After being confronted by Kaya about their past intimate contact, Tom and Nami both felt as if struck by lightning, their minds blank. They didn't even know how they walked out of Kaya's mansion.
Currently, Tom was walking along the road, carrying a black bag containing the fishing rod's accessories. Under normal circumstances, Tom would have been enthusiastically fiddling with these things already. But now, Kaya's words kept replaying in his mind: "I really envy you two. You really get along so well."
Nami and I get along well? So well that people mistake us for... that?
Since meeting Nami, this was the first time Tom had seriously pondered his relationship with her. He thought until his brain felt like it was burning, but he still couldn't understand why Kaya would think he and Nami were a pair.
Although Tom and Nami had been in close contact several times, those were all accidents. Besides, Nami hadn't said much about it—at most, she'd pummeled him, and then they'd carried on as usual. Tom figured that since Nami often called him an idiot, it was unlikely she had those kinds of feelings for him. Otherwise, a Nami who liked idiots would be a complete fool herself.
Therefore, Tom had never considered that he and Nami could be a couple. Still, if asked whether they had a good relationship, Tom did feel that way. Not to mention the distant past, just a few days ago during the fight with Kuro, Nami had jumped in to block an attack for him at a critical moment and got injured because of it. If Nami truly had an extremely bad relationship with him, why would she jump out to help in a dangerous situation?
But to say that meant Nami was involved with him? Tom thought that was stretching it. Honestly, he had saved Nami several times too. Yet Tom didn't feel at all like he was lovesick over Nami. Life went on as usual.
For Nami, Tom could be considered a man who had quite literally burst out of her favorite treasure chest. She had always, consciously or not, avoided the issue of her relationship with Tom. Now, having it pointed out so directly by Kaya gave her the illusion that a deeply hidden secret had been discovered, leaving her feeling at a loss.
It was undeniable that since meeting Tom and journeying together, Nami's inner reliance on him had gradually increased. But their relationship wasn't as close as Kaya suggested, was it? Moreover, Nami's heart was always preoccupied with her hometown, Cocoyashi Village. The lives of the entire village rested on her shoulders. Under such circumstances, how could she have the mood to think about other things?
Nami estimated that, including the treasure she had stolen from the Black Cat Pirates, the money she had saved was nearly reaching one hundred million Berries. She knew clearly in her heart that the day she would part ways with Tom and the others was not far off. They might never meet again after this. That's why Nami wanted to do something for Tom this time, even exceptionally setting aside a million Berries to buy the rod from Kaya.
Nami had seen Tom fight with that rod and knew it could be a powerful tool in his hands. But contrary to her expectations, it ended up costing nothing, as Kaya gave the valuable rod to Tom for free. This made Nami happy, yet she also felt a tinge of regret. She hadn't even managed to complete this last thing she wanted to do for Tom.
Tom and Nami walked side by side, slowly making their way down the slope. One head tilted left, the other right, their faces stiff, expressions bewildered, as if suffering from some great shock. They both seemed preoccupied, lost in thought, yet the steps of this man and woman were surprisingly in sync.
"What are your plans for the future?" Tom asked, finally breaking the silence. His head was about to explode from thinking; he felt brain cells had died in droves with no conclusion. He figured it was better to just ask clearly.
"I want to be like Kaya," Nami answered vaguely, still seeming somewhat out of it.
"Oh, so you want to be a rich lady," Tom said, feeling a sense of relief. He had asked about Nami's future, and she hadn't mentioned him. Therefore, how could they possibly end up together? This proved Kaya's perception was flawed, on par with Luffy's cross-eyed vision.
Just as Tom was thinking this, he heard Nami say, "You're wrong. I just like money."
Ugh, you should have said that earlier! I wasted my time thinking about all those other questions.
Tom completely understood. Compared to money, he didn't count for anything in Nami's heart.
At that moment, Tom heard a noise from behind. Still mentally stiff, he and Nami beside him slowly turned around together. Then they saw a large "ball" rolling down the slope from above.
Before Tom and Nami could react, the large "ball" rolled right over them, knocking them down. Actually, this "ball" was Usopp. He was carrying a huge sack, having packed a large bundle of things for his departure today. As he walked on the slope, unable to bear the load, he ended up rolling down with the sack on his back, directly crashing into Tom and Nami.
Usopp, who had rolled to the bottom of the slope, was stopped by Luffy and Zoro, each sticking out a foot to halt him. Unfortunately, their feet happened to kick Usopp's front side. Tom and Nami remained lying on the ground, unable to get up, faint tread marks still on their faces, forming a sharp contrast with the perfectly calm Luffy and Zoro below.
Tom and Nami lay spreadeagled on the slope, looking at the gradually whitening sky. Their fingertips inadvertently touched, producing a sensation like a small electric shock. Nami's heart skipped a beat. She stole a glance at Tom, her face reddening briefly before quickly returning to normal.
