CHAPTER 21 — Ren's First Negotiation
📅 19 April, S.C. 1510
👦 Ren — 7
📍 Windmill Village Docks
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The morning sun shimmered over the sea as a medium-sized trading ship approached the small pier of Windmill Village. Its sails were decorated with a large orange seagull — the symbol of the East Blue Coastal Trading Company, a minor but reliable merchant group.
Villagers gathered at the docks, waving at the familiar crew. The ship only visited once every two months, carrying spices, tools, fabrics, and entertainment goods.
Kiro nudged Ren. "You ready?"
Ren swallowed.
"I think so."
Beside him stood:
a basket of refined salt packets
two sample jars
and a notebook tucked under his arm
Makino came over and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Ren. Deep breaths. You're smart. Speak clearly. And don't undersell yourself."
Ren nodded quickly.
"…Okay."
Luffy clung to his leg.
"REN IS GONNA BE RICH!!! BUY ME MEAT!!!"
Ren whispered, "Luffy, not now—"
"BUY ME TWO MEATS!!!"
Makino dragged Luffy away by the collar.
"If you ruin this, no dessert for a week."
Luffy screamed. "I'LL BE GOOD!! I'LL BE GOOD!!"
---
THE MERCHANT ARRIVES
The merchant leader — a plump, well-dressed man named Marlo — stepped onto the pier with a broad grin.
"Villagers of Windmill! I've brought spices from Conomi, silk from Shells Town, and fresh tools from Syrup Village! HAHAHA!"
He opened his arms dramatically.
Ren whispered to Kiro, "Does he always shout?"
"Every time."
Makino stepped beside Ren. "He's loud but decent. Try talking to him politely."
Ren nodded.
Marlo noticed the small group watching him.
"Well well! Makino! Lovely as always!"
"Marlo," Makino replied politely.
"And who are these little ones? Customers?" Marlo chuckled.
Ren stepped forward nervously.
"Good morning, Sir Marlo. I'm Ren. I… I'd like to sell you something."
Marlo blinked.
Then laughed heartily.
"Hahahaha! Sell? YOU? What are you, six?"
"I'm seven," Ren corrected quietly.
"Ah, my mistake! A great age for selling toys!"
Ren took a deep breath.
"I'm not selling toys. I'm selling salt."
Marlo froze.
"…What?"
Villagers looked over curiously.
Ren lifted his basket and handed Marlo a small cloth packet.
"Clean, refined sea salt. Made here. By me."
Marlo's eyes narrowed. He opened the packet and sniffed.
"Looks white…"
He licked a pinch.
"…Tastes normal."
Ren nodded.
"Because it is normal. That's the point. High purity. Clean process. No sand. No impurities. Stable dryness."
Marlo tilted his head.
Makino whispered, "Good. Keep going."
Ren continued with more confidence:
"I can produce salt regularly.
Small village production, low cost.
I can provide weekly batches.
Interested merchants can resell it for higher profit on other islands."
Marlo stared at him for a long moment.
Then burst into laughter.
"HAHAHA!!! You talk like a grown merchant! Makino, is this really a seven-year-old boy?"
Makino smiled proudly. "He's gifted."
Kiro whispered, "He's terrifying."
---
THE TEST
Marlo crouched down, looking Ren in the eyes.
"Salt is cheap, boy. Every coastal town makes their own. Why should I buy from you?"
Ren replied gently:
"Because I'm consistent.
Clean.
Fast.
Reliable.
And because this village likes me. So there won't be problems."
Marlo raised a brow.
Ren continued:
"And…"
"Salt is only the start."
Marlo's interest flickered.
"What else do you make?"
Ren pulled out two jars:
healing leaf gel
sealing paste
Villagers watching from the side gasped softly.
Marlo opened the wound gel.
"What is this?"
Kiro answered eagerly, "It heals cuts fast."
A mother shouted from the crowd, "Ren fixed my son's leg scrape yesterday!"
Another villager chimed in, "His glue fixed my boat!"
Marlo blinked. "Glue… and medicine?"
Ren nodded.
Marlo's smile widened slightly.
"Well well… you're not just a boy. You're a little craftsman."
Ren blushed.
Then steadied himself.
"Will you buy salt?"
Marlo crossed his arms.
"Show me your production first."
Ren nodded. "Follow me."
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THE SALT PLANT (Kid-Sized)
Ren led Marlo toward the beach where six clay basins were arranged neatly.
Marlo stared, stunned.
"You… made all this?"
"Yes," Ren said simply.
"Alone?"
Ren hesitated. "Mostly."
Kiro raised his hand. "I nailed two sticks."
Marlo chuckled.
Ren explained clearly:
"To make salt faster, you spread seawater thinly to evaporate quickly.
Multiple basins means more production.
Tomorrow, I'll have double."
Marlo rubbed his chin.
"Production potential?"
Ren answered confidently:
"One small bag per basin per day.
If I make 10 basins, that's 10 bags.
You can sell each for three times the price inland."
Marlo's eyes widened a fraction.
The merchant side of him woke up.
"…Smart."
Ren looked up at him seriously.
"So, will you buy?"
Marlo straightened, putting on his merchant face.
"I'll buy your first batch. Ten bags. 150 Beli per bag."
Ren flinched.
150 Beli was low.
Very low.
Before Ren could speak—
Makino placed her hand on his head.
"Ren," she whispered, "negotiate."
Ren breathed in.
Then said firmly:
"No."
Marlo blinked. "No?"
Ren clarified:
"200 Beli per bag. That's fair.
Higher purity means higher value."
Marlo studied him carefully.
The kid didn't blink.
Then the merchant burst into laughter again.
"GUTSY! Fine. 200 per bag!"
He extended a thick hand.
"Deal?"
Ren extended his small hand.
"…Deal."
Marlo shook it strongly.
Ren winced internally.
Makino tried not to laugh.
---
REN'S FIRST BUSINESS CONTRACT
Marlo handed Ren a small pouch of advance money.
"Here's your payment for the first five bags. I want the rest tomorrow."
Ren opened it.
1,000 Beli.
His heart nearly leaped out of his chest.
Makino smiled gently.
Kiro stared in awe.
Luffy screamed, "REN IS RICH!! BUY ME MEAT!!!"
Marlo smirked.
"Ren… if you keep producing… we'll talk long-term contract."
Ren nodded.
"I will."
Marlo stepped back onto his ship.
"Good work, kid. Windmill Village might become famous because of you!"
Ren blushed hard.
Makino whispered, "I'm proud of you."
Ren looked down at the pouch in his hands.
A small weight.
A small beginning.
A huge step.
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NIGHTFALL — A NEW FUTURE
Back in his shed, Ren wrote in his notebook:
> Salt:
✓ Merchant deal secured
✓ Expansion needed
✓ Make more basins tomorrow
Business:
✓ First negotiation successful
✓ Need to learn more pricing
Long-term:
Build wealth → Build science → Build future
Ren closed the notebook slowly.
He sat back, feeling warmth spread in his chest.
A scientist.
A businessman.
A creator.
At age seven.
Ren whispered:
"This is only the beginning."
Outside, the windmills turned peacefully in the night breeze.
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END OF CHAPTER 21