The Going Merry cut through the sea, its modest sail catching the morning breeze. Sunlight spilled across the deck, warming wood and skin alike. The scent of salt and freedom hung thick in the air.
Nami sat near the ship's bow, her legs crossed beneath her, a map spread out in front of her. Her eyes flicked over the lines, but her mind wandered.
> \[System Notice: Observation Haki Adjustment Complete. Range extended by 40%. Emotional read function optimized.]
She exhaled quietly. Her Haki had become almost second nature now. Even as she focused on the map, she could feel Luffy's upbeat restlessness, Zoro's sleepy boredom, and a faint splash of curiosity directed at her.
From Luffy.
"Nami!"
Speak of the devil.
She turned just as Luffy bounded over, holding something suspiciously slimy in his hand.
"Wanna eat a sea cucumber? It's still wiggling!"
She stared. "No."
Luffy pouted. "You're no fun."
"I'm practical. That's different."
He grinned and chomped it down himself, making exaggerated noises of satisfaction. She rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth twitched. Just a little.
She went back to mapping.
Zoro wandered up next, stretching. "So, navigator, where to?"
"There's a marine outpost island five nautical miles northwest. If we skirt the edge of its radar range, we can hit the next town without being spotted."
He raised an eyebrow. "You're not bad."
"I'm exceptional," she corrected calmly.
> \[Fate Tether: Zoro – 11%. Compatibility Level: Observational.]
The system kept tracking bonds. It was like watching threads appear, invisible to everyone but her. She didn't know why the system wanted her to get close to them — but she wasn't against it.
Not yet.
As noon approached, the sky shifted.
Clouds gathered fast — unnaturally fast. A gust hit the sail with a violent tug. Nami stood instantly.
"A storm's forming."
"But the sky was clear!" Luffy said, blinking.
"It's not natural." Her voice dropped an octave. "Something's wrong."
The wind howled, and the sea surged. The Merry bucked like a wild horse. Nami braced herself, one hand gripping the mast.
A shadow rose from the water — not a wave, but a figure. A ship, black as pitch, with ragged sails and a skull painted in crimson.
"Pirates!" Zoro snapped.
No. She narrowed her eyes.
"Worse."
> \[System Alert: Hostile Encounter Detected. Probability of Conflict: 97%. Difficulty Rating: B-Rank. Recommendation: Engage cautiously.]
The ship pulled close, boarding hooks flew, and chaos exploded across the Merry's deck.
Nami moved like a whisper. A blur of motion. Her palm sparked with Armament Haki as she caught a blade mid-swing and shattered it with her grip alone.
She spun, ducked, swept a leg, and dropped another pirate.
But she didn't overdo it. Just enough to turn the tide, not enough to reveal everything.
Zoro fought with his usual brutal grace. Luffy punched a man into the horizon.
By the end, the enemy was unconscious or swimming for their lives.
Nami wiped her blade on a cloth and slid it back into her boot. Luffy walked over, laughing.
"That was fun!"
She gave him a look. "You think everything's fun."
"Only the stuff with good friends."
She blinked.
That… caught her off guard.
Zoro flopped to the deck and sighed. "He's hopeless."
She turned toward the sea, hiding the faint heat in her face from the sun.
> \[Fate Tether Strengthening: Luffy – 31%. Emotional Affinity: Curiosity → Budding Trust.]
> \[System Note: One unused MAX Card remains. Suggested Targets: Weapon, Ability, or Relationship.]
The ship sailed on.
And for the first time in a long time, Nami — the new Nami — let herself feel a sliver of anticipation.
Not just for power.
But for what might come next.
---
**End of Chapter 4**