After a night at sea, the crew resumed their voyage at sunrise.
Nami, in the cabin, cheerfully sketched a sea chart.
Mapping their journey was her duty as navigator, but lately, it felt like a hobby. Dreaming of charting the world, this was her moment of bliss.
The battle at Warship Island had cost them much, but redrawing wasn't a chore.
Traveling with them, moving freely, and charting by her will brought joy.
After breakfast, holed up in the women's cabin, she drew until pausing. Reluctant to stop, she'd made progress in an hour. The urge to keep going was rare, not felt in years.
She was letting her guard down, she thought.
She'd seen the fight at Syrup Village, sneaking aboard to steal treasure. Their battles, especially Silk's growth, impressed her. Silk's training since eating the Devil Fruit had paid off.
Nami had worried when Silk fought alone, but her victory brought relief and unexpected joy.
That wasn't good, she thought. Caring for the crew, wanting to stay with them.
She wasn't like this at first. Had they bonded her? Not a good change, she believed.
She felt too comfortable, realizing too late it was a mistake.
She shouldn't be this way. She'd tried to stay skeptical.
Shaking her head, she sighed.
They'd part eventually. Better not to get attached.
Forcing a neutral expression, Nami stepped onto the deck.
Clear skies. The voyage went smoothly.
But spotting Zoro and Silk with drawn swords, she gasped. Concern flared, and she scolded them without thinking, unaware her actions drew her closer to them.
"Hey, what're you doing?" Nami snapped.
"Training…" Silk replied.
"You'll wreck the ship! It's our new one. Train on land. No scratches outside battle."
"I'm being careful," Silk said.
"No. Wait till the next island," Nami insisted.
Like a mother or sister, hands on hips, Nami's reprimand made Silk lower her sword sheepishly. It was their precious ship, not a hand-me-down. Damaging it felt wrong.
Silk stopped, so Zoro sheathed his sword.
They weren't serious, just checking moves, but even that wasn't allowed.
Zoro's enthusiasm waned; he sat, hands behind head, slumping. Typical—napping, training, or fighting.
Silk sheathed her sword, and Nami softened, smiling.
Her attitude had softened compared to before.
Eye contact showed the change. Faces relaxed, and casual chatter flowed with unexpected warmth.
"You're always so carefree," Nami said. "Where's Luffy and the others?"
"Luffy's napping on the Merry's head. Says it's the best spot," Silk answered.
Nami looked. Luffy sprawled face-down on the sheep figurehead, a risky spot. A slight sway could send him into the sea, yet he slept soundly.
Nami shook her head, exasperated.
Brave or reckless?
Sighing, she drew a wry smile from Silk.
"Can't understand why he picks the most dangerous spot," Nami muttered.
"Haha, I don't get it either," Silk said. "But he loves it."
"Weirdos," Nami said.
"Can't deny it," Silk agreed.
"Where's Kiri? I asked him to watch the heading," Nami said.
"With Usopp at the stern, doing something," Silk replied.
"The heading?"
"Said it's fine. Oh, and Zoro should watch it."
"What?" Nami turned to Zoro.
"I'm watching," Zoro said, leaning against the railing, eyeing a distant cloud. "Heading for that big cloud."
His calm tone ignored the cloud's shifting shape. Nami clutched her head at his carefree response.
Kiri's alleged words—ignoring the heading—infuriated her.
She pulled a compass from her skirt pocket.
The ship's bow veered off course. The heading had shifted.
Though a temporary alliance, she was their trusted navigator. Only she had real navigation skills; Kiri's knowledge was trivial. Yet he defied her.
Why? She wanted to know.
This crew was full of oddballs.
Luffy and Kiri stood out: one predictable, the other unreadable. Similar yet opposites.
Another sigh. Nami gave a wry smile, stopped overthinking, and looked at Silk.
"I'll ask him myself. You guys are exhausting," she said.
"Sorry for the trouble," Silk replied.
"It's fine. I'm getting used to it," Nami said, heading aft.
At the stern, Kiri and Usopp sat facing each other, items scattered, working on something. Usopp looked serious; Kiri wore his usual smile.
They didn't notice Nami, continuing their talk.
"No need to overthink fighting," Kiri said. "One thing matters: exploit the enemy's weakness and hit. That's enough."
"Easy to say," Usopp replied. "Finding that weakness is hard."
