Luffy, wandering aimlessly in the deserted town, grumbled. No open restaurants or butchers, just shuttered shops. No people, no food to sate his hunger.
"Everything's closed. Should've had Kiri pack a lunch," he muttered.
His sandals slapped loudly against the pavement, the town's silence deafening. No bustle, no faces, no meals. Boredom set in. No townsfolk, no enemy pirates, and no idea how to return to the ship. Arms crossed, lips pursed, he didn't look troubled but surely was. Nonchalant, he mumbled, "Man, I'm lost. Thought I'd stumble into something, but nada. Should've stuck with Kiri. No clue where I am."
Talking to himself, he turned a corner at random. Just then, he spotted people crossing the street—a girl leading three men, moving frantically. Tension hung in the air, but Luffy, unfazed, grinned and chased after them.
"Shishishi, finally found someone! Enemies? Or locals?"
Cheerfully, he dashed into the alley, spotting their backs. The girl led, the men in pursuit, urgency clear. Ignoring the mood, Luffy waved and shouted, "Oi!"
The men turned, scowling, far from friendly.
"Who's that?" one barked.
"No idea. A local?" another said.
"Forget him! We need that girl! Get the chart back, or we're screwed!" a third yelled.
They kept running, ignoring Luffy, focused on the girl. She glanced back, saw him, and smiled despite her breathless sprint. Clutching a rolled-up paper, she stopped abruptly, turned, and shouted, "Boss! Help! I got it, as ordered!"
"Boss?" a man muttered, halting to eye Luffy.
Luffy stopped, grinning, fearless. "Finally found people. Where're the pirates in this town? And where's a place to eat?"
"Boss, huh?" one man sneered.
"Just a kid," another scoffed.
"So he's the one who told her to steal the chart," the third growled.
"What?" Luffy tilted his head.
The men, sabers drawn, closed in menacingly. Luffy's expression didn't waver, even as one raised his blade to knock off his straw hat. Dodging with a lean, Luffy punched the man's gut. The burly figure collapsed, unconscious from a single blow to the solar plexus.
The others froze, staring in disbelief. Luffy, clutching his hat, glared slightly. "That's my treasure."
"You! What the hell?!" the remaining two roared, charging with clear intent to kill.
The girl flinched, but Luffy moved faster. A punch to one man's face, a kick to the other's—both crumpled instantly. The power gap was staggering. Unarmed, he felled armed men without a scratch, his strength unimaginable. The girl and men gaped, shocked by the swift outcome.
She approached, calculating. He was stronger than expected—useful. Hiding her scheming, she spoke warmly, "Wow, you took them out alone."
"Who're you?" Luffy asked.
"I'm Nami, a thief who targets pirates. Wanna team up?"
"Huh?"
The sudden offer made Luffy tilt his head, staring at her sly grin.
They moved to an empty house. Nami, with short orange hair, wore a T-shirt and miniskirt, hardly pirate-like, yet showed no fear of Luffy. She led him inside, offering a chair in the living room before sitting across from him.
"Your house?" Luffy asked.
"Nope. I'm not from here," Nami replied.
"Cool just barging in?"
"Not stealing anything, just borrowing the place."
She placed a paper on the table, serious. "Let's talk business. I want something."
Luffy, slouched and carefree, barely listened. "I'm hungry. Can you cook?"
"I'm trying to talk serious here. Focus!"
"No food, no deal. I suck at serious stuff—talk to Kiri. And I'm not teaming up."
"Hey, wait!"
As Luffy stood to leave, Nami panicked. She needed him for her plan, in this town or beyond. She couldn't let this chance slip.
"Fine, I'll cook if you listen."
"For real?" Luffy brightened.
"But you better help."
Sighing, Nami headed to the kitchen, rummaging through shelves and the fridge. Luffy followed, watching her work efficiently.
"Not your house, but you're raiding it," he said.
"Not raiding. I steal from pirates, not others."
"You're stealing now."
"Your fault for being picky. Want me to stop?"
"No way, I'm starving."
"Then shut up. I've got better things to do."
