"I see, so that's what it was," Imai muttered, her voice tinged with a quiet anger. "To think that the Celestial Dragons would use that brand to mark you as slaves."
"That's too cruel!" Nami exclaimed, her fists clenched tightly. "Do they not have any compassion for the beings living in this world?!"
"Nami, you've seen
what they've done to the people," Imai interjected, her tone somber. "Could you really think that those Celestial Dragons would have compassion? They see everyone beneath them as tools or playthings, not as equals or even living beings."
Nami's fiery response was caught in her throat as Imai's words struck a chord. Her eyebrows furrowed, and her lips pressed into a thin, angry line. The injustice burned in her chest, and she hated that Imai was right.
"But all is well now. We have been freed," Jimbei said, offering a smile to try and lighten the mood. "Still, there are corrupt fish-men out there—some have even sided with the Celestial Dragons for their own gain."
"Those corrupt bastards," Imai muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing. "I'll slay every single one of them."
Jimbei chuckled, a deep rumble that seemed to resonate through the air. "Haha, I don't doubt that you'll be able to do that. But the problem is, they wield a lot of power in this world."
"Not power in strength," Imai said, her voice firm, "but power in status."
Nami looked around, her expression torn between anger and determination. "Then what are we going to do? How do we fight something like that?"
"What else?" Imai turned her gaze to Luffy, a knowing smirk on her face. "What other choice do you guys have, other than destroying them with brute force?"
Luffy's grin widened, his teeth gleaming. "That's right!" he declared confidently.
Nami frowned, her confusion evident. "What do you mean by 'you guys'? Aren't you coming along with us?"
"This is where we part ways," Imai said gently. "Where you all will become even stronger. Having me here might stunt your growth, and there are things I need to take care of on my own."
The group fell silent for a moment, the weight of her words sinking in.
Jimbei broke the silence with a nod. "I have what you asked me for," he said, pulling out a navigational tool. "The Eternal Log Pose to Skypiea."
"Skypiea?!" Luffy's eyes widened with excitement. "We've been there before! What are you going to do there?"
"Apparently, there's a lightning god causing trouble up there," Imai explained, her tone calm but resolute. "I have some business to settle with him."
"Enel?!" Nami gasped. "I thought we defeated him already."
Imai shook her head. "Well, either he's come back, or you guys didn't finish the job properly. Either way, I need to go up there."
Jimbei pointed toward the path leading out of the garden. "The ship I prepared for you is right over there. Just follow the trail."
"Thanks," Imai said, giving him a small bow of gratitude. Then she turned to the Straw Hat Crew. "Sorry to leave on such short notice, but don't worry. Our paths will cross again. You can count on it."
"I see! Then bye-bye!" Luffy said cheerfully, waving her off.
"Do you really have to go?" Nami asked, her voice laced with a hint of sadness.
"Nami, don't make such a face," Imai teased. "You'll make me think you actually care about me. And we both know money comes first."
Nami glared at her, puffing her cheeks in mock anger. "Ugh, just go already!"
Imai laughed, waving them off before heading toward the ship to say her goodbyes to the rest of the crew.
After making her rounds, Imai found herself in the library where Nico Robin sat, engrossed in a book as always.
"Ah, there you are," Imai said as she stepped into the room. "Still reading, I see."
Robin didn't look up from her book. "Yes. Do you have a problem with that?"
"Not at all. I quite like people who read a lot. You're exactly my type," Imai said with a teasing grin.
Robin finally glanced up, her eyes meeting Imai's for a moment before returning to the pages. "Be serious. You didn't come here just to flirt, did you?"
With a dramatic sigh, Imai flopped onto the couch. "No, I came to say goodbye."
Robin's reaction was swift and unexpected. In a flash, she had Imai pinned against the window, her hands locked firmly above her head, and a knee pressed between her thighs.
Imai blinked, momentarily stunned. Then she smirked. "Wow, I never expected you to take the initiative. If you wanted to be this close, you could've just asked."
Robin's expression remained stern. "Be serious, Imai. What do you mean you're saying goodbye?"
Imai's smirk faltered. "This is as far as I go with your crew. I have other responsibilities to attend to."
"Where are you going?"
"Skypiea," Imai replied. "I already have an Eternal Log Pose and a ship prepared."
"For what reason?"
Imai hesitated, trying to find the right words. "There's trouble in the Sky Islands. Enel is back, or so I've been told. I need to stop him before he regains his hold."
Robin's grip tightened. "Then take me with you."
Imai's eyes softened. "Robin, you know I can't. You're too valuable to this crew. Your knowledge and abilities are unmatched. They need you."
Robin's voice cracked with emotion. "And what about you? Do you think I haven't noticed the way you isolate yourself? The lonely look in your eyes when you think no one is watching?"
Imai's breath hitched, caught off guard by Robin's words. Her heart raced as she realized how much Robin had paid attention to her, even the parts of herself she tried to hide.
"Alright," Imai said, her voice barely above a whisper. "If your captain agrees to let you come with me, then I won't stop you."
Without another word, Robin released her and left the room to find Luffy.
Left alone, Imai pressed a hand to her chest, feeling the rapid thud of her heart.
"Is this... love?" she murmured, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.