But another pirate—older than the rest—suddenly stepped forward in opposition.
"No! We can't run!"
"What crazy nonsense are you talking about?! Didn't you see even Hawk, with a bounty over forty million, get taken down?!"
"Yeah! Or are you hoping the boss gets killed by the Jellyfish Pirates so you can take his place as captain?!"
The moment those words were spoken, Baggins's face darkened.
His dangerous gaze locked onto the subordinate who had suggested they shouldn't flee.
The man panicked and waved his hands frantically.
"No, no! That's not what I meant, Boss Baggins! Think about it—if the Jellyfish Pirates' captain really wanted to kill us, he could've done it easily in the tavern yesterday, right? But he didn't. What does that mean?"
Baggins rubbed his chin, pretending to think.
"…Maybe… he forgot?"
"No, Boss Baggins! It means he acknowledged the bet with you!"
The subordinate became more confident as he spoke.
"He left us alive because of the wager! If we run now and he thinks we broke our promise, what happens? Pirates like that care deeply about honor and keeping their word!"
"Even if we want to leave, we should at least wait until they leave the island. A big crew like theirs won't stay in a tiny place like Jaya for long!"
Baggins stared toward the harbor.
There, Ardo was displaying Hawk like a trophy.
Then he glanced down at the 17 million bounty poster in his own pocket.
Sami's calm gaze from yesterday resurfaced in his mind.
His head buzzed.
"…Right… right. We can't run."
He muttered, unsure whether he was convincing his crew—or himself.
He suddenly straightened his back, trying to regain a captain's dignity.
"Actually… when I made that bet yesterday, I already predicted they'd attack other pirates to establish dominance!"
He looked around at his men.
Seeing their confused expressions, his brain spun rapidly and forced out a justification.
"We'll stay right here! Pirates like them value their word the most! A bet is a bet. As long as we don't leave Jaya and don't provoke them, they won't care about small fry like us!"
"But if we run—that's when it becomes dangerous. A pirate who breaks his word loses all credibility at sea!"
The more he spoke, the more convincing it sounded.
Eventually, he almost believed his own lie.
A smug smile appeared on his face.
"Hahaha… honestly, the moment I saw them, I thought of this plan!"
"Use the bet to hold them in place while they clear out the other troublesome pirates!"
"We'll just sit back and watch the tigers fight!"
His crew exchanged looks.
But remembering how Sami hadn't attacked yesterday, they slowly began to believe him.
"S-So that's it!"
"As expected of Boss Baggins! What foresight!"
"Of course the boss wouldn't really clash head-on with a 150-million pirate!"
Baggins laughed awkwardly.
Behind his back, however, his hand secretly wiped the sweat from his palm.
He looked toward the harbor.
Ardo had already tied Hawk up like a sack.
Meanwhile, members of the Jellyfish Pirates were hauling treasure from Hawk's ship—one chest after another—onto a flat cart.
Baggins swallowed.
In his heart, he silently prayed.
Captain Sami… please keep your promise…
Our wager still has a year left…
Please… don't come looking for me early…
Arrowfish – Captain's Cabin
Sea wind drifted through the porthole.
The chaos on deck had faded, replaced by orderly activity and quiet excitement.
All three teams had returned successfully.
Not only had they captured their targets, they had also gathered plenty of loot.
Isaac was currently overseeing the inventory.
Buru buru buru… Buru buru buru…
Click.
The Den Den Mushi opened its eyes.
Its face immediately twisted into a smug expression, its shell resembling a ridiculous pompadour hairstyle—Gillian's signature look.
"Ahh—!!!"
The snail spoke in Gillian's oily voice.
"Well if it isn't my dear walking fortune, Captain Sami! Even the morning sun shines brighter thanks to your call! So tell me—what surprise package have you prepared for me this time?"
"Three people. One worth 51 million, the other two around 40 million."
"Whoa—!!!"
The snail's eyes gleamed.
"Now that's what I call business! Captain Sami, working with you keeps my heart racing!"
"So—same place as usual, or shall we pick a new paradise for this transaction?"
"You choose the location. But first answer me something."
Sami leaned forward slightly.
"Where in the Grand Line can you find a continuous upward wind strong enough to lift a ship, or a regular vertical sea current?"
"Upward wind? Vertical current? Captain Sami… that's a rather unusual question. If I may ask—what exactly are you planning?"
"I'm going to Skypiea."
"..."
The Den Den Mushi fell silent for nearly thirty seconds.
"Captain Sami… Skypiea. Do you understand what kind of place that is?"
"It's not on any of the seven routes. It's not even recognized by standard navigation charts."
"It exists only in drunken ramblings and ancient legends."
"I know," Sami replied calmly. "That's why I need accurate information."
"I do have information. But Skypiea is extremely dangerous."
"The path I know—I can tell you. But I'm a businessman who values long-term partnerships."
"I'd hate to see such a valuable client like you disappear there."
Sami's expression didn't change.
"Name your price."
"Very well. If you insist."
"The information itself is priceless. So here's the deal."
"Of the three people you're bringing me this time—one is free."
"And if you really make it up there…"
"You bring me back some specialty goods."
"Specialty goods?" Sami frowned slightly. "You mean Skypiean slaves? I'm not interested in enslaving islanders."
"Hahaha! Of course not!"
Gillian laughed loudly.
"Skypieans without bounties are only worth about a hundred thousand anyway. That's small business."
"What I want… are Dials."
"Dials?"
"Yes. Unique objects found only on Sky Islands."
"Sound Dials that store voices."
"Wind Dials that store gusts."
"Flame Dials that release fire."
"And I've even heard rumors of Impact Dials that store shockwaves."
"These are rare treasures in the Grand Line!"
"To collectors, scientists, and weapon developers, they're worth more than gold."
"If you reach Skypiea, bring me as many as possible—especially rare types or large specimens."
"That's my condition."
"Sky Island Dials in exchange for Sky Island intelligence."
"And of course, I'll offer you excellent purchase prices."
It was a typical Gillian gamble.
He risked one piece of information to bet that Sami would survive and return with priceless goods.
If he won, the profit would be immeasurable.
If he lost, he still gained a slave for free.
"Deal," Sami said.
"We'll discuss details when I have the Dials."
"For now—where do we deliver the three prisoners?"
"Excellent! Where are you now?"
"Jaya."
"Jaya… the Log Pose there takes two days to charge."
"In that case—how about meeting near Long Ring Long Land?"
"Fine. Long Ring Island."
"Wonderful! I look forward to seeing you, Captain Sami!"
"Safe travels!"
The Den Den Mushi winked mischievously.
Then—
Click.
It returned to its sleeping state.
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