In the corner of the room, Nami—tear-stained and trembling—forgot how to cry.
She just stared blankly at the man smiling in front of her.
She never imagined he had gone through so many bizarre experiences.
What was even more unbelievable was his terrifying background.
His grandfather—Marine Hero Monkey D. Garp.
His father—leader of the Revolutionary Army, Monkey D. Dragon.
His two brothers—one a division captain under a Yonko, the other a high-ranking officer of the Revolutionary Army.
According to what she knew, Garp's prestige in Marine Headquarters even surpassed Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
So this man… the "Crown Prince" of the Revolutionary Army, with connections to Marine Headquarters, and sworn brotherhood with a captain under a Yonko—
A background that would make ordinary people collapse from fear if they heard even one part of it… he actually had three.
Marine. Revolutionary Army. Pirates.
A Luffy with all three factions behind him left her completely shocked.
"You envy my background, right? Many people do…"
Luffy said something annoying, yet his eyes were filled with deep affection. "But starting today, my background is also yours."
"My crew of Monkey D. Luffy—no one is allowed to bully them. No matter what happens, remember this: you are mine. And because of that, you never need to be afraid of anyone."
Maybe those words sounded a bit show-off.
But Luffy had the confidence to say them—and the strength to let Nami use his name as her shield.
He believed that one day, he would be the background for everyone.
The names he relied on today would one day tremble before his name.
"So… you reached out to me because you knew my identity? You pitied me, didn't you?"
Nami's eyes reddened, her fists clenched tight. The pride she still had refused to bow before the man she already had feelings for.
She didn't want to be his accessory.
She didn't want him to see her as someone weak who needed pity.
Humans are contradictory creatures.
Even characters in manga are no exception.
"Don't misunderstand. I wanted you on my crew because of your navigation skills. And I never pitied you."
Luffy glanced at the nearby Marine base, his voice calm. "People lose their homes and die every day in this world. If simply suffering meant someone deserved pity... my compassion would be cheap."
The words froze Nami's tears in her eyes.
This carefree man accidentally knocked right on her heart.
Damn it.
She turned her head in a panic, and silence fell between them again.
After a moment, Nami whispered:
"Arlong… Arlong… Arlong… you don't understand anything…"
Luffy nodded. "Yeah. I don't know."
Nami still didn't turn back. Her voice was hard to read. "It's none of your business. You don't have to interfere. Someone like me… a thief… how am I worth—"
This time, Luffy didn't respond.
And Nami's words caught in her throat.
Her silence turned into choking sobs. Then suddenly, she turned, desperation and hope mixing painfully in her eyes as tears poured down her cheeks.
"Luffy… help me…"
Hearing that, Luffy removed his straw hat and gently placed it on her head.
The moment she looked up in confusion, he slowly crouched to meet her gaze.
She didn't understand what he was doing—until her eyes widened.
"Mmph—"
Luffy tilted up her chin… and sealed her lips with his.
He didn't take with force.
It was the kind of kiss that reached the deepest parts of the heart.
When their lips finally parted, Nami's tears had dried.
She stared dumbstruck at the boy inches away from her.
"From today on, I swear—anyone who makes you cry… dies."
He said it like it was the most ordinary thing in the world, yet every word struck with undeniable weight.
His forehead rested lightly on hers.
The scene was intimate and quiet.
Nami's enchanting eyes were still unfocused.
But she knew—she would never escape this crew.
This man was too domineering.
He would never let her run away.
But since she couldn't run… she might as well stay.
Better than facing Arlong alone.
At least… with him, maybe Cocoyasi Village could finally be free.
At least… with his help, her villagers wouldn't be tormented anymore.
She just hoped this man who stole her first kiss would prove his actions were as real as the heat of that kiss.
If not… she would break.
"Don't doubt me."
Luffy ruffled her orange hair and chuckled. "Actually, the moment I saved that villager, I already planned to kill Arlong."
"Just before I set out to wipe him out, I happened to run into you."
"Huh!?"
Nami blinked with disbelief.
"So even if you hadn't met me, you were going to Cocoyasi Village to kill Arlong?"
She never expected that.
She thought he was just a passerby… but he had already planned to liberate her home from the very beginning?
"Don't get the wrong idea—I'm not some saint."
"I planned to kill Arlong because that villager said you were very beautiful and had amazing navigation talent."
"And I figured, if I killed Arlong, you'd be grateful enough to join my crew—simple as that!"
Nami froze like a statue.
Her expression was pure: (╬ﾟДﾟ)っ
"So… you're actually kind of smart?"
"Of course."
Luffy's nose gently brushed hers, and his deep eyes locked with her jewel-like gaze.
There was something magnetic in that look—making her whole body tremble.
"So then—Arlong, I'll kill him.
And in return… be my navigator."
She didn't know why, but staring into those eyes, she blurted out:
"Only your navigator?"
"No. If possible… entrust your whole life to me."
A crisp chime echoed in the air:
[Ding — Emotional milestone achieved: Nami. All of her current (and future) abilities fused with host.]
[Note: After Nami's power increases later, the host may fuse again—unlimited times.]
[Reward unlocked — Nami's additional skills: Theft Master (Enhanced) & Charm (Enhanced).]
[Theft Master: Within ten meters, steal anything from an enemy like taking from a pocket.]
[Charm (Passive): Affection from the opposite sex +10%.]
…End of chapter.
----------
T/N:
Joining is completely free. Come check it out!
You'll also get 5 extra chapters just for being a free member!
Access 35 chapters in advance on my Patreon:[email protected]//seaofpirates