Nami didn't come out from behind Ryuen until Hobart's figure disappeared.
"Finally gone, I thought that loudmouth had found us. It scared me to death," Nami said, patting her chest in fear.
"Don't be scared, Nami. I'm here, and I'm very strong," Ryuen said, flexing his biceps proudly. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ ɴovᴇl(F)ɪre.ɴet
"I know, I just didn't react in time. Anyway, let's not talk about that. Boss, we want to buy some Transponder Snails!" Nami called to the man at the counter.
"Dear customers, we have surveillance Transponder Snails, video Transponder Snails, and regular communication Transponder Snails. Which kind do you need?" the boss asked eagerly, rubbing his hands.
"Um... Ryuen, which ones should we get?" Nami couldn't decide and let Ryuen choose.
"Boss, we'll take three communication Transponder Snails and two video Transponder Snails," Ryuen said after thinking for a moment.
One communication Transponder Snail for Bellemere, and one each for him and Nami, in case they got separated. One video Transponder Snail would stay at Bellemere's house, and the other they would carry with them.
"Thank you, dear customers. The video Transponder Snails are 300,000 berries each. The communication Transponder Snails come in two types: portable ones with a short range and larger ones like the video Transponder Snails for long-distance communication. The portable ones are 200,000 each, and the long-distance ones are 500,000 each. Which type do you need?" the boss asked, trying to hide his excitement.
"Then we'll take two video Transponder Snails, two portable communication Transponder Snails, and two long-distance communication Transponder Snails," Ryuen said calmly.
"Alright, thank you! Please wait a moment, I'll get them for you!" The boss was very happy; this was a big sale!
He wasn't worried that the young man in front of him couldn't afford it. After all, this was someone Captain Hobart had his eye on. Would someone capable be unable to pay?
Ryuen gave Nami a look, signaling her to take over. Nami understood immediately and waved Ryuen away, telling him to wait outside.
Ryuen obediently left the shop, not wanting to interfere with Nami's bargaining. Sure enough, as soon as he stepped out, he heard a heated argument inside.
A few minutes later, Nami came out with several packaged Transponder Snails, her face beaming with pride and happiness.
"Ryuen, it's done! I got 100,000 berries off each Transponder Snail. Am I amazing or what?" Nami said, looking up at Ryuen with an expectant smile.
"Of course, Nami! You're the most gentle, cute, lively, and smart kid in Cocoyasi Village!" Ryuen praised her without hesitation.
"Hehe~ Of course! Let's go, I need to draw a map next!" Nami said happily, reaching out to Ryuen.
Ryuen naturally took Nami's hand, and they headed towards the mountains of Loguetown.
Polestar Island wasn't small, and drawing a map of it would probably take until evening.
In the Transponder Snail shop, the boss looked at the 1.4 million berries in front of him with a mournful face. He had lost 300,000 berries on this deal!
Half an hour later, Ryuen and Nami were already moving through the forests of Polaris Island.
"Ryuen, measuring tools~"
"Ryuen, cut down that tree, it's blocking my view."
After an afternoon, Nami finally finished drawing the map of Polaris Island.
Drawing a map wasn't just about drawing an island; she also had to map the surrounding sea area, determine the climate of the area, and mark it on the map.
Finally, Nami had to calculate the approximate distance from Cocoyasi Village to Polestar Island based on her judgment.
That afternoon, Ryuen realized what a genius Nami was. She was the top navigator!
No wonder the Golden Lion wanted to take her after seeing her talent.
Even though the Golden Lion could fly, he would be lost in extreme weather during the Battle of Edd War.
After they finished storing Nami's map, it was already evening. This time, they decided not to use the Door-Door Fruit to go back.
"Ryuen, why are you so good to me?" Nami asked curiously as they walked on the mountain path.
Since coming to Cocoyasi Village with Ryuen, he had been especially good to her.
Although Ryuen was also good to Nojiko and the others, he was particularly kind to her. She might be young, but she wasn't stupid.
"Well, because you're very cute, Nami. I want to marry you when we grow up!" Ryuen said without hiding anything.
"What? Ryuen, I'm still so young, and you're already thinking about marrying me!" Nami crossed her arms and pretended to be scared by Ryuen.
"I mean when we grow up!" Ryuen said, lightly tapping Nami's head.
"Hmph~ I won't marry you when I grow up!" Little Nami turned her head away.
But she was secretly happy. Ryuen was so good-looking, marrying him wouldn't be a bad deal, right? Nami thought.
"Really? Then I'll marry someone else," Ryuen said softly.
"You dare! Hmph! This beautiful girl is tired, carry me back!" Nami said and jumped onto Ryuen's back.
Ryuen naturally held Nami to prevent her from falling.
Nami, who was not even 10 years old, was very light. Ryuen could even run a marathon with her on his back!
"Hold on tight, we're going back!"
"Okay, I'm holding on tight~"
Ryuen carried Nami, bathed in the sunset glow, and leisurely walked towards Loguetown.
Unknowingly, Nami fell asleep on Ryuen's back. Hearing the light snores from behind, Ryuen smiled slightly, feeling a bit proud.
When they returned to Loguetown, there weren't many people in the street-side restaurant, but the smell of food still wafted out.
Nami was awakened by the smell.
"Ryuen, I'm so hungry~" Nami rubbed her eyes, her voice still a bit sleepy.
Ryuen looked at the restaurant. It was the same one they had visited on their first day.
"Let's have dinner here."
"Okay~ Ryuen, you can put me down now~"
Ryuen let go of his hands, and little Nami slid down smoothly.
They held hands and happily walked into the restaurant.
The owner, Jehalon, was at the counter doing the accounts. Hearing someone come in, he was about to say they were closed for the day.
But when he saw it was Ryuen and Nami, he looked surprised.
These two kids were still here? Did Bart fail? Or was he already taken care of? Questions filled his mind.
"Boss, we want the same food as last time, two servings!" Nami said happily after sitting down.
"Alright~ coming right up!" Jehalon suppressed his doubts and quickly gave orders to the kitchen.
He felt something was off about these two kids.
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