Before you guys start reading, I want you guys to suggest an anime series or some famous series that has multiple MTL fanfictions for it. I'm looking for a new fanfiction to start translating, so I can begin A new. I'll try my best to find a good one, so my translation can bring out its true potential.
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"Ah, Ron, did you really just give him the money?" Nami was practically fuming. "That's 200 million Berries! And you just lent it to someone you don't even know? Ron, do you have water in your brain?"
Nami stared at Ron with clear reluctance. The other girls also looked at him strangely, unsure of what he was thinking.
Even Robin, always intelligent and observant, glanced at Ron with puzzlement, unable to understand his reasoning.
"This… is this really lent to me?" Franky, clutching the two suitcases, was equally shocked at Ron's quick and casual nature. He had expected more resistance, but here he was, holding 200 million Berries. Could it really be true?
Franky quickly opened the suitcases and checked. Sure enough, they were filled with genuine Berry bills. Real money!
"You really lent me 200 million Berries?" Franky asked, closing the cases and staring at Ron strangely. "Are you going to ask for some sort of special favor in return?"
Ron's mouth twitched. What kind of look is that?
Seriously? Ron thought, glancing at the strange expressions of the girls around him. Even they seemed to suspect something weird, as if he had some "special" interest in Franky.
Come on! With all these beautiful girls around me, you think I'd…
"Nothing special," Ron said hastily, waving his hand. "The money's yours. Why don't you leave now? Go on, get out of here."
"Right, right!" Franky, still confused but clearly grateful, quickly gathered himself. "Thanks again for lending me the 200 million Berries, Mr. Ron. I swear, I'll pay you back someday!"
Watching Franky run off with the suitcases, Ron finally felt a sense of relief. But then he noticed the girls still giving him strange looks.
Robin, who had been quietly observing, remarked, "He said he'd return the money later… Well, Ron, you and Mr. Franky aren't…"
Ron froze, his face twitching. He glanced at Robin, who wore a calm expression, but there was a mischievous glint in her eyes. What happened to my gentle and considerate Robin? When did she become so mischievous?
"Oh…" Hearing Robin's comment, the other girls' faces lit up with understanding, and their gazes at Ron became even more suspicious.
"Brother Ron!" Kaya walked over, her face filled with concern. "Do you not like us anymore?"
"How could you even think that?" Ron said, flustered. "Of course, I like you all! I just—"
"Robin!" Ron gritted his teeth, glaring at Robin. "Could you please stop messing around?"
Robin tilted her head slightly. "Then why did you lend 200 million to a stranger? I'm genuinely curious." While she had been teasing Ron earlier, Robin was still puzzled by his decision. Lending such a large sum of money to someone they didn't know seemed a bit too reckless.
"Yeah, Brother Ron!" Kaya chimed in. "You barely know this guy, so why give him 200 million Berries so easily? It doesn't make sense!"
"It really doesn't make sense!" Nami said, her frustration mounting. "Do you have any idea how hard it is to manage money for all of us? You, with your endless appetite, and all the sisters on the ship—everything costs money! Do you know how hard it is for me to manage our funds? Watching 200 million Berries just disappear like that… my heart's breaking!" Nami's eyes were almost tearing up, her voice filled with sorrow.
Seeing Nami so distressed, Ron quickly wrapped his arms around her, trying to comfort her.
"Look, there is a reason I lent him the money," Ron began, his mind racing for an explanation. He couldn't just admit that he knew the plot and was trying to help repay a favor, could he?
After a moment of thought, Ron crafted a plausible story. "That guy, Franky, he's a top shipwright. Our ship was built by Enel back on Sky Island, and if it ever gets damaged, no ordinary shipwright would be able to repair it. Lending Franky the money now gives us leverage for the future—if anything happens to our ship, we can call on him for repairs. Makes sense, right?"
"Hmm, that does make sense," Kaya nodded, her expression easing.
"Really?" Nami's frustration softened a little. She was the navigator of their ship, the Ark Maxim, and she knew the vessel wasn't ordinary. Repairing it might indeed require someone like Franky. Hearing Ron's reasoning, she couldn't help but feel a bit more reassured.
Vivi, Raki, Makino, and the others didn't fully understand the intricacies of ship repair, but Ron's explanation sounded reasonable to them, too.
Only Robin gave Ron a sly look but stayed quiet this time, no longer teasing him.
Finally, some peace, Ron thought with relief. Robin, if you keep stirring things up, I'll have to find a way to get you back for this!
"Alright, let's stop worrying about this and get back to our plans!" Ron clapped his hands, trying to change the subject. "There are seven islands in Water 7, all connected by the sea train. How about we take a ride on the sea train after we finish shopping?"
"Sea train?" Kaya's eyes widened in surprise. "You mean, like a real train?"
"Exactly!" Ron nodded.
"But how can a train run on the ocean? Are you making this up?" The other girls looked skeptical, unable to believe such a thing existed.
"Captain Ron's telling the truth," Robin interjected with a smile. "There's really a train that travels over the sea. You'll see it for yourselves soon enough."
"There really is?" The girls' eyes widened, now filled with curiosity.
"Then let's go!" Kaya beamed, grabbing Ron's arm. "Let's finish shopping, grab something to eat, and then try out the sea train!"