Chapter 19
"Of course, big brother will have treasure," Kalina interjected, gently patting Nami, signaling her to catch on.
"Treasure? I have no shortage of that. My name is Ethan, God and Emperor of the Kingdom of God. In my palace, there are countless jewels, gold, and riches beyond measure."
Kingdom of God? God? Emperor?
Nami and Kalina were stunned. He didn't seem to be exaggerating. Could he really be this powerful?
[No shortage of treasure... could it be that he's taken a liking to me? Or maybe Nami!]
"Don't guess—I'm interested in both of you. Be my consorts!" Ethan declared directly.
The two women were startled. Could he read minds? No, that must just be coincidence.
Nami: [If I agree now, I can use his power to drive the fishmen out of my village. A hundred million berries is a long way off… this handsome guy might be worth the sacrifice to save everyone!]
Kalina: [I might not get out of this situation. Facing his overwhelming strength, I doubt my wit can help me escape this time...]
Let's just agree for now. If his claims are true, he can give me a comfortable life and the future I've always wanted.
In a matter of seconds, both women decided their course. They exchanged a look and nodded.
"I'll agree if you can help me drive out the fishmen from my hometown…" Nami gritted her teeth with fierce resolve.
She was still so kind-hearted. Despite the pain Arlong and his gang had inflicted, she wasn't thinking of revenge but just wanted them gone.
Kalina added, "I'll agree as well, but you'll have to prove that you're truly an emperor and can provide me and Nami with a life where we never have to worry about money again…"
As Ethan expected, given their circumstances, they would not refuse.
"These are minor matters—then it's settled!"
Ethan was pleased. He rose, spread his arms, and floated in front of them. "Come along. I'll take you out of here; your friends are waiting above."
"Wait, we still have treasure to collect…"
The two little treasure-lovers couldn't bear to leave the loot behind.
"How much could you possibly carry?" Ethan chuckled.
"Please, Ethan, just help us take it with us! We worked so hard for it." Nami and Kalina pleaded, clinging to his arms and giving him doe-eyed looks.
Unable to resist their charms, Ethan pretended to hesitate, then agreed. "Alright, alright, you two little mischiefs. Follow me to the ship above, and then show me the way."
The two women beamed. To leave their hard-earned treasure behind would have been agony.
"Ow~ It hurts~"
Nami took a step and winced in pain, recalling her sprained ankle.
Ethan noticed, stepping forward with concern to inspect her injury.
Nami's cheeks flushed as he knelt to look at her ankle. She didn't dare to say much, letting him examine it silently.
Ethan nodded, gently lifted her foot, and began to rub it, sending a light current to ease the pain and help the blood flow.
The tingle made Nami bite her lip, but she knew he was helping her.
"There, try it now," Ethan said as he finished.
Nami breathed a sigh of relief, trying a few steps and finding it pain-free. "Amazing! I didn't think you knew medicine, too!"
She was surprised, expecting he might have just wanted an excuse to touch her.
"Naturally. I'm a god; there's little I don't know," he replied with a smile, breathing in her scent—a mix of orange and sunflower fragrance.
With the women ready, Ethan took them up to his ship.
The three other women on board greeted the newcomers without surprise, and introductions were made.
"So, you're Nojiko's sister? No wonder Ethan couldn't stop thinking of you," Robin said, covering her mouth with a smile as she complimented Nami.
"Oh, not at all! Sister, you're much more beautiful than I am…" Nami stammered, only to realize, "Wait! Nojiko!? How do you know my sister's name?!"
"Oh? Ethan didn't tell you? How mysterious," Robin teased, casting him a side glance.
"Could it be…?" Nami turned to him, realization dawning.
"That's right," Ethan said calmly, "I've already dealt with all the fishmen in Cocoyasi Village. Our agreement is complete."
"What!?"
Stunned, Nami took a few moments to process the news. Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered, "Bell-mère… the ones who tormented us… are gone!"
Tears streaming, she threw herself into Kalina's arms.
"Nami…" Kalina whispered, deeply moved.
At that moment, Ethan's gaze sharpened.
Far off in the southeastern sky, he noticed fragments of earth descending into the sea.
Who would be dropping chunks of land from such heights?
Could there be a Sky Island above the East Blue?
Sky Islands were rare in the pirate world, but Ethan knew of several, including his own Kingdom of God.
An island in the sky… could it be… the Golden Lion Shiki!?
Ethan remembered that after escaping from Impel Down, Shiki had discovered an island called Merveille, filled with animals made aggressive by plants containing IQ ingredients. Shiki and his associate Dr. Indigo had been researching IQ to plot a revenge scheme from the skies above East Blue.