Better to Die Than Be a Coward

For example, the Shichibukai, the Red Devil Pirates Captain, the Baroque Works Leader, and a member of CP9. Although Rono hadn't carried out CP9 missions anymore, and CP9 hadn't assigned any missions to him, his name was still listed.

When Nami heard it was Baroque Works, her eyes lit up with golden light. "There must be a lot of money, right?" Those were Nami's exact words.

"Not sure. Compared to the Celestial Dragons, it's still a bit lacking." Those were Sairona's exact words.

Then Nami fainted happily, leaving the other four utterly bewildered.

After reaching the Grand Line, Rono switched to his Red Devil. The country bumpkin Nami drooled just hearing about its cost. The Red Devil was a bit awkward because it only had two rooms. To accommodate Dazhiki and Nami, Rono's large room (since there were two people) had to be modified, and Sairona moved in as well. Supplies were prepared as soon as Rono and the others arrived at the Grand Line; no need to carry bags, just walk.

"Do you guys get seasick?" Sairona kindly reminded Nami and Dazhiki.

Dazhiki, dazed and cute, straightened herself and said to the ship wheel, "Mr. Sairona, you're too kind. How can a Marine get seasick?"

"...Um, Dazhiki, I'm to your southeast. You're talking to the ship wheel," Sairona said calmly.

Nami watched Dazhiki flusteredly take the glasses from Sairona's hand and said with a smile, "I don't get seasick either."

After more than ten days together, Nami had somewhat integrated into the Wolf Family. Sairona, in particular, marveled at her navigation talent.

"Then get ready to throw up. Since you don't get seasick, you probably, I mean, probably won't throw up too badly." Sairona picked up Gelu and returned to the room. He was already experienced.

"It's time to show my true skills!" Rono placed his hand on the lever next to the ship wheel, turned his head, and flashed a smile at Nami and Dazhiki. "Don't worry, old driver, I won't flip the boat."

Then he pulled the lever all the way down. Waves slashed past the side of the ship, splashing large amounts of spray. Nami clearly saw the bow of the Red Devil already lifting off the sea surface.

"Ahhhhhhh!" Nami and Dazhiki screamed in unison. Dazhiki wasn't wearing her Marine uniform; she wore a form-fitting pink thin windbreaker. At this moment, the windbreaker fluttered in the wind, and Dazhiki felt like she was about to fly. Her glasses were flung off directly, disappearing without a trace. Nami was already dressed lightly, and at this moment, her bra was about to be blown away.

"Yeehaw!" Rono exclaimed excitedly.

Inside the room, Sairona steadily held Gelu, sitting in a specially secured spot by the bed. Sairona calmly asked Gelu, "What kind of beating do you think Rono will get?"

"Gelu Gelu. (Don't know, but he won't die.)" Gelu thought for a moment but found no answer.

"Gelu, I just realized you don't seem to be wearing any clothes. No pants, not even underwear," Sairona observed Gelu and suddenly spoke.

"!? Gelu? Gelu Gelu. (Clothes? Dad never bought Gelu any clothes.)" Gelu lightly tapped his chin with his little finger, tilting his head in question.

"..." Sairona suddenly didn't want to talk. Made, what an idiot. His own son didn't even have clothes, and he hadn't noticed.

"When we get off the ship later, Uncle Sairona will take you shopping," Sairona said, patting Gelu's stiff hair with concern.

An hour later, the engine issued a warning. Rono pulled the lever, and the ship's speed gradually slowed down. Nami and Dazhiki crawled to the railing, vomiting. Rono also realized that he had probably, maybe, gotten into trouble again. While Nami and Dazhiki were recovering, he quietly slipped into the room, pulled a blanket over his head, and played ostrich.

Sairona said faintly, "Can you hide?"

Rono's body stiffened. He muttered to himself, "I don't know anything. I didn't do anything. I don't know anything..."

On deck, after Nami finished vomiting, she cleaned the ship's hull and adjusted her bra. She asked with concern, "Sister Dazhiki, are you alright?"

Dazhiki lay on the ground, her expression one of utter devastation, and remained silent. Her pink windbreaker was long gone, and she was wearing a baggy cat t-shirt underneath. Her ample chest strained the already oversized shirt, distorting the cat's face. She wore denim shorts, and her fair, slender legs were enough to make anyone hard.

"..." Nami was speechless. She silently carried Dazhiki into a room. "Why is she so heavy? Is it really because of her chest?"

Sairona tidied his clothes before heading into the kitchen to prepare a stomach-warming soup. After vomiting so much, one needed to warm their stomach.

Seeing Sairona leave, and Gelu following closely behind, Rono finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Ro--no--!" Nami's voice echoed through the sky. Rono, who had just poked his head out, quickly buried it back under the covers.

Bang-- The room door, which hadn't been closed, was kicked open. Nami's face was hidden in shadow, but the flash of red in her eyes and the wooden stick in her hand proved she was not to be trifled with.

"Rono, come out for a moment." Nami's voice was soft. If Rono hadn't had Observation Haki, he might have actually been fooled.

"Who are you? Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going? Did I do anything?" Rono feigned amnesia.

"Hehehe, trying to trick me? Come, come, I'll help you get your memory back." Nami grinned sinisterly and raised the wooden stick in her hand.

It's just a wooden stick? I can take it. Rono thought gleefully. I just need to pretend it hurts. It's good she didn't use a Sniper Rifle!

Bang-- Nami brought the stick down heavily. Rono closed his eyes, chanting inwardly, Don't use Iron Body, don't use Haki.

Then, Rono squatted on the ground, clutching his head. A fresh, steaming lump was forming on his head.

Rono looked on in disbelief. Even Vice Admiral Huo Shaoshan could only break the wooden stick, not injure him. And now, after growing so much, how could this be?

Nami, unaware of this, proceeded to beat Rono soundly. Rono rolled on the ground, screaming in agony.

Sairona, who was making soup in the kitchen, was a little surprised. "That's not right. That wooden stick Nami has is the one I gave her. Why is Rono screaming so badly?" He said to Gelu, "Dad is definitely acting."

"Gelu Gelu. (I think so too.)" Gelu nodded seriously, crossing his arms.

Sairona shrugged and continued humming as he made soup. He also made a children's snack set for Gelu, including cookies and small cakes.

Nami threw down the broken wooden stick and looked at Rono, panting. Her voice was still gentle. "How is it? Remember now?"

Rono shivered. Recalling the terror of being beaten by the stick, he nodded like a pecking chicken. Rono's head was covered in bumps, and his self-healing ability hadn't even finished its work.

Nami nodded with satisfaction. "Is there anything you want to say?"

So that's what you're thinking! Rono's expression turned serious. I already have a fiancée.

"???" Nami was stunned. "What do you mean? I just wanted you to promise not to be so reckless next time. Who... who wants to hear you say that?"

"I'd rather die than yield."