Keya's current actions made one thing very clear—her opponent wasn't a good person.
So, as the older sister, Nojiko's only thought was to shield Nami from this disaster. Even if they handed over all their treasure, it would never be enough to pay five hundred million Beli.
No—Even if they sold themselves, they couldn't scrape together that much money.
Reconciliation was no longer possible. The only thing left was to protect the money Nami had earned through her blood, sweat, and tears.
That was Cocoyasi Village's final hope—and the dream Nami had clung to for so long.
As her sister, Nojiko already felt like a burden. If she had to, she'd give her life without hesitation.
At that moment, she appeared calm and unyielding, completely unshaken by the gun pointed at her.
She didn't even seem to care about her own life anymore.
Because that was what being an older sister meant.
"You've got guts. I respect that—you're a good sister," Ren said with a faint smile. "But think about this: Nami would never want to lose another loved one. She'd do anything to prevent that… including paying the entire hundred million Beli she saved to buy back Cocoyasi Village."
"…"
Nojiko was silent for a while before suddenly asking, "You're really not working for Arlong?"
He knew too much. It had been years since he'd left Cocoyasi Village, yet he spoke as if he knew every detail.
Back then, Keya was just one of Nami's many friends—obedient, honest, and easy to trick out of some pocket money.
Now, he seemed like a completely different person—unfathomable and unreadable.
"To me, those fish-men are nothing but filth that needs to be purged. Hatred doesn't fade with time—it grows deeper. I'll twist off that shark's head one day."
Ren's tone was casual, but the hatred behind his words was undeniable.
A man like him could never be one of Arlong's dogs.
Nojiko abandoned that thought and tried to negotiate. "I only have ten million Beli. You don't seriously think we could save up a hundred million, do you?"
"Sorry," Ren shrugged, "but returning things a hundredfold is my philosophy."
"Then what is it you actually want?"
Nojiko straightened in her chair, her voice sharp. "At first, I thought you were just here to collect a debt—but you've been dragging this out too strangely. You know I can't pay five hundred million Beli, yet you refuse to take what I can offer. What are you really—"
She stopped mid-sentence. Her eyes widened as realization struck. "You want Nami? She's your target, isn't she!?"
That would explain everything.
Keya—no, Ren—had to know about Nami's genius in navigation. They'd grown up in the same village, after all.
It was because of that very talent that the fish-men had forced her into serving as one of Arlong's officers.
So now, judging from this situation, Ren must be after both their treasure and Nami herself. The "hundredfold repayment" was just an excuse.
They could never pay back five hundred million Beli, but that didn't stop him from demanding that Nami—or perhaps both sisters—pay in other ways.
Compared to the navigational value Nami's talent could bring him, what was five hundred million Beli worth?
"…"
Ren inhaled sharply through his teeth. He'd been about to apply pressure and advance his plan—yet she'd seen through him already?
Was he really that obvious?
"…"
Beside him, Zoro frowned and turned toward the door. "Sorry to interrupt, but I can hear heavy breathing and some movement outside. What do we do?"
"Bring them in. That should be Nami," Ren said without looking back.
Boom!
Before the sound faded, Zoro darted forward, drawing his blades in one smooth motion.
Wood splintered apart as his second slash intercepted a swinging staff, cleaving it cleanly in two. The tip of his sword stopped just short of a slender, pale neck.
Nami froze, every muscle tense, staring at the green-haired man before her.
"You—"
Before she could finish, Zoro sheathed his blade and stepped back.
"Come in yourself. Don't waste my time."
Leaning against the wall, he ignored her completely.
Cold and ruthless—textbook Zoro.jpg.
"Nami! Run!" Nojiko suddenly jumped up and swung a punch at Ren.
Still lost in thought about his supposed lack of intelligence, Ren casually flicked her on the forehead instead.
Thud!
The dull, painful sound echoed through the room as Nojiko clutched her forehead and toppled backward.
Ren withdrew his hand. His voice was calm and almost bored."If you want to run, now would be a good time."
"Big sis…"
Nami took a deep breath, patting her cheeks before putting on a calm smile.
She helped Nojiko back up, and the two sisters sat side by side.
"Leave this to me, sis."
Reassuring her sister, Nami turned toward Ren, adopting her usual playful and charming expression.
Her pink lips parted slightly—only for Ren to cut her off.
"If you're planning to seduce me with your looks, I suggest skipping straight to a strip dance—or better yet, we could discuss the mysteries of human reproduction. Otherwise, I'm not interested."
Ren said it with utter sincerity. "After all, I'm a man of very high moral standards. I don't give in to worldly desires so easily."
Zoro: "…"
Nojiko: "…"
Nami: "…"
The silence was deafening. Zoro felt his understanding of Ren's shamelessness hit a new low.
"Can you be any more shameless!?" Nojiko yelled, clutching her sore forehead.
"I just don't want to waste time on pointless negotiations," Ren said, utterly nonchalant.
"…Keya, that day—it was my fault," Nami said softly, lowering her eyes. "I honestly didn't recognize you. If I had, I would've thanked you properly."
She gave him a pitiful look, beginning with an honest apology before switching to emotional appeal. "But isn't five hundred million Beli too much? I saved that money to buy back Cocoyasi Village from Arlong. You know how high the tribute payments are. When my aunt and uncle were still alive, they worked themselves to exhaustion. When they passed, I even helped your family with the funeral."
That was true. Back then, Keya's family could barely afford a proper burial.
It was Nami and the villagers who had helped lay his parents to rest.
After all, anyone who could raise someone as kind as Keya had to have been good people.
When Bell-mère was still alive, she'd received their kindness many times—it was only right to return the favor.
"So," Nami said softly, reaching out her fair hand to gently hold Ren's free one, tears glimmering in her eyes. "Can we settle this for five hundred Beli instead?"
Apologize first, then tug at the heartstrings, and finally, hit with emotional charm.
Combined with her near-perfect beauty and pitiful expression—
Most men would've been knocked out instantly.
(End of Chapter)