"What are you two still lying around for? We're setting sail! If you keep dragging your feet, no meat for you!"
Luffy, eager to head out to sea, had already run onto the new ship and even invited Usopp aboard. When he saw Alex and Nami still lying on the ground sunbathing, he immediately shouted at them in annoyance.
"They're not the kind of people you can bribe with meat," Zoro said, scratching his head. Fresh aboard the new vessel, he was brimming with energy.
Sailing out?
Alex's heart leapt with excitement. In one swift motion, he flipped to his feet and ran toward Luffy and the others.
After a few steps, though, he noticed something was off. Turning back, he saw Nami still lying there unmoving. He quickly ran back, grabbed her hand without warning, and pulled her to her feet. With a bright grin, he said, "Quit wasting time, woman! Don't you know we're setting sail?"
Nami had been a little miffed when Alex initially ran off without her, leaving her behind. But before she could stew for long, he came rushing back and—rather rudely—dragged her along.
Idiot… What's the rush? I'm a girl, you know. You could be a little gentler—you're hurting my hand!
She bit her lip, looking at his back as he pulled her forward. Feeling the warmth of his grip, she didn't voice her complaint and instead allowed a small smile to form as her eyes fell on the ship Kaya had gifted them.
The vessel's bow featured an adorable sheep's head and was a sturdy caravel—its skeletal frame and triangular sails all designed for central stern steering.
Nami felt a swell of happiness. With a ship like this, their voyage to the Grand Line had far better odds than rowing in a tiny dinghy.
"Alright, let's get on!"
Alex's eyes lit up at the sight of the lifelike figurehead. Pulling out his extendable fishing rod, he asked Nami to hold the black bag filled with its attachments.
Hooking the railing with his line, Alex reeled it in sharply, lifting himself and Nami into the air. Using the tension, they swung up and landed neatly on the bow.
"Look over there," Alex said.
From the sheep's head, they could see the sun slowly rising over the distant sea, its warm golden light spilling across the waves. The glowing horizon and crimson clouds bathed them in a sense of life and renewal.
"Here," Nami said, handing him the bag.
Grabbing it, Alex suddenly thrust his arms high, his voice ringing out: "Let's set sail—the next adventure is waiting for us!"
"Huh?"
Nami hadn't even lowered her hand yet when he lifted it along with the bag. Glancing at his infectious energy, she couldn't help but mirror his enthusiasm.
Instead of pulling back, she raised her other hand as well, shouting, "Alright! We'll sail toward the morning sun!"
Side by side, they stood on the bow, arms high, voices carrying over the waves.
"Hahahaha!"
Nami's smile was radiant—pure joy.
Alex glanced at her, catching how the sunrise painted her cheeks and lit her expression with a beauty far warmer than when she was angry.
She's definitely prettier when she smiles than when she looks ready to punch someone.
Before the thought could settle, Luffy's voice rang out: "Hey! What are you two doing? That's my special spot!"
Spotting them on his favorite place—the bow—Luffy stretched his arms, grabbed their collars, and tossed them back without hesitation. Then he leapt up himself, standing proudly as he bellowed, "We're setting sail! Let's head for the Grand Line!"
Silence. No cheers.
"What's wrong with you guys? Why so lifeless? And where's Usopp? Why isn't he on board yet?"
Turning, he saw Nami, Alex, and Zoro all piled together on the deck. Usopp, who had been trying to climb aboard, was also missing.
Turns out, when Luffy had thrown Alex and Nami down, they'd crashed into Zoro—who had been helping Usopp up. The poor guy hadn't even gotten both feet on deck before tumbling back into the water.
"As your captain, I have to say something," Luffy began sternly, arms crossed. "When we set sail, you've got to give it your all! This is the start of a grand journey! If you don't, bad luck could follow—"
"This is all your fault, you idiot!"
Alex and Zoro got to their feet and immediately pounded Luffy, soon joined by Nami and a dripping-wet Usopp.
Moments ago, Luffy had been playing the dignified captain. Now, he was on the deck, buried under four pairs of angry fists.
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