After a knock, Wendy looked up calmly as the door opened, though her heart raced. She couldn't explain why—never felt this before. Something big was about to happen.
The lieutenant brought in Kiri, handcuffed, changing the room's air.
"Sit. I need to talk," Wendy said.
Pushed lightly, Kiri stumbled, sitting roughly. His attitude was defiant, no smile, almost cocky. Wary, he slouched, speaking first. "Can I change? Wet clothes kill my mood."
"Got a marine uniform. That work?" Wendy asked.
"Pass. Can't wear it, reasons," Kiri said.
"Fine. We'll get to those reasons later," Wendy said, smiling softly, her gentle tone contrasting his edge.
"Name and job," she said.
"Kiri. Pirate," he said bluntly.
The lieutenant's brow twitched. Declaring piracy to marines? Either reckless or joking. It risked trouble. Wendy, unfazed, nodded, taking it in stride. "Hometown?"
"East Blue, Kokona Village," Kiri said.
"Your history?"
"Was a pirate, quit, now sailing with another crew."
"Old crew?"
"Velvet Pirates. Wiped out."
"Current crew?"
"Look, handcuffed and interrogated? I haven't done much wrong," Kiri said.
"I'll explain. I'm just curious about you. Don't want to talk? Say 'no comment.' No torture," Wendy said.
"No comment," Kiri said.
"Reason?"
"Spilling my crew's name to the Navy isn't fun. Don't worry, my captain'll make waves soon. You'll know who I'm with," Kiri said.
"Confident, huh?" Wendy said, jotting notes, seeming pleased.
Kiri couldn't read her. Her enjoyment was odd. He scanned for escape, but wet clothes and body—his paper-based Devil Fruit power useless when soaked—left him weak. No strength, no paper control. Escape wasn't tough in theory, but he needed to dry out. For now, he'd play along, watching for an opening.
"Tell me why I'm here," Kiri said.
"Already? I've got more questions," Wendy teased.
"Hurry up. Navy's not my favorite," Kiri said.
"Sorry. Let's wrap this up. Your parents, still in Kokona Village?" Wendy asked.
"Dead. Joined pirates to leave," Kiri said.
"Their names?"
Kiri shared his parents' names, unused for years. Orphaned at five, he'd struggled until his father's pirate tales inspired him to sail. Recalling this felt distant. Wendy scribbled, thoughtful, then asked, "Cause of death?"
"Dunno. Neighbors found them. Accident, I heard," Kiri said.
"Sorry for digging," Wendy said.
"Old news. Doesn't hurt," Kiri said.
Wendy set down her pen, arms crossed, staring at her notes. Kiri waited in silence. Strange—kidnapped, chained, yet calmly chatting. Annoying, but he had no strength to resist.
Wendy looked up, serious. "Why you're here? Donny, the polar bear, grabbed you."
"Didn't know its name," Kiri said.
"That's Donny. My marine grandpa raised him. Trained well, great memory. He snatches pirates on sight," Wendy said.
"By smell?" Kiri quipped.
"He only grabs those on posters. Ignores others," Wendy said.
"Then it's a mistake. No bounty on me," Kiri said.
"True. But your story gave me a hunch," Wendy said, leaning forward, friendly yet unsettling. "My grandpa was an auditor like me, checking Navy bases for corruption. He got obsessed with one pirate, chasing him over everything. I don't know their connection, but that pirate was big in his life."
"Cool," Kiri said, uninterested.
"That pirate was infamous—strong, evil. Countless murders, cruel acts, destroyed nations. Hated globally, worse than Gold Roger. Roger had admirers; this guy, mostly enemies," Wendy said.
"Neat," Kiri said.
"Grandpa loved animals. Donny was with him then, probably saw that pirate's face often," Wendy said.
"So?" Kiri asked, sensing trouble.
"I agree with Donny. I knew the moment I saw you," Wendy said, grinning.
"What? You're not making sense," Kiri said.
"You look like him. Your smile, sharp eyes, hair color—eerily similar to his photo," Wendy said.
"Ridiculous," Kiri scoffed, shaking his head. Mistaken for that pirate's son? He had parents, loved him until they died. "I told you my parents' names. Just a coincidence."
"Maybe, but there's gaps," Wendy said. "Your parents' hair color—same as yours?"
Kiri paused. His parents were blonde, but his was duller, different. He froze, realizing the mismatch. Wendy's certainty grew. "Their death—you don't know the cause. Could someone, maybe an enemy of that pirate, killed them out of spite? Or they were friends?"
"What's your basis?" Kiri snapped.
"Your hometown, Kokona Village. That pirate was born there too," Wendy said.
Kiri clammed up, stunned. Just a theory, but it shook him. Logically, it didn't matter—his parents were dead. Who cared if that pirate was his real father? Yet his heart raced.
"My guess: your real parents couldn't raise you, entrusted you to them, and left. You were kept in the dark. Plausible, right?" Wendy said.
"Baseless. Doesn't matter who my birth parents were. Those two raised me," Kiri said.
"Fair. But I think otherwise," Wendy said, amused. "Grandpa chased that pirate. I'm a marine, you're a pirate, and we meet. Fateful, no?"
"Don't care. Throw me in a cell," Kiri said.
"Cold. One last question," Wendy said, pointing at her notes, meeting his glare. "Kiri's your real name?"
"Yeah," Kiri said.
"Grandpa's pirate had the 'D' initial. You too?" Wendy asked.
Kiri frowned, clueless. He didn't know. Wendy believed Donny's instinct and her own gut—this boy carried that pirate's familiar aura. She needed to investigate.
Relaxing, Wendy leaned back. "Let's break. You're tired, and there's stuff you don't know."
"Wouldn't tell you anyway. Pointless," Kiri said.
