.......
Seeing Luffy and Zoro swinging the Kunais with sweat all over their bodies, Rei went inside the cabin and take a look at the East Blue charts and compass.
He marked one town on the map and setting course towards it. After adjusting the steering shaft inside the cabin, Rei then checked the sails and adjusted it slightly.
In afternoon, Luffy had enough swinging the kunai and went to kitchen which Rei happened to make lunch.
Seeing the simple meals on the table, Luffy jumped towards it gleefuly.
"Yeaaah! Lets eat!"
'Pow!'
Rei slapped Luffy's hand with spatula making the later pouted his cheek and stopped what he wanted to do.
"Together Luffy!" Warned Rei as he shouted towards outside. "Hey Zoro! Lets eat...!"
After a few moments, Rei still could heard Zoro continuing his training with kunai outside. He shook his head and separating some portion for the muscle man later.
"Fine, lets leave him..." Rei spoke towards the drolling Luffy.
The meals were too humble to be said as Rei only made a pot of rice and stock-pot full of beef stew, he add some vegetables inside to prevent any nutrition deficiency for their body.
However Luffy still ate his meal blissfully which actualy made Rei felt so surreal each time he saw Luffy eat his food.
After the sunset, Zoro finaly stop his training, he put the kunais down on the deck and saw Rei was currently reading while smoking on the cabin's roof, wondering if the later could actualy read with minimal light.
Noticing Zoro went inside the cabin, Rei turns the page of his book with title "Chriss P. Bakon Journey to Heaven" Puffing out the smokes, he reminded the former, "Theres some stew left for you inside the left drawer. Eat."
Zoro paused slightly, he didn't respond Rei and yet he went to look for his portions of meal anyway.
Luffy was currently hugging the boat's bow quite letarghic. The strawhats captain always stays at the very front side of the boat without fearing to fall into the water.
Luffy turned around from the bow, he went to jump towards Rei's side and called, "Rei..."
"Hmm?" Rei hummed while sucking the pipe.
"What do you mean by 'surprise' if we go to Orange town?"
Rei paused his read while recalled about the conversations they had when they chose the route for next destination.
After Rei suggested about Zoro whereabouts, he began to think about the rest of Strawhats future crew. So, he suggested to Luffy which route they should take after they began their journey from Shells town.
Luffy didn't have any problem when Rei decided their next destination, and Zoro didn't realy care about it.
The only thing Luffy had interests in was because Rei said there will be a surprise waiting for Luffy if he goes to Orange Town.
Luffy loved surprise, so he told Rei that he could decide their next destination.
Back to the scene, Rei put down his book as the surrounding had begun to darken so much that he couldn't see the words anymore. After puffing the smokes in and out, he looked towards Luffy and answered his earlier question.
"Maybe we will meet someone with good navigational skill there."
"Navigator?" asked Luffy.
"Uh-huh.." Rei nodded with a smile.
Suddenly Zoro voice could be heard from the deck below, he scoffed at Rei's words, "What are you? A seer?"
Rei chuckled, "Hahaha, what seer? Pretend that i speak nonsense Zoro."
Then, the trio chattering without course all night until Luffy just sprawled on the roof while Zoro closed his eyes leaving Rei to keep watch.
Noticing his mates rested for the night outside, Rei went inside the cabin and took blankets from inside.
Rei went to covers Luffy and Zoro with blankets in faint smile. After he had done, he checked the compass and charts once again with frown at the sky.
"Hope there will be no cloud tomorow." Rei muttered as he adjusted the boat's sail for the night.
The night was silent and no starlight could be seen covered by dark cloud. Rei could felt the wind was picking up in speed as he thought tomorow weather would be rough.
〜〜〜〜〜
Tomorow...
After simple breakfast, Zoro asked Rei about the kunai's weight to be added more while Luffy joined him for fun.
At midday, Rei noticed that the cloud was covering the sky and seawaves began to change wildly making their boat's course to shift every so often, so he was on stand by all day inside the boat's cabin beside the steering shaft to adjust the boat's course.
Noticing Luffy was laying down on the boat's bow keeping watch ahead. From the cabin's open window Rei called him, "Luffy! If there's something give us a holler!"
"All right!" Luffy answered.
Zoro keep swinging the heavy kunai tirelessly while bare-chested as if he wanted to proof that all of his speech wasn't a joke.
