Socializing Takes Leverage

After hearing Lin Nuo's proposal to solve their problem in exchange for helping build a ship, Kokoro did not agree right away.

Her azure eyes lowered slightly, revealing a perfectly timed look of difficulty.

"I appreciate your kindness, but..."

"Silver Axe is, after all, an officer of the Rocks Pirates. He has more than three hundred pirates under him, every one of them a skilled fighter who has fought their way through the Grand Line."

"And he has an accomplice named Babel. I hear he is also quite a powerful Fish-Man. Tom's Shipyard is just a business. We do not want this matter to drag us into even greater trouble..."

Her tone was sincere and her expression worried. Anyone who saw her would think she was an adorable secretary concerned for the workshop's safety.

But Lin Nuo did not see it that way.

Well, well...

She is testing my resolve and strength. By making the other side's threat sound more serious and raising the stakes, she can negotiate terms with me more easily.

No wonder she could become Tom's secretary and would later take charge of Shift Station.

This Fish-Man is shrewd.

But unfortunately... under the combined effects of Mantra and Listening to All Things, none of her thoughts could remain hidden.

Lin Nuo followed her lead.

"Then how about this—you take me to see Mr. Tom, and I'll have a proper talk with him. As for Silver Axe and his accomplice..."

He looked toward the groaning thugs still scattered across the distant waterway, his eyes indifferent.

"Don't worry. Since I dared to propose this deal, I am confident I can 'handle' them."

Kokoro raised her head and reassessed the white-haired young man before her.

*As expected of a major wanted criminal with a bounty over two billion... he really