"Change your thinking. Make the weakness yourself. Unless they're a Devil Fruit user, human weak points are consistent. Plan your strategy, and it's simple."
"Like what?"
"Untrainable parts—eyes, nose, mouth. You're a sniper, Usopp. Hit those, and you disrupt their calm."
"You're ruthless. Eyes, I get, but nose? Oh—pepper in a bullet could make them sneeze nonstop."
"Taste can't be trained either. Extreme flavors—spicy, bitter, sweet—could hinder them. Even Luffy'd stop."
"Hmm…"
"What's with the dangerous talk?" Nami interrupted.
They finally noticed her, looking up.
"Hey, Nami. Done with the chart?" Kiri asked.
"Not yet. You were supposed to watch the heading. You didn't," she said.
"Well, yeah," Kiri admitted.
"On purpose?" Nami pressed.
"No rush. Detours are fine. We need crewmates too. Straight to the Grand Line's boring, right?"
"You decide that alone? You said aim for the Grand Line," Nami countered.
"Luffy said that. Didn't want to interrupt," Kiri replied.
"You guys… Talking to you is the most tiring," Nami groaned.
"Against pirates, don't be honest. Especially if you keep thieving," Kiri teased.
His laugh twisted Nami's expression.
He was tricky. His freedom felt different from Luffy's. Luffy was open; Kiri's thoughts were hidden.
She sensed something deep in him.
Kiri's smile grew serious, continuing calmly.
"To beat pirates, be worse than them. 'Fair' doesn't exist here. Remember that."
"Thanks for the advice," Nami said dryly. "If not the Grand Line, where to?"
"Dunno," Kiri shrugged.
"What? Where's this ship going?"
"Let the sea decide. East Blue's calm enough."
"You're unbelievable. I thought you were sensible," Nami sighed.
She didn't push back hard. Her true goal was money. Any place would do if it brought wealth.
Usopp, listening during a break, tilted his head. They seemed sensible but not friendly.
"You guys not get along?" he asked.
"Not really," Kiri said.
"Not bad, but I'm fed up with them," Nami said.
"Including me?" Kiri asked.
"Obviously. You and Luffy are the worst," Nami replied.
"Told ya," Kiri said to Usopp.
"Don't get their dynamic," Usopp said. "Traveling with a thief who's not a crewmate?"
He set down a pepper jar, continuing work.
He knew the basics: Nami wasn't a full member, just allied for money, her navigation skills making her the navigator.
Per Luffy, he was captain, Kiri vice-captain, Silk and Zoro fighters, and Usopp, skilled with a slingshot, the sniper.
With a proper ship, they couldn't stay cannonless.
Expectations for Usopp were high, and he was ready.
"Still, not knowing where we're going is scary," Usopp said. "Kiri, shouldn't we pick a destination?"
"Maybe. But we don't know East Blue well," Kiri replied.
"Me neither," Usopp admitted.
"That's why I'm here," Nami said. "And you ignore me."
"You'll hit land eventually. Sea's big, but land's everywhere," Kiri said.
"Ugh, seriously…" Nami pressed her forehead.
At that moment, Luffy jolted awake on the figurehead, scanning the sea.
Silk, practicing her ability, and Zoro, half-asleep, noticed.
Luffy sniffed, searching.
Curious, Silk approached. "What's up, Luffy?"
"Smells good," he said.
"Smell? I don't smell anything," Silk replied.
"Tasty smell. Let's find it, Silk! Gotta be food!"
"I don't smell it…"
"Hey, Kiri! Nami! Move the ship!" Luffy shouted, leaping to the deck.
The three at the stern hurried to the mainmast, spotting Luffy. His sudden order raised questions.
"What's up, Luffy? Another whim?" Nami asked.
"Tasty smell. Let's find it," Luffy said.
"Smell?" Nami questioned.
"Nothing here," Usopp said.
"Me neither," Silk added.
"He's got animal senses," Kiri said. "It's credible."
Luffy ran to the railing, pointing. His eager grin aimed at Nami, the navigator.
"From that way. No mistake. Something's there," he said.
"You want to eat it?" Zoro asked.
"No islands nearby," Nami said.
"Let's go! I'm hungry!" Luffy urged.
"He's not listening," Kiri noted.
Kiri smirked, Nami sighed, Usopp looked confused, and the others were used to it.
Luffy's whim changed the ship's course.
Everyone moved, no complaints.
Oddly, no one minded altering course for Luffy's vague scent.
