On a sunny day at noon, Nami heard the sound of lunch being served.
So she looked up from her long drawing work and gazed wearily at the room door.
Even though the door was right there, Nami still felt it was incredibly far away.
She didn't want to open that door!
It wasn't that she disliked the deck of the Dark Bird Ship, nor that she hated the people on Dark Bird Ship.
On the contrary, she not only didn't dislike everyone, but actually admired them greatly!
Whether it's Captain Gawain, who inspires confidence and respect, or Dark King Rayleigh, or Mr. Issho, who is blind but extremely kind-hearted, or Ms. Gion, who, despite being a woman, still ranks among the strongest, they are all Gion.
Nami was filled with admiration for these people; the officers of the Dark Bird Ship were truly amazing!
But what about her? How did she manage to squeeze into the ranks of cadres?
Franky, who works with her... is a scientist on the Dark Bird Ship. Although he has an extremely unstable personality, his thoughts are like the Yellow River, bursting its banks at any moment.
There's also the unassuming and unassuming Merfolk. Dan, a master shipwright specializing in mechanical processing. His understanding and modification of the Sea Train is truly astonishing.
How could I possibly be qualified to be ranked alongside those people?
Am I just an ordinary little girl?
Am I... unworthy of the expectations the gentleman on the ship had for me?
Thinking of this, Nami couldn't help but press her right hand onto her left shoulder, where her original Arlong Pirates tattoo had been transformed into a soaring Dark Bird tattoo.
Only this tattoo allows Nami to be certain that what she's experiencing is indeed reality, even when she feels like she's living in a dream.
He actually became a cadre, with a terrifying annual salary of six billion.
But the more this was the case, the more Nami felt she had to produce results worthy of her salary!
Throughout the entire ocean, perhaps no one loves money more than Nami, and the more someone loves money, the more they understand how hard it is to earn it.
Therefore, Nami now prefers to confine herself in her room, desperately studying the various nautical charts recorded by the Dark Bird Ship in the past, reconstructing the ocean current trajectory of the Grand Line, and then analyzing and attempting to deduce the disaster classifications between the various routes of the Grand Line.
This was a huge project, Nami worked hard for ten whole days without even making a single clue.
Even a genius navigator like her would find it difficult to understand the sea conditions if she had never seen or sailed on it herself.
Therefore, Nami clutched her shoulder and shook her head unwillingly.
"I wish I had Robin's abilities, or at least upgraded them."
If I had a hundred pairs of eyes and hands, I could do all this very easily...
With a muttered sound, Nami frowned. She decided to ignore the lunch notification sound and lock herself in her room until she had dealt with all the sea charts!
If I don't work this hard, how can I live up to my annual salary of six billion?
That's a whopping five Marco!!!
Just as Nami was anxiously studying the sea chart, her door was pushed open, Nojiko walked in laughing.
"Nami, it's time to eat. The adults noticed you weren't here and asked about you."
Are you still drawing nautical charts there? It can't be just a meal's time away, can it? Come on, don't make the adults worry about you~."
As they were talking, Nojiko stepped forward and interrupted Nami's hand.
As Nojiko approached, Nami rubbed her hair in frustration.
"Ahhh, sir, sir, sir, sister, you've really gotten used to calling me that."
Why does he value me so much?
I'm only fifteen years old. Although I've always thought I was smart, I'm not smart enough for that kind of person to admire me, am I?
"Big sister, can you guess what Gawain really thinks of me?"
"Why?"
Hearing Nami's words, Nojiko blinked, then took Nami's hand.
Why should I guess that, or rather, do you need to think about it so much?
Regardless of why the adults valued you, and regardless of why they dragged me onto the boat to be a gardener who didn't really have much meaning.
Regardless of whether his intentions were good or bad, aren't adults always our benefactors?
"Have you already forgotten how the adults saved our village after only six days away?"
As they were talking, Nojiko rubbed Nami's wrist.
"So don't overthink it, Nami. Even if we can't meet the expectations the master has for us, we should still try our best to repay the kindness he has shown us."
As for now, the way you repay him is to not make him worry.
Come on, let's go eat together. You haven't been eating or drinking for the past few days, and the adults have mentioned it four times already.
"How did you become such a workaholic? It's driving me crazy!"
And so, Nojiko pulled Nami out of the cabin, and they crossed the courtyard and garden, then through the orange grove, and arrived at the dining area.
On the most luxurious sofa, Gawain was talking to Smoker had just returned to the ship.
When he noticed Nami had arrived, he greeted Nami while holding a steak.
"Nami, I know you've been busy these past few days, but whatever you do, don't miss your mealtime."
