Okay! I'm back with the brand new chapter..enjoy...*smirks*
Disclaimer : I do not own Nami nor One Piece nor any other shows I mention in this fiction.
Warning :Spoilers, insanity, sarcasm, fan girling, emo-brooding etc are prone to appear depending on my mood, you have been warned
Chapter Eleven
Going to deliver Binks' Sake!
Following the sea breeze! Riding on the waves!
Far across the salty depths! The merry evening sun!
The birds sing as they draw circles in the sky !
~Brook~
"Eat your vegetables Luffy" Nami said as she dutifully brought a baby carrot to her mouth to eat
Luffy scrunched his nose up in disgust "No, they're disgusting!"
Three days passed since Nami had woken up, all the questions people had for her were dutifully avoided due to her skills in misdirection. In Luffy's case she just flats out tell him it's none of his business not wanting to lie to her first friend. Not that she cared or anything, no sir she definitely did not grow attached to Monkey D Luffy in the span of three days.
Oh, screw it! She was totally attached to the raven haired boy who managed to weasel his way into her heavily guarded heart which baffled her. The only people she relatively cared about was Bell-mere, Nojiko, Genzo and to an extent Rex. Heck, she didn't really care for her village but she just felt protective of them due to Bell-mere and Nojiko's fondness of Cocoyashi island. Back on topic, she felt herself feeling totally comfortable with the boy. Even more comfortable than those she considered her 'friends' in her previous life. This of course made her a bit protective and vengeful towards anyone who wronged Luffy which thankfully hasn't happened yet.
Makino however had Nami stay with her and Luffy which only served to bring the two kids closer to each other, though Nami refused to take a bath with Luffy no matter how much of a fangirl she is, it just felt wrong on so many different levels despite her being used to bath with other people in her previous life at hot springs.
The older woman found Nami unique for lack of better terms. Nami had immediately asked her for the local library and proceeded to borrow a mountain load of books, how Nami managed to bring all those books to her shared room with Luffy was still a mystery to Makino. Of course Luffy wouldn't leave her alone to read books which was not a surprise for the girls, what did surprise Makino was Nami's ability to multi-task. She could keep up with a conversation or walking around with Luffy while having her nose in a book. Nami would even read books while dodging Luffy's attacks during their friendly spars with the excuse of helping Luffy's patience and her ability to accurately dodge which was true depending on your point of view.
Nami also made it a point to help Makino with daily tasks ranging from cooking to even sewing, the younger girl's excuse being 'I was told by my teacher that femininity could be a tactic' which made the older woman wonder who exactly this teacher was.
Nami herself merely used the days to expand her knowledge, her stealth, her arsenal, her parkour and her dodging skills. She even paid attention to Makino's daily chores taking some tips here and there. Oh, not to mention how interesting it was to see Makino mix some drinks for some clients who didn't want sake. Even Makino seemed happy to be able to put her skills with liquor to use instead of just handing out sake.
On a completely different note...the villagers started noticing their wallets becoming thinner and a few shops decided to start noting inventory after they could swear there was certain items in their stock. Completely unrelated to Nami who suddenly had a camera, no?
"But Luffy if you don't eat those vegetables you'll never become a strong pirate and Shanks will never take you on an adventure with him" Nami pointed out
"Really?!" Luffy yelled in excitement
"Really" Nami nodded fighting off that smile that always wanted to appear when it comes to Luffy
Luffy immediately inhaled the vegetables with a disgusted face yet looking determined. Hook, line and sinker.
"The bath's ready!" Makino called out to Nami who placed her fork down leaving the empty plate for her bath with a book on medical plants in her hand
Back at Cocoyashi island they had no choice but to take showers due to their finance problems, but here Nami could have a nice and warm bath while she reads her book in peace. Don't get her wrong or anything, Luffy was amazing company but she needed some relaxing time a.k.a thirty minutes in the tub. I really need some more me time.
Oddly enough her wish came true after her bath when Makino informed her that Luffy had gone out That little shit going out without me,not that I care or anything. Shit, I sound like a tsundere.
So here she was laying on her mattress surrounded by books squashing away stray thoughts ranging from her past life to her mom and sis she had just left to go on a little adventure, though now that she thinks about it...it was really idiotic of her to leave the dumbest note ever. She decided on leaving a nicer and more sophisticated note next time. Oh, she knew there was going to be a next time.
As minutes turned into an hour and an hour turned into two hours she felt tired, a yawn escaped her before she curled up into a ball taking a catnap. Makino discovered the sleeping ginger head and merely left her knowing that Nami had problems with sleeping almost boarding insomia by insisting she needed to finish these books or go work out.
