Cherreads

Chapter 41 - Chapter 41: Rising Bounties

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The sun shone brightly as a gentle sea breeze brushed against Lucas's face. He lay sprawled on a lounge chair, savoring the peaceful moment. Nearby, Nami haggled loudly with a news bird.

"Hey, why have newspaper prices gone up again? If this keeps up, I'm canceling my subscription!" she snapped before reluctantly handing over the money.

Usopp, tinkering with his latest invention, chuckled. "You don't need to pinch berries that much anymore. What's a few extra coins?"

Nami shot him a glare. "What do you know? Daily papers add up fast! Besides, I need savings for myself, I refuse to be a broke pirate who can't even afford decent clothes. Right, Lucas?"

"Sure, sure," Lucas mumbled, eyes still closed. 'At least I get triple the allowance.'

Now that Nami had full control over the crew's finances, there was no arguing with her.

"My title as vice-captain is basically ceremonial at this point," Lucas sighed.

"Is being a lazy bum so bad?" Nami teased.

Lucas shrugged and settled back into his nap, until Usopp's sudden shriek jolted him awake.

"WHAT THE...?!"

Lucas sat up, blinking, just in time to see Luffy getting kicked away by Sanji. The rubber captain had been caught red-handed trying to steal Nami's oranges.

"Luffy! Those are Nami's special oranges, hands off!" Sanji scolded.

'Always the simp,' Lucas thought, shaking his head. He was about to doze off again when another commotion erupted.

"Seriously, can't a guy nap in peace?" Lucas groaned, sitting up.

This time, Luffy was waving a bounty poster in everyone's faces.

{Monkey D. Luffy – 30,000,000 Berries}

Just like in the stories, Luffy's first bounty was a hefty sum.

"HAHA! Look, I made it! Captain Usopp is officially a wanted man!" Usopp bragged, puffing out his chest.

Sanji squinted at the poster. "Where are you? I don't see your face."

"Right here!" Usopp pointed to a tiny figure in the background, his head barely visible behind Luffy.

Sanji facepalmed. "By that logic, Lucas is more 'wanted' than you." He tapped the poster, where Lucas lay unconscious in the corner.

Lucas perked up. "Wait, really?" He snatched the poster. Sure enough, behind Luffy's grinning mug, his own battered figure was sprawled out.

Usopp clapped him on the back. "See? My vice-captain's just as notorious as me!"

Lucas smirked. "At least my face is recognizable." He ruffled Usopp's hair teasingly before turning to Luffy. "You realize this means Marines and bounty hunters will be after us now, right? We can't just stroll into towns anymore."

Luffy just grinned. "Awesome! Now I'm a real pirate!"

'Hopeless.' Lucas sighed and flopped back onto his chair.

With the system's passive boosts, lazing around was the optimal strategy. Not that it earned him any emotional points, he was too relaxed. But who cared? Being a carefree slacker was the dream.

Nearby, Nami settled under her parasol, flipping through the newspaper. Just as Lucas was drifting off again, Sanji's voice cut in.

"Nami-swan~! Special dessert, just for you!" He set a tray of pastries before her.

Nami raised an eyebrow. "Isn't this a bit much?"

Sanji glanced at the others. "Fine. Lucas, help her finish it."

Lucas cracked an eye open. "Huh? Me?"

Sanji lit a cigarette, avoiding eye contact. "Yeah. Too many sweets. Do Nami a favor."

Nami stifled a laugh. 'He's so awkward around Lucas.'

Not one to refuse free food, Lucas dug in. "Thanks, Sanji. Your cooking's amazing."

"Y...Yeah, whatever." Sanji spun away, tears streaming as heart-shaped eyes popped up. 'Why does he have to be so damn cute?!'

Lucas had barely taken three bites when Luffy and Usopp bounded over.

"Lucas! