Chapter 17: Plan 'Franky-Is-The-Unsuspicious-Third-Wheel-Wolf-In-Sheep's-Clothing-While-We-Hang-Glide-Like-Nothing-Is-Wrong-Golden-Tiger-Plan' In Full Effect! An Unexpected Confession?!

The crew gathered in the garden, the lush greenery stretching out before them under the clear blue sky. The air was warm, a slight breeze rustling through the leaves. Nami stood out among them, her hair styled into neat French braids, her outfit casual yet practical—denim overalls with a red tank top underneath. She adjusted the straps of her navigation gear with a focused look, ready to start the day's work. Ricardo, standing next to her, wore a formal yet laid-back sage green Hawaiian shirt and beige khakis, looking every bit the part of a man accustomed to business, even in this relaxed setting.

Luffy bounced over to them, his usual excitement in full force. He wore tan shorts, goggles perched on top of his signature straw hat, and an unbuttoned orange shirt, the sleeves flapping around his arms. "You all ready?" he asked, grinning widely. His energy was infectious, and the crew followed him, eager for whatever adventure came next.

Zoro, looking unimpressed as usual, was wearing a tight yellow shirt that accentuated his muscular frame and black pants. He gave a grunt, adjusting the swords on his back. "Yeah, yeah, let's get this over with."

Usopp wore yellow shorts and an unbuttoned brown shirt, a green bucket hat with goggles perched on top of it. He scratched his head nervously. "So, uh, we're really going hang gliding? What if something goes wrong?"

Sanji, donning a fedora and a pink linen shirt that matched his tan shorts, brushed off Usopp's concerns with a smirk. "Relax, Usopp. You're not gonna fall out of the sky."

Franky stepped forward, his usual enthusiasm unwavering, wearing an unbuttoned blue Hawaiian shirt over a pair of black speedos with yellow stars. "You know, I was thinking—since I'm a cyborg and all, I might not be able to actually hang glide like you guys. Can I tag along with you two instead and help map? Besides, I wanna look at all the buildings here." His smile was wide, giving off a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Ricardo opened his mouth to respond but Nami beat him to it. She shrugged, smiling at Franky's request. "Sure! This island is pretty big, so the more hands I have, the merrier. Besides, it'll be easier to map if we have someone who's interested in architecture."

Franky's eyes gleamed as he gave a thumbs-up to the rest of the crew. Luffy mirrored Franky's enthusiastic gesture, his eyes sparkling.

The rest of the crew wasn't quite as thrilled. Usopp, Zoro, and Sanji muttered angrily among themselves, clearly annoyed with Franky's blatant excitement, "Don't make it so obvious, you moron!"

But Nami and Ricardo seemed none the wiser to their whispers. Nami looked over at Ricardo, a slight concern on her face. "Is that alright with you?"

Ricardo, on the other hand, seemed less than thrilled about the change of plans. His shoulders slumped slightly, an exaggerated look of disappointment crossing his face. "Yeah... it's not like I wanted more alone time with you or anything…" he muttered.

Luffy, not catching the underlying tension, charged forward with his usual enthusiasm. "Come on, lead the way, Rick! I wanna go soaring!" He threw his arms wide, his voice filled with excitement. "Let's do this!"

…

The wind whistled through the trees as the crew reached the top of the cliff, panting and exhausted from the hike. The sun beat down mercilessly, the heat making everyone feel like they were melting into the ground.

"So hot…" Usopp groaned, his body sprawled out on the cool earth, his face flushed from the heat.

"Tell me about it," Brook said weakly, his skeletal form somehow still managing to collapse like a ragdoll. "This is like an oven."

Chopper laid on the ground next to them, his tiny body barely moving, his tongue hanging out. "I feel like I'm going to melt…"

Luffy, the most energy-drained of them all, was also lying flat on his back, eyes wide, staring at the sky. "It's soooo hot…" he whimpered, his body too tired to even make a proper complaint.

Ricardo, who stood nearby, watched them with an amused expression. "Yeah, it is our hot season right now. It gets pretty hot, even for the summer island climate."

Nami, fanning herself with one hand while wiping the sweat from her brow with the other, couldn't hide her discomfort either. "I could tell it was going to be hot today, but I wasn't expecting it to be this hot. Good thing I came prepared."

Without missing a beat, she unbuttoned her overalls, pulling them down.

Sanji, eyes wide and pupils turning to hearts, let out a faint gasp. Brook's jaw dropped. Ricardo, standing nearby, also blushed and spluttered, "W-what are you doing, Nami?!"

