The Going Merry sailed steadily across the sea, but something was missing.
Someone was missing.
Nami had run.
It happened the moment we all let our guard down. One second, she was our navigator, casually steering the ship. The next? Gone. And so was our treasure.
Zoro was the first to realize it. "Where's Nami?"
Usopp blinked. "Probably below deck?"
Sanji, as expected, refused reality. "She wouldn't just leave her dear Sanji-kun."
Luffy's response was simple. "Huh? Nami's gone?" He scratched his head like it was nothing more than a misplaced hat.
I knew better.
I knew exactly why she left.
The Truth Beneath the Surface
Unlike the others, I wasn't shocked. I wasn't even angry.
I knew Nami's story. I knew her pain, her reasons, the chains she had wrapped around herself for years in the name of survival. I knew about Arlong, the bloodied past of Cocoyashi Village, and the false hope of 100 million berries.
That didn't mean it didn't sting a little.
Even knowing the truth, even expecting this, it still felt like betrayal.
Sanji was lost in denial. Usopp was panicking. Zoro, ever the realist, looked more annoyed than anything. And Luffy?
Luffy was smiling.
Not out of ignorance. Not because he didn't understand the weight of what happened.
But because he had already decided what came next.
"Alright, let's go get her!" Luffy declared, stepping to the front of the ship like he had just decided to chase a stray cat.
I sighed. Of course.
"We don't even know where she went," I pointed out, playing my role.
Zoro grunted. "Pretty sure she mentioned Arlong Park before."
Usopp paled. "You mean THAT Arlong Park?! The one run by a crew of fish-men?!"
Luffy tilted his head. "Fish-men? Cool!"
Dear god, I'm surrounded by idiots.
Understanding Nami - A Different Kind of Strength
Nami had spent her whole life fighting a war no one else could see. She never let herself have friends because she knew they'd just get hurt.
She stole from us not because she was selfish, but because she thought it was the only way to protect us.
But Luffy? Luffy didn't care about her lies, her walls, or the scars she refused to show.
He just cared about her.
It was so absurdly simple, so overwhelmingly Luffy, that I actually laughed under my breath.
You reckless, beautiful idiot.
The Chase Begins
Luffy pointed forward. "We're going to get Nami back."
Sanji nodded, a dreamy look in his eyes. "For my lovely Nami-swan, I'll storm any fortress."
Usopp hesitated. "You guys do realize it's ARLONG PARK, right? The place that chews up rookie pirates and spits out their bones?"
Zoro cracked his neck. "Sounds like a good fight."
I let out a slow breath. "This isn't a fight we can take lightly. Arlong is in a different league."
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "So what? You think we should just leave her?"
"No," I said simply. "I think we should be prepared when we get there."
System Store - Preparing for War
If we were really heading into a den of Fish-men, I wasn't going in unprepared.
[System Store - Available Balance: 7200 Points]
Geppo (Moonwalk) - 4000 Points ✅ PURCHASED
Enhanced Arm Strength - 1500 Points ✅ PURCHASED
Pain Resistance - 1000 Points ✅ PURCHASED
I felt the power integrate into my body, my muscles shifting slightly as my agility and strength improved.
Luffy fought because of trust.
I fought because I refused to be weak.
Publishing Monster Vol. 1 & 2 - A New Kind of Terror
The system pinged.
[Would you like to publish Monster Vol. 1 & 2?]
I hesitated. Then I confirmed.
This wasn't like Naruto. Monster wasn't about underdog heroes or grand battles. This was psychological warfare.
Johan Liebert was not a warrior. He was a nightmare in human form.
And the world? The world wasn't ready for him.
Multiverse Chat Reactions
[Gol D. Roger]: "HOHO! A BETRAYAL ARC? THIS IS GETTING GOOD!" [Jiraiya]: "Damn. That girl's got guts." [Kakashi]: "Luffy's faith in his crew is commendable. But Ren's caution isn't wrong either." [Ainz Ooal Gown]: "Logical. In my world, traitors are eliminated immediately." [Gintoki]: "Oi, oi! The navigator girl took the cash and bailed?! This isn't an anime, this is TAX FRAUD!" [Gintoki]: "Luffy just said 'she's our friend' and everyone listened?! No plan?! No backup?! ARE YOU GUYS BRAINDEAD?!" [Kakashi]: "Hold on. What the hell is this Monster manga?"
[Whitebeard]: "...Johan Liebert. That name alone feels dangerous."
[Ainz Ooal Gown]: "This is terrifying. A villain with no powers, yet unstoppable."
[Gintoki]: "Wait, WAIT. You mean to tell me there's NO magic? No ki blasts? No jutsu? Just one guy ruining LIVES?"
[Jiraiya]: "This Johan brat is WORSE than Orochimaru. At least that snake freak had jutsu."
[Itachi]: "A man who wins through manipulation alone… disturbing."
I smirked. Good. Let them think about it.
Final Thoughts - Trust, Power & Fear
As the sun began to set, I leaned against the mast, watching the waves. Nami ran away. That was reality.
But the crew?
They refused to accept it. They refused to leave her behind.
And Luffy?
Luffy believed in her. Without evidence. Without hesitation. Without doubt.
I sighed. "Maybe he really is the crazy one."
Arlong Park was waiting.
And if Nami wanted to run?
She wouldn't be running for long.