Chapter 9 Between SistersThe first day of their voyage after leaving Cocoyasi Village.
The East Blue was relatively calm, but for Nami, the rocking boat and unfamiliar voyage still made her somewhat uncomfortable.
Nami lay in the cramped cabin, her face pale.
It wasn't entirely due to seasickness, but more so because her body hadn't fully recovered from the previous night's "harvest," and her emotions were still turbulent.
Nojiko took over the ship's chores.
She tidied the cabin as much as possible, using the ship's stocked fresh water and dry rations, along with some dried vegetables and fish she had brought from the village, to cook a simple fish soup.
The aroma wafted out, dispelling some of the salty smell of the sea breeze.
Luffy sat at the bow, holding a simple fishing rod, the line dangling into the sea.
He appeared focused on fishing, but in reality, his Observation Haki constantly enveloped the entire small boat, sensing Nojiko's every move and the subtle fluctuations in her emotions.
This woman is more rational than Nami, and less easily swayed by emotions.
Her affection level is 38 points, based on practical considerations and her protective instincts towards her younger sister.
To increase her affection level, she needs to provide a more direct sense of security.
Nojiko carried a bowl of fish soup to the bow of the ship and handed it to Luffy.
"Have something to eat, Captain."
Nojiko's tone was calm, revealing no emotion, as if she were completing a necessary task.
Luffy took the bowl, not caring about the heat, and quickly finished the soup, swallowing the fish and vegetables whole.
"It tastes alright," Luffy commented, handing the empty bowl back.
Nojiko took the bowl but didn't leave immediately. Instead, she sat down beside him, her gaze fixed on the vast sea.
After a moment of silence, Nojiko spoke, her voice clear in the sea breeze: "What do you really want, Luffy?"
Luffy didn't turn his head, still looking at the sea.
"What I want is simple: strong partners, people who can help me reach the end."
"Just partners?" Nojiko pressed, glancing at him sideways.
Luffy turned to meet Nojiko's gaze. His eyes were open and honest, at least they appeared so.
Luffy stated the facts: "Your sister is already my woman. You can choose to be just a partner."
Nojiko's breath hitched slightly. Although she had suspected it, hearing him say it aloud still stung.
She was silent for a few seconds before continuing, "If I'm just a partner, will you send Nami and me back to our village?"
"No, once you're on the ship, you're mine." Luffy answered without hesitation.
Nojiko looked at him, a mocking smile suddenly appearing on her lips. "You're a real bastard!"
Luffy laughed, a strange frankness in his voice: "Many people say that."
The conversation ended there. Nojiko didn't ask any more questions, got up, and went back to the stern to take care of Nami.
Luffy could sense that Nojiko's emotions had fluctuated somewhat.
She didn't seem surprised by his directness and domineering nature; in fact, she seemed relieved, as if she had expected it.
[Current Perception: Nojiko 40/100, rationally accepting reality, initially adapting to her position on the ship, and showing some understanding of her host's straightforward personality.]
Night fell.
Nami ate something under her sister's care and then fell into a deep sleep.
Nojiko sat beside her, gently smoothing her sister's slightly disheveled orange hair by the moonlight, her gaze complex.
The sea at night isn't always calm.
At midnight, the ship suddenly rocked violently, followed by the dull thud of planks hitting the water.
"What's wrong?" Nojiko woke with a start, immediately shielding the still-sleeping Nami.
Luffy was already standing at the bow, his gaze fixed on the dark sea.
Through his Observation Haki, he sensed a creature that wasn't too large but was certainly troublesome, lurking near the hull.
A Sea King, a common near-shore predator in the East Blue, seemingly attracted by the small boat's presence.
Splash!
A massive, scaly head broke the surface, its lantern-sized eyes gleaming eerily in the moonlight, its gaping maw, filled with sharp teeth, snapped at the small boat!
A stench filled the air.
Nami was also awakened, her face turning deathly pale at the sight of the terrifying, gigantic maw. She clung tightly to Nojiko's arm.
Nojiko's heart pounded, but she forced herself to remain calm, her other hand reaching for the small knife hidden at her waist.
The knife was a keepsake left by Bellemere.
Just a moment before the gaping maw was about to engulf the small boat,
Luffy didn't even move from his position. He simply raised his right arm and stretched it back.
Gum-Gum—Pistol.
Without uttering the name of the technique, the movement was utterly concise.
His fist, covered in jet-black Armament Haki, traced an almost invisible path in the night, striking the Sea King's nose with pinpoint accuracy.
Bang!!!
A dull, teeth-grinding impact!
The Sea King's ferocious head snapped back even faster than it had come, its hard scales and bones caved in like paper under the Armament Haki-infused fist!
The massive body was flung upwards by the punch, then slammed back into the sea, sending a spray of water flying.
The Sea King didn't even have time to scream before it floated belly-up on the surface, motionless.
The small boat rocked violently in the waves, but quickly regained its balance.
Luffy withdrew his fist, flicked non-existent blood from his hands, and turned to the still-shaken sisters, saying, "The meat's here. We'll have grilled fish tomorrow."
His tone was as calm as if he'd just swatted a fly.
Nojiko stared blankly at the enormous corpse on the surface, then at Luffy's back, which remained perfectly still. Her hand, gripping the hilt of her sword, slowly loosened, her palms clammy with cold sweat.
After the fear came a deeper understanding.
This man… was stronger than anyone could imagine.
Faced with such absolute power, any thought of escape from the sisters seemed laughable and futile.
But at the same time, this power also brought an unprecedented…sense of security.
At least in the East Blue, probably nothing could threaten this small boat.
Noji looked down at Nami, who was still trembling in her arms, gently patted her sister's back, and whispered comfortingly, "It's alright, Luffy's here…it's safe."
These words were spoken to Nami, but also seemed to be spoken to herself.
[Current Perception: Noji 42/100, has gained a clear understanding of the host's strength, and her sense of security has increased.]
Night deepened, the sea returned to calm, and only the gentle sound of waves lapping against the hull could be heard.
Nami fell asleep again, comforted by her sister.
Nojiko, however, couldn't sleep. She went to the deck alone, leaned against the ship's railing, and gazed at the starry sky and the blurry darkness where the sea met the sky in the distance.
She thought of Bellemere, her foster mother who always had a cigarette in her mouth and a cheerful smile.
She thought of Uncle Ken, the old sheriff with a sharp tongue but a kind heart.
She thought of the orange grove in Cocoyasi Village and the eight years of darkness.
Luffy was a dangerous man, but he was also strong enough to protect them and ensure their survival on this cruel sea.
And Luffy seemed to… keep his word.
He said he would protect the village, and at least for now, the remnants of the Fish-Men had been eliminated, and the village was indeed safe.
He said he would take Nami to see all the seas in the world, and the ship was indeed heading towards the Grand Line.
Nami was already his. What could she, his sister, do?
Rebel?
Escape?
Faced with such power, is it even meaningful?
Perhaps, as Luffy said, accepting reality, becoming a crewmate, and… protecting Nami—that's the most rational choice.
The sea breeze ruffled her short blue hair. Noji took a deep breath of the salty air, the last trace of confusion in her eyes fading, replaced by a resolute calm.
She glanced back at the cabin; Luffy had already gone back inside to rest. She looked at her sleeping sister.
Then, she gazed into the darkness ahead.