Frying bacon and eggs, the sizzle and aroma made Luffy's stomach growl. Curious, he asked, "Why're you a thief?"
"None of your business."
"You only steal from pirates, right? Town's empty—easy pickings. Why just pirates?"
"Simple. I hate pirates."
Her blunt words carried complex emotions. Luffy studied her.
"We're pirates too," he said.
"Yeah, right. You don't look like one," Nami scoffed.
"Swear. Got a ship and flag. Stole the ship, though."
"Whatever."
Nami didn't believe him, her hands busy cooking, expression guarded. Trust wasn't there, despite her offer to team up.
"Why hate pirates?" Luffy pressed.
"They… took someone important—" She bit her lip, stopping short. Luffy sensed her pain.
She plated eggs, bacon, and bread, handing it to him. Luffy's face lit up, and they returned to the living room. He ate eagerly while Nami picked up the sea chart, her hope for a brighter future.
"You'll listen now, right?" she asked.
"Yup. You cooked," Luffy said, mouth full.
"Good. I need a billion beli. I want to steal these pirates' treasure. This chart—it's for the Grand Line. I don't know much about it, but it's where I'll make that billion."
"You want money?"
"Yup. Got a problem? I'm close. A few more hauls, and I'll hit it."
"Cool. What do I do?"
Nami smiled, her beauty undeniable, but Luffy focused on his food. "You're strong, right? Can you beat those pirates?"
"Duh. I'm gonna be Pirate King."
"Fine. Take them out. While you fight, I steal the treasure and hide. We meet later and split it."
"Got it."
Luffy cleaned his plate, nodding. Nami smirked—her plan was working. She'd steal the treasure during the chaos and ditch Luffy, keeping it all. No intention of sharing.
As a lone pirate-thief for eight years, she'd survived by wits, beauty, and navigation skills. She trusted no one, not even Luffy's strength. She'd escape this, too.
But Luffy's casual words stunned her. "Keep the treasure. I don't need it."
"What?"
"We were gonna beat those pirates anyway. Don't need the loot. Oh, but steal some meat from them. That's fine, right?"
"You don't want treasure? You said you're a pirate. What's your deal? Mocking me?"
"Not mocking. I'm a pirate."
Nami, baffled, gave up understanding. If he didn't want it, she'd take it all, as planned.
Watching him drink water, her eyes fell on his straw hat. He'd called it his treasure. Curious, she asked, "You said that hat's your treasure?"
"Yup. A friend gave it to me."
"Got a treasure map in it?"
"Nope."
"Made of rare material?"
"Just a normal hat."
Nami frowned, annoyed. "How's a normal hat treasure?"
"A great pirate gave it to me when I was a kid. Told me to return it someday. It's my oath with Shanks."
Nami's eyes widened. Shanks—the Red-Haired Emperor of the Grand Line, one of the four legendary pirates. His straw hat was iconic. She couldn't believe Luffy knew him, but his pirate claims gained credibility. Coldness crept into her gaze, her hatred for pirates flaring.
"So, you're really a pirate," she said.
"Told ya," Luffy replied.
"Fine. I'll use you."
She stepped away, returning with rope, not hiding it. Luffy asked, "What's that for?"
"You'll see," she smirked.
Nami outlined the plan: she'd lead him to the pirates' hideout, he'd fight, and she'd steal the treasure. "Simple, right?"
"Yup," Luffy agreed.
"Let's go. I want this done today."
They left, Nami leading down the main street. Luffy followed, unbothered by the surroundings, trusting her navigation. As they walked, he asked, "You read charts?"
"Yup. I'm a navigator."
"Didn't know. Wanna join us? Be our navigator."
"No way. I hate pirates most in this world. I love money and tangerines."
"Really? I love pirates."
"You wouldn't get it, carefree as you are."
Her expression hardened. They approached a noisy tavern—the pirate hideout. As Luffy stared, Nami circled him, tying his arms with rope.
"Why'm I tied up?" he asked, tilting his head.
"You'll see. Let's go meet their boss."
Leading the bound Luffy, she marched toward the tavern. He followed, unbothered, as they infiltrated the enemy's base.