Viktor didn't stop. He followed Nami through the corridor, deep into the belly of the ship. Sensing her pursuer, Nami stopped in front of her cabin door and shot a cold, sharp look over her shoulder.
Then, she slipped inside, trying to slam the door shut behind her.
THUD!
The heavy wood let out a dull bang as it struck an obstruction. Viktor had casually jammed his foot into the gap, but his expression immediately crumpled as he let out a distorted yelp of pain.
"Sss—! Ah, that actually hurts, you idiot!"
"What are you following me for?" Nami hissed through the crack, her eyes guarded.
Viktor nursed his aching foot and scratched his head, forcing his usual easygoing smile back onto his face.
"Checking on the navigator's mental health is part of the Vice-Captain's job description. Besides, you owe me 310 million Beli.
If something happens to you, my investment goes up in smoke, doesn't it?"
Hearing that, the cold, hardened look in Nami's eyes softened ever so slightly. She yanked the door open and delivered a sharp punch to Viktor's shoulder.
"In your dreams! I'm not paying you back a single cent!"
Despite the bravado, her energy quickly faded. She looked down, her bangs shadowing her eyes, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You wouldn't understand, Viktor."
Viktor watched her trembling shoulders in silence. Actually, I do understand, Miss Navigator, he thought. Even the despair you think is insurmountable.
But he didn't voice his knowledge. Instead, he smiled warmly, his tone becoming resolute. "Regardless, the fact that you're our nakama isn't going to change.
You're indispensable to us. After all, you know this ship is full of idiots who don't know the first thing about sailing—including me."
He leaned in closer, his eyes—which seemed to see through everything—gently locking onto hers. "If you try to run away, it doesn't matter where you go; we'll chase you to the ends of the earth and bring you back."
Nami's heart hammered against her ribs. She snapped her head up to look at him, her eyes a swirl of panic and suppressed emotion.
She stayed silent for a moment, then, as if to hide her face, she shoved the door with all her might.
SLAM!
The door shut tight, and once again, Viktor wasn't fast enough.
"My foot..." Viktor's cool exterior shattered as he hopped around on one leg.
Hearing his cry of pain, the door creaked open a fraction. Nami disdainfully used the tip of her toe to shove Viktor's caught foot out of the room.
"Thanks for the concern, Vice-Captain. Now I'm going to sleep. Get lost!"
With a definitive click of the lock, Viktor stood alone in the hallway. He let out a helpless sigh. Seriously, I really have no idea how to handle women... "Get some rest," he whispered to the wooden door.
Suddenly, a chorus of startled shouts erupted from the deck, followed by the heavy sound of something—or someone—collapsing.
Something happened?
Viktor's expression sharpened. He didn't linger, turning on his heel to sprint back toward the deck.
Inside the room, Nami leaned her back against the cold wood of the door. Her strength seemed to drain away, and she slid slowly down to the floor.
She opened her palm, staring blankly at the cold key sitting there. Then, she squeezed it so hard her nails dug into her skin.
The tears she had held back for so long finally broke through. She buried her face in her knees, her shoulders shaking violently with silent sobs.
"No... you... you won't understand..."
Her voice was broken and fragile in the empty room. "He's a monster... if you stand against them, you'll all die."
"Hate me, Viktor..."
"Luffy, Zoro, Usopp... I'm sorry..."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the ship, the crew had collectively carried the once-again-unconscious Yosaku to an empty room to settle him in. Now, everyone was gathered around the simple dining table, sharing a late meal.
"I didn't realize long-term sailing carried such dangers," Zoro remarked, draining his mug of ale. He had a newfound respect for the laws of the sea.
"Yeah, thanks to Nami-ane-san, or Yosaku would have..." Johnny sat nearby, tearing into a piece of hard bread with the relief of a man who had narrowly escaped a tragedy.
Usopp, his mouth stuffed with food, mumbled, "So that means we have to balance our nutrition based on limited ingredients for long trips?"
"Yeah, I'll handle that during our next supply run," Viktor said as he walked in, taking a seat next to Luffy.
"Caw-caw! Ga-ga! Master, I want meat!" Kray flapped his wings and landed on the table, glaring at the food and squawking for a share.
Viktor reached out and pinched the bird's beak shut. "You're too loud, idiot."
Johnny watched the talking crow with wide eyes. Even though he'd seen it earlier, watching it peck at bread from inches away was still surreal. Everything on this ship seemed to be getting weirder by the minute.
Luffy swallowed his food and crossed his arms, staring at the ceiling in deep thought. "Hmm... to keep from getting sick, and to eat delicious meat..."
Suddenly, he slammed a fist into his palm, his eyes gleaming. "Alright! Everyone! Let's go find a sea-faring cook!"
"A cook!" Kray immediately raised a wing in agreement.
"Ah! Of course! Then we can have gourmet meals on the ship!" Usopp's mouth was already watering.
Hearing Luffy's declaration, Johnny stopped mid-chew. He forced the bread down and chimed in, "If you're looking for a cook, I know just the place."
"Where is it?!" Luffy leaned in, vibrating with excitement.
Johnny wiped his mouth and spoke seriously. "It's near the entrance to the Grand Line. A famous 'Floating Restaurant.' And..." He turned to look at Zoro. "There are rumors that the 'Hawk-Eyed Man' you've been looking for has been seen there."
At the mention of that name, Zoro's grip on his mug tightened. His eyes turned sharp as needles.
"As for the direction... It's North-Northeast!" Johnny shouted, pointing a finger toward the horizon.
"OHHH—!!"
The crew cheered in unison—for the food, and for the adventure to come. Viktor sat back, watching the lively scene, unable to suppress a chuckle. The Baratie...
He began calculating the upcoming events in his head. Absentmindedly, his hand moved to the table, picking up pieces of bread one by one and stuffing them into Kray's wide-open beak. His mind was miles away, but his hand kept moving.
Kray's eyes bulged. His mouth was so packed he couldn't even chew. He didn't dare refuse his "Master's" affectionate feeding, so he strained his neck, desperately trying to swallow.
Finally, he hit his limit.
"Mmph... gurgle... Ma-ster..."
Kray let out a suffocating whimper, his eyes rolling back as he keeled over on the table, twitching. Viktor snapped back to reality and looked down at the nearly choked crow. He frowned in annoyance.
"Are you an idiot? Why are you eating so much?"
Kray managed to force the bread down, looking at Viktor with tear-filled eyes. It was... it was you who was force-feeding me, you bastard!
This life is going to be the death of me...
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