The night was dangerous and alluring, but those crushed by the weight of life often remained blind to its charm.
"Sigh..."
Nami let out a long, weary breath and plopped down at a random table in the tavern. She had only managed to scrape together 13 million Berries—nowhere near the 100 million she needed.
And lately, for some reason, the East Blue had been suspiciously peaceful. There weren't even any pirates around for her to steal from! She wondered if some big-shot Marine had shown up and scared them all away.
Great. With the market like this, how am I supposed to get that 100 million?
As Nami sank deeper into her frustration, she heard the girls at the next table whispering.
"Wow... he's so handsome. Like, dangerously handsome!"
"I swear he just looked over here. Oh my god—does he like me?!"
"In your dreams! He was totally looking at me!"
"You guys are pathetic. I've already lived an entire life with him in my head. We met, eloped, and grew old together until we were pulling each other's oxygen tubes at sunset. It was a rollercoaster. I'm in love."
"He's mine!"
"No, mine!"
Nami watched as they nearly came to blows, her interest piqued. Who are they talking about?
She followed their gaze, and the moment her eyes landed on Chrollo, her brain short-circuited. Two literal heart-shaped arrows shot out of her eyes.
"Whoa—what a total babe!!"
That face... that simple but obviously expensive outfit...
"He's... he's a masterpiece."
Nami's cheeks flushed, her heart racing. But a second later, she slumped back down. What good is a handsome guy? He can't save my village.
Wait...
Nami's eyes lit up again. Maybe... I could make an exception? I usually only rob pirates, but look at this guy.
She took another look at Chrollo. Between that watch and his accessories, he was clearly filthy rich. Losing a little cash wouldn't hurt him, but it would be a lifesaver for her.
Nami gritted her teeth. Consider it a forced donation to a good cause—and I'm doing you a favor by taking it!
Besides, with a face like that, she wouldn't mind putting in a little "extra effort" to distract him.
Cough! This is for Cocoyasi Village! It's... it's definitely not because he's hot!
She stood up, casting a look of pure disdain at the other girls who were too chicken to even say hello. She fixed her hair, straightened her outfit, and put on her best "innocent but alluring" face. With a glass of wine in hand, she swayed her hips and began her approach...
Chrollo watched the whole thing through the corner of his eye. As Nami glided toward him, a faint, imperceptible smile touched his lips.
---
"Good evening, sir," Nami said, sliding into the empty seat next to him.
"Good evening, beautiful lady. Is there something I can help you with?" Chrollo raised his head elegantly, a look of genuine "surprise" and admiration in his eyes.
Nami caught that look and smirked internally. I don't care how handsome you are. In the end, everyone falls for my charm.
"Sorry to bother you, but my friends and I had a little bet," Nami gestured toward the group of girls, who were currently staring at her with murderous envy. "They bet that a gentleman as sophisticated as you wouldn't mind buying a lady a drink."
"Heh, your friends seem very... spirited," Chrollo chuckled softly. "Waiter!"
He called over a server and ordered a bottle of their best red wine. After a few glasses, Nami's cheeks were flushed, and the air between them grew thick with flirtation.
"You're not from around here, are you? I haven't seen you around before," Nami said, leaning her chin on her hand, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass.
"Maybe I just didn't catch your eye until now," Chrollo replied smoothly.
"Giggle! You're quite the talker. A man like you stands out like a star in the night sky—everyone notices," Nami said, her gaze lingering on him with a dazed, "drunken" intensity.
"You're too kind. You're right, though—I'm in the maritime trade business. I just arrived."
"Oh, the sea!" Nami looked wistful. "I'm so jealous. I've always dreamed of setting sail."
"I want to see every corner of this world and draw a map that covers the entire globe—a chart like no one has ever seen before." As she spoke, Nami's eyes genuinely sparkled, as if they held the stars themselves.
"That is a magnificent dream," Chrollo said, watching her with a warm smile.
Suddenly, Nami's expression turned somber. "But... it's just a dream, after all."
"Why do you say that?"
"Just... a bunch of messy reasons." Nami looked dejected. She could hardly say: Because of a fishman tyrant, a great navigator has to be a petty thief.
"But," Chrollo said, his voice dropping an octave as he spoke slowly, "nothing should stand in the way of a dream, right?"
"Don't you want to know... where the end of the world is?"
"Don't you want to know... what miracles are hidden beneath the vast ocean?"
"Don't you want to know... how it feels the moment your dream finally comes true?"
He looked into her eyes with total sincerity. "Listen—everyone gets their turn to take the stage. Don't be in a hurry. Just wait patiently. Your moment... it's coming."
He spread his arms, his voice sounding almost hypnotic. "Because a man's dream... never truly ends!"
Nami listened intently. As Chrollo spoke, a light seemed to reignite in her eyes. She bit her lip and then burst out laughing.
"Haha... Hahahaha!" She laughed so hard she nearly cried.
"What's so funny?"
"I just... I didn't expect you to be so inspiring," Nami said, stretching like a cat. She leaned her entire upper body onto the bar, looking at Chrollo with "adoring" eyes. "You must have been to so many places."
"I have. Maritime trade requires moving between many different islands," Chrollo nodded.
"Well then... why don't we find somewhere a bit more... private? You can tell me all about it," Nami whispered, her tone dripping with suggestion.
"It would be my absolute honor."
Chrollo paid the tab and walked ahead, a meaningful smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Nami picked up the half-finished bottle of wine, discreetly tucking a small paper packet of white powder into her pocket.
The two walked together toward a nearby inn, both of them harboring their own secret agendas.
Chrollo had spotted her little trick a mile away. He found it hilarious. I'm the king of thieves from the Hunter world. You think a "Cat Burglar" can play me?
When it came to manipulation, he wasn't just a pro. He was the Mentor of Mentors.
---