Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece.

Chapter 3

The Demonstration

They entered the apartment after their quick walk home from the bar. Law tossed his hat on the couch and ran his fingers through his hair as he began pacing.

Law's frustration was obvious. Nami felt a little guilty as she watched him wear a path in the rug. "Hey, I know this wasn't the plan, but it's kind of better."

He stopped in his tracks to glare at her. "How could this possibly be better?!"

"Because we can use him to get better intel. You've been here weeks, and we still don't have any clue where the genetics research is being held. It's not the hand we expected, but I still intend to play it."

Law growled and clenched his fists at his side. "We were getting closer without drawing attention. He knows our faces now, so any chance of us sneaking around without being recognized is gone."

"Well, then it's a good thing I won't need to sneak. I've got a personal invitation to the most secure building on this island."

"A lot of good that's going to do with the green prince watching your every move."

"He's not the first rich creep I've taken to the cleaners. I know what I'm doing."

"Nami-ya." Law grabbed Nami's shoulders, making her face him. He paused to look at her hard in the eyes. When he spoke again, his tone was less annoyed and more serious. "Remember who we are dealing with. The Vinsmokes are genetically enhanced. We have no idea what specifically that entails. I have no doubt you can handle any number of rich jerks, but this is different. There's a good chance their physical strength isn't the only thing that was modified. We can't treat this like a normal con. We need to be more careful."

Nami wanted desperately to be mad at him, but he had a point. If somehow their perception was enhanced as well, she couldn't risk relying on slight of hand.

Noticing her consider his words, he let go of her shoulders but stayed standing directly in front of her. He let out a sigh and began to think through everything out loud. "Not attending the dinner isn't an option. It would just look suspicious... You'll have to go alone, though. Thanks to your improvised cover for us, I won't be able to come with you."

"If I hadn't done that, I wouldn't be invited at all."

Law's annoyance returned as Nami tried to explain. "He was looking at you like he wanted to pummel you into the dirt but also like he was trying to remember something. Is there any reason he would know who you are? Maybe from something you did before joining Doflamingo?"

Law stopped to think for a moment and shook his head. "No, he wouldn't know me outside of this island."

Nami saw the frustration on Law's face melt away, replaced by solemn and concern. It was strange. She hardly knew him, but something about that look felt familiar, and it made her want to comfort him.

"You're right. We need to be careful. I promise not to ruin all the work you've done for us already."

Law gave her a surprised look, but she could tell he was somewhat reassured.

"Sticky fingers aren't the only traits of a good thief." She smiled as she looked back at him. "Staying on Yonji's good side can mean less suspicion on us once we do get what we came here for." She saw him hesitate, but she reached out and gave his hand a quick squeeze.

"I know you don't trust me completely, but you were right. What you said yesterday at the docks. I need us to succeed as much as you do."

Law looked back at her thoughtfully, then looked down at her hand, still holding his. Nami quickly retreated her hold on him, realizing what she was doing. She turned to hide her blush and headed to her bedroom.

"Well, I'm heading to bed for now, but I promise you can spend all morning and afternoon lecturing me about what I can and can't do at dinner." She looked over her shoulder to flash a teasing grin before disappearing behind the door.

The next morning and afternoon went by quickly. Nami kept her promise and allowed Law to give her 100 different rules to follow while in the presence of the Vinsmokes. When it was finally time to go, Nami came out of her room and did a quick spin in front of Law. "So, do I look good enough for a dinner with royalty?" She quipped.

Nami wore an emerald green, floor length dress. The fabric was adorned with a copper colored floral design that shined when it caught the light. The sleeves fell halfway above her elbow, easily hiding the swordfish tattoo on her shoulder. The deep v neckline showcased her ample cleavage, drawing the eye down to where the fabric hugged her small waist. The skirt fell loosely around her, but you could see the thigh-high slit as she walked. The pair of strappy, sparkly heels she wore matched the diamond chandelier earrings that peeked out from behind her long, wavy locks.

He heard her giggle as he remembered she asked him a question. "So, you bring this sort of outfit everywhere you travel?"

She moved to grab a small purse and snorted. "You can thank this town's terrible pool players for this little number."

"When did you have time to go shopping? You only went out today to pick us up lunch."

She smoothed out a few stray hairs in the mirror and shrugged.

"Is that why you were late? You said there was a line!"

"There was a line... just not at the restaurant." She winked and stuck out her tongue at him through the mirror.

He shook his head as he followed her out the door. Since she arrived at Germa, Law had only seen Nami wear jeans and cropped shirts. He rolled his eyes at the way she had easily grabbed the attention of men around town. He didn't have the time or interest in entertaining a relationship or even a trist. He didn't fall all over himself for a pretty face. He was better than that. Or, he should be better than that.

He stared after, eyes glued to her, taking in every inch as she walked down the steps. She turned to look up at him as she opened the car door. She smiled at him again and said something he didn't catch before entering the car. Law swallowed hard, working to suppress the warm tingling he felt in his gut when she looked at him.

