It was evening, and the whole island was celebrating the Arlong Pirates' downfall!
Sanji was helping the villagers cook up a feast.
Luffy was helping himself to the food Sanji was cooking.
And getting booted outta the kitchen by a furious Sanji for his efforts!
"You just wait your freaking turn!!!"
Zoro was working out shirtless in the town square, making the local girls swoon!
Usopp was telling tall tales about the battle to a bunch of awestruck kids!
Ignis was leaning against a railing, watching the happy crowd and checking out his System panel.
Host: Ignis Fireheart
Bloodline: Forge God
Level: 4
Skills:
Living Forge
Bellows Breath (Beginner)
Searing Charge (Beginner)
Volcanic Rupture (Beginner)
Forge God Form
Personal Gear: Doran's Shield, Randuin's Omen, Heartsteel
Balance: 620 Gold
The fight with the Arlong Pirates had leveled him up to four! He'd also snagged some gold! But the skill that had him buzzing was Forge God Form! The System said it'd let him transform into the Forge God for a limited time!
He was itching to try it out!
Should he pop it right now?
He was still pondering when a hand clapped him on the shoulder! He turned and saw Nami!
"Why isn't my freaking vice-captain at the party?"
"'Cause the little thief-cat ditched her vice-captain for some cash! Now her vice-captain's feeling a little blue!"
He was teasing her, but Nami still looked kinda awkward.
She'd been blinded by that 100 million Berries! She'd run off without a second thought! She'd only come to her senses when she was standing next to that pile of cash!
Nami strolled over to Ignis and leaned against the railing.
"It's good, isn't it?"
"What's good?"
"What you did. It's good."
Nami's eyes drifted over the celebrating crowd.
"Nobody in the village got hurt! Arlong's been beaten! The island's gonna be lively again tomorrow!"
"You always do the right thing. I just forgot."
Nami was the third to join the crew! She was the most normal one, besides being a money-lover, so she'd hung out with Ignis more than the others.
"That's why I gotta tell you something. People are social animals! There's a lotta stuff you can't do on your own!"
"It's better to ask for help than try to carry the whole world on your shoulders!"
Ignis was digging this moment! Peaceful, comfortable, with a hot chick by his side!
"Thank you."
"Now... I can finally think about tomorrow."
"Maybe I'll live a quiet life in the orange grove! Maybe I'll keep sailing with you guys as your navigator!"
Ignis didn't say anything. He watched Nami. She looked so relaxed! She had the power to choose her own future!
"Oh yeah! What's your price?"
"You helped us beat Arlong! You saved the island!"
"You can ask for anything right now! I might even say yes to something I'll regret later!"
Ignis's gaze drifted to the village! Kids were playing, adults were working, but everyone was freaking smiling!
"You already paid it."
"I already paid it?"
Nami was confused! She ran through their conversation!
"Your price is for me to be your crewmate?"
"Nah! That's Luffy's job, not mine! It's up to him to sweet-talk you onto the ship!"
"Then what did I pay?"
Nami was totally lost!
"You said 'thank you'! That's my price!"
"My mentor, Ornn, never got a 'thank you' after he forged something for someone! I'm already way ahead of the game!"
Ignis was thinking about the ram-dude's lines from League! He was trying not to laugh!
He glanced at the villagers, but Nami was silent! He heard a sniffle!
He turned to Nami! Tears were streaming down her face!
Crap! Ignis's brain screeched!
Then, she pulled him into a tight hug!
"Quick! Grab a tissue! Don't get snot on my clothes!"
She was too emotional to hear him!
Ugh! Oh well!
Enjoy the moment, Ignis!
These One Piece bodies were something else!
That was the most a pure-hearted virgin from his old life could think!
A few minutes later, a big patch of Ignis's shirt was soaked! Nami was dabbing her face with a tissue!
"Hey! Now that your sob story's over, can I have my Doran's Shield back?"
That Doran's Shield was a freaking steal in the early game! Awesome stats!
"Nope!"
Nami wiped her tears, lifted her head, and flashed that familiar grin!
She turned and ran away from Ignis, her steps light and quick! Her orange hair danced in the air like a bird taking flight!
Then, just before she vanished from sight...
"You can't take back a gift from a maiden!"
Her playful voice hung in the air! Ignis just sighed!
Oh well! Let her have it!
He had two complete items now!
The Doran's Shield only healed a fixed amount of health! Now that he thought about it, that was perfect for Nami!
She didn't train her body! She had no way to boost her health! Fixed regen would be a freaking lifesaver!
Ignis figured training your body in this world made your life force stronger! That was probably how they got more health!
Crap! He'd fallen for a woman's trap! He wasn't a Sigma Male anymore!
A voice spoke from behind him while Ignis was having his freaking epiphany!
"Young man! Could you come with me for a minute?"
It was Genzo! He'd been looking for Ignis for a while!
Ignis shrugged and followed Genzo! They chatted about the village as they walked!
Halfway there, Ignis realized the path was familiar! They were heading for Belle-mere's grave! The place he'd followed Nami and Nojiko to the other day!
Genzo fell silent, staring at the little wooden cross.
"She was a great mom."
Ignis's voice broke the silence.
Genzo snapped out of his daze.
"Yeah."
"She raised some amazing daughters."
A smile spread across Genzo's face! It was full of pride and joy!
"Yeah."
He had to admit, this kid Ignis had a way with words!
"Nami's gonna join your crew, isn't she?"
"Maybe. But our captain's gonna do everything he can to get her on board!"
They both chuckled! Luffy was probably still stuffing his face!
"Hahahaha! That's great, Belle-mere! Someone's saying you raised a great daughter!"
Genzo poured some of the sake he'd brought over the cross! For him, every day from now on would be full of hope!
"Young man, I gotta ask you something."
"What's up?"
"Take care of Nami."
Ignis shook his head.
"She has her own choices and her own dreams."
"But if you're asking me to keep her safe while she chases those dreams, then I'm in."
Genzo grinned again! He hadn't smiled this much in ten freaking years!
"Hahahaha! You sure know how to say the right thing, kid!"
---
Hello there, caught up already?
There's 20 Extra Chapters in my patreon right now go check it out ^^
patreon.com/ShixT9