ONE PIECE : ENDLESS ADVENTURE

Chapter 14: Difficult decision for everyone

Sunlight entered the room and fill it with it's warmth. Nami growled and tried to get up but something had tightly grabbed her waist. She looked down and Ace was holding her waist, unwilling to let go. At the same time, someone knocked the door and came in.

"Hey, good sleep?" Shanks closed the door quietly and walked to Nami. 

Nami rubbed her hair and tried to move away Ace's arms but failed. She gave up and sighed. "What time is it?"

Shanks smiled and helped Nami to remove Ace's arms. "Around 10. Both of you have slept pretty long time."

"You guys have fallen asleep on the deck yesterday night. We tried to send you back to your room but Ace was too... strong."

Nami chuckled when Shanks gave Ace an emotionless glance. She patted his shoulder and signaled him to come out.

"Don't let a man hold you next time, Nami. Men are very dangerous." Shanks looked at Nami seriously. 

Nami chuckled at Shanks's reaction once again. "Don't worry, Ace doesn't mean it. He had a tough night."

"It is a big deal. You are still too young, you don't know how dangerous men can be." 

Shanks shook his head and muttering something about setting Haki around Nami or asked Yasopp to create some kind of protection machine. Nami rolled her eyes, ignored Shanks's father-like action. When they got to the deck, Yasopp greeted them.

"Yo, Nami, how it's going?" 

Nami raised her thumb and smiled. Yasopp grinned and they high five. 

Shanks grabbed Nami's shoulder and grinned at Beckman who was giving out orders. "I told you Beckman, Nami can handle this!" 

After that, Shanks told everyone to hold a banquet again, to welcome Ace on board. To this idea, Nami rolled her eyes and gave Shanks a "not again" glance, Shanks just smiled and ignored her.

Soon, the Red Hair Pirates had prepared everything. Food and beers everywhere on the deck. Yasopp grabbed Ace from his bed and took him to the deck. Last moment Ace was still closing his eyes, next moment with the smell of meat had awoken him. 

Soon Ace had joined the crews and started to gulp. Shanks laughed and raised up his beer.

"Welcome on board, Ace!"

Yasopp gave Ace a cup of beer and smiled. Ace took the cup and emptied quickly. Everyone cheered and talked to Ace. Ace released a thankful and cheerful grin. Nami looked at Ace and smiled. She knew Ace will be fine, he will recover very soon.

Nami took a slip of her beer, smiled and looking at the Red Hair Pirates around her. Nami couldn't believe she had stayed with them almost a month. Time did pass very fast. She thought about this and gave out a bitter smile. 

Shanks, Ace, Beckman and the cadre of the Red Hair Pirates were sitting together, drinking and laughing.

Watching everyone enjoying the banquet, their smiles and the cheering made Nami felt depressed. The beer somehow tasted more bitter. No matter how happy the others are, how delicious the food looks, Nami only feel the cold inside her heart.

When did she become such emotional? Nami thought to herself and gave another bitter smile.

"What are you doing alone Nami? Come and join us!" 

Yasopp grabbed Nami's hand and pulled her to sit next to him and Beckman. Yasopp gave her another cup of beer then continued to chat with others. Lucky Roo was challenging Ace's appetite, continued to give him food and beer. 

Shanks and the others watched and cheering for Ace. It seemed like Beckman was the only one noticed Nami's emotion.

"What's wrong Nami?" 

Nami didn't answer and remained silent. Soon everyone realized Nami's silence and turned to her.

"Are you alright, Nami?" 

Shanks put down his beer and walked to Nami. Ace finally woke up and gave Nami a concern look. The silence made Nami felt more difficult to announce her thought. Nami took a deep breathe and clenched her fist tightly. It is very difficult for her to make this decision.

"Thank you for taking good care of me in this month, I really appreciate that everyone treat me as your family." Nami smiled. 

Everyone cheered and ready to continue their banquet, but what Nami said next had killed the joy.

"I afraid, it is time for me to leave."

That night---

Ace couldn't fall asleep. Usually he would fall asleep very quickly after meal. It seems like Nami's words really give him a great shock. He just meets her again for few days, she saved his life and gave him encouragement. He even hasn't thank her yet, and now she is leaving.

As a pirate, Ace knows he always need to separate with people around him. However, he could never get used to it, especially to people who is important to him.

At least, let me thank her before she leaves.

On the deck---

Nami stood at the front of the ship again,appreciating the beauty of the nature. Watching the wave of the sea, she remembered everyone's faces when she announced her leaving, Yasopp chocked and Lucky Roo even dropped his chicken leg. Thought about these two faces, she couldn't stop smiling.

As a navigator, Nami knows the importance for her to decide the direction of the ship. She never disappointed her crews, but sometimes she will lost her own direction. Now she is not sure did she make a good decision for her leaving. 

Part of her still wants to go to Luffy's side, another part wishes to stay with the Red Hair Pirates, also a part of her tells her it is time to return Weatheria. 

At least, let me spend more time with them before I leave.

Shanks's room---

Shanks called all the cadre to his room, discussing about their sailing and the newest information about the Marine. Although Shanks acted normally, everyone knew he was thinking about Nami's departure.

As a Yonko, Shanks has a great effect to the world. Every place he visited, every person he met, every decision  he made, Marine all pay high attention on them. As time pass by, Shanks needs to become more mature and more careful for making decision, just because he is one of the Yonko.

After the Marineford War, everyone know the Marine will pay more attention on them from now, Shanks knows the best. They really like Nami. Every time Shanks talks to Nami, his eyes will sparkle and it seems like the burden Shanks is carrying have lighten. 

He always revealed the smile he didn't show since the day he became one of the Yonko. Everyone was very happy to see their captain laughed just like the old time, However, longer Nami stayed with them, greater dangers was waiting for her. No doubt Nami will become one of the targets of Marine someday.

Beckman looked at Shanks talking about their destination, he took a deep breath of his cigarette and closed his eyes.

At least, let us enjoy the peace we have almost forgotten for a bit longer before Nami leaves.