Chapter 18: A Dream Here, Robin Talks to Nami
The room was heavy with silence, the echoes of the synchronized "HUH?!" still lingering in the air. Ricardo, kneeling before Nami with the ring still in hand, glanced around at the crew, his expression growing more uncertain.
Breaking the quiet, Ricardo looked directly at Luffy. "I'm sorry, I know I should've consulted with you first, Captain. I desire your blessing for this union."
The table stiffened as Ricardo's words hung in the air. Suddenly, Sanji stood, slamming his hands on the table with a loud bang. The plates and cups rattled, some nearly toppling over.
"You want Luffy's blessing? What about the rest of us?!" Sanji snapped, his voice sharp and full of emotion.
Before things could escalate further, Usopp rushed to Sanji's side, trying to hold him back. "Calm down, Sanji! You're making things awkward!" Usopp hissed.
"No!" Sanji shook them off, his fiery glare locked on Ricardo. "He knows exactly what he's doing!"
Ricardo's calm demeanor faltered, and his hand holding the ring dipped slightly. Sanji jabbed a finger toward him, his voice growing louder. "Who the hell do you think you are? You know what asking Nami to marry you means. You're asking her to leave us! To leave this crew! You selfish bastard!"
The room tensed, the air almost crackling with unease. Suddenly, Juan strode toward Sanji. With a single, fluid motion, Juan grabbed Sanji by the shoulder, his grip firm as he leaned in, his glare cold. "Lower your voice, pirate scum."
Sanji scoffed, wrenching his shoulder free from Juan's grip, his eyes never leaving Ricardo. He took a breath, his voice quieter now but no less intense. "Well, what are you gonna say about this, Luffy?" He turned toward the rest of the crew, his gaze sweeping across them. "What's anyone gonna say about this, huh?"
The others shifted uncomfortably in their seats, their gazes falling awkwardly to the table or the ground. Brook fiddled nervously with his teacup, Usopp scratched the back of his head, and Chopper twiddled his hooves, clearly unsure of what to say. Jinbe and Franky exchanged uneasy looks but said nothing. Zoro, however, sat with his arms crossed, his face unreadable as he stared blankly at Nami and Ricardo.
At the head of the table, Luffy remained completely still. His bangs and his iconic straw hat shadowed his eyes, obscuring his expression entirely. He didn't say a word, the weight of the silence around him growing heavier with every passing second.
Sanji let out a bitter scoff, his frustration boiling over as he turned on his heel. "Fine. Don't say anything, then." Without another word, he stormed toward the door. The sound of it slamming shut echoed through the dining hall.
Ricardo, still kneeling, turned his gaze back to Nami, concern etched on his face. "Is he… alright?"
Nami didn't respond immediately. Her eyes were fixed on the door Sanji had just left through, her expression unreadable. Slowly, she sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly as if the weight of the moment had finally caught up to her.
"Ricardo…" she began, her voice quiet but steady. "Can we talk somewhere? In private?"
Ricardo blinked, taken aback, but quickly nodded. "Of course." He rose to his feet, sliding the ring box closed and slipping it back into his pocket.
The room remained tense as Nami turned to her crew. Her gaze lingered on Luffy, still sitting silently at the head of the table, his face obscured. Then, without another word, she followed Ricardo out of the room, leaving the rest of the Straw Hats in uneasy silence.
The silence in the dining hall was broken by the sound of Luffy's chair scraping against the floor as he stood up. He adjusted his straw hat, his face still hidden beneath its brim. Without a word, he turned and walked toward the door, his movements slow and deliberate. The tension in the room seemed to deepen as he reached for the handle.
The door creaked open just as Lupita, the castle cook, entered the room with a cheerful bounce in her step. She carried a large platter of steaming dishes, her smile radiant. "I hope you all have more room in your stomachs. What am I saying, of course you do! Here's the next course!"
