Chapter 53 – Weather-Weather Fruit
A billion Berries lay before everyone's eyes, leaving the Straw Hats—who'd never seen so much cash—completely stunned.
They had never laid eyes on this much money in their lives.
It was their first time truly seeing a billion Berries: ten crates packed to the brim.
Luffy stared at the fortune. Aside from picturing mountains of food and epic banquets, he didn't think much—just drooled at the possibilities.
Sanji's heart skipped a beat; with that cash he could stock premium ingredients, cook whatever he pleased, and finally buy a lockable mega-fridge.
Chopper and Usopp thought the same—loads of medical gear or top-tier tools would be theirs.
Even Zoro's eyes glinted: a billion Berries could fetch several supreme blades and push his strength higher.
Robin alone stayed calm; she'd handled far larger sums while safeguarding Crocodile's coffers.
Money meant nothing to her beyond daily expenses.
She cared only for history, not wealth.
When they left Alabasta, she'd knowingly left most of Crocodile's hoard behind, taking just a portion.
Nami opened her mouth, words failing her.
She knew Dante Voss was rich, but she'd never imagined he could produce a billion Berries.
And he wanted to buy her as his woman with it.
Her heart pounded, torn in a fierce inner struggle.
A direct money assault—she had zero defense against it!
"Nami-swan…"
Sanji watched her hesitate as though the sky had fallen.
His Nami-swan was actually wavering.
Nami stared at the money hill, finally shut her eyes, inhaled, and clenched her teeth.
"A billion Berries can't make me fall. If you want me as your woman, then—"
But the thought of Dante Voss's unfathomable fortune froze the rest of her sentence.
She glared at him, refusing to look at the cash, her flushed cheeks adorable.
"I, Nami, will never sell myself for money!"
Sanji exhaled in relief.
He leapt for joy, shouting,
"As expected of Nami-swan—so decisive!"
"Is that so."
Dante Voss sounded disappointed; snagging the pretty navigator for a billion would've been nice.
Though he'd been joking, a part of him had hoped she'd accept.
With a wave he stowed the billion Berries into his backpack and changed the subject, asking Nami and Usopp,
"So, which of you will eat it?"
Watching her fortune vanish into the pack, Nami felt a pang of regret.
She shook the thought away.
Afraid the lure of money would make her sell herself after all.
"A Devil Fruit user?"
Usopp hesitated; he longed for a special power, yet his vocation left him conflicted.
After all, he was a Sniper.
Much like swordsmen, Snipers had to train endlessly to grow stronger.
A supportive Ability would be fine.
But a poor one would be useless.
It might even distract him and ruin his marksmanship.
That would betray his original goal.
He wanted to become a great Sniper like his father.
With that resolve, Usopp made up his mind.
He shook his head.
"I'll pass; I'll keep honing my sniping."
Dante Voss eyed him in surprise; he'd thought Usopp would jump at the Devil Fruit.
Yet the sharpshooter had refused.
This cowardly liar could show amazing willpower when it counted.
Dante Voss mused, then turned to the last candidate.
"Nami, will you eat it?"
The Straw Hats watched her curiously, awaiting her answer.
Nami hesitated; who knew what weird power she might get? A dud would leave her in tears.
Seeing her waver, Dante Voss assumed she still minded his earlier teasing and said with a smile,
"Relax, even after eating it I won't hold it over you."
Nami shot him a glare, then took the Devil Fruit from his hand.
"Who's afraid of you!"
Recalling ever-stronger foes, she decided to swallow it; her navigation was peerless, but combat-wise she was weak.
She wanted power so she wouldn't hold her friends back.
Under everyone's gaze she brought the fruit to her lips, opened her mouth, and took a delicate bite.
Instantly a revolting taste exploded across her tongue, making her want to spit it out on the spot.
But she clenched her teeth and forced the piece down.
"It tastes awful!"
Nami groaned, her pretty brows knitting together.
"Is it really that bad?" Usopp asked curiously.
"Yeah, horrible. I never want a second bite!" Luffy nodded in shared pain.
"Yep, awful!"
Chopper chimed in.
Moments later Nami's expression calmed as the bitterness faded.
"Nami, what power did you get? Can you feel it?"
Usopp asked excitedly.
Everyone else leaned in, equally curious.
It was the first time they'd ever witnessed someone eat a Devil Fruit from start to finish!
Hearing them, Nami focused inward, searching for the new Ability the fruit had granted.
To her surprise, a strange power now flowed within her, responding to her will.
In an instant the starry sky clouded over, as though rain might pour any second.
Watching this, Nami's eyes widened in disbelief.
"I think… I can control the weather…"
"Wind!"
She swept her hand and a gale sprang up across the sky.
"Lightning!"
Another casual wave, and a bolt crashed from the clouds into the sea, hurling up a ten-meter plume.
"Thick fog!"
She pointed ahead; dense mist swallowed the sea, blotting out every sight.
"Rain!"
The conjured clouds burst into a downpour.
Nami beamed with excitement.
The more she used it, the more natural it felt—perfectly suited to her.
It seemed to push her weather-perception talent to its absolute peak.
With this power she felt her strength leap; even Luffy and Zoro might not beat her now.
Navigation, too, would improve vastly.
With the fruit's Ability she could give the going merry ideal sailing conditions.
Need wind? A gesture brought wind. Want rain? Rain arrived.
Storms ahead? She could dispel them with a wave instead of changing course.
Soaked by the deluge, the crew ignored the rain and stared at her in awe.
At that moment Nami looked like a goddess.