Her eyes darted nimbly. Too funny. He seemed to be after the other half of Blood Hammer Henry's wealth that Henry kept at his side. No way, I have to follow and see. Maybe I can snag an easy score.
If Lister hadn't used a hand chop to the back of her neck and had swung a blade instead, she might have died. Seizing the opening, Nami sprang to her feet, swiftly stuffed all the gold into a bag, and slipped out of the warehouse.
"Bamboo Pole, the captain wants to wash his face. Go draw a basin of water and take it to the captain's cabin," a burly man ordered a tall, skinny man.
"Fat Dog, just because it's the captain's errand, you get to boss me around?" Bamboo Pole replied, reluctant.
"Going or not?" Fat Dog raised his hand to strike.
Panic flashed across Bamboo Pole's face; he was clearly afraid of Fat Dog. Under threat, he muttered, "Don't hit me, I'm going."
"Hmph. Should've agreed from the start. What a waste of breath."
Hearing this exchange, Lister's eyes lit up. He had found a smooth way to get close to Blood Hammer Henry. He put on a blank, obedient look and wandered into the corridor where the two stood. Bamboo Pole saw him and brightened.
"Brother Bamboo Pole, Brother Fat Dog, do you need something?" Lister approached, restrained and deferential.
"Relax, I won't hit you," Bamboo Pole said. "The captain wants to wash his face. Go fetch a basin of water and bring it to him. Clear?"
"Clear," Lister nodded, obedient.
As a slave on this ship, anyone could order him around, and a moment's hesitation earned kicks and punches. He'd lived like that for a week since crossing over. Seeing Lister accept so readily, Bamboo Pole patted his shoulder. "Good. You listen. You're becoming a proper slave. If I'm in a good mood someday, I might put in a good word before the captain and get you promoted from slave to trainee pirate."
"Thank you, Brother Bamboo Pole," Lister answered with feigned delight.
Watching the two walk away, Lister smiled. "You think so highly of me? After I take down Blood Hammer Henry, I'll make sure you get a swift end too."
Knock, knock, knock.
"Coming," Lister called, then set the basin on a stand.
"Captain, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave," he said as he entered, noticing that Henry's gaze had been locked on him. He decided to retreat to advance.
"Wait," Henry called out.
"Captain, do you need something?"
"Your name?"
"Lister."
"Lister? I remember. The slave Fat Dog brought back ten days ago." The Hammer Pirates hadn't recruited lately; the only newcomer was the slave brought back ten days prior, Lister. Henry looked him over. "You're about twenty, yet your physique is weaker than a woman's."
"I see. I hadn't noticed before—you're rather delicate. In that case, stay and serve me tonight," Blood Hammer Henry said.
Lister was taken aback and disgusted. The thought of a burly man taking a fancy to his looks made his skin crawl.
"After you serve me, you'll be mine. From then on, no one in this crew will dare bully you. You'll rise swiftly, perhaps to a position second only to me. Any objections?" Blood Hammer Henry asked.
"But I don't like men," Lister said evenly.
So Henry had earned yet another reason to die. Daring to covet his looks meant courting death.
"You dare refuse me?" Henry's bulging round eyes glared.
If this had been right after he crossed over, Lister would have been cowed. But now he had seen bloodshed and even possessed a Devil Fruit. He had absolute confidence—and a heart set on killing Blood Hammer Henry.
He feigned fear, shuffling forward timidly. "I… I understand."
A streaking afterimage. Lister closed the distance in a flash.
Pfft.
The dagger pierced straight through Blood Hammer Henry's throat as if through paper.
Henry's round eyes widened in disbelief. He had never expected the seemingly timid Lister to dare assassinate him—and succeed.
"The humiliation I've endured these past days, I'll take back here. Goodbye, Blood Hammer Henry."