Chapter 7 The Heinous A-Jian!The old sheriff, who had always cared for Nami and her sister, was now in tears, his arms outstretched as he tried to embrace Nami.
A cold, calculating glint flashed in Luffy's eyes. He needed to lower Nami's favorability, and nothing could create a rift faster than "accidentally" taking away someone close to her.
He feigned exhaustion, rubbing his wrist, and casually drew a rather rare revolver from his waist—a souvenir he'd seized from some unfortunate pirate.
Luffy's finger seemingly casually rested on the trigger, the muzzle slightly lowered, pointing towards the ground.
"Nami! You're free!" Ken shouted excitedly, staggering towards the stairs.
Just as Ken was about to step onto the stairs, Luffy's finger "accidentally" hooked the trigger.
Bang!
The gunshot rang out abruptly, particularly jarring amidst the cheers.
Ken's body jolted violently, a burst of blood erupting from his chest.
His ecstatic joy froze. He looked down in disbelief at his blood-stained chest, then up at Luffy. His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but he only coughed up blood and collapsed limply.
"Uncle Ken!!!" Nami's smile froze on her face, her pupils contracted, and she let out a heart-wrenching scream.
The cheers stopped abruptly. The villagers stared in horror at Ken lying in a pool of blood, then at the still-smoking pistol in Luffy's hand, their faces filled with fear and bewilderment.
Luffy's face showed panic and shock. He quickly threw down the pistol and rushed forward: "Sorry! This gun went off accidentally! I didn't expect..."
Luffy knelt down, checked Ken's breath, and shook his head regretfully: "...He's beyond saving."
These words struck Nami's heart like a hammer blow.
She rushed down the stairs like a madwoman, throwing herself onto Ken, trembling as she tried to cover the bloody hole in his chest, tears streaming down her face:
"No...no! Uncle Ken! Wake up! Wake up!"
Luffy stood by, watching the distraught Nami, calmly assessing the situation.
[Current Perception: Nami's affection level has plummeted! Overall Score: 38/100, Status in volatile condition.]
38 points.
Too low.
Needs some comforting to bring the score back to 50.
A look of remorse crossed Luffy's face. He reached out to help Nami up, but she violently pushed him away.
"Don't touch me!" Nami screamed, her eyes red with pain and hatred.
Luffy's voice was low, tinged with just the right amount of regret: "I'm so sorry, Nami!"
"This gun was a trophy, I thought it was unloaded… It was my mistake, I can't shirk responsibility."
Luffy paused, his gaze sweeping over the terrified villagers before finally settling on Nami. His tone hardened:
"But Arlong is dead, the village is safe, and Uncle Ken's sacrifice… I won't let it be in vain. I will take responsibility for protecting the village."
These words acknowledged his mistake, emphasized his achievements, and defined Ken's death as a sacrifice, while simultaneously making a promise and attempting to rebuild trust.
Nami bit her lip tightly, tears streaming down her face.
Did she hate him? Yes!
But Luffy had indeed saved the village, killed Arlong, and it was unintentional… If he hadn't come, the village would never have been saved.
A complex mix of emotions swirled within Nami, causing her immense anguish.
[Current Perception: Nami's affection fluctuations have slowed, Overall Rating: 45/100.]
Not enough; more fuel is needed.
Just then, a figure staggered towards them—it was Nojiko.
Nojiko stared at the lifeless body of Genji, her face deathly pale, her body swaying precariously.
She was more rational than Nami, and understood better the importance of Luffy to the village.
Nojiko trembled as she embraced her sister, looking up at Luffy with a complex expression: "Nami... Mr. Luffy... was this really an accident?"
Luffy met her gaze, his eyes honest yet heavy with sorrow: "I swear on the honor of a pirate, this was absolutely not my intention. Uncle Genji was a good man. I... I am deeply sorry."
Nojiko looked into Luffy's eyes, then at the terrified eyes of the surrounding villagers, and the corpses of the fish-men in the distance.
She took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the grief and doubt in her heart.
The village needs strong protection; offending Luffy now would have unimaginable consequences.
Besides, if it was an accident… perhaps it really was just an accident.
Nojiko gently patted Nami's back and whispered, "Nami, don't cry… Uncle Ken wouldn't want to see you like this. Mr. Luffy saved us all, we can't…"
Nami nestled in her sister's arms, sobbing uncontrollably, but the hatred in her eyes was gradually replaced by confusion and exhaustion.
Luffy looked at the two sisters, a cold smile playing on his lips.
Nojiko was more sensible than Nami, a good starting point. He needed to stabilize Nami's favorability at 50 points, while simultaneously bringing Nojiko into a deeper bond as well.
Luffy stepped forward, his voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable strength: "I will take care of Uncle Ken's funeral arrangements. As for the village's future safety... as long as I'm here, I won't let any pirates harm this place."
Luffy looked at Nojiko, deliberately slowing his speech: "Miss Nojiko, I can see you're calmer than Nami. I hope you can help me appease the villagers, and... help me take care of Nami."
Nojiko trembled, looking up at Luffy.
This man was powerful and mysterious, exuding a dangerous aura, yet his promise was irresistible.
Nojiko bit her lip, slowly nodding: "...I understand."
Luffy nodded with satisfaction, then looked at Nami, whose crying had gradually subsided, his tone becoming even more sincere:
"Nami, I know you hate me now. I don't ask for your forgiveness, but I hope you can keep our promise.
Be my navigator, and I will take you to see a wider world, and I will use my power to protect everything you want to protect."
Luffy deliberately emphasized the promise and protection, bringing the relationship back on track.
Nami looked up at Luffy, her eyes blurry with tears.
Hate hadn't subsided, but a morbid dependence had crept into her despair. She seemed to have no choice but to rely on this powerful and dangerous man.
And Luffy could indeed fulfill her dream…
[Ding! Current target Nami's affection level is stable: 50/100. Conditions for harvesting are met. Timer starts: must be maintained for 24 hours.]
Success! 50 points! Exactly!
Luffy turned to look at Nojiko, the blue-haired girl, whose eyes held sorrow and a barely perceptible resilience.
Good, she's the next target.
However, Nojiko's personality is more reserved than Nami's, requiring a gentler approach.
Luffy pondered this, but his face wore a weary yet sincere expression:
"Let's deal with Uncle Gen's funeral arrangements tonight. Tomorrow, I'll formally invite Miss Nojiko to join my crew as the cook and doctor's assistant.
After all, Nami needs someone to take care of her, and the village needs someone to come back and check on it regularly."
Luffy deliberately included Nojiko in the "comrade" relationship, laying the groundwork for a deeper bond later.
Nojiko hesitated for a moment, looking into Luffy's deep eyes, then at her fragile sister in her arms, before finally nodding gently.
A smile played on Luffy's lips; both targets were now in his trap.
Next, he would wait 24 hours, and then… complete the final step of the deep bond.
After all, the system rules clearly state: a 50-point favorability rating must be maintained for 24 hours before engaging in sexual activity to establish a physical bond, only then can the harvest be triggered.
As night deepened, Cocoyasi Village fell silent amidst grief and complex hopes.
Luffy stood on the beach, gazing at the shimmering sea, his heart utterly calm.
A-Jen's body had been recovered, and the villagers, filled with fear and gratitude, obeyed his every command.
Nami, soothed by Nojiko, drifted into a deep sleep, her favorability rating stabilizing at 50 points.
Everything was under Luffy's control.