Bonney snapped out of her daze and frowned coldly.
"What the hell are you talking about? If you're after a big ransom, you might as well hand me over to the Marines. A living me is worth more than twenty million Beli."
She said it with defiance, but her body instinctively tensed up, trying to cover herself as much as possible. A hint of regret crept into her heart for dressing so lightly.
She had never cared before—no one could ever beat her. But now…
"It might sound strange," Ren said, his tone unreadable, "but we're actually registered with the Marines too.If we brought you in, they'd probably capture us first. Our bounties might not be as high as yours, but I guarantee they wouldn't pass up the chance."
Ren's eyes glinted oddly. Sure, it was a good idea in theory—but for them, that would be trading one kind of trouble for another.
Selling Bonney just to get the Marines' attention? That would be real trouble.
"...?"
A question mark might as well have popped over Bonney's head. You're pirates too?!
Then why had she never heard of them? No pirate flag, no reputation—nothing.
Her mind spun with confusion, but the situation was clear—she wasn't in control.
She gritted her teeth and said, "Fine. So what do you want, then? If that's not an option, just name your price."
"Simple. You'll work for me."
Ren tapped his chin, then decided there was no need to hide it.
"I know why you're sailing these seas. You want to meet one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—Bartholomew Kuma, the so-called Tyrant of the Sorbet Kingdom, don't you?"
"You—!"
Bonney's pupils contracted sharply, her expression instantly defensive.
Her heart pounded. How the hell does he know that?! Kuma's existence, her purpose—only her crew knew. No one else.
How could this man possibly know?!
"Don't bother denying it or lying," Ren said evenly. "For certain... unspeakable reasons, I know your connection with Kuma.
So no—I won't kill you and bring trouble on myself. In fact, for my own interests, I want to establish a good relationship with him.
But—"
Ren's tone remained calm as he flicked his fingers. The shattered fragments of his cursed blade floated in the air, aiming sharply at Dery and the others' throats.
"—you're the exception. They're not.
As the losers, their lives—and the treasure aboard your ship—belong to me by right.
So, will you accept the deal? Their lives in exchange for you working for me?"
"Captain Bonney!"
Dery's expression changed. He opened his mouth, but Zoro kicked him hard, slamming him into the deck. The flash of a blade pinned his tongue in place.
"Our captain didn't say you could speak."
Zoro's cold eyes glinted as he twisted the sword slightly, pressing down harder.
The rest of Bonney's crew stirred nervously—but Nami's Clima-Tact clacked together, its three sky-blue tubes gleaming threateningly.
Reality hit them like a slap.
A "deal"? That was just something spoken aloud. In truth, they were still prey under the hunter's blade.
"Fine! I agree!"
Bonney's teeth ground audibly. She shouted, "All of you, shut up! We lost—be glad you're still alive!"
"Excellent. A wise choice, Miss Bonney."
Ren nodded in satisfaction and flicked his fingers again. The floating shards of his blade sliced cleanly through the ropes binding her—then moved to cut the rest of her crew loose as well.
"What do you plan to do with us? There are sixty-eight of us here."
Bonney stood up and rubbed her bruised wrists, her eyes darting subtly, gauging the four opponents' formation.
Too careless, she thought. Does he really think a pirate would submit this easily?
"You'll be my worker," Ren said casually. "As for the others, they're not. I'll drop them off on the next island.
But I should warn you—if you try anything, the deal's off. I'm only extending this olive branch once. Don't make me regret it."
Bonney froze, then pouted and extended her hand. "Like this?"
"That'll do."
"How long am I supposed to work for you?"
"We'll have to settle the bill first."
Ren turned to Bonney's crew. "Each of them is worth ten million Beli. So you owe me six hundred seventy million.
No bargaining. If you insist, they'll pay with equal value—in body parts.
Your monthly salary will be one million Beli. Combat bonuses are extra."
"Wait—are you planning to make me your lifelong slave?!"
Bonney's eyes widened, and Dery and the others fumed. They weren't worth ten million each even if sold by the pound!
"Ten million for a crewmate's life isn't worth it?"
