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At the edge of the uninhabited island, Nami leaned against the side of the sailboat, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "Don't worry. Didn't All
At the edge of the uninhabited island, Nami leaned against the side of the sailboat, her gaze fixed on the horizon.
"Don't worry. Didn't Allen say he'd be back soon?"
"Hmph... who's worried about him?"
Nami snorted, turning her eyes away from Alabasta. The proud girl would never admit she missed him, even if it was true.
"You can't fool me, you know."
Nojiko raised an eyebrow, pointing to her chest. As a Devil Fruit user who had eaten the Soul-Soul Fruit, she could sense Nami's feelings even without using her abilities. The fruit subtly enhanced her perception.
But Nami just pursed her lips.
"Alright, alright, I know you've been in better shape lately. Happy now?"
? ? ?
Nojiko stared at Nami, dumbfounded, before bursting into laughter.
"I'm talking about my Devil Fruit abilities. What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about your abilities too!"
Nami turned her head back toward Alabasta, her expression suddenly shifting to one of surprise.
"Nojiko, look over there! Is that Allen coming back?"
Nojiko followed her gaze, but her expression quickly turned serious.
"No, Nami, be careful. That's not Allen. I can sense many people on that ship, but not him."
Nami's heart sank. She hurried to the cabin to grab a telescope and took a closer look. Her face darkened.
"Nojiko, I don't think those people are friendly."
"I can feel it too. Their hearts are filled with madness and filth."
Nojiko nodded, casually drawing the longsword Allen had left for her before he departed. Nami also readied her weapon.
Though both women had undergone physical enhancements and their strength had improved significantly, their biggest weakness was their lack of real combat experience.
Under normal circumstances, Nami's survival instincts would have told her to hide with Nojiko. Even if pirates discovered them, they could talk their way out of trouble.
But now, this ship felt like their home with Allen. The two women exchanged a glance, neither suggesting they flee.
"Get ready to fight. Let's hope Allen comes back soon."
Nami gripped her weapon tightly, her nerves showing.
"Don't worry. Maybe we'll have dealt with these guys before Allen even gets back."
Nojiko smiled confidently.
"Don't forget, I'm a Devil Fruit user now!"
The pirate ship drew closer, and the two women could hear the raucous voices of the men on deck.
On the Pirate Ship...
"Boss, there really are only two women on that ship! And they look pretty good!"
A man in classic pirate attire stood at the bow of the approaching ship. He glanced at Nami and Nojiko, a glint of greed in his one remaining eye.
"Men! Capture those two women for me. I'll take the first pick tonight, and you lot can have the scraps!"
"YEAH!"
As the two ships closed the distance, the pirates grew more and more excited.
Clunk...
A wooden plank was thrown across from the pirate ship to the sailboat. The pirates, eager for action, immediately charged across, weapons in hand.
Thud... Thud...
Just as Nami tightened her grip on her weapon, ready to defend herself, something strange happened.
The lead pirate's eyes glazed over for a moment. Then, without warning, he swung his blade backward, slicing through the necks of the three or four pirates behind him.
The men crumpled to the deck, their blood spilling into the sea, staining the water red.
"Ram, have you lost your mind?!"
"What the hell are you doing?!"
The pirates behind him froze, their pace slowing as they shouted in confusion and anger.
The man who had turned on his comrades, Ram, stood firm, his blade raised defensively.
"I never thought you'd sink so low. I, Ram, am ashamed to call you my comrades. Anyone who takes another step will die here."
"Is this guy insane?"
The pirates exchanged bewildered looks.
"You were the one who took the prettiest girl from the last ship we raided! What's with the sudden moral high ground?"
"Even if you've taken a liking to these two, there's no need to kill your own crew!"
"Ram, the boss wants these women. Have you lost your mind?"
At the mention of their boss, Ram's eyes flickered with hesitation, but they quickly hardened.
"If you're so determined, then stay here!"
With that, Ram charged back at his former comrades, his blade flashing.
The pirates weren't pushovers. Seeing Ram's betrayal, they met him head-on, their weapons clashing.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Though Ram fought fiercely, his initial success had been due to the element of surprise. Now, outnumbered and outmatched, he was quickly overwhelmed and thrown into the sea.
"Men, move out!"
The first mate of the pirate ship, a longsword in hand, barked orders. But as soon as the first few pirates stepped onto the plank, he cut them down from behind.
Splash...
The remaining twenty or thirty pirates hesitated, taking a step back.
This was too strange!
Why were their own men turning on them?
Nami glanced at Nojiko and noticed her pale complexion. She quickly stepped in front of her.
It seemed Nojiko had used her Soul-Soul Fruit abilities to manipulate the pirates. Nami had thought they'd had a sudden change of heart!
In theory, Nojiko's current physical condition made it difficult to control more than one or two people at a time. But she'd only had the fruit for a few days and hadn't fully mastered it. The strain was immense.
Whoosh!
A sudden sonic boom rang out. The first mate barely had time to raise his sword in defense before he was sent flying, crashing into the ship's railing.
Before he could recover, a flash of steel sliced through the air.
His weapon clattered to the deck, and the first mate gasped, blood foaming at his mouth as he collapsed.
"I am Mr. 1, the billionaire elder of Baroque Works. These are my men. Did you do this?"
The man's eyes burned with murderous intent as he glared at Nami and Nojiko.
"If you want a fight, then fight. Stop wasting time! This ship isn't yours to touch!"
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