Disclaimer : I do not own Nami nor One Piece nor any other shows I mention in this fiction.
Chapter four :
Two years later.
"So?" Bell-mere asked
Nojiko furrowed her eyes, "This doesn't make any sense..." she said flipping over the pages of Nami's notebook to see English written words "I can't believe Nami made a secret language two years ago..."
"The kid's smart, she always plans everything." Bell-mere stated
"It's kind of scary..." Nojiko muttered
"It's a useful skill to have if she wants to become a marine" Bell-mere noted
"She hates marines, besides she said she just wanted to draw a map of the world and that she's interested in becoming a pirate." Nojiko retorted
"It's just a childish dream, she doesn't know the true nature of pirates. She's better off becoming a marine" Bell-mere grumbled
"You're right..." Nojiko said with a nod as she closed Nami's notebook "I hate pirates" she stated as she placed the book back in Nami's box "They attacked Nami and I's birthplace three years ago...they killed our parents and everyone I knew."
Bell-mere gave Nojiko a thoughtful look "Yeah, pirates like them are scum." But not every pirates the same.
"So did you find anything interesting in the sketchpads?" Nojiko asked
Bell-mere grinned at Nojiko "Aside from sketches of flying cats, shinigami and dragons I found some interesting inventions. But the parts, names and materials needed are all written in Nami's secret language." she explained holding up Nami's sketchpad to reveal a planning sheet of hidden blades.
"Hiding knives in gloves..?" Nojiko questioned "Won't she hurt herself?"
Bell-mere grinned "She already planned it to make sure she wouldn't get hurt, see?" she asked as she pointed at the arrows which were showing the inner workings of the hidden blades in gloves.
Well the two of course didn't know Nami or rather Ashley was very fond of gaming, one of her favorite games being Assassin's creed.
"Where is Nami anyways?" Nojiko questioned
"Probably at the library as usual" Bell-mere shrugged "I'm surprised she hasn't read all those books already considering she practically lives in the library"
"Achoo!" Nami sneezed, Someone must me talking about me. She thought to herself
"You alright?" Noko, the village's doctor asked her
"I'm fine" Nami answered
"I see." Doctor Noko said placing a cup of tea down for Nami, "Now to what do I owe the pleasure of you visit?" he asked
"Hmm, I finished reading all the books in the library. Baa-chan said you have books too and I thought maybe I could ask you to lend me them and teach me about the basics of being a doctor" Nami explained with an innocent face, Until I meet Chopper I'll have to rely on myself for medical needs. When Chopper comes along I'll just become his assistant.
Noko looked taken aback for a moment "You want to be a doctor?" he questioned
"No," Nami bluntly answered taking a sip from her tea "But I want to know what to do in case someone needs medical attention, I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I let a friend die without being able to help" she explained calmly
Doctor Noko stood up, "Wait here a moment" he said as he walked towards his office
Three years old...five years to go before I put my plan in motion, in the meantime I have to learn anything and everything I can get my hands on. Tomorrow I'll start with my physical training. Nami thought to herself I have to get strong to achieve my plans. This isn't some story where I can just laze around managing to win just by playing my cards right, I have to become my own trump card.
A loud thud interrupted her thoughts as she looked at a stack of books through half lidded eyes
"I'll have you start reading these, after you're done with them we'll see what's going to happen next." Noko stated
Resisting the urge to smirk in triumph Nami took another sip of her tea, Medical knowledge is a pain to learn but the benefits are incredible. Poison, cures, herbs, medicines, human anatomy, surgery, pressure points, chemistry. Everything I learn won't just be of use to help but might become part of my fighting moves if I combine them with my past anime, manga, gaming, movie, cartoon and other knowledge.
"Hai sensei" Nami said with a bright smile, And I have fifteen years to learn these until I have to go to the Grand Line.
"May I stay here and read? I promise not to bother you" Nami requested
"Go ahead kid" Doctor Noko said with a fond smile
"This is..." Nojiko started
"Cool" Bell-mere finished as the two of them stared at Nami's drawing of Kenpachi Zaraki from Bleach fighting against Erza Scarlet from Fairy Tail.
"Who wins in the end?" Nojiko wondered
"Who knows?" Bell-mere said with a shrug as they turned to the next drawing which was of Kingdom Hearts showing Sora and Roxas wielding their key blades while fighting against each other
"Are they twins?" Nojiko questioned
"Seems so, but I like the one in black better" Bell-mere grinned as they once again turned the page to reveal a drawing of Death the kid using his guns
"Devil fruits? I used to think they were myths but Bell-mere told me stories about high ranking marines who ate these devil fruits gaining their abilities" Noko said with a thoughtful look "Why are you asking?" he asked Nami who looked at him intently
"I just wanted to know more about the devil fruit for a theory that would have been useful to apply to any problems I might have." Nami stated
"What exactly were you planning?" Noko asked feeling interested, he knew Nami was smart but to hold a scientific conversation like this? The girl was a prodigy!
