One piece : A Lotus

When Genzo and Ezekiel approached the large mandarin field, they saw a girl with orange hair secretly picking mandarins in the distance.

"Mr. Genzo, do you have a thief in your village?" Ezekiel said with a smile, knowing that this was his target, Nami, who was only sixteen years old...

Genzo's eyes widened, blue veins appeared on his forehead, he took a deep breath, and then roared:

"Nami!!!"

They had received an enormous order of 100 million Berries per year! Genzo would really beat Nami to death at Bell-mère's grave!

Nami flinched, then stood up and cursed:

"Why are you yelling?! Tired of living?" She seemed to have no concept of respect for elders. But Genzo was truly like a father to her. Ezekiel knew that this was just their way of expressing their feelings...

Nami grimaced, but noticing that Genzo was not alone, she approached them. She had short orange hair, a delicate face, and cunning black eyes. From time to time, she glanced at Ezekiel , and soon her eyes seemed to take the shape of money symbols.

The stranger's clothing looked ordinary, but those fabrics were worth at least hundreds of thousands of Berries! A simple headband, but in reality, it was made of golden thread! The belt at his waist was encrusted with rare black gemstones! What was that modest little detail on the shoes? Is that a diamond?!

This outfit is worth millions of Berries!

Where did that damn old man Genzo find this noble young gentleman?

This is so unfair! If he has acquaintances like this, just let me add something... my progress in saving would certainly improve significantly, right?!

Nami obviously noticed more in Ezekiel's appearance than Genzo did, and her expression almost instantly softened. She then spoke in a sweet tone that sent shivers down Genzo's spine:

"Excuse me, who is this young gentleman?"

Ezekiel's smile froze on his face. He knew Nami's character and talents. But did he really not avoid her expert gaze, unerringly identifying incredible wealth, even though he was dressed so modestly?

Genzo's expression darkened, and he even slapped his own face with his palm.

At this moment, Nojiko heard the noise outside, came out of the house, and saw Nami talking with Genzo and a stranger.

"Nami, you're back?"

"Um... - Nami hugged her shoulders and immediately changed her expression. - By the way, I just picked some mandarins... to bring them to you." Genzo and Ezekiel exchanged glances, saw the understanding in each other's eyes, and smiled.

It looks like Genzo brought this young gentleman to discuss something. "Then please, come in and have a seat," said Nojiko.

Inside the house of Nami and Nojiko.

A few people sat down, and Genzo introduced them to each other.

"This is Nojiko and her sister Nami, please don't pay her any mind..." Genzo saw the greedy and almost infatuated eyes of Nami sitting next to Ezekiel and felt a bit helpless. He thought he mustn't let this little thief get a hold of Mr. Ezekiel's money.

"Nami, Nojiko, this is Mr. Ezekiel, a major businessman from the Grand Line of Alabasta. He came to Cocoyasi to buy our tangerines," Genzo looked at Nami in a particular way when he mentioned the purchase, and Nami raised her eyebrows. In Genzo's words, she heard too much information.

First of all, people who came from the Grand Line... that's already a rarity in the East Blue. Even pirates with high bounties don't dare to claim they come and go freely from the Grand Line. Someone from the Grand Line in East Blue, really?!

Secondly, he's a major businessman who wants to buy their tangerines. In Genzo's opinion, who can be called a major businessman, and are tangerines worth such a risk that they would make a major businessman travel back and forth between the Grand Line and East Blue?

This is truly suspicious. Sparks flicker in Nami's eyes. What is this guy's objective?

Genzo handed the contract to Nojiko, Ezekiel waited calmly.

Before Nojiko could start looking at the contract, Nami snatched it and scanned through it.

"The contract for acquisition by the Royal Family of the Kingdom of Alabasta."

"The amount is 100 million Berries... every year?"

"Any type of fruits, with a priority on tangerines..."

"The seal of the Bank of Alabasta and the signature of His Majesty the King."

"Alabasta can immediately pay 100 million Berries!"

While reading, Nami's expression changed dramatically.

"100 million Berries each year?!"

"No wonder Genzo was so serious and brought him here."

Nami looked at Ezekiel, her eyes gradually turning into hearts, then into money signs, and finally, she seemed about ready to cling to Ezekiel .

"Mr. Ezekiel ... our tangerines are wonderful! When will you pay the 100 million Berries?"

Nojiko and Genzo twisted their mouths. Nami, do you really not feel embarrassed asking Mr. Ezekiel such a direct question like that?! Does she honestly think he carries 100 million Berries with him? And honestly, there probably aren't currently 100 million sacks of tangerines in Cocoyasi. In the past, Cocoyasi barely managed to grow 100 million sacks of tangerines after a year of hard work, and now pirates are in charge here!

"100 million Berries," Ezekiel smiled slightly. "That's a big sum, and I didn't bring it with me. But there is the Syrup Family, major merchants of East Blue, who have an agreement with me. These funds can be accessed by Cocoyasi via this contract on Syrup Island. Meanwhile, their fleet is responsible for transporting goods, but I understand it's hard for you to simply believe this." Therefore, to demonstrate my sincerity... - as he said this, he produced an exquisite and magnificent large blue gemstone." - Alabasta is a country rich in gems and gold, but this gemstone wasn't mined in Alabasta. It is the Heart of the Ocean - a renowned pearl. Its value exceeds 100 million Berries. I will leave it as collateral. Once the Syrup Family transfers 100 million Berries to you, it will be redeemed", - before Ezekiel finished his sentence, the gemstone was already in Nami's hands.

"Sir, no problem!"

At the sight of this enormous gemstone, the eyes of all three lit up. They could see it wasn't a fake. It was definitely not a fake, and it's worth 100 million Berries.

But there are countless people like Nami here in Cocoyasi, and this concerns Genzo…

And will Nami return this gemstone after the village receives 100 million Berries?

The two of them looked at each other as if they shared the same thoughts, and at the same time, they understood what was in each other's hearts.

She can do it!

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