"Mr. Zeke, let me introduce myself. I'm Nami, and these are my crewmates—Sanji, Usopp, Chopper, and Robin."
"Our captain and our drunk swordsman aren't back yet."
After finishing a round of whispered discussions with the others, Nami walked up and formally introduced her crew to Zeke. After all, they'd be traveling together for a while now. Regardless of how they felt, fifty million berries was more than enough reason to show some courtesy.
"I'm Zeke. These are my guards—Teach, Van Augur, Burgess, Doc Q, and Stronger."
Zeke introduced them openly, making no attempt to hide their real names.
There was no need.
This was a straightforward transaction.
He had paid fifty million berries in travel expenses, and in return, the Straw Hat Pirates would take them to the next island. A mutual agreement. Business, plain and simple.
Nami nodded at each name, then looked at Zeke seriously.
"Mr. Zeke, the place we're headed to might be dangerous. If you want to back out, now's your chance."
"No worries. My bodyguards will protect me."
Zeke responded immediately.
"Alright then."
Nami finally relaxed.
She had been worried that Zeke might back out.
Soon after—
Within half an hour, Zoro finally returned, looking disheveled as always. It was clear he'd gotten lost again. As soon as he stepped aboard, Nami was on him with hands on hips, scolding him furiously.
Who would believe it?
A man who aspired to be the world's greatest swordsman now stood obediently as Nami tore into him. The moment he dared argue, two massive lumps would appear on his head, smoke puffing from them.
As expected—
Zoro strongly opposed having Zeke and the others aboard. But all Nami had to do was mention alcohol and gym equipment, and Zoro awkwardly fell silent.
Still, his eyes would often drift to Blackbeard with suspicion.
As for Zeke, Van Augur, Burgess, and Doc Q—Zoro paid them no mind. Especially Zeke, who seemed so weak and ordinary that even Usopp could probably take him down.
"Luffy's back!"
Ten minutes later—
A figure appeared on the road in the distance.
Dusty and bruised, the person's face showed signs of a recent battle, but the straw hat on his head made him unmistakable.
From the deck, Zeke watched silently.
Behind him, Blackbeard and the others behaved just as he'd instructed—speaking little, listening more, and communicating only with their eyes.
Blackbeard, however, stared at the straw hat on Luffy's head with a thoughtful look.
"Nami, Zoro, Sanji, Chopper, Usopp, Robin—I'm back!"
Leaping from the ground, Luffy landed steadily on the deck, smiling broadly at his crew. Whatever happened with Bellamy hadn't dampened his mood at all.
That guy had gone down with just one punch.
"What took you so long? Was that spring pirate hard to deal with?"
Sanji lit a cigarette, though he wasn't the least bit concerned that Luffy might've lost.
"He was alright, pretty strong—who are they?"
Luffy's reaction was a bit delayed.
Only now did he notice Zeke and the others. His cheerful face turned slightly puzzled.
"They're our sponsors. We just have to take them to the next island, and we'll get fifty million berries. We already received forty million as a deposit."
Nami threw an arm around Luffy's neck, lowering her face dangerously.
If Luffy so much as said "no," she'd make him understand exactly how heavy her fists were.
Among the entire crew—
This idiot had the biggest appetite.
He ate five meals a day, minimum, and every single one had to include meat. They were practically broke because of him. And the worst part—he never once realized it, always acting like *she* was stingy with his allowance.
Just thinking about it made the murderous glint in Nami's eyes grow sharper.
She didn't have it easy.
If it weren't for her careful budgeting, the crew would've fallen apart a long time ago.
"F-fine."
Luffy swallowed hard. Whatever question he was about to ask was crushed on the spot.
He had seen it—that dangerous gleam in Nami's eyes.
Then, cautiously, he asked:
"So how much is fifty million berries, exactly? Can I get a raise in my allowance? Like, maybe to a hundred berries?"
"Me too! Me too!"
"Nami, please—!"
"Nami-swan!"
Just as Nami was about to refuse with a cold glare, Usopp and Chopper rushed over with flattery written all over their faces.
Sanji even started circling her in his usual lovestruck spiral.
"Bootlickers."
Zoro crossed his arms and scoffed with disdain.
"What was that, moss-head?"
Sanji instantly bristled, pressing his forehead against Zoro's like a challenge, ready to kick him into orbit. He didn't care if Zoro was right—he *wanted* to be Nami-swan's loyal bootlicker.
He just hated this bastard's face.
"Zoro drinks way too much."
"Yeah, we should cut back on his liquor budget."
"I agree."
Usopp, Chopper, and Luffy all raised their hands in unison.
Zoro's insult had triggered everyone. Were they really bootlickers? No! They were just trying to survive—and maybe earn a little more allowance while they were at it.
"Besides, you guys steal my booze too!"
"Last time Luffy swiped a whole barrel—and said Usopp made him do it."
Zoro was outraged at the thought of losing more of his alcohol stash.
That stuff was sacred to him.
He'd been wondering why his supply was always gone before the weekend—it was because these freeloaders kept stealing it.
"Huh? When did I tell Luffy to steal your booze?"
Usopp's eyes widened in disbelief, finally realizing he'd been framed. No wonder Zoro had been giving him the cold shoulder lately.
"LUFFY!!!"
Usopp's voice cracked with betrayal.
"Chopper had some too!"
Luffy looked sheepish for a second before puffing out his chest again. He had allies—safety in numbers.
"You didn't say it was stolen!"
Chopper was confused.
That booze was stolen?
Luffy hadn't told him that.
He'd just seen Luffy sneaking off with a barrel, and the next thing he knew, he was drinking it. Then… nothing. He had blacked out for two days straight.
Almost didn't wake up.
"I *did* say it. Anyway, you drank it."
"Luffy, why'd you say it was my idea if you weren't going to share?"
"You two drank it all by yourselves?!"
From Zeke's perspective, the Straw Hats suddenly exploded into chaos.
One moment they were talking, the next they were bickering, then full-on fighting. It was absolute pandemonium.
In the end, Empress Nami settled it with her fists.
Bruised and swollen, each of them huddled together in silence, not daring to complain.
It was… something to behold.
Chaotic as it was, it had its charm.
Maybe this is what bonds really look like.
"Hey!!! Straw Hat!"
Suddenly—
Two pirate ships appeared in the distance, shouting as they approached.
"It's the Saru Monkey Pirates and the Gorilla Gorilla Pirates. Right on time."
Nami ran to the railing and waved with a smile.
Luffy and the others clambered to their feet and began waving back.
Zeke vaguely remembered that the Straw Hat Pirates were able to reach the sky island thanks to the help of Mont Blanc Cricket, the descendant of the famous liar Norland. These two pirate crews were under his command—the Saruyama Alliance.
Soon—
After a brief exchange between Luffy and the arriving pirates, the Going Merry began to move. The two pirate ships flanked them as escorts.
"Mr. Zeke, the place we're headed to next is the sky island. You've probably heard the legends about the other half of Jaya back in Mock Town."
"We believe the legend is real, so we're heading to the sky."
"Since we can't guarantee safety, it's still not too late to disembark. But I can only refund half the deposit."
Nami walked up to Zeke with a serious look.
She had done her part by giving him fair warning.
Whatever happened next wasn't her responsibility.
And she definitely wasn't returning all the money.