CHAPTER 40:Buy Charts

With the clown-like reputation of Buggy, even if he failed, he would cling to Crocodile for a long time. But would Crocodile directly kill Buggy? Just kidding—Crocodile, after all, is a well-informed Shichibukai. He would still give Red-Haired Shanks some "face."

But how valuable is a redhead's "face" anyway? How many times can it save Buggy? Vivi didn't know. She was merely a bystander in this game, watching pieces fall with indifference. Win or lose, the result didn't matter to her.

With her heart yearning for return, Vivi's ship sailed straight for Loguetown. Remembering a promise she had made, she took Karoo the duck, her puppy, and the bounty hunters Johnny and Yosaku to a famous floating sea restaurant for a meal. Unfortunately, the head chef, Sanji, was away buying supplies. She didn't get to see him, which she found slightly disappointing.

Still, Vivi let Karoo and the puppy explore the restaurant. While the chefs were busy in the kitchen—some even fighting while cooking—she managed to gather quite a few light spots associated with culinary skills.

She mused that if she left her pets here for two or three years and picked up attributes every day, she might actually become a world-class chef. Unfortunately, she lacked the dedication for that path, and Karoo hadn't triggered any achievements in exploration either.

A few days later, Vivi returned to Loguetown. At the docks, Johnny and Yosaku stood tall, striking the same dramatic pose from when they'd first met her—chins up, chests out—as they formally said goodbye.

"Thanks for looking after us, Big Sis," Johnny said sincerely.

"We realized our strength is lacking," Yosaku added. "So we've decided to go off and train on our own."

Their farewell wasn't unexpected. Vivi hadn't intended to take them into the Grand Line—it was far too dangerous for them.

"Thanks for all your help," she said with a smile. "If you ever need me, don't hesitate to ask."

As a token of farewell, she handed them a rabbit's foot charm, complete with a serial number and file. If someone ever came looking for help with that charm, she'd recognize it. Even though it would be a bit much to act on it immediately, she would still offer assistance within her means.

Recruitment in Loguetown continued steadily. Vivi's three-out-of-three method had been adopted by Mr. 9, and by now the job was nearly finished.

When Vivi entered the Baroque Works branch office, she found Mr. 9 lounging in beach shorts, hairy legs stretched out, chatting on the den den mushi. Seeing her arrive, he quickly hung up.

"Well, well, you look pleased. Who were you chatting with? A woman?" Vivi teased, stretching out her words and watching his reaction. "Let me guess... Ms. Monday? Hehe."

After the joke, she added with mock sternness, "Senior agents aren't allowed to fall in love on duty, right? Be careful. The higher-ups at headquarters are a bunch of weirdos."

Changing the subject, she continued, "You've been managing recruitment all this time. You handle the final details—I'll be heading back to Whiskey Peak in two days."

Mr. 9 had always been a bit of a free spirit. He puffed out his chest proudly. "Leave it to me! I was worried about Smoker being here in Loguetown, but guess what? That guy never showed! Hahaha—he must be scared of my iron rod!"

Vivi rolled her eyes internally. Unbelievable. Most likely, Smoker had been busy chasing the Golden Lion and hadn't returned to Loguetown at all.

Just as she was about to leave, Mr. 9 stopped her.

"There's this pirate group—uh, Creek Pirates or something from the East Blue. They've been buying Grand Line charts. They came knocking the other day... should we—?"

Vivi understood immediately. Back in Whiskey Peak, she and Mr. 8, along with Mr. 9 and Ms. Monday, used to run that kind of operation all the time. The Creek Pirates were classic prey—ripe for fleecing.

She had long managed this little side business of selling charts. Treasure maps, navigation charts, Alabasta-style charts, Dressrosa-style charts—she could fake any style.

Unlike Nami or even Buggy the Clown, she didn't have elite navigation skills. And she guessed the Creek Pirates didn't either. Otherwise, why come all this way to buy a chart?

The next day, a cadre from the Creek Pirates came directly to the Baroque Works branch in Loguetown.

No need for secrecy—Vivi arranged the meeting inside the office itself.

She and Mr. 8 had once been undercover agents. Mr. 9 and Ms. Monday now seemed eager to return home and possibly get married after their two-year stint. Their loyalty to Baroque Works was zero, and they didn't care about the organization's honor. Using the company's name to line their pockets? No guilt whatsoever.

"How much?! 50 million berries for a single chart?!" The Creek officer's face went pale as he gaped at Vivi's price.

In all fairness, their captain Don Krieg's bounty was only 17 million. This fee was nearly triple that!

Vivi didn't flinch. Pointing at the chart, she said smugly, "Hmph, typical East Blue yokel. Do you even know how dangerous it is out there? The Grand Line eats weaklings like you for breakfast. Do you think 50 million is expensive? Do you know how many died laying out this route? 50 million is a steal! And don't give me that look—I've got 8,000 men in East Blue alone! Still want to mess with me?"

She exuded such confidence that the Creek pirate crumbled on the spot, visibly shaken by her phantom army.

He tried bargaining, but Vivi didn't budge. "Fifty million is the price. Not a berry less."

The purchasing power of 50 million berries was comparable to 50 million yen—or about 2.8 million yuan in her past life. For a major pirate crew, it wasn't much. East Blue was just poor. Otherwise, she would've asked for even more.

The Creek Pirates were desperate to enter the Grand Line. Now that they had finally found a "neutral" group from inside the Grand Line, they were eager for any intel. Even knowing they were probably being conned, they gritted their teeth and paid up.

"Hahahaha!" Vivi and Mr. 9 split the money—25 million each.

In this world, nothing made people happier than cold, hard cash. Would the Creek Pirates write their names down in a little black book, promising revenge later? Maybe. But Vivi and Mr. 9 didn't care.

"Do you think they'll actually make it to the Grand Line using that chart?" Mr. 9 asked as they divvied up the cash. The deal had been almost too easy.

Vivi nodded solemnly. "Don't worry, I drew it based on the exact route we used. I didn't cheat them this time."

Karoo facepalmed with his wings. As her pet, he'd seen her sense of direction. With your navigation skills? he thought. If you drew it randomly, maybe they'd live. But drawing it seriously? They're doomed…