Six years passed in the blink of an eye.

Now eighteen years old, Brynlee felt ready to take the world by storm.

"So… why are we headed for Shells Town again?"

"Because I lost a bet with Sabo, so I've got to pick up his workload while he takes a short vacation to visit his little brother."

"Okay, allow me to reiterate: why am I headed for Shells Town too?"

"Because you love me?"

Nami's brow twitched. "You're lucky you're right, or you'd be in the water by now."

Brynlee snorted, lying a bit more comfortably against the little corner of blankets and pillows she'd set up on their dingy boat. Her wings ached from being tied up in her back for so long, but she couldn't let her guard down when they were out at sea – there was no telling who they might run into, after all.

(Her wings had grown rather imposing, so a mere cloak no longer covered them properly. She needed to use leather straps to fold them and keep them tight and hidden, which definitely was a pain.)

"Anyway, we're the real winners here," she assured, smirking a bit.

"Why?"

"Because Sabo's dear brother should be in Shells Town by now."

"… he's gonna kill you once we get back."

"Maybe, but just imagining the look on his face makes it worth it!" she laughed.

Nami chuckled a bit as well. "Well, you're not wrong… So we'll finally be meeting the infamous Monkey D. Luffy, huh?"

"I know you're a bit wary, still, but I promise: he's a good person."

"You've never even met him."

There was no bite to Nami's words, for she knew exactly what Brynlee meant. After all, ten years was too long a time to keep everything a secret and so, following her deal with Belo, Brynlee had gathered her closest confidants with them – so Bellemere, Genzo, and Arlong, and wasn't that ironic, really? – and had revealed the source of her knowledge. Well, kind of. She'd lied and claimed it was a gift akin to Madam Shyarly's, but that she couldn't really control it and just knew stuff. They'd taken it relatively well and, a little later, she'd told Nami, Nojiko, Sabo, and Koala as well, since she wanted to discuss their future. After all, with Nami no longer traumatized or forced out of her home, she might not have the same dream or ambition anymore, and Brynlee was admittedly a bit worried that her actions might have cost the Straw Hats their prodigy navigator.

Thankfully, Nami's dream hadn't changed. It would seem that no matter the details that changed here and there (such as her being left-handed, or Genzo's scar being on the right side of his face), the main guidelines of the story were still the same.

Of course, she was a bit wary of the idea of becoming a pirate, but Brynlee had done her best to reassure her: they'd find a crew where everyone would be guided by their dreams alone, and not driven by greed or violence. And so, Nami had begun preparing herself for the eventual unfolding of Brynlee's "vision".

Which was now happening.

About damn time, too…

So this chapter is a bit of a set-up to allow a smoother transition into "canon" as I'm sure you've noticed xD For that reason, the next chapter should be up in two days!

Also, I've just realized that I forgot to post the updated [CHARACTER PROFILE] last chapter! I've modified the chapter so feel free to go and take a look (though there may a slight delay, since it takes around 30 minutes for modifications to show up). Sorry about that! If you think I forgot to add somthing or something doesn't add up, feel free to let me know!

PS. I've just had eye surgery (nothing serious, more for practical purposes) hence the delay in posting the new chapter. But I really appreciate you guys' continued support and patience, so thank you!