Sengoku felt the trip had been worth it.
Even without seeing the third item yet, the second one alone had already satisfied him completely.
"Never would I have imagined something like this could exist," he said with a long sigh. "I feel like dead wood meeting spring again. Full of vigor. Two hundred million beli spent perfectly."
Then his tone softened, and he inclined his head toward Amon.
"And when I arrived earlier, I was rude. I hope you can forgive my discourtesy."
Amon waved it off. "It's fine. Everyone has their role."
A Fleet Admiral had to maintain authority. If his subordinates died and he still smiled politely, his prestige would be crushed on the spot.
Sengoku nodded. "Thank you for understanding, Mr. Amon."
He bowed again.
Amon smiled. "Alright, alright. There's still one item left."
He leaned forward and tapped the table lightly.
"This last one is no less mysterious than the first two."
"Oh?" Sengoku's eyes lit up.
He was already satisfied, but Amon's tone made it sound like the final item was not simple either. That was exactly what Sengoku wanted to hear. The anticipation in his chest rose again.
Nearby, Garp actually looked a little jealous.
Sengoku had refused to say what the second item was, but just looking at that grin on his face, it was clearly not something ordinary. And now Amon was saying the last one was even better?
Garp's teeth itched.
Back then, he had smashed ten Jars just to scrape together a handful of useful things.
Now Sengoku was pulling "mysterious" items one after another like it was nothing.
It was unfair enough to make someone angry.
Amon nodded solemnly. "This last item is extremely mysterious."
He looked at Sengoku and smiled slightly.
"If you can comprehend its secrets, then one day even Garp will be yours to defeat."
According to the system, Nursery Rhymes: 300 Songs hid the Sunlit Psalter. According to the system's description of it, if Sengoku truly comprehended it and combined it with his Buddha Devil Fruit...
Amon did not even want to picture what kind of monster that would create.
Of course, comprehending it would be absurdly difficult. Whether Sengoku could manage it depended on talent and luck.
Still, talking big cost nothing.
And if Sengoku left here feeling grateful, then when Amon stepped into the Grand Line later, things would become much smoother. Who would dare provoke "the Fleet Admiral's helper"?
That label alone carried weight.
Sengoku's eyes widened. "Really?"
The moment he heard the words "Defeat Garp," his excitement doubled.
Amon nodded. "Of course. But it depends on whether you can truly grasp the mysteries inside."
With Sengoku fully hooked, Amon brought out the final item and placed it forward.
Nursery Rhymes: 300 Songs.
Before Amon could even say another word, Garp snatched it up.
He did not want them speaking in riddles again and leaving him out. And the moment Amon said Sengoku might one day defeat him, Garp had become instantly unhappy. He wanted to see what this thing was, and think of a countermeasure.
He flipped it open.
Then he froze for half a second.
And after that, he burst into laughter.
"HAHAHAHA!"
"Amon, your bluffing is too much. I thought it was something incredible."
He slapped the cover with his palm. "It's a nursery rhyme!"
He held it up like a trophy. "Look at the title. It really is a nursery rhyme. NURSERY RHYMES: 300 SONGS."
Then he turned and laughed even harder. "It suits Sengoku perfectly!"
He clutched his stomach, still wheezing, and flipped through the pages.
"Let's see what it says!"
Then, with his completely tone-deaf voice, Garp started singing right there in the market.
"Child, child,
why are you so bad?
Bully and deceive,
why would you do that?
Learn to be a good child,
love and care for one another,
keep it in your heart,
let it fill your world with color.
Good child,
come back quickly.
My arms are always open for you.
Good child,
sincerely repent.
You'll always be the child I love most.
Good child,
come back quickly.
Study hard for the future.
Turn back,
be a filial child.
Human nature is kind,
like a child..."
By the time he finished, he was laughing so hard tears streamed down his face.
Amon's expression stiffened.
Damn it.
He had been preparing how to sell this properly, how to build the mystery, how to guide Sengoku into taking it seriously.
Now Garp had ripped the curtain down in public.
If Sengoku heard it like this, how was he supposed to believe anything about a "hidden secret manual" anymore?
Amon braced himself for Sengoku to erupt.
Instead, Sengoku looked intensely excited.
He was trembling as he muttered, eyes locked on the book.
"Garp. Quick. Let me see."
He snatched Nursery Rhymes: 300 Songs right out of Garp's hands.
He read only a few lines.
Then his breathing quickened, and his face lit up like he had found a treasure.
Garp, who was still laughing, froze.
Amon went blank.
"Hahaha, Sengoku, you're not really that petty, are you?" Garp hurriedly tried to smooth it over. "I'm just joking. Don't get worked up!"
He patted Sengoku's shoulder.
"Pff... get lost." Sengoku kicked him away impatiently. "Who told you I'm worked up? I'm just too excited!"
His voice was almost trembling.
"My god. I never imagined such a refined book could exist in the world."
"I only glanced at it, and it already feels endlessly profound. If I can truly comprehend its mysteries..."
He turned to Amon and bowed deeply again.
"Mr. Amon, I'm truly grateful. This kindness, Sengoku will never forget!"
He spoke as if he had just obtained the greatest secret scripture in the world.
Amon stood there, stunned.
What?
Was Sengoku actually seeing something hidden inside it?
Amon had looked through Nursery Rhymes: 300 Songs too. It was just ordinary lyrics.
Yet Sengoku's excitement did not look fake at all.
Could it be...
He had already caught the thread of the secret?
...