Sengoku had managed to grasp something from that copy of Three Hundred Children's Songs, but only the surface layer.
Even so, it was a surprise he could not hide.
At their level, at their age, taking even a single step forward was difficult. Yet this book felt strangely different in his hands. It left him with a clear sense that if he could truly comprehend it, his strength would rise in a real way.
When that happened, heh, beating that Garp would be easy.
No matter how he looked at it, this trip to the East Blue had been a huge win. A fat profit. A blood-earned bargain.
This Jar had given him three items. Aside from the first, the four-star Dragon Ball, which did nothing for him, the second and third were both extremely useful.
Especially the second.
That one made him genuinely want to thank Amon properly. For a man, that kind of function mattered.
Sengoku made a decision on the spot. He would return to Marine Headquarters, but tonight he would not stay in his office working late. It had been too long since he went home to see his wife.
It was time to give her a surprise.
...
" Sengoku, you actually dared to kick me!"
After Sengoku finished feeling grateful, the man he had kicked aside finally came storming back.
Garp.
Sengoku glanced at him. "What, you still want to borrow beli from me?"
His tone was light, but it hit Garp right where it hurt.
"Tch. Forget it. I won't stoop to your level," Garp said, turning his head away.
The moment borrowing money came up, his bravado shrank. He still planned to borrow from Sengoku in a minute.
Because after seeing Sengoku pull something like that, he was itching to open a Jar again.
At their status, beli was just beli. What mattered was raising their strength.
Amon's Jars were expensive, but what came out was worth it.
These were things you could not buy even if you had money. Priceless items with no market. Now that he had run into them again, Garp did not want to let it go.
…
Garp turned to Amon.
"Amon, I want to open another Jar too. I'm an old customer, so how about a discount?"
"Hm? You want to open one too?" Amon paused, genuinely a little surprised.
He was selling them at this price and Garp still wanted in. No hesitation at all.
Amon did not answer right away. Instead, he spoke quietly to the system.
'System, if I sell another one to Garp now, does it count toward performance?'
If it counted, he could consider it. If it did not, then there was no real point. Too much beli felt the same as enough.
[Doesn't count.]
Then forget it.
Amon had been hoping to squeeze some performance out of it, but if the system would not recognize it, he had no reason to keep selling.
He cleared his throat and grinned.
"Heh. Garp, I'll be straight with you. These Jars only get sold once to the same person. Anything beyond that doesn't count, so even if you offer me any amount of beli, I'm not selling you another."
He was not short on money anyway. Refusing was easy.
"What?" Garp's eyes went wide. "You're not selling? Kid, how can you do this?"
His face twisted. He looked like steam was about to come out of his ears.
"Heh. That's your problem," Amon said.
He did not care. Garp begging someone else had nothing to do with him.
"Don't be like that." Garp leaned in hard, switching tactics. "I don't run into you often. We're old acquaintances, aren't we? Even if you won't do it for my sake, do it for the kids' sake. Luffy and Ace like you a lot. And Makino too…"
He lowered his voice, eyes gleaming.
"I think Makino really likes you. I can help set you two up. I've still got some face in Foosha Village. If I step in, she'll definitely agree. I'm telling you, she's a real beauty in the village."
Amon stared at him, expression flat.
Yeah right.
This old man was full of it.
Besides, he and Makino had already been together. There was nothing to set up.
Garp saw Amon was not biting the bait and gritted his teeth, ready to throw out a bigger offer.
"Then how about I pick a few pretty ones from Marine HQ for you to keep as…"
Before he could finish, Sengoku's face darkened. The glare alone almost burned a hole through him.
Garp instantly laughed it off.
"Heh heh, I'm joking. Joking!"
He cleared his throat and changed directions again.
"Alright, one more try. Let me open one more Jar. In exchange, if there's someone you don't like in the future, tell me. I'll help you deal with them once."
He raised a finger, serious now.
"Of course, only if it doesn't go against the justice and morals in my heart."
"Help me once?" Amon's eyes shifted.
That offer actually landed.
He did not need money, but trading one Jar for a chance to have Garp take action once was a good deal.
Garp was one of the very top monsters in this world. One time of him stepping in carried real weight.
And Amon lost nothing. These Jars came from the system. Even if it did not count toward performance, he was not paying a cost.
He let himself "think" for a moment, then nodded.
"Fine. I'll sell you one more, just this once."
Garp froze for a beat, then grabbed Amon and shook him excitedly.
"Amon, you're really selling me one more?"
"Heh, of course," Amon said. "But aside from you owing me that one favor, I want two hundred million beli."
Even if he did not lack it, nobody hated having more.
"What? A favor and I still have to pay?" Garp protested. "Kid, you're way too black-hearted. That's not how business works!"
Amon's smile did not move.
"If you don't like it, forget it. Selling or not makes no difference to me."
Garp choked.
"Fine, fine, I'll buy. I'll buy!"
He spun around immediately.
"Hey, Sengoku, lend me some beli first. I'll pay you back when we get home!"
He said it like it was the most natural thing in the world, already reaching out.