Nami was stunned when Zack cried. She had never seen Zack crying. In fact, she had only seen him laughing and enjoying the ride. She had seen him angry but crying; she never thought a person like Zack would ever cry.
At this moment, she began to think about his journey.
Zack wasn't like them. He always told himself and others that he was a dreamless pirate.
Nami always felt like Zack was trying to justify his existence on the ship. It felt like Zack was trying to prove that he was a straw hat.
She understood that Zack respects Luffy more than anyone else. Although she knew Luffy was the ship's captain, she and Usopp never treated him like a captain.
She always felt that Luffy and they were friends. But Zack and Zoro were similar. Not just by their obsession with strength but also their respect for Luffy.
Both of them accepted Luffy as their Captain. Of course, for them, Luffy was also a friend and family but more importantly, he was the captain.
She knew Luffy was different from others, but she never understood what made Luffy so special. At least, she didn't find it during the battle with Arlong.
Now, she knew he was exceptional. He was a captain that every one of them was lucky to have. Maybe unlike her, Zack understood this even more.
That's why he was trying to be helpful to the crew. That's why he wanted to be the resourceful guy. Although he was like Zoro, he wasn't like Zoro as well.
Zoro had a clear motivation and goal in his life. He wanted to be the strongest swordsman in the world, which was great for Luffy.
But Zack didn't have such a goal. He could do it if he really wanted, but she knew Luffy could easily see through his dreams. Even if he made up a lie, Luffy could see it, especially regarding dreams.
That's why she knew Valentine wouldn't be part of their crew. And maybe Zack knew that as well. Both of them could get stronger, and perhaps both of them could become an asset to the crew.
But that's now what Luffy wanted. He wanted someone with the passion for putting his life on the line to achieve his dream. Even Usopp, who was always like her, has the same passion. He would risk his life to achieve his dream.
But Zack had no dreams. He had no reason to risk his life. At least, that's what Zack believed. But Luffy knew Zack had a plan. He knew Zack had the guts to put his life on the line and become a pirate to chase his dream.
She and Zack had similar dreams. He wanted to travel the world. She also wanted to travel the world so she could draw a map of the world. Both of them had interconnected dreams.
But unlike her, Zack doesn't believe that his dream is actually a dream. For him, it was just a ride. That's what he believed that others think of his so-called dream.
But, the person he wanted to prove his worth to knew his dream wasn't just a so-called dream. It was a dream equal to his own. It was a dream that kept Zack pushing forward, that helped him get stronger.
And now, Zack was tearing up because the very thing he thought to be his foundation to the crew was now breaking apart. He believed that if he got stronger, he could truly become part of the crew.
And now, losing that, he lost all of it. Although he didn't lose his strength, for someone who was so obsessed with improving himself, it truly struck him hard.
Nami understood how insecure he was feeling right now. At this moment, she wanted to tell him that he was wrong. His foundation wasn't his strength. His dream was real.
He shouldn't cry because he doesn't need to prove his worth, but whenever she thought about it, she couldn't help but remember Luffy's words.
"It's not that I don't want to tell him, but I shouldn't. It's not that we haven't accepted him as a crew, but he believes that he still needs to do much to prove himself to the crew."
"Zoro and Sanji also know about this. But we don't want to tell him because this is his dream. He needs to realize it on his own. And, don't worry, I am sure that he will."
Those words kept resounding in her mind. She bit her lips and kept her mouth shut. She didn't tell him because the people who found out about it never mentioned it.
So, how could a person who didn't even realize it had any right to say such a thing to him? She just put her hand on his head and let him cry.
At this moment, someone with a straw hat was watching this. He seemed to have a conflicted expression. He slowly lowered his head and turned around.
'Zack, I know you can do this. You promised to travel the world with me and make me the Pirate King. Don't break down right now!'
From the castle, the other two were also watching him. One of them had three swords on his waist, and another had a cigarette in his mouth.
"Are we really not going to tell him?"
"No! He has to find this himself. Besides, Luffy trusts him."
"I never imagined a person like him would cry. Does that mean you would cry as well?"
"Once I did, and it was more than enough."
"Oh yeah! I almost forgot you cried when you lost to Hawkeye."
Suddenly, Zoro's veins on his face popped out. That was one of the most embarrassing moments of his life. But suddenly, a smirk appeared on his lips as he said.
"Usopp told me that Vivi was also going to confess him."
"WHAT? THAT BASTARD"
Sanji fumed with anger when he heard that. He almost burst into flames. Just losing Nami was already enough.
At this moment, Zoro felt really good as he walked toward that room. Slowly, his expression turned serious.
'Zack, I know it would be hard to figure out. But, it is something you need to figure out yourself. Don't give up right now! You are the Vice-Captain that I've acknowledged. You mustn't break down.'
Sanji also noticed his serious expression and knew what he was thinking. He looked at Nami and Zack for a moment.
'He won't give up. Nami-San is there for him. I will never forgive him if he ever gives up even with that.'
Slowly, he turned around and clenched his fist.
'Don't break now, idiot! You are the one who inspired me to grow stronger to surpass those monsters as a human. You don't have to worry now. When you can't, I will step. I promise I will be so fast that I will never be late to save my friends.'
'I will take your burden until you recover.'
Unlike Zoro and Luffy, he understood one of the significant reasons why Zack wanted to get stronger. It felt like Zack knew them so well that he knew what their weakness were and what their strength were.
That's why no matter how weak Usopp or Nami might be, he never looks down on them. He knows just how important they are to the crew, especially Usopp.
Just like how he has the most significant potential to learn Soru and Geppo, Usopp has a massive potential to awaken Observation Haki without much training.
Zoro and Luffy are two crew members who will undoubtedly lose themselves on the road, fight because of some nonsense, and mess up, especially their captain.
So, Zack, as a vice-captain, wanted to become someone to be there for his crewmates, especially when they needed someone to protect them. Initially, he thought the dangerous situation could help them grow stronger.
But, after facing the admiral, he understood that they might not be constantly lucky. They might face the situation where Usopp and Nami might indeed die because of a lack of strength.
And that's what Zack was trying to prevent. Now that Zack was out of commission, Sanji wanted to be the one to do so.
With the same determination in his mind, he walked into the room where Kureha, Vivi, Usopp... Usopp?
"Where did he go?"
"Didn't he go outside? I thought he was together with you guys." Vivi looked at him with confusion as she replied.
At this moment, someone was at the top of the castle. He was sitting on the snow, holding the slingshot in his hand and looking at the sky.
'Zack, you are the bravest person that I have ever seen in my life. I have cried, trembled, and felt scared every single moment of my life after going out into the sea. But, I always wanted to become the brave man of the sea.'
'You are the one to help me take a step forward.'
At this moment, tears fell down his eyes.
'Don't give up now, Zack. You are the bravest man. You mustn't give up.'