On the beach chair to her right, Robin, wearing a top that only covered her bust and a beach skirt on the bottom, picked up the juice on the small table and took a sip, agreeing:
"Yes, finding a place like this after passing through the misty Devil's Triangle Area is indeed nice."
Nami involuntarily recalled her encounters in that terrifying place, especially the sensation of being licked a few times by that perverted lion monster, which made her whole body shiver.
"Eek! Bad memories are coming back! Anyway, let's just enjoy ourselves away from that scary place!"
"It is our utmost honor to make your experience enjoyable."
A person resembling a waiter approached them from behind, giving a slight bow with a smile and said, "I am the manager of this ship named 'Hot Spring Island,' my name is Dorong, pleased to meet you."
He chuckled, saying, "On this Hot Spring Island, there are twelve warm water pools, three drift pools, and over fifty types of hot springs, including various waterfalls, milk baths, and cola baths."
"Additionally, for guests who wish to enjoy gaming, we have water entertainment and a water casino, where you can have endless fun here. As for dining, we collaborate with world-renowned restaurants, bringing in chefs to provide gourmet cuisine to surely ease the fatigue of those who have traveled long distances."
"Eh? So many things, I thought this was just a resort with peculiarities, like the rumored 'Round Rainbow' and 'Candy Rain' appearing."
Nami nodded: "For such a large place, isn't managing it tough, especially at sea where there are..."
"Pirates like you."
Manager Dorong laughed: "Absolutely no problem, whether it's pirates or the Revolutionary Army, or any dangerous elements from anywhere, as long as they come here to vacation, we will entertain them. This is why our yearly income exceeds ten billion Belly."
"Whether it's security or privacy, we are the best; this is a world government-approved resort, so no one will come to investigate."
"Hehe..."
Robin chuckled lightly, "World Government, huh? You should know us, right?"
"Of course."
Dorong showed no sign of fear, "However, I believe everyone on the sea needs a place to relax, no matter how dangerous they are; it's the same for them. Besides, I'm just a manager..."
A place generating revenue of ten billion Belly a year is certainly not his; it's owned by those real big figures.
Like...
The Six Great Emperors of the Underground World.
For civilians, the world government is intimidating; for lawbreakers, the underground world holds power.
Hot Spring Island can last here because it walks the line between both worlds.
He smiled, "As for those ignorant small pirates, the security here can handle them, so please rest assured and enjoy; as long as there is money, we are your safest and most suitable harbor."
"So how much are you willing to pay me to allow your continued existence here?"
"You must be joking; we do business, not giving money to others..."
Dorong said instinctively, suddenly realizing something was off.
This wasn't the voice of that 'Little Thief Cat' or 'Son of the Demon'; it's a man's voice.
He turned his head towards the direction of the voice, stunned for a moment, then his expression drastically changed.
Even when he saw the mastermind who destroyed the Enies Lobby, that Straw Hat kid, his expression remained unchanged. Now, it became shockingly grim, with sweat like beans falling from his forehead.
Hot Spring Island is a powerful entity under various protections; famous pirates know what it belongs to, so they won't act here, and unknown small pirates can't get past the security.
But there are always exceptions...
That is when you encounter someone who is not only famous but also lawless, making his reliance here worthless.
For instance, the white-haired man in front of him, wearing large swimming trunks, revealing a muscular body, with a Red Jade Necklace around his neck, and fingers and wrists full of gold and silver jewelry.
Calamity!
Norton Sage!
"Eh!"
Nami stood up from the beach chair, exclaiming, "The newspaper said you were caught, and even Luffy's grandfather personally confirmed he caught you, what's going on!"
"Sage..."
Robin was even more astonished.
The newspaper wouldn't be wrong; at that time, she felt sad seeing the news because she was saved from Enies Lobby, only for another person to end up in there.
O'hara's remnants, doesn't there really can only be one surviving at sea?
That was Impel Down, an 'absolute prison' from which escape was said impossible.
Yet now a living person standing in front of her suggests...
He broke out!
He escaped from the so-called absolute fortress of Impel Down!
"Yo, haven't seen you for a while."
Sage greeted the two, walked over to Dorong, and said, "So, how much exactly can you afford? I heard you make ten billion a year, that's why I came to rob you."
"Ca-calamity!"
Dorong stepped back a few paces in fear, "Why would you appear here, weren't you caught!"
"Getting caught doesn't mean you can't get out, what's the matter, is Impel Down owned by your family?"
Sage laughed, "Alright, after being shocked let's talk business; you're just an employee, can't make the decision, can you? Call your boss and ask, how much is this ship, like an island, worth to him."
"This is the industry of Mr. Du·Feld, Calamity, you can't rob here!" Dorong shouted.
"Hmm?"
Sage pondered for a moment and said, "Lucci."
Lucci, now in a casual shirt, stepped over and said, "The ruler of the financial domain in the underground world, 'King of Usury' Du·Feld."