One Piece: Mandala Swordsman

Chapter 101: The deception has been exposed!! A major crisis!

"Although I don't look it, I'm actually not young."

“Continue,” Bentley said. Sure enough, when you live long enough, nothing is surprising.

Only Robin's eyes widened in surprise. Although they had spent some time together, she still didn't understand Roman's situation.

“My own life experiences, weathered by time, tell me that you have a wealth of knowledge about exploring this world, and you, or rather your companions, have poured these experiences into books, using words and pictures to depict those mysterious things. I’m very interested in this, so I’d like to buy it, if you’d like.”

Given the thickness and quantity of the book, it was hard to imagine that it was Bentley's work alone. Afterwards, Roman also glanced at Robin's thick history book. The handwriting was slightly different, and Bentley's name was not written on the cover.

“Although I’ve met many idiots, this is the first time I’ve met one who is both old and stupid like you. Do you really think those books are worth it?” Bentley said with a playful smile.

“They are unique, each one is hand-drawn and different, so I think they are worth it,” Roman replied affirmatively.

“Arrogant… girl.” After hesitating for a moment, but still unable to find a suitable way to address the girl, Bentley continued to use the original name. However, he was no longer angry. The recognition of his and his companions’ work was hard not to feel happy.

"Whether I'm arrogant or not, we'll only know by trying. Please allow me a chance, a chance to get them."

……

"Are you confident you can earn 500 million within a week?" Robin's face was already scrunched up like a bitter gourd.

"Don't look so gloomy, relax." Compared to Robin's distress, Roman seemed relatively relaxed.

However, she wasn't entirely sure herself. Although she knew Bentley wouldn't easily sell the goods to them, the asking price of 500 million did make her feel uneasy.

What does 500 million peles mean?

The average bounty for a wanted criminal in the East Blue is 300 million Berries.

The average bounty for a criminal in the South China Sea is 900 million Berries.

The average bounty for a criminal in the North Sea is 1500 million Berries.

The average bounty for a criminal in the West Blue is 2000 million Berries.

Even in the Grand Line, the average bounty is only 5000 million Berries.

There are quite a few people in the New World with heads exceeding 500 million Berries, but unfortunately, with Roman's current strength, she can't defeat any of them.

Although she had wiped out criminals with bounties totaling over 600 million in the North Sea, that was a feat that took nearly half a year to accomplish. Hartel's merchant ships, lacking large cannons, were like innocent lambs in a wolf pack, tempting to attract hordes of pirates willing to try their luck.

So she made a fortune, and even the other people on the merchant ship profited handsomely.

However, earning 500 million Berries in a week is indeed a very challenging task. An ordinary Devil Fruit is only worth about 100 million Berries, and 500 million Berries can buy seven or eight ordinary large ships.

Bentley was indeed asking for an exorbitant price, but as a business with a monopoly, Roman had no choice but to accept it.

"But you're quite old, aren't you?" Robin asked, a little curious, though it wasn't very polite, but her strong thirst for knowledge still prompted her to ask.

"Well, I'm not exactly young anymore," Roman said, giving a vague answer.

"It's unbelievable, so amazing." Robin felt a little envious as she thought of Roman's smooth and firm skin.

Due to long-term malnutrition and exposure to wind and sun, her skin was very rough. Although a little girl's face would recover with time, Robin didn't have that opportunity.

“Robin, you want those books too, right? I think we have a chance,” Roman said.

Robin's face was filled with great confusion: "How can we do this? We don't have that much money." Having lived this long, Robin had done quite a few petty thefts, but those were all ordinary food and snacks. He couldn't bring himself to steal such valuable books.

"Well, we'll probably have to rely on Bucky. Doesn't he have a piece of very pure amethyst?"

"But will he agree?" Robin couldn't help but chuckle as she thought of Buggy's greedy nature.

“He definitely won’t agree, but that’s okay, I have a way.”

Roman wanted to say something more, but something stirred in her pocket.

“Brubrubrubrubru…”

Was it Kuzan who sent her the Den Den Mushi?

"Sorry, Robin, my Den Den Mushi is ringing, I need to answer it." After saying that, before Robin could react, Roman turned around and went to the other side to answer the call.

"Moshi moshi, is this Mr. Kuzan?" Seeing the Den Den Mushi's eyes become languid, Roman thought that perhaps he didn't need to wait for the person's voice.

"Roman? It seems you're alright, but if you don't come back soon, I might be in trouble."

These past few days, Zephyr has been bombarding him with phone calls, demanding reports on Roman's training progress, but Kuzan, completely unaware of the situation, hasn't uttered a single word. Fortunately, he finally remembered that he had given her a Den Den Mushi (snail phone) once.

It's fortunate, I guess.

"I'm so sorry, there's been a bit of a problem here, and I can't return right now."

"You were the one who orchestrated Gecko Moria's arrest, weren't you?"

"Sort of, but it's not entirely my doing. Hmm? Mr. Kuzan, I think I hear the sound of waves. Did you go out on your bicycle again without permission?"

"Oh my, you're quite perceptive, aren't you? I guess so." Even Kuzan felt a little embarrassed when his subordinate exposed his slacking off.

"Roman, it's going to rain soon, let's hurry back!" Robin's voice suddenly rang out from afar, and Roman had a bad feeling.

"That voice...? Roman, are you...?" Kuzan's voice suddenly became urgent, and the languid look in Den Den Mushi's eyes disappeared, replaced by a sharp gaze filled with pressure.

"Ah! Sorry, I can't hear you clearly right now, maybe the signal is bad..." Roman hurriedly hung up the phone.

That's terrible. Kuzan definitely recognized Robin's voice, but on the bright side, at least he's not here.

South China Sea, waters near Dorati Island.

A vertical ice path appeared out of nowhere, with a bicycle on it.

Kuzan looked at the Den Den Mushi with his eyes closed. "What a naughty child, using such a trick."

He knew very well who the voice was.

Did we actually run into each other?

Perfect timing, looks like we can meet up now.

Thinking of this, Kuzan took out a piece of paper from his pocket and kept moving it towards a certain position in his palm.

Is it over there?