OPTC Chapter 341: My Dearest Friends and Family
When Carla brought four little girls over to ask Zhang Da Ye for his opinion, he couldn't help feeling pleased. His kids were growing up — already trying to bring people home.
If he counted Kuina and Kaya too, then if Zhang Da Ye had even the slightest strange hobby, the Amber would have turned into Amber Girls' Elementary School by now.
"But that's not why I taught you the Elementary Student Code…" he muttered.
"What weird thing are you talking about again?" Perona bumped her head lightly against Zhang Da Ye's waist, her pink twin-tails bouncing with each movement. "So what do we do now?"
To be honest, Zhang Da Ye did want to take Nami along. Even though the ship already had Shark Chili and Wendy — one an expert in sea currents and navigation, the other capable of predicting the weather through atmospheric shifts — Nami's talent was exceptional. Alone, she could outmatch them both.
In extreme situations like the great waterfall at Wano or the Knock-Up Stream to Sky Island, even Shark Chili might hesitate, but Nami could handle them effortlessly. Who wouldn't want such a genius navigator?
The only problem was that Nami was still too young. Even after her birthday this year, she'd only be nine. Taking her away like that didn't feel right. Besides, she wasn't ready to leave, and Bell-mère surely wouldn't agree.
Zhang Da Ye looked at Nami and suggested, "How about this? I'll lend you some books to take home and read slowly. We'll come back in three to five years to pick you up. By then, you'll be older and a fully trained navigator — perfect for traveling with us."
Nojiko quickly asked for her sister, "You'll really come back?"
"Of course," Zhang Da Ye nodded. "Coming to East Blue this time was an accident. We're delivering that skull somewhere, but there are still plenty of places here we haven't visited."
"That's great, Nami!" Nojiko hugged her happily.
"Yeah!" Nami grinned. "Thank you, Brother Da Ye!"
"In a few years, huh?" Wendy compared her height to Nami's and decided she had to grow taller before then — to look more like an older sister.
"What? We have to wait years?" Perona grumbled. "Can't we just bring the whole family now?"
Zhang Da Ye leaned closer and whispered, "I thought about that. We could — if someone's willing to give up the room full of teddy bears for them and sleep on the deck instead."
Perona immediately turned to Nami, grabbed her hands, and said seriously, "Make sure you study hard while we're gone!"
…
Choosing the right books for Nami was naturally Shark Chili's job. While Zhang Da Ye had read plenty in his free time, it was more for entertainment — his actual navigation knowledge wasn't even beginner-level. If he picked wrong, he might mislead her.
Seeing how seriously Zhang Da Ye took Nami's learning, Shark Chili took the opportunity to explain some fundamentals while selecting books — and even quizzed her along the way. The results shocked him. "So this is what they mean by 'learning one and knowing ten more,' huh," he thought.
Right there and then, Shark Chili activated his Super Shift Mode and, at lightning speed, copied all his study notes to give to Nami. They contained key theories, practical experience, and personal insights from his voyages — invaluable for a new navigator.
Nami held the notebook like a treasure, tucking it into her shirt and hugging it tightly. It seemed her habit of hiding things in her clothes started young — no wonder adult Nami always stashed important tools like her Clima-Tact or Den Den Mushi down her neckline.
Since the stack of books Shark Chili picked was taller than Nami herself, Zhang Da Ye offered home delivery. Perona and Wendy tagged along, eager to play in Nami's orange grove, and Nojiko and Nami wanted to give some oranges as gifts in return.
Bell-mère had experienced a brush with death today, leaving her emotionally shaken. Although she'd had close calls during her time as a Marine, back then she had nothing to lose — it felt completely different now.
Perhaps to vent or celebrate surviving, she'd drunk quite a bit at lunch. By the end of the banquet, she could barely stand, and Ajian had to escort her home.
After making sure Bell-mère was just drunk and nothing more, Perona dragged Nojiko and Nami out to play. Ajian assured them he'd look after things.
A few hours later, Bell-mère stirred awake with a pounding headache.
Ajian hurried over with a glass of water. "Don't drink that much next time."
Bell-mère ignored him and the water, tugging at her collar to peek down inside.
Ajian, startled, jumped back toward the door, spilling half the glass. "What are you doing? I'm still here! Have some decency!"
"Oh?" Bell-mère said with mock disappointment. "You mean you didn't take advantage of me while I was out? Coward~"
"Who'd do that sort of thing to you!" Ajian roared.
Bell-mère blinked innocently. "I just meant wiping my face or something. What sort of thing were you thinking of, Ajian?"
His face flushed scarlet, his little mustache twitching with fury. Once again, this delinquent woman had toyed with him. Slamming the cup down, he snapped, "Since you're awake, wash up yourself!"
He turned to storm out — only to find Zhang Da Ye standing in the doorway.
Zhang Da Ye glanced between Bell-mère's pulled collar and Ajian's red face, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead. "Sorry for interrupting. I'll come back later."
Beside him, Tom stretched his neck curiously to peek inside, but Zhang Da Ye shoved the pile of books into his arms, blocking his view. "Kids shouldn't look at that. Come on, let's go find Nami in the orchard."
Ajian froze for a few seconds, then chased after them in panic. "Wait, don't go!"
Minutes later, the four of them sat around the round table, Zhang Da Ye and Tom sipping tea quietly while Ajian, face flushed, frantically explained.
