'It really is her,' Ikki thought after hearing Nami's answer.
Though the Nami standing before him differed somewhat from her animated counterpart, Ikki could still recognize her through her distinctive orange hair. Once she stated her name, he was absolutely certain.
'Nami has excellent navigation skills. Perhaps I can take her as a partner,' he considered. 'At the very least, I won't have to drift aimlessly across the sea. And if possible, I could give her the Zanpakutō Awakening Pills.'
While Nami in the original storyline showed no particular talent as a swordswoman, with the support of the "All Great Swordsman" system, Ikki was confident he could train her into a formidable blade wielder.
"Since you were captured by these pirates, would you like to come aboard my ship?" he offered.
"Eh? Is that okay?!" Nami's eyes widened in surprise.
She had been frantically thinking of ways to convince Ikki to believe her story, but now it seemed unnecessary.
"Of course. I'm not some bloodthirsty monster," Ikki said with a slight smile. "Since you're not a vicious pirate, I have no reason to harm you. Besides, I've cut down this ship's mast. It won't be sailing anywhere."
He gestured toward what remained of the mast, now split in half with the upper portion lying flat on the deck.
"I doubt you want to remain stranded here. Your alternative would be taking that small lifeboat into waters far from the coast. I wouldn't recommend it—you might not have enough provisions."
Nami glanced at the damaged mast, stunned by the clean cut that had severed it.
"Take your time deciding. Meanwhile, I'll collect the treasures from this pirate ship," Ikki said, patting Nami's shoulder as he walked toward the captain's cabin.
At the mention of treasure, Nami's initial plan to reject his offer and escape in a lifeboat instantly evaporated.
"Thank you! I'd love to leave with you," she called after him. "Actually, let me help you collect the treasure!"
She quickly scurried to his side, earning an amused smile from Ikki. Her reaction was precisely what he had expected. As one of the most treasure-obsessed characters in the original story, there was no way she would remain calm at the prospect of acquiring valuables.
"That's very kind of you," Ikki nodded. "I appreciate the help."
"It's nothing! I just want to thank you for saving me," Nami replied with an exaggerated smile, already imagining the riches aboard Ikki's vessel.
Ikki's three-masted sailing ship, which he had named "Explorer," cut smoothly through the waves. In the ship's storage room, he and Nami were depositing their newly acquired loot.
"You can put everything here, Nami," Ikki instructed, setting down two chests filled with gold and jewels.
"Of course, Mr. Ikki," Nami chirped, placing her own bag of treasures in the designated area while her eyes swept across the room, taking inventory of the existing wealth. The gleam in her eyes intensified with each glittering object she spotted.
"You have quite a collection here," she remarked. "How did you acquire so much treasure?"
"Is it that impressive? It's only about 30 million Berries worth. Some friends gave it to me."
"Thirty million Berries?!" Nami exclaimed. "Can you introduce me to these friends? I'd love to meet such generous people!"
"That's impossible," Ikki shrugged. "All my friends have gone to hell. You won't be meeting them."
"Gone to... hell?" Nami blinked, perplexed.
"Indeed. My pirate friends were killed by me, so they went to hell," Ikki explained casually. "Just like the pirates on the ship where I found you."
Nami's smile twitched at the corners. "Hehe... I'm sure they're very happy to have a friend like you, Mr. Ikki."
"Who knows? By the way, you mentioned you know how to navigate, correct?"
"Yes, I do!"
"Could you help me sail to Loguetown? I have business there."
"Certainly! But... Mr. Ikki, you will pay me in Berries, right?" she asked, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Naturally. I'm not a stingy person."
"Wonderful!" Nami's face lit up. "If you don't mind me asking, what business do you have in Loguetown?"
"I've heard there are many famous swords there. As you may have noticed, I'm a swordsman with an obsessive interest in legendary blades."
"I understand completely! Don't worry, I'll navigate perfectly," Nami assured him with a playful salute.
Ikki smiled, not entirely convinced by her enthusiasm. He suspected that given the slightest opportunity, Nami would likely disappear with all the treasures aboard his ship. However, with his Observation Haki, he wasn't concerned about her slipping away unnoticed.
He patted her shoulder, retrieved a red and gold treasure chest from a nearby shelf, and headed toward his cabin. Predictably, Nami followed closely behind.
It was still daylight, and even someone with Nami's confidence in her thieving abilities wouldn't attempt an escape yet. As she trailed Ikki, her eyes remained fixed on the ornate chest in his hands.
'He's carrying that treasure chest with him. Could it contain something especially valuable?' she wondered, her curiosity piqued.
After a moment, Nami quickened her pace and placed her hands on Ikki's shoulders.
"Mr. Ikki, that treasure chest must hold something particularly valuable," she probed.
"Indeed it does," Ikki confirmed, turning to face her with a knowing smile. "Inside is a treasure worth at least 100 million Berries."
"One hundred million Berries?!" Nami gasped, her eyes nearly transforming into Berry symbols. "What kind of treasure could possibly—"
She swallowed hard, utterly shocked by Ikki's claim. One hundred million Berries! That was precisely the amount she needed to buy Cocoyasi Village from the Arlong Pirates. Despite years of thieving, she remained far from her goal. The revelation that Ikki possessed something of such immense value left her momentarily speechless.
Ikki smiled and opened the treasure chest, revealing a peculiar red fruit with a peach-heart shape and spiral patterns on its surface.
"A fruit?" Nami's excitement deflated instantly. "This strange-looking fruit is worth 100 million Berries?"
"This is no ordinary fruit, Nami," Ikki replied solemnly as he lifted it from the chest. "This is a legendary treasure of the sea—a Devil Fruit. Whoever consumes it gains mysterious powers. At auction, its value often exceeds 100 million Berries due to the abilities it bestows."