Nami Short story (Part One) (Patreon)

Nami was a navigator, not a swordswoman. That is what pretty much anyone around her would tell her. Which Nami never understood, frankly. Sure, no one had ever seen her use a sword before, but who says that she could never use one? It just made no sense, when these people couldn't believe that a woman like her was a woman of many talents. Being a swordswoman couldn't even be that hard. Most of it looked pretty obvious to her, and Nami was going to practice it out. Nami bought some nice swords from a local place, and wanted to test her skills with someone she knew was a master at this stuff. Entering his room, the first thing to hit her was the sound of metal crushing itself. It was the sound, of Zoro working out with his weights.

Weights that were bigger than Franky, and too heavy to even comprehend. Zoro worked out in his gym at least three times a day, swinging them as if they were practice swords. All to bulk up his power and increase the speed of his swings, as he told others. Zoro's focus was on becoming the strongest swordsman, and that was it. He did whatever he had too to train and refine his power. No matter how crazy the idea was. Even if the idea wasn't even real sword training, in the eyes of Nami. Nami was able to get a good look at how hard Zoro trained, sweat covering his body, and wondered when she should ask him the question. Zoro started for her.

"What are you doing in my training room?"

"Oh, Zoro, glad to see ya! Yeah, I been wondering, given you know how to use a blade or... three, I was wondering something. Could YOU train ME in the act of using swords?"

Zoro didn't say a single word, or even made a face. Instead of any of that, Zoro tossed the weights aside like they were nothing. The whole ship shook from the force of the dropped weights, as he went to his swords. Nami knew what he wanted to do, and ran to get her swords. By the time she had gotten them and was ready for her match, Zoro was already prepared. No, more like... he was ready for a fight, the way he was just standing there. Bandanna on, gripping two blades in his hands, and his third sword sheathed. The way Zoro looked, like he was ready to explode in fury and blood lust. As if he was going to turn this sparring match into a serious battle. Nami wasn't certain if she should be happy that Zoro was taking this so seriously, or nervous that he was taking it so serious. Whatever the cause, she was more than ready, taking her blades from their scabbards and raising them up. Just like Zoro's, the swords were Katana. Pricy ones at that.

Nami always thought, if you wanted quality, you get the best... and make sure to get a discount with it. Wearing her bikini top gave her a GREAT discount. Holding the blades, Nami had to admit, she felt a little different. Almost kind of supercharged, to be frank. As if holding the blades just felt RIGHT. As if it was the most natural thing in the world for her to be holding the swords. Nami crouched down, holding the swords and gripped the handles tightly. Zoro saw her form, and knew this would be a problem. If he cut her down, not only would he kill a good friend, he'd be killing someone who wanted to be a swordswoman. Zoro relaxed a bit, and barked out a bit for her.

"Nami, I'll focus on defense! Attack me with the best techniques you know, I want to test your current skill!"Not like Zoro should worry at all. He was going to go simple on Nami, and given how new she was at all of this, the real problem wasn't if he was hurt. But if his defense overwhelmed Nami too hard. Zoro was ready, keeping his eyes on Nami, as Nami got ready for her attack. Zoro could tell just from her movements, she was an amateur. The way she held her sword so close to her, the poster of her movements, the way she had her foot forward too close to Zoro, not enough to accelerate. Zoro was more than ready, and he knew he had to go easy on Nami. One wrong move, and he could snap her in two like a twig. Zoro was ready for the attack, when Nami moved. No, Nami didn't move at all. Nami was GONE! Like she had teleported away from her. Zoro had no idea where she was, until he felt a force against his sword. Zoro was sent flying, as all of his body was shaking from the force of what had hit him.

Zoro felt as if his arms just exploded. The force that hit him was more than anything he had felt before in his life. Zoro flew right the air and than slammed into the ceiling. Zoro crashed down, still feeling his whole body shaking from the force of what had hit him. Zoro could barely feel what was going on, his whole body paralyzed by what had happened. Zoro dropped his swords, unable to process what had happened. Did a Sea King just rush him when he hadn't seen it coming? Zoro tried to get up, too damaged and barely able to move, as Nami stood there, waving in joy at Zoro. It... it couldn't be possible... did SHE do that to HIM?! Zoro felt the way she was smiling and waving, that Nami wasn't the simple navigator that he always thought of her. As insane as it sounded, it could be that Nami... was a threat. A true threat. Zoro was able to prop himself up, with a strong amount of effort and he could feel sweat pouring down his body. Not because he was exhausted. Because he was terrified. As insane as it sounded, he was AFRAID of her.

Zoro dared not underestimate Nami. Not after what she had just done. Zoro knew what he had to do. Reaching down, shaking and a bit afraid, Zoro promised to never surrender to a foe. To another master of the blade. Zoro lifted his third sword, and bit down on it. He was NOT going to go easy on Nami... who might very well be, given her move... be the single greatest sword prodigy to ever be born. Zoro was going to go ALL out against Nami... while all Nami could think about, was how fun it would be to spar against Zoro!