บท 13: World
"So Luffy, what will be your answer?" Imai asked. "And just so you know, I didn't ask her to come with me. This is all her."
"I see." Luffy said as he glanced over to Nico. "Do you want to go with her?"
"I'm certain."
"Alright, then you can go."
Imai was surprised at how simple Luffy's mind was. But it wasn't all that surprising considering all Luffy cared about was fighting and eating a lot of meat. She really couldn't see him ruling over the world one day.
"Say your goodbyes, I'll be waiting for you at my ship. Just follow the path and you'll see it." Imai said in which Nico responded with a nod.
Imai examined the ship and traced her fingers across the wood. The quality was top notch, there wasn't a single weak spot on the ship that she could sense.
"It seems Jimbei really kept his end of the deal." Imai muttered.
Imai went inside the ship and checked everything out while she waited for Nico to return. There was one room, a kitchen, a couch, and everything she needed on a ship. There was even plenty of food in the storage.
"A month's worth of food…thanks a lot."
"Hello? Imai?" Nico called out.
"Come up, we're going to set sail right away. I'll be at the deck steering the ship, go check everything out first."
"Okay!"
Imai prepared the ship for liftoff. Once they were up in the air, she glanced down to see the crew members waving goodbye to her.
'It's been fun with you guys.' Imai thought with a smile.
"This ship is really convenient, it's pretty lavish too. We have plenty of space for future things and there's even two katana holders mounted on the wall for you to use."
"Jimbei sure overdid it." Imai said with a chuckle. "So? Do you regret your decision to come with me?"
Nico walked over to the side and stared at the view below them.
"Although I'll miss them a lot and had a lot of memorable adventures with them. I don't think I'll regret this decision, I have a feeling coming with you will broaden my view on the world."
Imai laughed, her red eyes shining with the sun's light on her face.
"You're the second person who has ever volunteered to come with me."
"Really? Who was the first one?"
"The daughter of someone really powerful. Unfortunately, she had to go back due to some family issues. But maybe one day we'll meet each other again."
For the first time, Nico heard Imai mention someone that was important to her. There was a strange feeling in her heart? Was it jealousy? Who knows.
"But Nico, let me ask you."
Imai had turned around as the sun's light shone on her back. Nico could see her dull red eyes and her dark blue hair flowing in the air. Her arm rested on the handle of her katana. Strangely, the blue background turned into darkness yet Imai was still in sight. Though everything turned back to normal when Imai spoke again.
"If I were to say I wanted to rule over the world, would you fight by my side or would you leave me?"
Nico noticed that Imai's tone was strangely calm, but she was serious.
"What do you mean?"
"Let me give you an example."
Imai held out her hand where a bubble appeared, black smoke started to fill the bubble.
"This is our world. A world where there will always be a ruler, but that cannot be changed. What can be changed is how the ruler rules over the world."
Imai crushed the bubble in her palm.
"I'm going to destroy the world we currently live in. I will break every law there is and have both the world government and pirates after me. There, I will fight until I die. With my strength, the world government will be forced to cooperate with the pirates. From then on, the world will start to change with me at the center of it all."
A new bubble appeared on Imai's palm as it started to fill with blue smoke.
Nico widened her eyes in shock, she was still processing everything Imai said. No, she couldn't process it all. To become a being that would force the world government and pirates to cooperate to defeat that being…it was absurd. No matter how much training you do, you can't become THAT strong.
Her eyes stared at the blue smoke in the bubble. Nico understood the meaning of it. The world would become peaceful.
"Imai…your plan…" Nico said, unable to form the words she was trying to say.
Imai smiled. "You don't have to answer anything. I'm not sure if I'm even going to follow through with the plan. After all, it has countless flaws in it. For now, let's focus on the present. We have somewhere to be."
Nico watched as Imai turned back around and focused on steering the ship. She couldn't read what Imai was thinking at all. But she still felt like she had to do something.
Nico walked towards Imai and wrapped her arms around Imai's waist. Nico was slightly taller than her.
Imai smiled and leaned back to enjoy the warmth of Nico's embrace. It was a really comfortable feeling. It's been years since she received affection from anyone. She didn't realize how long she longed for it until Nico hugged her.
"You're really getting bold aren't you?"
"Hmm?"
Nico acted as if she had no idea what Imai was talking about.
"Sigh, alright. I like this position anyway, if you let go of me. I'm going to throw you off this ship."
"What?!"
"Yep! So you better hold onto me forever if you don't wanna die!"
"Huh?! Not fair!"
"Maybe if you become strong enough then you can try to not be thrown off." Imai said as a light bulb appeared above her head. "Oh, that reminds me."
"What is it?"
"Since you're committed to following me, that would also mean you have to get stronger since we're going to be going against really strong enemies."
"Wait…so what you mean is…"
"Yep! As we travel to Skypiea, I will be training you!"
"I already trained though…"
"It's not enough. Trust me, I'm going to make you strong enough to even go against admirals."
Nico felt a shiver down her spine. She wanted to let go but then she would be thrown off the ship.
'Ah! What do I do?!'
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