Nami jolted violently, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
She hurriedly stuffed the crumpled paper into her pocket, forcing out a smile uglier than crying as she struggled to steady her trembling voice.
"N-no… of course not. How could I have a grudge? I was just… just surprised that there are pirates in the East Blue with such high bounties, that's all."
Ronan watched her evasive gaze and sighed inwardly.
Right now, Nami was like a frightened hedgehog, bristling with thorns, trying to face the whole world on her own.
She hadn't truly accepted herself as a member of the Straw Hat crew yet—or rather, she didn't dare to.
She was afraid that the warmth she had only just found would be shattered in an instant by that terrifying fish-man.
"Nami."
Ronan turned to her, his eyes sincere and focused, his voice firm beyond doubt.
"If you're in trouble—whether it's money or enemies—we can help you deal with it. Don't forget, we're partners, aren't we?"
"Partners…"
Those two words slammed hard into the defenses around Nami's heart.
Her eyes reddened, tears almost spilling out, but reason forced her to hold them back.
She turned away, avoiding Ronan's gaze, and forced a laugh.
"Oh, what nonsense are you talking about? What trouble could I possibly have? Really, there's nothing."
Seeing her still putting up a front, Ronan didn't press her further.
He merely let out a soft sigh, then lifted his head. A powerful confidence and presence radiated from him.
"Nami, remember this. In the East Blue, I dare say there isn't a single pirate crew that can stand against us."
"No matter who it is—even that so-called Arlong Pirates, with their measly twenty million Berry bounty…"
Ronan paused, his gaze sharp as fire.
"We've never taken them seriously."
"Luffy, Zoro, and I—we're far stronger than you imagine."
Those words struck Nami like a thunderclap.
She looked up at the man's confident profile, her heart violently shaken.
Yes. Over the past week, she had seen it with her own eyes—their insane training.
Those inhuman bodies. That Haki that could predict the future. That swordsmanship capable of cutting through steel…
Maybe… maybe it really was possible?
If she relied on their strength, could she truly save Cocoyasi Village from that devil?
But in the next instant, Arlong's terrifying brute force, the image of him tearing apart Marine warships, surfaced in her mind again.
What if it failed?
If it failed, not only would the village be lost, but these precious companions she had finally found would die because of her.
Hope and fear twisted violently together in Nami's heart, throwing her into turmoil.
...
Just then, a terrified scream shattered the heavy atmosphere on deck.
"Waaah!! We've been targeted!!"
Usopp, standing watch atop the mast, pointed at the nearby Marine warship, his eyes bulging in terror.
A flash of fire burst from the cannons along the warship's side.
"BOOOOM—!!"
With a deafening roar, a black solid cannonball tore through the air, screaming with deadly force as it flew straight toward the Going Merry!
"Crap! It's going to hit us!" Usopp fled in panic, clutching his head.
"Leave it to me!"
A red figure shot to the rail like lightning.
Luffy lowered his straw hat, a confident grin curling at his lips.
After a week of "hell training," his control over his body was completely different from before.
"Gum-Gum—"
Luffy stretched both arms outward, gripping the ship's rails on either side. His body was drawn taut across the deck like a fully drawn bow.
"—Slingshot!!"
Thud!
The heavy cannonball smashed squarely into Luffy's elastic belly.
It didn't explode—his stomach was driven inward to an astonishing depth.
"Heh!"
Luffy kicked off the deck, his core exploding with force as an immense rebound erupted!
Whoosh—!!
The cannonball was flung back at a speed even faster than before, streaking through the air in a straight black line and slamming into the Marine warship's deck!
BOOOOM!!
Fire erupted across the distant warship, wooden debris flying everywhere.
The Marines who had been watching the show fell into chaos, screams and shouted orders ringing out.
"Hehehe!"
Luffy hopped lightly onto the sheep's head at the bow, patting his uninjured belly with a smug grin.
"Feels like my strength's gone way up lately! Blocking a cannonball or two is super easy now!"
Ronan watched the scene with a faint smile.
This was the result of their training. In the past, Luffy could've bounced it back too—but never with such precision.
...
Inside the Sea Restaurant Baratie.
Ronan and the others ignored the chaos on the warship and boarded the restaurant from the side using the Going Merry's small skiff.
As they pushed open the massive fish-mouth doors, a rich wave of food aromas rushed over them.
The interior was spacious and luxurious. Massive crystal chandeliers cast soft light over deep red carpets, and every table was covered with pristine white cloth.
All around them, diners bustled about—cutlery clinking, glasses clashing, laughter filling the air.
Through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, one could enjoy fine food while gazing out at the endless blue sea.
"Waaah—so fancy!" Luffy's eyes sparkled.
They took seats by the window. Just after ordering, Ronan's attention was drawn to a disturbance in the center of the hall.
"That guy is…"
Looking over, Ronan saw that the Marine captain, Hebodi, was seated at a nearby table.
Apparently trying to show off in front of his companion, he was wearing a dark scowl as he picked a fight with a waiter.
The waiter wore a crisp black suit. Blond hair covered his left eye, leaving only the right visible.
Most striking were his spiral-shaped eyebrows—and the effortless elegance and roguish charm he exuded, even while carrying plates.
He was the Straw Hat crew's future cook—
Sanji.
"What's this bug doing in my soup?!"
Hebodi pointed at a beautifully prepared dish, his voice loud enough for the entire restaurant to hear.
Floating in the milky broth was a completely out-of-place little insect.
Hebodi expected the waiter to panic and apologize.
He was wrong.
Sanji merely bent slightly, leaned in to inspect the bug, and spoke in a tone as casual as discussing the weather.
"Sorry about that, sir. I'm not really sure."
Straightening up, a faint, mocking smile tugged at his lips.
"After all, I don't know much about insects."
"Pfft—"
That deadpan nonsense instantly set off laughter around the room.
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