Everyone's Reactions, Nami Joins the Crew

At this moment, Can Yue, Luffy, and the others had already returned to the center of town.

Having just witnessed Can Yue's terrifying strength firsthand, everyone's reactions toward him were now different from before—except for Luffy, of course, who was still bouncing around like a monkey.

Zoro walked up to Can Yue, drew Wado Ichimonji, and thrust it into the ground. He said solemnly, "Besides Haki, I also want to learn swordsmanship from you."

Can Yue showed no surprise. Zoro's goal in setting sail was to reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship—it was his promise with Kuina. It was only natural that he'd ask to be taught in order to grow stronger.

Without much hesitation, Can Yue nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, Luffy came bounding over. "Can Yue, after Haki training, teach me some practical combat skills too."

"Alright."

After the fight with Buggy, Can Yue realized this Pirate King world was different from what he remembered before transmigrating. Buggy's combat ability was far stronger than in the Pirate King world of his memories.

Thinking it over, it made sense. After all, Buggy was a crew member of the Pirate King and had roamed the New World for so long—how could he not have learned Haki and other fighting techniques?

By that logic, any enemy they encountered from now on who had experience in the New World, or had been trained by a strong fighter, should be able to use Haki—people like Crocodile, Smoker, CP9, and so on.

In the future, the enemies they'd face in the first half of the Grand Line would likely be much stronger than in his memories.

Even with him around, the journey ahead couldn't be called absolutely safe. So to achieve their goals smoothly, training Luffy, Zoro, and the others to become stronger was crucial.

Besides, Can Yue felt he genuinely liked them. Helping them grow along the way wasn't a bad thing.

After Luffy and Zoro, Nami shuffled hesitantly closer to Can Yue.

Can Yue appeared calm, but his body was already primed to dodge Nami's maidenly grabby hands at a moment's notice.

"Can Yue... Big Brother, could I ask you a favor? I've prepared the betrothal gift—it's that bag of treasure hanging on Chouchou right now, worth about ten million Beli."

Can Yue realized she wasn't trying to take advantage of him and immediately relaxed.

Then he thought it over. Betrothal gift?

Good grief, was she proposing outright? Sesshomaru's charm was absurdly high.

Can Yue suddenly wondered how Sesshomaru had dealt with so many confessions back in the Demon Realm. Surely he hadn't killed them all.

The scene froze awkwardly, because everyone had heard the word "betrothal gift."

Zoro looked baffled, marveling at what kind of woman would be so shameless.

Just then, Luffy's unique thought process kicked in.

"Wow, that much money could buy a whole me! What do you want Can Yue to help you with?"

Then Luffy, like a monkey, stared at the huge bag of treasure with drool dripping from his mouth.

"Man, that could buy so much meat! Can Yue, just say yes—then our crew will have money!"

The awkward atmosphere was broken by Luffy.

Taking Luffy's cue, Nami mustered her courage and began to speak.

"It's about my hometown... and a group of fish-men pirates..."

As night fell, Nami finally finished her story. She asked Can Yue to destroy the Arlong Pirates and save her village, offering the large bag of treasure as payment.

Hearing this, everyone understood.

Even though Nami had left out many details, everyone felt a strong surge of anger toward the Arlong Pirates.

Can Yue naturally knew the whole story. Nami had completely omitted her own and her foster mother's suffering—she was a tough woman.

"So, Can Yue Big Brother, can you help me?"

Just as Can Yue was about to respond, Luffy's voice rang out.

"Help! We have to help! I'm gonna punch those rotten fish-men who bullied the villagers. And after this, Nami, you'll be our navigator!"

Hearing that, Can Yue smiled slightly and replied to Nami, "I was thinking the same thing. That amount of money isn't enough to hire me—you'll work off the rest by serving as our navigator."

The main reason was that Can Yue really didn't know navigation, and with two directionally challenged people on board, there was no way they could enter the Grand Line without Nami.

Nami hesitated for a moment. She instinctively wanted to refuse because she hated pirates. But when she thought about her experiences with Luffy and Zoro, that aversion immediately lessened.

Then, images of Can Yue's battles flashed through her mind, and she nodded immediately, agreeing to the deal.

If I'm the navigator on this ship, I get to see that gorgeous face every day. Oh my god, I'd be way too happy!

At that thought, Nami's gaze turned dreamy again.

Seeing this, Can Yue "calmly" shifted a few steps away from her.

The deal was settled. The Straw Hat Pirates had accepted their first commission.

Just then, Zoro couldn't help but mutter, "Hmph, this woman calls a commission a betrothal gift—what a love-struck brain."

Hearing that, Nami was stunned for a moment, then realized what she'd said. Her face turned as red as an apple.

Oh my god, what had she said out loud?

"Aaaah, how embarrassing!" Nami shouted, then slapped Zoro across the face.

Zoro stood there dumbfounded, then green killing intent flared around him as he glared at Nami.

"You woman, I'll—ah!" Zoro's threatening words hadn't even left his mouth before Nami's shy iron fists rained down on him again.

The cheerful atmosphere gradually faded. The mayor had already steadied his breathing and pieced together the entire sequence of events. He realized that it was this group of people before him who had defeated Clown Buggy and saved his town.

Though the island's terrain had changed, the town had indeed returned.

With that thought, the mayor stepped in front of the group, tears glistening at the corners of his eyes, and bowed deeply.

"To thank you all for your help, on behalf of every citizen of Orange Town, I wish to hold a banquet for you."

As soon as Luffy heard "banquet," he excitedly agreed on the spot.

Can Yue and Zoro had no objections either, so the mayor and the Pig Butcher Couple hurried off to the townsfolk's shelter to have everyone prepare for the festivities.

Can Yue and the others strolled along slowly behind them.

Then Zoro asked Luffy, "How did you learn Armament Haki so fast?"

Luffy laughed and replied, "The situation was urgent back then. I thought I had to use it, so I did. But now I can't do it anymore. Don't believe me? Look."

With that, Luffy tried his best to perform Armament Hardening, but less than half of his hand was coated in Armament Haki.

Zoro compared it and found that Luffy was about the same level as himself. He breathed a sigh of relief. "As if you could be that much more talented than me."

Can Yue watched this scene, gave a slight smile, and said, "After the banquet, training continues."

"Got it!"