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For a moment, Nami was stunned.
But she quickly came to her senses.
"Come on, how could I possibly steal your treasure? You're so strong—there's no way I'd succeed even if I tried, right? Hehe." Nami waved her hand and smiled playfully.
Judging by her expression, there wasn't the slightest hint of guilt.
"Nami, you still haven't answered whether you're afraid of me."
"Well then, let me be honest with you."
"I know the location of your hometown, Cocoyasi Village."
"So even if you plan to leave halfway, I'll still be able to find it and go there."
"Don't underestimate a man who's evaded the Navy on the seas for years."
"I'm not saying this to threaten you."
"I just want you to understand: if I really had any malicious intent toward you or Cocoyasi Village, there's nothing you could do to stop me."
"Instead of worrying about this and that, why not lower your guard and trust me for once?"
"Don't you want the power to personally destroy the Arlong Pirates?"
"Do you really believe that bunch will keep their promise and let you and your village go free?"
Genrou said seriously.
Nami fell silent.
She knew Genrou wasn't exaggerating. Deep down, she had always known.
Since Genrou could find out about the Arlong Pirates and her involvement with them, it was only natural that he could learn where Cocoyasi Village was.
It was just that… she had never wanted to face that reality.
After a long pause, Nami sighed and asked:
"Genrou, why are you so set on making me a member of Luffy's crew? If you're looking for a navigator, there are plenty of options, right?"
"True, even in East Blue, there are many skilled navigators. But since the best one is already in front of me, why should I look elsewhere?"
"That's quite a compliment... but I'll still say thank you."
"Nami, my eyes don't deceive me. You may be inexperienced now, but in the future, you'll be able to navigate all the seas of the world. The Grand Line with its ever-changing seasonal currents, the New World with its constant storms, and…"
Drawing on his years of experience working with the World Government and everything he remembered from watching the original One Piece, Genrou began painting a vivid picture of the vast seas in front of Nami.
Gradually, Nami's eyes lit up more and more. Her mouth opened slightly in awe.
"This world… really has such incredible oceans, Genrou?"
"I swear on my honor, I'm not lying to you, Nami."
"Honor, huh! Genrou, can you tell me about your past?"
"What, trying to judge whether I'm trustworthy based on my past?"
"Hehe, of course not. You're overthinking it."
Nami laughed awkwardly, secretly cursing Genrou's sharp mind.
It felt like nothing could get past him.
"Fine. Since you want to know, I'll tell you. You are, after all, the navigator I've chosen."
Genrou smiled and slowly began recounting his time training under the World Government, his years of service, and ultimately, why he defected.
Naturally, he left out anything related to his transmigration.
…
So that's how it is. He killed a noble who enslaved ordinary people...
But this so-called Celestial Dragon—are they really that noble? The Navy actually dispatched so many troops to hunt him down?
If what he says is true, then he might actually be a good man…
Nami stared straight into Genrou's eyes, her thoughts racing.
"We're almost there. That's enough talking for now."
"Nami, think carefully about what I've said."
Genrou gave her a small nod and turned to walk toward the cabin door.
"Wait!"
Nami suddenly grabbed Genrou's arm.
"Is there something else, Nami?"
Genrou turned around, puzzled.
"Genrou… let me become your woman."
Nami clasped his hand tightly, her expression resolute.
"Huh? What do you mean, Nami?"
Strange. She doesn't have a fever, does she?
Genrou reached out and touched her forehead in concern.
"Genrou, you say you value my abilities as a navigator. But that reason still feels too vague."
"And you—someone like you joining Luffy's crew is suspicious in itself."
"I don't know what your true motives are in recruiting me into a pirate crew and offering to help me…"
"But I know there's no such thing as a free lunch on these seas."
"Genrou, let me be your woman."
"If you promise to help me save my village, I'll serve you in return."
Nami bit her lip, her cheeks tinged with a rosy blush.
So everything I said was for nothing, huh…
Genrou twitched at the corner of his mouth.
At that moment, he truly realized just how little trust Nami had in pirates.
"Nami, are you saying that if I take you, then you'll feel secure?"
Genrou shook his head. Since a straightforward conversation wouldn't work, he decided to take a different approach.
"Mmhmm!"
Nami let out a soft sound and nodded shyly.
In truth, she didn't fully trust him yet. But she believed that forming a deeper bond would increase the chances that Genrou would keep his word.
"Very well. As you wish."
Genrou's lips curled into a smile as he suddenly pulled her into his arms.
Thinking he was about to act, Nami's face flushed deep red.
"That said, right now you're just too immature."
"I prefer mature, sexy women."
"Nami, I'll leave your first time with you for now. Two years from now, when you've developed more, I'll come back for it."
Nami froze and looked up at Genrou, who had already let her go. He now stared at her with a look of clear disdain.
Especially when he glanced at her chest—his expression almost had the word disappointed written all over it.
"Wha… what? I-I'm not that small either!"
"Heh, sorry, but I've seen better—and bigger. I really can't bring myself to do it now, little girl."
"Little girl?! I'm already an adult! Wait, don't just walk away, you jerk!"
Watching Genrou open the cabin door and walk out, Nami chased after him in a fury.
She never expected her bold, determined proposal to end in such an embarrassing way.
Wait until two years later?
Was she successful or not?
Thinking about the disgusted look Genrou had just made, the fear she once felt toward him was now replaced entirely by burning anger.
Meanwhile, Genrou, seeing Nami storming after him, laughed hard inside—but still kept that disdainful look on his face.
Until the two of them returned to the deck of the Golden Deer.
"So, all settled?"
Zoro turned around and asked casually.
"All settled. By the way, where's Luffy?"
"That guy already headed to the nearby town on his own. I couldn't stop him."
"Classic Luffy. You take your eyes off him for one second and he's gone."
"I stayed to let you know. Since you're done, we should head there together. Isn't that where the Buggy Pirates are?"
"No need. We'll just sail there directly."
"Sail? Come on, how's that gonna work? Are we supposed to fly?"
"Eh? Zoro, I just realized you're actually kinda smart."
"'Kinda smart'?! I am smart—wait… are you saying this ship can fly?!"
Realizing something was off, Zoro's eyes widened.
Genrou shrugged and raised his right hand.
The next moment, the Golden Deer lifted off from the sea into the sky, and then shot toward the center of Orange Town at high speed.
This move left not just Zoro, but even Nami stunned.
"Sorry, but Drake's Golden Deer isn't your ordinary ship."
"As a 'Noble Phantasm,' flight is just a small matter."
Genrou chuckled, just about to explain the ship's features to Nami and Zoro—
When a loud explosion suddenly rang out.
Genrou frowned and looked toward the source of the sound.
He saw a cannonball painted with a clown face tearing through the air at high speed—headed straight toward the Golden Deer.
Buggy Ball?!
That guy actually fired a cannon at me?!
…
(End of Chapter)
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