The sky was a clear, endless blue, and the sea sparkled under the sun, its gentle waves rippling across the surface. A small pirate ship cut smoothly through the calm waters.
Acting as the temporary helmsman, Leo was growing increasingly irritated by Nami's incessant commands.
"Leo, you idiot, a little to the left!"
"Too far, too far! Now back to the right a bit!"
"Are you a complete moron?! You can't even steer properly!"
"..."
Nami seemed possessed by a machine gun of criticism, her non-stop nagging making Leo's eye twitch. This was pure revenge. Absolute payback. He could especially tell by the way she'd glance at him out of the corner of her eye before launching into another tirade, gauging his reaction before doubling down.
So what if their 'negotiations' had extended from four hours to five? So what if he'd guided her through a few more... advanced techniques? Was that really reason for such blatant, vicious retaliation?!
"How much longer until we reach the Goa Kingdom?!" Leo grumbled, his grip tight on the ship's wheel. He was the captain! Shouldn't he be above menial tasks like steering? And doing it poorly only to get yelled at?
"Should be about half a day," Nami replied, her mood excellent now that she'd regained the upper hand. She lay stretched out on a deck chair, wearing a revealing bikini, sipping a delicious fruit juice and basking in the sun. Her curvaceous figure drew Leo's gaze, and combined with the sweltering heat, a familiar, primal fire began to stir within him.
In the next second, he drew his sword.
Nami jumped, startled, scrambling up from her chair. "Y-you... what are you doing? I'm your navigator!" she said cautiously.
Ignoring her, Leo drove the blade into the deck near the ship's wheel, using it to lock the rudder in place.
Nami sighed in relief, then shook her head. "That won't work. The moment the wind changes, we'll go off course."
"We'll adjust when it happens," Leo said with a roguish grin, closing the distance between them.
Oh no.
"Leo, you bastard! Was last night not enough for you?!" Nami huffed, stamping her foot in frustration. "I won't let you have your way this time!" She shot him a glare before turning and making a dash for the cabin.
"Trying to run?" Leo chuckled. "Soru!"
In a burst of speed, he vanished and reappeared right in front of her, his strong arm already wrapping around her slender waist, pulling her firmly against him.
"You...! You big, filthy jerk!!" Nami sputtered, her cheeks puffing out in anger as she looked up at him. Oh gods, won't someone please save me from this monster!
Ignoring her protests, Leo swept her up into his arms and carried her into the shaded interior of the cabin.
...
.....
Windmill Village, Goa Kingdom.
Inside Makino's bar, a gentle concern hung in the air.
"I wonder how Luffy is doing... I can't help but worry," murmured the proprietress, Makino, resting her chin in her hands with a sigh. She had watched Luffy grow up and knew all too well his knack for finding trouble.
"Bwahahaha! Makino, don't you worry about that brat! He'll be just fine!" Dadan slammed her empty rum mug on the table, grinning widely. "If Luffy really gets into danger, Ace would never just stand by! And don't forget about that old geezer Garp!"
Dadan's lackeys nodded in vigorous agreement. "Yeahahaha! Luffy's the grandson of the Marine Hero Garp! What kind of danger could he possibly be in?! He's probably having the time of his life out there!"
Their words offered Makino a small comfort. They did make sense. His grandfather was the famous hero Garp, a symbol of the Marines. His brother Ace was a division commander in the Whitebeard Pirates. And Red-Haired Shanks, one of the Four Emperors, was his inspiration. Surely, nothing too bad could happen... right?
If they knew Luffy's father was the Revolutionary Army leader Dragon, or that Sabo was alive and had become the Revolutionaries' chief of staff, they would have been utterly stunned. With so much backing, Luffy wasn't just going on an adventure; it was more like a privileged heir experiencing life.
Just as the conversation in the bar revolved entirely around Luffy, the front door suddenly swung open.
Two figures walked in from the outside.
Makino looked at Leo and Nami, offering them a warm, gentle smile. "Welcome. What can I get for you?"
At the question, a smile played on Leo's lips. "We heard the lady who runs this place has an exceptional talent for brewing. We came specially to taste it for ourselves."
Nami shot a sidelong glance at Leo.
Faker. Keep pretending.
She was now certain: this beautiful bartender was Leo's next target. To come all this way just to recruit another beautiful female crewmember... Leo definitely had a specific type of preference. In her mind, Nami had already branded him with a new label.
Flattered by the praise, a faint blush touched Makino's cheeks. "You're too kind," she said softly, smiling as she placed two glasses of fine ale in front of Leo and Nami.
"Bwahahaha! Makino, no need to be modest! Your brew is famous for villages around!" Dadan, thoroughly drunk now, was spraying saliva as she laughed. "Kid, you've got good taste!"
Leo sipped the ale, his eyes briefly scanning the other patrons in the bar. After a moment, he looked back at Makino, his smile genuine. "The ale is excellent. I really like it." He meant it. The praise everyone heaped on Makino wasn't an exaggeration; it was truly superb.
"I'm glad you like it," Makino replied, ever gentle and graceful, a soft smile always on her face.
"By the way—" Leo began.
Here it comes, Nami thought, mentally rolling her eyes. He's making his move.
Leo's tone shifted slightly. "It's a coincidence... my pirate crew happens to be in need of a brewer. I think you'd be perfect for the role."
"Huh?"
The sudden invitation clearly took Makino, Dadan, and the others by surprise.
After a moment, Makino shook her head gently, her refusal still kind and accompanied by a smile. "I'm sorry, but I have no plans to go to sea. I only wish to run my bar here in Windmill Village."
Leo wasn't surprised by her refusal. But methods could be devised. People could be... persuaded.
"I overheard you talking about Luffy when I was outside. Funny, I know him too."
This story is rewritten version of a famous fanfic so if you find any similarities please dont mind . Thank you .
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T/N :
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