Nami gave them all a look as she revealed a pair of tight white shorts beneath. "What? You think I was just getting naked for you all?"

Brook, disappointed, sagged, "I thought we were finally gonna see her panties…"

Sanji, not missing a beat, leaned in, his heart practically bursting from his chest. "Who cares? She still looks stunning!"

Ricardo, clearly relieved, wiped his forehead before regaining his composure. "Ahem. Anyway, let me introduce you all to Mia. She's the woman in charge of hang gliding." He gestured toward a brown shack ahead, hang gliders piled up behind it, the rickety structure sitting against the cliff's edge.

"Is this it?" Zoro raised a brow, eyeing the shack with mild skepticism.

Ricardo led them inside. "Yep, it's a bit humble, but it gets the job done."

Opening the door to the shack, Ricardo called out, "Mama Mia? Are you here?"

"Mama?" Zoro echoed, frowning. "That's a weird way to address someone."

Ricardo chuckled, a fond smile on his face. "Everyone in Puertojoya calls her 'Mama.' She's our oldest living resident, nearly 150 years old."

The crew's eyes widened in shock.

"150?! She's even older than Doctorine!" Chopper exclaimed, his face a mix of awe and disbelief.

Ricardo opened another door in the shack, revealing a short, frail woman asleep in a chair, a cane resting across her lap. Though her peaceful demeanor suggested a nap, her age was unmistakable—each wrinkle and grey hair a testament to the years she'd lived. Ricardo approached her, preparing to gently shake her awake. "Mama Mia, you've got some customers."

Before he could touch her, the old woman suddenly stirred, her eyes snapping open. In one fluid motion, she swung her cane at the group, startling them all. "What, who goes there?!" she barked.

Ricardo staggered back, raising his hands in defense. "Relax, Mama! It's just me!"

She squinted at the crew, still half-asleep, trying to make sense of the situation. "Huh?"

After a long, deliberate pause, she slowly reached for a pair of oversized glasses, making her already large eyes appear comically enormous. She scrutinized Ricardo for a moment before recognition set in. "Ah, it's just you, Ricardo. Why didn't you wake me up and tell me you were here?"

The Straw Hats, in perfect unison, chimed in, "He did!"

Now fully awake, Mia adjusted her glasses and blinked at them, her expression both puzzled and slightly annoyed. With a soft grunt, she settled back into her chair and sighed. "What is it? I was having a nice nap."

Ricardo chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry, Mama, didn't want to wake you. But I've got some friends here who want to go hang gliding."

Mia rose slowly, supporting herself with her cane, and eyed the group as she shuffled forward. "Hang gliding, huh? Well, who would've guessed?" she said sarcastically. "You got payment?"

Usopp blinked, looking between Ricardo and the old woman. "This costs money?"

Nami shook her head, a frown forming on her face. "No way. If it costs anything, we're not paying."

Ricardo smiled reassuringly at Nami. "Don't worry, I've got it covered."

Nami grinned, folding her arms. "Well, if you're so eager to spend your money instead of mine, I won't stop you."

Usopp stared at her in disbelief. "She's just using him?!"

Zoro shrugged, not at all surprised. "What did you expect?"

Ricardo, unfazed by the playful banter, reached into his satchel and pulled out a small bundle wrapped in a napkin. "Fresh! Lupita made them this morning!"

Mia's eyes brightened at the sight, and she eagerly grabbed the napkin, unwrapping it to reveal a cheesy pastry. "Mm, fresh quesitas," she muttered with a satisfied smile.

Luffy, drawn by the tempting smell, leaned in closer. "That smells good!"

Mia, with remarkable speed for her age, glared at Luffy and whacked him on the head with her cane. "Shoo! Away with you, you stray dog."

Luffy pouted, rubbing his head while watching Mia devour the pastry in one swift bite.

After a moment of contented silence, Mia let out a deep sigh. "Much better." She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, then turned to Ricardo. "How many are wanting to glide today?"

Ricardo flashed a bright smile and held up both fingers, signaling the number. "Seven!"

Mia raised a brow, her expression unreadable, but then she nodded. "Well, get in line, then. Let's get this over with."

They all stepped outside, shielding their eyes from the sun's harsh rays. Mia, surprisingly spry for her age, strolled to the pile of hang gliders and began tossing them around as if they were lightweight toys. She grabbed six with ease, flinging them one by one into the air and arranging them neatly with surprising strength and precision.