"If you don't eat your fill, you won't have the energy to look to the future."
At this point, Gawain gently pointed at Smoker.
"Perfect timing. Smoker brought back Captain Nezumi. That guy used to be in cahoots with Arlong and can be considered the culprit behind the suffering your village has endured."
If you keep missing mealtimes, how will you have the energy to seek revenge on a guy like that?
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain waved gently at Smoker.
"Smoker, this guy is in Nami and Shiryu."
Nami decide what punishment he deserves, then tell Shiryu him the punishment he deserves. Go on."
"Yes, sir. It's perfectly appropriate for Mr. Shiryu to handle this!"
Across from him, Smoker exhaled a sharp puff of smoke.
"It is because of the existence of such a wicked navy that our navy's reputation among ordinary people has plummeted!"
A bastard who does evil while wearing the skin of a navy officer is far more despicable than a bastard who does evil while wearing the name of a pirate!!!
At this point, Smoker gently tossed the Captain Nezumi he was holding toward Nami in the distance.
A moment later, Captain Nezumi rolled around and landed at Nami's feet.
As soon as he stopped, the Nezumi quickly looked at Nami, only to see him instantly kneel down and beg for mercy, repeatedly kowtowing to Nami.
"Nami, it's you, Nami! Aren't you Arlong's navigator?!"
You must say something for me! I really haven't killed any villagers. The reason I allowed Arlong to collect money in the nearby villages was because he promised me he wouldn't massacre any villages. That's when I reluctantly allowed him to do it!
You are Arlong's navigator, you must be very smart, so you should know that even if there were no Arlong in the world, there would be other Ah Hu or Ah Bao.
In short, you absolutely must plead for me!!!
By this point, the Nezumi's face was covered in tears, and the three whiskers on his lips, which resembled Nezumi's whiskers, drooped down quickly.
Looking at the Nezumi begging for mercy so humbly, Nami's face was covered with a shadow. She remained silent for a long time before finally shaking her head and saying to Gawain.
"Gawain, I'm already exhausted from drawing those nautical charts, I don't want to waste my time on this garbage!"
I'm too lazy to punish him; you should just hand him over to Mr. Shiryu!
As she spoke, Nami glanced at Shiryu not far away. In response to Nami's gaze, Shiryu returned an excited smile.
"Hiss...!"
Nami was startled by Shiryu's smile. Mr. Shiryu was really fierce; it was as if he was always being mean to others.
However, Nami felt exceptionally secure having such a person as the executioner of the Dark Bird Ship.
With him overseeing the execution department, surely no villain as wicked as Nezumi could escape death?
As Nami pondered, Nojiko, who was behind her, spoke up.
"Nami is right, this kind of trash isn't worth wasting our time on!"
As he spoke, Nojiko lifted Captain Nezumi's trembling body.
She brought the Nezumi directly to Shiryu.
"Mr. Shiryu, I'm entrusting this man to you."
"Rest assured!"
Shiryu nodded heavily, then picked up the Nezumi and left. As for the Nezumi, he was too scared to even speak.
Watching the Nezumi being carried away in such a filthy manner, Smoker exhaled a puff of smoke.
"Serves him right!"
He muttered a curse as he sat back down at the table, sulking as he ate his meal.
Gawain then waved to Nami from the main seat.
"Everything's resolved, so let's eat quickly. I need to continue training after I finish eating."
As for your work, remember to balance work and rest. You're still young, you have plenty of time. Don't overwork yourself at fifteen.
"Yes, sir!"
Hearing Gawain's concern, Nami nodded heavily. Strangely enough, after seeing the Nezumi, Nami actually felt a little hungry.
The instant Nami sat down, the personnel on the Dark Bird Ship's watchtower sent Kalifa the latest observation information.
They've already spotted the Baratie!!!
No sooner had the lookout finished speaking than Rayleigh, who was drinking warm wine and eating peanuts, suddenly sprang up.
Staring intently at the distant sea, Rayleigh gripped his sword tightly!
"Damn it, this day has finally come!"
Captain, take your time eating. I'm going to find that old geezer Garp and have a good old-fashioned chat!!!
Gion, Issho, come with me! The three of us will go forward to greet him and make that old man Garp sleep half an hour less!
How long has it been since that guy felt like he'd been beaten up?
It must have been a long time!
Today, Garp, you should also remember those days!!!
After speaking, Rayleigh cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Gawain, then turned and left.
Behind him, Yi Xiao nodded slightly to Gawain, then smiled and followed beside Rayleigh.
Apart from him, Zephyr expectantly put down his chopsticks.
