Umiko looked at the town from the deck of the Going Merry. She smiled. "I'm finally leaving this place."
"Umiko!" Umi looked down to see Taikim looking up at her. He smiled and waved his hand. "Goodbye."
"Take care Taikim." Umi nodded, not moving too much. "I'll miss you."
"Be careful." Taikim laughed. "I hope you find your brother."
"Thank you." Umi nodded and then looked over as Nami yelled at her new crewmates. They were hurriedly setting sail before the marines showed up and arrested them. Chopper had told Nami Umi couldn't do anything. So Umi just sat back and watched everyone run around. It was amazing how much in charge Nami was when it came to sailing.
Umi looked off out at the sea. Finally…. I'm traveling out to sea on my own free will… I never... never thought this would happen. She watched as Taikim started talking to other former slaves. She chuckled as she watched. Before long they were pulling out of the port and reaching the sea. Umi grinned and looked out. She could feel the water and wind blowing in her face. She let out a full hearted laugh, drawing some attention to her from the others. Nami corrected that by ordering them back to their posts.
Umi stopped as she noticed something in the distance. Umi looked out at the sea and then froze. "MARINES!" She yelled out.
"What?" Everyone stopped and looked at her.
Umi pointed out into their path. "Marines! Three ships coming this way! At the rate we're going we're going to run straight into them."
"I don't see anything." Zoro looked out at the sea. "You're imagining things."
"No!" Umi frowned and looked at the ships again. Umi had always had better eye sight than everyone else. It was part of what had made her so useful for Captain Steel. "Trust me! There are three marine ships. If we change direction now and head left or right then we'll avoid them. But we have to go now."
"Whatever." Zoro went back to what he had been doing.
Nami stared at Umi and then pulled out a lookout glass. She looked in the direction Umi was pointing and then nodded. "She's right! I can see them now. Everyone we're changing direction now!" There was another furry of movement and chaos on the deck and then they continued. "UMI!" Nami called out. "Keep an eye on those ships for me!"
"Got it!" Umi nodded and narrowed her eyes. She watched as the ships got further and further away, heading straight towards the town they had just left. "If we hadn't left when we did they would have caught us for sure."
"That's amazing!" Chopper rushed over to Umi's side. "You really saw them from so far away?"
Umi nodded. "It's normal for me. My aunt always said I could find a needle in a haystack if I really tried."
"That's awesome!" Luffy grinned coming over. "I want to be able to see that far! Can you teach me?!"
"It's not something you can teach, idiot." Zoro grumbled.
"Both beautiful and useful eyes, you are truly amazing my Umiko." Sanji smiled at her. It almost looked like he had hearts in his eyes.
Umi smiled and flushed slightly. "It's nothing really."
"That's it!" Luffy pointed at Umi. "You'll be our lookout!" He laughed.
Umi smiled. "Alright." She grinned. "I'll be happy to help out and keep an eye on our path. You can count on me."
"Hopefully that will keep our captain out of trouble." Zoro nodded.
"Probably not." Usopp chuckled.
Umi looked at everyone and smiled. "Alright." She laughed along with them all. "I'll do my best to keep an eye out for trouble. I'll also keep an eye out for land."
"That will be useful." Nami nodded. "Thanks Umi."
Umi smiled and then leaned back and looked out over the edge of the water. She smiled as she looked at her reflection. Her neck was bare with nothing covering it. She rubbed a hand over the skin and laughed lightly.