Roger had obtained Nami's help, and with that, he could finally begin his journey.
"I'm counting on you, Nami," Roger smiled.
"Yes..."
Nami looked at the young man in front of her. Calling him an ordinary pirate would be an insult, yet Nami couldn't discern what his true goal was.
At the very least, that wide smile filled with charisma and charm didn't look like the smile of someone who would become a monster. That was the only thing Nami could cling to so she wouldn't fear him.
"And what's your goal?" Nami asked casually.
Pirates usually went out to sea for three reasons: one was money—robbing and looting were their objectives. Others left seeking fame, wanting a bounty and recognition across the vast ocean. And lastly, there were those searching for power—terrifying strength, power that allowed them to do whatever they wished.
"Me?"
Roger lowered his gaze slightly without losing his smile as he turned around, then slowly walked toward the ship's bow.
"The world is pretty unfair. If you're born as a Tenryuubito (Celestial Dragon), you can have anything you want—unlimited money, the most beautiful women, kings and nobles crawling at your feet, using human life as a toy."
Roger looked toward the horizon, remaining silent for a moment before continuing.
"But on the other hand, if you're born in the wrong place, you might end up as a slave. Maybe you'll die before you grow enough to fend for yourself. Many children have childhoods like that..."
Nami trembled as those words struck directly at an old wound. She averted her gaze while hugging her arm.
"But!"
"...!" Nami lifted her head.
"We can decide our future, or at least try! To hell with destiny!" Roger lifted his gaze to the sky. "I don't know who's going to stand in my way, I have no idea who I'll have to face, but I'll surpass all of them. I won't allow how I was born or how I'm 'meant' to die to decide what I should do!"
"You..." Nami gasped in disbelief.
"Haha." Rayleigh laughed heartily. "Now you see? He's an idiot!"
"Rayleigh! Who are you calling an idiot?!"
"Idiot! You know that any random Vice Admiral could kill us easily, right?! What is that crap about beating everyone?!"
"Disloyal bastard, it's simply a matter of becoming stronger!"
"Don't say it like it's easy!"
"Hahaha!"
Nami's laughter interrupted their argument. Seeing her laugh made Roger widen his eyes in surprise. As far as he remembered, the Nami of this stage in the story should have been completely engulfed in darkness. Forget laughing—her smiles were usually fake.
"Nami?"
Nami smiled at Roger. "Alright, captain, I'll help you navigate until you find a navigator for your ship straight to the bottom of the sea."
"Huh?! Don't say scary things!"
Nami tilted her head with a mocking smile. "Oh? Is the great Captain Roger afraid of dying?~"
"Of course not!" Roger huffed. "I don't fear dying—everyone's going to die. But I want the freedom to decide when and how!"
Roger was very sensitive about jokes regarding his death because he knew this world wanted him dead. He had to die—whether it was due to his incurable illness, the Marines, Imu, and the thirteen chosen, rival pirates, or some sea creature. It was obvious the world desired his death.
Nami blinked at Roger's answer, unable to help but feel curiosity.
"Oh? And how do you want to die, captain?"
Roger thought for a moment. At this point in his life, he was so focused on living that he hadn't considered what would come after that.
"Who knows… but it'll definitely be with a big smile."
"..."
Nami, who had been waiting for Roger's answer, was stunned for a moment. She understood this strange captain less and less, but strangely enough, she found him dazzling.
"Oh~" Rayleigh put on an annoying mocking smile.
Embarrassed, Nami turned around and went back to the helm.
"Anyway, you'll probably get killed before even entering the Grand Line."
"You too, Nami?!"
Nami sighed. "That's right. Just knowing you a little is enough to see how reckless you are."
"Hey, that sounds disrespectful to your captain." Roger pointed at Nami. "Apologize or get ready to be punished!"
Nami put on a pitiful puppy-eyed expression—clearly fake and manipulative.
"I'm sorry, captain❤️~"
Roger wondered if maybe treating Nami like a hostage would be better than allowing her to join the crew. This mischievous cat no longer feared him and even mocked him.
