hapter 4: The Orange-Haired Thief Joins the Chaos
The three drifted aimlessly on their little sailboat. Zoro asked sol for the umpteenth time if they were even on the right course—their food supplies were running dangerously low. If they didn't find an island soon for resupply, the whole crew would starve.
"Wait, let me check the map again. This spot is here… so we should be… around here?" sol muttered, comparing the compass and chart, scribbling and gesturing wildly.
Luffy had been sent off to fish for extra food, but all he kept reeling in were random junk items—no actual fish in sight.
Zoro walked over to see what sol was doing. "sol, aren't you the navigator and vice-captain? How come we still haven't found an island?"
Sol rolled his eyes. "Who said I'm a navigator? I'm just winging it and cramming last-minute."
"Wait—you two don't know navigation at all? How did you even set sail?!" Zoro broke out in a cold sweat. He'd thought they were just unlucky—not complete amateurs!
Sol shrugged proudly. "Navigation? Sometimes I just guess, sometimes we go with the wind and drift."
Zoro facepalmed. "And you're proud of that?"
Sol turned the pressure back. "What about you, Zoro? You've been a bounty hunter at sea for years—don't tell me you know navigation?"
Zoro scratched his head. "I set out to find one specific guy… then got lost and couldn't find my way back to my village. Became a bounty hunter to earn living expenses."
Sol burst out laughing. "So you're just a directionless idiot! I got excited for nothing."
At that moment, a desperate cry echoed across the water. Luffy, tired of no fish, spotted a giant bird flying overhead and stretched his arms to launch himself up—only for the bird to chomp his head and carry him off.
"That idiot…" Sol and Zoro said in unison.
They rowed frantically after him. After a while, the bird got fed up with Luffy's thrashing and spat him out. Luffy plummeted straight down, head-first into the ground like a stake.
"What the hell just fell from the sky?" Two pirates were chasing a thief who'd stolen their crew's treasure. Luffy's crash interrupted the pursuit.
Luffy finally yanked his head free from the dirt. The thief ran back and hid behind him.
"Boss! More guys are coming—handle them for me!" It was Nami—the orange-haired, sharp-faced, curvaceous beauty known as the Cat Burglar.
"Boss? You mean me? Wow, I'm already famous? What a pain… Too bad Sol didn't see this, hahaha!" Luffy dusted himself off and grinned.
The pursuers closed in from both sides, demanding Nami hand over Buggy the Clown's pirate crew's navigation chart. Nami stuck out her tongue, patted Luffy's shoulder. "Anything you've got, talk to my boss!"
Then she bolted. "Sorry, stranger! I'll burn incense for you next year—really sorry!"
She felt a twinge of guilt, but for her village's sake, she couldn't get caught here. Besides, the guy had fallen from that height and was fine—he had to be strong.
Bang bang bang!
Gunshots rang out. Nami glanced back—Luffy had already flattened the dozen or so enemies. "So strong!" she gasped. She'd barely run a few steps, and this straw-hat idiot had taken them all down.
A sly grin spread across her face. She could use this powerhouse.
"Huh? So this girl's your fan, Luffy?" Sol looked skeptical, eyeing Nami. She seemed super familiar, but he couldn't place her.
Nami stepped forward. "My name is Nami, I—"
Sol cut in. "You're Cat Burglar Nami! I remember now."
Hearing the name clicked it. Sol looked her over—yep, this was a younger, more innocent version of Nami. No wonder he didn't recognize her right away.
Nami's face fell a bit. She'd hoped to trick them into helping steal Buggy's treasure. "Since you know my reputation… how about we team up? We rob Buggy the Clown's crew together. In return, I'll copy the Grand Line chart I have for you guys."
Luffy slapped her shoulder with a grin. "She's my new navigator!"
Nami swatted his hand away. "Who said I'm joining your pirate crew? I told you—it's just temporary help!"
She laid out her terms: Help her steal Buggy's treasure, and she'd give them the chart and act as navigator for the duration.
Sol nodded sagely. "Got it—Luffy's recruited navigator!"
Nami's forehead vein popped. "I said it's just cooperation! Are you even listening?!"
Luffy's stomach growled loudly, cutting her off. The four headed to an empty tavern. Nami easily picked the lock and let them in.
Luffy looked around in awe. "Nami, is this your place? It's huge!"
Sol found a stash of ingredients and headed to the kitchen, tossing back at Luffy, "Idiot, she's a thief—of course she can pick locks. Now move, you're in my way."
In the kitchen, Nami watched Sol cook seriously. "What's your name? That food looks amazing."
"Atrias Sol Dragnir—just call me Sol." As for cooking? In his past life, he was a hardcore foodie who mastered tons of recipes—a skill he carried over like a cheat ability.
Soon, Nami and Sol carried out piles of dishes. Luffy smelled the familiar scent and dove in, devouring everything.
The roast meat vanished in seconds. Sol jumped into the fray to steal his share.
After stuffing themselves, Luffy rubbed his belly happily. "It's been forever since I had Sol's cooking. Still just as good as back then!"
Nami face-planted on the table. "Damn it… This is way tastier than mine. I can't even charge them for the meal now."
Zoro picked his teeth with a toothpick. "Sol, if you cook this well, why'd we only have dried rations on the ship?"
Sol sipped juice. "Too much work. I just like good food—not cooking every day. Plus, feeding Luffy the bottomless pit? Joke's on me—I'd never have enough for myself."