“After everything here is over.”
Rook answered calmly.
Nami curled her lips in dissatisfaction.
“What happened to basic trust between people?”
“You stole my wallet, left me completely broke, and nearly made me sleep on the street.”
Rook looked at her.
“You have absolutely no right to say that.”
Nami shrank back slightly.
She couldn’t argue with that.
“Right. Where’s your boat?”
“Let’s go take a look.”
Nami blinked, then nodded and zipped up her jacket.
Moving furtively, she led Rook out of the cabins.
Before long, the two emerged onto the main deck.
They glanced around.
The pirates were still focused on the fights taking place at the harbor.
Nami gestured for Rook to follow.
The two of them made their way toward the stern.
Leaning against the railing, Nami pointed toward an old five-meter-long boat tied alongside one of the pirate ship’s smaller vessels.
In a way, she had brought her own capital into this partnership.
Several oars lay across the deck.
The boat might have been tiny, but it had everything it needed.
A single mast.
A sail.
And even a small cabin at the stern.
Though judging by its size, fitting two or three adults inside would already be a squeeze.
“Your boat certainly has… character.”
Rook couldn’t resist commenting.
“Wouldn’t this little wreck flip over the moment a decent wave hits it?”
“Who are you looking down on?”
Nami wrinkled her nose and glared at him.
“You think I’d dare sail across the sea alone if I didn’t know what I was doing?”
“Relax.”
“With my skills, there’s absolutely no way I’ll let you die at sea.”
“I memorized the currents, weather patterns, and reef locations throughout the surrounding waters three years ago.”
“I could sail you around here with my eyes closed.”
Her casual words carried enormous confidence.
The corner of Rook’s mouth curved upward.
He believed her.
After all, Nami was an absurdly talented navigator.
She had practically been born for the sea.
If Rook remembered correctly, she could even sense subtle changes in the weather through her skin.
Sensitive skin?
Apparently that was useful too.
“Can you swim?”
Nami suddenly asked.
Rook raised an eyebrow and tilted his head questioningly.
Nami explained,
“Once I steal the treasure, I obviously can’t keep the boat parked right beside the shore.”
“I’ll sail it about a hundred meters out.”
“If you can swim, you can make your own way over.”
“That’ll make escaping much easier.”
Rook looked at her speechlessly.
“You’re really an experienced repeat offender, aren’t you?”
Nami pursed her lips.
“Can you swim or not?”
Rook nodded and chuckled.
“Of course.”
“I’m excellent in the water.”
“I’ve even fought small sharks underwater.”
After all, his Underwater Combat skill could only improve through actual fighting beneath the surface.
He had killed a shark before.
That time had been dangerous.
But now?
Rook was confident he could kill one easily.
That was the confidence strength gave him.
Hearing his answer, Nami visibly relaxed.
Rook then asked,
“You know where Norton’s cabin is, right?”
Nami immediately gave him a disdainful look.
“Who do you think you’re talking to?”
“I infiltrated this ship yesterday afternoon and already figured out where everyone stays.”
“You think something as simple as locating the captain’s cabin could stop me?”
Nami proudly puffed out her chest.
Rook rolled his eyes and reached over to pat her messy orange hair.
Nami immediately glared at him.
“Stop patting my head…”
Then her expression turned serious.
“When are you planning to make your move?”
Rook was about to answer—
But suddenly, he noticed the front section of the deck becoming unusually quiet.
A few seconds later—
A roar filled with suppressed rage exploded through the air.
“Hisoka, you bastard!”
“Are you betraying me?!”
Rook and Nami looked at each other.
Excitement appeared in both their eyes.
Nami was thrilled because the chance to make a fortune had finally arrived.
Rook, meanwhile, felt that the situation had at last become clear.
So it really was the first mate stirring things up.
“Let’s go see what’s happening first.”
“When things start getting dangerous, stay behind me.”
“If they start fighting, find your own opportunity.”
“Once you’ve got the treasure, sail out and wait for me offshore.”
“If you get the treasure or anything unexpected happens, shout my name as loudly as you can.”
“I’ll come get you.”
Nami paused.
He’s worried about me? This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
She immediately looked away.
Then nodded with unusual obedience, although her tone remained sharp.
“Relax.”
“Except for getting caught by you, I haven’t failed once in all these years.”
Rook curled his lips.
“Good thing it was me.”
“I’m kindhearted.”
“If you’d fallen into someone else’s hands, they’d have probably swallowed you whole.”
“Kindhearted?”
Nami looked utterly speechless.
“You?”
“Ruthless and black-hearted sounds more accurate.”
“I watched you stab every single person who messed with you to death.”
“They wanted to kill me.”
Rook glanced at her.
“What was I supposed to do? Stand there and let them kill me?”
“My rule is simple.”
“If someone treats me with respect, I’ll return that respect.”
He didn’t finish the rest.
Because Rook had already started walking toward the front of the deck.
Nami watched his back.
She pursed her lips.
Then thought silently,
And if someone treats you badly, you won’t hold back either?
Then what about me?
I stole your wallet and nearly made you sleep on the street.
What do you actually think of me?
You’re not seriously planning to break my legs one day, are you?
Nami shook her head.
Then quickly followed.
…
Below the pirate ship, in the open harbor area—
The fighting had stopped.
The pirates had already divided into two groups.
One consisted of the crew’s veterans.
The other consisted of the recently recruited newcomers.
Both sides tightly gripped various weapons.
The atmosphere was filled with tension.
Yet something about it felt strange.
They glared at one another—
But there wasn’t much killing intent.
On the deck of the ship itself, however—
The situation was completely different.
Two groups stood opposed.
And the killing intent between them was intense enough to make it seem as though only one side would survive.
Norton stood with the second mate, third mate, navigator, and four veteran crew members.