"You see doctor I want to get strong, powerful enough to take on the whole world government if needed" Nami confessed ignoring the doctor's shocked look "Having the ability of a devil fruit in my disposal will be immensely beneficial, I even have a few specific ones I'm targeting. The problem is I do not intend to eat it, loosing my ability to swim will not be beneficial, but I need the devil fruits's power" she explained calmly as if she had just not confessed her intention of turning the world her enemy.
Noko for his part was baffled, at first he thought Nami was just messing with him having heard how much Nami enjoys playing mind games, but this was..."Are you insane?!" he yelled in shock and a bit annoyance "You're just a kid, how could you even think of turning the government into your enemy?!" he asked
Nami looked at him through half lidded eyes, Well his reaction is justified, it's a bit of a surprise that he didn't rule this off as a childish point of view idea. "Calm down doctor." she stated knowing that she couldn't talk to the man if he wasn't calm
"How do you expect me to be calm when you confessed to intending to turn the world into your enemy?!" the doctor yelled once again
"I didn't say I intend to, I just said if" Nami stated lamely "I don't have a death wish"
The doctor rubbed his temples "You're not sane"
"Since when have I ever needed something idiotic like sanity in the world we live in?" Nami asked partially amused at the doctor
"Just what would make you consider making the world into your enemy?" Noko asked
At this Nami paused for a bit, it was for the sake of the plot but what would make her ever turn the world into her enemy? "If they hurt anyone I care for, I would go to hell itself" Lucky me I don't have a lot of people I care for, the ones I care for aren't dangerous folks who'd get the government's attention either.
"You'd be willing to throw your lives away for others like that...?" he asked in what seemed to be surprise
I don't come off as that evil that I wouldn't mind abandoning my friends do I? Nami wondered to herself "Yes, you're a doctor so can't you relate? Aren't true doctors willing to sacrifice themselves for the sake of others?" she almost smirk seeing Noko take on an understanding look "Wouldn't you be willing to turn the whole world into your enemy to help the village which is your family?" she asked
Noko stared at Nami who took one final sip of her tea, he could feel her smirking inside in triumph. How did he feel?
"It's amazing how a three year old managed to beat an adult like me with words..." he said out loud "You are truly wise Nami"
Oh, if only he knew. "Thank you, so what will it be? Will you help me and run the risk of getting executed for teaching me if I ever turn against the world or turn me down and live without worrying about the risks?" she questioned with a serious face remembering how the government executed Tom for creating the ship Roger used "It's up to you, don't worry about hurting my feelings or any other excuse if you're not man enough to pride yourself in shaping me into a powerful foe"
"Pride?" Noko asked his mouth morphing into a small smile "I pride myself in my work as a doctor only. A doctor does not help people use knowledge for wrong" he stated looking up at Nami
Nami gave a small smile "I see, thank you for hearing me out" she thanked placing the cup of tea down
She stood up "Have a nice day doc" she wished as she walked to the door
Noko stared at her back It's best for me not to help her on her path of becoming a criminal. He thought to himself Medical knowledge is meant to aid others not aid in turning the world into an enemy.
"But I want to know what to do in case someone needs medical attention, I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I let a friend die without being able to help"
He hesitated recalling Nami's words, But...throwing her life away for someone she cares about...is that really wrong?
"Wait." he stated
Nami turned to look back at him with a raised eyebrow "Yes?" she questioned in confusion
"In the end...right and wrong is just a matter of perspective. If you turn the world into your enemy just to save your friend I would never consider it wrong even if your friend was a criminal."
Nami's face morphed into a smile "Then..."
"Don't make me regret my decision" Noko stated
Checkmate. Nami thought as she grinned at the man, Another piece taken. How many pieces left?
The next day...
"Come aboard...and...bring...along...all..of..." Nami couldn't finish as she dropped to the ground out of exhaustion.
Now Ashley wasn't exactly a sport person, sure she was in the sojutsu, kenjutsu, bojutsu, archery and swimming clubs due to her mother insisting she does something with her life. But those clubs just taught her the basics before she decided to quit them because it wasn't as interesting as in anime. When she was in high school she settled for the swimming club, music club and art club. Those three she had intended to make some sort of living with.
If that hadn't work she would have taken after her uncle John and become a freelancer. Her uncle was a cool freelancer doing the oddest yet satisfying jobs.
Which brings her back to her dilemma.
She would rather much use her brains to get her out of any situations but she knew that in the world she's living in she most definitely has to develop her skills. She has to have endurance, she has to be fast, she has to be strong.
How can anime make this look so easy? She wondered forcing herself to get up and continue running her laps.
If I can't do five more laps I'll do a hundred push ups! The thought of doing push-ups made her even more determine to finish her ten laps around the house. Weak, but it was a start wasn't it?