A month had swiftly sailed by since Ace's departure to the sea.
In the East Blue, a lavish banquet unfolded on a grand merchant vessel.
The air buzzed with lively conversations and laughter among the well-dressed attendees. On the dance floor, couples danced with effortless elegance.
However, the festive atmosphere was abruptly disrupted by the loud echo of a gunshot, sending the gathering into a frenzy.
Guests screamed and scrambled in panic, seeking cover from an unseen threat. The musicians halted, their instruments falling silent as the sound of the gunshot reverberated through the ship.
"Stop where you are! This ship belongs now to our Sword Bone Pirates now!" A group of pirates stood on the banquet table with ferocious smiles. ...
Outside, the dark silhouette of a pirate ship cut through the waters, drawing perilously close.
But on this chaotic ship, there was a figure with orange hair, sneaking towards the deck of the ship....
"When all these pirates come up, I can take action." The orange-haired girl was in a shadow, quietly staring at the pirate ships that had begun to attack the merchant ship, and the pirates who were rushing up from the pirate ships in a steady stream....
"Now's my chance!" With the pirate ship seemingly deserted, Nami's spirits soared. She deftly wielded a grappling hook, securing it to the pirate deck before gliding across with the finesse.
"Now, all the treasures on this pirate ship belong to me", she mused, a victorious grin spreading across her face as she darted towards the hold.
"What a good plan, young lady." But her triumph was short-lived. A chuckle on the deck sent a chill down her spine. She suddenly looked up and saw a handsome black-haired man with a sunhat and some freckles on his face squatting on the railing , smiling at her.
....
"Who are you? You shouldn't be from this pirate group, right?" Looking at this person's appearance, Nami's words faltered, a strange sense of déjà vu enveloping her.
"lost kitten from Arlong's litter, am I remembering correctly? It's not easy to find you , Cat Burglar." Ace looked at Nami with a smile on his face....
In the past month, Ace has searched all over the surrounding waters and finally found traces of Nami.
"You, you are..." Nami's pupils shrank suddenly when she heard this. She remembered that about half a month ago, six of Arlong's fish-men had set out to plunder, and five met their demise at the hands of a man. Only one fortunate survivor returned to Arlong, which led to Arlong to spread his image throughout his territory, threatening to tear him into pieces...
Unexpectedly, I met him here...
"I was forced to join Arlong's group, don't kill me!" Nami's eyes instantly filled with tears...
In Nami's opinion, this person may have a grudge against Arlong's group and specializes in hunting down members of Arlong's group. ...
It would be too easy for a guy who could kill five fishmen to kill her....
"Kill you? I found you with great difficulty, why would I kill you?" Ace jumped down from the railing, looked at Nami with a grin ...
"Looking for me? Not to kill me?" Nami asked cautiously. She didn't understand why he was looking for her since she had never seen this person before....
"Let me introduce, my name is Portgas D. Ace, I am a pirate. My pirate group is still short of a navigator. How about it? Join my pirate group." Ace smiled and extended the invitation. ...
"Ha, pirate?" When Nami heard this, hatred flashed in her eyes, but then she waved her hands...
"I, I don't know much about navigation. Are you sure you are looking for the right person?" Nami forced a smile on her face...
"But the fish men of Arlong's group said that you have very rare sailing talent." Ace killed several fishmen during this period, just to prepare for today...
Including the fishman who was not dead, Ace deliberately put him back... When Nami heard this, her heart suddenly sank...
"Well, you also know that I am part of Arlong's group. Arlong is very scary. If I join your pirate group, you will also be in trouble." Nami continued. She wasn't worried about Ace's life. As because of Arlong, Nami had long since hated pirates. Even when she stole things, she specifically chose pirate ships to steal....
Nami is worried about everyone in Cocoyasi Village. If she is really taken away by this person, then everyone in Cocoyasi Village will be completely hopeless. ....
"Don't want to join my pirate group? That would be such a shame." Ace sighed regretfully, and when he was about to turn around and leave, he "accidentally" revealed a corner of his backpack. ...
"!!!" Nami's eyes instantly changed into Beli's shape. ...
"Wait, wait a minute!" Nami yelled. ...
Ace paused, a sly smile curling at the edge of his lips, unseen by Nami. "Yes?"
"I… I will join," Nami declared, her mind racing with calculations. The bounty in Ace's possession was the key to her village's salvation.
Just steal this guy's money when he's sleeping...
Everyone in Cocoyasi Village can finally be freed! ....
As for Ace, sensing the unfolding of his plan, allowed a triumphant grin to spread across his face.