"Wow, she's really strong," Jinbe remarked, his eyes widening in admiration.

Chopper sighed softly, recalling his lessons with Doctorine. "I learned from Doctorine... age doesn't define strength."

Franky raised an eyebrow, looking at the hang gliders skeptically. "Is it okay to throw around the equipment? Seems a little... rough."

Usopp, meanwhile, looked completely defeated, his usual bravado gone. "We're gonna die."

Mia cracked her back, letting out a satisfied groan, before smacking her lips and grabbing her cane once more. With a sharp, commanding gesture, she pointed the cane at the group. "Which seven of you?"

Nami, Franky, and Ricardo immediately took a step back, preparing to be left out of the action.

Usopp, eyes wide in panic, darted around frantically. "Wait, I changed my mind! I suddenly remembered, I have a severe 'I'm allergic to hang gliders' allergy!" he said, waving his arms dramatically.

Mia, unimpressed, turned her head toward him. Without a word, she grabbed his hand with surprising force and dragged him toward the hang gliders. "Too late, Ricardo already paid. You'll go first."

Usopp's face went pale as he stumbled along behind her, desperately trying to break free. "N-No, please! I don't even know how to glide! My allergy! My allergy!"

Mia moved with brisk efficiency, tightening straps and adjusting harnesses as she prepared the group for their flight. Usopp, strapped in first, was trembling like a leaf as Mia tugged on the last strap, making sure it was snug. He looked at her with wide, terrified eyes. "Are you sure this is safe? I mean, I've got a lot of things I still need to do in life, like survive!"

Mia waved him off nonchalantly, standing and addressing the group. "Hang gliding is really simple. You run off the cliff and jump. That's it."

Sanji quirked a brow, folding his arms. "What happened to those tandem gliders Ricardo was talking about?"

Mia shrugged casually. "All the instructors are in town preparing for Florafesta. No tandem gliders available."

"What?!" Usopp, Chopper, and Brook shouted in unison, their voices ringing with disbelief.

Mia rolled her eyes, tapping her cane against the ground. "Relax. I recognize all your faces. You're strong. You don't need an instructor. If you can't figure it out, maybe you're not as tough as you think."

Jinbe, ever calm, raised a hand. "How do we land?"

Mia squinted at him, her oversized glasses amplifying the intensity of her gaze. "You just aim for a flat spot and stick it. Tuck and roll if you have to."

"Tuck and roll?!" Brook exclaimed, his jaw dropping. "But I have no flesh to absorb the impact!"

Chopper's ears flattened as he nervously pawed at his straps. "This seems like something that requires training, not a 'figure-it-out' kind of thing!"

Mia clapped her hands together, silencing their protests. "Listen, you're pirates, right? You're used to doing dangerous stuff with no safety net. This is no different. Now stop whining and get ready. You're holding up the line."

Luffy, practically vibrating with excitement, leaned forward with a wide grin. "This is gonna be awesome! Come on, let's go already!"

Zoro smirked, adjusting his straps with confidence. "It's just a jump. What's the worst that could happen?"

Usopp glared at him, incredulous. "The worst?! We could fall to our deaths, Zoro! That's the worst!"

Mia dusted off her hands, turned to Usopp, and tapped him with her finger. "Alright, long nose, time for you to go."

"Wait, what? No! I told you, I have an allergy to hang gliders! It's life-threatening!" Usopp flailed wildly, his legs locked in place as if they had grown roots into the ground. His eyes darted to Ricardo, pleading. "Help me out here, man! Don't let this be the end of Captain Usopp!"

Mia didn't even acknowledge his protests. Instead, she handed her cane to Ricardo with a calm smile. "Hold this for me."

"What are you doing?!" Usopp screeched, backing away from her like a cornered animal.

Mia cracked her knuckles. "Getting you ready. Now, run!"

Before Usopp could protest further, Mia gave him a firm push from behind, propelling him toward the cliff edge. "Get ready!" she barked as she sprinted behind him, giving him just enough momentum to clear the edge.

"NOOOOOOO!" Usopp screamed at the top of his lungs as he went airborne, flailing wildly. His limbs spun in every direction, his eyes squeezed shut as though doing so would shield him from the terror of plummeting to his doom.

From the cliff, everyone watched as Usopp's glider caught the wind and soared upward, albeit shakily. Brook was pacing back and forth frantically, his skeletal hands pressed against his skull. "Usopp! He's going to die! Someone save him!"