Suddenly, "Rei! Zoro! There's a small boat outside!" Luffy gave a holler making Zoro paused his training and looked ahead only to sees a small boat for one person without sails swaying at the sea.
Before Rei could knew of what happenned, Luffy went and stretched his hand far towards the floating boat!
As he pulled the smaller boat closer towards their vessel, Luffy exclaimed in surprise, "Hey! There's a girl inside there!"
'Girl?' Rei thought. Just as he wanted to check outside. The boat swayed heavily by the waves making him to stay and keep steering the boat!
When both vessels stays side by side, Luffy saw the girl leaning on her boat's railing seems exhausted. She has slim figure, pretty face, and orange hair.
"Are you okay?" Luffy asked feeling concerned about the helpless girl.
Hearing someone voice, the girl raised her head seemingly in difficulty. Luffy saw she has brown eyes and her face looks pale.
The girl finaly opened her mouth and begged, "Hi, will you please be kind enough to help me for food and water?"
Without thinking, Luffy took the girl's hand and helped her steped onto the boat.
"Are you okay? Who are you? What are you doing here all alone?" Luffy asked with barrages of questions.
Zoro stoped his training, he went closer towards Luffy with warry on his eyes at the mysterious girl.
The girl also noticed Zoro with a sword besides his waist came closer, however she doesn't panic and said.
"Ah, before that. Could you take my bag from there please?" She said while pointing towards a small rucksack on her previous boat.
Noticing Luffy wanted to help her take the bag, The girl suddenly staggered towards the former causing Luffy fell down in order to help her to stand.
Zoro noticed her behavior with squinted eyes and sighed, he jumped towards the small boat only to be surprised!
The bag flew away from the boat towards the girl with a string attached at her hand! just when he wanted to ask. Zoro widen his eyes as the girl actualy pushed Luffy overboard!
'SPLASH!'
The innocent Luffy was caught off guard as his body began to sunk due to his Devil fruit weakness!
"BASTARD!"
At first Zoro wanted to beat the girl here and then, however. He also knew that Luffy couldn't swim! Without thinking any longer, Zoro dived into the sea to help Luffy out!
Seeing her victims succumbed to her ploys, The girl laughed cheekily as she waved her hand.
"Bye Bye! Next time, don't be too kind towards stranger! Ahahahaha..."
"You almost killed our Captain you know?"
The orange haired girl paused her laughter. Slowly she turned her head towards the source of the voice which happens right from behind her back!
"Wha..what do you...." Before she finished her sentence, the girl face turned paler when she saw the familiar face stood behind her!
"You! White gho..."
'Flicks.'
'Splash!'
Rei didn't wait to finish the girl sentence as he flicked his finger towards the later forehead and threw her overboard.
'Nami' Rei couldn't believed his eyes as he saw Nami wanted to hijack them at sea!
Rei had soft spot for cute creature, however. No matter how cute nami was, Rei need to punish her after she threw Luffy overboard!
Rei knew that Nami wouldn't have known if Luffy couldn't swim, and yet he just went and let her see it for herself that her action actualy could have killed someone!
Under water, Nami who could swim saw with her own eyes that the man who she had pushed overboard earlier didn't move at all!
Like a stone, Luffy's body went deeper and deeper until finaly Zoro catched up to him and began to swim upwards in desperation.
A trace of regret could be seen on her pretty face and she began to swim for the surface.
Popping out her head at sea surface, Nami felt trepidation as she saw the 'White Ghost' stood beside the boat's railing and folding his hand under sleeves. Looking at her with indifferent eyes!
"PHUAAAAH*.." Zoro finaly shows up while holding Luffy's head up.
"Cough* cough* wheeze* water....water....water...." Luffy felt disoriented and muttered the same thing over and over again.
Rei glanced towards Luffy and Zoro while heaving a sigh of relief, then he returned his attention towards the drenched girl who still floating on the sea without knowing what to do!
After Zoro lifted Luffy's onto the boat, Rei finaly stretched his hand towards Nami who felt increasingly guilty about her doing.
Nami felt reluctant taking Rei's hand, however soon, she finaly obliged towards the former gesture.
Rei went towards Luffy and checked on his condition after he signaled Zoro to keep watch on her, Zoro nodded without comment as he felt the situation were quite serious.
Rei sends his chakra inside Luffy body to check him. Finally he determined that other than drinking lots of seawater, his captain was still hale and hearty.