She paused, glancing around the room. Her brow furrowed slightly as she noticed the somber atmosphere and the empty chair where Ricardo had been sitting moments ago. "Where's Prince Ricardo?" she asked, her gaze sweeping across the group.
Frederiche stepped forward, his tone polite but direct. "He just popped the question to Miss Nami."
Lupita's eyes widened in surprise, and her cheeks flushed a soft pink. "Oh really? How exciting! Even though he's only known her for a short while, I've never seen him so infatuated with anyone. It doesn't surprise me! All the more reason to celebrate! A new queen, the banquet, Florafesta! Let me go whip up an extra something special real quick."
Luffy's voice cut through the room like a knife, low and flat. "Don't bother. None of us are hungry."
Lupita blinked, her smile faltering. Luffy didn't give her time to respond before he stepped through the doorway, the door slamming shut behind him. The sound echoed in the room, leaving a stillness that felt almost suffocating.
Lupita stood there, platter still in hand, her expression a mix of confusion and concern. She turned to Frederiche, Juan, and the remaining Straw Hats. "Did I… miss something?"
The crew looked at one another awkwardly, their gazes darting around the room. Sanji was gone, Nami and Ricardo were gone, and now Luffy. None of them seemed eager to explain. Finally, Zoro broke the silence, lifting his glass and meeting Lupita's gaze with a tired look.
"Can you pour me the strongest thing you've got in the castle?" he asked, his voice even but carrying a hint of exhaustion.
…
The halls were quiet except for the soft echo of their footsteps. Nami walked beside Ricardo, her arms crossed and her thoughts swirling. She sighed, finally breaking the silence as she turned to him.
"I'm sorry, Ricardo, about everyone. I mean, you took us all by surprise, me included." Her voice was soft, though there was a hint of nervousness to it. She hesitated, her brow furrowing slightly. "And look… about your question—"
Before she could finish, Ricardo gently placed a finger to her lips, silencing her. His gaze was warm but resolute. "Shh, don't say anything. I want to show you something real quick." Without waiting for her response, he grabbed her hand, his grip firm yet careful, and led her down the hallway.
They stepped outside the castle, the golden hues of the setting sun casting a soft glow over everything. The warm light reflected off the water, creating a serene, dreamlike atmosphere. Ricardo led her to a waiting gondola, its polished wood gleaming in the light.
As they climbed in, Nami tried to speak again, but Ricardo raised a hand, his smile teasing. "Just wait a second, okay?"
She huffed softly but complied, leaning back in the gondola as it glided smoothly across the water. The silence between them was filled with the gentle lapping of waves and the occasional chirp of distant birds. Nami's curiosity grew with every passing moment, but every time she opened her mouth to ask, Ricardo would give her the same playful smile and tell her to wait.
Finally, the gondola approached a small, hill-sized island nestled in the tranquil waters. Ricardo stepped out first, offering her his hand to help her onto the shore. She took it, and as her feet touched the soft sand, her breath caught in her throat.
The island was like something out of a dream. A charming, cozy house sat atop the gentle hill, its stone walls glowing faintly in the sunset. A hammock swayed lazily between two trees, and a vibrant garden of flowers in every imaginable color surrounded the house, their petals swaying in the breeze. The air was filled with the scent of saltwater and blossoms.
Nami stood speechless, her eyes wide as she took in the scene. Ricardo watched her reaction, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "This," he began, gesturing to the island, "was my parents' personal retreat. Whenever life in the castle got too overwhelming, they would come here. It was their escape—somewhere they could just be themselves."
He smiled wistfully, walking a few steps toward the garden. "When you told me about your dream home—the one you'd want after you finish mapping the world—this place immediately came to mind. It's almost the same, minus the tangerine trees, of course." He turned back to her, his smile widening. "But we can change that."
Ricardo walked toward the beach, slipping off his shoes and letting his bare feet sink into the cool water at the shoreline. The sunset painted the waves in shades of gold and pink, the light dancing over the gentle ripples. He turned, patting the spot beside him. "Come here, Nami."
