Based on their brief interaction, Uta believed she had a good understanding of Nami's personality.
The woman was shrewd, money-loving, but had a deep-seated sense of loyalty at her core. She wasn't likely to surrender easily in a "competition" just because the other party was a princess.
But... Uta's expression turned strange. Given Nami's money-grubbing nature, was it possible she'd been bought off by the princess with an astronomical sum of treasure?
Thinking this, the image was too vivid. She could almost picture Nami's eyes turning into Beri signs, hugging a money bag and greeting Vivi with a beaming smile.
"No way..."
Uta murmured to herself, then shook her head firmly. "Nami loves money, but surely she wouldn't go that far... right?"
Actually... it was hard to say!
What if there was a tiny possibility? What if, during the time she was away, that simple, dense idiot Luffy got swept off his feet by a more proactive, straight-shooting princess?
At this thought, Uta couldn't sit still anymore.
After all, she'd been practically felt up all over by that guy Luffy! Even if it was for treatment, a special circumstance... could such a thing just be let go?
Furthermore, in Uta's eyes, the woman named Nico Robin was the truly dangerous one.
She was the mature older sister type! Both she, Nami, and Vivi belonged more to the "pretty girl" category, each with their own charms at best. But Nico Robin was different—she was a mature, alluring, intellectual, and elegant big sister. Mysterious, with a lazy yet insightful demeanor... that kind of woman was the best at deception! Deep thoughts, many methods... for a hormonally charged teenage boy, she was a fatal temptation!
Who knew if that single-celled organism Luffy wouldn't be fooled completely? He might even help count the money after being tricked.
Uta abruptly stood up and began pacing back and forth in the elegantly decorated rehearsal room, as agitated as a cat whose dried fish had been snatched. A phrase from her hometown dialect—"Goddamnit, Nami's incompetent. Looks like I have to step in myself"—almost spilled out. Luckily, she managed to swallow it just in time, only stomping her foot forcefully.
"Achoo!"
At that very moment, far away on the high seas off Alabasta, aboard the Going Merry basking in warm sunshine and a refreshing sea breeze, Nami suddenly sneezed violently for no apparent reason.
"Who's thinking about me?" She rubbed her nose, looking around suspiciously.
The weather was clear, with not a cloud in the sky. The Going Merry had completely left Alabasta's waters and was sailing towards the next destination indicated by the Log Pose. The atmosphere on board was relaxed and cheerful, as if the gloom of the recent great battle had been blown away by the sea breeze.
Vivi and Nami were sitting side-by-side in a shady spot on the deck, holding a stack of the latest newspapers and bounty posters, heads together, whispering and giggling like silver bells from time to time, apparently discussing some interesting gossip.
At the bow, Usopp and Chopper were enthusiastically conducting "Grand Line Fish Research,"—which was basically fishing—with little Merry floating beside them, occasionally pointing at the sea with her tiny finger and softly indicating where fish were gathering.
Elsewhere, the atmosphere was a bit more heated. Sanji and Zoro had somehow locked horns again, sparks flying between them. A samurai showdown seemed imminent.
The trigger seemed to be that after mastering Armament Haki, Zoro, with his characteristic arrogant tone, had called out to Sanji, "Number Five, where's your Haki?" That one remark had completely ignited Sanji's fury.
"Damn algae head! You just got lucky and grasped it first! What's there to be proud of?! I'll kick every single one of those green strands off your head with my love-powered kicks!"
"Tch. Pervert cook, keep talking tough! The difference in strength is obvious. Number Five is Number Five. Just accept your fate!"
What a lively bunch.
"Want to learn? Come and take my fists then," Luffy felt like inviting them, but based on his understanding of them, they probably wouldn't listen to anyone right now.
As captain, he was still diligently training. The weather was nice today, a rare treat. But it felt dull with only the captain training.
Sitting cross-legged under the main mast, faint steam wisping around him, Luffy saw several ways to increase his power.
First was constant physical training. The body was the foundation of combat, and he still had much room for improvement there.
Then came Devil Fruit ability development. Gear Second, which he could enter anytime. Gear Third, the partial giant form. Gear Fourth, derived from animal power archetypes. And Gear Fifth, not yet awakened but allowing him to borrow some of its power.
Fruit development had indeed hit a bottleneck, but Luffy felt there were many paths left. Like integrating Haki power into the Gomu Gomu no Mi's abilities. Or drawing inspiration from what Ace said about Awakened fruits affecting the terrain.
What's that? Is the Nika fruit a Zoan? Affecting terrain is a Paramecia ability?
Luffy knew how to be flexible. It could be a Zoan when he needed it to be a Zoan. It could be a Paramecia when he needed it to be a Paramecia.
Luffy could now enter a training state anytime, anywhere, with terrifying efficiency. He glanced at the noisy Zoro and Sanji, then at the leisurely fishing Usopp and Chopper, and the chattering Nami and Vivi, and couldn't help but purse his lips.
"Must be nice... the taste of freedom." Luffy was extremely envious.
The one who shared Luffy's quiet was Robin, sitting on the railing not far away. She maintained her usual composed, elegant posture, a thick ancient tome open on her lap—one brought from the Alabasta royal archives. Sunlight danced on her raven-black hair, creating a serene, beautiful picture.
Luffy and Robin were each doing their own thing, without any verbal communication. Yet, they gave off an inexplicable sense of harmony that others were reluctant to break. It was like a strange tacit understanding, as if no one else could chip in.
So, Luffy's side had become a quiet corner, which was quite abnormal on this ship.
Robin joining the crew seemed to have been expected. None of the others were particularly surprised, as Robin had been with them from Little Garden all the way through Alabasta. Her stance had always seemed too clear. Even as a nominal "prisoner," she seemed to have blurted out everything she should and shouldn't have. Even Vivi, who had been the most wary of her, had expressed gratitude. The crew had already accepted her in their hearts.
Even Nami, who had been the most alert, did a complete 180 in attitude after Robin casually presented a small bag of priceless rubies and topazes as "accommodation and book-browsing fees." Nami immediately patted her chest and declared, "Sis Robin is one of us from now on! Feel free to read any of those books!"
Uta: "Goddamnit..."
***
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