"Read traits!"
Just before boarding the ship, Jin suddenly had a whim and took an interest in Jango's corpse.
[Jango's Traits: Hypnosis (Blue)!]
[Hypnosis (Blue): Can hypnotize living beings through suggestion. (Note: Consumes stamina.)]
[Hypnosis (Ecchi Variant): Can manipulate others into doing anything without them realizing it. (Reference material: Hypnosis Star Instructor.)]
!!!
'I knew it! I knew this guy had potential! He even lets me play the X-rated instructor role!'
Jin got hyped for two seconds before calming back down. There's no way he'd really become an "instructor," because in the end, the instructor always ends up doing everything himself.
Still, this ability was pretty good.
Although the casting time was long and it wasn't effective on powerful people, used correctly, it could help him plant undercover agents in other factions!
"Plunder!"
A flash of blue light shimmered on the screen only visible to Jin, then vanished into his body.
The next moment…
Every villager in Syrup Village froze in place, dazed for several seconds before returning to normal.
They no longer fled. Instead, they gazed at Jin like he was a god.
Jin had made up his mind.
No matter where he went, he would hypnotize the common folk first—perfect for launching rebellions later!
...
"Mr. Jin, I designed this ship myself. It's called the Going Merry. I hope it serves you and the young lady well."
Butler Merry smiled at Jin and Kaya, eyes practically glowing with approval.
In his heart, he whispered, Master, I've finally found a worthy husband for Miss!
Emmm, this guy was way better than that long-nosed boy or Kuro.
Jin thanked him and didn't say much else. He brought Kaya and Nami aboard and set sail.
Not long after they left…
A loud quarrel echoed along the shoreline.
"SHUT UP ALREADY!"
"Jin didn't betray me! He even gave me my straw hat back! Don't badmouth him!"
Luffy slammed the hat back on his head, shouting hoarsely at Usopp, clearly trying to defend his companion.
Zoro's eye twitched as he smacked Luffy upside the head. Smack!
"Snap out of it, Luffy! He took your navigator! Are you an idiot?!"
Luffy had no comeback this time. He clenched his fists tightly, head bowed, face unreadable.
Nami was the crewmate he had personally chosen. She already meant something to him.
To have Jin snatch her away—how could he accept that?
"…And my sword…"
Zoro's eyes dimmed for a second before sharpening again. "Disasters always come one after another. Only by enduring hardship can we grow stronger!"
"Pirate King—next time, I won't lose! Do you hear me!?"
He wouldn't blame Jin for leaving, nor would he make excuses for passing out. A loss was a loss.
This kind of setback wouldn't shake his resolve!
Two strong-willed men had already regained their composure. Only Usopp still trembled by the shore.
"Um… looks like Jin destroyed the ship."
Luffy: "Shut up! No way that was Jin's fault!"
Zoro: "You're the one who should shut up, idiot!"
Usopp: "..."
...
Life at sea was honestly boring.
Especially for Jin, who had taken the helm temporarily. One hand on the wheel, the other holding a cigarette, he puffed clouds of smoke while casting side-eyes at Nami.
"Ahhh! So much treasure—does all this belong to Kaya?!"
"Damn~ Just the cash alone must be several million Berries, right?"
"Jin, why even bother sailing? You should just marry into money!"
"You're not even fazed by all this cash? I swear, you really are a moron!"
"…"
Nami's sultry little mouth just wouldn't shut up, and Jin was really tempted to silence her the hard way.
Kaya, reading a book beside them, kept giggling.
After all, they were already familiar with each other from the Straw Hat crew.
For a woman like Nami, who was always tough within the group, mocking Jin a bit didn't mean anything.
In fact, it meant she considered him one of her own.
"I suggest you don't get any funny ideas about this treasure, or you'll regret it," Jin said, catching the look in Nami's eyes, giving her a deadpan side-glance.
Nami huffed and folded her arms, snapping, "Who's getting ideas? Why are you being so mean?!"
"Heh."
Jin let go of the wheel and walked over.
Startled, Nami immediately hid behind Kaya. "Hey hey hey! What are you doing?! I thought we were family! Don't do anything weird!"
Jin ignored her.
He shoved all the treasure and Berries into the storage room and locked the hatch shut with several massive locks.
"…"
Nami's eye twitched. This guy was treating her like a thief!
She pounded her fists and shouted, "What gives you the right to lock up my treasure!? Apologize!"
"How is it yours?"
Jin glared at her. Then the corners of his mouth curved slightly, sending a chill down her spine.
"Ever since I met you with the Straw Hats, I've felt something off. At your age… what do you need that much money for?"
"W-what's it to you~ Hmph!"
Nami scoffed and rolled her eyes. "What girl doesn't like money? The more treasure, the better. Is it wrong to love wealth?"
By the end of it, her head drooped slightly.
She really did love money, but if it weren't for her deal with Arlong, she would've never risked her life for it.
Jin saw her mood drop and didn't press further. His voice was calm: "Let's head to the next destination."
"Where are we going?"
Nami pulled a map from her cleavage and said, "The closest place is the Baratie, the floating restaurant. We can stock up on food there."
"Not going to Baratie. There's a blond guy there I can't stand."
"Then where?"
"Cocoyasi Village."
"Okay, I know that place, I—"
Halfway through speaking, Nami's face froze. It took her a long moment to recover.
She stiffly looked up at Jin, voice trembling, "C-could we not go to Cocoyasi Village?"
"So you still don't believe in my strength, huh."
Jin didn't answer her directly. Instead, he stared into her eyes and said plainly, "To be honest, there are only three people in the East Blue who I consider worth being cautious of—the Navy Hero, the wandering swordsman, and that squinty-eyed bar owner."
"Other than them, I fear no one. Not even…"
"Arlong!"
Nami: !!!
[End of Chapter]