One Piece: The Strongest Trait System novel Chapter 35

Chapter 35 - [35] : Tentative Steps are Love! Setting Sail!

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The next morning, Kaya and Merry led Rowen and the others to the harbor.

"Everyone, this is your ship! I've named it... the Going Merry!" Merry announced, pulling back the large cloth covering the vessel.

Rowen looked at the ship—the source of so much heartache for countless One Piece fans back on Earth—and a smile touched his lips.

The Going Merry was a caravel, featuring a triangular lateen sail on the mizzenmast and a central rudder at the stern, easily recognizable by its sheep figurehead.

She was armed with four cannons: one facing forward at the bow, one at the stern, and one on each side.

While she couldn't compare to the massive pirate galleons, compared to the tiny, makeshift boats Rowen and the crew had been using, this was, at least, a real pirate ship.

"Shishishi! What an awesome ship!" Luffy's face lit up with pure joy the moment he saw her.

This was their crew's first official pirate ship!

"Finally, a decent ship! With a vessel like this, we should be able to sail the Grand Line," Nami commented happily.

As a navigator, a good ship was like gaining wings.

"Hmph." A faint smile touched Zoro's lips as well.

Rowen had opened his eyes; Zoro knew his ambition could only be realized on the Grand Line.

"Rowen, why are you looking at me like that?" Nami suddenly noticed Rowen's gaze, blinked, and felt a slight blush creep onto her cheeks.

"Nothing. Just thinking your smile looks really nice right now. Much happier," Rowen replied with a smile.

Before, although Nami would smile, there was always a noticeable undercurrent of worry in her eyes.

The burden of concern for her hometown, Cocoyasi Village.

But now, her smile seemed genuinely lighter, happier.

"..." Nami pressed her lips together upon hearing his words.

She's... happier now?

Thinking back, ever since meeting Rowen again—specifically, after the fight with the Buggy Pirates in Orange Town—she had felt genuinely happy.

Especially after Rowen's declaration that she could rely on him, and his consistent actions of protecting her in every situation... Nami felt a long-forgotten sense of security wash over her.

Not since Bell-mère's death, not since she became a pirate-robbing thief and set out to earn that 100 million Beri, had she felt this secure.

It was as if... she had finally found someone to lean on.

Seeing this new ship, Nami instinctively started thinking from the perspective of its navigator, seemingly forgetting her earlier insistence on being only a temporary crew member.

But... can days like these truly last?

The thought made Nami bite her lip.

"No matter what you're facing, remember what I told you, Nami," Rowen said softly, gently placing his hand on her shoulder, just as he had back in Orange Town.

"When things get tough... lean on me. Burden me as much as you need to. I'm strong, you know," Rowen looked into Nami's eyes and smiled.

No matter how strong Nami acted, she was still just an eighteen-year-old young woman.

Her hometown suffered under Arlong's tyranny; her adoptive mother, Bell-mère, was murdered right before her eyes.

Afterwards, for the sake of the villagers, she was forced to join the Arlong Pirates, drawing sea charts while simultaneously stealing treasure to buy back her village for 100 million Beri.

She had been living this nightmare since she was only ten years old.

Thinking of this, a flicker of protectiveness softened Rowen's eyes.

"Mm..." Nami felt her nose sting. Biting her lip, she gently rested her forehead against Rowen's hand on her shoulder.

Just like in Orange Town.

Watching this from nearby, Kaya felt a pang of something bittersweet, a mix of envy and something else.

But then, Kaya glanced down at her own pinky finger, remembering her promise with Rowen, and smiled again.

She had already received so much. She shouldn't be greedy.

"Let's set sail! Rowen! Nami! What are you two waiting for?!" Luffy suddenly yelled.

"Luffy." Watching Nami quickly slip away, Rowen turned towards Luffy with a very pleasant smile.

"I think it's time I put together a proper training plan for you. As captain, you can't be undisciplined," Rowen's smile was dazzlingly bright.

"Eh?!" Luffy had no idea what was happening. Rowen had been so lenient with him before!

Tentative steps... this is love.

You can't gain anything without sacrificing something.