Zoro stood in front of the sitting Nami while Rei came closer and stood besides Zoro.
Both of them keeping silent for a few moments until Nami couldn't held on anymore as she sprawled on the wooden deck and clapping her hands together upwards begging for forgiveness.
"I'M SORRY! I DIDN'T KNOW HE CAN'T SWIM! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!" She yelled on top of her lungs while keeping her head on the floor.
Nami was panicked! She actualy had guts to tried and hijack the infamous "White Ghost" boat while almost killed one of his friend!
She had good memories as her profession needed her to be that way. Nami could still remembered about the newspaper she once had read, the new rookies with 45 million Bellies head was currently standing before her!
Seeing her trembling shoulders not knowing whether it was from cold or fear, Rei sighed and said, "Enough, go change your clothes..."
Zoro frowned hearing Rei and rebuked the later, "What? She almost killed Luffy! Rei?"
"We'll talk later Zoro. I'll make some soup for Luffy first. keep watch on our boat direction."
Rei left to make some soup as Zoro squinted his eyes menacingly towards Nami. The orange haired girl grabed her bag in awkward manner and went inside the boat small room to change her drenched clothes.
.......
.............
'Zaaaaaaaasssssh.....'
Rain falling down on the boat in the middle of the sea, the sun had just set couple hours ago. Inside the boat's cabin one could heard someone eating with gusto.
'Nom*, nom*, Sluuuurp*, nom*....'
"Sluuuuuurp*. Ahhh! Rei more please!" Luffy exclaimed with his wide smile as he just finished his n'th bowl of soup.
"Sure..." Rei took Luffy's bowl and refilled it once again with clear vegetable and meat broth.
"Shishishi...Thanks!" Luffy took the bowl as he looked towards their 'new' member inside the cabin.
"Go on, eat. Rei's meal was quite delicious, even with little meat inside. Hahaha..." Said Luffy towards the orange haired girl with brown eyes who sit together with the strawhats inside.
"Ha-ha-ha..." The girl laughed awkwardly as she began to swirl her clear broth. In fact she doesn't have any apetite right now seeing the broth with diced carrot, potato and meat, as she felt the 45 million Bellies man keeping his eyes on her.
Zoro stood up after he had finished his meal and went outside while Rei called him.
"Where are you going? Its raining outside."
"Train.." Zoro answered concisely and went out.
Rei sighed as he opened his mouth to starts the conversation with the orange haired girl, "So, your name is Nami?"
Surprised by his call, Nami who in the middle of slurping down a spoonful of broth suddenly choked, "Cough*, cough*...Yeah, yes! Cough*...."
Luffy stretched his hand and took a glass of water from the small counter and offer it to her, while he was still gobbling up the food.
"Nom*, Here, Here. *chomp, Careful..." Said Luffy.
Nami watched Luffy's hand stretched far with quite disbelief on her face. She knew from the 'White Ghost' about the man she had pushed overboard earlier today has devil fruit ability. She just still couldn't used to it yet.
"Cough*, thanks..."
Gulping down her water, Rei voice could be heard once again this time addressing Luffy.
"Predicting a Typhoon appearance just from the weather. This girl has quite knowledge in seafaring Luffy...." Rei paused slightly and continued, "...You have great navigational ability miss 'Burglar'." Rei smirked towards Nami.
Nami kept her silence as Luffy exclaimed in interest, "Its true! If it wasn't for you this afternoon, we might need to swim right now!"
Nami smiled awkwardly, she actualy took a great pride with her navigational ability. And hearing a praise coming out from Rei give a slight relief within her heart.
Earlier this afternoon...
after Nami changed her clothes. She saw Luffy already regained his consciousness back. She then earnestly asked for Luffy forgiveness once again under Rei's eyes.
Luffy laughed, "Hahahaha. Its okay, no harm done, its actualy interesting for me getting hijacked like that! I'm Luffy, Monkey D. Luffy. This is Rei and that one is Zoro."
Hearing Luffy introduced his crews one by one, Nami finaly introduced herself while looking at each one of them albeit with slight trepidation, "I'm Nami..."
"Anyway, what are you doing all alone here?" Asked Luffy feeling curious.
Nami sighed as he told Luffy, "I'm sorry, its not my intentions to hijack your ship. Its true i was stranded here, i was running away from thugs before."
Luffy nodded his head seemingly believed her story while Rei went inside the cabin to check on his broth.
