Chapter 3: Pirates Took It

Advice Seeker: Nami

This debt had been accumulating for a long time by her standards, and it was starting to really bother her. 200,000 Beli that was owed from all the way back in Loguetown. Given her usual interest rates, she was now owed about 265,000. Nami cursed the misfortunes that had plagued her, and stopped her from soliciting the back payments. She had first requested them at Whiskey Peak, when she thought there was a billion-Beli payout coming from keeping Vivi from getting killed, but she couldn't force the cash-strapped princess to make the payout, even she didn't love money that much. Then she had gotten sick, and it seemed like as soon as she was healthy again the craziness in Alabasta started. Now things were finally, finally normal again. Well, normal aside from the former second-in-command to a Shichibukai sunning herself on the deck as if nothing had ever happened, but she was okay. She had given her jewelry.

Anyway, it was time for her to get her money back. The deed itself was easy enough. Unlike the girls' room, the guys' area on the Going Merry was an open space. The fact that it was rarely invaded by the girls reflected the fact that Nami and Vivi (and presumably their new crew-mate) had more taste than to walk into such a pit. For money, however, she was more than willing to take the plunge. A quick run in yielded what she needed; hanging below one of the hammocks was a small drawstring bag. Suspiciously small. The bag returned with her to the girls' room, and its contents were spilled out across her most recent unfinished map. Her suspicions were confirmed: even though the contents were large bills, the amount totaled to only 154,000. She frowned, but stowed the money away anyways.

She instantly regretted it. Not taking the money, oh no, that sweet, sweet money was hers and hers for good: she deserved it. But she had stolen from a shipmate. Zoro was going to figure it out, and she would instantly be at the top of the suspects list. What was she going to do? She thought she had a solution, and furtively stepped out onto the deck with the empty drawstring bag in hand.

"Nami, what are you doing?"

A full shiver ran down Nami's spine, and she was forced to stifle a yelp. She turned her head slowly, fearfully, but it was only Usopp. "Oh, it's just you, Usopp."

"You're not going to get away with it like that."

"What are you talking about?" Nami said, waving her hands reassuringly. "I'm not doing anything."

"Come on, Nami. Who are you talking to?" Usopp boasted. "I'm the champion liar of the Grand Line: the great Captain Usopp!" He struck a noble pose. "Now what's the scheme?"

"Sure you won't tell?" Nami asked, carefully glancing from side to side.

"You're not stealing from me, right?"

"No."

"Then tell me."

"You remember back at Loguetown, when Zoro bought his new katana? I loaned him some money that he hasn't paid back. I'm just rectifying his debt."

"But he's going to find out, huh? Is that what's bothering you?" Nami nodded.

"You've come to the right Pirate," Usopp said eagerly, putting his arm around Nami's shoulders. "Zoro'll never know what hit him!" Usopp guided her belowdecks to confer.

Almost an hour later, Zoro appeared on deck. For some time he had been perched on the very tip of the mast, focused on maintaining his balance. He settled against the starboard rail and closed his eyes, taking a well deserved nap. He had been at it for less than three minutes when a familiar long nose peaked out from the door to the helm. "Yosh. Get to it."

Nami staggered out on deck. She looked a mess. Her hair was tousled, streaks of grit stained her arms and legs, and blood streaked down the left side of her face over her eye. Her clothes were… strangely untouched (like hell she was going to ruin a perfectly good set of clothing for this). She sobbed and collapsed to her knees, conveniently right in front of the napping Zoro.

Zoro opened one eye and saw the bedraggled Nami. He sat up quickly. "Nami, what's wrong?"

Nami sobbed again, tears springing to her eyes. "It was horrible! We were just attacked!"

Zoro unsheathed his sword. "What?"

"They're… they're gone now," Nami said, breathing heavily for great dramatic effect. "A whole crew of Pirates attacked from a submarine! Hundreds of them swarmed the deck, with guns and swords and… and a rhino! A giant rhino charging all over the place! I… I managed to stop them from hurting you," she said, wiping away her tears. "But they… they…" she began crying anew.

"What, what happened?" Zoro asked, his voice full of concern.

"They took all your money!" Nami said, collapsing into a sobbing heap.

Zoro leaned over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder comfortingly. "It's okay. I mean, no-one was hurt, right?"

Nami looked up at him, giving him a dose of large, watery doe eyes, but her magic was soon interrupted.

"It's a lie," Robin said. She had observed the whole proceeding from her lawn chair, unnoticed by all while she leafed through her book.

"Don't screw this up!" Nami yelled. Damn it all.

Zoro cracked his knuckles. "Nami. Give me my money back."

Nami stuck her tongue out at him. "Make me," she dashed off.

"Get back here!"