Bell-mère's cheeks had a faint pink too. She often teased Ajian, but this was the first time someone had caught her in the act — she'd completely forgotten the earlier incident after drinking.
Ajian's throat was dry from talking. "Anyway, it's not what you think!"
"I believe you," Zhang Da Ye nodded calmly.
"…You do?" Ajian blinked in disbelief.
"Of course. You look like an honest man."
"Haha, well… I guess I am," Ajian said, scratching his cheek in embarrassment.
Zhang Da Ye thought for a second, wondering if he'd meant it sincerely or sarcastically — then decided it didn't matter. "Anyway, we actually came to talk about Nami."
"Did she get into trouble?" Bell-mère asked nervously. She knew Nami and Nojiko had been spending time with the two Amber crew girls and worried she might've broken something.
"Don't worry," said Zhang Da Ye. "We actually discovered Nami has great talent as a navigator, so we made a small agreement with her." He explained the situation briefly.
"These books are an investment in her future. I thought it best to talk to her guardian first. If you disagree, we can discuss it."
"How could such a young child sail off to sea? She'll only be twelve in three years, fourteen in five!" Ajian objected. "The sea's dangerous — what if she runs into…"
He caught himself before mentioning Arlong. After all, that pirate crew had been completely wiped out by the man sitting across from him. Maybe being with him was safer.
"It's just travel, not piracy," said Zhang Da Ye. "Age isn't an issue. Our Wendy is twelve, Perona thirteen. If it weren't for her not wanting to leave family, she could join us too."
Perona would be fourteen after her birthday. As for Wendy, Zhang Da Ye honestly wasn't sure how to count her age — he wasn't even sure about his own anymore.
Bell-mère thought for a moment, then smiled. "I understand. Thank you."
Ajian was stunned. "Bell-mère…"
"It's fine," she said. "This is Nami's dream. Even if Da Ye hadn't come, one day she'd go out to sea anyway. Better to know she's with trustworthy people."
Ajian fell silent. She was right — and it wasn't really his place to argue.
Bell-mère looked at the stack of books. "But aren't these expensive? Are you sure it's okay to just give them to her?"
"It's fine," Zhang Da Ye said. "A worthwhile investment. With her talent, I wouldn't mind paying her in advance."
Those specialized books weren't cheap, but to him, it was nothing. If he made Artoria skip one meal, he could afford them — though of course, he'd never actually do that.
Besides, Shark Chili had already memorized all the content using his sleep-learning function. If needed, they could always buy them again later.
An advance on her salary? Bell-mère caught herself feeling tempted for a moment before shaking it off. No — she'd decided to be a proper mother. She couldn't rely on her daughter's future wages.
"There's no need for that," she said firmly. "Everything else sounds fine."
With the main business done, Zhang Da Ye picked up an orange and began peeling it. "I heard you used to be a Marine?"
Bell-mère nodded. "Yeah. I made it to lieutenant, barely. Nearly died in one battle. If it weren't for finding Nojiko and Nami that day, I probably would've lost the will to live."
Despite her words, she smiled softly. She could never forget that day — the sight of infant Nami laughing in Nojiko's arms. Surrounded by ruins and corpses, that child's pure laughter brought color back into her world and purpose into her life.
Zhang Da Ye listened quietly, popping a slice of orange into his mouth. It was sour. He chewed slowly, then handed the rest to Tom for vitamin C.
Tom, touched by his master's gesture, stuffed the orange into his mouth, chewed… and his face turned green. He gulped down a pot of tea before recovering, tongue hanging out.
Zhang Da Ye patted his head in mock sympathy, then pulled out a small notebook and handed it to Bell-mère. "In that case, I'll leave you something."
"This is…" She flipped it open. It was a training guide for Rokushiki and Haki. Even as a former Marine officer, she knew this was incredibly valuable.
"It was payment from the Marines after a certain mission," explained Zhang Da Ye. "They told me not to share it casually. But since you're a former Marine, giving it to you isn't really 'casual' or 'sharing externally,' right?"
Ajian's eyes widened. "That's how you interpret that?!"
Zhang Da Ye continued, "You've probably noticed — the seas are only getting more chaotic. Getting stronger means protecting your daughters. Have them train too. Self-defense is never a bad thing."
Bell-mère couldn't refuse after that. She resolved to pick up her old training routines again — and double them. These techniques weren't for ordinary people.
"I understand," she said, nodding solemnly. She tucked the notebook carefully down her shirt.
Ajian's eyes twitched as if he wanted to protest.
Zhang Da Ye tilted his head toward the ceiling. "So that's where Nami got her habits from. Like mother, like daughter."
Tom ignored them, carefully picking another orange from the pile. He peeled it, tasted one slice — sour again. His eyes lit up. He handed it to Zhang Da Ye with a polite expression, pretending to be obedient.
Zhang Da Ye eyed him suspiciously. This kid was too transparent — definitely up to something.
He took a slice, caught Tom's smirk, then shoved the entire orange into the cat's mouth instead, holding it shut to "help" him chew.
Tom's face turned green once more.
"You and your cat really get along," Bell-mère said, amused. She'd seen people feed pets, but never the other way around. If he treated Nami with the same care, she'd be in good hands.
"Yes, yes," Zhang Da Ye nodded shamelessly, pressing Tom's head down to nod along. "Tom isn't just a pet. He's my dearest family and brother."
[Powerstones plz...
patreon.com/GuessMyName33 for 50 chapters ahead
If you like this novel, check out my other novels in my profile!]