"That's exactly right," the girl affirmed, then paused for a moment. "But that doesn't mean we can't work as a team."
Luffy perked up a little upon hearing this, and the mental fog lifted somewhat. "Shall we join forces?" he asked curiously, still sounding sleepy.
"Yes, you know. If you help me, I'll help you," the girl said simply.
"Isn't that what friends do?" Luffy asked, still floating carefree in the water. The girl was confusing him, and that was only tiring him out more.
"Yes, but friends don't expect anything in return for helping each other. I, on the other hand, want at least ninety percent of what you help me find," she replied haughtily.
"Ninety percent?" Luffy asked. Wasn't that almost everything? Besides, he didn't even know what he was looking for!
"Yes, ninety for me and ten for you. That seems fair enough," he said, in an almost genuine tone.
To be fair, Luffy would normally have said yes to something like that, but he was already on an adventure. Besides, the old man wanted him to get the treasure, so he didn't want to share it. "I'm fine," he finally replied. He wanted to find the man in the forest and get his treasure before embarking on a new adventure, and it seemed the girl wanted to take him on one too, whether they were friends or not.
The orange took a moment before replying: "Your loss! I heard the place I'm looking for is guarded by a protector. That means it must be guarding something worth a lot of money!"
"Protector?" Luffy asked, something nagging at him. Why did the word "protector" make him feel like he was forgetting something important?
"Yes! Apparently, many people have tried to steal his treasure. But no one has succeeded. I've even heard that some have died trying," the girl explained.
Luffy jumped up abruptly. His chest was the only thing sticking out of the water as he pointed an accusing finger at the orange-haired girl, his eyes still closed. After all, he was good at keeping his promises. "No way! That's my treasure! And I'm not sharing it!" he declared. He finally understood when he let her speak. No way! She was after the same treasure as him!
"Wait, you already know about the cave?" the girl asked curiously.
"Of course! An old man told me to go find the treasure of the man in the forest, and I'm going to get it! No one else!" he declared proudly. That old man was awesome, and Luffy wasn't going to let anyone else take the treasure. He felt he owed it to him; after all, he was the one who sent him on this incredible adventure.
"Well, just because you want it doesn't mean I can't get it before you..." the redhead reasoned.
Luffy's urge to open his eyes and glare at the girl he was talking to was so strong that he had to cover them with his hands to keep them from opening. "No way! I don't remember that old man's name, but he wanted me to get the treasure. So I'm going to get it! And I'm keeping it!" he shouted.
The girl didn't answer right away. Instead, she paused, as if reflecting. "Okay, okay, fine. You seem to really want it... So you can have it," she finally replied.
The boy's teeth fell open. "Really?" he asked, surprised. "But I thought you wanted to sell the treasure for money or something."
"Well, yes. I still do, but it wouldn't be fair if I barged into your find," the girl said.
Luffy smiled and lowered his hands to his sides, sighing, "What a relief!" He lay back in the water and floated again. Now that he didn't have to worry about the girl stealing his treasure, it was finally time for a nap.
"Yes, I'm definitely NOT going to keep looking for the treasure," the redhead announced, rolling her eyes.
Luffy smiled at her words. "Well, thanks! You had me worried for a second!" he replied indifferently, finally drifting off to sleep. In his floating position, the water was the perfect bed. Besides, he could talk to the girl when he woke up... Right?
"Thanks! You had me worried for a second!" said the black-haired boy as a bubble of sleep began to form on his nose.
Nami looked at the boy's face. Yes. Definitely asleep... What an idiot.
The orange quickly got out of the water and dressed. She had to find the cave, and fast. Obviously, she wasn't going to let that idiot get away with the treasure she'd been searching for for days. And no less! She was about to give up and go back to the city when she finally found the clearing where the cave was.
She just wanted to rest and freshen up before trying to steal the Lord of the Forest's treasure. Nami didn't know who or what he was, but she figured being clean wouldn't hurt and that rest was much needed. How was she supposed to know someone would be there? Now she couldn't even rest! She had to get the treasure before that weirdo!
She blushed, and other images of the young man flashed through her mind. Quickly composing herself and pushing away any thoughts of the boy she had met, the orange-haired girl turned toward where she knew the cave was. She had to get the treasure. For Cocoyashi.
Nami ran off in the direction she was looking, determination written all over her face. She'd already snuck out and robbed plenty of pirates, so why not add one more lord to the list? How hard could it be?
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