Chapter Thirteen – Somewhere in a Government Building
"How interesting," says Nezumi. He finishes his note on the pad in front of him with a flourish, "Incredibly interesting, Nojiko." He fixes her with the gaze of a seasoned businessman – a look, Nojiko notes, that should be unusual for a man in this sort of government position but she cannot consider these specifics now – and offers a matching, coldly pleasant smile.
"Again, it's been a pleasure. I very much look forward to our next meeting."
"Is it a deal?" Nojiko says, conditioned to see these evasive technicality tricks. After all, she'd committed some of them herself, "I need your word, Nezumi."
He placates her. From the bottom of his pad, he folds over the end onto itself, tears along the crease and offers the fragment of creamy paper.
"I'll even give you the proof."
The woman is hard to satisfy, however, eventually she must leave, presumably to retrieve her younger sister from the police station. They are cunning, Nezumi must admit to at least that much. In other circumstances, they could possibly outsmart Arlong at his own game between the two of them. Not that he would admit as much to his beneficial partner. Instead, he makes a note to the receptionist that he is not to be disturbed for the next twenty minutes. Next, he picks up the receiver of his office phone and dials a familiar number to a colleague downstairs. He picks up and they exchange a few friendly words. Nezumi then sets down the receiver on the desk and does not hang up as his colleague continues speaking. He only refers back to it occasionally for a 'yes', 'I see', 'yes'. This would secure his alibi.
Meanwhile, he opens his desk drawer and extracts a slim burner phone with one programmed number. Careful to keep out of range of the receiver of his office phone, he dials an entirely different number.
"Hello, it's me," Nezumi says to the voice who picks up. Quickly, he exchanges phones and murmurs a few agreeable words into the receiver. Just as quickly, he returns to the burner phone in time to hear the end of the question – "— can I do for you?"
"I think I have some news you would be interested to know, Arlong-san."
"As do I," says Arlong, "Why don't you start?"
The next day – the day of the scheduled routine inspection outlined in the letter Nojiko received one-week prior – passed without incident, and without anyone coming to her door. Her insurance is kept beneath her mattress and safely out of the hands of anyone else. Nami went to school and work and came back smiling.
It is a good day. Two more such days came and went. Disregarding the stressful beginning of her week, Nojiko feels satisfied with the way their new life has developed.
On the following day, two discrepancies would occur.
"You?" Nojiko cries over breakfast. Her cup has paused halfway to her lips and her face is slack in mock-shock, "You are going to meet potential friends? I'm kidding! Kidding!" she laughs as Nami launches herself across the counter at her in offense, "Friends of that boy, right? Luffy with the straw hat, Straw Hat," she continues, "So? Why are you telling me? Do you need my permission? I'm touched."
Nami snorts, "I'd go even if you said no."
Nojiko reaches across the counter now and shoves her sister in the shoulder, light enough to be a joke but firm enough to make her jolt a bit, "Hurry up and meet your friends." Faintly, in the back of her mind, Nojiko feels she has never seen these clothes on Nami before, something that seems loosely reminiscent of pirate fashion. She draws her own conclusions, but refrains from any comment.
When Nami enters Makino's Café today, the usual welcoming peal of bells announcing her presence is drowned out by Luffy's argument.
"Are you kidding me, Luffy, have you still not caught this thief?" yells a muscular man seated at the counter. Standing opposite him, bizarrely coated with flour, is Luffy. Only a bowl shaped mound of hair is free of white, presumably because it was shielded by his straw hat, which Luffy is now patting clean.
"How long does it take you to complete a simple task, boy?" demands the older man, banging a fist on the counter.
"Shut up! Why don't you do it yourself, old man?" Luffy retorts, "I told you I'm not interested!"
"This is excellent training for your initiation into the force! You don't get this experience anywhere else! Be grateful!"
"And I told you I don't want to enter the force!" He inhales sharply, accidentally ingesting some particles of flour from his immediate coughing. White clouds puff and smoke around him in a comical manner. He yells, "I'm gonna be a Pirate! A Pirate!"
"Enough of this nonsense already!" a solid 'thud' follows this outburst and then an, "OWWW!"
