Vivi, shaking, was looking at Josh like he is crazy.
He had just asked what she can do for the information she needs.
Clearly, Josh is expecting something in return.
What can someone expect from an agent in Baroque Works?
What would a man want from a woman or a pretty little princess like her? Princesses like Vivi hadn't been taught that every guy offering help is a white knight, instead, he can be a mercenary who wants money and her body.
She looked at Josh. His face looked more like a harsh financial minister.
"I can give you depending on what you are asking for."
She put her hands inside of her white shorts pockets, indexes interring a circle of strings, which were linked to sharp blade disks.
Although she knew he was strong, if he ever blackmailed her to give him her body, she would rather fight.
She can't give money, since her country is falling into economical disaster. Although she was conflicting if she should pay in another way… but after a thought, he is not bad looking.
It all depends on what kind of person he is.
Josh.
Depending on his previous life's experience, he could tell that on her face.
'I bet she is thinking that I'm sexist.'
She looks like she wants to sue him.
With sarcasm, he said. "Well, if you don't want to save your country, pray for the heavens to send you a 5.7-foot tall pirate to save you while screaming about meat. I have no time to waste with a paranoid girl when I can do business."
Josh turned and was about to leave.
"You're like five-eleven. But, I will hear you."
"See, isn't this better than acting tough and enter a dilemma," Josh said.
Vivi nodded and lowered her head. She then noticed that Josh was still giving her his back.
"Why are you still giving me your back?" Vivi exclaimed and looked at Josh like he is a weird person.
"I am too lazy to turn to you many times," Josh said. In the end, he would have to face the ship. And it's Vivi's fault that he had to turn in the first place.
Vivi nodded. The princess quickly walked forward, stood up in front of him, and then faced him.
"Do your people treat their royalty like this in their country." She was curious.
"We are only business people. And how I treat royalty, ask my girlfriend there. I treat her like a princess."
Although a part of Josh's dreams include having women around him while he is on his throne, it still too early. Even if Vivi was stunning beauty now, Josh didn't feel bad for not treating her in a better way.
'I have a mission and time limit. I can't scramble in front of someone because she is pretty and a princess.' Josh looked at her long smooth snow-white legs. 'Maybe later.'
"God help her, I think." Vivi looked over his shoulder, to Ms Valentine, who was sitting on the edge of the ship and observing them.
It's needless to say that the two are dating.
"Who knows." Josh smiled. 'She is a bit crazy and I neefd help, but I like her.' But he didn't want to say that now.
"Anyway, what do you want, and what you have to offer."
"I offer you two things. First, something is going to happen in your country. Second, the identity of the two guys. The guy who is leading the rebels. And the real one who is ruining the repetition of your dad."
Josh then lowered his voice and said. "Of course, that's why joined this organisation in the first place, isn't that right, Princess Vivi."
Josh, for the first time, called her with her name.
Vivi, although she felt quite stunned, only lowered her head.
"And the price?"
"Money. From the king. At least 60 million." Josh said.
60 million was a huge amount of money. However, wealthy countries collect taxes from the people. And they had existed for 800 years.
"Hey, isn't that quite…"Vivi was at first afraid that he would order a hundred million or more. But such an amount can change the life of some villages and a town.
Not to mention, Alabasta is a desert country. Even the people need to buy food from external resources, sometimes even water.
"Low. I know. If you can pay more, it would be helping your people more than you realise." Josh said, crossing his arms, half of his eyes are closed.
"I don't have such an amount of money," Vivi said.
"It's okay, you can wait until your father pays me personally. I can wait." Josh said, offering his goodwill.
Vivi had been taught as a princess. She knows about politics.
She said. "I don't know. I'm just a princess of a poor country. What matters are my people. Besides, why would my country pay you, while it barely provides for itself? I'm sorry, but thanks for your good intentions."
"Because you are betting, not paying," Josh answered honestly. "I will give you this information out of goodwill," Josh said. "A huge amount of weapons would be delivered for rebels, with a very cheap price. The mysterious guy is behind it. Soon, who knows what the rebels would do with the cheap high-quality weapons."
Vivi opened her eyes widely.
Josh gave her the delivery location, making her eyes open widely.
Josh then jumped and landed on his ship, leaving Vivi's jaw dropped.
"I advise you not to scream. Ears are everywhere." Josh said, before looking at Mikita. "Did I take a long time?"
"I thought that I would become a widow while waiting for you." Mikita rolled her eyes and joked.
"Mmm…" Josh only smiled at her.
Vivi, on the other hand, clenched her fist.
She lifted her head and said loudly. "I will buy it, but only after arriving in my country. You have my word as a princess. "
Josh said. "You're betting on my life. I may die as well." Josh said it, and surprisingly, he felt some relief.
"Mmm… let's die together then, kyahahah." Mikita thought that he was joking and laughed along with him.
"Pay attention." Josh nodded. Looking at Vivi, he started moving his lips, telling her more information, about the time.
Vivi read his lips and opened her eyes widely, before bowing down.
Josh then set the sails to Alabasta.
He is still Mr. 7 and still has to do his job. Josh needed to get his payment, first.
-x-X-x-
15 advanced chapters ahead at patréon
www.patrėon.com/Blazuki