12. Buggy Arc: Nami
"Is it me or are we drifting aimlessly here and there?" Zoro questioned.
"You're somewhat right." Law drawled. "Anyhow we are heading in the right direction, generally."
"How?"
"We're following the bird." Law answered.
"Excuse me?" Came Zoro's baffled response.
"Captain's orders." It was Kid this time, pointing to a bird.
Zoro still gazed at them, mouth gaping like fish.
"Considering he is hardly ever wrong, I assume we're gonna get there one day." Law shrugged getting back to his medical books.
Zoro just shifted his eyes from the two carefree crew member, the overexcited captain looking at the fishes and then at the bird.
"We need a navigator, fast." He muttered.
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They actually did reach an island.
"I told you." Law thumped Zoro's back with a nodaichi.
"Let's get some meat." Luffy shouted.
"We just stocked, Luffy." Law reminded him.
"I know. I ate it all up." Was Luffy's response, before he ran off in a random direction leaving Kid muttering curses under his breath.
"I suppose with the pace he is eating, we should re-stock." Law gave a surrendering sigh.
They walked to the nearest food store they could find.
"It's empty." Zoro commented.
"It's not the only shop that's empty." Kid peered in the store next to it.
"The whole town is deserted."
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Nami knew something was wrong as soon as she turned the corner, and not just due the fact that Buggy's minion were chasing her as she high tailed with their treasure. She saw the straw hat first.
"Hey do you know where I can find some food?" The owner yelled blocking her way.
"Can't you see I'm being chased?" She hurriedly pushed him out of the way but tripped on the next jutted stone in her way.
'I'm so dead', she thought but was surprised when no assault descended. She snapped her head to look behind. The guy was casually peeing at the now unconscious Buggy's crewmembers.
Then he turned to her.
"Since you are no longer being chased, can you tell me where to find food now?"
He tilted his head. Nami was already nodding dumbfounded before she could comprehend the situation.
"Ah~. I'm full." Luffy cheered, stomach satisfied.
"Consider it as a thank you for saving me." Nami said and after a moment she added.
"Though I'm surprised you didn't hide with rest of the villagers."
"Because I'm not with them." Luffy answered.
"Monkey D Luffy. The man who'll become pirate king." Luffy saw Nami's eyes widen at his declaration and she jumped from where she was seated.
"You're a pirate!" She turned an accusing finger towards him.
"And?" Luffy raised an eyebrow.
"But pirates are all liars and thieves!"
"You're also one. A thief." Nami suddenly looked like a deer caught in headlights. Then she recovered.
"But I only steal from pirates."
"Pirates also steal from pirates. Doesn't that also make you similar to a pirate?"
"What…?" She asked baffled.
"Join my crew." Luffy didn't give her a chance to finish.
"Weren't you listening to me? I said I hate pirates."
"How about a deal? I'll beat up Buggy for you since he's chasing you and you join my crew for a little while?"
Nami hesitated so Luffy added.
"You can keep all the treasure."
That decided it.
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"It really is deserted." Zoro said. "And our captain ran off without assessing the situation."
"Watcha doin?" Luffy suddenly peeked over Kid's shoulder scaring the wits out of them.
"Oi Luffy -" Kid was about to go on a rant but suddenly caught sight of Nami behind him.
He narrowed his eyes.
"Who's that?"
"Ah. I invited her to the crew." Luffy answered grinning.
"Why?"
"Because I couldn't find anyone else." Came the reply.
"What kind of reason is that?" Zoro said dumbfounded.
"It's better than yours." Law murmured.
"So?" Kid started. "What can she do?" He crossed his arms.
"I don't know about you guys but I'm a decent navigator." Nami declared confidently.
"Oh thank God. We won't be following birds." Zoro said immediately.
Kid nodded.
"We won't be using cannons for navigation either."
"Or tying sea kings to the front of the ship." Law agreed.
Nami looked at them speechless.
Cannons? Birds? Sea kings? What kind of navigation was that?
"Do you have any idea why there's no one in this village, Nami-ya?" Law asked.
"Did you guys not see the flag of Buggy's Pirates at the harbor? Everyone's hiding." Nami answered.
"You're not going to hide?" Kid questioned.
"I'm just a passing treasure hunter, stealing Buggy's treasure." Nami shrugged.
"Though it's a pity the map to Grand line wasn't in the same safe.
"Grandline?" The others shouted.
"Yeah."
"Won't we need that if we want to go there?" Zoro asked.
"But I already know the way." Luffy told them.
"Let's leave the navigation to the navigator, Luffy-ya." Law said.
Luffy pouted, then punched his fist together.
"Alright then. Let's kick Buggy's ass and grab the map to Grand line."
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Thanks for the response. .^.