Sisters, Short on Cash? I've Got a Big Plan

"I don't have any money."

Although she didn't know why Nanamo was asking that, Amphitrite still gave her an answer.

For Lunarians, money wasn't even a necessity of life.

Money existed as the universal equivalent in commodity exchange, and using it required interacting with other people.

But Lunarians weren't suited to interacting with others. Most of the time, they stayed far away from crowds, and there were countless islands across the sea.

Lunarians were also naturally skilled with fire, so survival wasn't a problem. Even the clothes Amphitrite wore were made from animal hides and feathers she had gathered herself.

Sometimes, she also took supplies from bounty hunters, Pirates, Marines, or CP agents who were pursuing her.

Money was basically useless to her.

"Having no money is great... No, I mean, I've got a big business opportunity. Interested? I guarantee you can make a fortune without doing anything."

"I'm not very interested in money..."

"What?!"

Nanamo came to an abrupt stop, then moved in front of Amphitrite. She couldn't quite understand how someone could have absolutely no interest in money.

But on second thought, they had only just met, and Amphitrite didn't even know her name. That was normal.

Rather than believing someone truly had no interest in money, Nanamo found it more likely that Amphitrite simply didn't trust her enough.

"Forgot to introduce myself. I'm Nanamo, Dad's only daughter. Dad said you've joined us, so we're companions from now on—companions who can trust each other."

"Companions...?"

That word felt distant to Amphitrite. Ever since her fellow tribespeople had died, she hadn't heard it in a very long time.

"That's right, companions who'll never abandon each other. I'll take you to the infirmary to rest first. By the usual rules, we'll prepare a welcome party. I'll introduce you to everyone else then."

"Thank you, but... I'd like to ask about your mother."

"My mother? Oh, she and Dad haven't had anything to do with each other for a long time. You don't need to worry about that. I wouldn't mind even if you wanted to be my stepmother, but... how old are you this year?"

Nanamo didn't care much about that matter. To be honest, the way Charlotte Linlin often looked at her made Nanamo uncomfortable.

Although Charlotte Linlin treated her well, that sense of calculation was impossible to hide.

As for Amphitrite...

Although Nanamo felt Hermes was making a fuss, Hermes was actually very perceptive about people. Thinking of what had been said earlier, along with Amphitrite asking about her mother, Nanamo didn't find it strange.

Most importantly, upon hearing that, she had even heard Amphitrite let out a sigh of relief.

"I'm seventeen."

"I'm twelve this year, so you're only five years older than me. This year is absolutely impossible for you.

But whatever. I won't interfere with you. I only have one request: if you really do end up with Dad, we'll each call things our own way from then on."

"Thank you..."

Amphitrite had probably said thank you more times today than she had in the entirety of last year. As for why she had that idea...

Nereus saving her was only a small part of the reason. The impression he had left during their first meeting was fairly good, while the other reason had to do with her views on choosing a partner.

For a tribe whose numbers were dwindling by the day, bearing descendants was extremely important. As the number of her people declined, race was no longer a restriction.

What Amphitrite valued most in a partner was strength.

She wanted to find a partner strong enough that their descendants could inherit that person's strength as well as the Lunarian Tribe's innate gifts, reaching new heights.

If their strength didn't meet her standards, then no matter how outstanding they were in other respects, she wouldn't be interested. Looks and wealth were optional to Amphitrite.

And Nereus more than exceeded those standards.

"By the way, what was that money-making plan of yours?"

"Let me make one thing clear first: my dad hates those World Government bastards, so there's no way he'd ever side with them.

The plan is simple, too. I heard information about Lunarians is worth a hundred million Beli. Once we find a deserted island, we'll use your location to scam the World Government out of the bounty.

Then I'll ask Dad to wipe out everyone who comes to capture you.

We might be able to fleece the World Government for several hundred million Beli that way. As long as we control the frequency and don't get exposed, this could even become a long-term operation!"

Nanamo wasn't just talking nonsense. She had even calculated the feasibility of the plan. Lunarians weren't considered dangerous enough by the Celestial Dragons for the Five Elders or Imu to get involved, and even the Holy Knights were unlikely to make a move.

All these years, the Marines and agents had handled this matter. At most, CP0 would be deployed. As for a Marine Admiral...

With the Marines' current Admiral positions still unfilled, Admirals had no time for this kind of mission. Anyone they sent would be too weak to even serve as a speed bump.

If it was only CP9, Nanamo felt she could handle them herself. Anyone who hadn't mastered Armament Haki couldn't even break through her defenses.

There were only two real difficulties: persuading the people involved and the others to agree to the plan, and figuring out how to keep the World Government from discovering the truth so they could fleece it a few more times.

"That... sounds like a pretty good plan."

Amphitrite didn't care about the Beli. Normally, CP agents had fixed assignments, and a fixed group of agents was responsible for capturing Lunarians.

If they could really lure those people out, then she could take her revenge.

"But I'd rather kill them myself... I'm too weak right now..."

"That's easy. As long as you can endure hardship, once your body recovers, just have Dad teach you. As long as your foundation isn't too bad, it'll be fine."

Nereus was strong and knew many things, but only the officers aboard the ship were taught by Nereus himself. He didn't interfere with the combat training of ordinary fighters.

The reason was simple: he couldn't teach them. In Nereus's understanding, it was easy—do this, then do that, and it was done.

But for people who lacked the talent, listening to that was like listening to a heavenly scripture.

"Hardship is nothing. I've already had more than enough of it."

"Then let's put this plan on hold for now. If you can't personally kill your enemies, you probably won't feel right about it. You'd be left with regrets."

On the way to the infirmary, Nanamo and Amphitrite rapidly became more familiar with each other. Before long, however, the infirmary staff was close to breaking down.

The medical equipment aboard the Marine warship was well-equipped. Based on her symptoms and the examination results, the ship's doctor quickly identified Amphitrite's problem and prepared an antidote for the poison.

The problem was that the medicine did nothing to Amphitrite. After it was injected into her body, before it could even take effect, her body broke it down first.

That stirred the ship's doctor's competitive spirit, but before he could formulate an effective medicine, Amphitrite recovered using her own antibodies.

"You Lunarians... what medicine do you even use when you get sick?!"

"Um... drink some hot water... or sleep for a while."

"???"