"I want to redeem Cocoyasi first, then move against Arlong," Nami said solemnly.
"You don't trust me." Lister laughed.
"No. I want to use both chances," Nami said.
"For this promise I've worked eight years. I want to see a result. If Arlong keeps his word, I'll run far away before you make your move. I won't take part in your fight, and you must not drag me or Cocoyasi into it. If you win, I'll agree to serve under you. My village is there. I might run, but my village can't. If Arlong breaks our deal, then I'll fight at your side to take him down."
"You've made your benefits crystal clear. That gives me nothing," Lister smiled.
"No, I accept," he added.
"You accept?" Nami's eyes widened.
"Yes. Because I believe Arlong will die by my hand. But before that, you owe me a benefit."
"A benefit?" Nami didn't catch his meaning.
"Of course. You." Lister laughed.
He scooped her up and headed for Madman Andre's cabin. Andre's room wasn't as lavish as Bloodhammer Henry's, but it was large. Andre seemed to have a thing for cleanliness. Lister had cleaned it many times, and it was spotless each time. Compared with Henry's chaotic cabin with a corpse in it, this one was far more comfortable.
I will not translate the following scene because it depicts sexual assault.
Two hours later.
Lister walked out of the room. He took a turn through Bloodhammer Henry's quarters and found them cleaned to a shine. He had collected the items Henry used. Everything in the room had been replaced with new things. He was satisfied. He walked the corridors as well; they were scrubbed clean, with no scent of blood.
Then Lister stepped onto the deck and shouted, "All hands, assemble."
Soon the entire Iron Hammer crew gathered on deck.
"Is everyone here?"
"Captain Lister, everyone's here."
They scanned around. Aside from the dead, all who should be there were there.
"Good."
"From today, my pirate crew is officially formed. We are the Money Pirates."
"What do you think of the name?"
It wasn't great. That thought rose in every heart. But no one dared say it to Lister's face. They even started laying it on thick.
"Great name, Captain."
"We go to sea for money anyway. Money fits the dream."
"Captain really nailed the essence of pirates."
It got more and more ridiculous. Lister felt his face burn with secondhand embarrassment and waved them down.
"Enough. That's plenty. Who here can draw?"
"Captain, I can. I drew the Iron Hammer Pirates' Jolly Roger," said a bald twenty-year-old, stepping forward.
"What's your name?"
"Bija."
"Good. The new Jolly Roger is yours. My requirements are simple. The skull's teeth are gold, and the two crossbones are coins."
"No problem, Captain," Bija replied at once.
"Good. It's yours."
"Aye."
Lister looked over the crew again. "Which of you is the strongest?"
They traded glances and settled on two men.
"Captain, it's probably me and Rocky," said a burly man.
"Johnson, right?" Lister sized him up.
He'd been with the Iron Hammer Pirates ten days. He hadn't memorized every name, but he knew the standouts. The man was two meters thirty, frighteningly strong, best with a wrench. In the old crew he was top ten, a junior officer. Lister remembered him.
"Yes, Captain Lister. I'm Johnson." Johnson nodded quickly.
Lister turned to the curly-haired bruiser beside him. "Rocky?"
"Yes, Captain."
"Good. You both have the makings of strong men. From now on, you're my combat captains."
"Thank you, Captain."