Even Chopper was hopping up and down in panic. "He's flying, but it doesn't look good! Someone do something!"

Meanwhile, Usopp, eyes still firmly shut, continued his hysterics in midair. "I'm gonna die! I'm gonna die! I knew it! My life is flashing before my eyes!"

On the cliff, Nami crossed her arms with a smirk, her voice cutting through the commotion. "You're fine, Usopp! Now open your eyes and stop being a baby!"

"Fine?!" Usopp yelled back, cracking one eye open just a sliver. Then, he froze mid-flail, his jaw dropping as he took in the scene. The glider had stabilized, and before him stretched the breathtaking view of the island's emerald cliffs and turquoise waters. The warm wind rushed past him, lifting him higher with surprising ease. His voice caught in his throat, his previous screams replaced by a quiet, stunned, "Whoa…"

Usopp's body relaxed slightly, though his grip on the glider's handles remained white-knuckled. "This… this is kind of amazing…"

Brook stopped pacing, letting out a sigh of relief. "He's alive… though it looks like he might faint from the shock."

Mia handed Ricardo his cane back and smirked. "Told you. They always scream the first time. Who's next?"

Luffy bounced excitedly on his feet, his hand shooting up. "Me! Me! I wanna go next!" Without waiting for Mia's instructions, he stretched his arms forward, grabbing onto two sturdy wooden posts at the edge of the cliff.

"Gum-Gum… Rocket!" Luffy yelled as he slingshotted himself into the air. He launched forward like a cannonball, the sheer force of his takeoff causing a gust of wind to knock over a few loose items near the shack.

"What the—?" Mia's jaw dropped as she watched him soar right past Usopp, who was still wobbling in the air.

Above Usopp, Luffy wasn't even holding onto the railing of his glider. His hands were waving enthusiastically as he grinned down at his terrified crewmate. "Hey, Usopp! Isn't this fun?"

Usopp's panic returned instantly. He pointed up at Luffy, yelling, "Hold onto the railing, you fool! You need it to stabilize your weight! Do you want to crash?!"

Luffy laughed carefreely. "Oh, right! Got it!" He finally grabbed the railing, though his movements were anything but steady.

Back on the cliff, Zoro stretched his arms and cracked his neck. "Guess it's our turn." Without hesitation, he sprinted forward and leapt off the cliff, his glider catching the wind with ease. He soared gracefully, his face calm and unreadable as usual.

"Show-off," Sanji muttered, adjusting his fedora. "Watch how it's done." He sprinted next, leaping with finesse as his glider lifted him into the sky, the tail of his shirt fluttering in the wind.

Jinbe followed shortly after, his heavier frame causing a brief dip in his glider before it smoothly leveled out. "Hah, this is quite the thrill!" he rumbled as he floated away.

Brook, in his usual dramatic flair, ran next. "Yohohoho! If I had lungs, I'd be screaming with excitement right now!" He dove off the cliff, his glider catching the wind, his bony hands somehow elegant on the handles.

Finally, Chopper, trembling slightly, made his move. "Here I go!" he shouted, sprinting off the edge. For a moment, his legs flailed, but his small size made his glider zip upward quickly. "Wow! I'm flying! This is amazing!" he squealed, his fear melting into joy.

On the cliff, Nami, Ricardo, and Franky stood watching, smiles on their faces as their friends became specks against the blue sky.

"Quite the sight, huh?" Ricardo said, leaning on Mia's cane.

Nami nodded, shielding her eyes from the sun. "Yeah, it's kind of beautiful." She then turned to Mia. "Say, Mama? How long should it take them to land?"

Mia squinted at the sky, her experienced eyes tracking the gliders. "Depends on the wind. Right now, I'd say give them about three hours."

Franky clapped his hands together, his grin wide. "Perfect! That gives us plenty of time to get started on that map. Let's get to it!"

"Let's," Nami agreed, already pulling out her navigation tools as the three of them started heading into the island, leaving Mia to chuckle to herself as she watched the distant shapes of the gliders in the sky.

…

Ricardo crouched beside Nami, carefully unpacking a tripod while she unrolled a map onto a flat surface. The soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze filled the air, and the heat of the sun filtered through the canopy above, casting dappled patterns on the ground.

"Pass me that compass?" Nami asked, reaching toward the small pile of tools.

"Sure," Ricardo said, reaching for it at the same time.

Their hands brushed lightly, and both froze for a moment, their fingers barely touching. They looked at each other, eyes locking in surprise.

