Logan held Nami for a while, lightly patting her head, and whispered softly, "After you save your hometown, come to the sea with us, okay?"
When it came to recruiting crew members, Logan initially had a laissez-faire mentality, letting things unfold naturally. However, realizing that things rarely progress as one hopes, he decided to take a more proactive approach this time, doing what a captain ought to do.
In any case, when Luffy found out about Nami's sailing talents, he would undoubtedly insist on her joining the Straw Hat Pirates. Since it had to happen sooner or later, why not now? Let's set sail together.
"Okay," Logan said sincerely.
Hearing the heartfelt invitation, Nami's body trembled slightly. "It's tempting! I'd love to answer like that."
But she couldn't. Even if the village could be redeemed from the Arlong Pirates with 100 million Baileys, Nami knew that her bargaining power lay in being the navigator of the Arlong Pirates. If she proposed leaving, Arlong would undoubtedly turn hostile. Cocoyashi Village would lose any chance of freedom.
With these thoughts in mind, Nami tightly hugged Logan, biting her lip as she said with difficulty, "No, I prefer to stay in my hometown."
"You prefer to stay at home?" Logan couldn't be fooled by that statement. He knew how much Nami yearned for the sea since childhood. "You say you don't want to go to sea?"
Despite her reluctance, Nami clung to the facade, trapped by circumstances beyond her control.
The possibility was there!
Logan fully understood why Nami categorically denied the invitation—it was evidently because of the Arlong Pirates. However, Nami deliberately avoided mentioning anything about the Arlong Pirates. Why? Because she didn't want to involve Logan and the others. Rather than enduring the pain herself and going against her own heart, Nami chose not to bring trouble to the people who had helped her. For this act alone, Logan deeply admired and approved of Nami.
Indeed, the eyes of a seafaring enthusiast couldn't be wrong. It wasn't without reason that Nami had become a favorite among the Straw Hats.
"No! You're lying to me!" Logan lifted Nami's little face from his chest, wiped away the tears with his thumb, and stared at her intently. "You're lying to yourself too."
Under Logan's gaze, Nami's heart trembled. Ah, how could she forget? This man had said that a person's eyes couldn't lie. He must have seen through her.
"Who would study navigation so much if it wasn't for going to sea and exploring the world? Nami, tell me, do you want to go to sea?" Logan asked earnestly.
"I..." Nami's voice trembled. She couldn't admit it, but she didn't want to deceive Logan any longer, so she averted her eyes. Logan, however, held Nami's cheeks with a little force, preventing her from avoiding his gaze. He spoke seriously again, "As long as you tell me that you want to go to sea, I will take you out to sea!"
Grievances flooded Nami's moving, pitiful face like a tide. Nevertheless, she shook her head firmly. "No... don't say any more... Please, I really can't go to sea with you."
As she spoke, tears rolled down her face. She couldn't bring herself to look into Logan's eyes.
"Is it because of the Arlong Pirates?" Logan asked in a deep voice.
"No! No!" Nami raised her head abruptly, denying in shock.
Before Nami could say more, Logan covered her lips with two fingers.
"Don't tell me, let me tell you," he said. "Are you worried that if I find out about the Arlong Pirates, our Straw Hat Pirates will go to war with them? You're more concerned that, once the war starts, we'll be at the mercy of the Arlong Pirates' fishmen. Nami, just because you can think like this, I can't sit idly by! Listen, Nami! We, the Straw Hat Pirates, will take care of the Arlong Pirates!"
What!
Hearing this, Nami felt a sense of despair. She urgently exclaimed, "No! Logan, I beg you, please don't provoke the Arlong Pirates."
It was the first time Nami cared so much about a man since growing up. It wasn't just because Logan promised to lend her money. Along the way, Nami had gradually come to know Logan, and the Marine Morgan who ruled with evil had been wiped out, Buggy, the notorious pirate, was easily defeated, and Logan never took advantage of her vulnerability—all of these things made Nami deeply appreciate Logan. More importantly, he was willing to believe in her. Nami cherished such a person.
Even though she knew that Logan, Luffy, and Zoro were strong, having defeated even the formidable pirate Buggy with ease, Nami still didn't want them to take the risk of dealing with the Arlong Pirates. If they were to face the Arlong Pirates and lose, falling into the hands of the mermaids would spell certain death.
Nami wasn't sure about the exact nature of her feelings for Logan, but she was certain that she didn't want anything to happen to the man in front of her. With determination, Nami grabbed Logan's hands.
"Logan, listen to me. Just take me to Cocoyashi Village and then leave quickly"
"It's not up to you to decide, Nami," Logan smiled, shaking his head. He then held Nami's face and spoke seriously, "What I've decided will not change! The navigator of our Straw Hat Pirates can only be you, Nami!"
Nami's heart sank. She understood that Logan had made up his mind, and no matter what she said, it couldn't be changed. Yet, the strength of the Arlong Pirates...
Thinking of this, Nami burst into Logan's arms and cried, "Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo... But the Arlong Pirates are really powerful. It's hard for humans to defeat them. Logan, I don't want anything to happen to you."
"Would you rather suffer in silence than let others bear it? You're such a silly girl~~" Logan gently patted Nami's back and said with a smile, "It's just a mere Arlong pirate group; we can easily wipe them out."
Not convinced, Nami interjected, "But..."
"No buts! All you need to do is trust me, the Straw Hat Pirates! Just as I trust you, will you... will you trust me?"
With Logan's heartfelt words, Nami couldn't continue her protests. Yes, Logan believes in me, so why can't I trust Logan?
Thinking of this, Nami raised her head. She mimicked Logan, covering his face with her small hands, and said, "Let me see your eyes."
Logan, understanding what Nami was attempting, smiled and replied, "Do you see anything?"
After a moment of contemplation, Nami pouted, "Although I can't see into people's hearts through their eyes like you, I would like to believe you!"
Hearing this, Logan smiled genuinely.
"Alright, let's go!" Logan took Nami's hand and led her out.
He kicked open the door of Zoro's room and, with the same vigor, kicked open Luffy's door, shouting, "Come out, come and witness the important moment when the Straw Hat Pirategain a new member!"
"Navigator?" Luffy perked up at the word and rushed out immediately.
Meanwhile, Zoro, too tired from training, couldn't quite make out what Logan said. Rubbing his sleepy eyes, he mumbled, "What's the matter? Can't it wait until tomorrow?"
Luffy went inside and dragged Zoro out. "Hey, hey! Logan said there's a navigator who wants to join!"
The drowsy Zoro, awakened by Luffy's enthusiasm, got up with a confused "What?"
{Read ahead up to ch135 only on P@treon.com/goldengaruda}