Usopp, steering, felt no real issue. This was the ship's vibe.
The Merry's bow turned, setting a new path.
"Full speed! Aim for the tasty smell!" Luffy shouted.
"I don't get the smell. Why only you?" Usopp asked.
"Usopp, got a telescope? Maybe something's out there," Silk suggested.
"Got one, but what's tasty in the sea?" Usopp wondered.
He pulled a telescope from his bag, scanning ahead.
Something appeared instantly, distant but visible.
Stunned, Usopp muttered, "There's… something."
"See? Told ya!" Luffy cheered.
"What is it?" Nami asked.
"A ship. Small, not a boat… a shop?" Usopp said.
"A food shop? Let's stop! I'm starving!" Luffy declared.
Luffy's loud call drove the Merry forward.
The sails caught wind, speeding them to the spot.
No islands in sight.
They found a small ship with a noren curtain and flag reading "Oden."
A floating oden stall.
Luffy's eyes sparkled, and the crew was intrigued.
A pirate ship approaching startled the boy aboard, but the owner, Iwaso, was unfazed. Towel on head, stern-faced, he calmly eyed the Merry.
They pulled alongside, furling sails.
Luffy, cross-legged on the figurehead, called to Iwaso. "Hey, you sell oden? We're six. That okay?"
"Pirates or customers?" Iwaso asked.
"Pirate customers. We'll pay. Feed us," Luffy said.
"If you pay, you're customers. Orders?" Iwaso replied.
"Shishishi, everything! I'm starving," Luffy said, jumping to the stall and sitting.
Kiri leaned over the railing, but before he could protest, Zoro joined Luffy, sitting. "Luffy, we've got a budget. No eating everything."
"Oden!" Luffy shouted.
"Hey, don't eat it all," Zoro said. "Got sake?"
"Limited stock," Iwaso replied.
"Nice," Zoro grinned.
"Anyone listening?" Kiri called.
Luffy and Zoro ignored him, focused on food.
Kiri gave up. Stopping Luffy was tough, and he was too lazy to try.
Luffy's feast began.
Iwaso, recognizing them as customers, served oden without hesitation, even to pirates. He passed a plate to Zoro and a sake bottle. Gruff but hospitable.
"Delicious!" Luffy cheered.
"You guys not eating?" Zoro asked.
"No room for six," Kiri said.
"I'll bring plates," Iwaso said. "Tobio, deliver."
"Okay," the boy replied.
Tobio, about ten, snapped out of his daze. Likely Iwaso's kin, he worked when called.
He carried plates on a tray to the Merry. The height difference made passing tricky, but Kiri grabbed it, nearly dropping it. Steaming oden arrived safely. Usopp cheered.
"Here," Tobio said.
"Thanks. Looks tasty," Kiri replied.
"Um, you real pirates?" Tobio asked.
"Yup. Skull flags mean pirates," Kiri said, smiling.
Tobio looked at the Merry's mast, seeing the straw hat skull flag.
Proof of piracy.
Real pirates.
Tobio grinned, curious about his first pirates.
"Awesome, real pirates!" he said.
"Got pirate memories?" Kiri asked.
"I wanna be a pirate! Pirate legends are everywhere!" Tobio said.
Plates were distributed.
Usopp, taking one, smiled at Tobio. He'd dreamed of piracy too. Finding a kindred spirit thrilled him. Silk, slightly behind, smiled too.
Nami frowned. Lately, she met only pirate admirers, clashing with her ingrained distrust.
"You like pirates too?" Usopp said. "Pirates are great—adventure, treasure, romance. The most fun people."
"Yeah! I wanna adventure as a pirate someday!" Tobio said.
"Lots of kids admire pirates," Silk said. "Luffy, Usopp, even me, kinda."
"Don't encourage him," Nami snapped. "Sir, fine with your kin being swayed?"
"Doesn't matter," Iwaso said flatly. "Choose your own path."
"See?" Usopp said.
"Why're you smug?" Nami groaned.
Iwaso's words stunned the crew.
"Choose your path—pirate or oden seller," Iwaso said. "But, Tobio, remember: gold doesn't laugh. Don't let it consume you."
"Uh… okay," Tobio replied, stunned.
Iwaso's serious tone was new. Tobio, used to arguing with him, was shocked by the unfamiliar words.
A brief silence fell, only oden-eating sounds.
