Chapter 12
“Work together?” Nami blinks, caught off guard. Her first thought is that I’m messing with her. Why would John Morgan, the East Blue’s top bounty hunter, team up with a small-time thief like her? But she’s my captive right now, so she doesn’t shut me down. She just stares, waiting for me to explain.
“Exactly,” I say. “I need you to help me find something on this ship. It’s either in the vault or in Badsey’s room—problem is, I don’t know where those are. That’s where you come in. I need you to snoop around for me.”
I pause, gauging her reaction, then continue. “And don’t worry, I’m not asking you to do it for free. If you find the vault, you can take anything you want—except the one thing I’m after. Grab as much as you like, even if it’s right under Badsey’s nose. I’ll make sure you walk away safe. Deal?”
My offer gets her attention. Her eyes light up, but she’s cautious. “You’ll really keep me safe if I get caught? You know Badsey’s backed by the Krieg Pirates, the biggest crew in the East Blue.”
“Krieg?” I pause, surprised. I knew Badsey had connections to stay this cocky on the high seas, but I didn’t expect him. I’ve got a vague memory of Krieg from the old anime days—a small-time boss, sure, but no pushover.
“So Badsey’s tied to the Krieg Pirates. Makes sense,” I mutter, piecing it together.
Now I get why Iron Hand Barlow hired me for this job instead of coming himself. With his crew gearing up for the Grand Line, he probably doesn’t want to pick a fight with Krieg’s five-thousand-strong fleet, especially since Krieg’s got the edge in strength. Hell, the Devil Fruit on this ship might even be meant for Krieg. And Barlow? He conveniently left out Badsey’s backer when he gave me the job, probably scared I’d pass if I knew. Sneaky bastard, I think, smirking coldly. My so-called partner’s playing games.
Still, a guy like Krieg isn’t enough to make me ditch this mission. Not even close.
“Hey, I’m talking to you,” Nami snaps, annoyed at my zoning out.
I grin, unfazed. “Even if Krieg shows up with his whole five-thousand-man crew, I’ll make sure you’re fine.”
She eyes me skeptically. “Really? How do I know you’re not just blowing smoke?” She’s been around the block in the East Blue—she’s not about to get played by a few smooth words.
I think for a second. “If you’re worried I’ll bail, just rat me out if you get caught. As long as you find what I need first, I’ll have no choice but to step in, right?”
Her guard drops a bit at my straightforward answer. “Okay, but why not scout the ship yourself? Why me?”
“Simple,” I say. “I’m posing as a noble—a high-profile guest. If I start poking around, people notice. The guards on this ship are already watching the VIPs like hawks to keep us ‘safe,’ which makes things tricky for me.” I glance at her. “You, on the other hand, don’t stand out.”
She’s right that my noble cover draws eyes. The Paradise Emperor’s guests are all big shots, so the crew’s security is extra tight around us. Honestly, the best way to pull off this job would’ve been to sneak on as a crew member—low-key, with access to restricted areas. But by the time Barlow gave me the job, the ship was already setting sail. No time to infiltrate as staff, so I had to play the noble card. I’d hoped to tail Badsey at the banquet, but when he didn’t show, I saw an opportunity in the sneaky thief sitting across from me. She’s perfect for this.
“What? I don’t stand out?” Nami bristles. “I’m drop-dead gorgeous, okay? I’m the center of attention wherever I go!”
“Oh, really?” I lean in, sniffing the air near her, then pull back with a mock grimace. “Smells like a warehouse. Let me guess—you stowed away in the ship’s hold to sneak on board, right? A ‘stowaway’ doesn’t exactly scream high-profile, does it, Miss Thief?”
“So what?” she snaps, her voice quieter now. “Not everyone’s rolling in cash and noble titles like you.”
“Exactly,” I say. “No identity means you can slip around as some nobody—perfect for this job.” Getting a bit impatient, I cut to the chase. “So, one question: you in or not?”
Despite her doubts, Nami nods without hesitation. The promise of the vault’s riches is too tempting for a cash-strapped thief like her. She’s willing to take the risk. “Fine. But don’t forget your promise.”
“Don’t worry,” I say, nodding. “Us bounty hunters have principles, you know. It’s dark out now—perfect time to move. Get going, and don’t keep me waiting, partner.” I pause, adding, “Oh, and keep an eye out for a box or bag about the size of a watermelon.”
Nami rolls her eyes but hurries out of my room.