"Nami, how far to the nearest island? I have to restock food as fast as possible," Lister asked, eyes turning to her.
As a genius navigator, no one was better than Nami at finding islands. Not even old hands like Johnson.
"The nearest island will take at least four or five days under sail," Nami said after a moment's thought.
"Good. From here on, the fleet is under your command," Lister said with a smile.
Nami fell silent for a beat, then asked, "When we make landfall, you're not going to burn and loot the island, are you?"
"I may be a pirate and not a man of high morals, but I won't do that. I'll pay in honest coin," Lister said solemnly.
Nami's face blossomed into a smile. She threw her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Lister, I knew you weren't that kind of person."
"Of course not. I may rob and plunder, but I pick my targets. Pointing a blade at common folk and squeezing them for grain is low and small-minded. The world's wealth is an eighty–twenty split—twenty percent of nobles and rich hold eighty percent of the money, and eighty percent of the people share the scraps. If we rob, we rob the rich. We rob nobles," Lister said, hugging her waist and kissing her back with a grin.
"In that case, leave the voyage to me," Nami said.
"Mm." Lister nodded and added with a smile, "Once we've restocked, it's time to cut down Arlong."
"Are you sure you can take him now?" Nami asked, a trace of worry in her voice.
"Naturally," Lister said, confident as ever.
Nami was quiet a moment, then smiled. "I believe you."
"Don't worry, Nami. I'll personally sever your nightmare," Lister said, rubbing her head.
She didn't answer, just leaned into his chest and listened to his strong heartbeat. Sometimes having something to lean on was all it took to feel at ease.
Time slipped by. Five more days passed.
For those five days Lister told all lookouts to keep sharp and report any ship at once. Not a single vessel crossed their path. He could only pin his hopes of resupply on the island ahead.
He dozed on a beach chair on deck, half asleep, when a clear, excited voice rang down from the mast.
"Captain, island ahead!"
Akame, serving as lookout, was shouting from aloft.
Lister woke at once. He glanced around and saw Nami at the prow with a telescope in hand. He walked over.
"Found an island?"
"Found one. Not a bustling commercial island, just a small one with a little habitation," Nami said.
"As long as it's an island, that's enough. No need to be picky," Lister said.
"I'm just afraid they won't have much grain. I may not be able to buy enough," Nami said.
"Don't borrow trouble," Lister said, ruffling her hair. He knew what she feared—that if the island couldn't meet the Money Pirates' needs, he'd break his own line and start robbing. He would prove with action what it meant to keep his word.
As they closed on the island, Lister repeated to all hands what was forbidden after they went ashore.
At the same time, on the island, a long-nosed figure ran in a panic, shouting, "Bad news, bad news! Pirates! Pirates!"
"Usopp, you liar, at it again. Get lost!" someone yelled, sweeping him away with a broom.
"This time it's true! There are really pirates!"
The long-nosed boy pleaded, voice hoarse and desperate. No one believed him. He'd told too many tall tales for too many years. Everyone had been fooled too often. Now, no matter what he said, no one would listen.
"Get out!"
"Keep it up and I'll really beat you!"
The man brandished his broom to scare him off and turned away. The others barely spared a glance before dispersing.
"Why won't you believe me? I'm telling the truth!" the boy cried, then gave a bitter laugh. "See? I've lied so much these years no one trusts me."
"But this time the pirates are real. Two whole big ships. More heads than I can count. What am I supposed to do?"
"Ah…"
"If no one believes me, I'll just have to look out for myself."
He started to run for it, then skidded to a stop. "Wait—Kaya. I have to warn Kaya!"
Muttering to himself, the long-nosed boy sprinted toward the biggest mansion at the center of Syrup Village.
"Kaya, bad news—pirates!"
He didn't reach the girl he longed to see. A man in a black suit with glasses and slicked-back hair blocked his way.
"Usopp, I guess tricking the villagers wasn't enough to satisfy your low tastes, and now you dare make a scene here," said the butler Klahadore, pushing his glasses up, eyes full of scorn.
"Klahadore, this time it's true. I saw with my own eyes—two pirate ships headed for our island. Get Kaya out, fast, or it'll be too late," Usopp said fervently.
"Klahadore" was just a mask. In truth he was a notorious East Blue pirate—Captain Kuro of a Hundred Plans. His bounty was even higher than Buggy's. A man of schemes and keen observation, he watched Usopp's expression and reactions. The boy didn't seem to be joking. Kuro's brows drew together.
"Two pirate ships, headed for the island?" Kuro asked.
"Yes," Usopp said, nodding hard.
"You'd better not be lying."
"If I'm lying, do what you want with me," Usopp said at once.
Hearing that only made Kuro more inclined to believe him. He cursed inwardly. What a wretched backwater—to have pirates call on it as well. What kind of pirates were these?
He turned and went into the mansion.