After their departure, the Saiyan crew, under Nami's navigation, headed toward the Conomi Islands, where Cocoa Village was located.
Previously, complex tasks like charting a course and navigating treacherous seas were a source of stress and confusion.
But with the arrival of Nami, a professional navigator, everything beca smoother and more efficient.
After the crew followed Nami's "advice" and lowered all the sails, the helmswoman Hina praised her enthusiastically:
"I never expected to find a navigator of this caliber in the East Blue. Back then, I would've recomnded you to the Marines without hesitation!
With your skills, you're qualified to teach at Marine HQ!"
Nami smiled bashfully and scratched her head.
"No, you're really exaggerating..."
But despite her modesty, she couldn't help asking curiously:
"But... why the Marines? Aren't we pirates?"
Upon hearing that, Hina's lips tightened. She deliberately turned her face away and ignored the question.
"Ah..." Nami froze in embarrassnt, not fully realizing what she had said to suddenly upset such a powerful woman.
Luckily, the young princess Vivi stepped forward calmly to ease the tension:
"Don't worry, everyone here is kind. But... joining the crew wasn't easy for anyone. Sister Hina used to be a Marine colonel, so it's natural she needs so ti to adjust."
"Colonel?! Miss Hina?! That's... amazing!"
Nami's eyes widened in shock and awe.
While so officers in the original story were unimpressive, in reality, a Marine colonel was a pillar of strength—commanders of branches, responsible for the security and order of nearby seas and islands.
For a young woman like Hina—who didn't even look past thirty—to hold such a rank... was proof of her exceptional talent. She might even rise to Rear Admiral or Vice Admiral in the future.
As Nami drifted into thought, her imagination started spinning wild—picturing a dramatic scenario of a "fallen Marine officer" and a tragic story arc.
anwhile, Vivi, familiar with Peter's character, wasn't worried. Since Nami had joined by Peter's decision, he would never let her go.
And since Vivi and Nami would soon beco "battle companions," Vivi wanted to bond with her early on. She gently grabbed her arm and led her to the tea room on the second floor, where the girls were chatting and relaxing.
At the sa ti, Peter and Robin exited the captain's quarters.
Robin let Peter go ahead. He clapped his hands and called out:
"Ladies! Everyone gather up! We're having a quick eting in the tea room."
Nami followed Vivi inside, who whispered:
"Sit anywhere you like. We don't really follow strict rules here."
Vivi sat in the first seat on the left, and Nami naturally sat beside her.
Peter and Robin sat in the opposite seats.
Then Hina, Mikita, and Carina entered. Carina cast Nami a slightly annoyed glance—she was used to sitting beside Vivi, but Nami beat her to it. She reluctantly sat next to them and said coldly:
"Why did you call us? Don't tell this is a welco party for the newbies... I hate clichés."
She glanced at Nami, then at Peter, trying to guess his intentions.
"Is he going to formally invite to join? Should I say yes?"
Peter cleared his throat and said:
"Well... maybe we'll have a party later, but not now.
There are two reasons for this eting: First, Nami's status. Second, I just received news from Alabasta."
"Mr. 1 and his crew... were attacked by one of the Four Emperors' crews — Big Mom's."
"What?!" the girls shouted in shock.
Even Vivi's face went pale, but they all quickly regained composure.
Though Carina didn't know much, she had heard of the Four Emperors — a force to be reckoned with in the Grand Line.
But she didn't seem too worried.
"Peter took down two Shichibukai. Even the Emperors won't stand a chance, right?"
Then she added with a sarcastic grin:
"Do you all think Peter couldn't pull off what we saw at Baratie?"
The girls imdiately recalled the terrifying scene, like a black hole devouring everything.
But Hina shook her head seriously:
"It's different. Despite the governnt's hype, the Shichibukai—aside from Hawk-Eye—don't compare to the Four Emperors."
She glanced at Peter, wanting to say more, but held her words.
"...In any case, we need to be cautious."
The girls chuckled at Hina's nervousness, and Robin took the opportunity to hand out updated bounty posters:
"Caution is fine, but don't worry. As long as we're with Peter, none of these threats an anything.
That said, there is soone to watch out for: Charlotte Perospero."
Nami took the poster, and her eyes landed first on the bounty amount:
"70 million?! That's more than triple Arlong's bounty!"
But Carina scoffed:
"Seventy million?! Are you blind? Count the zeroes again."
Nami stared again, and began counting the digits with a trembling voice:
"One... ten... hundred... thousand... ten thousand... hundred thousand... million... ten million..."
Then she swallowed hard, terror setting in:
"...700 million Beli?!"
Her hands shook, the world dimd before her eyes, and she realized this was just one subordinate, not even the main boss.
"If that's the officer's bounty, then what about the leader's? A billion? Two billion?!"
She froze... and then suddenly, a white ghost burst from her mouth as she collapsed.
Everyone: "..."
Vivi: "Quick! Nami passed out from fear!"
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Two Next Chapter 18
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