“Haven’t I already fulfilled my promise?”
Nami said indignantly.
“Think back to our deal last night.”
Nami was stunned for a moment, then began to recall their conversation from the previous night.
[If you want it, it’s not impossible.
I can give you half.
However, you have to give me something in exchange.]
[Really!
What thing?]
[You.]
A look of bewilderment flashed across Nami’s face, and she asked somewhat uncertainly, “What do you mean?”
“It seems you’ve remembered.”
“What I said last night was that I wanted you, not your first time.”
“In other words, once I deal with Arlong, you’ll belong to me from now on.”
Kaguya leaned over and pinned Nami down on the bed, lightly kissing her red lips.
“You!”
Nami angrily pushed him away and wiped her lips with her hand.
“What?
Didn’t I make it very clear yesterday?
Are you planning to go back on your word?”
Kaguya said quite roguishly.
“Huff…
puff…
huff…
puff…”
Nami took a few deep breaths, suppressing the urge to kill him.
“Fine!
I promise you!”
She got up and walked toward the door, her pace slightly hurried.
“I’m going to prepare breakfast.
Get yourself ready quickly.”
Kaguya looked at her fleeing back and chuckled.
He looked down at his palm, where the warmth of her skin still lingered.
“Interesting little kitten.”
In the kitchen, Nami bit her lip in frustration while slicing bread.
She didn’t understand why she had agreed to such a condition, let alone why her heart always raced uncontrollably whenever she faced Kaguya.
“Damn it…
I must be too tired.”
She muttered to herself.
Kaguya’s voice suddenly came from behind her.
“Talking to yourself isn’t a good habit.”
Nami was startled and almost cut her finger.
“Don’t you make any sound when you walk!” she snapped.
Kaguya leaned against the doorframe, lazily watching Nami.
“You were just too focused.”
Kaguya walked over and took the knife from Nami’s hand.
“Let me do it.
Nami wanted to retort, but seeing his skillful knife work, she kept her mouth shut.
She stood to the side, secretly observing his profile.
In the morning light, his features appeared exceptionally sharp, with a hint of unruliness between his brows.
“Have you seen enough?”
Kaguya suddenly spoke, his gaze still focused on the ingredients in his hands.
Nami hurriedly looked away, the tips of her ears burning.
“Who…
who’s looking at you!
Narcissist!”
Kaguya smiled without a word and plated the fried eggs.
“Let’s eat.
After that, we should head out.”
Nami was stunned for a moment.
“Head out?
Where to?”
“To meet your old friend, Arlong, of course.”
“But, you’re still injured…”
“It’s fine.
It’s not deep and won’t hinder my fighting.”
“The sooner it’s settled, the sooner you can be at peace.”
Kaguya handed the plate to her, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
“The sooner it’s dealt with, the sooner we can relax.”
Nami took the plate, complex emotions swelling in her heart.
She both anticipated and feared the arrival of this day.
But looking at the mysterious man before her, she inexplicably felt a sense of security.
After the two finished breakfast, Kaguya carried the treasure chest toward the harbor.
Buggy’s ship was still in the harbor, but it was a bit too large—at least for just Kaguya and Nami.
“Can the two of us sail this ship?”
Kaguya looked at Nami, the “professional.”
“Are you joking?
Unless you can clone yourself.”
Nami retorted with her hands on her hips.
“Clones?”
Mentioning clones made Kaguya think of a woman who could duplicate herself.
However, that woman was still in the Grand Line at the moment; he had no way of bringing her here.
“Then let’s see if there are any smaller boats nearby.”
Kaguya felt quite pained looking at such a luxurious ship that they couldn’t sail.
“There should be lifeboats on the Buggy Pirates’ ship.”
“Let’s go up and look for them.”
After boarding, they quickly found several lifeboats under Nami’s guidance.
To take all the treasure with them, they lowered several of the boats.
Then they tied them together with ropes.
“Alright, you point the way, and let’s go.”
Nami sat at the bow, a compass in one hand and a sea chart in the other.
Kaguya pulled the oars, and the small boat slowly left the harbor.
“At this rate, we’ll reach Cocoyasi Village by evening.”
Nami put away the chart, a hint of tension in her voice.
“Scared?”
“Not at all!”
Nami stubbornly turned her face away.
“It’s just…
the strength of Arlong’s crew is not to be underestimated.”
Kaguya chuckled and continued rowing.
“Don’t worry, I’m here.”
Nami stole a glance at him, her heart fluttering.
This man was always so confident, as if everything were under his control.
With Kaguya rowing with all his might, the boat’s speed was faster than expected.
The afternoon sun scorched the sea.
Nami held up a parasol, but sweat still trickled down her cheeks.
“Hey, do you want to take a break?”
She handed over a canteen, her tone carrying a concern she hadn’t even noticed herself.
Kaguya took the canteen and tilted his head back to take a few gulps.
Droplets of water ran down his chin and onto his chest, glistening in the sunlight.
“No need.
It’s better to get there early.”
Nami looked at his resolute profile, her heart racing uncontrollably again.
She hurriedly turned her head, pretending to organize the sea chart to hide her inner turmoil.
The sea breeze gradually became sultry, and the silhouette of Cocoyasi Village could already be seen in the distance.
Nami clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms.
“Cocoyasi Village is just ahead.”
Her voice trembled slightly.
“Don’t be nervous.
We’ll find a hidden spot to go ashore.”
“I need to rest first to recover my stamina.”
Under Nami’s direction, Kaguya rowed the boat to a secluded beach.
After landing, he carried the treasure onto the shore.
Nami jumped off the boat, her feet sinking into the soft sand as the familiar sea breeze, carrying the scent of her hometown, blew against her face.
The familiar scent didn’t make her feel relaxed; instead, it made her even more nervous.
“This place is far from Arlong Park; they don’t usually patrol around here.”
Kaguya saw the tension in Nami’s heart.
He set down the treasure and reached out to ruffle her short hair.
“Leave the rest to me.”
“I’ll hide the treasure in that forest.”
“Just go home and wait for news.”
“If I win, our deal will be considered complete.”
“From then on, you’ll be mine.”
“If I lose, just act as if nothing happened.”
“That treasure should be worth tens of millions of Berries.”
“You won’t be at a loss either.”
Nami suddenly looked up, sparks of anger flashing in her eyes as she slapped Kaguya’s hand away.
“Are you kidding me!
How could I just hide at home and wait for news?”
Nami’s voice sounded exceptionally firm in the sea breeze.
She clenched her fists so hard her nails almost dug into her palms.
“Arlong’s matter—I must witness the end with my own eyes!”
…