Chapter 20: A Princess's Gamble

Vivi stood there, trembling slightly as she looked at Josh, who seemed almost mad with his calm, direct demeanour. He had just asked her what she could offer in exchange for the information she desperately needed. Clearly, Josh was expecting something in return. But what could a Baroque Works agent want? What could any man want from a woman, especially a princess like her? 

In her mind, Vivi knew that not every man offering help was a white knight. Many were mercenaries, driven by greed—whether for money or something more... personal. She eyed Josh cautiously. His expression was cold, like that of a strict financial minister.

"I can give you something, depending on what you ask for," she replied, her voice steady, though her heart raced. 

Her hands slipped into her shorts pockets, her fingers brushing against the circular strings connected to sharp bladed disks. She was ready—if Josh tried to blackmail her into anything indecent, she would fight. She couldn't offer money; Alabasta was already crumbling under economic strain. The alternative... well, she'd considered it, but only briefly. While Josh wasn't exactly unattractive, she wasn't about to offer her body just yet.

It all depended on what kind of person he was.

Josh watched her, easily reading the conflict playing across her face.

She probably thinks I'm a sexist pervert, he thought, amused by her expression. She looked like she wanted to sue him. With a mocking tone, he said, "Well, if you don't want to save your country, go pray for the heavens to send you a 5.7-foot-tall pirate screaming about meat to save the day. I don't have time to waste on a paranoid girl when I can be doing business."

He turned to walk away.

"You're more like five-eleven," Vivi corrected him, suddenly.

Josh paused, a slight grin crossing his face. "Ah, but you're still listening," he remarked, turning back halfway. "See? Isn't this better than acting tough and putting yourself in a dilemma?"

Vivi gave a reluctant nod, then noticed Josh had given her his back again.

"Why are you still facing away from me?" she asked, a little exasperated.

"I'm just too lazy to keep turning around," he said flatly. After all, he'd eventually need to face the ship again, and this whole conversation was her fault for making him turn in the first place.

Vivi quickly moved in front of him, facing him directly now. "Do your people treat royalty like this in your country?" she asked, curiosity overcoming her initial frustration.

"We're just business-people. And if you're wondering how I treat royalty, ask my girlfriend over there. I treat her like a princess," Josh said, glancing at Ms. Valentine, who was sitting on the edge of the ship, watching them.

Vivi followed his gaze, noticing Ms. Valentine's presence. "God help her," she muttered under her breath.

Josh smirked, his thoughts briefly drifting to Mikita. She's crazy and I need the help, but I do like her.

He snapped back to reality. "Anyway, let's get down to it. What do you want, and what do you have to offer?"

Vivi took a breath. "I can offer you two things. First, something big is going to happen in your country. Second, I know the identities of two key people—the man leading the rebels and the real culprit behind ruining your father's reputation."

Josh's eyes narrowed slightly. "Of course, that's why you joined this organisation, isn't it? Princess Vivi." His tone grew serious as he addressed her by her title for the first time.

Vivi flinched but kept her composure, lowering her head.

"And the price?" she asked quietly.

"Money. From your king. At least 60 million," Josh stated without hesitation.

Vivi's eyes widened. Sixty million was a huge sum, more than some villages could hope to see in a lifetime. Alabasta, a desert kingdom, struggled to buy even basic resources like food and water from other countries.

"Isn't that… quite a lot?" she stammered, though relieved it wasn't more.

"It's low, actually," Josh replied with a shrug. "If you can pay more, it'll help your people even more than you realise."

"I don't have that kind of money," Vivi admitted.

Josh waved a hand dismissively. "That's fine. I can wait until your father pays me personally. I'm patient."

Vivi weighed her options. She had been trained in politics, and she understood the delicate balance of power. "I don't know. Alabasta is poor, and my people are more important than anything. Why would my country pay you when it can barely sustain itself?"

"Because this isn't just a payment. It's a gamble," Josh explained. "I'll give you some information as a gesture of goodwill. A large shipment of weapons is being sent to the rebels, and they're getting it at a very low price. The same mysterious figure is behind it. Imagine what the rebels could do with those weapons."

Vivi's eyes widened as Josh continued, giving her the location of the delivery. Her jaw dropped as the full implication sank in.

Josh jumped onto his ship, looking down at her. "I advise you not to scream. There are ears everywhere."

Mikita glanced over at him. "Did you take long enough?" she teased.

"I thought I'd be a widow by now," she joked, rolling her eyes.

Josh chuckled softly, his gaze meeting hers. "Mm."

Meanwhile, Vivi clenched her fists, determination taking hold. She wouldn't let this opportunity slip away.

"I'll take the deal," she called after him, her voice strong. "But I can only pay once I return to my country. You have my word as a princess."

Josh turned to face her, a smirk playing on his lips. "You're betting on my life. I might die too, you know."

"Let's die together, then!" Mikita laughed, assuming Josh was joking.

Josh smiled and gave a slight nod. He mouthed additional information to Vivi, keeping it silent to avoid unwanted attention. Her eyes widened as she read his lips, then she bowed her head in gratitude.

With that, Josh set the sails for Alabasta. He was still Mr. 7, still part of Baroque Works, and he had a job to do. But first, he needed to secure his payment.