Ricardo quickly withdrew his hand, his face heating up. "Ah, sorry about that."

Nami blinked, her own cheeks turning faintly pink as she glanced away. "I-it's fine. Don't worry about it." She busied herself with straightening the map, as though it needed any adjusting.

The tension was cut abruptly when Franky popped up between them, his metallic grin wide and his hands on his hips. "What're you two whispering about over here? Something super?"

Both Nami and Ricardo jumped, startled.

"Franky!" Nami exclaimed, glaring at him. "Don't sneak up on people like that!"

Franky chuckled, seemingly oblivious to the atmosphere he'd just bulldozed into. "Hey, I was just checking in. Figured I'd see if you needed my cyborg genius to lend a hand!"

Nami, clearly unimpressed, shoved a handful of surveying stakes into Franky's chest. "Here, take these and make yourself useful."

Franky caught them with ease, holding them up like trophies. "Oh yeah! Stake duty! Leave it to me!" He struck a ridiculous pose before walking off, whistling a jaunty tune.

Ricardo let out a quiet laugh once Franky was out of earshot. "He's… quite the character, huh?"

Nami sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose before a small smile crept onto her face. "You get used to it. He means well, even if he's a total goof sometimes."

Ricardo smiled back, glancing at her as she returned to her work. "You've got an interesting crew, that's for sure."

She nodded, her focus returning to the map. "Interesting is one word for it. Come on, we've got a lot of ground to cover if we want to finish this before they're back."

Ricardo paused mid-adjustment of the tripod, his curiosity lingering. "Say, Nami, I know you said that once you're done being a pirate and making your map of the world, you'd want to settle down in a small house with a hammock, a tangerine garden, and a beach view."

Nami chuckled softly, glancing at him with a faint smile. "Wow, I can't believe you remembered all of that. If I told that to Luffy, it would go in one ear and out the other."

Ricardo rubbed the back of his neck, a nervous grin tugging at his lips. "Well, it stuck with me, I guess. I was just wondering… which island would you want to settle on? Back in the East Blue… or somewhere else? Somewhere like here, maybe."

Nami's attention shifted to her compass, her expression growing thoughtful. "I mean, Cocoyashi is my home and always will be. But… I guess I haven't thought that much about it. Right now, my sister Nojiko is tending to our mother Bellemere's tangerine farm. And as much as I'd love to see Nojiko again, I'm sure by the time I've finished chasing my dream, she'll already be settled down with a husband and kids. Who would I be to intrude on that?"

She gazed out toward the horizon, her voice soft but steady. "I guess I wouldn't mind a place like this. Still a little too bustling for my taste, but the climate's nice. The air feels good."

Ricardo's eyes lit up with interest. "You have a sister?"

Nami smiled, gently adjusting the map and placing a weight on its edge to keep it flat. "Sure do."

"What are she and your mother like?" he asked, leaning in slightly, clearly captivated.

Nami's smile softened, nostalgia tugging at her features. "Bellemere wasn't actually my birth mother, but she was the best mom anyone could ask for. She actually used to be a Marine. She was stubborn, brave, and always spoke her mind, no matter who she was talking to. She was the one who taught me to be tough and stand my ground. Bellemere was just a badass, through and through."

Ricardo nodded, clearly impressed. "She sounds incredible."

"She really was," Nami said, her voice tinged with pride and sorrow. "She… she gave her life to protect me and Nojiko."

Ricardo's face fell, regret flickering in his eyes. "I'm sorry to hear that…"

"It's okay," Nami said gently, offering him a small smile. "It's been a long time. And Nojiko… she's my rock. She's calm, kind, and always looking out for me. She's the one who kept me grounded when things were tough."

Ricardo smiled warmly. "She sounds amazing too. You must miss her a lot."

Nami nodded, her fingers absently tracing the edge of the map. "I do. But I'll see her again someday. And when I do, I want to have stories to tell her—stories about everything I've seen and all the places I've been."

Ricardo's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he turned back to the tripod, tightening a bolt. "I'm sure she'd be proud of you. From what you've said, it sounds like family is really important to both of you."

"It is," Nami said quietly, her voice resolute. "But right now, the world is waiting to be mapped."

Ricardo grinned, adjusting the angle of the tripod. "And I bet you'll make the most detailed, beautiful map anyone's ever seen."

Nami chuckled, shaking her head. "I don't doubt it."

Ricardo hesitated for a moment, then ventured, "You don't have to talk about it anymore, but I'm curious. If your mother was a Marine… what made you decide to become a pirate?"

