Mikan Ink

By: Moments of Insanity

Date: 8 March 2018

Revised Date: 18 March 2018. Added a story link :P. This series is gonna be my bookmark of Nami stories.

Disclaimer: Nope, not mine. I wish I have the imagination.

Usual disclaimer- English is not my first language and my understanding of grammar will never be perfect. After entering the rat race, writing boring papers just kill your creative writing. If there are any mistakes or better phasing of ideas, please drop me a note. And finally thank you for the reviews and favorites etc. I know reviews are not in vogue right now so it is nice to know someone is reading these snippet.


Fist of Love

The first time Nami slammed her fist against Zoro's head was when they set out for Whisky Peak. It was his ill-timed thoughtless snide remarks about dozing on the ship in the Grandline that triggered a reaction. She didn't mean to act out her frustration on the swordsman; She could always blame it on the fright and stress of surviving the first Grandline Storm. With adrenaline still pumping, her body just moved, arm pulled back and her fist cracked on his hard head before she could stop herself. She heard her own sharp intake of air that was hidden in the thud of head against the planks and then froze in fear.


It was something that Arlong had drilled into Nami. Strength was absolute, wonderfully demonstrated when the fishman tore a house from its foundation because someone could not afford their monthly tribute. Attempts to fight were futile. Especially when stronger men had tried and paid with their lives. The young child learned to looked on the public executions with empty eyes while Arlong chortled beside her, that humans were worthless because they were all weak.

But being weak was not a reason to suffer under a tyrant. She knew she could compensated her weakness with her quick wit. So, she acted with plans that should completely eradicate Arlong and his crew in one shot, be it poison or by assassination. But Arlong would looked on all her failures with sadistic amusement and punished the villagers for her acts.

Arlong's retaliation taught her fear. So true was the saying that every action has a consequence. So she hesitated and shrank in fear. She stayed away from her family to keep them safe, made easier by the villager's aversion to the traitor. Her decision to join their tormentors had made the villagers avoid her like plague. Their eyes filled with contempt and derision cut every time she walked through the village. Then their resentment grew with every punishment that Arlong doled out with relish. Defeated, she stuck to the initial bargain. Her isolation polished her life skills, in stealth, in lying, in everything that would made Genzo frown in disapproval. All the while she grasped Bellemere's final words like a lifeline.

And rage festered in her heart, fanned by the bitter admission that she was weak and that her fear for others only caused that invisible chain to tighten and weigh her down into inaction.

That was why Arlong could hurt her where it matters.


Zoro grunted when his head contacted the deck and he glared wearily over his shoulder at the young navigator. She held her stance and glowered indignantly though she trembled inside. He must have seen something as he turned away and grumbled something under his breath, his hand rubbing his head. If he noticed how her posture relaxed when he did not fight back, he made no acknowledgement.

The first time she smacked Luffy for some idiotic decision, he only turned and looked surprised at her. It couldn't have hurt him as he was rubber. But then he grinned widely and broke into his annoying snickering as he rubbed the swelling absently. It was as if he was happy for some unknown reasons. Maybe because she did not need to fear her crew. Maybe because they were too strong to be hurt by her. Maybe that she didn't have to be held back, heart on her sleeve, no longer chained.


This is my 11th humble offering to the wonderful world of One Piece. I'd just like to thank all the reviewers who had provided me with encouragement, thoughtful and meaningful reviews. They really brighten up my days.

Another really good one pre-Arlong arc: s/8313127/1/before-i-met-you-i-never-knew by Akurosa