He had no intention of inviting Nami aboard.
Nami was different from everyone else on the ship.
Thinking back, Louf had been Adrian's cook since very early on, Robin and Perona both had ties to Ohara, and Ulti and Page One were Oni orphans who had lost both parents.
As for Reiju and Sanji...
Perhaps the Vinsmoke siblings felt they had no father, either...
Adrian had previously taken Kuina out of Isshin Dojo, but he had only done so at Master Koshiro's express request.
And Nami?
At this stage, little Nami had a happy home and all her family around her. She had merely begun dreaming of drawing a [complete nautical chart].
The most important point...
Was that Bellemere would never agree to let little Nami sail with a legendary pirate!
For this strong-willed woman who had retired from the Marines, even accepting a pirate's gifts was already an extraordinary departure from her principles.
How could Bellemere possibly let little Nami run off with White Ghost?
Of course, Adrian could forcibly abduct Nami, or even take her entire family along...
But that would mean forcing his will on others!
As everyone knew, Adrian preferred being passive.
Before they parted.
Little Nami gathered her courage, preparing to ask, "The sea is so big. Could you take me to see it?"
"Adrian, can I..."
"You're fine!"
Bellemere swiftly clamped a hand over Nami's mouth while offering Adrian an apologetic smile.
"This child... she's such a handful! I'll make sure to discipline her properly from now on!"
Adrian did not particularly mind. Bellemere bringing their whole group home for a cup of hot tea was already quite a surprise. The ideological divide between pirates and Marines was no joke!
"It's all right, Ms. Bellemere. We'll be leaving now."
For some reason, Robin seemed