"Hahaha! Roger, looks like you found your weakness!"
"Shut up! I can't hit Nami, but I can hit you!"
Roger lunged at Rayleigh and the two began fighting on the deck while Nami smiled, feeling a strange peace from meeting pirates who weren't human scum.
'I wonder if…'
For a moment, a foolish thought came to Nami's mind—perhaps hope—but she quickly suppressed it.
'No matter how strong Roger is, in the end he's still human…' the girl thought sadly.
"Are you alright?"
"Ah!" Nami jumped when she realized Roger was beside her, staring straight at her.
"Get away!" Nami shoved Roger.
"Treating your captain like that again—your punishment will be washing my clothes for a week."
"Drop dead!"
....
The ship sailed across the East Blue. With Nami at the helm, the danger of dying miserably lost at sea had passed. After a few hours, they finally spotted an island.
"Rayleigh, do you know what island that is?"
"No..."
"What a great first mate..."
"It's Shells Town," Nami answered, standing beside Roger with a serious look. "This island is governed by the Marines, holding Marine Base 153. However, its captain has a very bad reputation."
"Really?" Rayleigh frowned.
"Yes. Morgan 'Axe Hand' lives here. They say he's a tyrant who rules the island with an iron fist."
"The Marines have both good and bad people, same as pirates..." Roger smiled arrogantly. "If he shows up, I'll just kick his ass."
"Having confidence is good," Nami shook her head, "but be careful. Morgan is famous for having captured Kuro of the Black Cat Pirates, who had a bounty of sixteen million berries."
"Sixteen million?!" Rayleigh exclaimed. In their small hometown, even a bandit with a hundred thousand berries on his head caused an uproar. Someone worth sixteen million must have been incredible.
Roger stared at Rayleigh speechlessly. Bro, you're the Dark King. Don't look like that over someone so insignificant—you're making the old Roger look bad.
'No…'
Roger thought about it. He knew he had to let go of that mindset. At this moment, neither he nor Rayleigh had the power they would one day possess, so they shouldn't underestimate any pirate—even those with low bounties.
"Well, whatever," Roger smirked.
"You..." Nami facepalmed.
"Nami, you don't understand. My goal will put me against people thousands of times stronger than anyone in the East Blue. So I'm not bowing my head to any rival or enemy."
Roger's firm resolve left Nami stunned. She understood then that Roger wasn't stupid—at least he knew there were stronger people out at sea, yet he was still willing to face them all.
Nami bit her lip before giving Roger a small punch on the arm.
"You're going to die soon," Nami said with a smile.
"That won't happen," Roger smiled back.
Rayleigh put on an amused smile and pretended not to see the interaction.
....
Roger, Nami, and Rayleigh disembarked at the port.
There were some suspicious looks directed at them, but seeing that they didn't have a pirate flag calmed the townspeople. Roger had torn it off—he wasn't going to sail with another pirate's flag.
"It's normal they're cautious. Pirates commonly plunder towns," Rayleigh said before heading off. "Roger, I'll go get supplies. I'll leave gathering information to you."
"Yeah, I'm counting on you, Rayleigh."
Nami put on a sweet smile, trying to slip away. "I'm going to look for some things I need to help with navigation and…"
Roger interrupted her by placing a hand on her shoulder.
"You're coming with me."
Nami sighed in resignation. "Just don't get into fights. I don't want to deal with the Marines."
Roger thumped his chest proudly. "Of course. Who do you take me for?"
"..."
Nami didn't answer, but her expression said it all—she didn't trust this captain one bit.
....
At the same time, in another part of the port, a small boat arrived with a pink-haired boy wearing glasses and another boy wearing a straw hat.
"Land at last!" the straw hat boy shouted.
"Luffy-san, be careful! This town is full of Marines!"
"What are you saying, Coby? What kind of Pirate King will I be if I fear the Marines?" Luffy adjusted his straw hat. "Now I should start gathering my crew..."
Unexpectedly, Gold D. Roger and Monkey D. Luffy were about to meet.