Gawain's expression froze.
Queen?!
Queen, my foot!
"Hahahahaha!" The surrounding pirates couldn't hold back, bursting into laughter.
Even the usually stoic Gin turned away, struggling to suppress his amusement, though his upturned lips betrayed him.
Nami looked puzzled. "What's so funny?"
Kuro glanced at Gawain, explaining, "Nothing, we're just big fans of that movie~"
"Really?" Nami's eyes lit up. She pulled Kuro aside, diving into a detailed discussion of the plot.
At an emotional peak, her eyes reddened, tears falling.
She's really into this?!
What's so great about that movie?
Gawain, baffled, watched the crew stifle their laughter. He retreated to the cabin.
Nami and Kuro talked for hours, from the movie to its novel and merchandise. Kuro's expression shifted from suppressed laughter to neutrality, then to a numb nod-machine.
They chatted until midnight when Nami finally relented.
Kuro sighed in relief, only to hear her say, "You're no fake fan, Vice-Captain. You really love that movie~"
"Let's continue tomorrow~"
Kuro stumbled, weakly replying, "As long as you're happy."
…
As night deepened, a crewmate led Nami to her assigned room.
Creak~
The door opened to a modest space: a desk by the porthole, a single bed, and a desk aligned with the ship's bow, stacked with navigation books.
A dim oil lamp flickered with the ship's sway, casting warm light on Nami's complex expression.
Noticing her surprise, the crewmate explained, "This is the navigator's room, prepared by the Captain. It's the only one free right now, but if you don't like it, I can ask him to reassign you."
"No," Nami said. "I love it."
The crewmate nodded, gave a few instructions, and left.
After washing up, Nami sat on the bed, touching the soft, dry blankets, then gazed out the window, lost in thought.
…
Over the next few days, Nami integrated into the crew.
A notorious East Blue thief, her social skills were top-notch. She pried nearly everything from the crew, except Gawain, Kuro, and Gin's true identities and recent exploits.
"The kindest captain, never harming civilians, betrayed by his crew in a crisis, forced to fight back…"
"A vice-captain who warred for years, yearning for a normal life but trapped as a pirate forever…"
"A loyal officer who took a blade for his leader, only to be abandoned…"
Recalling her recent experiences, Nami's gaze grew conflicted.
But the faces of Cocoyasi's villagers hardened her resolve.
She'd considered pitting this crew against Arlong's, but after days with them, she abandoned the idea.
Gawain's group stood no chance against Arlong—they'd die in vain.
Now, she couldn't bear to see them perish.
Woo—!
A whistle sounded as the ship docked. Nami, claiming illness, stayed behind while Kuro and the others headed to the port for supplies.
Once they vanished, she used her gathered intel, knocked out the guard, and slipped into the treasure storage.
The sight didn't disappoint: dazzling gems and glittering gold.
Without counting, she knew their value was staggering.
Packing the treasure, Nami prepared to flee but hesitated, picturing Gawain, Kuro, and Gin's faces. Checking the port's weather, she hurried back to her room, left a letter, changed into men's clothes, and slipped away with the loot.
…
At the port, Gawain, Kuro, and Gin watched Nami's retreating figure, expressionless.
Seasoned pirates like Kuro and Gin, and Gawain, who saw through her from the start, weren't fooled by her clumsy act.
"Captain, why indulge this girl so much?" Kuro teased. "Lost your taste for queens and chasing teens now?"
"Mention that again, and I'll cut you!" Gawain snapped, barely restraining his urge to draw Wado Ichimonji.
He led them back to the ship, finding a letter on the navigator's desk:
"11:30 PM tomorrow, Dia Port, a storm's coming. Finish shopping and leave fast. As thanks, I'm taking the treasure~"
It ended with a doodled pinwheel.
Kuro, reading it, clicked. "She's the navigator you're after?"
"Frankly, navigation demands experience. The sea's unpredictable—even the best forecasts fail. Pinpointing a storm to the minute?"
"Impossible!" Kuro shook his head. "She's fifteen or sixteen. When I set sail, she was a baby."
He shot Gawain a look. "While you were wooing queens~"
"Damn it!" Gawain's eyes blazed, hand on his sword.
Gin, quick, held it down. "Captain, don't!"
"Hmph!" Gawain sheathed Wado Ichimonji, glaring. "She won't escape."
Turning to Kuro, he said, "Let's bet. We stay a day. If a storm hits tomorrow night, you wash everyone's socks!"
"For a month!"
Gin gasped, glancing between them. "Captain, isn't that too much?"
"Deal!" Kuro agreed instantly. "I don't believe a teenage girl's navigation skills are that good!"
"Predicting a storm's exact time?!"
"Gawain, I'll be waiting for you to wash my socks!"
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If you want to read more than 20 chapters early feel free to visit pa tre on . com /Archus