Chapter 20 - Big fish

Bob had to assure Bella that he wasn't going to open up some kind of brothel. He wanted to get to know some cute women for Ash's sake. He was not too sure how she was doing on finding people, but if he could ease her burden he'd be more than happy to.

Once Bella found out it was to work at a tavern she agreed to help Bob find some workers.

Bob told her that had to look good, naturally without too much makeup. Pay could be discussed.

Bob didn't want to tell Bella the girls pay because he himself did not know how much money Ash would fork out.

When that was settled Bob brought Bella's place and received the deed to it. Now he just needed to change a few things around and this place could be up and running. He'd still need to hire some people, but that shouldn't take long.

As for getting Bella onboard, Bob needed to deal with the two pirate groups.

He was thinking about finding John to come with him.

Reason being is that in most manga or anime the main character fights, pushed to his or her limit and eventually overcomes it. This increases their power level over and over, and by the end of the show/manga they are insanely powerful.

Bob felt that if he was the main character here, then everyone else who joined up with him were side characters or sub main characters. They wouldn't get as many power-ups as he would.

The best way to power them up was for them to get into as many fights as possible, see and witness their own weaknesses and overcome them. Eventually they'll grow by learning new techniques and skills.

Bob doubted John could handle someone with a 100 million bounty, but he may be able to hold off the some of the other ones. As for the 5 people he recruited, this would be a good experience for them.

They'd gain battle experience and see that being a bounty hunter wasn't just all fun and games. People could actually get injured and die.

Bob wanted to see if they had what it took.

As for Ron, while Bob was thinking about letting him get some fighting experience in as well. Bob figured if he were to develop Ron into an assassin type, then fighting wasn't going to be his strong point.

An assassin excels in taking out their targets quickly. Bob felt that as long as Ron was able to kill someone within seconds, he'd be fine. Therefore there was no real reason for him to gain combat experience.

It was best for him to gain more experience in killing people. Probably learn how to shoot various guns and maybe learn different type of assassination techqinues. He'd need to learn some human anatomy as well.

Eventually Bob hoped Ron would be able to incorporate armament haki with his bullets that way he could take care of some devil fruit users.

"Where do you think these guys would be?"

Bob asked Tim.

"Tavern or the west side of the island. They have a hut there that they hide out at. Be careful, if you die I can't study that sword anymore."

"I don't plan on dying anytime soon."

Bob said to him as he left the building.

To his surprise as soon as he left the building he spotted Ash and Ron.

Ron had bags in his hand and Ash was walking in front of him eyeing different types of food.

Bob caught up to them.

"I thought you'd be out looking for people to hire. What have you been doing this entire time."

Bob asked as he appeared next to Ash.

Ash was startled at first but when she saw it was Bob she was relieved.

"I've been shopping mostly. As for finding people to join me, it's not as easy as you think, I need to check their quality. Besides, you said we'll be here for a week or close to a month thats plenty of time to find people."

Ash said.

"That's also plenty of time to go broke. Don't be wasting your money on things you don't need, some people sell items for sky high prices. Also, i've done you a favor and I have help securing you some female workers. You just need to look at them and talk to them about pay and such."

"Oh? Thanks, but you really didn't need to do that. I've fine with taking my time on this matter."

Bob squinted his eyes.

"Really?"

Ash nodded.

"Yes. Shopping has it's perks, I get to learn all about the market here as well as check the quality of different items. I haven't just been shopping for fun you know, i've been gathering my own sort of data."

"And what did you find?"

"Well so far I heard about a chef here in town. Heard he traveled here from the South Blue, so I was thinking about talking to him. He's famous for getting scammed out of his money here on this island. He came here to open up a restaurant but it never happened, heard now he has his own food stall."

Bob listened to Ash talk.

He assumed she wasn't spending her money wisely, but it seems that her going around town spending had its own perks. He never thought such a thing would be possible.

"Enough about that, I thought you were going into town looking for a place to buy and going to visit the supply post here. What happened to that?"

Ash asked him.

"Well.. I did get the property I was looking for, but going to visit the supply post has to wait for a bit. There are a few other matters I have to deal with first. Speaking of which, I was wondering if you could come with me later to check out this person."

"Who?"

"Her name is Bella, she was a jewelry store owner."

"What do you need me to check her out for? I'm not getting involved in your love life."

Ash stated.

"I'm not interested in her for that reason! I just want to see what you mean about quality. You know, see how good your eye is for people."

"I guess I can help you for that then…"

"Good! Also, I need Ron right now if you don't mind."

"You're the one that said he should come with me in the first place. Now you're taking him? Geez, make up your mind man."

Bob laughed. He did say that.

"Don't worry, i'll get Jacob or one of the other boys to protect you. Dear Bob has everything worked out… for the most part."

"Whatever, I was getting a bit tired of walking around in the first place. I'll just head back to the ship and rest up for now, you can take Ron with you."

Ron passed Ash the bags he was carrying and Ash walked away.

Bob looked at Ron and smiled.

"Alright Ron, let's go find John. Then we'll test both your skills in combat."

Ron took out his small booklet and pen.

He quickly wrote some words down and showed Bob.

'What are you talking about?'

"I found us two juicy targets, I might need help taking them both down. Also, it'll be good combat experience for you and John."

'I left my gun on the ship.'

"Forget about that for now, we'll pick up a dagger or something on the way. Think about it, what if you get spotted in the future and your opponent comes in fighting distance. You can't use a gun then, best to learn how to wield a melee weapon of some sorts."

Ron quickly came around once he heard Bob's thought process. His ability to conceal himself was strong but if he was ever spotted he'd need to be able to deal with that situation. Therefore, learning how to wield another type of weapon would come in handy.

Bob didn't tell Ron about the sniper rifle he was having made for him. He figured he'd leave it as a surprise for now.

Bob walked around town with Ron as they headed towards the bar. It wasn't hard to find, just look for the drunk people walking the streets and find out where they were coming from.

As soon as Bob and Ron arrived at the bar, a body flew out.

John walked out of the tavern with a grin on his face as he looked back at his 5 recruits.

"And that is how you throw a knockout blow. Now, go tie him up, we'll turn him in after we round up two more pirates!"

John ordered the 5 bounty hunters in training.

He saw Bob and gave him a thumbs up.

"Look Bob, already made up a quick 5 million beli!"

Bob laughed as he shook his head.

"Leave him be, I found some even better fish. Real good catch, you can even test your skills. See how far you've come."

John's eyes widened.

"How big?"

"A 100 million beli! However, there are two pirate crews, total comes to 330 million beli!"

"That's a huge catch for sure!"

John looked at the 5 recruits who were about to tie up the man he knocked out.

"Hey leave him be, we're going after some real prey!"