It was a cool, breezy morning with warm sunshine.
The Going Merry sailed quietly across the sea, its waves gently rolling.
Creak.
After breakfast, Chopper stepped out of the second-floor dining room on his short little legs and happened to spot a News Coo landing on the balcony railing.
"Good morning!"
Chopper greeted it enthusiastically, then took two 50-Belly coins from his hat and dropped them into the coin box hanging from its chest.
"Could I have a copy of today's paper, please?"
The News Coo pulled out a newspaper and tossed it to him, then let out a surprised cry.
"Caw—?!"
"I'm a reindeer, not a raccoon dog! Reindeer can read newspapers too, you idiot!" Chopper flew into a rage.
The News Coo jolted in fright and flapped into the sky, leaving a few feathers behind.
"Hmph!" Chopper picked up the paper, calmed himself down, and headed for the aft deck.
Beneath a sunshade, a small table stood between two deck chairs, with a glass of juice on each. On this rare sunny day, Lina and Nami were lounging in the sun.
"Nami!"
Chopper bounded over to Nami and proudly handed her the newspaper. "I bought today's paper for you."
"Oh! Thanks, Chopper."
Nami ruffled his head and took the paper, then pulled three coins from her cleavage. "Here, 150 Belly for you."
"Thanks, Nami!" Chopper blushed, his eyes sparkling.
That sort of thing was unheard of under normal circumstances. It seemed Nami had become just a tiny, tiny, tiny bit more generous after suddenly getting rich.
It wasn't easy for Chopper to earn a little pocket money.
Nami unfolded the paper and settled back into her deck chair, shifting into a more comfortable position.
The first picture on the front page showed more than a dozen figures. Nami's