"What are you two still lying on the ground for? We're setting sail! If you keep dawdling, I won't give you any meat!" Luffy, eager to set sail, had already run onto the ship and invited Usopp aboard. Seeing Tom and Nami still lying there sunbathing, he shouted at them discontentedly.
"They're not people who only eat meat. Is that threat useful?" Zoro said, scratching his head, to Luffy. He had boarded the new ship and was in high spirits.
Setting sail?
Tom's heart leaped with joy, and he became excited. He did a fish-like leap and quickly ran toward where Luffy and the others were.
After running a bit, Tom felt something was off. He looked back and saw Nami still lying motionless on the ground. He ran back and, under Nami's astonished gaze, grabbed her hand, pulled her up, and dragged her excitedly toward the new ship. "Don't waste time, woman! Don't you know we're setting sail?"
Nami had felt a little depressed seeing Tom run off alone, forgetting her there. But shortly after, Tom came running back, rather roughly pulled her up, and started dragging her along as he ran.
Idiot, what's the rush? I'm a girl, you know. Couldn't you be gentler? You're gripping my hand so hard it hurts!
Nami looked at Tom's back as he ran ahead, bit her lip, and snorted lightly. Feeling the warmth transmitted from his palm, she ultimately didn't voice her complaint. Instead, she unconsciously smiled and looked toward the new ship Kaya had given them.
The ship had a figurehead that resembled a sheep's head, looking quite cute. It was a "caravel"-type ship with a skeletal structure, triangular sails, and using the stern-central rudder method.
Nami was very happy. With this ship, their journey to the Grand Line would undoubtedly have an extra layer of security—far better than rowing there in a tiny boat.
"Alright, let's get up there!" Tom said, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the lively sheep figurehead. He took out his fishing rod, extended it, and had Nami hold the black bag full of accessories for him. Then, hooking the rod onto the ship's railing, he quickly shortened it, pulling himself and Nami upward. Using the fishing line, the two of them swung with the momentum onto the figurehead.
"Look over there," Tom said.
Standing on the sheep's head, Tom and Nami looked toward the distant sea. The vibrant morning sun was slowly rising, filling the sky with red clouds. The red sun leaping from the sea's surface radiated warm sunlight, shining on them, filling them with a sense of vitality.
"Take this," Nami said, handing over the bag Tom had given her earlier. As Tom took the bag, he suddenly raised both hands high, his face full of excitement, and shouted loudly, "Let's set sail! New adventures await us!"
"Huh?"
Before Nami could withdraw her hand that was still holding the bag, Tom's hand gripping the bag shot upward, lifting her hand along with it.
Glancing at the spirited Tom beside her and hearing his shout, Nami seemed infected by his high spirits. She didn't pull back her raised hand. Instead, she raised her other hand as well. Standing with Tom on the figurehead, both raising their hands high, she joined in shouting, "Alright! Let's set sail toward the rising sun!"
And so, a man and a woman stood side-by-side on the figurehead, hands held high, shouting at the rising sun, venting the joy in their hearts.
"Ahahahaha!"
In this moment, Nami's face was radiant with a brilliant smile. She laughed very happily.
Tom unintentionally glanced at Nami. The light of the dawn sun shone on her pretty face, which held a slight blush. Her every smile and expression at this moment held a unique charm.
This woman really does look much better when she smiles than when she wants to punch someone.
Just as this thought crossed Tom's mind, he heard Luffy's voice. "What are you two doing?! That's my special seat!"
Luffy had discovered Tom and Nami standing on the figurehead—his favorite spot. He couldn't just give it up. So he immediately stretched out his arms, grabbed the collars of Tom and Nami, and flung them backward.
Then Luffy jumped onto the figurehead, stood up straight, grinned widely, and threw his arms out. "We're setting sail! Onward to the Grand Line!"
Silence. No one responded.
"What's with you guys? Everyone's so listless. And Usopp? Why hasn't he come aboard yet?" Luffy turned his head, seeing Nami, Tom, and Zoro all piled together, while Usopp, who was supposed to board, was nowhere to be seen. He was very confused.
It turned out that when Luffy threw Tom and Nami off the figurehead, they unfortunately crashed into Zoro, who was in the process of pulling Usopp onto the ship. Usopp had just climbed aboard, and Zoro had kindly reached out a hand to pull him up when he was knocked over by the flying Tom. Usopp, who hadn't fully boarded yet, tragically fell back down.
"As the captain, I have to tell you guys something. When setting sail, you need to be full of energy! This is the wonderful beginning of our future voyage! If you're like this, you might have bad luck," Luffy said, jumping down from the figurehead, crossing his arms, and using a scolding tone to address Tom and the others lying on the deck.
"You bastard! This is all your fault!" Tom and Zoro climbed up, walked over, and gave Luffy a sound thrashing. Then Nami and Usopp, who had climbed back aboard, joined in.
And so, the captain who had been putting on airs just moments before was pinned to the ground and beaten mercilessly by the four of them...
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T/N :
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