Nami laughed, the sound light but edged with meaning. "It was Luffy. I actually used to hate pirates. But Luffy showed me what being a pirate really means. He completely changed my perspective. I owe Luffy my life. I'll take him wherever he wants to go. I love him."

Ricardo's heart sank slightly, his voice coming out quieter than he intended. "Wow, I didn't realize you and your captain were that close. He is… uh… a lucky man."

Nami blinked, then blushed slightly, waving her hands. "Oh no! I mean, yeah, I love Luffy and all but it's not…" She sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. "Luffy doesn't care about any of that stuff. I mean, none of us should. We're pirates. Luffy only has two things on his mind—becoming the Pirate King and food."

She looked down, her voice growing softer. "Luffy… he'll never see anyone like that. I have no doubt that even after he becomes the King of the Pirates, he'll find another adventure to focus on. The only thing he'll ever love more than anything is freedom."

"Nami…" Ricardo whispered, his voice filled with a sympathy he wasn't sure how to express.

Nami quickly looked up, a bright, almost too-perfect smile on her face. "Now let's stop stalling and get back to work, or we'll never finish before they land."

Ricardo nodded, forcing himself to match her energy. "Right. Back to work!"

Behind a nearby tree, Franky was crouched, his large frame barely concealed by the trunk. He wiped at his face with a finger, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Poor Nami… damn Luffy for tossing her heart around like this."

He sniffled quietly, peeking around the tree's edge. From his vantage point, he could see Nami and Ricardo laughing together, their faces lit up with genuine smiles. Franky's brow furrowed as he muttered to himself, "I know Ricardo might be our enemy and all… but… choose him! He'd treat you way better than that idiot captain! Hell, I'd choose him too!"

Franky's whisper escalated into an impassioned exclamation, loud enough to carry in the light breeze.

Nami and Ricardo both froze mid-conversation, their heads snapping up toward the sound.

"Did you hear that?" Ricardo asked, his brows knitting together.

Nami glanced around with a slight shrug. "Must be the wind," she said, brushing it off as she returned her attention to the map.

Franky's eyes widened in panic as he ducked back behind the tree, pressing himself flat against the trunk. His heart raced as he silently berated himself. "Damn it, Franky! Keep it together!"

…

The seven of them soared through the skies, the hang gliders catching the gentle ocean breeze. Luffy, perched casually in his harness, had one hand lazily gripping the glider's handle while the other rested on his chin. He sighed loudly, his gaze fixed on the endless blue below.

"Okay, this isn't fun anymore," he announced, his voice carrying over the wind. "This is boring. We've been looking at the same island for the past hour!"

Zoro, just ahead of him, glanced over his shoulder with an exasperated expression. "Did you already forget the real reason we agreed to this hang gliding thing?"

Luffy blinked for a moment before his face lit up in realization. "Oh, yeah!" he exclaimed, his energy returning instantly.

One by one, the group adjusted their positions, pulling their goggles securely over their eyes. The lighthearted banter dissipated as their focus sharpened, their eyes scanning the vast sea below.

"Hmm, I don't see any Marine ships," Usopp said, squinting against the sun as he surveyed the horizon.

Sanji chimed in, his tone more relaxed. "Yeah, guess they haven't called the Marines after all. Or if they did, they're really taking their sweet time."

Jinbe, ever the strategist, nodded thoughtfully. "Brook was right, though. If the Marines got a call saying that Trafalgar Law and Luffy were in the same place, they wouldn't waste any time getting here. I think it's safe to assume the Marines weren't called."

Zoro's eyes narrowed as he scanned the horizon, his mind working through the possibilities. "Even if the Marines weren't called, we can't let our guard down. If they're not tied to the World Government, whatever they're doing has to be on their own agenda. We still need to figure out why."

Chopper's voice cut through the silence, tinged with a hint of confusion. "Guys, don't you find our formation a bit… weird?"

Luffy tilted his head, raising an eyebrow in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, just look at it," Chopper said, his concern becoming more evident as he gestured to the others.

The group fell silent, each of them glancing at their positions in the air. Brook was soaring high above them, his tall, skeletal frame almost disappearing into the sky, while Chopper hovered just below him. Luffy, Sanji, Usopp, and Zoro were all on the same level, relatively close to one another, but far below them, Jinbe was positioned much lower.

Sanji raised an eyebrow, glancing down at the odd formation. "What's wrong with it? Makes sense to me. Brook and Chopper are the lightest, and Jinbe's the heaviest."

