Pirates: Martial Arts Masters on the Straw Hat Ship

Nami shuddered violently, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

She frantically stuffed the wad of paper into her pocket, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace, and tried to calm her trembling voice:

"No...no. How could I have a grudge? I was just...just surprised that there are pirates with such high bounties in the East Blue."

Ronan sighed inwardly as he looked at her evasive eyes.

Nami now resembles a frightened hedgehog, raising all her quills and trying to fight the entire world alone.

She hasn't truly considered herself a member of the Straw Hat Pirates yet, or rather, she doesn't dare to.

She feared that this newly acquired warmth would shatter instantly because of that terrifying fishman.

"Nami."

Ronan turned around, his eyes serious and sincere, his tone firm and unwavering:

"If you ever have any difficulties, whether it's money or enemies, we can help you solve them. Don't forget, we're partners, aren't we?"

"partner……"

These two words struck Nami's heart hard.

Her eyes reddened, and she almost burst into tears, but reason made her hold them back.

She turned her head, avoiding Ronan's gaze, and forced a smile, "Oh dear, what nonsense are you talking about? What trouble could I possibly have? Really, nothing."

Seeing that she was still putting on a brave front, Ronan did not press her further.

He simply sighed softly, then raised his head, exuding a powerful confidence and aura:

"Nami, remember this. In this East Blue, I dare say, no pirate crew can stand against us."

"No matter who it is, even that so-called 'Arlong Pirates,' a mere 20 million Berries bounty..."

Ronan paused, his gaze sharp: "We've never taken them seriously either."

"Luffy, Zoro, and I are much stronger than you think."

These words struck Nami like a thunderclap.

She looked up at the confident profile of the man before her, and her heart trembled violently.

Yes, she had witnessed these men's frenzied cultivation over the past week.

That inhuman physique, that domineering aura that could foresee the future, that swordsmanship that could cut through steel...

Maybe... it really is possible?

If we use their power, can we really save Cocoyasi Village from that demon?

But the next second, the image of Arlong's terrifying strength tearing apart naval warships flashed before my eyes again.

What if it fails? If it fails, not only will the village be doomed, but even these few true friends she has finally found will lose their lives because of her.

For a moment, hope and fear clashed fiercely in Nami's heart, leaving her in a state of utter confusion.

......

Just then, a terrified scream broke the silence on the deck.

"Whoa! We've been targeted!!"

Usopp, who had been keeping watch on the mast, pointed at the naval warship next to him, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets in fright.

A flash of fire appeared from the muzzle of the warship's side cannon.

"BOOM—!!"

With a deafening roar, a solid black shell tore through the air, whistling with death, and hurtled straight toward the Merry!

"Oh no! I'm going to get hit!" Usopp covered his head and ran away.

"Leave it to me!"

A red figure darted to the ship's side like lightning.

Luffy pulled his straw hat down low, a confident smile playing on his lips.

After a week of "hellish training," his control over his body is now completely different.

"Rubber, rubber—"

Luffy stretched his arms out to the sides and gripped the Going Merry's gunwales tightly, his body lying horizontally in the center of the deck like a fully drawn bowstring.

"--slingshot!!"

"Bang!"

The powerful cannonball slammed into Luffy's bouncy belly.

Instead of exploding, it pushed Luffy's belly backwards to an astonishing depth.

"Hey!"

Luffy pushed off the ground with both feet, exerted force with his waist and abdomen, and a huge rebound force burst forth instantly!

"Whoosh—!!"

The cannonball was deflected back by Luffy at an even faster speed than it had come from!

It drew a straight black line in the air and crashed precisely onto the deck of the naval warship!

"BOOM!!"

Flames suddenly shot into the sky from the distant warships, and wood chips flew everywhere.

The naval soldiers who had been watching the show were thrown into chaos, with screams and shouts of commands rising and falling.

"hey-hey!"

Luffy nimbly leaped onto the goat's head of the Going Merry, patted his uninjured belly, and looked smug:

"My strength seems to have increased a lot lately! Intercepting artillery shells is a piece of cake!"

Ronan watched this scene and smiled slightly.

This is the result of his training. If it were before, Luffy could have deflected it, but he would never have been so precise.

……

The restaurant on the sea, inside the Barrati.

Ronan and his group ignored the chaos on the warship and instead boarded a small shopping boat on the Merry and boarded the floating restaurant from the side.

Pushing open the heavy fish-mouth door, a rich aroma of food wafted out.

The restaurant is spacious and luxurious, with a huge crystal chandelier casting a soft glow, a deep red carpet covering the floor, and each table covered with a pristine white tablecloth.

The surrounding area was bustling with diners, the clinking of knives and forks, the clinking of glasses, and laughter creating a lively atmosphere.

Through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, you can enjoy your meal while admiring the azure sea view.

"Wow—this is so high-class!" Luffy's eyes lit up.

The group found a seat by the window and had just ordered when Ronan's attention was drawn to a commotion in the center of the hall.

"That is..."

Ronan looked around and saw that the naval captain Hepburn was now sitting at a table not far away.

He seemed to be trying to impress his female companion by picking a fight with a waiter with a gloomy expression.

The waiter was wearing a sharp black suit, and his blond hair covered his left eye, leaving only his right eye visible.

What's most striking are his two curled, swirling eyebrows, and his elegance and roguish charm that even carrying a plate can't hide.

He is none other than Sanji, the Straw Hat Pirates' future chef.

"What's going on with this bug?!"

Hepburn pointed to a beautifully presented bowl of soup in front of him, speaking so loudly that he wanted the whole restaurant to hear him.

In the milky white broth, floated a tiny, incongruous insect.

Hepburn thought the waiter would panic and apologize, but he was wrong.

Sanji simply bent down slightly, took a closer look at the insect, and spoke in a tone as calm as if he were discussing the weather:

"Excuse me, sir, I'm not quite sure."

He straightened up, a faint hint of sarcasm playing at the corners of his lips: "After all, I don't know much about insects."

"puff--"

Sanji's seemingly serious but nonsensical statement instantly triggered laughter from those around him.