Chapter 16 — A Duel of Acting Skills
Faced with Jack's good deeds, the villagers were all extremely grateful. Koby worked even harder than before. At this moment, he firmly believed that Lord Jack, who had saved him, must be a good person!
"My lord, this won't do. If we go back like this, we'll suffer a huge loss."
The captain pulled Jack aside and whispered anxiously.
"Relax. I'll talk to Old John about it. Push all the responsibility onto me. And who said we're going back just like this?"
Jack said meaningfully as he looked toward a girl with orange-colored hair running over in the distance.
"Who are you people?!"
Nami's guarded gaze was completely undisguised. At this stage, she was undoubtedly at her most distrustful—and even somewhat hostile—toward outsiders. In her eyes, every outsider had the potential to become someone like Arlong, someone who would persecute them.
"Don't be like that, Nami!"
A blue-haired beauty pulled the bristling, cat-like Nami back.
"They're merchants from the Goa Kingdom. They brought supplies we desperately need and even allow us to trade with oranges. They're good people—different from Arlong and the others."
"Nojiko, is that really true?" Nami frowned. "Don't let yourselves be fooled by them. How could cunning merchants be this kind? There must be some scheme behind it!"
"And don't you find it strange that they say they're from the Goa Kingdom? Hardly any merchants come here all year round, yet they came straight here…"
Although Nojiko was the older sister by age, Nami—who had been forced to join the Arlong Pirates at the age of ten and travel all over—was clearly more experienced in worldly matters. She immediately sensed something fishy.
Merchants were after profit. Why would a merchant ship from the Goa Kingdom come here at a loss and offer them so many benefits? To say they wanted nothing in return would be an insult to her intelligence!
After hearing Nami's words, Nojiko hesitated as well, wondering if there really was some hidden plot—if these people were secretly colluding with the Arlong Pirates to target the villagers.
But in the end, these were just suspicions without any evidence. More and more villagers were already hurrying over from their homes, each carrying some oranges, smiles bright on their faces.
Being able to rely on themselves, without burdening Nami and without having to buy outrageously priced goods from the Arlong Pirates—how could they not be happy?
"Who's in charge here?"
Nami walked straight over, the suspicion in her eyes growing thicker.
The captain, first mate, and the others exchanged glances, then all took half a step back together, highlighting Jack's position.
This wasn't going to be easy goodwill to earn…
With a quiet sigh, Jack stepped forward. "That would be me."
Nami had noticed him long ago. What kind of traveling sailor looked this handsome? And with such good skin—no signs of sun or wind exposure at all?
Who was he trying to fool?
At a glance, he looked like some rich young master who'd snuck out to have fun. If it turned out they had no ill intentions, then this "pretty boy" would be a prime fat sheep!
A glint flashed in Nami's eyes, and a smile appeared on her face. The tense atmosphere from before vanished instantly.
"Handsome, how about grabbing a drink together? And maybe taking a tour of the island?"
Having already marked Jack as a fat sheep, Nami tossed him a flirtatious wink.
At just sixteen, Nami had already grown into a lovely young beauty—curves where they should be, slim where they should be. Her outfit was wild and bold, exposing her slender waist and long, shapely legs.
Gulp…
The young crewmen couldn't handle that kind of stimulation at all. They all swallowed hard, then looked at Jack with envy.
Hmph! This young lady's charm isn't something just anyone can resist!
And indeed, back when she had first joined the Arlong Pirates and was still young, she could only rely on petty theft. But as she grew older and more beautiful, she had long since mastered the art of using her own advantages.
Nami had slaughtered countless "fat sheep" with her honey trap!
The treasure she had accumulated was drawing closer and closer to the hundred-million-berri mark!
Very soon—very soon—I'll be able to buy the village back!
The mix of shyness and allure on Nami's face was devastatingly effective against men.
However, Jack—who already knew Nami's personality well—was surprisingly unaffected. He simply smiled and watched her performance.
"Sure."
He took the bait!
The corners of Nami's lips curved into a beautiful smile. At the same time, she hid her right hand behind her back and flashed an "OK" sign to Nojiko.
Nojiko wanted to stop her, but honestly, she had no standing to do so. All these years, the hope of the entire village rested on Nami alone. They accepted her support while firmly drawing a line between themselves and her.
They truly couldn't ask for more—especially when that once lively and cheerful little girl had turned into a swindling pirate officer.
What they felt toward her was guilt, not hatred or the urge to lecture her.
They didn't have the right.
...
Leaving the rest of the trading to the captain and the others, Jack was pulled away by Nami, who suddenly clung to his arm.
He had to admit—the soft, delicate sensation was really nice!
Especially the bold yet shy act Nami deliberately put on—it made people fall into one of life's greatest illusions:
She likes me!
Having reeled in so many suckers and slaughtered so many fat sheep, Nami knew exactly what kind of expression and attitude to use for men of different ages.
She gave her performance just now a perfect score. No arrogance here—pure confidence!
"This shop's takoyaki is very famous, and the alcohol is really good too. It's just that every time I drink a tiny bit too much, I pass out completely~"
How could I possibly ignore a performance you're putting on just for me?
"Let's go with this place!"
Jack's eyes lit up instantly, and he discreetly swept his gaze over a few sensitive spots on Nami's body—something the very "shy" Nami noticed perfectly well.
At this moment, the two of them—each harboring their own schemes—walked inside together, looking extremely intimate.
The moment they entered, they drew the attention of the fishmen inside. But when they saw it was Nami, all the fishmen revealed teasing, spectator-like expressions.
Looks like this unlucky kid is Nami's new prey!
"Don't be scared. These fishmen are all very… kind~"
Nami "worked up her courage" and secretly observed his expression.
"Kind? Are you sure?" Jack asked seriously, staring straight into her eyes.
For some reason, Nami suddenly felt a little flustered. How could these fishmen, who committed every kind of evil imaginable, be considered kind?!
But for the sake of that hundred million berri—for the sake of buying the village back—she could only swallow her conscience and endure it.