Luffy didn't care, but others pondered Iwaso's words.
After seconds of silence, Tobio smiled again, eager to ask real pirates something.
"Hey, know Woonan's legend?" he asked.
Usopp lit up, Silk and Zoro reacted, but Luffy, Kiri, and Nami looked clueless.
Kiri spoke first. "Woonan? Never heard of him."
"Seriously, Kiri? Famous in East Blue," Usopp said.
"Really? Been away from East Blue," Kiri replied.
"You mentioned that. But Woonan hit the Grand Line for a bit," Usopp said.
"Huh," Kiri said.
"Woonan's a legendary pirate," Tobio said. "Collected so much gold, it lit the sea like day at night. Called the Golden Pirate."
Tobio's starry eyes showed his admiration.
The crew grew curious.
Woonan, the Golden Pirate.
Kiri didn't know him or his legend. Was he that famous? The reactions suggested he wasn't obscure.
Curious, Kiri asked, "Silk, know Woonan?"
"Yeah," Silk said. "Like Usopp said, he hit the Grand Line, had a sixty-million-berry bounty. His return to East Blue was huge."
"Golden pirate, huh? Still alive?" Kiri asked.
"Disappeared years ago. No one knows," Silk replied.
"He's alive! Woonan wouldn't die easily!" Tobio insisted.
His passion made Luffy pause mid-bite, looking at Tobio gently.
Like him, Tobio admired pirates, inspired by Shanks.
"No word on Woonan," Usopp said.
"How strong was he?" Luffy asked.
"Dunno," Zoro said, sipping sake. "No rumors, so maybe dead."
Tobio's face fell.
Luffy, swallowing, grinned. Facing the crew, he spoke cheerfully.
"Let's find Woonan. If he's cool, he's a crewmate," Luffy said.
"What!?" Usopp gasped. "Luffy, for real?"
"Woonan as a crewmate? He's a great pirate!" Tobio exclaimed.
"Maybe. But I'm not stopping at great," Luffy said.
"Huh?" Tobio blinked.
Luffy's grin turned to Tobio, brimming with confidence.
"I'm gonna be Pirate King," Luffy declared.
"Pirate King?" Tobio echoed.
"Don't know how great Woonan is, but I won't lose to anyone. I'm not bowing to any pirate," Luffy said.
His fearless attitude stunned Tobio. Confused but awed, he saw Luffy as a true pirate.
Iwaso, silent till now, spoke quietly.
"You want to meet Woonan?" he asked.
"Yeah. Know him?" Luffy replied.
"Grandpa?" Tobio gasped.
"Don't know if he's alive," Iwaso said. "But I know the island he used as a base."
His words grabbed everyone's attention.
Tobio was shocked, hearing this for the first time. Iwaso knew he wanted to be a pirate and admired Woonan, yet never mentioned this.
Without explaining, Iwaso continued, his face serious, the mood heavy.
"You're pirates. Can you fight pirates?" he asked.
"Of course," Luffy said.
"I want to go to Woonan's island," Iwaso said. "It's now a pirate stronghold. They're after Woonan's hidden treasure."
"Gold," Nami said, eyes sharp.
Iwaso nodded. "Don't know if it's there, don't care. But pirates block access. Take me there, and your oden's free."
"Free oden for fighting pirates? Bad deal. Suspicious too," Nami said. "Planning to steal the gold after we find it? Can't trust anyone lately."
"Free oden's great for us with Luffy," Kiri said.
"Quiet, pirate," Nami snapped. "Accepting that? You a housewife?"
Nami objected, but Luffy decided alone, nodding.
"Sounds good. Beat the pirates, right?" Luffy said.
"Luffy, wait—" Nami started.
"No worries. Not into gold. Find it, it's yours," Iwaso said.
"Well, okay…" Nami relented, still suspicious.
Why seek Woonan without wanting gold? Everyone wondered.
Nami wanted to ask, but Iwaso murmured, "I just want to know what answer he found."
"Deal. We'll find Woonan," Luffy said. "But first, more oden. Gotta eat before a fight."
"Oh, forgot to mention," Kiri added. "Luffy's appetite is scarier than anything. Free oden, so no bill, right?"
The serious mood broke with Luffy and Kiri's antics.
Unable to probe Iwaso's intentions, they set sail for Woonan.
Tobio, especially confused, wondered about his grandfather's tie to Woonan.
Uncertain, their journey began, his heart clouded.
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