Nami hesitated for a moment, still caught up in the beauty of it all, before walking over. She slipped off her own shoes and sat beside him, her feet dipping into the water. The coolness of the sea and the warmth of the fading sun created a perfect contrast.
Ricardo turned to her, his expression softer now. "I wanted you to see this place because… well, I know how much your dreams mean to you. And I wanted you to know that if this could ever be a part of your dream, I'd do anything to make it happen." His voice was low, almost a whisper, but the sincerity in his words was undeniable.
Ricardo leaned back slightly, his gaze fixed on the horizon where the sun was beginning to sink beneath the waterline. The glow bathed his face in warm, golden light, and his voice, though soft, carried a weight of earnestness.
"I don't expect you to answer my question today," he began, glancing briefly at Nami before turning back to the ocean. "This is a big decision, one that would change your life, and I don't want you to feel rushed. But I need you to know how I feel."
He looked at her now, his eyes full of sincerity. "Nami, I'm in love with you. I've never felt this way about anyone before. And I know you feel something for me too—maybe it's not the same, not yet, but I can see it in the way you look at me. That's why I had to ask."
Nami opened her mouth to respond, but Ricardo continued before she could. "I know how important your dream of mapping the world is to you. It's your life's ambition, and it's incredible. I would never ask you to give that up. What I'm offering… is a chance for you to live that dream with a life of peace and tranquility. No more life-threatening moments, no more chaos. This island, this home, could be your sanctuary. Your family could visit whenever they wanted, and we'd visit them too. You'd be safe here, Nami. If the Marines ever came looking for you, I'd make sure they'd never lay a hand on you. You'd have a life of freedom—a different kind of freedom."
He paused, his expression turning more serious. "I know I'm asking a lot. Sanji wasn't wrong about that. By asking you to marry me, I'm asking you to give up the life of piracy. I'm asking you to leave your crew—your family—and everything you've built with them. And I know how hard that would be."
Ricardo's gaze softened as he studied her face, hesitating for a moment before he asked, "But forgive me if I was mistaken, but… when I first met you, you seemed sad. Was it because of your captain?"
The question caught Nami off guard. Her eyes widened slightly, and she instinctively looked away, her lips pressing into a thin line. Ricardo didn't press her for an answer. Instead, he reached over and gently took her hand in his, still gazing out at the ocean.
"Monkey D. Luffy is a great man," Ricardo said, his voice calm but thoughtful. "The whole world knows it. Many believe he'll be the next King of the Pirates. And not just you—he has followers and admirers everywhere. There's no denying that a man like him inspires greatness in others. But…" He hesitated for a moment, tightening his grip on her hand slightly. "Is it worth it to you? To keep torturing yourself by staying on his crew? Suppressing your feelings, hurting yourself so he can achieve his dream? What about your dream?"
Nami didn't respond, but her free hand tightened into a fist, her nails biting into her palm as she stared at the sand.
Ricardo's voice softened further, filled with quiet determination. "Nami, I would never make you feel bad about yourself or ashamed of your feelings the way he does. I might not be an emperor of the sea, or someone famous who the world looks up to, but I promise you this: I can make you happier than he does. I can give you everything you want and more."
He sighed, leaning back slightly as if to give her space. "I know this is a lot to take in. And I know what your answer would be right now—it'd be no. But I'm asking you to take some time to think about it. To seriously consider my proposal. And when you're ready, come back to me."
Ricardo's words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. He let go of her hand and looked back out at the ocean, the gentle sound of the waves filling the silence between them.
Nami broke the heavy silence, her voice soft but resolute. "Ricardo… I… I have two favors I'd like to ask of you."
Ricardo turned his gaze back to her, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. "What is it?" he asked gently.
She hesitated for a moment, her fingers curling into her lap before meeting his gaze. "First… you said Robin would be better by tomorrow, in time for the banquet. Is that still true?"
