"Wait—Ken, you—"Dedi seemed to realize something, but before he could finish his sentence, Ren reached out and crushed his skull in one swift motion, leaving his threat forever swallowed by the greedy man's silence.
"Yes… just like that," Ken murmured to himself. The old master had been sitting too high above for too long; it was no wonder he couldn't read the situation.
But Ren—he was different. This man was unmistakably a powerhouse.
And the stronger someone was, the less likely they could be threatened.Especially one driven by greed.
"What exactly is your 'everything'?"Ren asked coolly, giving him no time to recover.
"My everything! This entire company! All the funds, the treasures—they can all belong to you! Please, let me serve you like a loyal dog!"Ken's tone was frantic, the desperation of a man eager to cling to power.
"You're not worthy."Ren spoke bluntly. What would he even do with an old man like this?
"Yes, yes, of course! I know I'm not, but I can help you achieve what you want!" Ken groveled, bowing deeper.
"Heh. Smart man."Ren's eyes glinted faintly. "What's here?"
"The vault! President Dedi—no, that bastard Dedi—he hid all the money here! Gold, silver, or Beli, it's all inside!" Ken bent his waist to a near-thirty-degree angle, smiling obsequiously.
"Is that so? But I'm not particularly interested. You should tell her instead."Ren's gaze shifted toward the doorway, where Nami and Nojiko stepped in after hearing the commotion stop.
The two women walked carefully along the blood-soaked floor.Nami took one look at the gruesome "painting" of carnage and said nothing, while Nojiko furrowed her brows, visibly forcing herself to adapt.
Ren watched them closely—especially Nojiko's reaction.When she didn't run away, he gave a small approving nod.
Usable.
"What's with this look? You're all shiny—like some kind of angel."Nami circled around Ren curiously, poking at his gleaming armor from time to time.
He'd gotten bigger.Her eyes drifted downward, but the light reflecting off the armor obscured everything.
Couldn't see a thing.
Nojiko stayed silent, her wary gaze locked on Ken.The protective big-sister instinct was on full display.
"It's just a Devil Fruit ability. He's the only survivor here—and a smart one, at that. What did you say your name was again?""Ken. I was the manager of the Shell Company," Ken replied with an oily grin. "And miss, you're absolutely stunning. You and this gentleman—what a perfect pair, truly made for each other."
His sense of smell was sharp—too sharp.
You can't even see my face, and you're calling us a perfect pair?Ren was speechless. Not worth arguing.
"Who's a pair with him?"Nami rolled her eyes, then said, "I thought you'd kill everyone. Why leave him alive?"
"Because you can't accomplish everything you want to do alone.""What? What do you mean by—""Exactly what I said."
Ren's tone was calm as he looked at Ken. "From now on, your job is to fulfill all her requests—whatever she wants. Even if she tells you to die. Of course, you can refuse… the unreasonable ones.But when that happens, I'll come for you. And you're a smart man—you know what that means."
"Yes, sir!"Ken's body trembled, sweat pouring down his back like rain.
"Ren, aren't you going to stay involved?" Nojiko finally asked.
"No. This is your affair."Ren turned to Nami, his voice steady. "Nami, Nojiko—whatever wishes you make as my crew, as your captain, it's natural that I'll help you achieve them.Because we're comrades. But that doesn't mean you should always rely on me or Zoro.
'Asking' doesn't mean I make all the decisions. After all, only you know what you truly want.
As for me—I've already achieved what I came for. Zoro probably has too. The next step is for you two—to decide what you'll pursue and how you'll get it."
He reached out and placed a large, glowing hand on Nami's head."Everything here belongs to you now. What you choose to gain, what you're willing to lose, and what you'll bring back in the end—Those choices are yours to make. And the hardships along the way are yours to overcome.
This is your test, Nami. I'm leaving the rest to you."
With that, Ren turned and left without hesitation.Even though a massive vault lay beneath his feet, his steps didn't falter in the slightest.
"Eh?"Nami blinked, clearly bewildered.
Just then, a voice called from the third floor of the villa."Ah, I get it now."
Zoro stepped out from the window into the corridor, shrugging as he joined them."That last line was for me."
"Zoro-san, what about the enemies outside?" Nojiko asked.
"All handled. None of them were much to look at," Zoro said with mild disappointment.
All handled?Hundreds of elite guards—those were Dedi's finest, handpicked from the Krieg Pirates' ranks!
Ken lowered his head, not daring to think anything at all. Any trace of delusion was strangled in its cradle.
"So what does Ren mean by this? Isn't he the greediest one among us?"Nami still couldn't figure it out and asked bluntly.
Nojiko glanced at Zoro, hesitant to speak.
But Zoro didn't hold back.He looked toward the direction Ren had gone, a faint smirk tugging at his lips."I think he's testing whether you've truly become part of the crew."
"We're already on the same ship," Nojiko interjected.
"I'm on the same ship too. But do you really think that makes me one of you?"Zoro sneered. "Do you two think just sharing a ship makes us comrades? That you're already walking the same path as him?"
"...!"Nami froze, lost in thought.Nojiko said nothing—because she knew it was true.
When the fantasy of adventure turns into reality—when the word danger becomes soaked in real blood—it's impossible not to ask:
Where is this ship headed?And for what purpose?
Maybe Nami would laugh and say, "For the One Piece."But Ren never even admitted to being a pirate.How could he possibly be sailing for that treasure?
"Ever since I met him, he's always had a clear purpose," Zoro said softly, as if reading Nojiko's mind. "From that deserted island to Cocoyasi, he's achieved almost everything he set out to do—and he keeps moving forward.
He's never said it out loud, but I know he has a goal. Only those walking the same path can hear his true thoughts.
Only those people become his true crewmates.What a troublesome guy."
"So… what is that goal?" Nojiko asked quietly.
"Who knows? I'm not his comrade."Zoro turned to leave, his distant voice echoing down the corridor."If you need anything, call me. Since Ren said so, I'll take care of whatever comes next."
(End of Chapter)