During this journey, she had pretty much figured out who this trio was.
They were just two people who had just debuted on the high seas, shouting about becoming the Pirate King, just playing house as pirates with unrealistic dreams.
And a timid good-for-nothing who haphazardly became a pirate, then haphazardly left, wanting to join the Marines.
Luffy wasn't much of a problem, except that for the past two days, Nami's eardrums were almost calloused from Luffy's dream of being the Pirate King; she found no dangerous aspects to him.
Similarly, Nami never paid any mind to that good-for-nothing named Koby.
Only that very handsome man... In these two days, what Nami observed the most was this man named Link.
Afterward, she recalled carefully that this man, by all appearances, seemed like a completely ordinary person, and in terms of combat skills, he might not even be as good as her.
But for some unknown reason, wielding a seemingly toy-like famous sword, he became incredibly powerful.
And~
Nami couldn't find where he had put that famous sword at all.
Also missing were her treasures, which she had organized from Alvida's ship!
Even now, she couldn't forget how that large bag of treasure had so conspicuously vanished before her eyes; her expression at that moment was also exceptionally vivid.
"Where on earth is it hidden?"
Nami kept muttering to herself.
No one had ever been able to hide treasure in a place where even she, the [Cat Burglar], couldn't find it!!
Nami's strange competitive spirit arose.
"Don't say that."
Luffy chuckled, completely unaware that Nami had rejected him with harsh words. Instead, he put his hands behind his head and happily said, "It's a lot of fun to go out to sea and adventure as pirates!!"
Fun my foot!!
Nami secretly pouted and didn't bother with him anymore.
She directed Koby to operate the boat, docking it at the pier in Shells Town.
"Is this Shells Town?"
Link gazed at the distant village and the massive Marine base. This pirate-infested world, rushing towards him, was simply exhilarating!
Shells Town, the Marine East Blue Branch, where the 153rd Branch was stationed.
Actually, it was originally just a peaceful, quiet little town.
However, ever since a certain Marine Colonel Morgan took over, the numerous tyrannical policies he implemented had turned the place into a chaotic mess.
Was it two or three years ago? Axe-Hand Morgan, then a Sergeant, was the sole survivor of the incident involving the subjugation of the Kuro Neko Pirates' captain, Kuro of a Hundred Plans.
He successfully arrested Kuro (the fake one), received commendations, and was promoted exceptionally, first to Major, then rapidly rising to become the Colonel of the 153rd Branch.
After being stationed here, far from the emperor's reach, he became the most powerful person in the town.
However, after becoming a Colonel, his temperament changed drastically, becoming tyrannical and dictatorial. No one could defy his words.
The power he wielded, coupled with his imposing physique, his terrifying axe-hand, and his frightening strength, cast the entire town under his shadow, making everyone dare not speak out in their anger.
Not only Morgan, but his second-generation son, Helmeppo, also used his father's influence to bully and dominate the town, running rampant.
Recently, in a certain restaurant, he even used threats to force a certain pirate hunter into submission, who is currently tied up inside the Marine base.
"So, the target we're looking for here should currently be inside the Marine base."
After explaining the situation in Shells Town, Link offered his opinion.
Koby looked enlightened, and Nami also looked at Link with some surprise.
She hadn't expected him to have gathered such detailed intelligence about the place. Not only was his strength mysterious, but he was also unexpectedly reliable.
"So that's it!!"
Luffy's fist hit his palm. "Then let's head straight for the Marine base!!"
Saying that, he genuinely intended to take immediate action.
"Hey, hey, hey, wait a minute!!"
Seeing that Luffy was serious, she quickly said, "You guys aren't kidding, are you?! That guy is a famous pirate hunter, known as the 'Demon Beast'!" On the way here, she had learned that this seemingly foolish captain planned to invite that person to be a companion, but she had completely dismissed it as a joke.
But now… "So that means he's really strong!" Luffy's spirits were high. "I need strong companions like that!!"
Nami: "…Are you even listening?!"
Her face was frantic. "He's a pirate hunter, a Bounty Hunter who specializes in catching pirates! How could he possibly become a pirate with you guys?!"
"Once this guy makes up his mind, eight horses and nine oxen couldn't pull him back."
Link walked past and patted her shoulder. "So, Miss Nami the Navigator, you shouldn't make any more futile resistance in the future."
He consoled her kindly, "Since you've boarded our pirate ship, you definitely can't get off. Just be our Navigator obediently."
Nami: "I take back what I said about this guy being reliable. He's a devil!!"
Nami, looking like she had given up, followed behind Luffy and Link with a bitter expression.
Before long, the group quickly arrived at the base's main gate.