One Piece: Capture the Goddess and Become Stronger [R-18]

Ethan gently shook the orange juice in his hand, resting his head on the cushion as he enjoyed the attentive service of Micita.

Hearing this, Nojiko paused in her tasks and said softly:

"Nami left for the Kortvo Islands over ten days ago; she should be there for a few more days."

Kortvo Islands?

Ethan remembered hearing Robin talk about this place. The Kortvo Islands lay northeast of Cocoyasi Village.

It was near the Kingdom of Corgi, a nation that once fought with Germa 66, where Reiju had freed Sanji during the conflict.

"So, there's no definite time for Nami's return to Cocoyasi Village. If I go to find her, I might miss her if she comes back a different way."

"Yes..." Nojiko replied hesitantly.

Ethan pondered for a moment, then took out a Den Den Mushi and placed it on the table.

"Porche, Tashigi, Marianne—you three stay here to protect Nojiko. If there's any news of Nami, inform me immediately."

"Vivi, Micita, and Robin will accompany me to the Kortvo Islands to find Nami."

"Yes, my lord!" everyone either spoke or nodded in agreement.

Tashigi had already joined him and could use Haki. The East Blue was quiet, and she was virtually unmatched here.

With "wild cards" like Porche and Marianne, both strong and skilled in hypnosis, Ethan felt assured.

Besides, it was a chance to keep Micita separate from Marianne for a while—he wanted to encourage Micita's loyalty to him.

Kortvo Islands, Palavus Island.

This was treasure hunter Savage's territory.

In a dense forest, "Cat Burglar" Nami and "Little Fox" Kalina were fleeing.

"Kalina, we'll get caught if we keep going like this!" Nami felt a surge of desperation. The two were rivals and teammates.

They had come to Palavus Island to rob Savage's vault but had been discovered.

Luckily, they managed to escape into the forest, but Savage and his men knew the terrain well. How long could they last?

"Cat Burglar… I didn't expect that I'd fail like this after all these years," Kalina sighed but kept moving quickly.

"Don't joke, you're only two years older than me! We'll escape!" Nami retorted, but as she spoke, she tripped over a vine and fell.

"Cat Burglar!" Kalina gasped, stopping to help Nami up.

"Run!"

"Over here!"

"They're there!"

Their pursuers' voices grew closer, and the two women's faces turned pale.

"Run!"

Kalina supported Nami, hiding in the trees for cover.

"I'm holding you back… Go!" Nami resolved to say her goodbyes.

"What nonsense! I, Kalina, wouldn't abandon a friend!"

At that moment, a large man with a red afro emerged—Savage himself.

"So, you're still trying to steal my treasure vault? Foolish girls!"

He held a thick iron chain, swinging it menacingly.

"Let's talk—there's no need to run," Kalina tried to smile, shielding Nami.

"Talk? You think you can get away?"

A large group of Savage's men surrounded them. Smiling grimly, Savage swung his chain.

[God's Judgment: White Thunder!]

Suddenly, a massive lightning bolt struck from above.

Nami closed her eyes, expecting pain—but felt nothing.

Curious, she opened her eyes to see herself and Kalina surrounded by white light, Kalina staring around, too afraid to move.

"What's going on!?" Nami gasped.

As the lightning dissipated, Savage and his men were gone, leaving only a huge pit where they once stood.

Kalina's back was wet with cold sweat as she whispered, "It was… lightning."

"Lightning!?"

"Hey there~ You two lost little lambs, did I scare you~?"

In the air, a flash of blue light appeared, and Ethan stood before Nami and Kalina, legs crossed and smiling.

He had known Nami's whereabouts but waited for a dramatic moment to make an entrance.

Nami quickly realized he was the one who saved them.

"No way! Big brother, did you save us? Thank you so much!"

She smiled playfully, eyes filled with feigned gratitude, and Kalina echoed, "Big brother, so strong and kind! Could you take us out? There are big pits all around; we're stuck!"

Ethan smiled knowingly.

He saw through their fake gratitude and slight trembling—they were more frightened than they showed.

"Oh? Already asking for favors right after I saved you? That's not very polite~"

Relieved he wasn't hostile, Nami summoned the courage to act charming.

"Well, big brother, how could you take us out? If it's treasure you want…"

At this, a brief struggle showed in her eyes. She valued money dearly but was reluctant to offer it up. Kalina, less obsessed, just watched.