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A dramatic scene unfolded as Luffy finally collapsed onto his back, staring at the sky. "I'm exhausted," he declared. "Whatever happens to this island next isn't my problem. I just wanna rest."
Some truths were better left unknown. Lucas already knew how this would end, but witnessing the struggle still weighed on him.
'Am I getting too invested in their story?' he wondered with a self-deprecating chuckle. After traveling with the crew for so long, he'd begun to feel like part of this world. Though he occasionally missed home, the initial alienation had faded.
'Might as well wait it out. If I remember right, Usopp will be back soon, that should clear up half the misunderstanding.'
Fate's gears would turn as they always had. As long as he stayed out of the way, events would unfold just like in the original tale.
'System,' Lucas mused, 'if my Orochimaru card reaches max level, how strong would I be?'
[Without auxiliary cards, Orochimaru's peak (Level 10) grants SS-tier combat power. Base form remains S-tier.]
'Seriously? A gold card can't even match the top tiers here? You're a stingy system.'
[Orochimaru's true strength lies in his knowledge, not raw power. Host should recall: in Naruto, his intellect was his greatest weapon.]
Lucas paused. Orochimaru's knowledge, the same reason he'd been nearly unkillable in his own world. At max level, the card wouldn't just offer immortality; it'd make him a true force of persistence.
'Okay, so while he's not the strongest in a straight fight, his survivability is broken.'
He grimaced. One Piece's top tiers might lag behind Naruto's godlike figures, but mid-to-high tiers like Whitebeard could easily raze a village like Konoha. And Pain who outclassed Orochimaru had wiped out the Hidden Leaf in a single assault.
'Meh. I'll just stack more overpowered cards later.'
Exhausted, Lucas leaned against a tree and drifted off.
When he awoke, Usopp had returned, breathlessly recounting Nami's plight. Though Luffy's fists clenched at the news, he didn't rush to confront Arlong. Zoro, Sanji, and Lucas understood, their captain was waiting for her to ask.
Sanji lit a cigarette, eyes alight with drama. "Our generous, beautiful Nami-san… suffering all alone?" He exhaled a dramatic plume. "A knight must answer such a lady's heartache!"
Lucas sidled over. "Hey, Sanji. Mind sparing a smoke?"
Sanji studied him, no longer questioning Lucas's gender after some… hands-on verification during his nap. But staring at that annoyingly pretty face, he sighed. 'Maybe liking guys isn't so bad.'
"First time?" Sanji asked.
Lucas shook his head.
"Don't start. It's a filthy habit."
"Then why do you smoke?"
Sanji blew a perfect ring. "Some stories need smoke to fill the silence."
Lucas rolled his eyes. 'This guy's hopeless.'
Zoro abruptly stood. "We're moving."
Luffy sprang up, nodding. News had arrived, Cocoyasi villagers were marching on Arlong Park. Nami would need them now.
Meanwhile, Genzo rallied the villagers, weapons in hand. "Eight years of humiliation, enough! Even if we die, we fight!"
The crowd roared agreement. They'd endured for Nami's sake, but Arlong's betrayal of her trust was the last straw.
Nami burst in, desperation cracking her voice. "Stop! I'll earn the money again, just don't throw your lives away!"
Genzo rested a hand on her head. "You've carried this too long, child. Leave the village to us."
Tears splashed the dirt as Nami drew a dagger. "I won't let you pass!"
Nojiko stepped forward. "Nami, you've got dreams now. That crew of yours… they're good people. Trust them."
The villagers walked past her, resolve unshaken.
Alone, Nami stared at the loathsome tattoo on her arm, the mark of her shackles. With a scream, she stabbed the dagger into her shoulder, as if gouging out the pain itself.
"Damn it! Get out of me!"
Then, shadows fell over her. Straw-hatted, grinning, the boy who'd brought her real laughter stood there, silent.
From behind, his crew watched, smiles sharp.
Nami's voice broke. "Luffy… help me."
He plopped his hat onto her head, beaming.
"'Course I will!"
The Straw Hats erupted in cheers. Finally, this was the moment they'd waited for.