Click
With a soft sound, Bahr lit a cigarette and exhaled a crooked smoke ring into the night air. The flickering ember danced in the breeze as he leaned against a tree trunk, squinting with amusement.
"A cigarette after the deed, happier than the gods," he mused, watching as most of his earlier foul mood dissipated with the smoke.
Nami's cheeks were still flushed as she glared at Bahr's contented expression. Huffing, she tugged at her miniskirt and stomped over to deliver a "fierce" kick. "You beast!"
Lazily, Bahr hooked an arm around Nami's waist and pulled her close. "What's wrong? Not satisfied?"
"Get lost!"
Nami pushed at Bahr's shoulders, though not with any real force. After straightening her skirt and tucking a strand of orange hair behind her ear, her tone grew urgent. "Who knows what those people on the island are up to? We need to hurry back and check on Luffy and the others."
"What's the rush?" Bahr flicked his cigarette ash, fingers idly tracing circles at Nami's waist. "That green-haired swordsman of yours already drew his blade. The whole bar's practically chopped to bits."
Ah, he missed the clingy little minx from earlier. Now that the treasure was gone, the affection had cooled too... How mercenary.
"Really?" Nami's eyes widened, and she smacked Bahr's chest impatiently. "Then let's go already!"
With a chuckle, Bahr stubbed out his cigarette and donned his Whirlpool Mask. In the next moment, a ripple of space distorted around them as he swept Nami into his arms, reappearing right outside the bar.
Inside, the curly-haired Igaram lay wounded on the ground, desperately clutching at Zoro and begging him to save Princess Vivi from Mr. 5 and Miss. Valentine's pursuit.
"Nami... and that weird guy? What are you two doing together?" Zoro stared at the suddenly appearing pair, surprise written across his face.
Nami forcefully shook off Bahr's grip, her cheeks tinged pink as she avoided eye contact. After quickly scanning their surroundings to confirm no immediate danger, she asked, "Zoro, what happened here?"
Zoro didn't press about their situation either, briefly explaining the events instead.
Igaram struggled to rise but collapsed back weakly, his voice strained with desperation. "Please, save the princess! If you can get her safely to Alabasta, you'll surely receive a magnificent reward!"
At the word "reward," Nami's eyes sparkled like twin stars. She leaned forward eagerly, rubbing her hands together. "Ten billion Berries! A kingdom's princess is worth that much, right?"
Bahr couldn't help but laugh at Nami's single-minded focus on treasure. This gold-obsessed nature was truly ingrained in her bones.
Since Igaram couldn't make such decisions, they agreed to rescue Vivi first and negotiate terms with her directly.
Bahr stifled a yawn. Between all the earlier sneaking around and his recent... exertions with Nami, he was genuinely tired. Just as he was contemplating a good night's sleep, he caught Nami's knowing smirk.
"You go rescue her," Nami said with exaggerated sweetness.
Bahr's eyelid twitched. "Why me? Isn't the green-haired guy next to you more suitable?"
Zoro: "..."
"Your ability is just so convenient~" Nami's eyes curved mischievously as she stepped closer, then abruptly changed her tone. "Hurry up. Don't forget you still owe me money."
The Little Cat Burglar's favors were never easy to claim.
But... it's just too tempting, I can't resist!
"Got it, got it."
Bahr shook his head helplessly and vanished with a "whoosh," leaving Zoro staring in bewilderment. "Nami, what's up with that guy?" he asked curiously.
Nami shrugged, sounding slightly guilty. "How should I know... As long as we get the bounty, who cares who he is!"
...
"Nose Fancy Cannon."
On the street, Mr. 5 picked his nose and flicked an unidentified object toward Vivi, who was seated on her duck mount. With a loud "boom," thick smoke instantly erupted.
"W-what in the world is happening?" Princess Vivi clutched the reins tightly, her voice trembling as she stared at the billowing smoke.
Just then, Bahr, wearing a mask, strolled over leisurely, his gaze sweeping over Mr. 5 and Miss. Valentine.
To be precise, he was sizing up Miss. Valentine—her short golden hair, a yellow baseball cap tilted on her head, exaggerated lemon slice earrings swaying, a yellow dress covered in lemon prints barely covering her thighs, paired with lace-up boots. The whole look exuded a spicy, bold vibe.
No wonder this minor character was so popular. With such eye-catching attire and stunning figure, it was hard not to remember her.
"Where did this brat come from?" Mr. 5 glanced sideways at Bahr, unconcerned as he went back to picking his nose. "Whatever, they're all enemies anyway. What a nuisance!"
"Haha~" Miss. Valentine's laugh was exaggerated and frivolous as she twirled her lemon-patterned parasol mockingly. "Yeah, what a nuisance."
"Disgusting." Bahr grimaced at Mr. 5's nose-picking hand. With a flick of his finger, a silver flash streaked through the air, and a bloody flower bloomed on Mr. 5's chest. He collapsed with a "thud."
Couldn't take down that tough guy, but this small fry was easy pickings.
"M-Mr. 5!"
Miss. Valentine's lemon parasol clattered to the ground as she staggered back, her high heels clacking chaotically on the cobblestones. She covered her mouth in shock.
He took out Mr. 5 with a casual flick—was he even human?
As the masked man approached, Miss. Valentine felt a chill run down her spine, as if Death himself had come for her. Remembering how he'd eyed her earlier, she hastily tugged down her dress straps, exposing her pale shoulders, her voice quivering. "D-don't kill me... I'll do anything..."
She folded just like that!
"Oho, quite the quick learner." Bahr stepped closer, eyeing the stylish beauty before pulling her into his arms. "Perfect timing—I could use a maid to warm my bed."
A freebie like this wasn't to be wasted. They were all assassins anyway—no need for gentlemanly manners.
"Tsk, nice texture." Bahr pinched Miss. Valentine's waist lightly, admiring how this "lemon tart" might lack substance but had plenty of assets.
Not that he needed substance. This little errand wasn't a waste after all!
"Don't worry about a thing," Miss. Valentine said with a sweet smile plastered across her face, though inwardly trembling from the pressure at her waist. As she tilted her head up, the lemon slice earrings swayed dizzyingly. "I'll make sure you find no faults."
She certainly didn't want to end up like Mr. 5!
Princess Vivi watched in stunned silence. The man who'd hitched a ride at Twin Capes had effortlessly taken down one of Baroque Works' elite agents and even subdued Miss. Valentine!
While still processing this, she noticed him turning toward her. Her body tensed immediately as she fumbled for the Peacock Plume hidden in her sleeve, her expression turning deadly serious.
She absolutely couldn't die here!
Bahr was pleased with Miss. Valentine's compliance. Looking up at the wary Vivi, he said, "No need to be afraid. Your guard captain asked me to come rescue you."
"Igaram?!" Vivi blinked in surprise but didn't lower her guard.
Without further explanation, Bahr kicked the prone Mr. 5. "If you're playing dead, I'll give you another stab to make it real. Get up already!"
He'd held back earlier—these weren't killing blows.
The Grand Line was too unpredictable to navigate alone. He needed crewmates, and these Baroque Works elites happened to be perfect candidates.
Now he'd gained a free errand-runner plus a "bed-warmer"—quite the complete package.
So Mr. 5 wasn't dead after all!
Miss. Valentine exhaled subtly as she watched Mr. 5 clutch his chest and struggle to rise. Sneaking a glance at the masked man beside her, she suddenly realized how dangerously unpredictable he was... but at least she'd temporarily preserved her life.