Birthday Girl (Chapter 2)
After a week of sailing, the Thousand Sunny was close to its destination. A small island in the far West side of East Blue. Nami thanked the stars that she didn't have to do all the cooking alone. Robin taking over for dinner each night, and a huge surprise that Franky would take some lunches when he wasn't busy maintaining the ship.
Usopp not being there was a blow to the group's fishing efforts. Or so she thought, till Jinbei had gone down with a net, and caught everything he could. Keeping their provisions well stocked. In the calm seas of East Blue, even Luffy had little issues holding course without her constant guidance while the large Fishman hunted in the depths.
Luffy could take the helm normally in emergency situations if no one else was available. But in East Blue, Nami could leave him on course, and step away without worry.
Just after lunch on the eight day of sailing, Nami was studying the map Luffy had given her. Searching her books for more information on the island. Kala isles. Though it looked like a normal island on the larger map. A local map revealed it was a small archipelago. Several small islands connected to each other to form a small fishing and farming community. Much like her home.
A little more research showed they have an apple orchard on one of the islands. And a small cove on another. A perfect spot to leave Sunny for the time they were there.
Nami also noticed that each island was connected by small bridges. Making it that much easier to travel.
Robin had also done her own digging, and found the specific small island the treasure may have been on. A hill in the middle with a cliff face looking over a village. Perfect spot to hide something.
Next was to make a plan with everyone.
After dinner, which Robin had made. Nami kept the group in the galley to go over what was going on.
Robin, Chopper, Jinbei, Franky and Brook. Along with the obvious Luffy. Zoro was physically there, but passed out on the bench. Without Sanji to bicker with, and Usopp to drive him up the wall with his pranks, he had little to do but sleep. He also seemed extremely uninterested in any thought of treasure. Nami's eyes twitched a little thinking of his debt.
"Luffy and I will explore these three islands here." Nami explained as she pointed to the three center most isles. "Robin said she'd take care of searching the main village. Asking around and looking for information there. Franky, you were going to go with her?"
"Super right sister!" Franky shouted. "Count on my to keep our awesome archeologist safe!"
Robin giggled. "I'm counting on you to keep me safe." She said with a bright smile to the cyborg.
"Good. Jinbei and Brook will stay back on the ship. Brook." Nami said out, putting all her focus on the tall skeleton. "Your whole focus will be to keep Zoro from wandering off, and getting lost. Please, please tell me you can do that?"
"I shall do my best modomousel." Brook said with a bow. "And may I please see your…" He was quickly cut off by a book being thrown at his head, hitting with a loud thud. Knocking the tall skeleton to the floor, crumbling into a pile of bones.
Nami crossed her arms with a huff.
"Jinbei. I ask you to keep an eye on the ship, and be our backup. I really don't anticipate much trouble. Most of the pirates and bandits in East Blue aren't noteworthy. But just in case, stay on standby."
Jinbei simply nodded to her order.
"And as for Zoro." Nami started before walking up to him. Her arms still crossed with a stern expression. She squatted down, inspecting him for a moment. Nami then reached to put something inside his haramaki. Luffy glanced at her. He might as well have had question marks forming around his head.
"I place a baby den den on him in case he does wander off. I swear, if we have to go looking for him, we're leaving him here."
The swordsman, still sleeping. Oblivious to what was happening around him, and the dark aura emitting from the annoyed navigator.
"Luffy, and I will have one, Robin and Franky will have one, and Brook Jinbei, and Chopper will have one." Nami explained. "I'd also like Chopper to remain here as well. You never know what could happen, and if he's needed, we'll know where our Dr is."
"Wait, Nami!" The Dr spoke up. "If it's ok, I'd like to go with Robin and Franky. There could be people here that need medical care, and I'd like to see if I can find herbs as well. If they have a library, it might contain something useful."
"Mmm, good point." Nami thought out loud. "Ok. It would be ok. Plus we'd still be in contact with you." Nami conceded to Chopper's wishes.
She looked around at everyone. "Ok, we know the plan. For the love of God, please stick to it?" She turned her gaze to Luffy. Her eyes shining with fire behind them.
The captain swallowed nothing. A bead of sweat ran down his temple. No words were needed for the exchange. He nodded to her silent demand to him, and she huffed with a smile.
