The Value of a Wave

CHAPTER TWO

The crew was mere minutes through with fighting a marine fleet. It was nothing they couldn't handle but they kept on coming and the human body had its limits. Once finding all coordinates clear and free of danger with a successful Coup de Blast, they laid back exhausted on littered on deck, tired, wounded and wanting nothing more than some rest.

Chopper needed it the most and as the crew's doctor he had to rest up quickly to tend to the injured. It was one thing after the other. One moment they were battling sea kings and the next, flogged by what seemed like four scores of marine ships. They had put up a good fight but enough was enough.

Suddenly, Nami used all the strength left in her legs and stood up. Everyone looked her way.

"There's more trouble you guys. A big storm is headed this way and we're going to need all hands on deck.  The sails need to be furled. We need to move fast."

All stared up at the pristine blue skies and felt the cool breeze on their skin wondering if they were stuck in a bad dream. It was borderline perfect weather and despite the warning, no one was motivated to move a muscle.

"Are you sure, Nami-san?"

Nami looked around frantically and was taken back when everyone groaned like children. All except one and Nami's eyes pleading for help met her captain's- the most beaten up of them all- and watched as he wobbled over to stand at her side.

"I'm disappointed in you. You guys have all right to doubt some of my decisions as the captain but if there's anyone you can never doubt on this ship, it's Nami."

Chills ran up their spines. Even Robin felt ashamed.

"As the captain of this ship, I'll say this once and for all. Listen to Nami and do whatever she says. In the case of my absence she would always be first in command and that's final. I trust Nami with my life and you should too. Is that clear?"

All goggled and gulped at the newfound official authority and Nami folded her arms, straightened her shoulders and stood as tall as ever regarding them with a look promising death.

In little and next to no time and with whatever little adrenaline they had left, everyone scrambled to their feet and did exactly what she said.

And it turned out that she was right. If another second was lost, the ocean would have swallowed them whole. They had dodged a bullet at the velocity of the stormy winds, raging seas and the deafening loudness of the thunder.

Needless to say, they never doubted her again.

To be continued...