Chapter 151: Gion and the Cat Burglar
This morning, a heavy rain swallowed the island where Cocoyasi Village sat, and it showed no sign of letting up.
It had not been raining early on, so Nami went to the bookstore as soon as it opened, hunting for a navigation book. Now she could not go home. The elderly shopkeeper smiled and waved her off.
Just stay here and wait out the rain. Look around as much as you want. No need to be so nervous.
Thank you, Grandma.
Nami thanked her quickly, guilt pricking at her chest.
Back when money was tight, she had even thought that if Bellemere stopped buying books for her, she would steal one…
The old shopkeeper was kind, and Nami felt even worse about it. She thanked her again, then sat a little deeper under the eaves by the entrance and opened her book.
If Roy had returned sooner, she would not have had to dig through shelves like this.
The books Roy gave her were nowhere near enough for someone as hungry for knowledge as Nami.
Oh? In weather like this, why are there still people outside?
The old shopkeeper stared through the curtain of rain in surprise. The sky was dim, and the downpour turned the street into a pale fog of water and mist.
Her eyesight was not what it used to be. She could only make out blurred figures moving in the rain.
"Hey, little girls, do not catch a cold. Come inside and take shelter."
She waved and called out.
Splash.
Rain hammered the ground. Mist rose in a thin veil.
A tall woman in a raincoat walked through the street with quick, steady steps, cutting through the downpour like it was nothing.
What puzzled the old woman was that no matter how she called, only that one person came over. The others split off in different directions.
Are they knocking on other doors?
Gion reached the bookstore entrance. She lifted her hood gently and stopped, refusing to step farther in.
She was careful, even thoughtful, making sure not a single raindrop fell on the books.
That alone earned the old shopkeeper's favor.
"Come in, come in. Sit for a while. Take off your raincoat. Reading while sheltered from the rain is the best."
"Thank you, but there is no need."
Gion shook her head slightly. Her eyes narrowed in a polite smile as she looked at the old woman.
"I wanted to ask, does anyone in your village know anything about a boy with fiery red hair, from decades ago?:
"What boy? What is his name? Do not rush, dear. Ask slowly."
The old woman brought two cups of hot water, handing one to Nami and the other to the female Marine.
She did not know who this visitor was, but between the pretty face, the Justice cloak under the raincoat, and the epaulets peeking out at the shoulder, she instinctively felt this young woman was a good person.
A gentle girl, like she had been when she was young, kind and lovely.
A gentle old lady had excellent taste.
"Thank you."
Gion smiled, removed her raincoat, and sat down.
"His name is Harold Roy. He has fiery red hair, and he was very, very handsome when he was young. He is incredibly strong. Even swords cannot pierce his body. He is not from the East Blue, but he has been here before, from what I have heard."
Gion slowly laid out the information she had gathered.
As for the part about being handsome, both Tsuru and Linlin had said it, and no one dared question that.
Still, Gion thought it was probably those two older women's imagination running wild.
But judging by Roy's childhood photos, as long as he did not grow up crooked, their guesses were likely accurate.
Annoyingly accurate.
"Brother Roy?"
"No, Grandpa Roy."
The little girl beside them spoke up suddenly.
Gion corrected it without thinking.
"I do not know, then."
Nami shook her head.
She only knew the young, handsome Roy. She did not know any Grandpa Roy.
Besides, plenty of people shared the same name. Nami did not take it seriously.
"My red haired brother might be a descendant of that old man" Nami said with a smile.
Maybe… heh…
Gion laughed awkwardly. What kind of logic was that?
But she was too embarrassed to refute it, because the information she had was mostly speculation anyway.
Wait.
Gion froze.
She had been led astray by that shameless gossip addict back at headquarters.
She hurriedly dug through the waterproof cloth bag and pulled out the document on Roy's relationships.
Name: Roy
Sister: Charlotte Linlin
...
Gion's mind snapped together a dozen thoughts at once.
The eternally youthful Linlin.
The strange rivalry between Linlin and Tsuru, enemies and friends tangled together.
Roy's brother?
Roy might stay young forever.
And in the next instant, Gion formed an absolutely absurd, completely incorrect conclusion.
If Harold Roy returned to the sea long ago, but Linlin and Tsuru are ultimately enemies, then out of jealousy Linlin imprisoned her brother and never let him see Tsuru…
Later, Roy finally found a chance and escaped Linlin's grasp…
Gion felt like she had uncovered the truth.
So that was why Tsuru had warned her to be careful of Linlin's people. Those two had started another war of words over Harold Roy.
I see!
Gion was delighted with herself.
She was so clever.
"Tell me about Roy. What does he look like? What can he do? Tell your big sister everything."
"You are right, all this money is yours now. Buy whatever books you want."
Gion pulled out a pouch from in front of her chest, opened it, and it was stuffed with Berries.
"Really?"
Nami stared at her with shining eyes.
"Really."
Gion smiled and placed a single bill into Nami's hand as a deposit.
Stars practically lit up in Nami's eyes.
She immediately started chattering, enthusiastically picking out the least important details about Roy and spilling them at top speed.
There was no helping it. Nami loved money too much.
With money, she could buy books and ease the burden on her family.
But…
She deliberately tossed out a bunch of useless details. Anything that did not matter, she said it. She wanted the money without betraying Roy, and she also wanted to muddy the waters for this older sister.
Anyway, plenty of people in the village had seen Roy. She would lie first, confuse the situation, and help Roy slip away.
Two birds with one stone.
You lied to me, you naughty little thing.
Gion chuckled and reached out to take back the remaining money.
"I will give you a chance to say it again."
Nami's face twisted in fury.
Why did everyone keep making her say things again?
"Little sister, do you know?"
Gion leaned forward, half joking, deliberately making up a story about Tsuru.
"There is a woman who is about to pass away. Before she goes, she wants to see the person most important to her one last time. His name is Harold Roy."
No choice. The more moved the child felt, the more likely she would speak honestly.
And Gion absolutely could not tell Tsuru what tricks she used when she returned, otherwise she would be in serious trouble.
Huh?
Nami was instantly hooked, eyes wide with interest.
"But could you tell me the specifics, big sister? I am really curious.
"....."
Gion went silent.
What a troublesome little brat.
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