When the situation between them had calmed down. All of sudden Nami took a barometer out from her bag as she observed the sea with frown.
She noticed the wind was picking up speed, waves was getting higher, and also some other things only she could notice.
"WE MUST GET AWAY FROM THIS AREA NOW!" Nami yelled towards Luffy with stern expression.
Luffy tilted his head and asked, "Eh? Why?"
"Theres no time to explain! Quick! We need to turn around! Turn your rudder to the starboard side and adjust the canvas!"
Zoro stopped swinging the kunai as he scoffed, "Turn back? Why we need to listen to your gibberish?"
"I SAID TURN AROUND!" Nami increased her voice seemingly in desperate.
Luffy finaly nodded and shouted giving commands, "Rei! Helms the boat turn it towards starboard side! Zoro help me adjust the canvas quick!"
Hearing Luffy's order, Rei left the stove and starts turning the rudder to full right turn as Luffy and Zoro were on standby under the boat's mast.
The duo began to loosen and tighten the rope for sails adjustment by Nami's instruction. They actualy does well following her order considering she was still a stranger to them.
'WOOOOOOOOO.....'
The wind was getting faster and faster it began to rotate behind the boat!
In only 10 minutes later, Zoro and Luffy couldn't help but widen their eyes as they saw something horrible happened at the sea area where they supposedly went to.
"What the....." Zoro exclaimed in surprise.
"Whoaaaah! Whats that!" Luffy shouted.
Rei who also curious about his mates reaction couldn't help but went out and looked towards the area which the trio outside focused at.
'WOOOO-WOOOOOO....'
"Oh my god, a Cyclone?" Rei mutterred when he saw the huge whirlwind of seawater were rampaging on their previos route.
"Its, a Typhoon..." Nami corrected Rei.
"For a burglar, its quite something you could predict that kind of thing at sea..." Rei added as he squinted his eyes towards Nami.
Nami threw her eyes towards the other crews as she actualy felt uncomfortable around him.
Rei already knew about what Nami capable off as a navigator, she was nothing but praise. And yet Rei just left her be waiting for herself to introduce properly to Luffy and Zoro.
Rei finaly remembered about his broth and went inside leaving Luffy who still captivated by the scene of a typhoon and Zoro who went to train once agan.
Back to presents...
'Pam! Pam''
"Aaah! Its good, thanks for the meal!" Luffy patted his slightly bulging stomach in satisfaction.
When Nami also finished her meal, Luffy laid down his head ontop of his hands at the table, looking at her with interest.
Noticing Luffy and Rei eyes focused on her, Nami opened her mouth while clearing her throat.
"*cough, Let me introduce myself properly. I'm Nami a navigator and part time burglar." She said without batting an eye when speaking about her 2nd profession.
Luffy leaned on the table further, his eyes sparkled and said, "A Navigator? Thats great! Hey, join us!"
"Burglar?" Rei added while he served 3 cups of tea.
Nami tilted her head and asked, "Join you? Where? What are you guys exactly?"
Luffy stood straight and laughed, then he claimed proudly, "We are Pirates! And i will be the Pirate King in the future! So, i'm looking for crews for the journey towards Grand Line!"
Nami opened her small mouth and frowned before she said, "Pirate King?"
Rei saw Nami looked towards him, so he nodded after sipping his cup of tea.
"No way! I won't join your crews! I refuse!" Nami shook her head.
"Huh? No! I refuse your refusal!" Luffy countered Nami concisely leaving her dumbfounded.
Rei looked at the cabin ceiling feeling slight deja-vu at this situation.
"I already decided that you will be our navigator from now on!" Luffy shamlessly claimed once more.
Nami finaly turned towards Rei feeling annoyed, "You are the captain right? Tell this crew of yours i won't joining your ragtags group of pirates wannabe!"
At some point in their conversation, Nami shown more and more expression at her face indicating she had begun to relax around Rei and the others .
Twitching his mouth Rei answered while pointing at Luffy, "He is the captain."
Nami was surprised hearing his words, she looked back and forth between Rei and the smug Luffy.
"No way? You're not the captain? You? The 'White Ghost'?"
Rei shrugged his shoulder while Luffy wondered about Nami's words.
"Anyway, we realy need navigator right now. You have shown us great navigating skills before. You're perfect candidate for our voyage." Added Rei.
"Thats right! Join us!" Luffy spoke once again, trying to persuade Nami.
