12 Noticed Me

"I see, so that's what it was." Imai muttered. "To think that the celestial dragons would use that brand to mark you as slaves."

"That's too cruel!" Nami exclaimed. "Do they not have any compassion for the beings living in this world?!"

"Nami, you've seen what they've done to the people. Could you really think that those celestial dragons would have compassion?"

Imai's words struck Nami as she wasn't able to say anything. Her eyebrows furrowed together leaving an angry expression on her face. She couldn't believe such beings were allowed to govern the world.

"But all is well now, we have been freed." Jimbei said with a smile. "But there are still corrupt fish-men out there, some have even sided with the celestial dragons."

"Those corrupt bastards, I'll slay every single one of them." Imai muttered.

Jimbei chuckled. "Haha, I don't doubt that you'll be able to do that. But the problem is, they have a lot of power in the world."

"Not power in strength, but power in status." Imai said.

"Then what are we going to do?" Nami asked.

"What else?" Imai said as she glanced over to Luffy. "What other choice do you guys have other than just destroying them with brute force."

Luffy grinned.

"That's right!"

Nami had a look of confusion on her face.

"What do you mean by you guys? Aren't you coming along with us?"

"This is where we separate and where you all will become much stronger." Imai said. "Having me here will only stunt your growth. I have some business to do anyway and for that reason, I came with you guys here, and fortunately met Jimbei."

"I have what you asked me for." Jimbei said. "The Eternal Log Pose to Skypiea."

"Skypiea?!" Luffy exclaimed. "We've been there before. What are you going to do there?"

"Apparently there's a lightning god running loose up there and I have some business to take care of with him." Imai said.

"Enel?! I thought we already defeated him." Nami said.

Imai shook her head. "Well, either he came back or you guys just did a sloppy job. Either way, I need to go up there. You have everything ready for me right Jimbei?"

"Yes, the ship I prepared for you is right across the garden from here. Just follow the path."

"Alright, thanks." Imai said before she looked at the faces of the Straw Hat Crew. "Sorry to leave on such a short notice, but don't worry. Our fates will once more intertwine and meet each other."

"I see, then bye bye!" Luffy said.

"Do you really have to go?" Nami asked with a hint of sadness.

"Nami, don't make such a sad face. You're going to make me think you really care about me, you know?" Imai chuckled. "Money comes first."

Nami made an angry face before looking away.

"Bye!"

Imai laughed before waving Jimbei off.

"I'm going to say goodbye to the others on the ship!"

Imai had said her goodbyes to everyone, and now it was time for her to say goodbye to Nico Robin. Despite Imai speaking to her only for a few times, Nico had somehow made her way into her heart. There was a tiny space just for her.

"Ah, there you are." Imai said as she entered the room. "As usual, you're reading again."

"Yes, I am. Do you have a problem with it?"

"Nope, I quite like people who read a lot. And you're exactly my type."

Nico stared into Imai's eyes before turning back to her book.

"Be serious. You didn't come here to tell me just that didn't you?"

Imai sat down on the couch and laid back.

"I am serious, but you're right. I came here to tell you goodbye."

In a split second, Nico Robin had pinned both of Imai's hands against the window as well as having a knee in between Imai's thighs.

Imai stared dazedly into Nico's eyes with a grin.

"Wow, I never expected you to take the initiative."

"Be serious Imai. What do you mean you came here to say goodbye?"

"Nico…this is as far as I travel along with you all. It's been very fun and we created many memories. But there are also other things I have to do."

"Where will you be going?"

"To Skypiea, I already have an eternal log pose to get there as well as a stable ship."

"And for what business?"

"To find a certain lightning god."

'Nico isn't even my girlfriend yet she's acting like an obsessive girlfriend of mine.' Imai thought. 'Though not like it's a bad thing.'

"Enel? We already defeated him, why are you looking for him?"

"Well you see, I have some friends, and they informed me something was happening in the Sky Islands. They told me that a certain lightning god was trying to reclaim his throne."

"Then take me with you!"

Imai looked at Nico helplessly. "You know I can't allow you to do that, you're needed in this crew. Your talent and your abilities put you at such a high value."

Nico had an angry expression on her face.

"It doesn't matter, I've left notes that will help them when I'm not there. And VALUE? Why do you care about that?"

"Nico, that's not what I meant. I'm just saying that it's better for you to stay here, you have so many great people with you. Your abilities will grow even further with them."

"That may be true but what about you?!" Nico exclaimed. "Do you think I don't notice? I'm the one who pays the most attention to you. The lonely expressions you have on your face whenever you sit alone at the deck. Do you think I didn't notice?!"

Imai was shocked, she was left speechless. She had no idea Nico had noticed the little things about her. This was also the first time where she saw genuine anger in Nico's eyes and the first time she lashed out.

She felt her heart beat faster and also noticed that her hands were still pinned against the window. Imai knew she wouldn't be able to escape her if she didn't give her an answer.

"Alright, I give in." Imai said as she looked up at Nico who still had an angry expression on her face. "Ah, I promise, I'm giving in."

Nico slowly released her grip on Imai's hands. Imai rubbed it since Nico's grip was stronger than she expected.

"If your captain agrees to let you come with me, then I also agree."

And just like that, Nico wandered off to find her captain.

Imai lifted her hand and put it over her heart.

"Is this love?" Imai muttered to herself.