[Trident – Loyalty – Riptide – Channeling]
[Origin: Minecraft]
[Type: Rule Weapon]
[Effect:]A square-edged trident possessing the Piercing and Sharpness attributes, usable for thrusting or throwing.
Enchantment: Loyalty – the trident returns to its wielder after being thrown.
Enchantment: Riptide – during rain, holding up the trident activates the current, granting low-altitude flight.
Enchantment: Channeling – during storms, there's a high chance lightning will strike along with the attack; however, lightning discriminates against no one. In thunderstorms, the trident will attract lightning 100% of the time—and sometimes multiple bolts at once.
[Cost:] Durability.
[Note:]I am the God of Thunder!
"Not bad," Ren murmured as he finished the latest draw from the roulette and stepped out of his room.
A rich aroma filled the air outside.
Ever since Nojiko had come aboard, there was an immediately visible improvement—the food was actually good now.
Sure, they still needed to buy ingredients and the dishes were simple home-cooked fare, but it was miles better than eating instant noodles every day.
And the best part—Nojiko voluntarily cooked. Unlike Nami, who would make passable food and then charge an outrageous "chef's fee."
Ten thousand Beli per meal!
For something that took barely ten minutes—daylight robbery!
The dishes spread across the table were humble but hearty: stewed fish, stir-fried meat, and the like.The aroma was mouthwatering, but even more eye-catching was Nami herself, now dressed in a blue-and-white mini skirt paired with an orange short-sleeved shirt.
Her fair skin and bright outfit drew the eye like a magnet.
Fine, no need to pretend—Ren was openly staring, "appreciating the art."
"If you keep staring, you're going to go blind," Nami said sharply, her big brown eyes glaring as she sat beside Nojiko.
Ten days together had been enough for her to more or less understand what kind of person Ren was.Sure, he was a bit of a pervert, always coming up with weird inventions that made anyone blush at a glance—but he wasn't actually indecent.
In fact, he'd never crossed any real lines.
She even moved out of her sister's cabin and into her own room now.
That room had originally been Zoro's, but after Nami pulled some "captain's orders by proxy" bluffing, Zoro quietly relocated to the storage room.
Ren had no idea until he tried to get something from there one day, only to come face-to-face with Zoro in a silent staring contest.
After a few awkward seconds, Zoro simply said that comfort didn't matter where he slept—and Ren dropped it.
"I'm just observing a piece of art," Ren replied casually, unbothered.
Just as Nami had gotten more relaxed around him—wearing brighter, more feminine outfits—he'd also gotten to know her beyond his "original story" impression.
Maybe because of that initial bet between them, Nami had once been fearful, wary, even resentful of him.
But after the Arlong incident, those feelings had shifted into something else—dependence, maybe even trust.Almost all her earlier negativity toward him had vanished.
Now she was just a bit unhappy about having "become someone else's," so she'd argue with him or snap back occasionally.
Physically fighting, though? Not a chance.
She was like a cat—timid yet occasionally defiant, quick to pounce but just as quick to purr when things went wrong.
That was Nami's current vibe.
"All right, let's eat. I've saved some for Mr. Zoro," Nojiko said gently, smoothing over the tension like the big sister she naturally was.
Zoro, as usual, stayed somewhat detached, focused only on security and training.And training.And more training.
That was life aboard the Pipi Shrimp right now—simple and harmonious.
After the meal, Nojiko began cleaning up and asked, "We'll reach the next island by noon, right? We're running low on supplies; we'll need to restock."
"Didn't we just buy food three days ago?" Ren asked, surprised.
"The storage space is too small," Nojiko replied. "This is only a single-mast ship, and with four people aboard—Mr. Zoro aside—there's one person who eats the most while doing the least."
Nami didn't even try to hide who she meant, glaring straight at him.
"Disrespecting your captain—your salary's gone this month," Ren said flatly, deploying his ultimate weapon.
Nami instantly changed her expression to a sweet smile, scooting closer to him.
Not that she had a choice—she was already his, and she still owed him 410 million Beli.
Even if he did pay her a monthly salary of 500,000, she wouldn't see a coin of it anytime soon.
"Well, all right," Nojiko said with a smile. "I just hope that island has good produce."
"If we're lucky, maybe some tuna," Nami said. "Mith Island's pretty prosperous. I made tens of thousands there a few years ago. And then…"
She trailed off, giving Ren a meaningful glare.No need to say it—he was the reason all her money was gone.
"Let's just get ready," Ren said, shrugging as he headed back to his room to prepare for landing.
According to Nami, Mys Island was known for its mineral-rich mountains.Because of the mines, there wasn't much agriculture—the locals earned their living by selling ore.
That was why tuna was considered their best (and only) premium food source.
The plus side: the mining industry brought wealth and commerce, giving rise to merchants and trade guilds.
By Nami's estimation, the local economy should still be thriving—enough to exchange their Beli comfortably.
But when the Pipi Shrimp finally docked, the truth was far from her memory.
The island was… desolate.
Buildings stood cracked and crumbling, as if some riot had swept through.People shuffled down the filthy streets in worn-out clothes, avoiding eye contact.
It didn't take long for Ren to experience the local "hospitality"—a pickpocket.
He caught the ragged boy easily, plucking his own money pouch from the kid's hand.
The passersby glanced over but said nothing, hurrying away faster instead.
A few thugs loitering by the wall hesitated but didn't approach—likely deterred by the sight of Ren's "dog," the strange beast glaring at them.
"This is what you called prosperous and peaceful?" Ren asked, frowning at Nami while holding the squirming kid by the collar.
"It used to be," Nami said, equally confused. Her eyes drifted toward the boy.
The kid noticed and immediately changed tactics, kneeling in panic. "Please don't hurt me! I—I had no choice! My mother's sick!"
Too smooth.Way too practiced.
That was Ren's first thought—but he knew the difference between real and fake desperation.
The problem was, the two women beside him—overflowing with empathy—didn't care about that distinction.
"Ren? Can you let him go?"
"Yeah, Ren, just let him go…"
Nojiko and Nami spoke almost in unison, both giving him pleading looks.
"I know," Ren said. "I just want to ask him something first."
He released the boy and handed him a few 100-Beli notes from his pouch.
The child blinked, shocked—and then bolted down the street clutching the money.
Ren watched him go, eyes narrowing slightly.
(End of Chapter)