Chapter 436: Zoro's Encounter
The Straw Hat Pirates' ship departed, heading along a canal that cut through Alabasta. They would disembark at a point along the inland shore, then trek across the desert on foot to reach the capital, Alubarna.
Aboard the ship, Nami rested her chin on her hand, leaning against the railing as she gazed back in the direction they had just left.
"What's wrong, Nami?" Vivi walked over to her and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Nami sighed. "I was thinking... if back then, when I first met Ian, I had gone out to sea with him and become his navigator, what would things be like now..."
"Do you want to go back?" Vivi asked, the sea breeze lifting her azure hair.
"No!" Nami shook her head, then turned around and leaned back against the railing, watching Luffy and Usopp fooling around on the ship. Suddenly, she grinned. "If I left, these idiots probably wouldn't even know how to sail, would they?"
Vivi smiled knowingly. Indeed, on this ship, Nami was the most indispensable member.
"Sticking around with these troublesome idiots for so long actually feels pretty good!" Nami laughed.
Just as Nami and Vivi were lost in thought, Sanji came spinning over, fawningly delivering refreshing drinks to the two of them. After receiving their thanks, he was so overjoyed he could barely contain himself.
"Hey, Vivi!"
As Nami sipped her drink, Zoro approached them holding an envelope, which looked rather thick.
"Vivi," Zoro said, "Are there places to buy weapons in Alubarna?"
"Of course!" Vivi replied. "What do you need?"
"I need to buy two new swords," Zoro said gloomily. "My old ones were cut in half by Ian!"
Hearing this, Nami immediately frowned, poking Zoro's forehead. "I just lent you money to buy swords back in Loguetown, and now you need more? You're too weak! Why did Ian cut your swords?"
At Nami's words, Zoro grew even more sullen.
Nami huffed, "Anyway, don't come to me for sword money. I'm not lending you any more!"
Zoro retorted irritably, "I don't need your loan. I have money!"
"Huh!?" Nami's eyes narrowed suspiciously as she looked at the envelope in Zoro's hand. She sniffed the air, then snatched the envelope from him.
"Hey! Give that back!" Zoro panicked, trying to grab it.
But Nami had already quickly peeked inside. Sure enough, the envelope was stuffed with a thick stack of Berry bills.
*Swish!* Nami fanned the stack of money with her thumb, quickly counting it in her head. She planted her hands on her hips and demanded, "At least five million Berry! When did you get so rich? Have you been hiding a secret stash?"
"No way!" Zoro protested loudly. "Ian gave it to me before we left! He said it was for buying new swords!"
Nami and Vivi were both stunned, but then they understood. They exchanged a glance and couldn't help but smile.
Even though he had broken Zoro's swords, Ian still remembered to leave money for him to buy new ones. It seemed he truly was a good big brother...
"Hmph! I'll keep this money safe for you! When we get to Alubarna, I'll give it back," Nami told Zoro. "If it stays with you, you'll just spend it all on booze!"
Zoro loved drinking, and Nami had figured out his habits by now, so she wasn't about to let the money fall into his hands.
Zoro naturally objected, trying to get the money back, but that only angered Nami. She gave him a headbutt, raising a lump on his head, and he had no choice but to give up.
Watching Zoro slink away in defeat, Nami cheerfully began counting the bills. *Swish, swish, swish*—she finished quickly. It was exactly five million Berry.
That was enough for Zoro to buy two decent swords.
Just then, Nami had a thought. "I didn't realize Ian was so rich. He just carries millions of Berry around with him..."
"Of course," Vivi nodded. "I heard from Igaram that when Ian was invited to become a Warlord, he demanded a hundred billion Berry from the Celestial Dragons! At first, the World Government tried to keep it quiet, but now it's spread all over the allied nations. A lot of countries aren't happy about it, since the tribute to the Celestial Dragons comes from their coffers..."
As Vivi rambled on, she didn't notice that Nami's eyes had turned into Berry symbols!
"A... a hundred billion Berry!?" Nami clasped her hands together, resting them on her cheek, looking dreamy and intoxicated. "So that means Ian is a super-rich tycoon!?"
"Y... yeah!" Vivi said, sweating nervously.
"Ahh!!" Nami threw her arms up and shouted, "I regret it so much! If I'd known, I really should have gone with Ian back then!"
The others on the ship heard this. Luffy picked his nose with his pinky and asked cluelessly, "Nami, why would you want to go with Ian?"
"Shut up!" Nami snapped at him. "You bunch of broke pirates, don't talk to me right now!"
With that, Nami slumped dejectedly over the railing, muttering weakly, "Sigh... why is a stunning beauty like me stuck with a bunch of penniless idiots as crewmates..."
"Heh... heh..." A giant bead of sweat formed on Vivi's forehead. She had no idea how to respond.
She knew Nami was just venting—if it came down to it, she probably wouldn't actually leave the Straw Hats to join Ian—but still, Vivi had just witnessed Nami's status on this ship: she was practically the queen!
However, Zoro's mention of buying swords reminded Vivi of something.
Alabasta was an ancient kingdom with countless treasures passed down through the generations. Vivi remembered sneaking into the royal treasury once as a child and seeing a very beautiful sword.
Her father had said it was a famous blade, supposedly one of the twelve Supreme Grade swords, a weapon treasured by the Nefertari family.
What was it called... Izumi Kanesuke or something? That sounded right...
If they could save this country with Luffy and the others' help, maybe she could beg her father to give that sword to Zoro, the swordsman.
The only pity was that Ian, the Warlord, seemed to have important business. Otherwise, maybe she could plead with him or offer Alabasta's treasures in exchange for his help...
..........................
"Ah-choo!!"
Back in Nanohana, Ian suddenly sneezed.
"Strange. Am I catching a cold?" Ian rubbed his nose in confusion. "That shouldn't be. I've been perfectly healthy since coming to this world. Or is someone talking about me?..."
After seeing off the Straw Hat Pirates, Ian and his group stayed behind. Reiju and Robin wanted to go shopping, so they split off.
Ace was still on the ship, hungry again. Matthew was fixing him something to eat, and Dorry joined in for an extra meal.
As for Ian, bored and alone, he started wandering the streets of Nanohana.
However, he hadn't walked far when he noticed a figure completely wrapped in cloth approaching him. They brushed past each other.
Ian didn't pay much attention at first—such attire was common in desert countries. But as the person passed, Ian felt something being pressed into his hand.
Without changing his expression, Ian slipped into a nearby alley. Once alone, he opened his palm to look.
It was a small piece of paper with writing on it.
Ian immediately understood. That person must have been a Revolutionary Army member, delivering intelligence.
He quickly unfolded the paper. There was only a single line of small text.
"The Blackbeard Pirates have appeared. They will arrive at the port tomorrow!"
After reading it, Ian crumpled the paper and pumped his fist in excitement.
Finally! They were here!