Nami doesn't hang around for any longer and quickly backpedals in search of other clothes.
I'm not wearing these clothes again, definitely not! Nami vows to herself, just as the bells ring out again, this time loudly and completely audible.
"Hm?" the muscular man turns his head. Nami notices his head of grey hair, matching facial hair and a wandering scar around his eye like his grandson. Unlike his grandson, however, the scar only serves to enhance the dark severity of his expression. The twist of his head allows the edge of a broken shelf to be seen behind him and an empty sack – that presumably once held the same flour that coated Luffy – hanging off the remaining plank of wood. He must have thrown the heavy sack at the shelf, breaking it in the process… and the intended target was close enough to suffer the explosion of flour as a result.
Crazy old man! I'm sorry! Nami screams internally, backing up even quicker if physically possible. Then, Luffy's head twists curiously around his grandfather and his eyes light up, "Nami!"
NO, YOU FOOL! Nami's face reflects her astonishment and anger, making Luffy wear an even larger grin, "Morning!"
"A friend of yours?" says his grandfather. Immediately, he makes his advance, "You! Are you part of my idiotic grandson's crew? What's your name?"
Nami freezes, promptly at a complete loss for words. This is Luffy and Ace's grandfather?
"Answer me, kid!"
"Garp-san!" a sharp voice cuts through the air and Makino makes her way to the pair, "I think that's no way to greet one of the customers—" she gets distracted momentarily by the sight of Luffy covered in flour but quickly turns back to them, "— This is Nami-san. She recently moved here with her sister, Nojiko-san. I'm sure if you asked politely, she could have told you herself."
"Just moved here?" Garp says, ignoring the barb, "Well, in that case, she must not be a part of his crew yet. But I'm warning you, kid, if we meet next time as police to Pirate, I won't hesitate—"
At this, Nami could regain her voice and square her shoulders, "In that case, don't worry because that won't happen."
The look on Garp's face darkens another shade at this comment. His eyes sharp and unblinking, seem to survey her with apprehension. Why? Didn't I say what he wanted? The bluffer's confidence in the words she has spoken reduces, just a little, for the first time. No, she spoke out of turn. That must be it. NO, IT MUST BE THE CLOTHES! DOES HE RECOGNISE THEM? It had only been a week since she stole them… Behind him, she can see Luffy's delighted face as Makino guides him outside to take care of the flour situation during her dilemma.
"I see," Garp replies. His voice is flat and resigned. He offers her another look to match his tone, "I hope we don't see each other again, then.
"That's what every single one of his crew have said when I told them the same thing."
"So, if I'm to understand this correctly," Nami says, helping herself to an assortment of sweets Makino has laid out for them, "Every single member of your crew did not originally intend to join your crew?"
"Gramps exaggerates," Luffy answers, helping himself to a whole plate of assorted sweets at once, "Brook completely wanted to join the first time I asked. Only everyone else had to take their time."
"Everyone else being the other six people?"
"Yeah."
Nami focusses on keeping a neutral tone for the next question, "What made them change their minds?"
"Um…" Luffy drags another plate towards him, "Well, I don't know. You'll have to ask them, I guess. Hey, let me have this plate too!" Nami pushes it towards him without resistance, not even surprised anymore by the rate at which this boy could make food disappear.
"Your grandfather…" she starts instead.
"He's strict, but he's not a bad person," Luffy sums up, "He just doesn't like Pirates."
We could get along, thought Nami in the following pause as Luffy devours his food.
"You're here early!" Luffy continues after the last swallow, a playful lilt once again dominating his tone, "Are you that excited to meet everyone?" He stacks the plates neatly and calls, "Makino! Seconds!"
"I knew you were going to be late," Nami replies as Makino reappears instantly with a fresh plate loaded with hot snacks, "And hey, are you going to have enough room for lunch?"
"Of course. I have a separate stomach for Sanji's cooking."
"You're ridiculous."