Ricardo nodded without hesitation. "Yes. Hermes is confident she'll make a full recovery by then."
Nami exhaled slowly, as if steadying herself. "Then… can you let me see her? Tonight?"
…
The room was tense with emotion, the air heavy with despair and frustration. Sanji sat on the floor, clutching a handkerchief as tears streamed down his face like a waterfall. "My Nami-swan! She's getting stolen away from me!" he wailed dramatically, clutching at his chest as if his heart might break in two.
Franky, sitting cross-legged beside him, had his hands pressed to his face, his mechanical shoulders trembling with sobs. "Ricardo is so suave! There's no way she'd turn him down, especially after Luffy broke her heart! She's vulnerable right now, and Ricardo swooped in and stole our place as her comfort people! SUPER unfair!"
Chopper sniffled, his small hoofs wiping away the tears rolling down his cheeks. "What are we going to do?!" he whimpered, looking around the room for answers that didn't seem to come.
Usopp, sitting in a chair with his arms folded and legs crossed, sighed and shook his head. "You all need to calm down and have more faith in Nami. She's not just going to run off because of some smooth talk and a flashy ring. If anything, it'd take a much larger ring than that to even get her to think about leaving the crew. Why, it would take the largest diamond known to man!"
Brook, perched on the edge of the bed with his teacup in hand, tilted his skull thoughtfully. "Yohoho, that's an excellent point, Usopp. But…" He hesitated, setting down his cup. "…We are on an island where they quite literally grow gems on trees. They very well might have the largest diamond in the world here…"
The room went silent for a moment as the implication set in, broken only by the sound of Sanji punching the floor in frustration. "Damn it! Where the hell is Luffy?! He's the only one who can stop this! He's gotta make her stay!"
The room fell silent as Jinbe cleared his throat, his deep voice steady as he broke the uneasy tension. "Luffy has locked himself in his room. I knocked earlier, but he didn't answer."
Chopper nodded sadly, fiddling with the edge of his hat. "Yeah… I tried knocking, too. He didn't even bother responding, and we're supposed to be sharing the room."
Zoro, who had been sitting quietly in the corner with his arms crossed, suddenly rose to his feet. His movements were deliberate, and his expression was as sharp as the swords at his side.
Chopper blinked up at him, concerned. "Zoro, what are you doing?"
Zoro's eyes narrowed, his resolve clear as he spoke. "I'm reminding Luffy that he's the captain. We're not gonna sit around and wait for him to come to us when he feels like it." Without waiting for anyone to protest, Zoro strode to the door.
"Zoro, wait!" Chopper pleaded, hurrying after him. "You can't just—"
But it was too late. Zoro unsheathed one of his swords with a fluid motion, slicing clean through the ornate wooden door. The splinters fell to the ground, and the doorway now stood open.
"Zoro!" Usopp yelped, flailing his arms. "Quit destroying the castle! That butler is gonna freak out!"
Inside the room, Luffy lay sprawled on the bed, his signature straw hat resting on his torso. Though his eyes were open, he hadn't so much as flinched at the sound of the door being destroyed. He stared at the ceiling, his face unreadable.
Zoro stepped inside, his steps heavy and deliberate. "Luffy," he said sternly, his voice like the clash of steel.
Luffy leaned back against the bedpost, his straw hat casting a shadow over his face. "I'm thinking," he said again, his voice calm but firm.
Usopp frowned, crossing his arms. "Thinking?" he echoed, disbelief laced in his tone. "That's it? That's all you've got?"
Luffy sat up, his eyes steady as he nodded. "Yeah, thinking."
Sanji scoffed, leaning against the doorframe with a cigarette in hand. "You don't seem pretty concerned about what just happened, Luffy. Nami's out there with that prince, and you're just sitting here thinking."
