Nami puffed her cheeks. "Seriously, why did that big idiot call my name? Am I really that unreliable?"
She complained, but still obediently went off to find Kaya and Chopper just like Leno asked.
Leno thought to himself, I can't exactly tell you that you'll get bitten by bugs here, catch some weird disease, and almost die.
But with Kaya and Chopper on board now, there shouldn't be any danger.
Vivi stood nearby, staring at Leno with open curiosity. This man was truly impossible to figure out.
He always looked lazy and laid-back, yet whenever danger appeared, he was the first to charge forward and shield everyone behind him. Even facing terrifying giants, he remained calm, talking and laughing as if nothing could shake him.
He seemed careless, but still paid attention to every detail when arranging their travels.
At first, she honestly thought he was just a perverted and unqualified captain.
But after spending this much time with him, she realized she had been too quick to judge—he was nothing like the impression she held before.
As she stared absent-mindedly at Leno, Reiju's teasing voice reached her ear:
"What's wrong? Has our captain's charm won you over? Planning to offer yourself to him?"
"W–what are you saying, Reiju! Don't joke like that!"
Vivi's cheeks instantly flushed red. She flailed in panic, denying wildly—but her eyes still stole quick glances at Leno.
Seeing her reaction, Reiju didn't push further. She simply smiled meaningfully.
"Just make sure you think carefully. Once you board this ship for real… there's no turning back."
"And our captain can be very possessive in certain matters."
Before Vivi could respond, Reiju sashayed away, leaving her frozen in place.
With everyone pitching in, the banquet quickly came alive. With the giants joining in, the atmosphere soared.
"Kababababa..."
"Oh right! Dorry and I still have wanted posters!"
Brogy slapped his thigh in excitement as he remembered those days over a hundred years ago, back when he was still a pirate.
Dorry joined in with roaring laughter. Those carefree years as pirates were truly nostalgic.
"Gagagaga!"
"I remember our bounties back then—weren't they both 100 million Berries?"
The giants' strange laughter made everyone's heads buzz, but they were shocked too. Being worth 100 million Berries over a century ago was no small feat.
"Comparing the value back then, 100 million Berries must be worth at least several billion today."
Robin rested her chin on her hand thoughtfully as she asked them for details about Elbaf.
But after more than 100 years, even the giants didn't know much anymore.
"Don't worry, Robin. We'll go to Elbaf. When the time comes, we'll go with you."
Leno understood exactly why she was concerned. After all, Saul was practically family to Robin back on Ohara.
"Nani?! The Log Pose needs a full year to store magnetic charge?!?!"
Vivi's panicked scream cut through the festivities, drawing everyone's attention.
She stood trembling, face pale.
"A year… If we wait a whole year, then Alabasta…"
She had never imagined this island required so long to charge. Leno could wait—but she couldn't.
Alabasta's situation was already at its breaking point. If she wasted time here, her country might collapse before she even returned.
"Calm down, Vivi!"
"We prepared for this already, so don't worry!"
Nami stepped forward, pulling out an Eternal Pose from her bag with a proud smile.
"Look. See what this is?"
"An Eternal Pose… to Alabasta?"
The moment Vivi saw it, her eyes widened. She froze—then threw herself into Nami's arms and burst into uncontrollable sobs.
"Thank you, thank you so much, Nami!"
Vivi clung to her tightly, refusing to let go, pouring her gratitude into that embrace.
"There, there, Vivi~ Don't cry."
"And really, it's all thanks to that big idiot. If he hadn't reminded me, we really wouldn't have been able to leave this island."
Nami gently patted Vivi's back as she explained.
Before they left the Whisky Peak region, Leno had specifically told them to gather several Eternal Poses just in case. She hadn't expected they'd actually need them.
Hearing the full story, Vivi blinked through her tears and looked at Leno with watery eyes.
"Thank you, Captain Leno!"
"Awww, so when it's Nami you give a tight hug, but when it's me it's just a verbal thank-you? Talk about double standards~"
Leno spread his hands helplessly, looking like an abandoned kitten or puppy.
"This…"
Vivi's face went red again. She glanced nervously at everyone around her, lips pursed in conflicted embarrassment.
"Vivi, ignore him. That big idiot's just a pervert trying to take advantage of you~"
Nami crossed her arms, wearing a 'I've already seen through everything' expression.
But Vivi seemed to make up her mind. She suddenly stood, stepped forward, and hugged Leno tightly.
"Thank you, Captain Leno~"
She immediately tried to pull away—but Leno didn't give her the chance. His arms locked around her, holding her firmly against him as he muttered:
"Why does it feel like nothing? She's even flatter than Nami…"
As he spoke, he looked down at her a couple of times, his expression puzzled. That shouldn't be right. She doesn't look small.
"Go to hell, you big idiot!"
Nami heard every word. Rage exploded in her chest. In an instant she appeared in front of Leno, Armament Haki-darkened fist flying straight at his face.
BANG!
"ARGH—!"
Leno, who had been enjoying the softness in his arms, was sent flying with a miserable scream.
Vivi, freed at last, covered her chest with both arms and glared furiously at him.
"L–Leno, you… you lecher!"
He hugged her and still dared to complain she was flat? Unbelievable! She had even thought the rumors were exaggerated—but he exposed himself instantly.
Nami had been right all along—he really was a hopeless pervert! And she wasn't even done growing yet!
As Nami chased him down to continue the beating, Vivi hesitated… then couldn't help herself and ran over to kick him several times too.
Everyone else simply watched. Only Hancock tried to step forward to help, but the others held her back. Robin, Reiju, and the rest watched with amused smiles as Leno got pummeled.
Olga, Yamato, and the others cheered loudly:
"That's what you get, Leno!"
"Nami, hit his stomach! Poke his eyes! Make him remember this!"
…And so poor Leno, captain of the ship, was beaten mercilessly—without a single crew member attempting to save him.