One Piece: Mandala Swordsman

Chapter 91 Doing business relies on nothing more than integrity.

South China Sea.

A small dugout canoe.

Two people sat on the platform. One was a young man in his early twenties with sea-blue hair and clown makeup around his eyes, making him look comical, but his most striking feature was his red nose. The other was more like a child, with messy, singed hair, almond-shaped eyes, a long sword at his waist, and a serious expression as he tried to orient himself.

On the vast ocean, the two were like rootless duckweed.

"Aren't you in the Navy? Why are you running so fast when you see a warship?" Bucky asked, puzzled.

Of course we have to run, because it would be terrible if such a big event attracted newsbirds to the island to take pictures.

"You don't have a bounty, so why are you so afraid of the navy?"

Of course they were afraid, after all, they had seen too many legendary naval figures on Captain Roger's ship before.

The two exchanged a knowing smile, each lost in their own thoughts.

Ah, if you're wondering why Bucky could still speak calmly with Roman after losing both his men and his bounty, the specific reason lies in the pile of glittering gemstones next to Bucky.

Dorati's specialty is gemstone mines, but they are usually hidden in extremely deep underground caves, making mining difficult, much like panning for gold in the desert, and it tests one's luck. As the number of miners increases, the level of luck required becomes higher and higher.

Because several lucky individuals have struck gold in the past, the island has attracted a number of tourists and pirates. Even a Marine branch was established on this small island five years ago.

Thanks to these "tourists," the island's residents live a relatively comfortable life, because even pirates almost always have their eyes on those gem mines.

As for the attitude towards those indigenous people... well, it's to the point that they feel even looking at them would affect their ability to make money, so they don't want to bother with them at all.

So although Dorati can only be considered a small island, its residents are doing quite well because the economy is stimulated by external demand. If Moria hadn't come to this island, they might have been able to enjoy peace for even longer.

Fortunately, it's come to an end. Roman believes that the other island branches will report the situation to headquarters, saving him trouble.

But seeing Bucky's smug face, she felt both envious and jealous. When the two were about to escape the island, Bucky, in his panic, bumped into a coconut tree and fell down, landing in an unknown cave where he found a piece of high-quality purple gemstone.

Even if you weren't Roman, who once owned countless luxury goods, or Bucky, who specialized in finding treasures, even an ordinary child could tell that this ore was incredibly valuable, at least worth more than a dozen heads.

Sigh, her luck with Conqueror's Haki is far more enviable than its power. She feels that if she doesn't spend some time with him, anything is possible during their training.

"So what are you planning to do next?" Roman speared a small fish that leaped from the sea and pondered how to cook it.

“I can’t tell the Navy.” Bucky turned his head and hugged the gemstone tightly to his chest.

"Really? I was planning to be your free bodyguard for a while, but since you don't need it..."

"Since that's the case, telling you isn't out of the question." Upon hearing Roman's words, Bucky immediately changed his attitude. Bucky had already witnessed Roman's strength. If she were truly willing to be his bodyguard, even for free, it wouldn't be impossible. Moreover, she didn't seem to have any greed for the gem mine in his possession, but the look in her eyes seemed somewhat resentful?

Finally, this emotion is a bit uncertain, but that's not the point. After all, sea voyages are fraught with danger. I've already faced danger several times, and I'm only saved by the power of the Devil Fruit, otherwise I would have been beheaded long ago.

I hadn't originally planned to, but if she's willing...

"I plan to go to the West Sea."

"The West Sea? The West Sea is much more chaotic than the South Sea, and besides pirates, there are also many gangs there. What would you do there?" Roman asked, puzzled.

"Kid, you're just too young."

Hmm... I never expected that Bucky would give me the exact same evaluation of Mihawk. Roman felt a little strange.

"It's precisely because it's chaotic there that there are so many things for sale—treasure maps, weapons, intelligence—you can get anything as long as you can afford it." Bucky wasn't just talking nonsense. Having sailed with Roger for so long, he had explored almost the entire New World, not just the four seas, and he knew the situation in many places very well.

“This gem mine is like our capital. If we use it properly, we can multiply it several times over,” Bucky said proudly.

Aren't you afraid of being double-crossed?

Seeing Bucky suddenly turn his gaze to him, Roman understood: "Okay, okay, I understand. That's something I should worry about, but how do you know if the treasure map is real or fake?"

Unlike gemstones, which can be appraised on the spot, the authenticity of treasure maps is difficult to determine. Unless you personally explore the area, it's hard to tell if they're genuine. Bucky, as a treasure hunting expert, is certainly primarily after the treasure, and what interests him is undoubtedly the treasure map.

"Kid, you're just too young."

Roman: "..."

I felt like I was being looked down upon.

"I'm a pirate. I have to steal what I like. Do you really expect me to spend money to buy it from them? The gems are just bait. And do you think black market transactions are based on honesty, but on fists?"

That makes so much sense, I can't even refute it.

Let's just cheat each other and see who can outsmart whom and who can out-rob whom.

To be honest, it really does fit the survival strategy of pirates. Even without Buggy's bounty, the bandit mentality is still ingrained in their bones.

However, Roman, who grew up in a pirate family, doesn't seem to have the right to criticize Buggy.

So it's no wonder that Doflamingo was able to have connections in both the legitimate and criminal worlds later on; it all comes down to his integrity. His treasure chest really does contain the Flame-Flame Fruit, which is a testament to his trustworthiness!

Setting aside his extraneous thoughts, Roman began to consider how to maximize his own interests.

If there really is treasure, Roman wouldn't mind going to look for it. With such a lucky guy by his side, he's unlikely to leave empty-handed. That's much more worthwhile than the meager bodyguard salary.

"Since you've put it that way, let's go to the West Sea. I hope it will be as you wish."

"Don't worry, as long as I get a little serious, the treasure is all in my hands." After saying that, Bucky struck a cool pose, but because the movement was too big, he almost fell into the sea.

It has to be said that it's a miracle that Buggy can survive in such a dangerous world as One Piece.