Chapter 9
"So you can join us!" Guina invited Nami warmly.
"Me? Thanks for the offer, but… I can't set sail yet."
Nami's eyes lit up with surprise and excitement for a split second—then quickly dimmed with melancholy, as if something heavy had crossed her mind.
"What do you mean 'can't'? I can help you fix whatever it is! I'm pretty strong, you know!" Jepack declared confidently.
"Yeah, don't let his carefree attitude fool you—he's really powerful. Trust him; he can probably solve your problem."
Guina chimed in, clearly hoping to gain a female crewmate she could share girl-talk with.
"No need to trouble yourselves. I'm… almost able to handle it myself!!"
Nami's gaze hardened as she refused once more.
From his knowledge of the original story, Jepack understood what "almost" meant: Nami was very close to collecting the 100 million beri needed to buy back Cocoyasi Village from the monstrous Arlong.
She's a must-have crewmate, Jepack thought. I have to figure out how to help her.
He was seriously considering sailing straight to Cocoyasi Village and wiping out Arlong's crew—when a loud "Gurgle… gurgle…" echoed across the deck.
All eyes turned to Nami.
"You couldn't hold on just a little longer? How embarrassing! Stupid stomach!"
Her face flushed red with embarrassment. She lowered her head and silently clutched her belly.
"Jepack, hurry up and make food. I'm starving—go cook now!!"
Guina quickly changed the subject, noticing Nami's discomfort.
"Let me tell you, Jepack's cooking is amazing!"
She turned to Nami with a grin.
"Really?"
Nami asked softly, eyes wide with curiosity.
"Of course! Watch—I'll show you right now."
Jepack caught Nami's quiet question and headed straight to the galley.
When he returned to the deck, he carried two steaming plates of perfectly authentic braised pork knuckle rice. Guina grabbed hers and dug in—she'd already tasted his signature dish before.
Nami stared at the rich, oily-looking meal with hesitation.
"Go on, try it! It's seriously delicious—you'll fall in love with it!!"
Guina urged her between mouthfuls.
"You jerk—did you seriously forget mine?!"
Zoro, still repairing the damaged railing, couldn't resist complaining.
"Obviously you get some! It's always in the kitchen—go grab it yourself. Keep whining and next time you get none!"
Jepack picked his nose casually.
Zoro dropped his tools and bolted for the galley, leaving the repair half-finished. Food first!
"I swear I'll throw you overboard one day. You eat way too much, break everything, and ruin the ship's vibe!"
Jepack muttered at Zoro's retreating back.
Seeing Guina and Zoro rave about the dish, Nami tentatively took a small bite. Her eyes instantly lit up.
She started devouring it like someone who hadn't eaten properly in days. Between bites, she glanced at Jepack in awe: "How did you make this?! It's incredible!! I've never tasted anything this good in my entire life!!! Jepack, you're amazing!! It's even better than my own orange-glazed duck breast!!"
"This is my secret recipe. And I've got even more delicious stuff. So… reconsider joining us as a crewmate?"
Jepack didn't give up.
"I… I'll think about it. Where's your next stop, by the way?"
Nami hesitated, but the question showed she was wavering.
She still dreamed of drawing a complete map of the world. She knew her strength alone wouldn't let her survive the Grand Line. She needed reliable companions.
At this point in time, Nami hated pirates—and since they clearly weren't pirates, she was willing to consider staying longer and asked about their route.
"Hmm… next we'll probably hit Orange Town, then head toward Loguetown to enter the Grand Line!"
Jepack answered while eating his own portion.
"Then… can I stay on your ship for a while? My destination is along your route. I'll get off at the right island."
Nami had finished her plate and looked at him hopefully.
"Of course! Pick any room you like after you eat. Stay as long as you want—or never leave! Hehe~~"
Jepack grinned.
"Yay! Then I'll be in your care! Can I have another serving of pork knuckle rice, please?!"
Nami jumped up excitedly.
"Right away, beautiful lady. Your delicious meal is coming right up!"
Jepack took her empty plate with gentlemanly flair.
"Me too! Another one!!"
Guina cheered.
"No problem—coming right up!"
"Soru…"
In the next instant, Jepack flash-stepped in front of them, handing over fresh plates.
On the way back, he dragged out the "kitchen rat" Zoro, who'd been sneaking bites.
"So stingy! Damn Jepack—never lets a guy eat his fill!"
Zoro grumbled through a mouthful.
"Still eating?! Get out! If you empty the kitchen, no more food for you! Finish fixing the ship—or no dinner!"
Hearing that, Zoro muttered under his breath and trudged back to the broken railing to resume repairs.
"What're you mumbling? Say it louder if you dare!"
Jepack teased menacingly. Zoro shut up and sped up his work.
"Hahaha… hahaha… hahaha…"
Once again, the deck filled with Guina and Nami's bright, joyful laughter.
That night, Nami didn't pick her own room—she bunked with Guina instead. Jepack tried to squeeze in between them and got promptly kicked out!
"Does he always act like this?"
Nami whispered to Guina as they lay side by side, careful not to be overheard.
"Yup. Just ignore him. He's all talk—a big pervert with no guts!"
Guina replied, half-shy, half-annoyed.
Jepack quietly left their room and stepped onto the deck.
Zoro was still hammering away at the repairs. Seeing Jepack's dejected expression, he smirked after finishing the last nail: "Yo, Lord Pervert—kicked out again?"
Jepack tossed him a chilled black can of premium lager without a word.
"Drink up, moss-head alcoholic. So young and already a boozehound—wonder who taught you that?"
"Ahhh… that hits the spot! So strong! Where do you even get this fancy stuff?!"
Zoro took a huge gulp, then burped loudly. "You're the one who tricked me into drinking when I was fourteen, remember? Don't act innocent, pervert captain…"
"Pfft… Can't argue with that. Drinking premium lager with the sea breeze—nothing beats it. You're lucky I share. And you're trying to steal my recipe?"
Jepack shot him a sideways glance.
"Gimme a few more cans! One's not enough! If that loudmouth from next door saw this, he'd think we can't afford booze!"
Zoro crushed the empty can and demanded more.
Jepack tossed him another. "Easy there—you're only fourteen!"
"Yeah? And whose fault is that? You're the one who tricked me into it back then!"
Zoro crushed another can, glaring. Jepack suspected if Zoro could actually beat him, he'd be crushing something else entirely.
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