Opposite them—
Hisoka.
Darwin.
And seven newly recruited men carrying swords.
“Norton.”
“Under your idiotic leadership, the entire crew has already landed itself in serious trouble.”
Hisoka stared at him coldly.
“I suggest you step down gracefully.”
“Otherwise…”
“I’ll personally help you step down.”
Rook arrived just in time to hear Hisoka’s declaration.
His appearance immediately attracted the attention of both groups.
Nami quietly shifted behind Rook, using his body as cover.
Norton glared viciously toward him.
Then, almost reflexively, he asked coldly,
“Who the hell are you?”
Rook’s expression became strange.
He hadn’t even recognized him?
Had cleaning himself up really changed his appearance that much?
Or was Norton simply blind?
“Oh?”
“Isn’t that Rook?”
“You really surprised me.”
Hisoka’s eyes visibly brightened as he smiled at Rook.
Rook’s face immediately darkened.
That damned pervert.
Though he had to admit—
Hisoka had sharp eyes.
Rook looked between the two groups with an amused smile.
Then asked as though genuinely confused,
“What’s going on here?”
“What interesting game are you all playing?”
Hisoka smiled brightly and extended his right hand toward him.
“Norton is completely unqualified to be captain.”
“If we keep letting him lead us, we’re all going to die sooner or later.”
“So I plan to remove him from the ship.”
“Rook.”
“You’ll stand with me, won’t you?”
Rook’s expression didn’t change.
He looked toward Norton.
The captain’s face hardened.
Seeing Hisoka trying to recruit another fighter, he refused to fall behind.
“Rook.”
“Help us kill that traitor Hisoka.”
“Afterward, I’ll make you third mate.”
Rook narrowed his eyes.
Then looked back toward Hisoka.
He smiled faintly.
“Captain Norton really is pretty brainless.”
“But First Mate…”
“You’re awfully stingy too.”
“You want my help, but you aren’t even willing to offer me anything.”
But Hisoka looked even angrier.
He gritted his teeth.
“Rook, do you really think you’re qualified?”
“You’re nothing but a low-level grunt!”
“You honestly think Norton will make you third mate?”
“Use that brain of yours and think!”
“He only wants you as cannon fodder!”
Rook calmly nodded.
As though agreeing with him.
Then he began walking toward the main mast several meters away.
As he moved—
His sword slid from its sheath.
Everyone stared in confusion.
Rook reached the main mast.
Then—
A cold flash crossed the air.
Shing!
A moment later—
Under everyone’s stunned gaze—
The mast gave a loud crack as the sea breeze pushed against it.
Its cut surface was perfectly smooth.
The massive mast toppled across the deck.
BOOM!
Wood splintered everywhere.
The fallen mast now physically separated Rook from the two opposing groups.
Rook’s calm voice drifted across the deck.
“How about now?”
“I think I’m qualified to be the final straw that breaks the camel’s back.”
The corners of everyone’s eyes twitched violently.
Especially Hisoka’s.
A chill rose in his heart.
Before either side could respond—
Rook raised a hand to stop them.
He slowly backed toward the entrance to the ship’s interior.
“I’m not particularly strong.”
“But I’m confident I can drag either the captain or the first mate down with me.”
Both men’s expressions darkened.
Then Rook suddenly grinned at Norton.
“Captain Norton.”
“This is the last time I’ll ever call you that.”
“To be honest, my time aboard this ship has been extremely unpleasant.”
“So I’m officially announcing it now.”
“I’m leaving the Norton Pirates.”
“I won’t interfere in today’s mutiny—or your attempt to suppress it.”
“But when I leave…”
“I’d appreciate it if none of you tried to interfere with me either.”
“Because my sword…”
He glanced at the cleanly severed mast.
“…is fairly sharp.”
As he spoke, Rook and Nami had already retreated to the cabin entrance.
Rook calmly raised a hand toward them.
“Please.”
“Carry on.”
“Pretend I’m not here.”
“Fight on the ship, fight down below—whatever you prefer.”
The atmosphere fell silent.
Rook’s sudden arrival and display of strength made it impossible for either faction to simply ignore him.
“Fine.”
“As long as you don’t interfere, you can leave afterward.”
“I guarantee it.”
But almost the instant those words left Norton’s mouth—
A vicious grin spread across his face.
“GET THEM!”
Norton roared.
And even before the command had fully left his mouth—
He was already charging toward Hisoka.
Hisoka’s eyes turned vicious.
He no longer had time to worry about Rook.
He drew his sword and rushed forward to meet Norton.
In the blink of an eye—
Roars erupted.
The battle exploded into full force.
Behind Rook, Nami’s eyes gleamed brightly.
She glanced around.
No one was paying attention to her anymore.
She quietly began retreating into the ship’s interior.
Treasure, here I come!
The corner of Rook’s mouth lifted slightly.
Nami really was clever.
Her sense of timing was excellent.
His own quick thinking hadn’t gone to waste in creating such a perfect opportunity.
Steel clashed violently.
Angry roars filled the deck.
Norton wielded his blade aggressively, forcing Hisoka backward with one heavy slash after another.
Hisoka’s expression was filled with shock.
He clearly hadn’t expected Norton to have been hiding this much strength.
Then—
A scream suddenly rang out.
The battle changed.
Rook’s eyes abruptly widened.
Darwin’s body suddenly began undergoing a massive transformation.
His already muscular frame swelled explosively.
His shirt tore apart beneath the rapidly expanding muscles.
Dense short fur spread across his body.
The fur on his face, chest, and limbs was pitch black.
But the hair covering the top of his head, back, and even the tip of his tail—
Was pure silver-white.
Rook’s eyes narrowed.
“A Zoan-type Devil Fruit user?”