"But they're pirates." Luffy's expression suddenly turned solemn.
Nami froze.
Right. Arlong's crew are pirates.
It was a fact she kept choosing to ignore.
It was also why Luffy never felt like a pirate to her.
Most pirates have no credibility, their moods flip in an instant. That's what pirates are.
"But those fish-men, their strength…"
"I don't care how strong they are," Luffy cut in, face grave. "Even if it were a Marine admiral, if my crewmate's been wronged, I'm the captain and I'm going to set it right."
"Nami, you're my navigator. They picked the wrong target."
"And we're crewmates, aren't we? Leaning on each other a little is normal."
His gaze was so hot Nami had to look away. She'd been used to living on her own.
"Nami, don't tell me you're shy."
As she inched back on the bed, orange hair slightly mussed, Nami clutched a thin blanket to her chest. Her pale legs were bare, five glossy toes like tiny jewels. One strap of her camisole had slipped, revealing a smooth, white shoulder.
"Who do you think made it like this!" Nami snapped. "Because of those weird things you just did!"
"That's only because you were being stubborn," Luffy said. "If you'd said it earlier, nothing else would've happened."
"I didn't expect you to be like this, Luffy."
"Disgusting."
"Ah, thanks for the compliment."
Luffy had given up arguing. Better that than showing up in front of Nami as some mortifying "spray warrior." He'd take being misunderstood.
Besides…
His eyes couldn't help drifting to the girl's rosy lips. In the panic just now he'd felt nothing, but remembering it now, it was like jelly.
"What are you looking at!"
"Your mou— your legs. Legs."
Nami looked down at him with open disdain. "So you've got a foot fetish?"
Good thing she wasn't in the habit of wearing stockings.
Luffy didn't refute it. He was multitasking. In the past, staying focused on one thing was hard enough; now he'd somehow learned to run two tracks at once. The old single-core would've overheated long ago.
"Why are you putting on the model student act again?" Nami stepped off the bed, pale feet touching the floor as she came to him and tugged his cheeks. "What are you really trying to do?"
It irked her. Just a moment ago he'd looked ready to fly straight at Arlong's crew and punch them into the sky.
"Relax and steer us back to the village," Luffy said, giving her a shot of confidence. "Then watch me send those guys flying."
On deck.
"So fast?" Luffy checked the time. Only three hours had passed.
"Tailwind," Nami said.
Cocoyashi Village was already a clear silhouette ahead. Nami felt dazed. She glanced back at Luffy, drew a deep breath. "Maybe we should wait for Zoro and the others…"
She didn't know what had changed in Luffy. But with her sharp eye she could tell none of his actions were for show—they were things he absolutely had to do. Like a man with compulsions, even a fart would have to happen on schedule.
From ship to now, Luffy had been beside her studying with a book in hand.
This wasn't the ideal time to fight, was it?
"Zoro has his own business," Luffy said. "And clearing a crewmate's worries is my job as captain."
He ground his teeth at the characters flashing before his eyes.
Warning. No zoning out during study. Punishment countdown…
His mule-stubborn temper surged.
Wait?
The enemy's right there—wait for what? If it happens once it'll happen twice. What will you do when they stroll up to your face and slap you around?
Luffy flung the book away.
Using his rubber body, he wound himself tight.
Be ruthless with yourself. Even if I drop dead after, I'll flatten Arlong's crew first.
Who do you think I am? I'm the man who'll be Pirate King.
Breathing hard, Luffy began whipping his arms, ready to sprint straight to Arlong Park and end the fish-men in the shortest time.
Next second:
Special condition detected. You possess the spirit of the Pirate King. Conqueror's Haki proficiency +1.
Plan behavior changing. Solving Navigator Nami's trouble now takes priority.
Training plan updated.
Solving the incident will grant extra reward time.
Reward time? Whatever. The point was—he could ease off.
Relief swept through him.
A brr-brr sounded inside the cabin.
Nami blinked, then went in and took out a Den-Den Mushi.
"What's that?" Luffy asked.
"Long-distance line. It's my sister."
Once the line connected, the little phone creature took on a faint violet tint.
"Nami, don't come back for a bit," Nojiko's anxious voice came through. "I don't know why, but all the fish-men at Arlong Park have gathered. Looks like Marines are coming."
"Marines? For what?"
Nami hated the Marines about as much as Arlong's crew.
Cocoyashi had been squeezed for over a decade. Why had the Marines done nothing? The East Blue branches couldn't win—fine. But what about the Headquarters?
So-called justice was dog crap. In the end it wasn't as good as…
"It's too late, Nojiko. I'm already back," Nami said.
"Gum-Gum… Balloon!"
The moment she finished, a cannonball came screaming in from afar.
Luffy leapt and bounced it back. It crashed into a nearby Marine warship, and an officer stormed onto the deck, fuming.
He wore a Marine cap topped with mouse-ear ornaments.
"What are these Marines doing here?"
"Of all times," Nami hissed. She recognized him at a glance: the colonel of the 16th Branch, the man in charge of this sector.
"Be careful," Nami warned.
It had been tough enough for Luffy to take on Arlong's crew alone. Now the Marines were here too.
"Leave it to me." Luffy stood on the sheep's head, clapped fist to palm, and crouched. Steam began to hiss from his skin.
Second Gear, on.