He smirked, looking down at Jinbe with a playful grin. "No offense, Jinbe."

Jinbe let out a deep, hearty laugh, his voice carrying easily over the wind. "None taken, Sanji. I'm built like a whale, after all."

Luffy scratched his head, still not entirely understanding the issue. "So, what's the problem, Chopper?"

Chopper shifted nervously in his harness, his small hooves fidgeting. "Well… it's just that we're all pretty spread out, right? That means we'll all land at different times and places, right?"

Zoro shrugged. "So what? We'll just pick a spot to meet up after we land."

Sanji scoffed, looking down at Zoro with a smirk. "Good luck with that. Knowing you, you'll end up on a completely different island."

Usopp, who had been quietly observing, thoughtfully removed his goggles and rubbed his chin. "Now that you mention it, Brook doesn't have anything weighing him down to land. He could probably glide forever unless the wind stops."

"WHAT?!" Brook's voice echoed in surprise, his bony hands clutching his glider as though he could somehow control it. "WHY'D YOU ALL ALLOW ME TO DO THIS THEN?!"

Zoro looks up at him, "What? We thought you realized this."

Luffy grinned widely, his usual carefree attitude resurfacing. "We'll be fine. We just gotta trust in our skills, right?" He glanced around at his crewmates before pointing up at Brook. "And Brook, try not to scare us by vanishing into the clouds!"

Jinbe, his serious tone cutting through the lighthearted chatter, spoke up. "Don't worry about landing just yet. We should take full advantage of the aerial view while we have it. Look out for anything suspicious on the island—anything that might stand out."

Usopp squinted into the distance, pulling his goggles down and trying to spot any unusual activity. "Yeah, let's look for anything that stands out. If anyone's up to no good, they won't get past us!"

With that, the crew fell into a concentrated silence, each of them scanning the island and the surrounding sea for any signs of trouble.

…

Nami looked down at her completed map, a satisfied smile tugging at her lips. "Wow, that went a lot faster than I thought. Now, all I have to do is add this to my big map!" She turned to Franky and Ricardo, beaming. "Thanks for your help! I honestly didn't think we'd get it done before anyone landed. It's weird though... they've been up there for three hours. I was expecting at least one of them to land by now."

As if on cue, Jinbe glided down, his hang glider in hand, touching down smoothly. He gave a friendly wave as he approached the group. "Nami! Franky! How's the map looking?"

"Oh, Jinbe! I didn't realize you landed yet." Nami smiled warmly, wiping her hands on her pants as she turned to greet him. "How was your hang gliding experience?"

Jinbe returned the smile, a hint of surprise still in his voice. "It was actually quite fascinating. Never would've thought a fishman like me would be airborne for so long." He adjusted the straps of his glider, clearly still taking in the novelty of the experience.

Franky, standing a bit to the side, added with a grin, "Nami actually finished her map. No troubles at all. We ran through everything pretty smoothly."

"Good," Jinbe replied, nodding with approval.

Nami glanced around, her eyes instinctively flicking toward the sky. "Where is everyone else? Were you the only one to land so far?"

Jinbe shrugged lightly, adjusting his glider. "I landed about an hour ago. Can't say the same for everyone else, though. We're a little concerned about how to get Brook out of the sky. I have no doubt he and Chopper will be the last to land."

Franky and Nami exchanged horrified looks, Nami dropping her map with a clatter. Ricardo raised an eyebrow, sensing something was wrong. "What is it?"

Nami's voice wavered as she panicked. "Oh my god, Brook is a freaking skeleton! He's just going to keep gliding forever until the wind stops!"

Franky threw his hands up in frustration. "Why the hell did we let him go hang gliding?!"

Jinbe, clearly unbothered, tried to calm them down. "I wouldn't worry too much. There's no way Luffy would let him land before him."

Nami's eyes widened in horror. "Like hell I'm trusting Luffy with that! He'd probably get distracted by a Sea King or something and forget about Brook long enough to let him drift out of sight!"

With a sigh, Nami summoned Zeus, her cloud familiar. "Zeus, go find Brook up there and don't come back until you've got him!"

Zeus puffed up, floating uncertainly in the air. "Um… the sky is pretty big. Can you be more specific?"

Nami pointed up toward the endless blue expanse, her finger trembling. "Up there!"

Zeus hesitated, then floated back a bit. "That's still a little vague…"

"Just… go up!" Nami snapped, frustration building as she watched the sky, feeling the pressure mount.