As the cab pulled away and out of sight, Law retreated inside. The feeling in his gut turned cold and heavy. If she had that affect on him, maybe it would be the same for Yonji. Somehow that thought didn't comfort him though.

He grabbed his wallet and keys from the table before exiting the apartment. He had his own shopping to do.

Yonji called it a manor, but it felt more like castle. Nami was greeted at the front entrance by a short, slim man in a tail coat. He led her into a drawing room directly to the left of the entrance. She was told to wait here while he fetched the prince, shutting the double doors before she could think to protest.

Nami looked around the room. Three of the four walls were lined with built-in book shelves. She doubted any of the books would be useful to them. Although there was no dust, the books all looked in mint condition. Nami wondered if this room had ever been used for reading or if it was just for show. She peered through some of the titles and stopped to inspect a few medical journals.

She heard the doors behind her swing open and a pair of footsteps falter. As she turned to the face the doorway, she flipped her hair to accentuate the way it bounced.

Yonji gaped at her appearance, frozen. Nami smiled and slowly walked to him, taking his arm when she was close enough. "I hope I'm not overdressed." She said shyly, "I've never never had dinner with a prince before."

Yonji grunted and cleared his throat, struggling to compose himself. "I uh- yes." He smiled down at her, "That'll do just fine." He laughed as he grabbed her by the waist and began walking down the hallway.

Dinner with Yonji was a strange mixture of surreal and boring. The dining room was dripping in opulence. Golden sconces and white marble columns framed large paintings across every wall. The chandelier was as wide as the table underneath it. Even the chairs had intricate carvings along their legs and backs. Nami cursed Law in her mind for making her promise not to steal any valuables that night.

She feigned amazement as Yonji wrapped up another story about his family's conquest of "lesser" nations. Germa wasn't the only island under their control, though it was the capital. Germa was also their center for military and technology. The other islands they held were procured specifically because they produced materials used in their weapons manufacturing. It was a shrewd business tactic, and based on the wealth displayed in the dining room alone, it was paying off.

With the meal finished, Nami made a show of admiring the room. "You know, I'm really impressed with this place."

"Of course you are." Yonji replied with a smug grin.

"I'd love to see more of it." The building was huge. Nami knew she wouldn't be able to slip away and get a lay of the land, so she hoped she could get him to give her a tour.

"Of course you would." Yonji stood and walked around the table. He gently took her hand to help her rise from her chair. "Do you know what I'd love to see?"

She hummed expectantly.

He leaned closer. "I wasn't around to see it myself, but I know you put on quite a show last night. The regulars at my bar are no amateurs." He gave her a knowing look.

"Could've fooled me," she quipped.

"Hah! You are a cheeky one." His arm snaked around her waist like a whip and pulled her forward as he walked them through the door and into the hallway. "Besting the common riff raff is one thing. Let's see how you fair against a worthy opponent."

They walked into the billiards' room but paused when they saw the room was already occupied.

A large pool table sat in the middle of the room. To the left was a shiny wooden bar, 5 stools long, sitting in front of ceiling high shelves filled with what Nami assumed were top shelf liquors. The wall behind the pool table had large glass doors leading to a patio. Thick floor-length drapes covered more windows on either side of the double doors. To the right was a small sitting area with deep leather furniture.

The two princes standing at either side of the pool table looked up at Yonji with devious smirks.

"What are you two doing here?" Yonji was visibly annoyed.

"You don't look so happy to see us, Yonji? That hurts my feelings. And here we thought all of this was for us." Vinsmoke Niji jeered as he popped a chocolate covered strawberry in his mouth. The one visible eye from beneath his swirling blue bangs was filled with mirth. Vinsmoke Ichiji poured the last of a bottle of Champaign into his glass. He downed it in one gulp, his shorter red hair also obscuring one eye. Whatever romantic setup was waiting for them had been sabotaged by the brothers.

"We heard a rumor you had a personal guest this evening." Ichiji stated flatly, turning his attention to Nami.

"Heard she was a commoner, too. Even so, what kind of princes would we be if we didn't help you welcome her to our home?" Niji looked her up and down and wet his lips.

Yonji tightened his grip on Nami. Ichiji walked to the bar as Niji walked toward her. "Is it true you swindled my brother's best customers right under his nose?" He chuckled and gave her hand a quick kiss.

"I'm afraid so." Nami replied coyly. "Although it was hardly under his nose. I couldn't hide anything from a prince in his own establishment." She smiled innocently up at Yonji, and he loosened his grip slightly at the compliment.

"In fact, she was just about to give me a demonstration of her skills." Yonji smiled back at her.

"What perfect timing for us then" Niji replied, "I was starting to think it would be a boring night."

"What is your name?" Nami flinched, not realizing Ichiji had appeared so close beside her. He handed her a glass of red wine as he asked the question.

"Nami." She curtsied as much as she could with Yonji's arm still gripping her waist and graciously accepted the glass. "It's an honor to meet you."

"Of course it is," Ichiji stated matter-of-factly before striding back to the bar, sitting casually on a stool.

