Luffy pushed through the bustling crowd, his stomach already growling as he passed several restaurants without finding anything that caught his interest. Just when he was about to give up, a sweet scent drifted through the air and led him to a modest fruit stand.

Normally, Luffy had little interest in fruit—meat was his true love—but the aroma here was irresistible. He swallowed hard and wandered inside.

The stand was bright and warm, filled with neatly arranged oranges and desserts crafted from them: orange cakes, puddings, and even candied slices.

A girl with long, wavy blue hair approached him with a kind smile.

"Hello, what would you like to buy?" she asked softly.

Luffy's eyes roamed over the displays. At the counter, another girl with short orange hair leaned over her work, carefully sketching something with full concentration. But what truly caught his attention was a framed photograph on the wall: two young women smiling on either side of a tall, dark-haired man.

And standing between them was someone he knew, though only by reputation: Chiga.

Luffy stared for a moment, lost in thought, until Nojiko waved her hand in front of his face to snap him out of it.

"You… know him?" Luffy asked, pointing to the photo.

Nojiko smiled faintly. Outsiders had been asking the same question more often lately.

"Yes," she replied warmly. "He is our Chiga."

Luffy's gaze lingered on the photo. "You must be close. What kind of person is he?"

The question surprised both sisters. To most people across the seas, Chiga was known as the savior who had once changed the tides of the world. To his enemies, he was ruthless, terrifying, and unyielding. But to those beside him, he was like a blazing sun—both fierce and protective.

Before Nojiko could answer, Nami raised her head from her map with a sharp look.

"He's very important to me and my sister," she said firmly. "That's all I'll say."

Her tone was edged with suspicion, as though Luffy's curiosity carried a hidden hostility. Nojiko's expression cooled as well.

"Alright," she said politely but firmly. "What do you want to buy?"

Luffy scratched his head awkwardly and pointed at the cake. "That one, please."

Nojiko handed it to him with little ceremony. "Go pay at the counter." She turned away, leaving Luffy standing there sheepishly.

The rich scent from the cake quickly distracted him. He went to the counter where Nami still worked, her eyes fixed on the chart she was sketching. Without looking up, she said,

"Five thousand Berries."

The price wasn't unreasonable. After all, a single cotton candy at a fair cost five hundred Berries. Luffy paid without complaint, but his curiosity was piqued again.

"You're drawing a map?" he asked.

"It's a nautical chart," she corrected briskly.

Luffy grinned. "That's amazing! I didn't expect you to be a navigator."

Nami's lips softened into the barest smile. "Not yet. But one day, I'll be the best navigator in the world."

"That's great! Then why don't you join my crew? I can take you everywhere across the seas!"

Nami blinked, then set her pen down and gave him a look like he was an idiot.

"With Chiga around, do you really think I need you to take me sailing?"

Luffy laughed. "That's different! He's in the Navy. How can that compare to the freedom of sailing with me?"

"Freedom?" she asked coolly. "What exactly do you do?"

Luffy puffed out his chest proudly. "I'm Monkey D. Luffy, the man who's going to be Pirate King!"

The words silenced the shop. Nami stood up slowly, her eyes narrowing.

"So, you're a pirate?"

"Of course! I—"

Bang!

Her fist smashed into his face with surprising force, launching him through the wall and out into the street.

This wasn't the Nami from years ago. Under Chiga's arrangements, both she and Nojiko had trained under capable female instructors from Navy Headquarters, including Gion. With such guidance, Nami's strength had grown immensely. She had even considered joining the Navy herself.

Nojiko stared at the new hole in the wall and sighed. "Again, Nami? Repairs aren't cheap."

Nami stuck her tongue out. "Sorry, Sis, but he said he was a pirate."

Outside, Luffy climbed out of the rubble, brushing dust off his hat. He wasn't hurt in the slightest.

"That was awesome!" he shouted, grinning wide. "I'm definitely going to make you my crewmate!"

Inside, both sisters groaned in unison.

"Is this guy serious?" Nojiko muttered.

"He's insane," Nami said, her fists clenching as she prepared to rush out again.

But before she could, the sound of boots echoed down the street. A squad of Navy soldiers marched toward them, led by a tall officer with flowing pink hair.

When Nami saw her, her face lit up.

"Hina-nee!" she called.

____

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