Chapter 160 - 18

Chapter 18"Oh, leave it to me."Trust between comrades is the most important thing. Luffy felt that Hawkeye was strong, but Zorowas also strong!"Usopp, Sanji, see you in a bit!"Before his voice could even fade, Luffy took a deep breath, swung his arm into a great whirlwind, and then his arm flew out at an incredible speed."Gum-Gum Jet... Pistol!"The moment his hand touched the sail, his body flew out with the momentum.Chapter 20: I Won't Let GoIn a corner of the going merry's aft deck, an orange figure was curled up.Nami hugged her knees; the sea breeze tousled her hair, but it couldn't blow away the thick melancholy etched between her brows.A strong sense of déjà vu.Krieg wanting to plunder the Baratie was just like Arlongs Crew occupying Cocoyasi Village.The image of that day, when Arlong appeared and Belle-Mere's blood blossomed before her eyes.Luffy and the others were fighting the Krieg Pirates; she believed Luffy would win, but it would likely waste a lot of time.Although Luffy and the others were as strong as monsters, those Fishmen were even more like monsters.She didn't want Luffy and the others to take risks."The money is enough; enough for me to buy back Cocoyasi Village."Nami's expression was somewhat somber.She was already prepared to bear the infamy of betraying her comrades and the consequences of potentially never being forgiven.Clatter!"Hmm? What was that sound?""Hey, Nami, what are you doing!" Luffy shouted, sounding a bit angry.The sea breeze blew; Nami looked up, her bangs slightly obscuring her vision.Right there on the ship's railing to her left, a head topped with the iconic Straw Hat was slowly approaching."How are you so fast?!" Nami cried out in shock."Is it fast?""What do you think?!"And how did Luffy get here?They were already quite a distance away from the Baratie.The sudden massive shock flooding her mind, combined with the pressure of the past several days, overwhelmed Nami.She stood up suddenly, her vision went dark, and her brain completely stalled."Hmm? Nami."Luffy extended a Rubber finger and cautiously poked Nami's fair cheek.Passed out?Was she scared by me?The knowledge in Luffy's head allowed him to immediately judge Nami's condition.No, now is not the time to think about that."Argh, I have to study again."Luffy was in absolute agony.This was simply torture.Hardships are essential in life.He comforted himself this way.He carried Nami to her room and conveniently pulled out a Logbook to start reading.Luffy would occasionally lean over to look at Namiamidst the System's painful torture, only for Namito suddenly open her eyes and startle him."Whoa, you scared me to death.""You're the one who scared me to death!" Namishouted as she came to her senses.Nami jumped up; not finding her weapon, she could only stare blankly and somewhat stubbornly at Luffy."Why are you looking at me like that?" Luffy asked."You know what I did," Nami bit her lower lip. "I left you all behind and sailed away with the going merry. This is betrayal.""That's why I'm here to ask you why." Luffy was multitasking; he naturally knew the nature of Nami's actions and that there was a reason behind them."There is no 'why'."[Unexpected situation detected. Comrade Namihas something she's hiding. Becoming the Pirate King requires the support of comrades. Make Namireveal the reason.][Time remaining, two-minute countdown...]A "just as I thought" smile appeared on Luffy's face, but it soon vanished.With a snap, Luffy's hand firmly grabbed Nami, who was trying to run away."Luffy, let me go!""Nami!""What are you trying to do?!"Nami was a little scared, especially with Luffystaring at her as his breathing gradually grew heavy; that aggressive gaze made her mind go blank."Tell me quickly!"Luffy was scared; at first, he didn't think it was necessary. If Nami didn't say anything, so be it—he'd find out eventually as they continued sailing.But now, it's damn well not okay!If Nami didn't speak up, he'd explode any second.Her mouth now held the key to his switch!Luffy knew he had to make Nami speak at this moment."Nami, we're comrades."Luffy looked at Nami with a serious expression."Let go of my hand first! You're hurting me," Namisaid angrily.Luffy's hand was like a pair of pliers, leaving her unable to move."Sorry, Nami, but I won't let go this time." Luffyapproached forcefully; as the countdown ticked away, the expression on his face gradually changed."W-what are you trying to do?"Nami had nowhere to retreat because she was on the bed with the wall behind her. Watching Luffy's increasingly heavy breathing, a strange sensation welled up in her heart.Luffy?What is he doing?!Nami's figure froze; the situation was looking more and more like that. It was practically tearing her established impression of Luffy to shreds.It was like a harmless little white rabbit suddenly turning into a big bad wolf. No, even a cornered rabbit will bite!Why does Luffy want to know the reason so badly?Is it for me?Nami's expression was dazed, her heart pounding wildly. She watched the face drawing closer, her own face flushing red."Nami, tell me quickly!" Luffy urged."Let go first, I'll think about it," Nami said, embarrassed and annoyed."Don't do something I'll hate!""There's no time," Luffy said, his lip twitching as he looked at Nami."What do you mean there's no time?""Nami, if you still don't say it, I'm going to do something you'll hate."Luffy had no time to joke with Nami.Nami was still confused when what happened next caused her pupils to suddenly constrict.Are you some kind of vampire?!A tingling sensation came from her neck."What are you doing?!"Luffy looked up; what he just did was a last resort, and the girl before him was now full of shame and indignation.Beneath her short orange hair, a ring of teeth marks was visible on her fair neck.Luffy's throat bobbed; that strange punishment had specifically stirred certain thoughts in him.It was as if a door to a New World had been opened.The faint fragrance from Nami's body stimulated Luffy's pupils to dilate slightly."Nami, this is your last chance." Luffy stared at Nami, his gaze gradually shifting downward. As the countdown ended, his expression even became somewhat distorted.Nami met his eyes and suddenly understood something; her face instantly turned crimson."I'll say it, I'll say it! Waaah."It was finally over.Luffy lay on the floor beside the bed, his eyes unfocused and his mind blank.He rubbed his rear and stood up; Nami sat on the bed, staring at him with a face full of shame and anger."Nami, leave it to me. I'll be the one to send that guy Arlong flying!""I want to send you flying first!" Nami said with a stiff face, the tips of her ears bright red.Her heart had been filled with complex emotions, but now Nami's mind held only one thought.She touched her neck and lower lip.Luffy scratched his head, feeling a bit awkward. He wanted to explain the reason, but whenever he tried to bring it up, his voice was like it was muted—nothing he could do about it.Sometimes being controlled by strange little things in one's head was truly frustrating.But at least he learned the reason from Nami."Nami, why didn't you tell me this sooner?""I can solve it myself," Nami huffed, feeling a slight sense of relief in her heart.Chapter 21: I Didn't Expect You to Be This Kind of Luffy"But they are pirates," Luffy said, his expression suddenly becoming serious.Hearing this, Nami was stunned.That's right, Arlongs Crew are pirates.This was a fact she had been actively ignoring.This was also why she felt Luffy didn't seem like a pirate at all.Most pirates have no credibility; they are fickle and turn on you in an instant—that's what a pirate is."But the strength of those Fishmen..."Luffy interrupted Nami, looking solemn. "I don't care about their strength. Even if it's an Admiralmaking my comrade suffer, as the Captain, I'll definitely go and settle the score for you!""Nami, you are my Navigator. Those guys messed with the wrong person!""Besides, aren't we comrades? It's normal to lean on each other a little."