Lister strode out of the captain's cabin riding high. He went to the vice‑captain's quarters, opened the door, and saw that Nami wasn't inside. A quick look around, and there she was, lying on a deck chair, with a crewman waiting not far off. She looked thoroughly at ease.
He signaled to the nearby crewman and walked toward Nami. The crewman was sharp; he hurried over with another deck chair and set it on the other side of the table.
Lister sat down naturally and smiled. "Any news worth paying attention to lately?"
Nami blinked, glanced at him, and laughed. "So you're willing to leave the captain's cabin? Your secret art worked?"
"It did. I'll rest a few days, then move on to the next project," Lister said, full of swagger.
"How is this secret art? Can you show me?" Nami asked, curious.
Just then the pirate underling arrived with a drink, a fruit platter, and several fresh fruits, a small knife placed beside them. Lister looked at Nami and smiled. "Alright, I'll let you see."
He took the small knife from the tray and drew it across his palm. Blood welled fast.
"What are you doing? Why hurt yourself for no reason?" Nami asked, puzzled.
"Watch closely," Lister said, unconcerned.
Nami's mouth fell open, disbelief written on her face.
"This technique is called ultra‑fast regeneration. How is it?"
"It's incredible!" Nami couldn't help exclaiming.
"Well, I thought so too," Lister said, pleased.
"Not for now," Lister added with a shake of the head. "Maybe someday. Ultra‑fast regeneration stems from my Swift‑Swift Fruit. As a Paramecia, its power only circulates inside my body for now; it can't affect external things. But once the fruit awakens, it should be able to influence the outside world. Then I might be able to treat others."
"I see," Nami nodded, half understanding.
As they chatted idly, trouble broke out the moment he stepped outside after days holed up in the captain's cabin with nothing happening. Johnson quickly handed him a spyglass. Lister took it and looked where the lookout pointed. He soon saw a big ship three or four dozen meters long, black sails, no insignia. From the faces he could make out aboard, the crew didn't look like good sorts.
The corner of Lister's mouth curled.
"Bring us in. All hands, prepare for battle!"
"Aye!"
"Nami, if a scene like this makes you uncomfortable, you can go back to your room," Lister said with a smile.
"I've sailed these seas for nearly ten years. I'm not as delicate as you think," Nami shot back with a glare.
"Alright then."
By now, the black‑sailed ship had also noticed the Money drawing near. The two ships closed head‑to‑head and soon came within two kilometers.
"Johnson, give them a shot."
Mounted at the bow was a turret with three barrels.
"Aye!"
He immediately directed the fighters to get busy. Once the shells were loaded, Johnson looked to Lister.
"Captain, everything's ready."
"Fire!" Lister shouted, exhilarated. Before crossing into this world he'd never gotten to play with anything like this. Now that the chance had come, he had to experience it.
"Fire!" Johnson echoed the order.
"Fire!"
Boom—