Letting out a sigh, Luffy stood up and brushed off his pants, his demeanor steady despite the tension in the room. "Quit worrying," he said as he placed his hat back on his head. "You really think Nami's gonna say yes to that guy? She won't. He's just trying to piss us all off."
Franky's eyes narrowed, and he took a step forward. "Luffy, do I need to remind you of the emotional state Nami is in right now? That guy's been attached to her at the hip since we got here. Sure, they've only known each other for two days, but people have gotten married after knowing each other for less."
Luffy turned to face him, his expression unshaken. "Nami won't marry him," he said firmly, his conviction unwavering.
The room went quiet, save for the sound of Sanji's cigarette burning. Franky looked like he wanted to argue, but Luffy continued before anyone else could speak. "Jinbe, you were right. We need to leave after the banquet," Luffy said, his tone growing more serious. "But it looks like we have even less time than we thought. We need to find Tra-Guy and Robin fast. Then we need to get the hell out of here."
Usopp blinked, tilting his head in confusion. "If you're so sure that Nami won't marry him, why'd you storm out of the dining hall like that?" he asked, his tone laced with skepticism.
Luffy paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he clenched his fists at his sides. "Because…" he began, his voice lower than usual, "if I didn't leave, I was gonna kick that guy's ass so hard they'd have no choice but to call the Marines on us." His gaze flicked up, fiery determination burning behind his usual carefree demeanor. "Normally, I wouldn't care about that. But it would make Nami upset. And we still need to find our friends."
The crew went silent for a moment, absorbing Luffy's blunt honesty.
Zoro leaned back against the wall, a faint smirk playing at his lips. "Alright then, so what's the plan, Captain?" he asked, his voice calm but tinged with approval.
Luffy turned to face the crew, his expression firm and resolute. "We find Robin and Tra-Guy tonight. No more waiting, no more games. Then tomorrow, we take them and Nami, and we get the hell off this island."
…
Nami walked into the infirmary with Ricardo trailing close behind. The room was lined with beds, each occupied by a member of the Heart Pirates. The patients were eerily still, their pale faces illuminated by the dim glow of the medical equipment. Each of them was hooked up to two IVs—one for hydration fluids and the other an unmarked bag of a mysterious substance.
At the far end of the room, Nami's gaze locked onto Robin. She gasped, rushing to her friend's side. "Robin!" she called out, her voice echoing in the quiet room. Robin lay motionless, her expression calm but unnervingly blank.
From the adjoining office emerged two figures: Hermes and Esmeralda.
"Prince Ricardo! We didn't know you were coming in," the man stammered, looking flustered as he adjusted his glasses.
Ricardo raised a hand, his expression sheepish. "Nami wanted to see her friends."
Hermes nodded nervously, his hands fidgeting at his sides.
Nami's brow furrowed as she glanced between Robin and Hermes. "Why isn't she waking up?"
Hermes shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. "All the patients are hooked up to a bag of Somnidorium," he explained, gesturing to the IV bags. "It's a potent sedative that promotes deep, restorative sleep. Along with the hydration fluids, it's helping them recover faster."
Nami frowned, crossing her arms. "But why? If they're nauseous, wouldn't it be better to keep them awake so they don't choke?"
Hermes hesitated before replying. "Normally, yes, but in their current condition, they don't have anything left in their stomachs to regurgitate. They've passed the critical stages of recovery and need uninterrupted rest to heal fully. We're monitoring them closely."
Nami looked at Robin with concern. "Well… can you wake her up? I just need to talk to her. Please."
Hermes glanced nervously at Ricardo, then back at Nami. "Uh… I can try," he said hesitantly. He shuffled toward Robin's bed, adjusting the flow of the IV and monitoring her vitals.
As Hermes worked, Nami's eyes darted to the other figure in the room. Her expression shifted from confusion to recognition. "Hey, wait a second—you're the DJ from the club, right?" She tilted her head. "What are you doing here?"
