One Piece: The Strongest Trait System novel Chapter 79

Chapter 79 - [79] : [BONUS] - Nika!

~ Thank You for 900 Powerstones, Here's Your Bonus Chapter!

~ 18 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!

<><><><><><><><>

Inside the small town, Dalton and the villagers brought out all their stored food supplies.

Drum Kingdom existed in perpetual winter, leading to a dietary preference for hot foods—creating a scene reminiscent of a hot pot gathering back on Earth for Rowen.

Snow fell heavily outside the windows, while inside, everyone enjoyed delicious food. With Luffy and Usopp acting as lively entertainers, the atmosphere was cheerful.

Nami and Vivi sat on either side of Rowen.

With beautiful women beside him, the feeling was even more satisfying than the taste of the food itself.

This meal left Rowen thoroughly content. Seeing Rowen and his crew eat with such satisfaction brought smiles to the faces of Dalton and the others. For a time, hosts and guests thoroughly enjoyed the pleasant atmosphere.

However, Vivi, seated beside Rowen, didn't eat much, lost in thought.

That phrase Nami said... telling her to be brave—what did she mean?

Vivi stole glances at Nami on Rowen's other side. Nami was laughing happily, looking no different than usual.

Vivi naturally understood the relationship between Nami and Rowen. During their voyage, she and Nami had become good friends, and Vivi had learned about Nami's past struggles.

Knowing Nami's history made Vivi feel Nami was even stronger than herself.

Although Vivi carried the burden of her entire country's safety, she at least had her father, the King, to shelter her. She also had people like Igaram, Chaka, and Pell, who acted like uncles.

But Nami—had shouldered the fate of Cocoyasi Village entirely alone.

To save her home, Nami endured working for the Fish-Man who murdered her mother right before her eyes, drawing charts while also acting as a pirate thief to earn the 100 million Beri ransom.

Yet, despite all that, those very Fish-Men intended to use corrupt Marines to steal all her hard-earned money, forcing her to draw charts for them forever.

The one who ended all that—was Rowen.

And when they first met, Rowen had decided to help her partly because her expression of despair reminded him of Nami's.

Vivi felt incredibly envious.

But because of that, even as she gradually realized her own feelings for Rowen, she hesitated to confront them. She had already received so much help... Nami had encouraged and supported her... How could she possibly compete with Nami for happiness?

Until... just before arriving at Drum Island, Rowen's words made it impossible for Vivi to ignore her heart any longer.

Vivi understood she couldn't deceive herself anymore. Like the old saying goes—Love Like A Storm: Fierce and Fleeting

And because of that... Nami noticed her feelings. Yet Nami wasn't angry; she even encouraged her to be brave.

Looking at Nami, who seemed perfectly normal, laughing happily, Vivi pressed her lips together. 'Does Nami mean—I also have a chance?'

Regarding this aspect, Vivi felt no particular objection; as the princess of Alabasta, the concept of polygamy wasn't entirely foreign or shocking.

But what surprised Vivi was Nami's apparent... generosity?

That was the only word Vivi could think of. Nami's words really did sound like encouragement... but Vivi couldn't possibly ask Nami directly to confirm, could she? Besides, the ultimate decision—rested with Rowen.

Vivi's mind was a whirl of confusion.

<><><><><><><><>

"What are you thinking about, Nami?" Rowen leaned closer, whispering softly near her ear.

Even Nami had noticed Vivi's feelings; how could Rowen, with his now Apex Purple Observation Haki, be unaware?

And Rowen had also 'HEARD' Nami's encouraging words to Vivi using his Haki.

It wasn't that Rowen deliberately eavesdropped on their private conversation; Nami's actions seemed almost intentionally designed to let him know.

Rowen wouldn't pretend ignorance or let the situation become ambiguously awkward. He looked seriously into Nami's eyes.

"You heard, didn't you? With your Observation Haki," Nami replied, a mischievous, impish smile playing on her lips.

Rowen looked fondly at her, though a metaphorical black line appeared on his forehead. 'Nami definitely let me overhear her conversation with Vivi on purpose.'

