One Piece: Starting with Coercing and Enticing Nami

Seeing Nami's disbelieving look, Thoth had no choice but to reach into his pocket and take out the half-pack of hard candy that had already been soaked in water.

He took out a sticky candy from inside and put it in front of her mouth.

Nami's eyes twitched, but she stubbornly reached out and took it, stuffing it into her mouth. The sweet and slightly salty taste flooded her taste buds.

Now, with a dark expression, she stood up, kicked Toth in the shin, and held out her hand with a forced smile:

"You're wasting my time. Give me back the sword. Do you want me to sell it for money? Or do you want me to pry off the sapphire?"

Toth slapped her hand away and said irritably:

"This sword is mine. I don't want any of the treasures you stole this time. Just take care of my food, clothing, and shelter from now on."

Nami's expression changed instantly, revealing a smile that gradually grew brighter and brighter:

"Deal. No backing out allowed."

"Hehehe! This time I've made a fortune, at least ten million. If I could carry the rest, I would have made at least thirty million Berries."

Facing the cool sea breeze, Thoth glanced at the large treasure package in the cabin, and seeing Nami's excited expression, a slight smile curved his lips as he familiarized himself with the longsword in his hand.

After Nami's initial excitement subsided, she noticed Thoth's hesitation and looked at her again. Thoth, sensing her gaze, looked puzzled.

"Is there anything else?"

"Um," Nami bit her lip, "how about I give you 20% of this treasure?"

"Huh?" Thoth's eyes widened slightly. "You, a money-grubber, are actually willing to share the treasure you've already got your hands on with me?"

Nami's eyes twitched. The makeup on her face had been washed off, and her fair face was now flushed red.

Her chest heaved heavily. After several breaths, Nami pursed her lips and whispered:

“Since we’ve teamed up and agreed on the distribution of the spoils beforehand, we can’t just do whatever we want when it comes to sharing the profits.”

We agreed on a 50/50 split, but in my opinion, that sword only accounts for 30%.

I've seen too many gangs fight to the death because of unequal distribution of spoils.

I can't beat you, so if I gain too much of an advantage, I'm worried it might cause a rift between us.

These words were straightforward and reasonable. Thoth raised an eyebrow, looking at her, who was clear-headed and not blinded by the large sum of money.

"Moreover, since we've joined forces to share food, clothing, housing, and transportation, we can each contribute a share."

I think in a relationship, it's sometimes better to be clear about things. Too much ambiguity can easily damage the relationship.

Upon hearing this, Thoth chuckled softly:

“That’s good, that’s fine. We’ll go with your idea. But I’ll leave my money with you for now. You can make a bill and record it for me.”

"Huh?" Nami was surprised, then couldn't help but ask, "We've only met twice, and you trust me that much?"

“I think I’ve already said that,” Thoth said calmly, looking at her. “I live alone now.”

Now that I've decided to venture out into the open sea with you, I will give you my basic trust.

As for money, enough is enough for me. And in my view, a partner I can entrust my life to is far more valuable than any idle treasure.

Nami's mouth opened slightly upon hearing this, she blinked, then lowered her head and muttered to herself:

"A true partner? And a partner who's willing to let me manage the money."

Feelings of peace and unease arise simultaneously.

"Nami, you just said you can't beat me? I can see that you are very coordinated and agile, and have good potential."

Thoth suddenly said:

"So, would you like to learn some swordsmanship or hand-to-hand combat?"

She looked up abruptly, her eyes wide with surprise, but quickly, Nami shook her head with a troubled expression.

“I don’t have that much time or energy to waste. I need to raise enough Pele as soon as possible.”

Seeing the deep sense of depression emanating from her petite and slender body, Thoth leaned down and reached out to ruffle her orange hair as she sat on the deck hugging her legs.

Nami raised her head, raised her left arm to push away Thoth's hand, and looked at Thoth helplessly, but then her eyes froze slightly.

She saw Thoth's expression harden, and just as she was feeling somewhat bewildered, Thoth's calm voice came:

"Nami, I still don't understand why you need so much money. Even a treasure worth tens of millions of Berries can't make you relax at all."

I guess it's not because someone in your family has a serious illness and needs some exorbitant medical expenses, right?

So, there must be some person or thing threatening you, right?

Panic appeared in Nami's eyes.

Thoth's eyes flashed as he looked at the strange, dark blue tattoo that had been visible on the cuff of her upper arm after she had raised it. He suddenly reached out and pulled up the cuff... Nami reacted almost reflexively, but at that moment, Thoth also saw the complete tattoo pattern on her upper arm.

"You... you saw everything?"

Nami's voice trembled, then she glared fiercely at Thoth, "You bastard."

