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White Ghost sensed something with Observation Haki. The corner of his lips rose, and he lowered his head.
An unreadable look flashed through Betty's eyes. She put on an expression as if she were ready to be picked, her cheeks faintly flushed.
Just as things were about to move further, a little girl's voice came from the side.
"Sister Betty, what are you doing with that strange big brother?"
Betty froze.
That voice—
She turned her head and saw a four-year-old little girl standing there with wide eyes, staring curiously at the two of them.
Betty looked back at White Ghost.
The smug smile on his face clearly said, You started it.
Betty's face burned hotter.
Great.
She had only wanted to tease this handsome man a little. Maybe future trades could even become cheaper.
Now?
Heh.
She had failed to tease him and had been teased instead.
White Ghost touched Betty's burning cheek.
"Don't play with fire like that next time. I can't guarantee I'll hold back every time. Understand?"
After saying that, White Ghost released Betty and glanced at Bonney.
Hearing White Ghost's words, Betty's face turned even redder.
But when she saw him look at Bonney, she immediately remembered this man's rumored preferences.
With a flash, Betty blocked Bonney behind her and stared at White Ghost with an expression that clearly said: don't even think about targeting her.
White Ghost said nothing.
He merely glanced at this little girl who would dare charge into the Grand Line at the age of twelve for the sake of her adoptive father.
"I'm leaving. I'll contact Dragon again for the next trade. I'm not interested in little girls."
White Ghost waved and left.
Betty watched his departing back, disdain flashing in her eyes.
The entire sea knew he liked young girls. Just look at his ship.
Bonney tugged Betty's clothes.
"Sister Betty, who was that guy?"
Betty rubbed the curious little girl's head.
"Bonney, remember this. If you ever get the chance to see that man again, stay far away from him. As far as possible.
"He is an unforgivable rogue. If you see him, you must keep your distance."
Four-year-old Bonney nodded.
She was still too young to understand much, but the curiosity on her face only deepened.
Betty patted her own forehead.
"What even was that? He isn't exactly like the rumors say. They say he can't move when he sees a beautiful woman."
Betty looked down at herself.
"My figure is good enough. So why didn't that bastard take the bait? Looks like my honey trap failed."
Bonney looked up at Betty, who was muttering to herself.
"Sister Betty, where is my father? He hasn't come to see me in a long time."
As Bonney spoke, she lowered her head. Her eyes dimmed, like a child abandoned by her father.
Betty came back to herself. Looking at Bonney's lowered head, she picked her up in one motion.
"Be good, Bonney. Your father has important things to do. When he has time, he'll come see you very soon."
Bonney pouted.
"You've already said that many times, Sister Betty."
Betty lightly tapped the little girl's nose.
"You little brat. Already so clever at this age. Who knows how many people you'll charm when you grow up?"
Neither of them knew that, on a distant rooftop, a tall man wearing glasses and holding a Bible was silently watching them.
A faint smile appeared on Bartholomew Kuma's expressionless face.
It was a smile from the heart.
After Betty and Bonney left, Kuma put away that smile. He pressed a hand against his own body.
Whoosh.
He disappeared from the spot.
Betty seemed to sense something and turned to look, but saw nothing.
She frowned.
Just now, her Observation Haki seemed to sense someone standing there.
A familiar presence.
If it had been someone she knew, why hadn't they come meet her?
Betty didn't think about it further. She carried Bonney inside and took out a Den Den Mushi to make a call.
Bero bero bero.
The Den Den Mushi rang for a while before the other side picked up.
"Did the trade go smoothly, Betty?"
Betty set Bonney down and let her go play by herself, then spoke into the Den Den Mushi.
"It went smoothly. There are no problems with the weapons. The medical supplies are top quality too."
Dragon nodded on the other end, the snail perfectly mimicking his expression.
"I don't know that boy deeply, but when he says he will do something, he does it. He didn't do anything to you, did he?"
Hearing that, Belo Betty curled her lip, her expression somewhat unhappy.
"He didn't do anything to me. But I tried to do something to him, and failed."
On the other side of the Den Den Mushi, Dragon's mouth twitched.
Betty was open and carefree by nature. She often did things that left even their own Revolutionary Army people unable to get off the stage.
According to her, it was just her hobby.
Dragon was about to say something when Betty's gritted voice came through.
"That bastard made me lose face in front of Bonney. No matter what, I'm going to get that back!"
Dragon wanted to say, Forget it, you're not his match.
After thinking about it, he ultimately didn't say it.
Betty chatted with Dragon about what she had seen and heard, then hung up.
She tapped one finger against her alluring red lips.
Finally, she gave a cold snort.
"Stinking man. I'm the one who teases others. This time, I actually tripped."
At the end, a smile appeared on Betty's face, and her little tongue swept over her lips.
"Next time, just watch how I get my revenge."
White Ghost returned to the ship.
He didn't bother with Stella and the others continuing to shop. This place was already controlled by the Revolutionary Army, so it was very safe.
When White Ghost arrived at his personal spot, he saw Mihawk lying there alone.
White Ghost had just lain down when Kuma, wrapped in a black robe, appeared behind the two of them.
White Ghost kept his eyes closed, looking completely relaxed as he basked in the sun.
"What? Afraid I'd make a move on your daughter? You came to check because you were worried?"
Mihawk opened his eyes and glanced at him. Then, remembering Morgans's scandalous reports, he looked at Kuma behind them and curled his lips.
Bartholomew Kuma ignored White Ghost's words and sat cross-legged.
"The World Government asked me to ask you whether the elves have contacted you."
"The elves?"
Mihawk opened his eyes again and looked at the two of them.
White Ghost nodded.
"They contacted me. They wanted to send me a daughter. I didn't want her, so I refused."
Bartholomew Kuma nodded.
"The World Government asked me to tell you that there are some matters you should not touch. Those matters are beyond your grasp."
White Ghost didn't even open his eyes.
"I don't want to die yet. Tell those five old men I only want to live quietly.
"If no one bothers me, I can live peacefully until I die of old age.
"That is, as long as no one bothers me."
Bartholomew Kuma said nothing more.
He sat with White Ghost and Mihawk in silence for a while.
Just as he was about to rise and leave, White Ghost suddenly muttered to himself as if talking in his sleep.
"The one on the Empty Throne… just how long have you lived?
"And how strong are you, really?"
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇◇ Betty tried to tease White Ghost, but ended up being the one teased instead.◇ New chapters have already been updated on P@treon!◇ Read ahead now to see what White Ghost learns about the World Government, the elves, and the secret sitting above the Empty Throne.◇ Support the novel with Power Stones, comments, and reviews to help push it toward Rank 1 on Webnovel's Power Ranking!◇ Unlock early access chapters here: patreon.com/StrawHatStudios