Back on the ship, the four reached the deck and discussed their journey. Spotting the Buggy Pirates' ship nearby, Kiri suggested looting it.
"Could we take stuff from that ship?" Kiri asked.
"Pointless. It's empty," a voice replied from the cabin door.
All eyes turned. Nami, the pirate-thieving girl known to Luffy, emerged. Luffy grinned, but the others, barely familiar, were skeptical.
"Nami! Why're you here?" Luffy asked.
"I bet on you winning. You're stronger than expected—useful," she said.
"Joining my crew?" Luffy asked.
"No. A temporary alliance. I'm no pirate and won't stay forever," Nami replied, striding to the deck's center, confident. "I'll provide navigation. You collect treasure for me. Deal?"
"Who's this chick, acting all high and mighty?" Zoro grumbled.
"I'm Nami, pirate thief. Love money and tangerines, hate pirates. That enough? Let's move," she said, dismissive.
Her attitude sparked tension. Zoro glared, Silk stayed quiet, but Luffy smiled, thrilled. He turned to Kiri.
"Cool if Nami's aboard, Kiri?"
"Do what you want, Captain," Kiri said, shrugging. "You don't budge once you decide."
"Kiri, don't brush this off. It's not simple," Zoro protested.
"I know, but he's stubborn. We'll manage," Kiri replied, unfazed.
Zoro relented, the tense mood settling. Silk approached Nami, offering a handshake. "I'm Silk. Nice to meet you."
"…Sure," Nami said, taking her hand, her expression cold but accepting.
Zoro, still displeased, started raising the anchor, respecting authority. Kiri glanced at Nami. "You said their ship's empty?"
"I stole everything—food, water, treasure. Moved it here," Nami said.
"Nice work," Kiri said.
"I bet on you winning. If you lost, I'd have taken this ship," she admitted.
"Alone?" Kiri asked.
"I'm a top navigator. I can handle it," Nami said.
Kiri nodded, placing Luffy's straw hat back on his head. Luffy beamed. Nami's sharp, but her motives were unclear. Kiri approved her boarding, and they prepped to sail.
"Welcome. We needed a navigator," Kiri said.
"Temporary, got it?" Nami stressed.
"Fine by me," Kiri said.
As Kiri set the sails, Zoro joined, whispering, "She's shady. You okay with this?"
"She's useful. The question's when she'll betray us," Kiri said.
"Knowing that, you're letting her stay?"
"We'll watch her. If she's scheming, we'll handle it," Kiri said, leaning on the railing, smiling but with a steely edge. "Luffy's call comes first, but I won't let anyone ruin this crew."
Zoro muttered, "First time you've freaked me out."
"Thought I was harmless?" Kiri teased.
"Usually," Zoro said.
Unaware, Luffy, Nami, and Silk chatted. Silk was excited for another woman aboard. "I was the only girl, so I'm glad you're here, Nami."
"You're a pirate? Could've chosen better," Nami said, shaking her head.
"I chose this. No regrets," Silk replied.
Nami scoffed, clearly despising pirates. Silk, curious, asked, "Why hate pirates so much?"
"They cause trouble," Nami said.
"But you're a pirate thief. Why get close?" Silk pressed.
Nami's face darkened, then she met Silk's gaze. "I need one billion Berries to buy a village. Pirates are the best marks."
"Buy a village?" Silk asked, puzzled.
"Believe it or not. That's all I'll say. I need money," Nami said.
Silk gave an awkward smile, dropping it. Prep finished, Kiri approached Luffy. "Ready to sail, Captain."
"Got it," Luffy said.
Kiri glanced at Nami. "She's got a story."
"Yup," Luffy said.
"Gonna help her?" Kiri asked.
"Nah. She didn't ask for help. I just want her as a crewmate," Luffy said firmly.
Kiri chuckled. "Pirates, not heroes, huh?"
"I'd do anything for my crew, but no reason to help others," Luffy said.
"Makes my job easier," Kiri said.
"What's that mean?" Luffy asked.
"My business. I'll handle the grunt work, you be you," Kiri said.
"Cool," Luffy nodded, oblivious.
He raised his arms, shouting, "Alright, crew, set sail! To the sea!"
The ship left port, carrying looted supplies and a new navigator. A dog's bark drew their attention to the shore, where Boodle and his dog Shushu stood. Boodle, breathless, smiled. "Thank you."
Luffy waved. "No big deal! Take it easy!"
Boodle's eyes welled up. They'd saved his town without reward, leaving swiftly. He and Shushu waved until the ship vanished.
Onboard, they discussed Nami. "She can bunk with me," Silk said.
"Fine," Nami agreed.
"About treasure—we need some for the crew," Kiri said.
"Nine-to-one split," Nami offered.
"That's barely anything," Silk said, laughing.
"We provide the ship. No share, no ride. Or we toss you overboard," Kiri said.
"Fine, eight-to-two," Nami said.
"Even split," Kiri countered.
"I steal it! Seven-to-three," Nami said.
"Six-to-four," Kiri pressed.
"Seven-to-three, final," Nami said.
"Deal," Kiri agreed, turning to Silk. "Check the loot with Nami."
"What, ordering me around?" Nami snapped.
"You stole it. You know where it is," Kiri said.
"Ugh, fine," Nami grumbled, leading Silk inside.
"Watch she doesn't pocket anything," Kiri called.
"I wouldn't!" Nami shouted.
Silk mediated, and they disappeared. Kiri took the helm. Zoro approached, wary. "You don't trust her."
"I'll wait. She's planning something," Kiri said.
"Where we headed?" Luffy asked, stretching.
"You decide, Captain," Kiri said, sighing.
"I don't know routes," Luffy said.
"Same here, but we're nearing the Grand Line's entrance," Kiri said.
"You know that?" Luffy asked.
"I sailed from East Blue to the Grand Line," Kiri said.
Luffy squatted on the railing, blocking Kiri's view, grinning. "Nami said she stole a Grand Line map from Buggy. Wants to go there for her billion Berries."
"A Grand Line map?" Kiri asked, skeptical. "From who?"
"Buggy. She was running from his crew," Luffy said.
"Buggy… Shanks' old crewmate. He might've had one," Kiri mused.
Grand Line maps were valuable, often faked. Nami's claim raised doubts. Kiri and Zoro exchanged nods—she was unpredictable.
"What's the plan with Nami?" Kiri asked Luffy.
"She turned me down," Luffy said.
"Ditch her next island. She's not crew," Zoro said.
"I think she's fine. I want her with us," Luffy said.
"Any reason?" Zoro asked.
"Nope. Just a feeling," Luffy said.
"Like with us. Maybe he's got a knack," Kiri said.
"Doubt it. We'll see," Zoro said, heading to nap by the railing.
Kiri understood his role: balance Luffy's whims with Zoro's caution. A navigator was a win, but Nami was tricky. "We'll need a cook, doctor, shipwright. Someone handy," Kiri said.
"Who'd you want, Kiri?" Luffy asked.
"Your call, Captain. I'll recruit anyone," Kiri said.
"Shishi, you're reliable!" Luffy laughed, holding his hat.
His carefree grin was classic Luffy. Kiri's treasure was this crew; his goal, making Luffy Pirate King. He'd be ruthless if needed, a resolve forged from past loss. Smiling, he steeled himself.
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