Esmeralda smirked, leaning casually against the wall. "Oh yeah, you're the chick who flashed everyone for money, right? One of the Straw Hats?" Her teasing tone hung in the air as she gave Nami a slow once-over. "Not sure how much of that night you actually remember, but yeah, I'm Hermes's sister. Been helping him out here since, well, let's just say there were quite a few of you who ended up… indisposed."
Nami's cheeks flushed, a mix of embarrassment and irritation tightening her jaw. "How… considerate of you," she snapped back, her voice sharp.
Esmeralda chuckled, clearly enjoying herself. "Hey, no judgment. You did what you had to do. Gotta respect the hustle." She winked playfully before turning her attention to Ricardo. "And Prince Charming over here? Looks like he's got his hands full with you."
Ricardo cleared his throat, looking anywhere but at Nami. "Esmeralda, this isn't the time for this."
Esmeralda raised her hands in mock surrender, her grin never faltering. "Alright, alright. I'll behave—for now."
Hermes, meanwhile, had moved to Robin's side. He crouched beside her, one hand gently supporting her back as he adjusted her position. "Miss Robin, Miss Robin," he said softly, a calm smile on his face.
Robin's eyes snapped open with a sharp gasp, her chest heaving as she took in her surroundings. Her expression quickly flattened, her features adopting a distant, unreadable calm.
"You have a visitor," Hermes said gently, stepping back to give her space.
Nami rushed forward, her wide smile lighting up the room as she grabbed Robin's hand. "Robin! Thank goodness you're alright."
Robin turned her head slowly, her voice monotone as she replied, "Yes, I was feeling unwell at the club. Apologies for leaving without informing you."
"Yeah, you had us all worried," Nami said with a warm but slightly strained smile. "You still have us worried."
Nami glanced over her shoulder at Hermes, her brow furrowing. "Can you leave us alone for a bit?"
Hermes shook his head, an apologetic look softening his expression. "I'm afraid I can't. If anything were to happen, I need to be here to monitor her condition."
Nami frowned but bit back her frustration, turning her focus back to Robin. As she tightened her grip on Robin's hand, her eyes caught something unusual—a large, singular bangle on Robin's wrist, crafted with an intricate design and a keyhole at its center. Her brow furrowed, but she quickly turned her attention back to her friend.
"I just wanted to see you…" Nami said softly. Her voice faltered as she forced a reassuring smile. "I'll… let you go back to sleep now."
Robin's expression remained blank as she responded in her flat, measured tone. "Thank you. I appreciate your concern. But there is no need to worry. They have been taking good care of me. I will see you tomorrow when I am well."
Nami hesitated, her fingers loosening their grip on Robin's hand. "Okay…" she murmured, the word tinged with uncertainty.
Hermes gave Robin a kind smile. "Alright, Robin, you can go back to sleep now."
Robin nodded mechanically, her face devoid of emotion. As Hermes gently lowered her back onto the bed, her eyes fluttered closed, and she slipped back into a deep, unmoving sleep.
Nami's gaze lingered on her friend, unease tightening her chest. Hermes broke the silence, his tone calm but professional. "I know she isn't acting like herself, but I assure you, it's just a side effect of the Somnidorium. She'll likely seem this way tomorrow too, until it's fully cleared from her system."
Nami tore her eyes away from Robin to look at him. "Sure…" she muttered, though her tone carried more doubt than agreement.
Her eyes swept the room, taking in the other unconscious Heart Pirates before turning back to Hermes. "Is there a reason Law isn't here with the others?"
Hermes hesitated briefly before replying, "Ah, Trafalgar Law… His condition was more severe. He's being treated in a separate room. Would you like to see him as well?"
Nami shook her head quickly. "No, I'm alright."
Before the silence could stretch further, Ricardo stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on Nami's back. "I know it's hard seeing your friends like this," he said softly, his tone warm and reassuring. "But I promise you, they're in the best hands. Now come on, let's move on to that second favor you mentioned."
