"Don't be so definitive, Miss Nami."
"You need money, and we need your... navigational skills."
"We can work together to make some money, just as partners, not joining forces. What do you think?"
Now it was Kaito Sakamoto's turn to ask Nami for her opinion.
Nami took a deep breath, her face slightly reddening in surprise.
"You guys?"
"Yeah, we, I have two companions. We got separated, but I expect they'll catch up with us soon."
Kaito explained.
What a guy! He's been out to sea with Luffy twice, and both times they got separated. Can't help but say he's a real character!
"Work together..."
Nami pondered, a sly smile tugging at her lips as some mischievous idea crossed her mind. She quickly suppressed it.
"Alright."
"Then I'll need to see if you're trustworthy first."
"You and I will go meet Buggy. As for the rest, you don't need to worry about anything. If you do that, I'll agree to work with you."
Kaito smiled. "Sure, let's go. I'm curious to meet this clown, Buggy."
...
"At the end of this road is the bar where Buggy and his crew are staying."
Nami purposely slowed her pace, standing behind Kaito as she explained.
But just as she grabbed the rope, Kaito dashed forward in a flash, not even bothering to look back.
"Really?"
"Then let's hurry up and go!"
Nami stumbled as she failed to catch up with him.
She got back up, staring at Kaito's retreating figure, realizing something was off.
"Wait!"
"No, no!!"
"Hold on!! Don't just run off like that!"
But no matter how much Nami shouted, Kaito had already darted up to the roof of the tavern.
Seeing this, Nami turned around, not wanting to rush to her doom.
But after walking for a bit, she instinctively patted her belt.
Nothing! All steady.
"Huh?"
"Huh!???"
"The map? That bastard!!!"
Nami's mind flashed back to Kaito's face—who else could have taken it but him?
Grinding her teeth, Nami turned around. She needed that money badly.
...
"What! The thief who stole the sea chart escaped!"
"What are you three big men doing?!"
On the rooftop of the tavern, Buggy yelled at the three bandaged men, the ones Kaito had injured.
"Captain Buggy, please! The thief lady had help—her gun skills were so fast, we didn't even see her shoot before we got hurt!"
The three men hurriedly explained, hoping to avoid being blasted with cannon fire.
"Gun skills so fast you couldn't even see the gun?"
"When did this kind of person show up?"
"What did they look like? Tell me."
Buggy's background ran deep, and few in the seas today could compare to his experience.
"Uh... she had a black ponytail."
"White tank top, black jeans."
"That's them."
"Yeah? That's right. No mistake, that's how they looked."
The three men began to describe Kaito.
But Kaito had quietly blended in without them noticing.
"Ah!!!"
"It's him! It's him!! Captain Buggy!!"
"He's the accomplice of that thief lady!"
Realizing this, the three men immediately ducked behind Buggy, pointing at Kaito.
"Huh? You're the accomplice of that thief lady!!"
"You actually dared to walk right into my trap!!"
Buggy fired a glare at Kaito, saying.
Kaito's smile instantly turned into one of surprise, the kind you'd get upon meeting an idol. He really knew how to act.
"Buggy! Are you the legendary 'Thousand-Ryo Trickster' Buggy?!"
Upon hearing that name, Buggy panicked and immediately split his hand to cover Kaito's mouth.
His head flew over and dragged Kaito into a corner.
"Shhh!!!!"
"You little brat! How do you know my old title?!"
As an apprentice crew member of the Pirate King, he should have been honored, but with the Pirate King dead, Buggy was terrified his past identity would be exposed, possibly leading to him being hunted down by the navy.
"I heard Shanks mention it."
Kaito answered truthfully.
"Shanks! That bastard's still alive?!! What are you to him? A bastard son?"
Upon hearing Shanks's name, Buggy got even angrier.
Kaito shook his head, signaling that wasn't the case. He didn't want to be mistaken for someone's illegitimate child right off the bat.
"No, I met Mr. Shanks when I was a kid."
"He mentioned you, said you were incredible!"
"I was with my older sister when I heard her mention your name. I remembered it ever since."
"So, I came right over to join you."
"Look, I even brought the sea chart."
Buggy studied Kaito's face, as if suspicious, but then suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!!"
"Sharp eye, kid! Hahaha."
"Alright, since you're so sincere, I'll take you in."
Saying this, Buggy reached for the sea chart, but Kaito dodged.
"Hmm?"
"Brother Buggy, let me take care of the map for you."
"You see, it was stolen from where you left it."
"I've got some tricks, I can retrieve the map without anyone noticing. Just leave it to me, I'm right under your nose, aren't I?"
Kaito sweet-talked, slipping the map into his pocket.
"Hmm! You little rascal, not bad! Hahaha."
Buggy believed him—no surprise there—and then led Kaito out of the corner.
"Guys, let's welcome our new partner! Hahaha!"