The faces of the CP9 members instantly turned ashen.
The situation, which they had finally wrestled back under control, had not just slipped from their grasp—it had been vaporized.
They had originally, and foolishly, thought that as long as the legend, Shiki, didn't intervene, their mission would proceed.
But who could have imagined that this suddenly appearing man—Ron—would turn the entire situation upside down with his mere presence?
His aura was as profound as the abyss and as vast as the sea.
Just by standing there, he exuded an intangible pressure that was heavier than Shiki's wild, chaotic Haki.
This was a pressure that was calm, absolute, and suffocating.
"This guy…" Lucci, the strongest of them, narrowed his eyes, his animalistic instincts screaming at him.
He was on high guard.
This man was so young, yet he could make a legendary figure like the Golden Lion bow his head.
And the aura he projected… it made Lucci, for the first time in a very long time, hesitate to act.
At the same time, Nami stared blankly at Ron, her heart roiling with a disorienting shock.
She had originally thought, based on his reputation and actions, that Ron would be a cold, aloof, untouchable existence.
But the man before her, while radiating an authority that eclipsed everyone else, didn't feel… cruel.
His gaze was authoritative, yes, but it wasn't the dead, cold gaze of the government agents.
This contrast rekindled a tiny, fragile ember of hope in Nami's desolate heart.
"He really came… and he doesn't seem that terrifying after all…" she murmured softly, a hopeful glimmer shining in her tear-filled eyes.
However, the next scene left everyone, including Nami, completely and utterly dumbfounded.
Shiki, who had been arrogant, domineering, and god-like just moments before, completely shed his unruly expression.
In an instant, his entire demeanor changed.
He quickly strode up to Ron, his face plastered with an ingratiating, almost fawning smile, his tone carrying a sickening hint of flattery.
"Ron! You've finally arrived! The Eternal Kingdom is complete, just as you ordered!"
Then, noticing Ron's gaze lingering on Nami and the CP9 "rats," Shiki thumped his massive chest and declared.
"Such trivial matters can be left to this old man! There's no need for you to trouble yourself with this garbage!"
This scene left everyone present too stunned to speak.
The CP9 members widened their eyes as if witnessing something that broke the very laws of nature.
That Shiki, the Golden Lion, who had once dominated the seas and made the World Government itself wary, was actually being subservient to a young man?
This completely overturned their understanding of the world.
And what was he doing?! Didn't he just say he wouldn't intervene? Now he's offering to "take care" of them? Where is your dignity as a powerhouse?!
Though furious, they simultaneously tensed, preparing to strike at any moment.
Robin and Usopp (who had just regained consciousness) were equally astounded.
A flicker of deep contemplation passed through Robin's eyes.
Anyone who could command this level of respect from a monster like Shiki was definitely no ordinary person.
Usopp, meanwhile, gaped in terror.
"Wh-what's going on? The legendary pirate Shiki is actually being so polite to someone else? Am I dreaming? Did that long nose kick me harder than I thought?"
Ron was also somewhat taken aback by Shiki's new attitude.
'Since when had this old man become so courteous?' he wondered.
The last time he had acted this way was when he was begging for the Phoenix Fruit.
This time, he must have another request—undoubtedly related to Devil Fruits again.
He merely gave a faint nod, his tone calm and dismissive of Shiki's offer.
"You've completed your mission well, Shiki. However, you need not intervene in what comes next."
Shiki hastily bowed and scraped, retreating to the side with that same fawning smile still plastered on his face.
"Yes, yes, Ron, as you wish! This old man will just wait here and admire your work."
This bizarre, subservient display made the CP9 members even more uneasy.
Lucci took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his shock and confusion.
"Are you truly determined to interfere in the World Government's affairs?" he asked coldly.
Upon hearing this, Ron slowly turned his head.
His gaze, sharp as a blade, swept over Lucci.
A cold, mocking laugh escaped his lips.
"The World Government? Even Marine Headquarters has been blown to rubble by us. Isn't it a bit late for your little organization to be throwing that name around?"
At these words, the CP9 members immediately turned pale with rage.
They had never been so thoroughly, casually disregarded.
Yet, facing Ron, they felt an unprecedented pressure.
This guy truly didn't take them seriously at all.
Nami watched everything unfold, feeling both shocked and suddenly, wildly exhilarated.
She had never imagined the situation would reverse so dramatically.
Ron's appearance had brought them new hope.
She tightly clenched her fists, a renewed fighting spirit burning in her eyes.
"Ron… perhaps he really can save us..."
Countless thoughts raced through her mind.
She suddenly recalled his connection to Ace, and the brotherly bond between Ace and Luffy.
It was a lifeline.
She stumbled forward, her voice pleading.
"Ron! Please, I beg you, save Luffy! Save my friends! You were Ace's vice-captain, and Luffy is Ace's brother! Please, I'm begging you, help us!"
Hearing this, Ron calmly looked at Nami, his gaze unreadable, his tone devoid of any emotion.
"If you set sail as pirates, you must be prepared to be die. That is their choice, and their fate."
Upon hearing these cold, logical words, the last of Nami's defenses completely crumbled.
The hope that had just been rekindled was brutally snuffed out.
She fell to her knees on the rocky shore, tears streaming down her face like a broken dam.
Her voice was choked, yet resolute.
"I'll do anything!" she sobbed, bowing her head to the ground. "As long as you save Luffy and my friends, I'm willing to give you everything I have! My skills as a navigator, my life… anything! Please, I beg you, help us!"
Her sobs echoed across the desolate battlefield, sounding especially mournful.
Robin looked at Nami, her eyes filled with heartache and helplessness.
Usopp, now fully awake, buried his head deeply between his knees, his fists clenched tightly, his heart filled with self-blame and anguish.
Ron remained silent for a long moment, his profound gaze resting on the bowing, weeping navigator. He quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind.
'Even if I refuse,' he thought, 'once Ace learns of Luffy's situation, he'll undoubtedly rush to save him, regardless of the consequences. So, whether this girl begs me or not, the outcome will likely be the same: our crew will be dragged into this.'
Moreover, the entire situation across the seas had already been turned upside down by his own actions.
The Straw Hat crew's original, almost "invincible" protagonist aura had long since vanished.
If Nami continued on this path alone, she would inevitably lose her life at sea one day.
She was a valuable, skilled individual… and perhaps, a useful asset.
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