Nami nodded, allowing Ricardo to guide her toward the door. But as they stepped away, she glanced over her shoulder one last time. Her eyes lingered on Esmeralda and Hermes, who were meticulously adjusting Robin's IV bags. A flicker of suspicion crossed her face. She clenched her teeth, her fists tightening at her sides, before finally turning away and walking out of the room with Ricardo.
…
The quiet of the castle's corridors was interrupted only by the soft patter of Nami's footsteps. Shadows danced along the walls, cast by the dim glow of lanterns hung at intervals, their light just bright enough to illuminate the path without revealing her presence. She moved cautiously, her steps deliberate and quiet as she kept her ears tuned for the soft clink of armor or the murmurs of wandering guards and maids.
Her breath hitched as she turned a corner, narrowly avoiding a passing maid with a tray. Pressing herself into the shadows, she waited until the maid disappeared from sight before continuing down the hall, her eyes darting between doorways and intersecting corridors.
Suddenly, she turned a corner and collided with a figure. Her heart leaped into her throat, and she instinctively reached for her clima-tact.
"Nami!" the figure whispered, his voice tinged with panic.
She froze, her hand hovering over her weapon. "Usopp?" she whispered back, her tone half-relieved, half-shocked.
Usopp let out a shaky sigh of relief, grabbing her shoulder. "Thank god you're alright," he whispered urgently.
Nami's brow furrowed. "Why? What's wrong?"
Usopp glanced over his shoulder nervously, then leaned in closer. "We're leaving tomorrow," he said, his voice low and hurried. "We're getting Robin, Law, and his crew, and we're getting the hell out of here. Luffy's already decided."
Her eyes widened at the news, her mind racing. "Tomorrow? That soon?"
Usopp nodded. "Yeah. We've been keeping an eye on things, but we can't stay here any longer. Something about this place isn't sitting right with anyone." He paused, squinting at her. "What about you? What are you doing out here? I was actually about to go looking for you, but I didn't expect you to find me first."
Before Nami could answer, the sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor. A group of guards turned the corner, their voices low as they walked toward them. Nami's eyes widened, and she grabbed Usopp by the wrist, pulling him into the shadows.
"Come on," she whispered urgently. "Let's go back to my room. There's something I need to tell you."
Usopp didn't argue, following her as they ducked through the maze of hallways. Nami led the way, her every movement deliberate as she avoided the attention of patrolling guards and curious staff. When they finally reached her suite, she opened the door just enough to slip inside, pulling Usopp in after her before quietly closing it behind them.
Ussop's eyes widened as he took in the lavishness of Nami's suite. "What? This is where you've been staying this whole time? You make our rooms look like prison cells in comparison!"
Nami shot him a sharp look and punched him in the head. "Be quiet! Do you want people to know you're here?!"
"Sorry!" Ussop winced, rubbing his sore head.
Nami let out an exasperated sigh and then took a seat on her bed, her expression turning serious. "Why were you looking for me?"
Ussop sat on a nearby chair, still eyeing the extravagance around him. "Luffy wanted to make sure you were alright. We think… we think Ricardo and his subordinates might be trouble."
Nami's gaze hardened as she walked over to her bed, sitting down carefully. "I agree with you there."
Ussop nodded, his voice lowering. "We think they're doing something to Law and Robin and the rest of the Heart Pirates. We just don't know what."
Nami rubbed her temples, trying to make sense of everything. "I saw Robin and some of the Heart Pirates in the infirmary today."
"What? Really? Are they okay?" Ussop's eyes widened in concern.
"They're alive," Nami confirmed. "Law wasn't with them, though. And I did get to talk to Robin... but something about her seemed off."
Ussop frowned, processing what Nami had said. "Why isn't Law with the rest of them?"
"I don't know," Nami said, shaking her head. She looked at Ussop, her expression firm now. "But I do agree— I think we've far overstayed our welcome here. And I have a plan to get us all out of here in one piece."