Chapter 34: The City of Beginnings and Endings

Chapter 34: The City of Beginnings and Endings

Though Benienma prepared lunch, everyone, sans Atalanta, departed the Going Merry once they reached the Baratie. Lucy and the Straw Hats had originally ventured to the floating restaurant in search of a Cook, so, even though they had Benienma to prepare meals for them, they still wanted to ask around.

Shortly after the group took their seats in the restaurant, Thomas was surprised by Zeff emerging from the kitchen, his wrinkled face especially gruff-looking as he revealed, "That Drake woman asked me to pass on a message once you showed up. She said that clinging to the known goes against everything an adventure is supposed to represent before taking off with that idiot son of mine. Here, take this."

Accepting the letter Zeff offered him, Thomas opened it to find a mere two lines written. The first was telling him not to be too butthurt since she needed a replacement cook. The second teased that he wouldn't have to worry about Sanji hitting on his Servants or acting as a 'competitor' for the female Straw Hats' attention.

Exhaling a sigh, Thomas crumpled up the piece of paper before placing it into his pocket, meeting Zeff's gaze, and responding, "Thanks for passing on her message. I appreciate it."

Shrugging his shoulders, Zeff replied, "It's about time that brat set out to fulfill his dream. Anyways, the food's on the house today. Make sure to fill your bellies before setting out yourselves. The sea can be an unforgiving mistress, and you never know when your next meal will come..."

Punctuating his words, Zeff passed out menus like a skilled dealer at a casino before returning to the kitchen. In his wake, Thomas mulled over both his words and the letter penned by Drake, a mixture of excitement and uncertainty swelling within him as he imagined what the future would be like without one of the key members of the Straw Hats in the crew...

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After departing the Baratie, Nami insisted that their next destination be the Conomi Islands. She didn't want to set sail for the Grand Line without visiting her home, so, even though it took them twenty-three days in the opposite direction, that was where they headed.

Fortunately, while Drake was capable of piloting the Hind with her mind, she had insisted that Thomas learn how to sail properly. Caenis was also an experienced sailor, so the going was fairly smooth despite the journey taking 'a lot' longer than Thomas expected. This gave him plenty of time to acclimate to life on a 'normal' ship, and, to an extent, it demonstrated how the Straw Hats were able to improve so drastically between arcs. It simply took weeks to months for them to reach their destination...

By the time the Going Merry was preparing to moor at Nami's village, Cocoyasi, both Zoro and Lucy had made tremendous progress in their mastery of Observation Haki. Thomas also reduced the charging time of his energy blasts to one second, so his next goal was to channel a single beam for thirty seconds. This was easier said than done, but if he could master converting Mana into Magical Energy while actively channeling it, his battle capabilities would increase tremendously...

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As it wasn't his business to meddle in Nami's private life, Thomas didn't protest when he was asked to watch over the Going Merry while she and Lucy made their way ashore. In the anime and manga, it was common for the Straw Hats to split up upon reaching a new island, so he wasn't going to insist on following certain people around in the hope of seeing certain events play out. Rather, he intended to take Drake's advice and 'do as he pleased' when the opportunity presented itself.

Adopting a wry smile, Thomas replied, "I've never heard any of her songs. She just looks 'familiar' to me..."

Understanding what Thomas was insinuating, Nami's brows perked up as she imagined encountering the increasingly famous Diva. To her surprise, Lucy eventually noticed the two of them staring at the poster, walking over to join them before tilting her head to the side and remarking, "Oh, I know this girl. She's Sh-"

Before Lucy could say something potentially ruinous, Thomas interrupted her, stating, "You shouldn't disclose her identity publicly, Lucy. Her father is famous, and not in a good way. If people learned of their connection, all of her father's enemies would attempt to kill or kidnap her..."

Opening her eyes wide, Lucy responded with a surprised, "Oh..." before looking up at the poster, furrowing her brows, and asking, "Would people really do such a thing?"

Nodding his head in affirmation, Thomas replied, "Most Pirates are cruel and malicious people who do everything in their power to benefit from a situation. Nami should have told you about what happened at her village, and I've warned you about the dangers of the Celestial Dragons...never underestimate the depravity and wickedness of humans who seek power for the sole purpose of dominating others..."

Hearing Thomas reference her past, a sigh escaped Nami's throat as her previously good mood diminished. She understood he was using her as an example so that Lucy would comprehend the importance of what he was saying, but it still bothered her. Not being present at the time of Arlong's defeat denied her the 'closure' she would have obtained by witnessing his downfall directly.

Realizing he may have stepped on a landmine, Thomas's smile became even wrier as he muttered, "Sorry...as an apology, I'll foot the bill for a few of the outfits you pick out..."

Regaining her vigor in an instant, Nami was practically beaming as she exclaimed, "No take-backs...!" before dragging Lucy over to the location of the most expensive articles of clothing. She was still a little upset, but, understanding Thomas hadn't meant any harm, she put on a happy front that became authentic when he was forced to fork over nearly 3,800,000 Berries for the outfits she selected for herself and Lucy.

Though his smile visibly cramped when he saw the receipt, Thomas paid it without a fuss. The impromptu fashion show he had received was worth a few million Berries, and the weight of the bags wasn't too much to bear now that he possessed superhuman strength.

Fortunately, while Thomas originally planned to carry around the bags the rest of the day like a proper chaperone, Nami had them return to the ship to drop things off before making their way to the town center, the location of Gol D. Roger's execution platform.

Shortly after reaching the remarkably crowded square, Lucy made her way over to climb the metal scaffolding. She wanted to see what Gol D. Roger witnessed just before his death, so she ignored Nami's protests, pushing her way through the crowd with a starry-eyed smile on her face.

Just as Thomas was beginning to wonder if Buggy and Alvida were going to make an appearance, Benienma abruptly appeared from his shadow to inform him, "There are enemies, dechi..." Then, as if spurred by the petite sparrow's words, a very conspicuous group of people wearing tan cloaks forced their way into the square...

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(A/N: Nami is entrapping herself. Even if she's currently taking advantage of him, giving Thomas the boyfriend treatment will invariably make it a reality (O w O)...)