"Wasn't the negotiation trick to first ask for something the other party can't meet, so the next request is hard to refuse?" Zhang Da Ye grumbled on the way back to the tavern.
Sea-Prism Stone is extremely useful—it can suppress Devil Fruit users. Having a piece of Sea-Prism Stone gear before mastering Haki is fantastic. Haven't you seen Smoker carrying a Sea-Prism Stone jitte everywhere?
Unfortunately, it's really hard for ordinary people to obtain. Zhang Da Ye didn't have the right channels, so he could only hope the Navy might sell some.
He was disappointed. Even a pair of Sea-Prism Stone handcuffs seemed to be a strategic weapon. Deputy Kuro, only a captain, didn't have the authority.
"But Boss, if you asked me to lend you 100,000 Berries, I don't have it. If next time you ask for a million Berries, I still don't have it!" Rui Meng Meng gave a vivid example to "comfort" Zhang Da Ye, pointing out it wasn't his negotiation skills failing—it was asking the impossible.
Since it wasn't too harsh, Zhang Da Ye took it as comfort. He'd find another way later or wait until he was more familiar with the Navy.
On the way back, Tom accidentally wandered into several food shops, so by the time they returned to the tavern, they were fully loaded again.
Artoria was reading the newspaper with Camie. Though young, Camie was fascinated—newspapers were rare on Fish-Man Island.
Even the delivery Seagulls, though capable of traveling worldwide, couldn't dive ten thousand meters, so they could only get a few newspapers from passing pirates.
"We're back!" Zhang Da Ye's first action was to put away the money.
Rui Meng Meng first put away the purchased goods.
Tom immediately ran to check his stash behind the liquor cabinet, wiped an imaginary sweat, then embarrassedly brought out a pile of snacks to share.
They chatted and laughed until noon, of course leaving lunch for Camie.
"So much! So delicious!" Camie looked at the table with concern. "Will we be able to finish it?"
Zhang Da Ye patted her head with a mischievous grin. "Don't worry, I have a huge appetite—one meal could eat a little mermaid."
"Ah~~ eat a mermaid!!!" Camie made an exaggerated expression and leapt into Artoria's arms, scared.
Zhang Da Ye shivered. "Wow, Tom, your laugh is terrifying—perfect for a villain."
Tom looked innocent—he was just cooperating.
Five minutes later, everyone happily ate. Zhang Da Ye and Tom guzzled water as they went.
Tom, a very active cat, couldn't resist adding salt to Zhang Da Ye's bowl at noon instead of waiting until evening.
"Ah ha ha ha~" Zhang Da Ye nearly spat out his food from the salty surprise, while Tom laughed on the floor, pounding the ground.
Zhang Da Ye quickly swapped bowls while Tom was distracted.
The mutual prank left them both thirsty, but following the principle of not wasting food, they shared and finished their meals.
After lunch, it wasn't suitable for Camie to stay downstairs, so Zhang Da Ye had Tom accompany her upstairs for card games or flying chess.
In the afternoon, Camie asked to leave. "I've caused enough trouble today. I should probably go back."
Zhang Da Ye blinked. "Really? I planned to take everyone to Sabaody Park this afternoon. Any mermaids want to join?"
"Yes!" Camie couldn't resist at the mention of Sabaody Park, wagging her tail and bouncing onto Zhang Da Ye.
Zhang Da Ye caught her. "If we're going, get changed. Artoria, Meng Meng, see if you can find a suitable dress and shoes for Camie."
"Really okay?" Camie asked, slightly calmer.
"As long as the tail is hidden, it's fine." Zhang Da Ye thought that Camie would likely tell her family about today's adventure and be stuck at home for a long time—best to fulfill her wish now. He was also curious about Sabaody Park, having missed it once because of the Red-Haired.
Artoria found a mid-length dress for little Camie. Though it dragged the floor, it perfectly covered her tail. She tucked the split tail fins into her shoes, requiring a bit of effort to hold in place.
Female mermaids don't develop split legs until age 30, like Kokoro of Tom Studio in Water Seven. Male mermaids never grow legs, such as King Neptune and Aladdin of the Sun Pirates.
So even with shoes, Camie could barely walk. On Fish-Man Island, mermaids usually used bubbles to move. Here, she had to sit in a bubble cart or be carried.
Luckily, as a small child, being carried didn't seem odd.
Sabaody Park is a large amusement park spanning three islands: 32GR, 33GR, and 34GR. Its owner was unknown.
Though less crowded than domestic holidays, it was lively. Towering Ferris wheels, extreme roller coasters, huge pirate ships, occasional screams and laughter, and colorful bubbles rising from the ground—it could rival a fairy-tale dreamland.
Upon entry, three exclamations rang out: "Wow~~~"
Camie, Rui Meng Meng, and Artoria's eyes sparkled. Even usually composed Artoria became completely like a little girl.
Zhang Da Ye reflected—her childhood must have been full of training and studying, probably quite dull. Today, they'd let her play freely.
Interestingly, the five of them bought only four tickets—Tom, as a pet, didn't need one, though he wasn't too happy.
Though he usually considered himself a cat, when it came to spending, he acted like a human—a spendthrift child. Who knows how Chopper and Brook handled tickets—did their skeletons scare the staff?
After looking around excitedly, Camie asked, "Da Ye, where should we start?"
"Of course with the thrilling roller coaster! Let's go!" Zhang Da Ye waved and led the charge.
"By the way, Artoria, can your riding skills speed up the roller coaster?" Zhang Da Ye had a bold idea.