Nami was so protective of the food, and Link didn't indulge her too much, after all, she wasn't truly a trusted companion yet.
Even if she would be in the future, there was still a barrier between them now.
"This is our spoils of war, isn't it?"
Link didn't forcibly seize it, but instead analyzed it carefully from various angles.
"Logically speaking, spoils of war should be arranged by the Captain..."
Link hadn't finished speaking when he heard Luffy foolishly cheering, providing unreliable assistance:
"Treasure, hehehe, alright, let's use this money to buy meat! And have a feast!"
"Speaking of which, we can also buy more alcohol?"
Zoro also looked at the money with some interest.
"Did you hear that?"
Link looked at Nami, "The Captain plans to eat meat and have a feast, and the main combatant wants to drink. If you had this money, how would you allocate it?"
[Of course, I'd put it in my private stash, who wants to buy you guys meat and alcohol, huh!!]
Nami roared internally, but on the surface, she clapped her hands with a smiling face and said:
"As for meat and alcohol, aren't there feasts left unfinished by the pirates right next to us? We can just use their leftover alcohol and meat, can't we? And we can also catch some fish as food meat during our voyage!"
She thought she had arranged it very properly, and even nodded in self-admiration.
[To be able to save such a sum of money, I'm really too smart!!]
Hmm, judging by her thoughts, it was indeed the most cost-effective plan, but... don't say it so directly, huh!!
Link couldn't help but shake his head and rub his forehead, while Luffy and Zoro next to him... Luffy: "..."
Zoro: "..."
Both of them stared wide-eyed, looking at Nami in disbelief.
"You're telling us to eat other people's leftovers and drink other people's leftover alcohol?!"
Zoro repeated again, and after realizing Nami wasn't joking, a red cross mark immediately appeared on his forehead:
"What are you talking about?!"
"Exactly! Exactly!"
Luffy, next to him, also raised his arms in anger, "What kind of Pirate Crew attends a party that others haven't finished?!"
Well, actually, for Luffy, eating and drinking what others had left was truly irrelevant... Luffy, who always held food in high regard, could accept this.
But attending a party that others had left, especially one previously hosted by the enemy... this truly challenged Luffy's bottom line, as he held parties in very high regard.
As the Idiot Captain, he wouldn't stoop to such a level!
"You still don't understand Pirates, Nami..."
Link couldn't help but shake his head. Nami's arrangement, on one hand, certainly fit her character as a miser who valued money above all else, but on the other hand, didn't it also mean she didn't truly consider them companions?
"Our own party is definitely going to happen."
Link stated his opinion, "And we don't need other people's leftover alcohol and meat. We can completely take fresh provisions from their ship's storeroom."
"Which means, this money can actually be kept..."
Seeing Nami about to say something, Link continued, "But that doesn't mean we won't use it!"
"As Pirates, we will definitely need our own Pirate Ship and Pirate Flag in the future!"
"At that time, purchasing a Pirate Ship, its facilities and configurations, other material reserves, and so on—all these numerous areas will require money."
"Moreover, the ship we are currently on is too small. So much money on board would be an unnecessary burden on the hull, and we'd also worry about a wave sweeping the money away."
"Therefore, I think it's safest and most efficient to keep this money with me for now."
"I will then make a list and publicly display all expenses, item by item, so you will know that the money is not being spent carelessly."
Link said, then looked at Luffy, "Idiot Captain, what do you think?"
"Pirate Ship, Pirate Flag..."
Luffy's eyes gleamed. He didn't hear anything else, only these two things.
And the result of his limited brain's thinking was that giving the money to Link would not only not affect their parties, but they would also get a Pirate Ship and a Pirate Flag!
What objections could he possibly have?!
"Yosh! Then it's decided..."
Luffy nodded repeatedly, "All the money will be given to Link for safekeeping!"
"I have no objections."
Zoro also supported him.
Link's words just now were truly for the benefit of the whole.
He not only considered their private activities like parties but also accounted for the future development of the Pirate Crew, including a Pirate Ship and a Pirate Flag.
This made Zoro feel that placing the money with Link was the most correct choice, and he also reaffirmed that Link was the soul of this Pirate Crew.
With him as first mate, Zoro could truly feel at ease.
If he weren't there, relying solely on this Idiot Captain... Zoro unconsciously looked at Luffy, who was smiling foolishly, thinking about parties and meat... Zoro quickly shook his head. Perhaps the future would be a bit bleak?!