21 Chapter 21 (1/2)

Third Person's PoV:

Last night,

As the sun had already set, and the interesting crew of misfit were tucking themselves in for bed, a certain blonde was thinking about what to do.

He witnessed their navigator staring at the wanted poster of 'Saw Tooth' Arlong a couple days ago, and knew that Nami would steal the Merry anyway once Don Krieg came. Although he tried to avert Nami from taking such actions, there was no helping it.

Josh thought that Nami was similar to a certain lonely archeologist in a way. Although what 'she' went through was much worse than Nami, they both had a deep seated trauma about something.

The woman's trauma is about the 'Buster Call', while the cat burglar's trauma is the Fish-man pirates. Even after everything that the archeologists saw and went through, she feared the 'Buster Call' more than the devil itself. This can be said to be the same for Nami.

Although they themselves know that it's an illogical fear, trauma like that are instinctual and hard to get rid of, to say the least. This, however, does not help his current situation.

Deciding on taking action before the whole thing went down, Josh approached his captain.

”Oi Luffy, can you come with me for a sec?” The blonde asked. They were currently in their shared room, with all of the boys getting ready to turn in for the night.

The rest of the guys watched curiously at the two conversing men, while the captain in question turned to face Josh.

”Uhh, Sure?” Luffy had no clue why his Nakama was suddenly calling him, but it didn't worry him one bit because he trusted all of them, this is evident by the wide smile on his face. There were very little things that could make the happy-go-lucky man lose his innocent smile.

Walking down the corridor and back up to the deck of the Merry, Luffy couldn't help but ask, ”So what are we doing, Josh?”

”I'll let you know when we get there.” Was the only reply he got.

They went up even further by climbing the stairs and finally reached Nami's room. With a knock from Josh, the door was cautiously opened by a smiling (fake) Nami. Luffy noticed this and slightly furrowed his brows.

Earlier,

Nami was in her room. The thief had been contemplating about her course of action.

When she first partnered up with the pirate crew, all that was on her mind was robbing them blind, just as she had done countless times. Never in her wildest dreams would she imagine to get this attached to the band of strange pirates.

Not only did they not steal, rob, pillage, ****, or destroy...err...destroy more. They even saved a couple of islands from other pirate crews and corrupt marines. Their actions could even put some upright marines to shame. The only thing they did that can be considered as a 'crime' in the eyes of the world, is their insistence on calling themselves pirates and raising up a Jolly Roger.

This crew changed her entire out look on what a pirate is. Nami even enjoyed herself and truly laughed and smiled from the bottom of her heart.

Then there was the blonde. Josh instantly saw through her and knew her problems, and even volunteered to help her out. While this stirred something she'd long forsaken inside her, the girl resolutely refused.

They were her...friends. Real ones! All through out Nami's life, the only person that can be considered a true friend is Nojiko. She doesn't even count as she is her sister. On Cocoyasi, there weren't a lot of people her age, and even if there were, they surely wouldn't want to associate with her due to her status. She didn't want any of them to die and risk the lives of her beloved villagers.

On several occasions, she was called a ”witch” by people who thought that she joined the Arlong pirates for money. Although that was the image she wanted them to see, it still hurt her.

Her face went cold when she thought about having to return to Arlong Park to avoid Arlong's ire, which he would turn towards the residents of the Conomi islands.

Just as the woman resolved herself to part ways with her only joy out in the sea, she heard a knock that startled her. Remembering the blonde that once visited her in her room at night, she put on a smile to hide her internal feelings. Unknown to her, the unusually perceptive Luffy caught it.

To Nami's surprise, it wasn't just Josh this time, there was also her idiot captain. She widened the door to let them through.

Nami's fake smile faltered slightly when she saw the serious expression on Josh's face. 'Does he know what I'm planning!?', She questioned herself. This startled her, because the man always seemed to know what she was thinking. She shuttered at the thought of him having the ability to read minds...for all she knew, Josh might as well have the power.

Nami sat on her bed like before while Luffy plopped himself down on the wooden floor. Josh remained standing as he looked over the other two.