Baratie is a large restaurant fashioned to the likeness of a fish resting adjacent to the docks. Around this time of year, the vessel is docked predominantly with only the occasional venture out to sea. At other times, however, Luffy says the restaurant is continually sailing and docking around different parts of the island – an occasion that Sanji once invited the crew along to, but never again because the food, and alcohol, stores dropped too much mid-journey.
"You're absolutely ridiculous," Nami deadpans again, "Were you even of legal drinking age?"
"I only ate the food!" Luffy counters defensively, "And no, but Zoro looked like it."
She only shakes her head.
Within, each worker greets Luffy by the same trademark epithet as he receives in school: "Straw Hat!" "Hey, look who's here!" "Get Straw Hat out before all our food disappears!" "Don't break anymore plates, do you hear?" Luffy responds in kind, always with an easy-going attitude and mock offense where it was called for. Without needing to wait, however, both of them are directed straight through the busy main floor to the back rooms.
"I'll let Sanji know you're here," says the last man, turning to leave them at the threshold of two large double doors.
"Yeah, thanks! Nami, go in first." A challenging and excited lilt ensures the girl can't say no, even though trepidation follows her through old instincts. Her fingers still brush the bangle briefly, linger on the handle and finally summon enough confidence to enter with an acceptable expression on the bearer's face. Within, the noises of unrestrained laughter and chatter go from muted to uproarious and… suddenly, quiet.
The first thing she sees is Chopper standing on the table. As the younger boy turns around, she has to stifle laughter at the two chopsticks wedged firmly between his nose and bottom lip. Somehow, this set up still allows him to scream, long and loud, in horror and embarrassment; only second in volume to the laughter of the boy behind Nami. At the captain's laughter, she sees, everyone else within the room dissolves into merriment. She is able to pick out several distinct characters from Luffy's descriptions alone. That is definitely Brook sitting at the far left who towers over his neighbour Usopp but is evenly matched by Franky on his other side. Then, travelling down and around the table, there is Robin, two empty seats, one of which must be for Chopper, Zoro and another empty seat.
"Hey guys!" Luffy calls once the bulk of laughter has gone, "Are you all doing well?"
"You're always late!" Usopp yells.
"We'll be bones by the time you arrive!" agrees Brook, "Oh wait…"
"Yes, yes, you're still in character, Brook," Franky interrupts.
"Luffy, it's impolite to leave your guest standing there…" Robin says, now comforting an embarrassed Chopper.
"Oh right, you guys this is—"
"LUFFY!" the door behind Nami bursts open suddenly, causing the girl to leap aside with a yelp as a blonde man swept into the room with platters of food balanced on his arms and head, "I swear, you shitty captain, you do this every single time when you say you're coming at—" Again silence swamps them. Nami meets the new boy's eye with bemusement.
"Who is this beautiful lady here? Luffy~ When you said you were bringing someone, you should have said you were bringing a lady~"
"Ah, should I? Sorry, is it a problem?"
"Of course not~" Suddenly, deftly unloading his plates in quick motions, the boy who Nami presumes is Sanji returns to her side and introduces himself formally with the manner of a true gentleman, "Please, miss, tell me what is your favourite food."
"Anything with tangerines," she replies.
"Coming right up!"
"Nami, your seat's over there, by Robin!" Luffy's voice shouts from the other side of the table where he has lowered himself into the chair next to Zoro. Meeting his eyes, she can see this is no coincidence. Despite herself, she feels touched that he remembered and she slips gratefully into the designated seat. The older woman to her left greets her warmly.
"Miss Nami, is it?"
"Yes. It's nice to meet you, Robin!" Then, noting the small form still clinging to her neighbour, Nami lets an absent hand stroke his head, "Chopper, are you OK?"
"I'm fine!" he sobs.
The two girls exchange a smile. Their relationship would blossom just fine (unlike the youngest boy, despite his claims to the contrary, and he continues to sulk in embarrassment for a while). Discussing the greenhouse-thieving adventures of the week, Robin raises a curious eyebrow at Nami's retelling of the stories. Nami doesn't fail to notice this.
"Is it out of the ordinary for Luffy to drag others into his crimes?" she jokes.