"But…" Zeus began to protest.

Nami clenched her fist and punched Zeus in the side, frustration bubbling over. "Forget it! Just take me up there!"

Zeus, ever the reluctant helper, grumbled. "Whatever you say..."

Without waiting for further protest, Nami hopped onto Zeus, her expression determined. She grabbed onto the cloud with one hand, the other pointing firmly toward the sky. "I'm going up there, and I'm not coming back until I get Brook!" she called down to Jinbe, Franky, and Ricardo, who were watching with wide eyes.

…

Back at the castle, the group sat around a long, elegant dining table, their white dinner attire as crisp as ever. The soft clinking of silverware and quiet murmurs of conversation filled the air, but Nami's focus remained fixed on the men before her. She couldn't quite hide her irritation as her gaze moved from one to the next.

Brook, however, appeared completely at ease, sipping calmly from a cup of tea. He flashed Nami a grateful smile. "Thanks for saving me, Nami. I thought I was going to be up there forever."

Nami returned his smile, but her frustration was evident. "Don't mention it."

Her eyes then flicked to the others, her expression shifting to one of disbelief. They all sported visible bumps on their heads—except for Franky and Jinbe, who seemed unaffected.

"As for the rest of you…" Nami's voice grew sharper as she planted her hands on her hips. "You're all a bunch of morons! We could've lost Brook! Robin's already sick, and you all wanted to go down another crew member?"

Sanji, Usopp, Chopper, and Luffy all shrank in their seats, muttering in unison, "We're sorry, Nami."

Zoro, rubbing a bump on his own head, grunted dismissively. "What? He was gonna be fine. He would've landed eventually."

Nami rolled her eyes, frustration mounting. "Don't even get me started on you! You were almost harder to find than Brook!"

Ricardo chuckled from his seat. "Glad you all had a good time in the sky."

Nami pouted at him, raising a finger. "Don't encourage them, Ricardo."

Ricardo smiled warmly, reaching for her hands. "We all had a good time today. I know I did."

Ricardo's gaze softened as he took Nami's hand in both of his, his expression growing serious. "Nami, there's been something I've been wanting to ask you. And I guess… well, there's no time like the present."

Nami quirked an eyebrow, unsure of what to expect. "What is it?"

Still holding her hand gently, Ricardo slowly lowered himself to one knee, the entire room falling quiet as everyone turned their attention toward him. He looked up at Nami with a mixture of sincerity and emotion in his eyes. "Nami, I know we've only known each other for two days. But I've never felt a connection with anyone like I do now. You make me feel things so intense, things I never even knew I was capable of. And even though we haven't been in each other's lives for long, I don't think I can imagine a life without you in it. My heart yearns for you. No, it aches for you. All my life, I've felt like something was missing… but now I know what it was. I was simply missing my other half."

The room was so still, you could hear the faint hum of the castle. Nami stared at him, her eyes wide, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red.

Ricardo continued, his voice unwavering. "I wanted to ask you this in front of your crew—of course, I know Miss Robin isn't here, but I have no doubt she'd support my decision."

Zoro, who had been casually sipping his tea, suddenly started choking so violently that tea splashed from his cup. Sanji, attempting to pour more tea into his cup, watched in disbelief as the liquid overflowed, a frown forming on his face. "No way…"

Usopp, eyes as wide as saucers, swallowed hard, his voice trembling. "Is he… doing what I think he's doing?"

Luffy, ever clueless, quirked his brow. "What is it?"

Ricardo, without missing a beat, reached into his pocket and slowly pulled out a small box, his eyes never leaving Nami's. The box clicked open, revealing a shimmering ring inside.

"Nami," he said softly, his voice full of hope, "Will you do me the honor of being the queen of Puertojoya? Nami, will you marry me?"

The room fell into a stunned silence. Nami's mouth hung open, her eyes darting from the ring back to Ricardo's expectant face. She couldn't seem to find the words.

Before she could even begin to process, Zoro started choking so badly that he nearly toppled over, his face red. Sanji, unable to hold his shock, dropped the teapot onto the table with a loud clatter. Usopp, still in disbelief, let his teacup slip from his hand, the cup shattering on the floor. Chopper and Luffy both froze, their jaws agape as bits of food dropped from their mouths. Jinbe and Franky looked on in complete shock, while Brook, ever the dramatic soul, muttered quietly, "Oh my…"

And then, in perfect unison, every member of the Straw Hat Pirates who were present shouted in total disbelief:

"HUH?!"