"When will I be executed?"
After experiencing despair, Nami now felt a sense of relief.
Forced to join Arlong's crew, she had kept her bitterness hidden deep inside, never sharing it with anyone, not even her sister Nojiko.
To buy back Cocoyasi Village, she tried every possible way to earn money.
Using her young age and sweet talk, she sneaked onto merchant ships, passenger ships, and even pirate ships.
She couldn't remember how many dangers she had faced.
But she didn't care. She only wanted to earn 100 million Berries as quickly as possible to buy back Cocoyasi Village.
However, this time, she didn't expect to escape alive.
After all, she had offended one of the world's recognized Emperors of the Sea, the infamous scientist known as the "Evil Genius."
"Why would we execute you?"
Hancock frowned, not understanding why this girl thought she would be executed.
"Really?"
Nami immediately burst into tears of joy, using her signature charm to enthusiastically cozy up to Hancock. "Beautiful sister, you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Dr. Reddy must really care about you."
Hancock's smile became harder to suppress than an AK. She gave a reserved smile.
Of course!
Nami noticed and quickly flattered further, "You're Dr. Reddy's wife, right?"
"W-wife!"
Hancock blushed intensely, her impression of Nami skyrocketing. She found her more and more likable.
Nami's eyes flashed with cunning. She was so easy to fool.
"I quite admire you."
Hancock quickly realized she was being too obvious and coughed lightly to hide her embarrassment.
"Sister Hancock..."
Nami looked at Hancock with puppy-dog eyes. "I'm sorry, but seeing you reminds me of my sister. Can I call you Sister Hancock?"
"Of course."
Hancock thought of her own sisters, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, and her heart softened. She readily accepted Nami.
Seizing the opportunity, Nami used all her tricks, constantly linking Hancock and Reddy together.
She had clearly mastered Hancock's soft spot.
Before they had walked far, Hancock treated Nami more warmly than her own sisters.
"This is your room."
Hancock led Nami to a room and pointed to the one next door. "I live right beside you. If you need anything, just come find me."
"Sister Hancock!"
Nami put on a shocked expression. "Does Reddy really let you live here?"
After winning Hancock over, she had already started calling Reddy as if it were natural, and Hancock didn't object.
Hancock shook her head. "This is just a temporary place."
After the "Love Cottage" collapsed, she really wanted to build another one with Reddy.
Unfortunately, Reddy had been staying in the Punk Hazard research lab since his return.
And Hill and the others were completely oblivious.
All she could do was cook various dishes for Reddy.
Nami put on a dreamy expression. "I'd love to see your room with Reddy. It must be so, so, so cozy."
"O-of course."
Hancock had never faced such high-level manipulation and was easily controlled by Nami.
After all the groundwork Nami had laid, Hancock couldn't bring herself to admit she still lived alone. She could only stubbornly agree before quickly retreating to her room to calm down.
"Perfect!"
Nami watched Hancock flee into her room, feeling quite proud of herself.
The crisis was resolved!
Now, she just needed to find a way to escape.
Since she couldn't get help from Reddy, she didn't care anymore.
Loguetown had huge business opportunities.
She was confident she could quickly save up 100 million Berries and buy back Cocoyasi Village from Arlong's crew herself.
...
"What?"
Reddy held a fork and knife, looking at Hancock in surprise, then at Nami standing behind her. His tone was strange as he asked, "You said she wants me to approve land for her to build a factory?"
"Yes."
Hancock was panicking inside, unsure if Reddy would back her up.
After being cornered by Nami, she was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
"Brother Reddy..."
Nami put on a pitiful expression, looking at Reddy expectantly.
At first, she only wanted to escape quickly and return to Loguetown to build a business with her friends. But after thinking it over in her room, she realized her vision had been too narrow.
Why run away when things were like this?
This big shot was the real deal!
If she could cling to this thigh, she could earn 100 million Berries in a year... no, maybe even a month!
"That fake sweet voice..."
Reddy almost laughed.
It was quite satisfying to hear Nami, the Cat Burglar of the original story, speak to him like that.
"Building a factory is too much work."
Reddy teased, "Since you like making money, why don't you help me handle the ransom payment from the World Government?"
"Really?!"
Nami's eyes immediately turned into Berry symbols.
That ransom was an astronomical sum measured in trillions!
But she quickly snapped out of it and shook her head, looking conflicted. "No, I'm still just a kid."
She loved money, but she wasn't stupid.
Handling such a huge sum was a hot potato.
If she did well, it would be exhausting, and she might even get wrinkles.
If she messed up, she might really be executed.
"Alright then."
Reddy, having read the original story, knew Nami's real dream was to map the entire world. Earning money was just to buy back Cocoyasi Village. He didn't object to her using this method to save herself.
"Thank you, Brother Reddy! I love you!"
Nami was overjoyed and rushed forward to hug the big shot, but Hancock grabbed her halfway.
"There's still plenty of empty land on the island."
Hancock dragged Nami out while giving Reddy a sweet smile over her shoulder.
He really does care about me.
Hancock felt warm inside as she pulled Nami out of the dining room.
Though she liked Nami, she still had to be cautious.
...
Punk Hazard Research Lab, Underground Prison.
Tsuru followed Mon down a dimly lit corridor, observing the cells on either side.
After Reddy's successive victories, the cells were now fully occupied.
"Doflamingo... I never thought I'd see you here."
Tsuru stopped in front of one cell, looking at the man in Seastone shackles. Her feelings were complicated.
Back then, she had pursued the Donquixote Pirates relentlessly until Doflamingo became a Warlord through shady means.
But she had always known the threat he posed and never let her guard down.
Now, however, she saw him locked in a cell.
"Long time no see, old hag."
Doflamingo was as arrogant as ever, unfazed by his imprisonment. "If possible, could you bring me some newspapers?"
"Sorry, I don't have that authority."
Tsuru shook her head and continued walking.
She saw right through Doflamingo's little scheme.
Bringing newspapers might seem trivial, but this was Reddy's territory.
As an outsider, doing so would be a direct challenge to Reddy's authority.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru!"
Rob Lucci stood by the bars and called out to her.
Before he could speak, Tsuru shook her head and walked past. "I'll relay the message to the World Government. Please don't make things difficult for me."
Lucci fell silent, then sat back down against the wall after a moment.
He knew Tsuru couldn't help, but getting this response was already a small comfort.
Soon, Mon led Tsuru to the last cell and stopped.
Tsuru looked at the old man inside and sighed helplessly. "Garp, I never thought you'd lose to Dr. Reddy."