Sanji Appears

Nami flinched violently, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

She frantically stuffed the wad of paper into her pocket, forcing a smile that was uglier than crying, and struggled to calm her trembling voice:

"N-no. Why would I have an enemy? I was just... just surprised that there were pirates in the East Blue with such a high bounty."

Ronan looked at her evasive eyes and sighed inwardly.

Nami now was like a startled hedgehog, bristling with quills, trying to fight the whole world alone.

She hadn't truly considered herself a member of the Straw Hat Pirates yet, or rather, she didn't dare to.

She was afraid that the warmth she had just found would shatter instantly because of that terrifying fish-man.

"Nami."

Ronan turned around, his eyes serious and sincere, his tone carrying an undeniable firmness:

"If you have any difficulties, whether it's money or enemies, we can help you solve them. Don't forget, we're nakama, aren't we?"

"Nakama..."

These two words struck Nami's defenses fiercely.

Her eyes reddened, and she almost shed tears, but her reason forced her to hold back.

She turned her head, avoiding Ronan's gaze, and forced a smile, "Oh, what nonsense are you talking about? What trouble could I possibly have? Really, none."

Seeing that she was still pretending, Ronan didn't press further.

He just sighed softly, then looked up, exuding a powerful confidence and aura:

"Nami, remember this. In this East Blue, I dare say no pirate crew is our match."

"No matter who it is, even that so-called 'Arlong Pirates,' a mere twenty million Belly bounty..."

Ronan paused, his gaze sharp, "We've never even taken them seriously."

"Luffy, Zoro, and I now are far stronger than you imagine."

This statement exploded like thunder in Nami's ears.

She looked up, gazing at the confident profile of the man before her, her heart shaken violently.

Yes, over the past week, she had personally witnessed the insane training of these men.

That inhuman physique, that Haki that could predict the future, that swordsmanship that could cut steel...

Maybe... it was really possible?

If she could borrow their strength, could she really save Cocoyasi Village from that devil?

But the next second, the image of Arlong's terrifying brute strength tearing apart a Navy warship flashed before her eyes again.

What if it didn't succeed? If they failed, not only would the village be unsaved, but these few genuine nakama she had finally found would also die because of her.

For a moment, hope and fear intertwined fiercely in Nami's heart, leaving her mind in chaos.

Just then, a terrified scream shattered the heavy atmosphere on deck.

"Waaah! We're being targeted!!"

Usopp, who had been keeping watch on the mast, pointed at a nearby Navy warship, his eyeballs nearly popping out in fright.

The cannon on the side of the warship flashed with fire.

"Boom--!!"

Accompanied by a deafening roar of cannon fire, a solid black cannonball tore through the air, whistling with death, and flew directly towards the Merry!

"Crap! We're going to be hit!" Usopp scrambled away, covering his head.

"Leave it to me!"

A red figure shot towards the ship's railing like lightning.

Luffy lowered his straw hat, a confident smile curving his lips.

After a week of "hellish training," his control over his body was now far beyond what it used to be.

"Gomu Gomu--"

Luffy stretched both his hands wide, gripping the sides of the Merry tightly, his body stretched horizontally across the deck like a drawn bowstring.

"--Pistol!!"

"Bang!"

The powerful cannonball landed squarely on Luffy's elastic stomach.

It didn't explode but instead pushed Luffy's stomach inward to an astonishing depth.

"Hah!"

Luffy pushed off with his feet, his waist and abdomen exerting force, and a massive rebound power instantly erupted!

"Swoosh--!!"

The cannonball was sent flying back even faster than it had arrived, forcefully repelled by Luffy!

It cut a straight black line through the air, striking the Navy warship's deck with pinpoint accuracy!

"BOOM!!"

Flames immediately erupted on the distant warship, splinters flying everywhere.

The Navy soldiers, who had been watching the spectacle, descended into chaos, screams and commands rising one after another.

"Heh heh!"

Luffy lightly hopped onto the Merry's figurehead, patting his unharmed belly with a smug grin.

"I feel like my Strength has grown a lot recently! Intercepting cannonballs is just too easy!"

Ronan watched the scene and smiled faintly.

This was the result of his training. If it were before, Luffy could have deflected it, but never with such precision.

Inside the Sea Restaurant, Baratie.

Ronan's group ignored the chaotic warship and instead used the Merry's small shopping boat to board the sea restaurant from the side.

Pushing open the heavy fish-mouth door, a rich aroma of food wafted out.

The interior of the restaurant was spacious and luxurious. A giant crystal chandelier cast a soft glow, a deep red carpet covered the floor, and every dining table was adorned with a clean white tablecloth.

The surrounding area was filled with bustling diners, the clinking of cutlery, the sound of toasts, and laughter intermingling to create a lively atmosphere.

Through the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, one could enjoy delicious food while admiring the azure sea view.

"Whoa--this is so fancy!" Luffy's eyes sparkled.

The group found a window seat and had just ordered when Ronan's gaze was drawn to a commotion in the center of the hall.

"Is that..."

Ronan looked over and saw the Navy Captain Harpody from earlier, currently sitting at a table not far away.

Seemingly trying to show off in front of his female companion, he was gloomily picking a fight with a waiter.

The waiter wore a crisp black suit, his golden hair covering his left eye, leaving only his right visible.

Most striking were his eyebrows, curled like whirlpools, and an elegance and roguish charm that couldn't be hidden even while he carried a tray.

It was the Straw Hat Pirates' future cook--Sanji.

"What is this bug doing here!"

Harpody pointed at a plate of exquisite soup in front of him, his voice so loud it seemed he wanted the entire restaurant to hear.

Floating in the milky white broth was a conspicuously out-of-place little bug.

Harpody expected the waiter to panic and apologize profusely, but he was wrong.

Sanji merely bent down slightly, peered at the bug, and spoke with a tone as calm as if discussing the weather.

"My apologies, sir, I'm not quite sure."

He straightened up, a faint, mocking smile playing on his lips. "After all, I don't know much about insects."

"Pfft--"

Sanji's deadpan, nonsensical remark instantly ignited laughter from those around them.