"Not at all," Robin replies, "But he usually coerces Usopp and Chopper to accompany him." She doesn't comment any further, but Nami notices the inquisitive and faintly amused expression on her face afterwards, as if knowing a secret that no one else is privy to. Upon her asking about it, however, Robin only replies with a light, "I wouldn't know what you're talking about."
Sanji dutifully returns with the meals even quicker than the table could polish them off. Placing a platter of new dishes in front of Luffy first, and a large tankard in front of Zoro ("if you rat us out for supplying alcohol way beyond what should be the limit, I'll kill you first, you mosshead"); he strolls over to Nami's side of the table. Even at the distance, Nami could catch the familiar aroma of—
"Is that tangerines?" Luffy yells, the words slurred by a mouthful of food, "Sanji, is that a new dish? I want the first taste!"
"I just gave you a new dish! Sit down and eat!" the young chef retorts. Turning back towards the women, a smile graces his features, "Here is a dish made especially for you. I tried to incorporate the tangerines as best I could." Next, he serves Robin, placing an assortment of coffee-themed dishes in front of her.
"You're always so thoughtful with these," Robin smiles, which sends Sanji blissfully out of the room. She turns to look at Nami's blank – but gradually turning awestruck – expression as she beholds the exquisite dish before her and chuckles lightly, "I think his cooking will be to your taste regardless of what you may think of his character at the moment. Please eat."
By the time Sanji returns to the room, Nami has fought off an insistent Luffy and successfully consumed every bite she could possibly scrape off the plate. She thanks the chef profusely, which earns her a beautiful dessert (although she suspects he was delivering it to her anyway) and a delighted smile.
"I hope you will come as often as you'd like~"
Her priorities cannot resist. "I'm not sure if my funds could handle it…"
"But look at the way she's looking at him," Usopp whispers to the side.
"Is this what you would call a con?" Chopper asks him in the same whisper-not-whisper.
"For sure."
Nami keeps her eyes on her subject, making a note to rouse on the two gossipers later. Sanji, she finds, caves quite easily to her whims, resulting in a derogatory snort from Zoro, which results in the fight that ends the extent of their welcome.
"Out!" orders a man who Nami can only assume is the head chef from the ridiculous – almost comedic – height of his hat and a rather impressive moustache. He adds, "You'll destroy my restaurant at this rate! AGAIN!" Nami decides she'd rather not ask. But Luffy only laughs.
"We'll be back next week!"
"Sure, kid. Remember to pay next time!"
"Nope!"
Sanji only sighs in exasperation, muttering, "Who do you think always has to pay for your meals?" But he sees each person off personally, going so far as to take Nami's hand again as she passes.
"You can always eat here for free, Nami-san," he smiles, "As promised."
Nami returns his smile; and although she has never completed a con she regrets, she wonders about taking advantage of this one too soon. His smile is too kind, somehow, but not in the way that arouses suspicion, rather the complete opposite. Nami has no doubt he will let her eat free for the rest of her life should she choose it. It is exactly that which gives her pause. Once again, she draws a blank when she could normally find a reply so easily. She could only offer him a 'thank you', a 'Sanji-kun' and a smile, yet somehow that seems like enough.
Once they left Baratie, she quickly catches up with Usopp and Chopper and connects both of their heads in one quick motion.
"OW!" they both yell and glare, mockingly betrayed, at her. She only sticks out her tongue juvenilely and retorts, "You shouldn't gossip within hearing range, then!"
"That's mean, Nami!"
"Yeah, that's mean!"
"Oh, stop it, your heads barely connected!"
"It made a 'thunk' sound!"
"'THUNK!'" repeats Chopper and Nami bursts out laughing.
"Good grief, this is what happens when too many of us are still in high school!" Franky roars towards them before snapping his head back to the front, "Hey, Luffy! You're going the wrong way!"
"Where are we going?" Nami asks the older man.
He grins down at her, "This crews' ship constructed by yours truly… and Bakaburg and some others. But mostly yours truly. Hey Luffy! I said that's the wrong way, dammit! Who's keeping an eye on Zoro?"
"I think we lost him as soon as we left the restaurant," Robin observes.
"How is that even possible?"
