As a ninja, Sanosuke was acutely sensitive to danger.
The instant his kunai struck the man's lower back, Sanosuke felt as though death itself had seized him by the throat!
The kunai failed to pierce the man's body. Just as its sharp blade struck, the man had reacted in advance, tensing his muscles until they were as hard as iron!
It wasn't that he failed to notice me approaching... this man never considered me a threat in the first place! Sanosuke was stunned.
Norton kept eating. He did not even turn around, as though nothing had happened.
But Sanosuke dared not attack again. He could still sense the danger lingering around him.
Redbeard could not stand watching any longer. "Sanosuke, what are you doing?! Are you scared? If you don't have the guts to attack, why don't you just die?!"
Sanosuke was sweating all over under the pressure, but he had no strength left to answer Redbeard.
The invisible aura of danger around him kept growing stronger, until Sanosuke felt that even the slightest lapse would cost him his life.
That feeling kept Sanosuke from making any rash moves.
Just then, the pirates who had stormed into the cabins returned to the deck, escorting the nobles and their ladies at weapon point.
Meanwhile, the guards had also been defeated by the handful of fighters under Redbeard's command.
"Captain! We hit the jackpot!"
A tall, burly pirate dumped a burlap sack onto the deck. Its mouth fell open, spilling Beli, gold, and other valuables across the planks.
Even a rough estimate put their value at over ten million Beli!
"I caught a woman in the cabins. She's a thief. Good thing we moved fast, or she would've stolen all this treasure before we got to it!" the burly pirate said.
"What?!" Redbeard grew furious. "Where's that damned thief?"
"Right here, Captain!" Another pirate shoved a girl with short orange hair in front of Redbeard.
"Hi~" Nami gave him an awkward smile and waved.
Redbeard glared viciously at Nami. "So you're the one who dared to go after my treasure?"
The nobles exchanged looks. Those were clearly their belongings. Since when had they become Redbeard's?
"Please spare us, sir! We're willing to hand over all our Beli!" one noble pleaded.
"All right, then..." Redbeard was about to agree.
"You're making a mistake, Captain!" a skinny pirate immediately protested.
"Hmm? What do you have to say?" Redbeard looked at him.
"We hold these nobles' lives in our hands. Why should we listen to them?" the skinny pirate said.
Redbeard thought that made sense and nodded. "Then what do you suggest?"
The skinny pirate grinned viciously. "We make these nobles hand over the rest of their money, of course. Then we contact the Navy and make them pay a ransom."
"That way, we get paid twice! These people dress so well and eat so well. They must be worth a fortune, right? The Navy won't just leave them here!"
Redbeard slammed his fist into his palm. "That's right! Why didn't I think of that?!"
The nobles and their ladies went deathly pale. Shameless! These pirates were utterly shameless!
Not only did they have no intention of letting them go, they planned to squeeze every last bit of value out of them.
The skinny pirate chuckled. He had come up with such a good plan for the captain. Surely he deserved a reward?
"Captain, could you give me this woman?" the skinny pirate asked, pointing at Nami. "I'll make sure this filthy thief gets the punishment she deserves..."
Nami went pale and tried to struggle free, but the pirate behind her held her firmly in place. She could not move.
Redbeard smiled. "Of course..."
The skinny pirate's face lit up.
But a second later...
Bang!
A gunshot rang out, and the skinny pirate collapsed. Moments later, blood flowed from his corpse, staining the deck red.
Redbeard blew the smoke from his gun barrel and cast a cold glance at the corpse. "Good idea. I'll take it. But unfortunately, there's no room on my ship for anyone smarter than me!"
Silence fell. Nami stared, her mouth slightly open, utterly dumbfounded. What the hell was that?
The ladies screamed, and the nobles trembled. Even many of the pirates looked at Redbeard with fear in their eyes.
A few pirates, however, gazed at Redbeard with fervent admiration.
How ruthless! Look at him! Captain Redbeard was exactly what a pirate should be!
"Zehahahaha!"
Redbeard spread his arms and laughed, reveling in everyone's terror.
"Boys! Do what we just discussed! That was my idea! First, make these noble pigs hand over all their Beli! Then make the Navy come pay their ransom!"
"So noisy."
A man's voice abruptly interrupted Redbeard's wild laughter, drawing everyone's attention.
Having eaten and drunk his fill, Norton leisurely wiped his lips with a napkin and finally rose from the table.
He ignored Sanosuke, who stood a few steps away with sweat covering his tense face, and walked straight toward Redbeard.
Sanosuke did not dare stop him... his mind told him he could not let this man pass, but instinctive fear robbed him of control over his body, leaving him frozen in place.
"What are you doing, Sanosuke?! Stop him!" Redbeard roared.
Sanosuke gritted his teeth and suddenly shouted, "Captain! Run!"
"What?" Redbeard froze, then laughed in anger. Pointing at Norton's face, he said, "You're telling me to watch out for this pretty boy?"
Norton was in no hurry to attack. His gaze settled on Nami.
Although he had been eating, Norton had listened to everything happening nearby. A thief with short orange hair... could she be...
"Hey, woman. What's your name?"
"Me?" Nami pointed at herself.
Norton nodded.
"Why should I tell..." Nami looked reluctant. Being captured was irritating enough, and now this man was questioning her as though he owned the place. Did he think being handsome made him special?
"Tell me, and I'll save your life."
"My name's Nami! I'm a thief who only steals from pirates!" Nami instantly put on a flattering smile. "Boss, if you save me, I can work for you~"
Norton drew in a quiet breath. It really was Nami! Fate was on his side after all!
If there was anyone Norton wanted as his navigator, Nami was unquestionably his only choice.
Judging by the talent she had displayed in the original story, she alone could outperform an entire professional navigation team.
She was also the woman the legendary pirate Golden Lion had wanted most.
Norton wanted her too!
Seeing Norton stare fixedly at her, Nami grew uneasy. I was just playing along. This guy doesn't really think I'm going to work for him, does he?
Once I'm rescued, I'll find a way to escape right away, of course!
And if possible, I'll have to find a way to take the treasure with me too...