Kirk stayed seated with his arms crossed. With an excellent poker face.
"Uh- Sir. Is there something wrong?" The man began to sweat as he began to do calculations on an analog calculator, the sound of metal clanking as he did. A Sheet of paper coming out the top.
"If you're curious on the actual calculations. Uh you can see it here. It be ashamed for this large amount to go to waste and you be given an unfair deal." He bowed his head slightly handing the slip of paper to Kirk
Kirks eyes had been closed. Only reopening to take a look at the slip "12 Billion for over 17 tons of gold? Are you trying to swindle us?"
"Wh-What? No, not at al-"
He was abruptly interrupted. "Then you would know that 12 Billion is light cash. I'd assume that Water 9 uses the standard conversion for Berry no? And not how one berry could be worth 100?"
There were certain islands around the world that accepted Berry. But at a high rate and buying power. Some having it at 1:20 or even 1:150. And often the other way around. Meaning you could be using way more Berry notes for cheap things. In some places, Leroys bounty would stay at 200 mil. While in other places they'd get paid out near triple or even 10 times that.
"No…We Use the standard 1:1. One Berry is One Berry."
"And last I checked, Gold was going for nearly 10,000 an Ounce? Meaning that even one of those bars is worth well over four million Berry."
"We- Yes but. The exact rate currently is 13,375 Berry an Ounce. With you typical bar going at 4.2…"
"Then wouldn't you say that all this on the Table would be worth at least 100 million?"
"Certainly! The purity and in a standard gold sizes. And some of these are stamped with very old seals meaning that they would go for even more. But I'm also taking into account things like Comission rate, and exchange-"
"I think you're trying to sell us short." Kirk said bluntly.
"Wow Kirk. I can't believe you were able to get that guy to buy all of our gold. He even had to dip into the reserves!" The man behind them flipped the sign from open to close.
He'd be spending the next few months getting back all of the notes that he'd just cashed out. But with all of that stock of gold now in his possession? Despite the sullen look on his face. It was a fantastic thing to do
"Almost 35 billion Berry. I can't believe it." Leroy said, flabbergasted. They had less crates now. Only 3 and a few suitcases.
"Shh."
The duo calmly rode away. Only to stop at the side of a Canal, where Kirk exploded
"Oh My God! 50 Billion Berry?! Fifty, Billion!" His eyes practically turned into Berry signs as he shook his captain, only to bring him into a tight abrupt hug. "Ahh!!!"
He squealed. It was more money than he knew what to do with! Either of them! But it was more than enough to use on any of their expenses and even buy an entire fleet in one go if they wished!
Noir continued to cruise down the Canal in the Shopping district. He'd just been driving his channel horses. Looking at all the shops and stores and what they had to offer. It was clear that Water 9 had certain districts for certain things. The more lavious and expensive things had many stores, from dresses to suits. Shoes and even an entire place dedicated to broches.
Then there was the less expensive option which he was going through. Alcohol vendors, and cellars, to stores that sold varieties of cheeses. He'd taken great time to hand pick the groceries for the Crew. The Last time he'd done this was at Arabasta after the debacle with Hornigold.
He loved shopping. He was much like Kirk in that regard. Just the trip, doing everything by hand. Looking over slight imperfections in fruit. Comparing quantities to their price. Thinking of the dishes he could make with them.
Especially in the Food district. Where there was so many vendors and stalls for all sorts of foods.
"Whats this one?" Noir Pointed to a small confectionary that sat fresh at a stall. A Small stove behind a rotund man with an apron with hearts across it. "These are Pastel De Nata. A Custard tart"
Sliding the bill across the table, the Man stopped "No need to pay. If you like 'em you can head to my store right over there where my Husband makes full sized Tarts! These are just samples."
"Oh why thank you then." He took a small bite from the corner of the tart. Testing the flakey outside first. "Mmm. Mhm. Has a hint of…Salt?"
"Yes. A few pinches of Mar Salt makes everything in water 9 have a unique taste to it."
"Yeah. Its got…A Taste that I can't really describe."
"I'll tell you then. Mar Salt is unique to Water 9's surrounding climate. We get currents from all over. And those minerals mis into deposits. And give it a unique, way more savory and umami flavor. An almost citrus flavor. Just similar enough to normal salt but with a kick you'll miss out!"
"Mar Salt huh…Where can I get some?"
The man shuffled a few more pastries onto the counter of his stall "Well, Mar Salt is usually collected off the coast and scraped from the houses. You'll want to go for the high shelf stuff. Its usually seasonal. And comes with the rain of the Area."
"And I can see that look on your face. Don't worry. All collected salt from rooves is refined and purified. Sifted and the like. So there's no "Roof" taste. Pahaha!"
Noir thanked the man. And left him a thousand Berry note. And went to by Top Shelf Mar Salt. Along with some typical Mar Salt. He wanted to try the difference to see if one was really more savory while the other had a bit of a harsher taste.