"I can find him," Brook volunteers, "Although, with my sightless eyes, that may be difficult." He claps once, clearly delighted, "Skull joke!"
"SKULL JOKE!" Luffy echoes a fair way down the street.
"Luffy, you're supposed to go left!" Franky yells.
"Oh, right!"
"No, left!"
"I think he was only confirming your instruction," Robin adds pleasantly and it is Franky's apology that is next screamed down the street. The other commuters are beginning to cross to the other side of the road to avoid them now, looking bemused and slightly irritated with all the yelling. Others, Nami notices, are even laughing, apparently used to these shenanigans and she begins to wonder when she, too, became the same. But as she contemplates this, she suddenly notices the object coming within view, between the buildings, docked at the water's edge. Franky follows her gaze and grins massively, his voice filled with undiluted pride.
"Welcome to the Thousand Sunny!"
Luffy's spot is on the figurehead, shaped to the likeness of a lion (although Nami initially thought it was a sun, as befitting the name she reasoned, but still caused Franky to sulk with wounded pride). Chopper and Usopp stick by the railing, dangling lines into the ocean and occasionally play together on the 'lawn' of the deck. Robin chooses to recline in a shaded spot with a thick volume balanced in her hands and a cool drink at her side. Brook, having returned with a grumpy Zoro in tow, sways himself back and forth on the swing set affixed to the deck, absently humming a familiar song and playing the accompanying tune. Zoro immediately ascended to the crow's deck and if Nami listens carefully enough, she can hear the metallic echo of iron or steel. As for herself, she convinced Franky to give her the grand tour, which immediately lifted his spirits.
"And, finally, this is the underwater bar!" Franky announces, stepping aside with a flourish so Nami can step into the room below deck. She guides herself around the room in quiet awe while Franky continues speaking.
"Normally, when we're out at sea, there will be fish and all sorts of sea creatures swimming around this room. For now, it's pretty boring since the fish don't come this close to land."
"You guys go out to sea?" Nami asks, turning around, "On this ship?"
"Of course!" Franky laughs, "I didn't build this ship to sit here and look pretty, y'know. This ship will conquer a thousand seas in her time; although for now, we're mainly confined here." He looks out of the open hatch at the sky overhead, "Sanji's late. He usually comes around after work and we'll set sail. Well, that's the entirety of the ship anyway. I'll leave you to explore on your own. Feel free to do anything you like!" With that, he returns to the deck, leaving Nami alone in the cool, serene silence of the room, surrounded by the ocean. For that, she is thankful and she paces the circumference of the room, watching the light play with the darkness of the water at this depth and her reflection looking back at her, tinted in that strange colour.
She remembered looking at ponds like this, back in her small hometown, and the ocean at the edge of their even smaller coastline. She remembered stealing atlases and marking their location in them, being amazed at how vast the world seemed to be, and how vast the unexplored area remained.
"Do you think there are a thousand seas in the world, Bellemere-san?"
"I'm sure there are."
"How do you know?"
A flick on the forehead, a faux yell of indignation and a mocking grin in return, followed by her mother's gesture towards the wall near the entrance of their house. Gen-san always scolded them for keeping those papers pinned to that wall, since they were the products of the multiple times Nami went to the bookstore and returned with atlases that hadn't been paid for. Bellemere never much cared for what Gen-san thought.
"Because one day, you'll find them and you'll draw them for me just like those."
Above, on the deck, Luffy's shout travels through the air and down to her, snapping Nami out of her reverie.
"Sanji's here! Let's go! Let's go!"
Upon the command of its captain, the Thousand Sunny peels away from the wharf and Nami finds herself suddenly drifting out to sea surrounded by Pirates, but the thought seems almost irrelevant and forgotten. When she emerges on the stairs, letting the afternoon sun warm her, she is smiling. The sea, like the other thousand she had been encouraged to believe existed in this world, was beautiful, even in the company of Pirates and thieves.
(Well, look at who decided to show her face again)
I won't make promises, nor expect others to wait on this story. For those who decide to, sometimes late nights call for some writing, especially when it takes you to the Straw Hats' world. Hopefully, we'll meet again soon.