Chapter 41: Forced Entry! Everyone’s Dream, Grand Line!

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Aboard the Going Merry.

Tashigi stared blankly at Ace, who was smiling confidently, radiating a powerful presence. Her already confused mind seemed to short-circuit. 

"How about that?" Ace said, grinning at Nami. "I told you, I didn't kidnap her. Tashigi agreed to help me, so I brought her aboard."

"Hmph, you left out some important details and tricked her," Nami replied with a smug look, turning her head away.

Nojiko, standing nearby, chuckled knowingly. "Oh, Nami, you're just upset because you know Ace didn't really trick anyone." 

"W-What are you talking about?!" Nami's face turned bright red.

Ace just smiled. He found Nami's flustered attitude pretty cute.

"Alright! Let's throw a party to welcome our newest member, Tashigi!" Ace declared, laughing loudly.

"Wait! I never said I was joining—mmph!" Before Tashigi could finish, Ace shoved a chicken leg into her mouth, muffling her protests.

"Today's a happy day! Come on, eat, drink, and be merry!" Ace said, downing a glass of beer with a hearty laugh.

"This feels a little... forced," Nami muttered, pouting slightly.

"No way," Kaya chimed in, smiling as she watched Ace enthusiastically offering food and drinks to Tashigi. "Ace must have known through his instincts that Tashigi was destined to be our swordsman, just like he knew I was destined to be our doctor."

Nami sighed. "You actually believe that stuff?" 

Destined swordsman? Nami glanced at Ace. Could it be...? She blushed, quietly nibbling on a piece of bread. Maybe she was destined to be Ace's navigator after all.

Nojiko, mature and composed, sipped her beer and smiled. Sometimes, even if something sounded far-fetched, it didn't matter. If people chose to believe, it became real to them.

And Nojiko wanted to believe she was Ace's destined helmsman. With a blush on her face, she raised her glass and drank deeply.

As the toasts continued, the atmosphere grew livelier. Nami and Nojiko's faces had a rosy glow, while Kaya, despite not drinking much, was leaning on Ace, giggling softly.

As for Tashigi? The poor girl had the weakest tolerance for alcohol, and after just a few drinks, she was already swaying.

"Hahaha! Now, before we head to the Grand Line..." Ace grabbed the half-drunk Tashigi by the arm and stood up on a beer barrel.

"I'm going to end this era of pirates and become the King of the World!" he roared, his voice booming with authority.

His declaration was so powerful that the sea itself seemed to respond. The waves grew rougher, and the clouds overhead began to swirl. The sheer force of Ace's ambition left Nami, Kaya, Nojiko, and the tipsy Tashigi speechless.

Was this the scope of Ace's dream? His will was so strong, it seemed to shape the world around him.

Nami extended her hand and felt the wind change. Smiling, she joined him by placing her foot on the barrel as well.

"And I... I want to create the most accurate map of the world!" she announced, her eyes shining with determination.

Nojiko, emboldened by the moment, raised her voice too. "I'll sail with you, Nami, across the world. And I'll make sure the oranges from Bell-mère's grove flourish on every island we visit."

Nami's heart swelled with emotion. Though she had suspected as much, hearing Nojiko voice her dream made her feel deeply touched.

"I want to become the best doctor," Kaya declared with newfound courage, "to heal my friends... and to heal Ace."

Ace grinned, looking over at Tashigi. "And what about you? Don't just stand there!" he said teasingly, noticing her wobbling on her feet, face flushed from the alcohol.

"I... I..." Tashigi stammered, closing her eyes as if summoning all her courage. "I want to collect all the famous swords that have been stolen by evildoers! I won't let them fall into the wrong hands!"

The crew fell silent, waiting for someone to laugh or ridicule her dream. Tashigi braced herself.

But instead of mockery, Kaya's eyes lit up. "That's an amazing dream, Tashigi!"

"Yeah, it's not a bad dream at all," Nami added with a warm smile.

"It's a strong dream, even if it doesn't seem to match your usual personality," Nojiko teased lightly, but with admiration in her voice.

Tashigi blinked in surprise, looking around at the smiling faces. This was the first time anyone had supported her dream so openly. And they were pirates...

Her face showed the confusion she felt. Should she be happy about this? Her mind was in turmoil, but the small smile tugging at the corners of her lips betrayed her true feelings.

"Alright, now that we've shared our dreams and toasted to them, you're officially a member of the Entei Pirates!" Ace declared with a grin. "At least for the next year. After that, you're free to make your own choice."

"I..." Tashigi hesitated. Even though it felt a bit forced, she could see that she had no way out for the next year anyway.

"But I won't do anything bad for you! I'm still a Marine!" she said firmly, trying to hold onto her sense of duty.

"Don't worry, no one's going to force you to do anything," Ace replied, waving off her concern. He didn't bother to explain further—he was confident that in time, Tashigi would see things for herself.

"Now then," Ace raised his glass high, "to the Grand Line!"

"Yeah!" Nami, Kaya, and Nojiko cheered, raising their hands with bright smiles on their faces.

Tashigi bit her lip as she gazed out at the sea, her thoughts swirling. Should she really see this journey through with her own eyes?

In the distance, the entrance to the Grand Line—Reverse Mountain—was already coming into view.