Luffy was eventually carried back by Ace and Sabo.
No matter the circumstances, he had still injured dozens of Navy soldiers. Even if it wasn't intentional, punishment was unavoidable. In the end, it fell to Garp himself to discipline him, though his two older brothers were the ones who brought him back.
With Chiga present, Luffy behaved far better than usual, causing no trouble until they reached the ship.
As soon as the three brothers departed, Nami rushed over and clung to Chiga. Pouting, she asked in a muffled voice,
"Chiga nii, where have you been all these years? You never came to see me or Nojiko onee-san!"
Chiga could only sigh. Back then, he had left in such a hurry that only a handful of people at Headquarters knew the truth. To everyone else, he had simply vanished.
After giving Nami a brief explanation, she quickly let it go. Instead, she happily dragged him back toward the fruit store.
At the entrance, Nojiko was waiting, her eyes scanning the street. The moment she saw Chiga appear, a bright smile lit up her face, as warm and tender as a wife welcoming her husband home.
Chiga couldn't help but smile back.
Nami, standing at his side, let out a soft huff. "See? You're still as biased as ever. Why don't you smile like that when you see me? Nojiko onee-san is the same way!"
Chiga lightly pinched her nose. "You… if only you were half as sensible as Nojiko."
Like a cat with its fur bristling, Nami protested, "I am sensible! You've been saying that about me since I was little, and I won't accept it anymore!"
"If you don't accept it, then tough. Keep shouting, and I'll just take Nojiko back to Headquarters. You can stay here and plant mandarins on your own."
"Hmph! Fine, you win!"
Even as she turned her head away in mock anger, her grip on Chiga's arm only grew tighter.
While they bickered, Nojiko jogged over. She softly called, "Chiga nii," and handed him half a peeled mandarin.
Seeing this, Nami immediately shouted, "Where's mine? Onee-san, don't copy his favoritism! Otherwise your poor younger sister will suffer!"
Nojiko smiled gently, handing her the other half and patting her head. "How could I be biased? It's you who's still acting like a child, clinging to Chiga nii."
Nami's cheeks flushed red. She stuck out her tongue and muttered, "If I don't keep an eye on him, he'll run off again!"
Hands on his hips, Chiga gave her a look. "Run off? You make me sound like a thief. You're the one who's like a little cat stealing things!"
"Isn't it true? You just said you'd take onee-san away and not me!"
Her words made Nojiko blush. She lowered her head, eyes flickering toward Chiga in a way she couldn't quite hide.
With a flick of his wrist, a Devil Fruit shaped like a cantaloupe appeared in Chiga's hand.
Nami's eyes went wide. She leaned closer. "Is that… a Devil Fruit?"
Chiga smiled faintly, tossing it lightly in his palm. "This is the Instant Transmission Fruit. Eat it, and you'll be able to find me anytime you want."
Her face lit up. "Really?! Chiga nii, are you giving it to me?"
"Of course. I've already processed it so even if you eat it, you won't suffer the weakness of seawater. Don't worry."
"That's amazing! You're the best!"
Overcome with excitement, Nami suddenly threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek. Nojiko froze in shock while several young men on the street groaned in heartbreak.
Nami eagerly bit into the fruit—only to gag a second later. Her face turned purple as she spat it out. "Ugh! That's the worst thing I've ever tasted!"
"Serves you right for being impatient," Chiga sighed, rubbing his forehead. With a snap of his fingers, he transferred the fruit's power into her body. "Now try using your ability."
Though bewildered, Nami closed her eyes and focused. In the next moment, her body flickered and disappeared.
At a Navy branch base, Hina was resting her chin in her hand, mumbling to herself. "To think I saw the King himself today… if only I had more chances to interact with him…"
"Hehe, Hina onee-san, you can visit me tonight. Chiga nii isn't leaving yet!"
Startled, Hina spun around, only to find Nami perched on her chair.
"N-Nami?! When did you—?"
Before she could finish, Nami flickered back and forth around the room, vanishing and reappearing in rapid succession.
Hina's eyes widened. "That… that's not Shave. You ate a Devil Fruit?"
"That's right! This is the Instant Transmission Fruit Chiga nii gave me! Amazing, isn't it?"
"It's powerful," Hina admitted, still stunned. "Rocks once relied on this ability to escape the Navy again and again. For him to give it to you… you must be very important to him."
Nami's cheeks warmed with pride. She grabbed Hina's hand. "Come on, onee-san, let's go back together!"
"W-Wait, I still—"
But before she could finish, Nami had already whisked her away.
Back at the fruit store, they appeared just as Nojiko was feeding Chiga a mandarin. The sight made Nojiko jump, dropping the fruit, but Chiga caught it easily and fed it back to her with a smile.
The tender scene left both women momentarily flustered.
Chiga turned to Nami. "You managed to bring someone back already. You're learning fast."
Nami crossed her arms smugly. "Of course! If I wasn't quick, onee-san might've been stolen away by you."
Nojiko flushed crimson. "What nonsense are you spouting, Nami? You're making dinner tonight!"
Her words silenced Nami instantly.
Resting his chin on one hand, Chiga studied her with amusement. "Nami, I've thought of a title for you. Want to hear it?"
She eyed him suspiciously. "It's not 'Little Thief Cat' again, is it?"
"Of course not," he replied with a smirk. "How about… 'Phantom Cat'?"
_____
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