At the aft corner of the Going Merry's deck, an orange-haired figure curled up tight.
Nami hugged her knees. The sea wind tossed her hair, but couldn't blow away the heaviness between her brows.
A powerful déjà vu.
Krieg trying to seize Baratie—just like Arlong's crew occupying Cocoyashi Village.
That day, Arlong appeared, and in front of her eyes Bell-mère's blood blossomed like a crimson spray.
Luffy and the others were fighting the Krieg Pirates. She believed Luffy would win, but it would cost time.
As strong—and monstrous—as they were, those fish-men were even more like monsters.
She didn't want Luffy and the others to take that risk.
"The money's enough now—enough to buy back Cocoyashi Village."
Nami's face darkened.
She had already prepared herself to bear the name of betrayer to her crew and the possibility of never being forgiven.
Clack.
"Hm? What was that?"
"Hey, Nami—what are you doing?!" Luffy shouted, a little angry.
The wind stirred. Nami lifted her head, her bangs falling over her eyes.
There on the port rail, a head under a straw hat was strolling toward her.
"How are you this fast?!" Nami yelped.
"Fast?"
"You tell me!"
And how had Luffy gotten here?
They were far from Baratie.
The shock that crashed into her mind, together with days of pressure, overwhelmed Nami.
She shot to her feet—blackness washed over her, and her mind went blank.
"Huh? Nami."
Luffy stretched out a rubbery finger and carefully poked her pale cheek.
Did she faint?
Did I scare her?
The knowledge in his head let him size up her condition at once.
Not the time to dwell on it.
"Argh—study again."
Luffy grimaced.
Pure torture.
Life's trials are unavoidable, he told himself.
He carried Nami to her room, then pulled out a nautical log and started reading.
Now and then, through the system's grinding torment, he bent to glance at Nami—who suddenly opened her eyes, making him jump.
"Wah! You scared me!"
"You're the one who scared me!" Nami snapped, steadying herself.
She sprang up, couldn't find a weapon, and could only glare at Luffy, stubborn and on guard.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Luffy asked.
"You know what I did." Nami bit her lip. "I took the Going Merry and sailed off. That's betrayal."
"That's why I'm here—to ask you why." Luffy split his focus. Of course he knew what it meant for Nami to do this, and that she had a reason.
"No reason."
Detected an unexpected situation. Navigator Nami has a burden she can't speak of. To become Pirate King, you need the backing of your crewmates. Make Nami tell you the reason.
Time limit: two minutes. Countdown…
Luffy's face flickered—so it was as he thought. But he stopped smiling almost at once.
With a snap, he clamped onto Nami's wrist to keep her from bolting.
"Luffy, let me go!"
"Nami!"
"What are you trying to do?!"
Nami was a little afraid—especially of the way Luffy's breathing grew heavy as he stared at her. That predatory look blanked her mind.
"Hurry up and tell me!"
Luffy was scared now. At first he'd thought it didn't matter. If Nami didn't say, he'd find out sooner or later as they kept sailing.
Now? No way.
If Nami didn't speak, he'd go off like a misfired cannon.
Her mouth had become the switch to his own self-destruct!
He knew he had to make Nami talk.
"Nami—we're crewmates."
Luffy looked her straight in the eye.
"Let go first! You're hurting me." Nami said, angry.
His hand was a clamp; she couldn't move.
"Sorry, Nami—but this time, I won't let go." Luffy leaned in, the countdown ticking in his ears, his expression shifting.
"W-what are you trying to do?"
Nami had nowhere to retreat—she was on the bed, the wall at her back. Watching Luffy's breathing grow heavier, a strange feeling rose in her chest.
Luffy…?
What is he…?!
Nami froze. This trend—seriously? It was shredding the fixed image she'd had of him.
Like a harmless little rabbit suddenly turning into a big bad wolf. No—corner a rabbit and it bites!
Why was he so desperate to know? For what?
For me?
Her heart pounded. She stared at the face drawing closer, her cheeks flushing.
"Nami, tell me! Now!" Luffy urged.
"Let me go and I'll think about it," Nami said, flustered and furious.
"Don't do something I'll hate!"
"No time." Luffy's mouth twitched. He glanced at Nami. "If you still won't say it, I'm going to do something you'll hate."
He didn't have time to play around.
Nami was still confused when it happened—her pupils shrank to pinpoints.
What are you, a vampire?!
A tingling sensation bloomed on her neck.
"What are you doing?!"
Luffy lifted his head. That had been a last-resort, not-a-solution solution. The girl before him was red with shame and fury.
Beneath her orange bob, the pale skin of her neck now bore a ring of teeth marks.
Luffy's throat bobbed. Worse, that bizarre punishment had stirred other impulses—like opening the door to a whole new world.
The faint fragrance clinging to Nami set his pupils dilating.
"Nami—this is the last chance." Luffy stared at her, his gaze sliding lower. As the countdown ended, his expression twisted.
Nami met his eyes—and suddenly understood. Her face flamed.
"I'll tell you, I'll tell you! Okay?!"
At last, it was over.
Luffy lay on the floor, eyes unfocused, brain empty.
He rubbed his sore backside, stood up. On the bed, Nami glared at him, livid.
"Nami—leave that guy Arlong to me. I'll send him flying!"
"Right now I want to send you flying!" Nami's face was taut, her ears scarlet.
Her mind had been a storm, but now a single thought filled it.
She touched her neck—and her lower lip.
Luffy scratched his head, embarrassed. He wanted to explain, but whenever he tried to say it, the sound cut out—as if someone had hit mute. What could he do?
Sometimes it's really helpless, having your brain hijacked by some weird little thing.
At least he'd learned the reason from Nami's own mouth.
"Nami—why didn't you tell us sooner?"
"I can handle it myself." Nami huffed—but felt, against her will, a hint of relief.