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Chapter 74: Unknown Island
"Information this scarce usually means only two possibilities."
Nami's fingertip traced the blank area on the nautical chart.
"Either this island is too remote and rarely visited; or..."
"The vast majority of people who go there don't come out alive." Ganyu blinked and added.
"Yeah."
Nami nodded with a grim expression, subconsciously turning her head to look at her crewmates, who were getting along well with Vivi and her mount, Karoo.
She leaned close to Ganyu and said in a voice only the two of them could hear: "How about we find a way to trick Luffy, go back to the Twin Capes, and pick a new route?"
"This route, in my opinion, is a dead end."
"Luffy will be angry when he finds out." Ganyu shook her head without even thinking. "Besides, that princess on board isn't stupid. She'll definitely notice if we change course suddenly."
Nami's brow furrowed slightly. She held Ganyu's arm, shaking it gently, her tone like she was pouting: "Ganyu~ You know what I mean! She's just a princess we barely know. There's no need to put us all in danger for her, right? Luffy definitely listens to you more than he listens to her!"
"So that's what you were planning."
Ganyu looked at Nami beside her, an understanding expression on her face. Only now did she completely understand Nami's little scheme. This navigator didn't want to confront a "Shichibukai" of unfathomable strength just for the sake of a princess from a foreign country. The so-called dangerous route was more of an excuse for her to avoid this huge risk.
Ganyu pondered for a moment, then raised her other hand and gently pinched Nami's expectant, pleading cheek. Her tone was serious: "Nami, the reason Luffy trusts me is because, just like you, I am a partner he acknowledges and trusts unconditionally."
She paused, then continued: "And since he has already decided to help Vivi return to Alabasta, we just need to support him unconditionally. Just like when he insisted on going to Arlong Park to help you."
"So, even if I could, I wouldn't let Luffy change his decision. After all, he is the captain of this pirate ship."
"Ngh..." Nami was stunned. She opened her mouth mid-way, wanting to argue. For example, "This is completely different," or "A Shichibukai is too dangerous." But looking at Ganyu's clear and resolute eyes, those words got stuck in her throat.
In the end, it just turned into a helpless sigh. Somewhat defeated, she rested her forehead on Ganyu's shoulder, her face gradually burying into her chest.
"Alright, I understand..."
"It's good that you understand."
Ganyu's tone softened, and she used her free hand to gently pat Nami's back in comfort.
"You don't need to worry too much. With me here, everyone's safety will definitely..."
Before she could finish her comforting words, she suddenly felt a slight, wet, stinging, and itchy sensation on her front. Her fair cheeks flushed red at a visible speed, and even her speech became stuttered: "W-What are you doing, Nami!"
It was complete insubordination. She actually got bitten.
...
Some time passed.
All preparations for setting sail were finally ready. Igaram and the others boarded another ship as a decoy, tearfully waving goodbye to Vivi on the Going Merry. The two ships raised their sails and sailed into the sparkling sea in two completely different directions.
Not long after the Going Merry set sail, an uninvited guest silently boarded the ship's rail.
She was tall, with long, glossy black hair. Her tan skin looked healthy and exuded a mature woman's sexiness. Her attire was extremely daring, consisting of only a low-cut, navel-baring short top, revealing a flawless, healthy, and charming midriff. On her lower body, she wore a dark short skirt and knee-high leather boots with polished, gleaming toes.
At this moment, she was sitting leisurely on the railing extending from the top of the cabin, legs crossed, the toe of her booted foot swinging lightly, as she watched the busy Straw Hat crew members on the deck below with great interest.
Before boarding, she had already thoroughly investigated their basic information through her channels. That boy with the straw hat and bright smile is the captain, Monkey D. Luffy, a Rubber Fruit user, with a bounty as high as 30,000,000 Beri. The blue-haired girl with a pair of exquisite small horns on her head is the second-highest bounty on the ship. Her fruit ability is... an ice ability, extremely similar to that man's. But it's most likely just a Paramecia-type fruit with a freezing effect.
Then the green-haired man, still training on the deck, is the "Pirate Hunter" with a 15,000,000 Beri bounty, and also the one on this ship who looks the most like a pirate. As for the long-nosed one, the orange-haired girl, and the blond man in a suit, the Marines haven't issued any bounties for them, so she doesn't know much about them.
However, overall, this pirate crew's members are extremely young and, without a doubt, have great potential. Given time, it's not impossible that a few people on this ship could become this year's "Supernovas."
"But what a pity..."
Nico Robin let out a long sigh. It was unclear if it was regret or mockery for this group of rookie pirates overestimating their abilities.
"Right after setting out, you've encountered an opponent you can never defeat..."
"Not invincible."
Suddenly.
A clear, cold girl's voice suddenly rang out, extremely close behind her, without any warning.
The leisurely expression on Robin's face instantly froze. Her pupils constricted, and alarm bells rang in her mind. She... hadn't even noticed someone approaching!
It was almost a physical instinct. Her hands quickly crossed in front of her, activating her ability. She whipped her head around, looking behind her with a solemn expression.
Only to see a blue-haired girl, who had, at some unknown time, come to stand quietly less than a meter behind her.
"You are...?"
Robin forcibly suppressed the shock in her heart, keeping her expression calm.
Long, ice-blue hair, a pair of black-and-red small horns on her head. These features made it easy to see it was the number-two person on this ship she had just been noting. But, wasn't she just playing around with the orange-haired girl down below a moment ago?
How did she appear behind her in the blink of an eye?
This kind of speed... is simply too terrifying!