"My teacher taught me to use up as much time for sharpening myself as possible until I pass out like Na-, umm a fictional character with blond hair and blue eyes"
Makino really wanted to speak to that teacher, said teacher just felt a shudder but then shrugged it off as another woman mad at him for some reason. It did frustrate Makino that Nami was good at avoiding questions but she was a patient woman. Oh, Nami herself tried proposing a deal to her...
"I have a proposition for you then" Nami said with a sly smile
"Proposition?" Makino repeated already used to Nami's big vocabulary
"Or an information exchange of course" Nami allowed
"Hmm...I'm listening" Makino said
"It's simple really, you just have to tell me the name of the person you love to confirm my suspicions. In exchange I'll answer ALL your questions"
Makino had to politely decline despite the very tempting offer, it was a good move on her part. After all Nami didn't say she'd answer truthfully.
Nami managed to get a solid hour of sleep before loud noise woke her up, Must be a loud night..she noted with a yawn as she stretched her arms up, the pop giving her a satisfied feeling before she proceeded to roll her shoulders and crack her neck. She randomly grabbed a book from her pile of unread books which was about East Blue and its sister seas deciding to go downstairs at the bar. She loved the interesting gossips which served to improve her knowledge and even serve as blackmail material for several people if she ever meets them, not to mention she was a girl who simply loved juicy gossip almost as much as Luffy loves meat.
She ignored the fact that she was in Makino's old pj's as she opened the door with her sleepy face still on knowing some women were suckers for children and would let her sleep on her lap which would enable Nami to not only hear some really juicy gossips (women after all do love to gossip), but she could always test her pickpocket skills.
"NAMI!" Luffy's excited voice yelled silencing the room making Nami shuffle at the awkwardness as she looked up
It was only due to Rex's training that she managed to maintain her sleepy facade at seeing the Red Hair pirates in all their drunken glory. She let her eyes observe the bar ignoring Makino's worried look, the older woman not sure about Nami's opinions on pirates and the confused looks the pirates gave her which she assumed was because of not seeing her before. She made sure not to show any signs of recognition until her eyes fell on Shanks who wasn't smiling but wasn't completely wary nor confused. He merely gave her an easy going look.
"...Luffy?" Nami asked turning back to the only person grinning
"What?" Luffy asked
"Your obliviousness knows no bounds." she bluntly said, not giving Luffy the chance she continued "What kind of person doesn't tell their only friend who's almost the same age as them that the freaking Red-haired Shanks was on friendly terms with them?"
Luffy for his part looked confused "I told you I was friends with Shanks!" he exclaimed
"Oh, and I believed you. But there are bound to be plenty of Shanks' in the world, so how was I supposed to know you meant Red-haired Shanks one of the strongest pirates alive!" Nami yelled ignoring the amused looks some of the members of the crew sent her
"...he is?" Luffy asked clearly confused
"Yes!" Nami yelled, then she took a calming breath "Luffy, I knew you were slower than most but this..." she let the sentence trailed off shaking her head "Okay, let me enlighten you" she said with a certain glint in her eyes
She started off with placing her hands on her hips and putting on her lecture face with Luffy sitting down crossed legged in front of her giving her his attention for as long as whatever she's about to say is interesting. "Shanks is one of the Yonko or Four Emperors if you will." she started off simple but even that made the pirates present more interest and some more alert at a kid knowing this. The more childish men of the crew joined Luffy on sitting in front of Nami who sweat dropped at their antics while other members such as Lucky Roo, Benn and Yasopp took their seats near Shanks. Of course only Benn was giving Nami a calculating look
Before Nami could continue Luffy raised his hand up
Makino giggled in amusement already used to seeing this happen while Shanks glanced at her as she refilled his cup "Does this happen allot?" he asked
Makino nodded "Yes, Nami's knows allot for her age and she sometimes lecture Luffy but mostly ends up telling him stories" she answered as she too turned her attention to Nami
"Yes?" Nami asked pointing at Luffy
"What's a Yonko?" Luffy asked in confusion
"Long or short version?" Nami questioned
"Short!" Luffy and Shanks' crew said in unison
"The Yonko are the four most notorious and powerful pirate captains in the world, well at least according to the World Government. They're not really allies nor friends choosing to mostly do as they please much to the Marines relief. But...if even two of the four were to form an alliance the marines would do whatever it takes to ensure it doesn't happen. Influence, fame, wealth, power...they have all these which is why they're considered as emperors." Nami explained making the dense members of the crew and Luffy look at Shanks with new admiration causing him to chuckle at them
"You were right, the little miss knows a lot" Benn commented glancing at Makino's knowing smile with a smirk of his own
"Wow Shanks, I didn't expect that of you" Luffy said making Shanks sweat drop wondering if he should be annoyed at the kid or not
Nami coughed, "Ah...sorry, please go on" Shanks said with an easy smile which earned him an annoyed look from Nami. Don't get her wrong, she's a huge fan but she really doesn't like getting interrupted
"All four of them together are considered one of the San Dai Seiryoku or Three Great Powers. And that's the short version." Nami summed up
"Makes you wonder what the long version is..." Benn commented
"It does, doesn't it?" Shanks agreed
"You can just ask her later" Makino told them
"Yeah, I think we will" Shanks assured her, the trio turning back as Nami clicked her tongue in annoyance
"If Shanks-sama's status as a Yonko surprises you guys this much I'm sure y'all would faint at the next part." Nami said crossing her arms, she was annoyed at the crew for not knowing that much. She scoffed at them Newbies.
