When Luffy arrived at the battlefield between Kizaru and Sentomaru, he saw Sentomaru's body falling down. A cold glint flashed in Luffy. He remembered the despair he had experienced in Sabaody two years ago, all brought to them by Kizaru. Now he was a different person, no longer the helpless and desperate person he was in the Sabaody Archipelago two years ago!
"Hey! Long time no see..."
Kizaru also noticed the Straw Hat Boy who had arrived. He wanted to say hello, as was his nature. Whether they were enemies or friends, the Five Elders or ordinary people, he would always greet them first!
But the Straw Hat Boy didn't seem to want to greet him. Before he could finish speaking, the other party launched a flying kick at him with incredible speed and Haki. Crimson Inazuma crackled around his body, making him look completely different from two years ago!
"How rude!"
" Kizaru! We're 100 times stronger than we were two years ago!"
It's unclear whether Luffy's speed was too fast, or whether his Conqueror's Haki suppressed Kizaru's elemental transformation, or whether Kizaru also wanted to test the strength of this newly Four Emperors, so he chose to take the kick head-on!
The two were locked in a stalemate, one attacking and the other defending, yet they still had the leisure to exchange a few words, indicating that neither of them was using their full strength, perhaps both testing the other's limits!
Although neither of them was seriously injured, the area within a radius of several meters around them was as if a violent explosion had occurred, with smoke and dust billowing and debris flying everywhere!
Both of them had a better understanding of the situation. Kizaru knew that this person was a major obstacle, the biggest hindrance to his mission. Luffy also knew what this person was there for and was determined not to back down. Thus, the battle began again!
While Luffy and Kizaru were fighting, Vic had already arrived at the control room of the Frontier Dome. His sudden appearance startled the group inside.
Especially among the cowardly trio who were all staying here, Skeleton Brook was a little better off, since he didn't have a heart that could be scared.
Vegapunk was initially frightened, fearing that the enemy had already crept over and was about to attack him, but upon seeing that it was Vic, he immediately became happy.
Edison and Atlas, standing nearby, watched Vic with curiosity. They were both familiar with and unfamiliar with Vic; they were familiar with him because of the few memories Vegapunk had allocated when he disassembled the brain.
The unfamiliarity stemmed from the fact that this was the first time they had seen this renowned Emperor of the Sea since they were created; however, being robots, they did not experience much fear.
" Nami! Am I really that scary?"
Vic looked at Nami, who was covering her eyes and deceiving herself, with a smile. He had seen her many times since Nami set sail, so he felt no awkwardness at all.
However, Nami had never seen Vic in person all these years. She could only see his photos in the newspapers. She would always imagine what it would be like when the two met for the first time after so many years. Now that they were finally together, she covered her eyes in fear!
"Um?"
This... this is...! A familiar voice from the depths of her memory! Nami quickly removed her hands from her eyes and looked in the direction the voice came from. A tall figure stood there, exactly the same as she remembered!
So many years have passed, yet he remains as young and handsome as ever, only now possessing an added air of authority and composure. His gaze towards her is gentle, and his smile is warm. All the legends circulating on the sea seem to have nothing to do with him. Her eyes welled up with tears, as if a ray of light had pierced through them!
" Vic! You've finally come to see me! Waaaaah!"
Nami, her face streaked with tears and filled with grievance, rushed into Vic's arms, holding him tightly as if afraid that if she loosened her grip even slightly, he would disappear from her embrace.
Actually, Nami's way of addressing Viktor is incorrect. Even her adoptive mother, Bellemere, calls Vic "brother," but Nami still calls him "brother." Isn't that a generational difference?
But Nami didn't care; she insisted on calling Vic that, and Bellemere's repeated attempts to correct her were useless. She continued to do as she pleased, each going her own way!
The two of them are now embracing, and they do look like siblings, but they are definitely from different generations in terms of age. However, in the world of One Piece, people don't care so much about such formalities. Apart from Bellemere, no one else cares how you address them!
"Xiao Na...!"
"You're not a child anymore! I can't call you Nami anymore!"
Feeling the impact against his chest, Vic quickly changed his form of address!
" Nami! Don't cry, I'm here to see you. I know several members of the Straw Hat Pirates, and we've met before. You probably already know that."
But I saved our meeting for last, until now. Doesn't that show how much I value you? How important are you to me? If Vegapunk hadn't called me here, I would have waited until you completed your dream and drew the complete world map before coming to see you!
Vic's words were clearly lies. In reality, he wanted to treat Shanks the same way Shanks treated Luffy, hoping that Nami would grow up to be independent and become a role model for him. He wanted Nami to see him as a goal to strive for. If they met beforehand, his efforts would inevitably be thwarted!
In retrospect, it seems to have had an effect. Compared to Nami in the original work, she is now much stronger and no longer needs to rely entirely on external forces to support her combat power.
But that's not enough. Vic's expectations for her have been raised infinitely high. She is a talented girl with the potential to break through to the God Realm. Her understanding of the weather is approaching her body's instinct. This is top-level talent for enlightenment. As long as she is properly guided, her understanding of the Laws will progress by leaps and bounds!
"Really?"
Nami raised her face and looked up at Vic's handsome face. She was still skeptical of Vic's answer. Nami was no longer the little girl she used to be. Now she was exceptionally intelligent and not so easily fooled.
However, in Nami's eyes, Vic's filter was too strong, and coupled with the acting skills achieved by Vic's complete control over his body, Nami still chose to believe Vic's words.
"Of course it's true! It's a happy occasion to see each other again. Don't cry, your friends are watching and they'll laugh at you!"
Vic wiped away Nami's tears and teased her, saying that Nami was incredibly strong, yet also incredibly fragile, often turning into a little crybaby and crying her heart out. Having not seen Vic for so many years, she naturally couldn't stop crying now that they had met!
"Hmph! Let's see who dares!"
Nami snorted coldly, exuding an air of Haki. In the Straw Hat Pirates, she was the true leader, even Luffy, the captain, had to give her a wide berth!
Just a few days ago Luffy became one of the Four Emperors, but he was beaten up by Nami and locked in a cage. He was treated the same way as Buggy, another newly crowned Four Emperors. Buggy has two royal fathers, while Luffy has a royal mother who keeps him under her thumb.
Usopp: "Uh! No way! No way!"
Chopper: "..."
Brook: "Hehehe! I didn't see anything, no! I didn't have eyes to see things!"
The Straw Hat Pirates members present were all at ease, and Chopper was so frightened that he dared not speak. This shows what kind of status Nami has in the Straw Hat Pirates; she is practically an emperor emeritus!
"Amazing! The crew is so well trained!"
Vic gave a thumbs up and praised her with a smile. He needed to divert Nami 'Nami attention to ease her resentment towards him; otherwise, he would have a hard time dealing with Nami tantrums, as he couldn't hit her or scold her.