Ren tilted his head, and a fragment of his blade glided to Dery's throat. "Is he worth ten million?
If not... I'll have to forgo that amount."
A naked threat.
Bonney clenched her teeth but didn't dare call his bluff. If he was a pirate, she had to think like one—ruthless, cold, and practical. Only then could she protect her people.
"Enough of that sulky face."
Ren shook his head. His blade fragments spun together, reforming into the full cursed sword.He sheathed it calmly.
"I won't make you bear the whole debt alone," he said. "Remember what I told you—I want to meet Kuma for my own reasons.
If I push you too hard, that goal will slip away."
He stepped closer, extending his hand. "So here's my sincerity: within a year, I'll make sure you meet Bartholomew Kuma.
That's my promise. Just like I know exactly what your Devil Fruit does—and I still want to shake your hand."
He smiled faintly. "So—what's your answer, Bonney?"
"You're not afraid I'll turn you into a kid?"
Her eyes flickered in surprise. She hadn't expected the negotiation to take this turn.
Ren just smiled wordlessly.
Behind him, Zoro silently took a step forward, hand resting on his swords. Dery and the others tensed—Nami and Nojiko did too.
"Confident bastard," Bonney muttered. She reached out and grasped his hand.
Everyone held their breath—
—but nothing happened.
"Good," Ren said, releasing her hand. "Seems we've built a little trust."
Then he tilted his head curiously. "Since we're on that level now, can I ask you something?"
"What?"
"How old are you?"
"Now?"
Bonney glanced down at her chest, her face cold. "G."
"...?"
A question mark practically hovered over Ren's head. Nami and Nojiko's gazes stabbed him in the back like daggers, while Zoro frowned in silence.
"Ahem! Very... healthy development," Ren coughed awkwardly. "But that's not what I meant.
I'm asking your real age.
You look seventeen or eighteen, but judging by how you handled all this—I think you used your Devil Fruit to alter your appearance.
So... how old are you, really?"
"What, are you saying I'm easy to fool like a kid?!"
Bonney's eyes blazed. "Or are you saying you just tricked me?!"
"No, calm down—I'm just curious!"
Ren raised his hands helplessly. He really was curious. Bonney's Devil Fruit could manipulate age itself, even revert people into children.
Bonney eyed him suspiciously, then finally said coldly, "Nine."
"..."
Ren blinked.
Nine?
He looked her over—the skimpy outfit, the G-cup curves.
She's what, nine?!
"What?! You're nine years old?!"
Nami's eyes went wide in disbelief. Nojiko looked just as stunned.
"Well, considering Devil Fruit powers... maybe it's possible," Zoro muttered. "Or she's lying."
"She's not," Dery said firmly. "Captain Bonney really is nine. Her birthday was just a few months ago."
Using the opportunity, he stepped forward to shield Bonney, glaring at Ren.
"I don't know what you're planning, or if any of this is true.
But I'll tell you this—Captain Bonney eats a lot. If you can't afford to feed her, we're not giving her to you."
"Dery! This isn't your place to speak!"
Bonney yanked the much taller man down, her face twisting in fury.
Before Ren could respond, she snapped, "Shut up and go. That's an order from your captain!"
Dery gave a bitter smile and stayed silent.
"I can take care of myself," Bonney said firmly.
She meant it.
Though only nine, she'd seen far more of the world than most adults.She wasn't about to be tricked into trust so easily.
Did that black-haired man really just want to befriend Kuma? To exchange benefits—and nothing else? No hidden motives, no threats?
These thoughts swirled in her mind.
But even if she didn't trust him—what choice did she have? Even if she used her power to turn him into a child, rendering him helpless—could she really protect her crew afterward?
Two of his people had crushed her entire crew with ease.And the man himself—he wouldn't let her use her power without countermeasures.
That sudden burst of seawater earlier was proof enough.
Yes—she was utterly outmatched.
The Grand Line wasn't the South Blue she once knew.
The "old men" who looked like monsters—and this nameless black-haired man who defeated her in a few blows—they were on a whole different level.
(End of Chapter)