when it comes to those that she loves. When she’s in the midst of a temper, she says things she doesn’t necessarily mean or is too harsh in saying them. She is sneaky and playful, confident, caring and a bit selfish. And as we see the first layer of adult characterization laid here, she is starting to believe that money =security. People with money don’t get taken away from their parents. Though when things get tough, Nami wants to take action, always with a plan if not a backup plan.

Nojiko: More reserved than Nami, with a greater sense of responsibility being the oldest child and at times having to be the arbiter. She is practical to Nami’s dreamer nature, understanding how hard and harsh the world can be, and ready to make the sacrifice and endure it if need be. But she also reigns a lot in because, I believe, she feels she has to. She’s not supposed to let on how scared or upset she may be, instead just trying to stay calm and help the best she can rather than panic. But even she has her breaking point.

Bellemere: Loving, hot tempered, self sacrificial, and supportive. She started off as a punk but has a strong sense of justice and doing the right thing, even if it’s hard. There’s a very ‘protect the weak’ vibe about her. It’s possible she was fairly lonely early in life, and chose to start a family rather than to leave those girls to lonely fates. She can be teasing and a little manipulative, but perhaps wins most of the time through her fists. She also knows how to endure. Though she may feel hopeless from time to time, she holds out as long as she can in hopes of a better tomorrow.

Genzo: Is obviously in charge, but cares for everyone in the village. He tries to be tough for the kids’ and Bellemere’s own good, but isn’t as tough as he could be. He also knows how to endure, and that is generally his byword, but has a breaking point when he can’t endure anymore. He is also the one who makes the tough decisions and tries his best to save everyone he can.

Comments

[viridiansoul]

Ah, good to see you're back on the project! I was waiting for an update :)

So we finally get to cover Nami's traumatic past.. and as heartwrenching as it is, Bellemere's decision to choose death rather than to disown her girls has always.. well, rather unsettled me. I do love the way Oda writes each character's backstory but there are times when I feel things are a little overdone for the sake of drama(Zeff ripping off his leg and eating it when he could've at least waited a few more days, for instance). Yes - OP is a manga in the end so maybe there's no point in judging the characters' actions from the real world's point of view but still, I can't help but think it would've made more sense if Bellemere just chose to lie and find a way to hide Nami and Nojiko afterwards. Such practical decision might have brought a less grimmer future for all three of them - I mean, we all know what became of Nami's life after Bellemere died.

But then again, what we've seen of Bellemere so far tells us that she's a person brimming with emotion and passion who'd never speak against her heart. So yeah, her decision was utterly stupid from my perspective and far from common sense, but not out of character I guess. I also headcanon that Bellemere too considered the option of lying, but decided it would bring no difference in the end. She experienced firsthand how strong Arlong and his crew was, and I'm guessing she instinctively realized there would be no way of keeping the girls hidden without Arlong eventually finding out. Besides, who knows what Arlong would do when he discovers that he was deceited? Hell, it's not difficult to imagine Arlong killing the girls or massacring the villagers out of revenge. Even if Arlong decided to spare Bellemere and the girls, it would be near impossible for her to keep paying for all three of them. I'm guessing the villagers had the same line of thought and that's why they wanted Nami and Nojiko to leave - though as you've said, the fact that no one offered them a helping hand does leave a bitter taste :(

Along with 'water(or whatever)'s thicker than blood' theme, another major theme that resonates through OP is the courage to do what your heart tells you, even in the face of certain death. I think Bellemere's case is symbolic in that it is the first(chapterwise) of many more idiotic decisions to come - eating a poisonous mushroom when knowing that it is poisonous just because your pupil found it for you, jumping in front of a sea train to stop it when knowing it's going to crush your bones, refusing to back off from an insanely strong enemy just to protect the captain's honor...etc, etc.

And one more interesting little thing I've noticed - why the hell are guns so powerful in flashbacks when they're close to worthless in the current timeline? I mean we recently saw yet another fairly strong character bite the dust due to gunshot. Oda better bring up a character who's spectacular with guns to make them seem more lethal XD

[rainsometimes]

I wonder if knowing the enemy were Fishmen played any part in Bellemere's decision? Even if Nami and Nojiko could have hidden on the island itself for a while, sooner or later they'd have to leave by boat, and then they'd be more visible - and to such an enemy, especially vulnerable.

eating a poisonous mushroom when knowing that it is poisonous just because your pupil found it for you

Well, he was also dying in any case - he would only have had a few days left to live even if there had been no musroom soup and no Wapol plot.