"The Arlong Pirates? Fish-man pirates from the Grand Line, a bunch of scum who split off from the infamous Sun Pirates."

Thoth said calmly, “They are said to be a group of extreme racists and extremely hostile to humans. They came to the East China Sea about four years ago.”

It also caused enormous chaos.

"So Nami, they've been threatening you all along!"

017. The Past!

"100,000 Berries for adults, 50,000 Berries for children... Considering today's surprise attack, we'll only kill those who can't afford it!! And this will be done every month from now on!"

With her secret discovered, there was no point in hiding it anymore, so Nami simply gave up and went all out.

"The sudden arrival of that group of fishmen and the issuance of such cruel orders completely shattered the peaceful life of our village."

“Our family is very poor. Apart from seasonal oranges and my adoptive mother’s occasional hunting, we have no other source of income. It is already very difficult for my adoptive mother to raise the two of us children on her own. All our savings are just over 100,000 Berries.”

"And those monsters from the Grand Line are beings that our entire village could not defeat even if we gave our lives."

“All ships capable of going to sea were destroyed when they arrived. The naval warships that came were easily sunk and destroyed. The only way to survive was to pay the exorbitant price to keep us alive. In order for us to live, our foster mother, Bellemere, was shot alive in front of us by our leader, Aaron.”

"Then they discovered my nautical surveying and mapping skills, they captured me, and finally, I made a deal with Aaron."

The only thing I can do alone is to buy our village for 100 million Berries, but at the same time, I will give them jobs and do surveying and mapping for them.

I joined them, becoming the most despicable lackey the villagers loathed.

Nami, her expression gloomy, looked at Thoth with a cold smile:

"Ah Long and his gang are not monsters you can defeat, and Ah Long's strength is even more formidable."

They won't allow me to cooperate with outsiders. If they find out, you'll have no chance of survival on this high seas.

I originally planned to quietly part ways with you on the next island, but since you've already found out, I'll just say it outright.

While there's still plenty of time, take your sword and your share of the treasure, and I'll release you on the nearest island. As for our partnership, let's just pretend it never happened!

From now on, we'll each go our own way. Neither of us should intrude into the other's life.

"Then, like a mule or horse, you continue your precarious life of stealing pirate treasures."

Until one day, when faced with an opponent beyond their power again, they die in some unknown, hidden corner, until they rot and become infested with maggots.

Thoth looked at her calmly and said.

Nami remained silent, then suddenly erupted, her eyes filled with despair, and grabbed Thoth's collar, shouting angrily:

"What does this have to do with you? I choose my own life, I decide whether I live or die. What right do you have to interfere with my destiny?!"

"Just like you said, whether I live or die is up to me."

Thoth's gaze was calm. "Let's make a deal!"

Nami stared coldly at Thoth.

Thoth continued, "I don't think Aaron and the others will let you go, even if you've saved up that hundred million Berries."

They saw your talent for surveying and drafting, so until you help them get what they want.

As the weaker party, you have no power to resist them.

And everything you care about is under their control; they have too many ways to force you to keep giving in.

I even suspect that even if you help them achieve what they want, it wouldn't be surprising if they ultimately chose to kill you in order to possess it all for themselves.

After all, they are your mother's killers. Letting a genius enemy go free—I think anyone would feel uneasy about that, right?

Or perhaps, I'll cut off your hands and feet, gouge out your eyes, and then set you free.

The cold words struck her heart.

Nami's eyes trembled, her face pale as she released Thoth's collar and slumped onto the boat. In the past, she simply didn't want to think about it too deeply, not that she couldn't think about it, but that she had no other choice.

I'm just deliberately keeping the fantasy alive.

It serves as a belief that sustains me.

But now, the man in front of her shattered her illusions with his cruel words, and a deep despair enveloped her.

Thoth just looked at her without a trace of pity in his eyes, because that was the cruel world he knew.

Nami is like that, and so am I, but fortunately, I now have the power to choose my future.

After a long while, Nami, her face pale, raised her head, her blank gaze gradually focusing on Thoth:

"What agreement?"

Looking at him, he seemed to be desperately grasping at a straw while drowning.

Thoth sighed, "I thought you'd be devastated by this!"

Nami pursed her lips, her eyes vacant for a moment, then she said as if lost in memories:

"Belmeyer said that as long as you struggle to live, many happy things will continue to happen!!"

As long as I'm alive, I will never give up. Only by living can there be more possibilities.

Looking at this kind-hearted girl who was struggling to survive like a weed, Tote smiled helplessly. There is no love without a reason in this world, but who told him to take a liking to her?

Do you have a dream?