"The sea... is free, right?" Nami whispered playfully near Rowen's ear.

That was Nami's stance.

Rowen had saved her, told her the sea was free.

Through their time together, she had fallen in love with him. For Vivi, who had similar experiences and was now being saved by Rowen, to fall for him too—Nami wasn't surprised at all.

Whether Rowen chose to accept Vivi's feelings was his decision. Nami wouldn't create any obstacles.

Rowen was also free.

Not just Vivi—Nami also knew about Rowen's promise with Kaya, thanks to Rowen himself. Rowen never hid anything from her. And Nami had sensed Kaya's feelings back in Syrup Village; in fact, it was partly because of Kaya that Nami started to confront her own feelings for Rowen.

What Nami would do—was stay by Rowen's side, regardless of his choices, as long as Rowen still needed her, still loved her.

The sea was vast; surely it was vast enough to hold the love of different girls for the same man?

The sea—is free, isn't it? Nami looked intently at Rowen, her smile bright and genuine.

Rowen understood Nami's meaning.

He smiled and gently patted the back of her hand. The feelings of a good girl like Vivi—Rowen certainly wouldn't disregard them.

But Nami's understanding and acceptance... made Rowen love her even more deeply.

Rowen cherished Nami dearly; that affection wouldn't change, no matter how many other girls' hearts he might capture in the future.

Nami felt the warmth from Rowen's hand, her smile becoming even brighter. Though she didn't have Observation Haki, she could understand Rowen's meaning.

Nearby, Vivi watched Rowen and Nami whispering, blinked curiously, feeling incredibly anxious. Her intuition told her they were talking about her. But without Haki, she couldn't hear their words.

And she couldn't possibly ask them directly about such a thing!

However, seeing the smiles on both Rowen's and Nami's faces reassured Vivi somewhat. 'It probably... isn't a bad outcome, right?'

<><><><><><><><>

"By the way, Rowen, who are we actually looking for as our ship's doctor? Uncle Doctor and the others need to stay here and contribute to their country. Are there any other doctors here?" Luffy, having finished eating, asked, folding his arms and tilting his head thoughtfully.

"Are you looking for a ship's doctor?" Dalton inquired.

"Yeah! Uncle, do you know if there are any other doctors around?" Luffy grinned hopefully.

"All the doctors here were driven out by Wapol... except for Doctor-20," Dalton replied automatically. Seeing the disappointment on Luffy's group's faces, Dalton paused, then added, "However... the castle on that snowy mountain—Wapol's former castle—there's a doctor living up there. But that doctor..."

Dalton decided not to withhold information from the benefactors who had saved their country.

When Luffy and the others heard this doctor was over 130 years old, their eyes widened.

"SUGEEEEE! Let's go check it out, Rowen!" Luffy exclaimed excitedly, jumping up.

"Well then, we'll take our leave," Rowen stood up, smiling at Dalton.

"That snow mountain path is treacherous, and there are dangerous creatures! Let us prepare and escort you up!" Dalton quickly offered.

"No need. We're not taking the mountain path," Rowen replied with a smile.

Dalton looked confused.

"White Blow——!" Rowen activated his Smoke-Smoke Fruit, enveloping the crew in smoke, then used smoke propulsion to lift them into the air.

Although this method consumed significant stamina, Rowen's physique had reached the Pale Gold tier. Plus, the snowy mountain wasn't actually that high in terms of vertical distance. Rowen's current stamina could handle the exertion.

"Then, we'll leave our ship in your care, Mr. Dalton," Rowen called down with a smile.

"Leave it to us!" Dalton replied earnestly.

FWOOSH!

Driving the Smoke-Smoke Fruit at full power—Rowen propelled the group upwards towards the mountain peak with powerful jets of smoke.

<><><><><><><><>

Cling! Cling!

WHOOSH!

'He really is a monster!' The timid Chopper felt terrified.

BONK!

WHAM! Sanji was instantly kicked away by Dr. Kureha.