"Rayleigh, you old bastard, why didn't you call me too!"
That arrogant old bastard Garp, I wanted to beat him up when I was young, and now I've finally achieved that dream! Haha!
As soon as Zephyr finished speaking, Robin was drinking orange juice nearby, suddenly looked up.
"Old Master Zephyr has always wanted to beat up Garp. Is this your lifelong dream?"
So why didn't you take action during those years when you were Admiral?
Or did you try to fight, but you couldn't win?
"Well...?!!"
Zephyr, who had been betrayed by Robin, pursed his lips and turned away unhappily, only to see him pat Rayleigh on the shoulder.
"No, I'm so annoyed! I'll have to use more force later!"
At this point, Zephyr turned around and looked at Robin with a worried expression.
"And you, Robin, little girl..."
Let me tell you something, you should never be too much Garp!
You little rascal... you've gone astray!!!
At the Baratie, over fifty woks were operating simultaneously, the flames and aromas of cooking prompting Red-Leg Zeff, who was leading the group, to take a deep breath.
"Keep up the spirit, guys! This is the spirit, the spirit of passion!"
We must put everything into creating delicious food; we must never waste a single precious ingredient!!!
After encouraging the chefs, Zeff picked up a cleaver and continued preparing the ingredients.
Keep in mind that the entire Baratie, including all their staff, has less than a hundred chefs.
Such a large quantity of food needs to be processed enough to feed 40,000 people...
Honestly, it's only because they're so professional that an average chef simply wouldn't have the ability!
Just as Zeff was swinging the cleaver, someone suddenly burst into the kitchen.
"Captain!!!
Captain Zeff!!!
We've spotted the Dark Bird Ship!
That was... that was an absolutely enormous ship!!!
"Oh?"
In that instant, Zeff raised his eyes, his eyes filled with sharp anticipation.
"Has that Celestial Dragon, the one with the best eye for talent who appreciates my culinary skills, finally arrived?"
Good!!!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Zeff grabbed a knife and rushed out of the kitchen, running all the way to the deck.
Sanji, however, was not following Zeff; the young man was now meticulously preparing the ingredients in his hands.
As a chef, Sanji is sometimes more focused than Zeff. For example, right now, Sanji doesn't care who eats his food.
He has to do justice to every single ingredient on the cutting board!
As for Zeff, although he was equally pure, Zeff had far more concerns than food.
The lives of everyone on his ship, Sanji's life and future—he had long since placed these things before the dishes.
That's why, at this moment, Zeff stared intently at the approaching Dark Bird Ship, and as he looked at the Dark Bird Ship's towering mast, Zeff's braided beard trembled violently twice.
"No wonder Garp said I could recognize the Dark Bird Ship at a glance!"
This... this really is a moving island!
And... that whale... could it be Island Whale?
Haha, many of the glands of Island Whale are super ingredients for making curry!!!
Laboon: (○o○)?
Leaving aside Zeff's fantasies about ingredients, Kaku also appeared on the deck the moment he looked towards the Dark Bird Ship.
As the Dark Bird Ship drew closer, Kaku silently rubbed his head.
Kaku truly sacrificed a great deal to keep Mr. Garp at the Baratie restaurant...
I get hit on the head by Mr. Garp every single day!
Although Mr. Garp taught him many special techniques of the Rokushiki because he was an adult's subordinate and had studied with Zephyr.
But... why does Mr. Garp like to smash people's heads so much when he's teaching?!
Even now, Kaku felt a throbbing pain in the back of his head; even Armament Haki couldn't withstand Garp's punches!!!
As Kaku greeted the Dark Bird Ship, Garp lazily opened his eyes from his recliner.
He glanced at the distant Dark Bird sail and snorted disdainfully.
"It's such a conspicuous ship, every time I see it I feel it's such a waste!"
And the people on that ship, ugh, I can smell the pirates from this far away... huh???
Suddenly, Garp jumped up from the recliner and stared blankly into the distance.
"That aura, hahaha, it seems those old fogies are planning to mess with me!!!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Garp grabbed his deck chair and rushed to the edge of the deck.
In a matter of moments, the recliner in his hands was quickly stained black.
Carrying the chair, Garp aimed slightly at the distant sky.
Then, he shouted something.
"Eat my chair!!!"
The moment Garp finished speaking, everyone else on the Baratie deck was completely bewildered as to what Garp was doing.
Suddenly, a huge meteorite appeared in the sky and hurtled towards Baratie!
Before the people on Baratie could even panic, Garp's Armament Haki recliner had already crashed into the meteorite!