[we_are]

XD

Well first of all I have to disagree with Zeff cutting off his leg as an idiotic decision. An average human can survive three weeks without food. (I think) That's 21 days but they were on the rock for 90, iirc. Sanji had to stretch out his food for that long. But Zeff had no food to speak of. In order to survive even that far he had to eat his own leg.

And in terms of idiotic decisions-- ehh well for me it's how you frame it. Idiotic maaybe but that sort of suggests it's a negative thing. Like yes Ace going to fight an insanely strong Marine just because of Whitebeard was a foolish decision, but it was not in Ace's personality to do anything else. HE was himself to the fullest of his ability to be and that, in the One Piece world, is true freedom. The freedom to be yourself, as wonderful and idiotic as it is.

Also as you said, Bellemere might not have had a choice. Hiriluk knew he was dying and wanted to make it up to Chopper for being a dick. (also Hiriluk is a whole case of really stupid decisions) But as for Ace and Franky? They're stupid in hindsight...but what if Ace had kicked Akainu's ass? What if Franky had stopped the train? Would they still be seen as stupid decisions then? Or would they be reckless but badass? It's something interesting to think about anyway.

Interestingly, the blood and water line is "blood is thicker than water" but the full line from the Bible is "the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb" which very well suggests OP's major theme.

I agree with you RE: Guns haha few people die except in Flashback! But that's the law of drama, though and it's one thing OP is based around. What is cool and impactful goes even if it doesn't make much sense realistically speaking.

[rainsometimes]

It seems to me that in One Piece, booze is thicker than shared blood (or the water of the womb!). Not just as in Ace, Sabo and Luffy becoming brothers when they drink together, but characters are often seen partying it up just after they have become close. Like drinking alcohol is a seal.

[rainsometimes]

This is super sweet, though. Inasmuch as Nami wants to keep everything to herself, Nojiko won’t allow that. I can see her making Nami promise to share at least what’s going on—because they’re family. And though Nami (ostensibly) was successful in shutting the village out of her life, Nojiko won’t allow her to do that to her.

Yes, this is great. Love that we got that little scene between them, it doesn't go on but it says so much about where Nami comes from. I think Nojiko's been tremendously important to her as the one person who (as far as Nami knew) was aware of her real motivations, who Nami could show her real self to. She couldn't save her from the pain, but if she hadn't been there it would have been so much worse.

Usopp, however, has not forgotten about that fruit parfait that he did not receive and it was a travesty to the natural order of things! If Sanji’s not careful, Usopp will start ignoring him next and then what will he do?

YES PRECISELY! :DDD I kinda laughed out loud at this, you know.

Their relationship is kind of hilarious, is what I’m saying.

Yup. ♥

And then comes the core of the backstory. It's so heartbreaking. And the way it leads up to it feels so grounded in everyday life. Just bam poof suddenly in the midst of normal parenting/childing upsets there's a superstrong racist villain out to subjugate your whole village and hold your lives hostage for money. It's so chilling. The slow "Oh shiit" feeling with the unsuspecting Bellemere is devastating.

I keep forgetting Nami and Nojiko actually did get to hug Bellemere before the end. The way they run. ;______;

(I try not to think about the economics of Arlong's tribute-demanding during these years too much. The first tribute in the backstory with its tragic results is one thing, it's the fact that he keeps demanding the same every month that breaks my disbelief in terms of where the villagers would find that money. In my head I just overwrite it with "he keeps demanding way more than they could comfortably pay but somehow they've managed to scramble it together during these years through much hardship, also he takes it out in kind at times". the important thing is Arlong's having hard demands and the villagers managing barely to meet them, but managing - not the exact money. (If they had been a bigger town with more trade, it would be different. But that would have made the whole story different, too. I think it's really important for where Nami comes from and how the story unfolds that it's a small village where everyone knows each other.))

[we_are]

XD Glad you enjoyed it! I can't wait to see more Usopp/Sanji friendship moments. (and the SH in general)

In regards to Arlong, he's smarter than to kill his entire money machine. So I can see it'd just be like, okay I'll lower it this time but I'm going to take something else of value or whatever-- because also he has to keep at least Cocoyashi going because it's the only way he's keeping Nami tied to him.