"Don't want to know? He might be your parent," Wendy said.
"Doesn't matter. Is he alive?" Kiri asked.
"Rumors say yes," Wendy said.
Kiri's confusion deepened. Wendy stood, addressing the lieutenant. "Let's have tea. Take him to my quarters."
"No thanks. I'm a pirate, handcuffed. A cell's fine," Kiri said.
"Relax. I just want to chat," Wendy said.
"Ask him," Kiri said, nodding at the lieutenant.
"Fine, my quarters," Wendy ordered.
"Yes, ma'am," the lieutenant said, grabbing Kiri's arm, pulling him to the door. Kiri glared at Wendy until it closed.
Wendy smiled wryly, approaching a shelf. She'd riled him, touching a sore spot. Expected, but no big deal. She was thrilled—her first real purpose as a marine. Her grandfather's rival, now her encounter with his potential son. Just a possibility, but exciting.
"First good thing as an auditor. Will he become like that pirate?" she mused, pulling out a photo, gazing at it fondly, heart stirring.
At Bokuden's house, Luffy kicked his chair, standing. Zoro, Silk, Nami, Apis, and Bokuden were there, all serious. Zoro burned with regret for not stopping Kiri's kidnapping.
"We're saving Kiri. Now," Luffy said.
"Wait! It's the Navy! You're picking a fight with them?" Nami said, blocking the door.
Luffy's resolve didn't waver. Challenging the Navy—world government's enforcers—meant no turning back. They'd be marked pirates, hunted forever. Nami couldn't fathom their recklessness.
"Move. I need to get Kiri," Luffy said.
"Do you get it? Being a pirate, defying the Navy—it's not just bravado. You need smarts to survive. Even the strongest die easily," Nami said.
"I know. Move," Luffy said.
"You don't! Why obsess over being a pirate? That flag got him taken. It's your fault!" Nami shouted.
Luffy listened, expressionless. Nami's hatred for pirates mixed with worry or disdain—she wasn't sure. But Luffy's fist stayed clenched. "Doesn't matter what you say. I'm going. I promised to protect Kiri and his crew. I don't want a journey without him."
"You'd die for that?" Nami asked.
"Won't die. Not till I'm Pirate King," Luffy said, gently pushing her aside, opening the door.
"Don't come if you don't want. You're not crew," Luffy said.
"Wait—" Nami said.
"Silk, Zoro, let's go. We'll lose them," Luffy said, storming out.
Zoro and Silk followed. Silk, passing Nami, apologized softly. "Luffy's just worried about Kiri. He doesn't hate you."
"Silk—" Nami started.
Silk hurried off, fearless. Nami thought them foolish. Risking everything for one person? A crew should cut losses sometimes. Why sail into danger?
Nami, used to surviving alone, couldn't grasp their loyalty. They valued crew over victory, charging into hopeless fights without care for consequences. She stood, conflicted, hating pirates yet tied to them.
Apis rushed past, chasing the trio. "Wait! I'm coming too!"
"Apis! Why you?" Nami called, reaching out, unanswered.
She turned to Bokuden, calm in his chair. "You're okay with Apis going? They're fighting the Navy!"
"Aye," Bokuden said.
"Aren't you worried? Your granddaughter could die!" Nami said.
"Of course. But stopping her won't help. Restricting her isn't always best," Bokuden said.
"They're pirates!" Nami said.
"We trust them more than the Navy," Bokuden said.
Nami froze. Trusting pirates over the Navy? Unheard of, especially after one day. "Apis is smiling with them. That's the difference," Bokuden added.
"Why does everyone support them? They're just pirates!" Nami muttered, running down the hill to the dock.
She knew the Orange Town mayor thanked them, saw Apis laughing with them. So what? Pirates were scum, her tormentors. Yet these pirates challenged her beliefs, and it irked her.
Breathing hard, she reached the ship, prepped for departure. She didn't board, standing firm, shouting, "Wait, Luffy!"
Luffy leaned over the rail, eyes sharp. Nami hated pirates but knew they weren't typical looters—more like pirate-hunting rogues. Still, old biases held. She needed to watch them, judge for herself.
Clenching her fists, she said, "You're all gung-ho, but do you even know where Kiri's ship went?"
"Don't know. But I don't want Kiri gone," Luffy said.
"Such a kid… Even if you knew, no navigator. Your best guy's gone," Nami said.
"Oh," Luffy mumbled.
Nami exhaled sharply. "I'm not your crew… but fine. We're teamed up. I'll take you anywhere you want."
"Really?" Luffy asked.
"No choice. To use you, I've gotta," Nami said, boarding, eyeing the group—Luffy, Silk, Zoro, Apis. Just four, Apis a kid, not a pirate. This was their plan?
Five with her. Still weak. But Luffy grinned, genuinely happy for her help. "Let's go together."
"Temporary help. Not joining your crew," Nami said.
"Fine. We'll talk after we get Kiri," Luffy said.
"Not getting it, huh?" Nami muttered.
The ship bustled, swiftly leaving the dock. Everyone's faces hardened, ready for battle. Nami sensed their resolve to fight the Navy, lips tightening. Zoro, furious, checked his swords. Silk stared at her blade, pondering her new, unknown Devil Fruit power—untested until combat. Luffy, usually cheerful, was deadly serious, voice low.
"Apis, we'll handle Ryu-ji. Wait a bit. We can't move forward without Kiri," Luffy said.
"Okay. I'll help too. Just say how," Apis said.
"Shishishi, got it. We're counting on you. Alright, crew, set sail! We're taking Kiri back from the Navy!" Luffy declared.
The ship launched. The enemy was vague, but Zoro confirmed it was the Navy. That was enough. Anyone touching their crew got no mercy. Luffy's rare anger stunned and rallied them.