Yonji glanced briefly at Ichiji before turning back to Niji. "Seeing as you're so insistent on staying, you wouldn't mind playing the first match."

Niji chuckled lowly and looked at Nami. "It would be my pleasure."

"Perfect! You rack, and I'll break." Nami brushed by both men to select a cue stick. Although she wasn't anticipating dealing with all three of them tonight, she had to admit she was relieved that she didn't have to remain alone with Yonji. She wasn't going to get the building tour she wanted, but this situation did offer other opportunities for information. Perhaps she could glean something related to their physical enhancements or something that pointed more directly to where their private records would be stored.

Nami let Niji win the first two games, but she made sure to make it close on the second. It was time to turn up the heat a bit.

"I hate to say it, but I'm disappointed Nami. I thought you were going to be a challenge." Niji smiled confidently.

"I'll admit, you are better than me... Let's play one more game, but let's make it interesting." Nami sat on the edge of the table and arched her back to look over her shoulder at Ichiji. "I see you've got a bottle of Alabasta Reserve behind the bar. Saving it for a special occasion?"

Niji raised a curly eyebrow and glanced back toward the bar. "You've got an eye for scotch."

She slipped herself off the table, joining Yonji where he leaned against the wall. She gave him a conspiratorial wink and turned back to Niji. "Every shot you make, we drink. Every shot I make, you two drink."

Niji smirked confidently as he headed back to collect the scotch and four clean glasses. "Deal."

"8 ball, side pocket." Nami stood up and grinned after banking in the winning shot easily. She won the last three games handedly, hardly having tasted any of the scotch.

Yonji laughed loudly and clapped in praise. "Beautiful done." Niji stared slack jawed as Yonji patted him roughly on the back and snickered. "I guess you aren't any better than the fishmongers in my bar after all. Maybe you can come by some time and join them for some much needed practice."

Out of no where, Niji spun around lightning fast. He had Yonji's arm locked behind his back. Without any hesitation, Niji used his fist to force his brother's elbow to bend backwards with a loud crunching pop.

"GAHH! DAMMIT NIJI!" Yonji howled as he grasped his limp arm.

Niji laughed. He poured himself another glass of scotch as he watched Yonji fiddle with his now useless limb.

Nami clasped a hand over her mouth, horrified at the sight.

Yonji took a step toward Niji before the man held up a finger to stop him. "I'd take care of that arm first if I were you. It doesn't look like your little pool shark enjoys the sight of blood."

Yonji turned to look at Nami. She was good at concealing her emotions, but there was no hiding the fear and shock on her face. He grimaced and looked at the ground before shouting, "Fuck!"

Ichiji pulled Yonji towards the door. "Quit complaining and get to the basement. It's late, and I don't have time to clean up any more of you." Once Yonji was out the door, he turned to Nami. "There is a car outside waiting to take you home. I suggest you leave before we return." Without waiting for her to reply, the door shut firmly behind him.

Niji walked over to Nami and sighed, refilling her glass. "Drink it," he commanded.

Nami threw back the scotch. It didn't do much to calm her nerves, but the warm burn down her throat pulled her out of her shocked state. What the hell just happened?

She saw plenty of violence from Arlong and his men, but they made it clear when it was coming and they would never so brazenly disfigure one of their own. Niji had gone from laughing prince to violent monster and back again in just a few seconds.

"Better?" He asked.

She nodded silently.

He moved closer to her and she unconsciously backed up against the wall, keeping the distance.

Niji balked at the move. "I'm not going to hurt you, Nami." He continued forward, slinging his arm around her shoulders and pulling her off the wall. He led her toward the door as he leaned to whisper in her ear. "Although I should after how you just played me like that."

"Oh please," she heard herself say. "I know you let me win. I'm good, but I could never truly beat someone like you."

He growled softly under his smile. Whether he believed her or not, he enjoyed her stroking his ego.

As they exited the main doors, a car pulled up in front of them. A man in a black suit stepped out of the driver's side and opened the back door expectantly. Niji pulled her to face him before she could make for the car. He studied her face for a moment before speaking. "Cancel your plans for Saturday afternoon."

"My plans?" She asked.

He smirked. "We're holding an event here on the grounds. A celebration for our most recent conquest. A bit of fun for our troops and some of our local businesses. It's normally a dull affair, but I have no doubt you'll make it interesting."

He curled a piece of her hair around his finger as she thought. She barely had time to process the scene that just happened inside. It felt like she had even more questions now than answers, but another opportunity to get intel was something she couldn't refuse.

"Are you worried about Yonji?"

"I don't think he'd like you breaking his arm and stealing his girl in the same night."

"You're his girl already?"

"Of course not."

"Then there's no issue. Both of my brothers will attend anyway. It's a celebration of Germa."

Nami stared deeply into the eye uncovered by blue hair, and she smiled brightly. "We'd love to come."

"We?" He questioned, retracting his hand in surprise.

"If you think I'm fun, you're gonna love my brother."

He opened his mouth to protest, but she leaned in and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. "See you Saturday!" Taking advantage of his stupor, she skipped down the steps and into the waiting car.