"Does that mean with this card, you can just write any amount you want?" Nami and Nojiko stared wide-eyed at Bell-mère, hanging on her every word.
Nami, only now properly studying the taller boy before her, decided he wasn't bad-looking. In the run-down Cocoyasi Village, the kids' looks and attire couldn't hold a candle to someone like Luffy.
"Technically, yes," Bell-mère replied. "But if you go overboard, the Navy would investigate. Our village's only real commodity is oranges, after all." She noted the card number, then handed it back to Luffy.
"As a former soldier, I know the significance and strength that Vice Admiral Garp represents," Bell-mère said earnestly. "He's a truly remarkable man."
"Thanks for respecting my grandpa, but don't go overboard on the hero worship. He's just a reckless, violent old guy," Luffy said, shrugging. "He keeps pushing me to join the Navy and uses his fists to persuade me! I had no choice but to sneak away with my sister. We'll need a place to stay for a bit. And feel free to add extra on the tab—I know you're a retired Navy officer looking after these two girls," he said, glancing at Nami and Nojiko.
These two were quite practical; their eyes lit up as soon as they realized he had money.
"Hi, I'm Uta! I'm a musician from Shanks' pirate crew!" Uta introduced herself energetically.
"Shanks… the Red-Haired Pirates?" Bell-mère's eyes widened, recalling recent newspaper articles. The Red-Haired Pirates had been making waves across the seas as rising stars, even earning the title of "Supernovas."
"That's right! I'm Shanks' daughter!" Uta beamed proudly.
Bell-mère eyed the lively young girl thoughtfully. "The hero's grandson and a pirate's daughter—isn't that an odd mix?"
"We're just innocent kids," Luffy replied with a grin.
"Fair enough. How old are you two?" Bell-mère asked.
"I'm eight," Luffy replied.
"Uta just turned ten!" Uta added.
"Nami is nine, and Nojiko is eleven—my two precious daughters," Bell-mère said, looking amused at the group of kids before her.
Luffy noted the curious age gap among the crew members. How was it that Nami ended up a year older than him?
"Guess that makes Luffy the youngest!" Uta cheered.
"A little brother, huh?" Nami and Nojiko looked him over with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Go show Luffy and Uta around the island," Bell-mère said with a smile. "And tonight, we're having a feast! Since we've got a big spender in the house, you must join us for dinner," she added, waving the Navy paper with the tab and winking at the kids.
Nojiko, realizing the implication, brightened. "We'll take great care of our little brother!"
It took Nami a moment to catch on. Why was Nojiko so happy to have a little brother? The family was dirt poor… but wait, wasn't Luffy loaded?
With that, the four children headed out.
"Let's all be friends!" Uta suggested.
"Sure thing—fifty beli," Nojiko replied, holding out her hand.
"Fifty beli," Nami echoed, her hand extended as well.
Uta blinked, confused. "Huh?"
"No problem," Luffy said, casually plucking another orange from a tree. "Money isn't really my concern. If this helps, then it's fine by me."
Was friendship something to be bought? Luffy found it amusing and didn't mind at all.
For Uta, however, it was her first experience with a friendship transaction. She looked at the two girls, then took out the large-denomination wallet, pulling out a 1,000-beli bill—the smallest amount she had.
"Please be my friends," she said, genuinely curious as she handed the money over.
Nami and Nojiko were stunned by her generosity.
"Nojiko, now we can buy new clothes!" Nami exclaimed excitedly.
"No way, we need to save it," Nojiko said, reluctantly tearing her gaze from the beli.
Nami pouted, already feeling the frustration rise within her.
"Why don't we go buy some stuff to decorate our ship?" Luffy suggested. "Take us to the nearest town."
According to the map, the village's neighbor was a town called Casha. This island was much larger than it appeared in the main storyline. Not only did it have Cocoyasi Village, but it also had Casha Town and even "Arlong Park."
As they walked, Uta turned to Nami and Nojiko, asking, "Are you happy?"
She found the sisters fascinating; they were asking for beli just to be her friends. What did it mean to buy friendship? Understanding happiness was part of her journey as an idol. After all, if she could truly understand it, perhaps she could create a beautiful new world for everyone.
Uta remembered Luffy's words: "The happiness Uta can offer is too shallow."
"I'm happy," Nojiko replied, giving the exuberant girl a curious look. She had a graceful, almost princess-like appearance that was impossible to dislike.
"I'm not!" Nami exclaimed. "I want new clothes. I don't want to keep wearing Nojiko's hand-me-downs. I know we're poor, but I don't want this…" She looked at Uta's outfit with envy, feeling the bitterness well up within her. Uta was like a princess, the very image of what she longed for.
"Why do we have to be so poor? Bell-mère barely eats anything, just a couple of oranges. How could this life be called happy?" she muttered, voicing her frustration.
Uta's eyes filled with curiosity. Why did Nojiko say she was happy, then? The two girls clearly had very different views of happiness. To them, it seemed, money was more vital than music. In a way, Beli was the key to happiness—something Uta's songs would have to overcome.
She thought, In the new world, there shouldn't be a need for money. Everyone should have equal access to all beautiful things.
As they walked toward Casha Town, the villagers, noticing Luffy with Nojiko and Nami, began to murmur among themselves, confirming their suspicions.
"Garp's grandson is visiting our village!"
The news spread quickly, and soon, the entire Coc
oyasi Village was buzzing with excitement. The word began to reach neighboring areas as well.
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