"What did you just say?! You want 30,000 Berry for this ragged piece of clothing? Why don't you just go rob someone instead!"
"Honored customer, this is the finest garment in our entire store! Can't you see how perfectly it complements your unique aura?"
"It enhances your natural charm and makes you even more captivating."
"Really? I'll take it for 10,000 Berry and buy a few more while I'm at it."
"Hey now, we're just a small business! No one haggles like that! I'd be selling at a loss! Hey—hey—wait! Don't go! Fine, fine, it's yours, I'll give it to you!"
"I'm seriously selling at a loss here… but let's call it a gesture of friendship! You better come back next time!"
Karina and Joanne walked cheerfully out of the clothing store. The floating bubbles trailing behind them had gone from two to three—each one now brimming with shopping bags.
Their plan was to take these items back to the ship first and free their hands for the next shopping spree. Even with the help of the floating bubbles, at this rate, they'd soon be overloaded.
This wasn't Flying Bird Island. This was Sabaody Archipelago, a paradise for criminals. Staying away from the lawless zones didn't guarantee your safety.
In a place like this, even asking for directions could get you pickpocketed without knowing it. Karina had no interest in sorting out who was good and who wasn't—too much of a hassle.
…
…
"Joanne, stay close. This isn't a safe place. If someone abducts you, no one's coming to the rescue," Karina warned sternly. Even though Joanne was only a year younger than her, Karina couldn't help but worry.
"Mmhm! But Captain said if we're ever in danger, he'll come save us!"
Joanne, who'd never been to Sabaody before, was already having the time of her life. Her days used to consist only of cooking and eating, rinse and repeat. Now that she had a chance to have fun, she wasn't letting it go to waste.
"Fine, fine. You win. Let's take the stuff back to the ship. These bubbles are almost bursting." Karina sighed, remembering Joanne had her own unique abilities and still chose to do things the hard way.
The two of them rode a bubble-bike down the street, enjoying the view and soaking in the unique sights of the area.
Suddenly—
A dark figure darted out from the side and collapsed right in front of them. Caught off guard, Karina hit the brakes and stopped right beside him. Joanne, less quick to react, nearly crashed.
Thud!
"Owww! My poor bones! Who just ran into me?! Are you blind? Don't you have any respect for your elders?!"
"Oh, the pain! My back! My elbow!"
The man lay on the ground, clutching his legs and back, wailing dramatically as if he'd been hit by a carriage.
"Mister, didn't you say it was your elbow? Why are you holding your leg?" Joanne asked innocently, unaware of the ruse. At least she sounded concerned.
The man glanced up, eyes unnaturally bright—not what you'd expect from an old man.
"This isn't just about elbows and knees, young lady. You hit me! You have to pay up!"
"There's lost wages, medical expenses, long-term rehabilitation, psychological damage—everything has a price!"
"Everyone, come look! These two girls hit someone and tried to run! Somebody call the Marines! Don't let them get away!"
Panicking that they'd flee, the man suddenly sprang up and wrapped his arms around their bubble-bike wheels, refusing to let go.
Right on cue, a group of thugs appeared and began shouting.
"Kids these days have no conscience! Hit an old man and try to run—disgraceful! No morals at all!"
"That's right! If this one were born in my family…"
**"What? What would you do?" another thug asked.
The man looked Karina and Joanne up and down, gulped, and said, "If she were part of my family and behaved like that—I'd beat her so hard she couldn't get out of bed for three days!"
The bustling shopping street quickly gathered a crowd. The bystanders just watched coldly, no one offering help. Some pirates even cheered the scammers on.
With years of experience in shady dealings—she'd stolen from treasure hunters as a kid—Karina instantly knew what was going on. The scam was laughably basic, like something cooked up by amateurs.
"Sir, why don't you get up first? Let's talk about the compensation properly," Karina suddenly smiled sweetly, her face shifting into a different persona.
She casually parked the bubble-bike and looked like she was helping him up.
The scammer, dazzled by her sudden change, let his guard down. Karina leaned in and—
Rip!
"Ow! That hurts!"
Karina had yanked off his fake beard in one swift motion. Without it, he looked nothing like an old man—just a young con artist.
"Tch. With that level of acting, you think you can scam me? You must be tired of living." Karina blew the fake beard off her hand and smirked.
The scammer clutched his chin, teary-eyed. But with the con exposed, he doubled down, straightening his back.
"So what if I was faking it?! You still hit me! You're paying, one way or another!"
The rest of the thugs started to encircle them, cracking their knuckles and grinning lecherously.
The crowd didn't lift a finger. Some even stepped back. A few pirates whistled and jeered.
"Hehe, come on now, girls. We were just gonna scam a little money, but now that you've ruined the fun…"
One of the thugs reached out, trying to lift Karina's chin—only for her to smack his hand away.
Joanne stood by Karina's side, a little scared but holding her ground. She glanced at Karina and refused to hide behind her.
"Oh? A feisty one, huh? I love that. The more fire you've got, the more I like it."
Karina shot a glance downward—then raised her leg and kicked.
Crack!
All the men watching instinctively squeezed their legs together. From the sound alone, something definitely shattered. The women in the crowd looked very satisfied.
Without missing a beat, Karina grabbed Joanne's hand.
"Run!"
The thug doubled over, sweating profusely and clutching his crotch.
"Catch those bitches! I'll make sure they regret ever being born!"
But it didn't take long for the two to be surrounded again. They weren't a match for that many male pirates. As the thugs closed in, Joanne discreetly pulled a Den Den Mushi (transponder snail) from her pouch and began dialing.
"Who the hell do you punks think you are? Robbing people in broad daylight?!"
Boom! A loud thud echoed. One of the thugs went flying and slammed into a wall.
A young man stepped into view. With just a few punches and kicks, he sent the entire gang packing. His long black hair fluttered as he turned dramatically.
"Ladies, are you alright?"