The Straw Hat Pirates Arrive

Nami recalled that brief, wonderful journey. "I think they'll want to beat you to a pulp."

"That's exactly what I want," Rubick said. "Hold on. I'll change clothes first so Luffy doesn't recognize me."

Nami looked him over. "Old man, by 'change clothes,' do you mean take off your coat?"

"I'm wearing a mask. What's there to worry about?"

Rubick asked, "Why did you steal their ship, anyway?"

"I needed money. Besides, I only worked with them for a little while."

This wouldn't do. What if Rubick's interference kept Nami from forming a bond with the others, and she never joined their crew?

"Wasn't there even a moment when you wanted to stay on that ship and sail the Grand Line with them?" Rubick asked.

"Nope."

"The captain's an idiot, the swordsman gets lost—I can't believe he managed to lose his way on a road with no turns. And don't get me started on the cook. He's hopeless around women. As for Usopp, I don't even have a word for him."

"That won't do!"

Rubick grew anxious. "You're the navigator I found for them. If you don't join, what are we supposed to do?"

"What's that got to do with me?"

Nami secretly laughed at the worry on Rubick's face. She had seen the news of Arlong's death months ago. When she met Luffy and Zoro afterward, she really had wanted to adventure with them and chart the whole world.

But at the last moment, she thought of Rubick. She figured she might be safer with him. More than anything, she thought he was dependable.

Rubick had an idea. "Nami, do you have a dream?"

"Sure. Making money!"

"Think about it," Rubick said at once. "That crew's got an idiot, a man who can't find his way, a lovesick fool, and a liar. If you join them, you'll be in charge of the money. Making a profit will be easy!"

"But they're not Pirates who go around robbing people. They'll never make any money."

Rubick had to bring out his trump card. "There's a city on the Grand Line called Shandora. The whole city is made of gold. Trust me—sail with us, and you'll have everything you want!"

Nami's eyes lit up. "Old man, you'd better not be lying to me!"

"I'd lie to anyone before I'd lie to you. You're my woman, after all."

Nami smiled, a tempting blush coloring her cheeks. She threw herself at Rubick and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Old man, you killed Arlong, avenged my mother, and saved the village. To repay you, I'll let you do anything you want with me."

Nami offered herself to him. Frowning, Rubick tossed her out.

From outside the door, Nami shouted furiously, "Old man, what's that supposed to mean? Am I not good enough for you? I'm sweet and adorable, and you're turning me down? Weren't you the one who kept calling me your woman?"

"You're too young, kid."

"You bastard! Open the door!"

While the two were arguing, Luffy and his companions came ashore at Cocoyasi Village in a small boat.

"Luffy, it's the Going Merry!"

Usopp was thrilled. Of everyone there, he probably cared about the Going Merry most. The ship came from his hometown, and Rubick had personally asked him to look after her.

Luffy swung his arms. "Great! First we find Nami, then we bring her aboard as our navigator."

Sanji raised a long leg and gave Luffy a light kick to the head. "Show a lady some manners!"

Zoro scratched his head. "But where do we look?"

Luffy planted his feet wide and roared, "Nami! Where are you? We're here to get you!"

Genzo and the others were in a panic when they heard Luffy's shout. They exchanged glances and decided to go meet him first.

Before long, Genzo and the others arrived at the dock. "Hey, are you looking for Nami?"

Luffy stared in surprise. "Mister, why do you have a windmill on your head?"

"That's not the point!" Genzo snapped. "Who are you people?"

"We're the Straw Hat Pirates," Luffy said. "Nami's our navigator. We've come to take her back."

Genzo and the others didn't like Pirates, of course. But under the circumstances, these newcomers might prove useful.

"You came at the right time," Genzo said. "A thug here took Nami this morning and said he wanted her to be his woman. Can you rescue her?"

"What?"

Sanji was the first to leap forward. "Where is he? I'll kick him to death!"

"Head west. He's in Lincoln Park."

Luffy straightened his straw hat. His face turned serious as he said firmly, "Come on, everyone. Let's beat up that thug and bring our navigator back!"

After Luffy and the others headed for Lincoln Park, Nojiko asked, "Genzo, what do we do now? If Slark finds out we sent those Pirates after him, he'll come after us."

Genzo looked around at the villagers' faces, each wearing a different expression. Then he said firmly, "We endured seven years for Nami's sake. I don't want to endure it anymore. Arlong's gone, but there'll always be another monster to take his place. We can't let them keep crushing us. We have to fight back!"

Genzo went to a nearby flower bed and dug a rusted blade out of the soil. "Even if I die, I'll face the enemy with my pride and a weapon in my hand. Anyone with the guts, come with me!"

Genzo's words stirred the villagers, who had long since had enough. They picked up farming tools, even pots and pans.

At the entrance to Lincoln Park, Luffy kicked the gate that Rubick had kicked six months earlier, sending it flying.

"You rotten thug! Give us back our navigator!"

Standing on the balcony, Nami felt warmth spread through her as she saw Luffy's reaction. Her captain might be an idiot, but he always gave his whole heart to his friends.

Rubick stood beside her. "Well? I picked a pretty good captain, didn't I?"

Nami wiped the smile from her face and gave him a shove.

"Nami!"

Sanji called from below, "Nami, we're coming to save you!"

Luffy wasted no time talking. He launched a Gum-Gum Bullet straight at Rubick on the second-floor balcony.

Rubick laughed and leaped down toward them.

Zoro drew the Wado Ichimonji. His eyes widened: Rubick had kicked at him from a distance, and a streak of white light was slashing straight toward him.