Chapter-31 Jealous Nami!!

After the spar with Zoro, Li Fan approached Tashigi and returned her knife.

"So, Tashigi, are you up for joining this movie?"

"I can teach you the [Water Breathing] swordsmanship I just showed," Li Fan said with a cheerful smile.

Tashigi hesitated, looking over at Smoker for guidance. She was eager to learn Li Fan's swordsmanship to become stronger. However, she was also a member of the Navy. Moreover, with Li Fan planning to visit Cocoyasi Village, they might not be shooting any more movies in Loguetown.

"Go for it, Tashigi," Smoker encouraged her. "Since Li Fan is willing to teach you, consider it part of your training."

"But, Captain Smoker, won't I be neglecting my duty?"

"Don't worry about that. I'll report to my superiors, and getting stronger will only benefit your efforts in capturing pirates."

Smoker was relieved that Li Fan's offer to teach Tashigi swordsmanship provided a reasonable justification for her to stay with Li Fan.

"See, even your commanding officer agrees," Li Fan reassured Tashigi, patting her on the shoulder. "Why don't you join us?"

With Smoker's support and the opportunity to further her swordsmanship, Tashigi agreed to Li Fan's invitation.

Having settled things with Zoro and Tashigi, Li Fan turned his attention to the other actors.

"So, everyone, if you want to be part of this new movie, go back and pack your things," Li Fan instructed. "Gather at the coast at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. I've arranged for a larger sailboat that can accommodate all of us."

The actors wasted no time and hurried back to their accommodations to prepare for the upcoming adventure.

"Smoker, I appreciate you lending me Tashigi," Li Fan expressed his gratitude, smiling at Smoker.

"Teach Tashigi well, and I hope she becomes even stronger in the future." Smoker began walking back toward the naval base. "If you ever return to Loguetown, make sure to visit me, and I'll treat you to a meal."

"I did make quite a bit from working on your movie, after all."

While money wasn't a major concern for Smoker, he appreciated Li Fan's generosity for his role in the film.

Li Fan waved in response. "Thank you, Smoker. Don't worry about Tashigi. Who knows, by the time you see her again, she might be even stronger than you."

Smoker waved back but remained silent. Tashigi chimed in, "Li Fan, you're mistaken. Captain Smoker is a natural Devil Fruit user. How could I ever surpass him?"

Li Fan chuckled. "You're wrong, Tashigi. With your improved swordsmanship and your soon-to-develop Busoshoku Haki, who knows? You might be teaching him a lesson in the future. You could become his superior!"

Li Fan gave Tashigi a thumbs-up. "Keep working hard, and who knows what you might achieve."

"Let's go. Since you've agreed to be in the show, I need to get you fitted."

"This time, the role I want you to play is the protagonist."

"Protagonist!" Tashigi's eyes widened. "Li Fan, aren't you playing the protagonist?"

"For this production, I'm content with a supporting role."

"Li Fan, who will I be playing? Can you give me a character with more screen time?" Nami approached Li Fan, excitement lighting up her eyes.

"Well, if you want, how about a lead role?"

"That's fantastic!" Nami nearly jumped with joy. "Li Fan, what's the fee for the lead role?"

"Considering that the heroine, Nezuko Kamado, has very few lines, I'll pay you 5 million Berries."

"Hey! Just five million? When I played Rin Tohsaka, the pay was much higher than that."

Well, Tohsaka Rin had a lot of lines and numerous action scenes. In this new production, Nezuko Kamado has very few lines, practically just a few. So, I think 5 million Berries should be fair." Li Fan shrugged and continued:

"If you're not comfortable with the role of the heroine, we can find someone else."

"No, I want to take on the role!" Nami quickly grabbed Li Fan's arm with a persuasive look on her face.

After all, 5 million Berries is still a substantial sum, and Nami doesn't want to miss out on this opportunity.

"Now, Li Fan, if Nami is playing the heroine, who will I portray? You mentioned that I'd be in the lead role." Tashigi appeared bewildered.

"Yes, you're certainly playing the lead role. However, this lead role is a male character."

"What? Am I supposed to play a male character?"

"Don't be too shocked, Tashigi." Li Fan patted Tashigi on the shoulder. "As an actor, it's quite normal to occasionally take on roles of the opposite gender."

"I believe you'll perform admirably."

"Well, I'll do my best." Although she had reservations, Tashigi was determined to put in the effort to learn Li Fan's swordsmanship.

"Um, Li Fan, how much will Tashigi be paid for taking on the lead role?" Nami asked curiously.

"If you portray the male protagonist Tanjiro Kamado, I'll pay you 10 million Berries."

"What, ten million!" Nami's eyes widened with envy as she looked at Tashigi.

Her gaze, seemingly capable of swallowing up Tashigi, made Tashigi instinctively seek refuge behind Li Fan.

.....