"Ye Chen! Thank goodness. We finally found you again."
The moment Nami saw Ye Chen, she threw herself into his arms. He comforted her and held her tight. Two more years had passed, and she had grown even more beautiful. His hands wandered up and down; her skin felt so smooth that he could hardly keep them still.
"What are you doing...?"
Nami shot Ye Chen a reproachful look.
At first, she hadn't minded when he kissed her cheeks. But someone had grown bolder and bolder until he kissed her on the lips. Flustered and indignant, Nami hurriedly pushed him away. She didn't shout, though. No one else could know about this.
Of course, that would only encourage him to push his luck next time.
Bellemere and Nojiko couldn't return to Cocoyasi Village, either. The Marines might show up there at any moment, making it far too dangerous.
With their agreement, Ye Chen decided to take them to Spoon Aunt's place in Sabaody. Olvia was there too.
Everyone around Ye Chen now was one of his own companions. Basan had gone home, Loka had joined the Revolutionary Army, and Pizarro had returned to life as a pirate. He hadn't wanted to join Ye Chen's crew, and Ye Chen hadn't pressed him.
Now the whole crew was together: Zoro, Nami, Kuina, Robin, Smoker, Lucci, Stone, Kuro, Perona, and Gin!
Ten crewmates in all. By the goal Luffy had set when he first went to sea, Ye Chen was still one short.
Luffy had said he wanted to find ten companions. Including Luffy himself, that would make eleven members of the Straw Hat Pirates.
"A Chef, a navigator, a historian, swordsmen, a captain, and a strategist... What we're missing most is a Ship's Doctor," Ye Chen said bluntly as everyone gathered.
"A