Chapter 373: Tell Nami!
Moments later, Ryuunosuke landed lightly atop the calm sea.
Kun raised its massive head, forming a stable platform for the two of them to stand on.
"Nami," Ryuunosuke said, turning to her seriously, "what do you think of Luffy?"
"If someone asked you to evaluate him... would you approve?"
Nami blinked in confusion, her brows knitting slightly.
What kind of question was that?
Luffy was her captain. He’d always treated everyone on the crew kindly—well, when he wasn’t gorging himself, causing trouble, or acting completely brainless. But even so...
"Of course I approve!" Nami answered after a beat, though her tone still carried doubt. "He’s reckless and kind of an idiot... but he’s our idiot."
Ryuunosuke nodded slightly.
"Good. Then listen closely to what I’m about to say."
"Not even Luffy can know about this."
He reached into his coat and pulled out a small, worn box. With a flick of his wrist, he handed it to her.
Inside were Bell-mère’s personal records—alongside a notebook filled with cryptic notes from none other than Rocks D. Xebec.
Curious, Nami opened the box and began reading.
As she flipped through the pages, her expression slowly shifted—first to disbelief, then to shock.
"Brother Ryuunosuke... this..." she whispered, voice tight.
"That’s right," he said quietly. "The two children Bell-mère wrote about... are you and Nojiko."
"The affinity you’ve always had with the weather, your unnatural intuition about climate—it’s because of the power of the Heavenly King."
"You are its inheritor."
Nami stood frozen, the sea breeze catching strands of her hair.
It was too much to take in at once.
Ryuunosuke understood. Nojiko had reacted the same way when he told her.
"I... I’m in danger, aren’t I?" Nami finally asked, her voice small.
"I don’t know if the World Government knows your identity yet. But if they ever do—"
"They’ll come for you without hesitation. They’ll stop at nothing."
He didn’t sugarcoat it.
Nojiko, at least, stayed under his protection aboard the Dragon Hunter Pirates’ ship. But Nami... her situation was far more precarious. Even with Luffy, she wasn’t safe.
"Brother Ryuunosuke," Nami said after a pause, "are you telling me this because... you want me to join your crew?"
She looked up at him.
"And if so... can I refuse?"
That question caught him off guard.
He stared at her for a moment.
Here she was—facing the weight of one of the world’s greatest secrets—and her first concern was not about herself, but whether she was being pulled into something against her will.
She was tougher than people gave her credit for.
"I have no such plans," Ryuunosuke replied.
"Don’t tell Luffy. Don’t tell anyone."
"But keep your eyes open. If anything feels wrong—anything—call me."
He handed her a small Den Den Mushi.
"This one’s special. It has a tracking function."
"If you reach out to me, I’ll find you immediately. And if needed, the Dragon Hunter Pirates will come too."
"Besides... Luffy’s my little brother. I’m counting on you to keep taking care of him."
"If I drag you away now, the rest of that crew will get lost in the sea within two days."
Nami stared down at the Den Den Mushi in her hands. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩•𝗳𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝕟𝕖𝕥
The small creature blinked up at her innocently.
He didn’t want her as a weapon. He didn’t want her power. He just wanted her to stay safe—and to help his brother.
Luffy really does have a good brother, she thought.
"...Brother Ryuunosuke," Nami muttered, glancing at him again, "why are you and Nojiko so ridiculously amazing..."
"And Luffy’s just... Luffy?"
Ryuunosuke burst out laughing.
"Luffy’s the simplest among us. His dream is clear. His path is straightforward. He doesn’t need anything else."
"As for the rest of us—we’ll take care of the heavy lifting."
Kun emerged again, swiftly carrying the two of them back toward the Thousand Sunny.
When they returned, the deck was already a chaotic mess.
Sanji had just finished cooking, and the crew had launched into an all-out food war.
Half the dishes were already gone.
Ryuunosuke had been mid-conversation with Nami on the way back, telling her more about Luffy’s strengths and qualities.
But now that they were here...
"Did Luffy just try to swallow Chopper whole?" he muttered.
This idiot... is this really their captain?
"Nami," he said, handing her a small chest, "this holds treasure worth a billion berries. Use it to stock up food."
"Luffy’s appetite might cause another famine at sea."
Nami’s eyes sparkled.
Her demeanor shifted instantly. "Don’t worry, Brother Ryuunosuke! I’ll take care of Luffy with my life!"
Clutching the chest tightly, she disappeared into her cabin.
The treasure room of the Straw Hat Pirates had just gained another glittering addition.
Ryuunosuke stood quietly, observing the crew.
They were loud. Foolish. Chaotic.
Are there really spies among this bunch? he thought, frowning slightly. If so, their acting deserves an Oscar.
Luffy waved him over with a mouth full of meat.
"Chopper’s gonna eat everything!"
"You’re the one eating everything!!" Sanji snapped—and promptly smacked Luffy in the face.
Luffy laughed, rubbing his cheek.
And just like that, the crew returned to their ridiculous antics.
Ryuunosuke found himself smiling.
This is why everyone turns into an idiot aboard this ship...
Even Zoro, once serious and stoic, had developed a... slightly second-rate aura.
Ryuunosuke took one last look at his brother.
"Luffy... your enemies this time are serious."
"Don’t take them lightly. But I believe you’ll get that Eternal Pointer."
"Eternal Pointer to Raftel?" Luffy tilted his head. "Don’t care."
"Even if I get it, it doesn’t mean anything."
"I’m gonna find Raftel on my own."
"Using some compass feels like cheating."
Ryuunosuke laughed again.
Of course he would say that.
After sharing a few more words with the crew, Ryuunosuke quietly disappeared.
The Thousand Sunny was already approaching the Wallos Islands.
If anyone saw him traveling with the Straw Hats, they might shift their attention—and he didn’t want Luffy’s crew dragged into something more dangerous than necessary.
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