'Ten million Belly? Are you trying to kill me?'
Captain Nezumi's eyes widened, staring fixedly at Cyrus.
'Are we that close for you to ask for ten million just like that?'
"Is that a no?" Cyrus asked with a smile, looking at Captain Nezumi's expression.
"Yes!" Captain Nezumi nodded decisively.
It has to be a yes even if it's a no!
"Then thank you very much. It's mainly because all my money was taken by Garp to be deposited in a bank, so I don't have much on hand right now. When I have time to return to the East Blue, I'll catch a few Pirates and bring them over," Cyrus said after nodding his thanks.
'Please don't come back!' Captain Nezumi thought to himself, though of course, he didn't dare let it show on his face.
Since he had decided to bleed a little, Captain Nezumi moved quickly, as if he wanted Cyrus to leave as soon as possible.
Cyrus, of course, had no intention of staying long.
He had only come here to freeload a bit on the side.
Robin watched from the side, dumbfounded.
Borrowing money from a branch base commander, and actually succeeding.
At the docks, Captain Nezumi looked heartbroken, his eyes watching Cyrus's boat sail away.
Ten million.
It would take him more than a year of saving, without eating or drinking, to earn that much.
...
On the boat, Robin put away the bag of Belly and looked at Cyrus.
"Next, we'll make a trip to Cocoyasi Village to buy some fruit," Cyrus said.
In his heart, however, he was considering whether to take Nami with them.
But the thought flashed through his mind and was quickly dismissed.
Nami was too young right now.
He did need a Navigator, and Nami's talent for navigation was indeed very high, but she probably couldn't be of much help at the moment.
Even if he took her along, he would probably have to be distracted taking care of her.
Besides, at this age, Nami's adoptive mother would certainly not let her go easily.
As for a Navigator, he'd find one in Paradise.
...
Not long after, Cyrus and Robin's boat arrived at Cocoyasi Village.
Cyrus went ashore alone and went directly to Nami's house.
After he knocked, Bellemere opened the door.
She was stunned for a moment when she saw Cyrus outside, then quickly recognized him.
"You're here to...?"
"Buy tangerines!" Cyrus pulled out a wad of Belly.
Bellemere wasn't surprised to hear this. "Setting out to sea again at this time? It's been quite a while since you last set out."
Bellemere stepped aside to let Cyrus into the house.
Nami and Nojiko were both at home, and they were also stunned to see Cyrus.
"Indeed. This time, I'm preparing to go to the Grand Line," Cyrus replied to Bellemere.
'The Grand Line!'
Surprise flashed in Bellemere's eyes, but she didn't say much.
The last time Cyrus left, Gin had guessed that Cyrus was the Pirate Hunter who had killed that group of Fish-man Pirates.
She was in no position to give advice on what such a person should do.
"I'll go prepare them. Should I deliver them to the boat on the shore?" Bellemere asked.
"Yes, thank you for the trouble!" Cyrus nodded.
Seeing this, Bellemere didn't hesitate and went out to find Genzo to help.
Cyrus turned to look at Nami and Nojiko.
"Did you kill those Fish-man Pirates?" Nami looked at Cyrus curiously and then asked directly.
"Who told you that?" Cyrus raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.
"Genzo said so, right after you left last time," Nami said without hiding anything. "Genzo said you're a Pirate Hunter, someone who captures Pirates on the sea."
Nami thought about what Genzo had said and then spoke seriously.
Nojiko didn't speak, but her eyes were also filled with curiosity as she looked at Cyrus.
"That's right. I'm someone who captures Pirates in exchange for bounties." Cyrus sat down opposite the two girls.
"I'm so envious!" Nami exclaimed with a sigh, and Nojiko nodded repeatedly.
"Envy is useless. Pirates are very vicious. If you're not strong yourself, not only will you fail to capture them, but you might also be killed by them." Cyrus's words made the two girls' expressions change slightly.
"So if you want to go to sea in the future, you have to think it through carefully. Of course, if you can get on someone else's ship and let others take the lead in everything, it might be safer."
Nami nodded repeatedly at Cyrus's words.
She felt it made a lot of sense.
"I'm going to draw the best and most perfect sea chart. I will definitely go to sea in the future," Nami said with a serious face, having clearly set a goal for herself.
"Not bad. It's good to have a goal. I still don't have any goals myself," Cyrus said with a hint of emotion, seeing the determined light in Nami's eyes.
His thoughts were complex; he was completely unable to be like the people of this world, having a firm ideal to strive for.
Cyrus understood this but couldn't change it.
After all, his way of thinking was different from the people of this world.
So, Cyrus wouldn't force it.
He would just do whatever came to mind.
"I should be going. If you want to achieve your ideal, you have to work hard." Cyrus finished speaking, stood up, and left.
Nami and Nojiko watched Cyrus leave.
"I can definitely do it," Nami said seriously, clenching her fist.
"I'll tell Bellemere. She'll definitely agree with your idea," Nojiko said out of the blue from the side.
Nami's face stiffened.
Bellemere already knew about her ideal.
But when it came to going to sea, Nami felt that Bellemere would definitely not agree.
At least, if she heard her say it now, she might get a beating.
...
At the shore.
The tangerines were delivered to the boat under Robin's watchful eye.
Robin looked around until she saw Cyrus return, then a smile appeared on her face.
Bellemere looked at Robin curiously, wondering about her identity.
The last time Cyrus left, he was alone.
It seemed he had found a partner now.
A partner for adventures at sea.
After saying all that needed to be said, Cyrus gave the money to Bellemere and boarded the boat with Robin.
Watching Cyrus and Robin's boat gradually disappear into the distance, Genzo finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He subconsciously touched the newspaper in his pocket.
He knew the news about Cyrus but hadn't told anyone.
The news was simply too shocking.
Things were fine as they were now. But such a big shot seemed really down-to-earth.
"Want to come to my place for dinner? You can stay the night!" Bellemere turned her head to look at the inexplicably flustered Genzo and then spoke.
Genzo was stunned, then his face turned red, and he fled in panic.
Bellemere watched Genzo's retreating back helplessly and turned to walk home.
However, not long after she got home, Nami burst out of the door, followed by Bellemere brandishing a broom.
...
Several days later.
Cyrus and Robin arrived at the base of Reverse Mountain.
Looking at the waterway flowing upstream, Cyrus and Robin exchanged a glance.
"Speaking of which, what's your dream? Besides the dream you inherited from the historians, your own dream!" Cyrus asked before the boat entered the waterway of Reverse Mountain.
"My own dream?" Robin was taken aback, not expecting Cyrus to suddenly ask this.
"It's a rule. Everyone who enters the Grand Line must shout out their dream," Cyrus said with a straight face.
Robin was speechless.
There was no such rule.
But since Cyrus had asked, Robin thought about it seriously.
"My dream, huh... to help you build a massive Hunter Association!"