Chapter 6: Acceptance of Fate
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the bustling streets of Loguetown. Nami stood by the railing of the Going Merry, her eyes fixed on the distant execution platform. Her fingers twitched as the weight of her new responsibility pressed on her.
She had spent the past few days struggling with the mysterious system, its guidance constantly at odds with her own instincts. It had been a slow process to learn how to control it, but the power it offered was undeniable. Why fight it? Nami thought as she stared out at the sea. I can use this. I don't have to be weak anymore.
[System Update: Host has acknowledged system guidance. Commencing tutorial for basic functions.]
The sudden voice in her mind made her jump, but she quickly settled herself. She had learned to tolerate the System's interruptions, even when they came at inconvenient times. With a deep breath, she responded in her mind, Alright, show me how to use this thing properly.
[Function 1: Inventory – Access to an infinite inventory system, allowing the storage of items. Inventory can be accessed by speaking the command: "Open Inventory."]
Nami's lips curved into a small smile. She immediately thought of the money and treasures she had hidden in the ship. Open Inventory, she thought, and a transparent menu appeared before her eyes, floating like a hologram. The items listed were vast: maps, gold, clothes, and even trinkets she didn't remember collecting. Useful.
[Function 2: Power Enhancement – Basic combat enhancement available through system-prompted abilities.]
A faint pulse of energy surged through Nami, and for the first time, she felt her body hum with a newfound strength. She clenched her fist. I could get used to this.
But as the System continued its lesson, the world around her seemed to shift. A loud commotion echoed from the town square. Nami's attention snapped to the source of the noise.
Luffy.
She could see him standing in the middle of a crowd, his back to the execution platform, his wide grin never faltering despite the hostile faces surrounding him. Suddenly, a figure leapt onto the platform—none other than Alvida, Luffy's first enemy turned ally. But she was different now. Her appearance had changed drastically after eating the Sube Sube no Mi. Her once burly figure had become slender, almost graceful, and her face was now unrecognizable from the woman Luffy had first fought.
"Luffy!" Nami muttered under her breath, but the sound of her name caught her attention.
"I see you're still making a scene," a voice called out.
Nami turned to find Usopp standing next to her. His eyes were wide, his brow furrowed. "What is Luffy doing now?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"I don't know, but it's going to get ugly," Nami replied, watching as Luffy was suddenly surrounded by Buggy the Clown's crew, their weapons drawn, ready for a confrontation.
"Luffy!" Usopp shouted, clearly panicking. "We need to get him out of there!"
But Nami had already made up her mind. I can't let him face this alone anymore.
[System Prompt: Mission Update: Engage to protect target – Luffy.]
Nami didn't hesitate. With a swift motion, she summoned the power she had started to understand, feeling a surge of energy. She didn't need to be a warrior like Zoro or Sanji, but she was learning to fight in her own way.
She turned to Usopp. "Get the ship ready. I'll go after Luffy." Without waiting for a reply, Nami pushed through the crowd, her heart racing as she made her way toward the execution platform.
Up on the platform, things had taken a turn for the worse. Buggy's crew had cornered Luffy, shackles around his wrists, with no escape in sight. Alvida stood to the side, watching, amused by the situation. The loud laughter of Buggy rang out as he watched Luffy struggle in vain.
"You're going to die here, Straw Hat!" Buggy taunted, stepping closer to Luffy with a cruel grin.
Luffy didn't flinch. He merely stared back, unfazed. "I'm not going to die until I'm King of the Pirates," he said, his voice ringing with his usual reckless confidence.
Just as things seemed to reach a deadlock, a new force entered the scene. A powerful presence—Captain Smoker.
He stood at the entrance to the platform, his cigar billowing in the air, his marine uniform a stark contrast to the chaos around him. "Enough," he commanded, his voice cutting through the noise. His gaze locked onto Luffy. "This pirate is under my jurisdiction. I won't let him escape."
A sudden realization hit Nami like a cold wave. The marines had a plan to deal with Luffy—Smoker had been waiting for the right moment to strike.
The crowd quieted in fear, and Smoker's presence alone was enough to send a chill through the air. But it wasn't just Smoker's reputation that Nami feared. It was the weapon he carried. Smoker wielded a pair of sea-prism stone sticks—cursed weapons that nullified the abilities of Devil Fruit users like Luffy.
With a swift motion, Smoker advanced, the sea-prism stones glinting ominously. The once-confident Luffy's expression faltered as the effects of the stones took hold.
Nami's pulse quickened. She couldn't let Luffy fall here. Not when she had the power to help.
[System Prompt: Engaging Host's power enhancement. Abilities unlocked: Limited Manipulation – Ice.]
Nami felt the surge of power flood through her body. The System was urging her to act. Without thinking, she thrust her hand forward, and with a burst of energy, a wave of icy cold air surged from her palm. The ice expanded rapidly, forming a barrier around Luffy, blocking Smoker's advance.
Smoker halted, his gaze narrowed in disbelief as Nami stood there, her hand still outstretched. "What…?"
"I won't let you take him," Nami said, her voice steady but firm.
A tense silence fell over the scene as the ice barrier shimmered in the fading sunlight. The fight for Loguetown had only just begun, and Nami had taken her first steps into a new world—one where she wasn't just a passenger. She was a player.
Elsewhere, Zoro was still caught in his encounter with Tashigi, the Marine officer who resembled his late friend, Kuina. The meeting had thrown him off balance, the memories of his old friend flooding his mind. But despite his discomfort, he knew that he couldn't let his guard down.
"I'll deal with this later," he muttered, heading toward the town square where the real fight was unfolding. He knew that with Smoker here, things were about to get even more complicated.