Captain Kuro—an anime character whose reputation didn't really match his abilities. It was hard to see where his so-called intelligence actually showed.
But the fact that he had joined the Straw Hat Pirates was something Ryuen hadn't expected.
Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, Chopper… and Kuro.
But Kuro… what role did he even play on Luffy's ship? Ryuen was quite curious about that.
"Ryuen, what are you thinking? Is there something special about this guy?" Robin asked as she nudged him out of his thoughts.
"Not really. It's just that people say he's really smart, so I'm wondering why he'd join the Straw Hats…" Ryuen said quietly, snapping back to reality.
"People say?" Robin looked puzzled.
"Never mind that. Nami, have you finished organizing the map of the first half of the Grand Line?" Ryuen asked, turning to her.
"It's done, but I didn't include Skypiea. I think it's best to keep its exact location a secret for now," Nami replied with a nod.
"Good, I was thinking the same thing. Skypiea should keep a little bit of its mystery.
Since the maps are ready, let's have Morgans start publishing them."
"And most importantly, have you decided on the price?" Ryuen continued to ask.
"Before we talk about the price, Bellemere told us that the orphanage might be running out of funds.
A lot of the nobles have stopped their monthly donations. She wants us to find a solution as soon as possible," Nojiko interrupted, speaking seriously.
"Those bastards!"
"I'd love to cut them down in one strike!" Kuina said, her body radiating a chilling aura.
"It's only a matter of time."
"But not right now. Still, we have to solve the orphanage's problem. Ryuen, do you have any ideas?" Hogg remained calm—he knew Ryuen would have a solution.
The others also looked at Ryuen.
"The nobles stopping their donations just means the World Government is tightening its grip.
But that doesn't matter.
Since we haven't set a price for the Grand Line's first half sea chart yet, let's make it more expensive this time.
We'll set it at 50,000 Beli per copy. It's worth that much."
"That way, we can take care of the orphanage's funds. What do you think, Nami?" Ryuen suggested.
"I thought the 30,000 Beli I set was already high enough, but you're even greedier than me…" Nami said in surprise.
Even the rest of the crew was a little taken aback by Ryuen's price.
After all, a sea chart of the East Blue was only 500 Beli, but the Grand Line's first half chart was now 100 times that price!
"Greedy?"
"I don't think so. After all, there should be a certain barrier to entry for the Grand Line."
"Besides, anyone who can make it over Reverse Mountain isn't an ordinary person.
They're either rich or powerful. They can afford this price," Ryuen said calmly.
Hearing this, the rest of the crew understood. It made sense—if someone could reach the Grand Line, they wouldn't have trouble paying 50,000 Beli.
But what they definitely would have trouble finding was a Grand Line sea chart!
Because this chart contained Nami's detailed notes on unique sea regions and extreme weather conditions!
Something other scattered maps didn't have.
"Alright!"
"Then we'll set it at 50,000 Beli per copy. I'll have the news birds send it to Morgans for printing and distribution right away," Nami agreed.
After saying that, Nami went into her room and handed a carefully marked map to a news bird stationed there.
————
With the Grand Line's first half sea chart completed, everyone finally had some downtime and started enjoying a vacation.
The past six months had been exhausting for all of them.
"Hmm—"
"It's been ages since I went to the Blackmail Bar for a drink. Anyone wanna come?" Ryuen stretched as he got up from his lounge chair.
"I'll pass. I need to sort through the Poneglyph records," Robin declined first.
Over the past six months, while traveling through six of the Grand Line's routes, the crew had discovered more than ten Poneglyphs.
This had Robin extremely excited.
Even Ryuen was surprised, because these Poneglyphs actually contained records of history from 800 years ago.
There wasn't any particularly special information in them—just pure historical records. But that was exactly what Robin had been searching for.
"Well, alright. What about the rest of you?" Ryuen looked around.
"I'm not going. Nojiko, Anya, and I are going shopping," Nami said next.
In the end, only Daisy wanted to join in for some fun.
So, except for Daisy, all the women went shopping or to the amusement park.
As for Hogg, as usual, he planned to spend his time at the shipyard.
————
"Daisy, why didn't you go shopping with them?" Ryuen asked as he rode a bubble bike, glancing at Daisy sitting behind him.
"Hmm—"
"I'm really curious about that Shakky. I want to know how she stays so young," Daisy said after thinking for a moment.
"I don't think she'll tell you…"
"Well, it's worth a try. It's not like I have anything to lose…"
...
As they chatted, they quickly arrived at Island 13.
"Ryuen!"
Suddenly, a figure appeared right in front of Ryuen and Daisy's bubble bike!
"You…"
"What are you doing here?" Ryuen stared in disbelief at the person who had just appeared.
The Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock, was actually in Sabaody Archipelago…
"Big Sis!"
"Lady Hancock!"
From a distance, a group of women in bikinis came running toward them—it was the officers of the Kuja Pirates!
"Um… I came here to get supplies, but I never expected to run into you. What a wonderful surprise," Hancock said shyly, her cheeks turning red as she stole a glance at Ryuen.
"Hey!"
"Can you not look at our captain like that?!" Daisy couldn't take it anymore.
"Hmm?"
"Damn it!"
"Why are you sitting behind Ryuen on his bike?! Get off right now!" It was only then that Boa Hancock noticed someone sitting on the back of Ryuen's bike.
And the moment she did, she was not happy about it.
"Big Sis, what's wrong…?"
"Captain Ryuen, it's been a long time!"
Just as Boa Hancock and Daisy were about to argue, the rest of the Kuja Pirates arrived.
"Yo!"
"It's been a while, everyone," Ryuen greeted them casually.
"Hmph!"
"You should know, you already lost that bet with Nami," Daisy teased.
"What!?!"
"No way! There's no way that woman could have beaten me!" Boa Hancock refused to believe it.
"You'll find out soon enough. Oh, right, I have a little gift for you and your sisters."
Daisy reached into her bag and pulled out three small bottles, handing them to Boa Hancock.
"What is this?" Hancock asked, looking confused.
Daisy jumped off the bike and whispered something into Hancock's ear.
Boa Hancock instantly froze.
She stared at the bottles in her hands in shock, and within seconds, tears of joy welled up in her eyes.
---
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