"Sama...?" Shanks asked blinking
"That's a first" Lucky Roo said
"Definitely" Yassop also said
"It's strange how this is the first time you've been addressed with the honorific 'sama' despite being a Yonko" Benn commented
"It happens" Shanks said with a shrug
"His rival is Dracule Mihawk!" Nami said letting out a fangirl squeal, then she blushed out of embarrassment convincing herself she did not just squeal
"Dracula?" Luffy asked tilting his head in confusion
"Dracule." Nami corrected sternly "He's the greatest swordsman of the world! Not only that but Shanks-sama is capable of going one on one against Dracule-sama's Yoru!" she said having a fangasm much to Shanks' amusement
"Looks like we have a fan" he muttered to himself
"Yoru?" Luffy asked
"The black sword Yoru is the strongest sword in this world." Nami stated as if it was obvious, of course to a OP fan it would be but Luffy's the main character. Oh, crap! Luffy's not supposed to know this stuff yet! Nami belatedly realized resisting the urge to bang her head on the floor Maybe if I hit him hard enough with my book he'll forget...
She was about to open her mouth to speak more but then promptly closed it Telling Luffy about the Yonko and Dracule is already a lot...but I probably shouldn't tell him about the fact that Shanks was a part of Gold Roger's crew. "Of course, that's enough story telling for one day. The rest you'll have to figure out yourself like I did." she stated ignoring the slumping shoulders of the childish men as she flicked Luffy's forehead before turning to Shanks no longer to resist
Time to let out the inner fangirl...
"I AM YOUR BIGGEST FAN!" she yelled in admiration running up to the amused Shanks who seemed smug, Heh, take that OP fans. Who else can say they met the Shanks?!
"Oh, really?" Shanks asked humoring her
"Of course! May I please have your autograph?" she asked producing a piece of paper and pen out of nowhere just because she can
"Sure kid" Shanks said ruffling her hair as he grabbed the items
Nami let out a blush as she placed her hand on the place Shanks just ruffled "He ruffled my hair...I am never washing my hair again..." she said in pure bliss
Benn let out an amused chuckle "What a dedicated fan" he commented earning Nami's attention
"Y-you're Benn Beckman!" Nami exclaimed The smartest person out of the East Blue Saga according to Oda! "May I have your autograph?" she asked
"Seems like she's a fan of you too" Yassop commented earning Nami's attention
"And you're Yasopp! You're the sniper of the crew!" she said, adding "May I have your autograph?"
"Color me surprised, you have a fan too" Lucky Roo stated
Ignoring the 'hey!' Nami turned to Lucky Roo who was eating meat as usual "...Lucky Roo, may I have your autograph?" she questioned
"Wow, you guys are awesomer than I thought." Luffy commented
"More awesome" Nami corrected as she mentally noted to go get a camera to take a few pictures
Makino watched on in amusement as the other crew members asked Nami if she wanted their autographs while she bluntly told them no. No one noticed the small smug smirk Nami had on her face, she hid it pretty well. The only one who noticed something was off about Nami was Benn.
Phase one : release my inner fangirl. Complete, on to phase two.
Chapter end!
Zaralann : Well honestly Rokushiki just slipped my mind! Thanks for pointing it out though, I'll make sure to add it somewhere in the story since it seems interesting
Manifested Earth : Ah, thanks! I fixed the 'sure me' part. (thank you for pointing it out) Also huge thanks for answering my question!