Conqueror of All 8 Successfully obtaining a crew member

Izan raised his eyebrows slightly before smiling slightly as he walked towards one of the chairs. "Well, it looks great. Heh, I'm thankful to have two great chefs." Izan sent a glance at both Nojiko and Jiutian before sitting down.

Nojiko smiled in return without replying.

Same as ever, Jiutian smiled softly as she sat on a chair near Izan's.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's eat." Izan chuckled as he grabbed a platter filled with steak and vegetables, with his left hand he grabbed a cup filled with water.

Taking the que, the rest started eating too. Jiutian gracefully cut her steak into smaller pieces before eating them. Nojiko did the same as Jiutian, but her movements were far from fluid as Jiutian's.

Only Nami hesitated at first, but she cut her steak into large pieces before throwing it into her mouth. Chewing it a few times before swallowing it. Rinse and repeat, Nami did the same things as she didn't dare to glance at anyone on the dinner table.

Izan did know what was going on and why Nami was acting differently from what he knew about her in his past life. The large difference was that she met him, someone who is supposed to be on a way higher realm in everything than her. And, it didn't become easier when Jiutian, his trusted 'guide' is showing dislike towards her because of her previous actions.

Even if Izan said that he didn't mind, he would still hold back against her somewhere in his heart. From the selfless caring of Jiutian and the trust of Nojiko, Izan disliked the way Nami had acted when he was at his lowest just to help the two of them.

As the atmosphere was staring to slowly get gloomy, Izan's soft voice sounded out in the room. "I don't know how you feel, but I can imagine it."

Izan sighed out as he continued eating while talking now and then. "Meeting someone as me, is a perfect opportunity to get rid of the pirates occupying this island." Izan stopped for a moment as he glanced at Nojiko and Nami in turn. "I don't blame the two of you." Izan placed his knife and fork on the table as his expression turned solemn.

"If you want to leave, go now." After Izan spoke those words, he picked up his fork and knife and continued eating without even glancing at either Nojiko nor Nami.

Jiutian was surprised, a bright smile appeared on her face as she understood that Izan wanted to walk the path he wanted. And, this would be his first step.

Nojiko and Nami were both shocked by what Izan said. Nojiko sighed out slowly as she shook her head before continuing eating. She sent glances towards Nami, not willing to speak until Nami finished with her thoughts, because Nojiko has already chosen her path. It may be different from her younger sister, but she can't always be selfless for Nami, it was Nojiko's turn to be selfish.

Nami still hadn't escaped her shocked state as she was pleasantly surprised by what Izan told them. She thought that she could finally escape this crazy murderer. Nami stood up slowly as she glanced at Jiutian, Izan and Nojiko. "Nojiko, let's leave…" She said in a very low voice, but everyone around the table heard Nami clearly.

Jiutian narrowed her eyes slightly, she harrumphed inside of her as she coldly gazed at Nami before returning to her usual expression.

Izan closed his eyes for a moment before opening them as he continued eating in a calm manner.

Seeing this, Nami grew excited as she turned towards Nojiko before being shocked once more.

"You can go back, I will be staying here." Nojiko only said this with a serious expression before she continued eating, just like Izan.

"Nojiko, you can't be serious about staying with that madman?!" Nami's voice grew louder as she thought that her older sister became stupid.

Jiutian was about to stand up in anger, but someone acted way faster than her.

*Slap!*

A loud slap resounded throughout the whole room, Nojiko was standing in front of Nami, bursting in anger. "Nami, if you want to leave, then leave! And, I will not tolerate you being rude against my captain once more!" Nojiko's voice sounded chilly as she spoke every single word slowly.

"Izan rescued us, afterwards our town. It seems like you don't have the decency to even act on your promises." Nojiko knew that she had to act tough, because Nojiko did see in the corner of her eyes that Jiutian was angry. Besides, Nojiko meant every single word she said to Nami.

Nami lowered her head, she couldn't deny what Nojiko was saying. But, every time Nami thought of Izan, she couldn't help but shudder. Without even raising her head or saying anything, Nami turned around and walked towards the door, wanting to leave.

Nojiko forced herself into not crying. In the end, it was pointless as a tear still escaped her left eye. Nojiko tried her best in not thinking about it any longer as she turned towards the table where Izan and Jiutian was sitting at.

Jiutian had a smile on her face as she was pleasantly surprised about Nojiko.

Izan on the other hand was rather shocked, he thought that both Nojiko and Nami would leave the moment they got the chance.

Nojiko was able to see the confused and shocked expression on Izan's face. Not knowing why, but Nojiko was feeling rather proud. A small smile showed on Nojiko's face as she started speaking. "Izan, I am still wanted in your crew, right?"

Izan nodded slowly, as he understood what was going on, a large smile appeared on his face. "Hehe, I welcome you then to our 'crew'." Izan turned towards Jiutian and he asked. "Jiutian, do you have the map and coordinations for the islands we are going to visit?"

Jiutian nodded as she replied. "Yes, I saw a map of 'East Blue' and the beginning of Grand Line. Everything is ready for us to start our travel." In all honestly, Jiutian didn't need any crew on this ship. The ship could travel on its own if there was a map present. "Our first stop would be at Loguetown."

Nojiko acted when she heard Jiutian say that. "Loguetown? It's where Gold Roger got executed." Nojiko turned excited as she thought of being able to travel the world.

Izan nodded without saying a word. He knew that from now on, it will only be getting harder and tougher. For example, he knew that Smoker is stationed on Loguetown with Tashigi. Tashigi wouldn't be much of a problem for Izan, but a devil fruit user as Smoker might become troublesome.

After a good while, Izan glanced at Nojiko and asked. "Do you want to act as a filler or do you want to fight in future battles?"

Nojiko was shocked by Izan's question. She wanted to decline his offer to fight, but she didn't. Nojiko turned silent as she thought deeply about her future. She knew that they are on a 'pirate' ship and will be hunted by other pirates, marines and many more enemies.

"I want to fight in the future by your side." Nojiko's voice was solemn as she stared at Izan's eyes.

It was at this moment, that Jiutian smiled brightly as she opened her mouth to speak. "Perfect. I can practice with both of you while we are traveling. I can teach many fighting techniques and how to use any weapon."

Both Nojiko and Izan grew excited at the thought of becoming stronger. What they didn't know was they would pretty much become punching bag for Jiutian.

Jiutian smile creeped upwards as she grinned while staring at both Izan and Nojiko. "How about we begin our training right now? I have set the ship to travel to Loguetown." After saying this, Jiutian pushed both Nojiko and Izan towards the basement of the ship while grinning.

Chapter end