Nami shook her head once more, she looked towards Luffy and Rei then she stood up with stern face. "No way! What i like the most in the world are Money and Orange! And the thing i despise most is Pirates!"
Rei smirked as he slowly stood up. Seeing him standing, Nami felt warry of him and yet second later.
'Clink, clank, clink.....'
Nami's eyes turn wider as she saw Rei adusted his sleeve while several golden nuggets fell down 'involuntarily' from it!
Rei 'noticed' the golden nuggets on the floor as he bowed down to 'pick' it back.
"Ah sorry my bad..." Said Rei.
Who would have thought his hand would 'accidentally' touched another person hand which suddenly appeared to pick the golds!
Rei smirked as he looked towards the 'owner' of the hand which seemingly had 'good' intentions to help him 'picked' up his golds.
The hand 'owner' awkwardly took back her hand while still grabbing the golds inside it. "Ah! Hehehe, i noticed you need help 'picking' up your gold. So, i 'help' you in reflex...ha-ha-ha."
Luffy squated besides Rei and Nami and exclaimed, "Wow! Gold! Theres so many. Is it yours Rei?"
Luffy helped Rei picking up the gold nuggets and returned it towards the later without any thoughts. As for Nami, she felt reluctant to release her grip on the golden nuggets.
Nami was often dealing with precious metal as burglar. So, she knew that the gold within her palm are genuine!
Rei sat back down on the stool, waiting for Nami to return his Golds with interest. While Luffy joined him and enjoy his cup of tea.
"You have lots of gold Rei, are you rich?" Asked Luffy curiously.
Rei chuckled while still keeping watch on Nami, "I never said i was poor Luffy."
Luffy finaly remembered when they were still in previous town. That, whenever he and Koby wanted to buy something from the street stalls, Rei always paid for them!
Seeing Nami hesitation, Rei chuckled once again and shook his sleeve slightly on top of the table.
'Jririring, clink, clink...'
"Woooow! So many golds!" Luffy's eyes widen like a saucer seeing Rei 'produced' a lot of golden nuggets on the table!
"How can you fit all of those items inside here?" Luffy attention however wasn't on the gold, he was more interested at Rei 'magical' sleeve as he always sees the later took something out of his black yukata sleeve.
Rei let Luffy to inspect his sleeve inside and outside as he cleared his throat, "Uhum*, Excuse me..."
The golden piles were shifted inadvertently towards Nami who without anyone noticing already sat back down opposite them.
Nami jolted slightly, with awkward chuckle she pulled back her hand which she circled it around the golds and pulling those towards her slowly.
"Ha, haha, haha...Don't mind me. ha-ha-ha." Nami scratched her 'itching' head awkwardly.
Rei sighed as he 'complained', "I have many of those. I just don't know where to put it..."
"Hahaha, why don't you just put it back inside your sleeve Rei?" Luffy laughed as he gave up upon inspecting Rei sleeve.
Rei shook his head as he looked 'Frustrated' and said, "*sigh, Thats the problem Luffy. My sleeve couldn't hold too much..."
Suddenly Nami spoke, "Then can i....." Yet she paused contemplating about something.
Nami put her fist covering her mouth and cleared her throat, "*Ehm. About you offer before concerning me joining your crew. I won't joining you guys to become a pirates..."
With her shifty eyes, She continued, "...so, How about if we cooperate? I'll temporarily become your navigator until you find another one?"
Rei chuckled as Luffy smiled widely and agreed, "Sure! But i'll make you stay as our permanent navigator!"
Nami turned her head sideways while her eye still focused on the golds, "...I'll think about it. And about this gold?"
Rei laughed as he witnessed how Nami tried her hardest to be seen disinterested towards the gold.
Rei stood up before cleaning the dishes and said, "Sure, why don't you 'help' keep it for me 'temporarily'? I'll appreciate that..."
Nami was surprised and asked cheerfully, "Realy? Sure i will keep this gold 'safely'. hahaha."
At the end of her sentence, Rei could seen Nami's eyes somehow turned into 'Bellies' symbol.
Rei shook his head as he stood up and continuing to wash the dishes while Nami put the golds inside her bag with wide smile.
Luffy tried to help Nami to put the gold away only to be shusing out of the way with stern face.
Luffy just laughed loudly seeing her cute action just like a squirell who protected her stashed 'food'.
.........
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