What a pity.
Ren had no emotions.In his eyes, there was only money, money, and more money.
"I accept your apology," Ren said flatly. "And I appreciate the care you gave me back then. To express my gratitude—four hundred million Beli should do."
He twirled the silver Desert Eagle in his hand with a blank expression. "One hundred million Beli is already a lot. If you want to bargain it down further, you'll have to reason with what's in my hand."
Perhaps he sounded aggressive, unreasonable even.But one must not forget—it was Nami who had scammed him first. To go easy on her wouldn't fit Ren's principle of "an eye for an eye, blood for blood."
"Keya, you're going too far!"
Nojiko slammed the table, fury flashing across her face. "You were born in this village! You were one of the people who suffered under the Fishmen's oppression and barely escaped! But many here still live under their tyranny.
That one hundred million Beli is the price Arlong demanded from Nami. If she can gather that amount, she can buy back the freedom of our village.
Once that happens, none of us will have to live under the Fishmen's rule anymore. We're less than thirty million away from that goal now!
But if you take that money—and take Nami away as well—you're forcing us to fight to the end! Even if it means begging the Arlong Pirates, we won't let you get your way!"
"..." Ren raised an eyebrow.
"Don't be mad, Sis. Let me talk."
Nami quickly intervened, noticing the shift in Ren's expression.
"Keya, I can go with you. I can't resist you anyway. But if you just take me by force, whatever you want me to do afterward—it would be against my will. You can't expect me to work for you wholeheartedly.
However, if you help us buy back the village and fulfill everyone's long-cherished wish, I'll go with you willingly. We're short of less than thirty million Beli now.
If you help me complete this deal and return Cocoyasi Village to the villagers, then afterward... you can ask me to do anything you want."
She emphasized that last part—anything you want.
It was a calculated retreat. Though she stood at an absolute disadvantage—outmatched in both logic and strength—she managed to turn weakness into leverage, making it seem like Ren was gaining far more than he really was. By appealing to his desire for her, she gave him the illusion of choice between "forced" and "willing," when in truth, there was only one real option.
After all, once the village was freed, Nami would have no more attachments. If Ren wanted to take her away then, he'd first have to fight the Arlong Pirates.Whichever side lost, Nami wouldn't come out the loser.
For a seventeen-year-old girl to come up with such a rhetorical ploy in such a desperate situation—it spoke volumes about Nami's cunning.No wonder she could haggle shopkeepers down to near bankruptcy.
Ren, however, wasn't moved. His attention was fixed on one particular thing.
Something both sisters had repeated over and over.
"You two... really think Arlong will keep his promise?" he asked, astonished.
The room fell silent at once.
"...It's better than having no hope at all," Nojiko murmured faintly.
"If Arlong breaks his promise," Nami said firmly, a determined glint in her eyes, "then I won't keep working for him either."
"Heh... interesting."
Ren calmly holstered his silver Desert Eagle and folded his hands on the table. "Then allow me to show you just how vile the Fishmen can be.
Arlong won't break his promise outright. He'll wait until you're about to buy back the village—then he'll congratulate you.
After that, he'll contact the base commander of the Marine 16th Branch—Captain Nezumi—and have him 'respond to an anonymous report' and confiscate your treasure from the orange grove.
Because you, Nami, are a pirate—one with a bounty issued by the Marines."
Ren's mocking gaze swept over the two women, his tone turning icy. "The Marines won't kill you or your sister. At most, they'll rough up anyone who resists.
After all, they know you're valuable to Arlong. If they were to kill you, Arlong's fury would make the 16th Branch pay dearly for it.
You'll lose your hard-earned treasure, and Arlong will express his 'regret,' assuring you the deal still stands.
Then, when you save up another hundred million Beli, the same thing will happen again.
That—is the reality."
"Bullshit!"
The words had barely left Ren's mouth when Nami exploded like a startled wildcat, her eyes blazing with anger—and beneath it, deep, suffocating fear.
Fear that Keya's "lie" might actually be true.
She had risked everything—left Cocoyasi Village, mingled with filthy pirates and cutthroats, used lies, deceit, and theft to gather money.
She had been hunted, imprisoned, nearly executed—faced horrors no seventeen-year-old should face.
And yet she'd endured it all. For what?
Because of that one promise Arlong made—"One hundred million Beli, and you can buy back your village. Quite the bargain, huh? No one else gets this offer."
She had believed it. Worked for it. Bled for it.
If what Keya said was true—then everything she'd done was meaningless.
That's why Nami was furious. Why she yelled.Why she trembled with terror.
"How could Marines possibly work with pirates?"
Nojiko's voice shook, but she still tried to find a flaw in his logic.
"If the Marines weren't colluding with pirates," Ren countered coldly, "then how has the Arlong Pirates ruled over more than twenty villages without a single Marine crackdown?"
He looked at them both with pity. "If you don't believe me... then let's make a bet."
The air grew heavy.
"The terms are simple," Ren said. "I'll take your treasure from the orange grove. Nami, all you have to do is confirm Arlong's promise again—tell him you're about to buy back Cocoyasi Village.
If everything goes smoothly, and nothing unusual happens within a week—you win.
I'll pay the price for losing: cancel the four-hundred-million-Beli debt, return your treasure, and even fill in the missing thirty million myself.
But if within that week the Marines arrive to 'inspect' your orange grove—then you lose."
Ren's voice deepened. "If you lose, your stake is simple. From body to soul—you belong to me. The four hundred million Beli becomes your debt, and your treasure will go toward repayment.
The rest... you can work off slowly—as my navigator."
"So you've been after me all along..." Nami took a deep breath and met his gaze. "Keya, you're not as cute as I remembered."
Then she nodded firmly. "Fine. I accept your bet. Do you want me to show you where the treasure is?"
"No need. Finding your stash won't be hard."
Ren shook his head, stood, and waved for Zoro to follow. "See you in a week, ladies."
He turned and left, flicking open the Desire Compass in his hand.
Click—
(End of Chapter)