She knew their part was simple. But he always found a way to find trouble. Even with simple exploration. She would be with him to keep him in check, and he'd be with her to keep her safe. So in the end, she just had to accept that things could go crazy. They could handle it though. Nami was confident in that.
Morning came, and the smaller island came into view. Upon anchoring in the cove, Nami had to go over everything again. Particularly with Zoro. He wasn't exactly happy to be left behind on the ship, but it made sense. He, and Jinbei were their best backup.
The crew had breakfast. A tad late due to setting anchor, and taking up the sails. Franky made sure the cola engine was ready for emergencies.
The crew parted their ways. Robin, Franky and Chopper heading north to connect to the main village, Nami and Luffy heading west to search the other islands.
She wished she could have taken the waiver, but it would have caused too much commotion. Even riding Zeus may have looked too conspicuous for anyone not aware of their presence.
The pair walked across the bridge connecting the two islands, heading towards the cliff face overlooking a small fishing village on the north side of it. A path up the hill lay before them. Surrounded by dense forest, and roots from old trees sticking up in the dirt. Almost acting like natural steps to climb the hill.
Luffy stopped before entering the forest. Glancing around before shrugging it off to continue.
"Luffy? Did you see something?" Nami asked after she noticed his brief pause behind her.
"Not sure. Felt like something was watching us." He answered back, placing his hand on his chin in thought.
Nami looked at him with a tinge of work on her face. "Is it something to be concerned about?"
"Nah. Not that I can tell. Just felt weird. Yet, familiar."
"Well, OK. If you say so…" Nami continued to look at her captain. Studying his face to get a better read on what he was thinking. But soon shrugged it off. I'd he was worried about it, he'd tell her. Just strange that he'd say it felt familiar.
They entered the dense forest. Walking further up the path, Nami heard what she thought was something moving in the trees above them. The occasional leaf falling down from above in the thick canopies. Luffy may not have been worried, but she was.
Several more minutes of walking, and Nami saw something hit the ground next to her. What was that? An acorn? She thought. Another object landed next to her foot on the other side, and she looked down at it again.
Then another. This time, barely missed Luffy's left shoulder. Nami noticed he never once flinched. Another flew past. Then another. Several seconds after that, Luffy moved his hand up behind Nami's head in a lightning fast movement.
They were now close to a small clearing. Nami noticed he had caught something. He opened his hand to reveal an extra large acorn. Her eyes widened, as she realized what happened. That almost nailed her in the back of the head.
"Someone is throwing them." He said quietly to her.
She glanced over to him. Trying to catch his gaze, but his eyes were shadowed by his hat. He looked serious about the situation. Another acorn flew past, and luffy whipped around, throwing the acorn back to where it came.
A loud yelp was heard, and a small figure fell from the tree. Nami turned to see. It was a boy! He couldn't have been older than 12. Wearing brown overalls, a light red shirt, and a cap. Was that a marine cap? Why would he have that?
The boy picked himself up, and tried to run back into the forest. Before he could reach the shrubs, Luffy had stretched his arm, and caught him by the arm. Bringing him back to sit right in front of the pair.
He had an angry frown forming on his face as he stared up at them. He looked like, to Nami anyway, that he was trying to look as intimidating as possible. Unafraid of them. Though his shaking knees and hands indicated otherwise to her. He was terrified. But why? They didn't look mean. Luffy looked stern as he inspected the boy, but not angry. And neither did she! Nami felt she looked more concerned than anything.
Then there was their attire. Yeah, luffy did look like a pirate. His normal red cardigan. Open with his bare torso for the world to see. Blue shorts, and yellow sash tied to his hips. His famous straw hat topped his head.
Nami looked even less imposing. A blue floral bikini top. Red shorts, and her hair tied back with a yellow bow, and white sneakers.
The boy stood. Taking a defensive stance before them. "Are you pirates, or bandits?" He demanded. He had reached for a stick, and held it out in front of him.
"Huh? Why?" Nami began to ask.
"Tell me! Are you pirates, or bandits?!"
"Pirates." Luffy answered calmly. Nami looked to her captain. Mildly annoyed he had answered so quickly. Not much she could do now though, but await the boy's response.
"Then prepare to fight me! I hate pirates!"