Chapter 63: Sea Kings, Time to Hunt!
Early the next morning, after saying goodbye to Bellemere and Genzo, the five of them flew straight to the Kingdom of Oikot.
As they traveled, Ryuen felt a strong sense that this journey through fire would unleash new power in his Phoenix Fruit.
They stopped briefly in the Kingdom of Oikot. Now, Nami and Nojiko understood that this place was once their home.
Back then, the country had suffered a brutal war, leaving it in ruins, and Bellemere had been gravely injured.
Of the Marines who were sent there, only Bellemere had survived, barely clinging to life. In her darkest moment, she came across Nojiko and a toddler Nami.
At that time, Nojiko was carrying Nami down a street filled with devastation. Bellemere asked if the child in her arms was her sister. Nojiko replied that she wasn't; Nami was simply another orphan of the war.
Hearing this and seeing them, Bellemere was heartbroken. She herself was severely wounded and might not make it.
At that moment, Nami looked up at Bellemere and suddenly laughed with a warmth like sunshine.
Hearing Nami's laugh, Bellemere burst into tears, saying, "You really have no regard for how others feel." Both she and Nojiko were moved to tears.
It was thanks to meeting those two children that Bellemere found the will to survive. She sailed a small boat across the rough seas and eventually made it back to Cocoyasi Village safely.
Genzo only began talking about this slowly after watching Nojiko and Nami grow up. He said that the bond between Nojiko, Nami, and Bellemere had long surpassed any ties of blood.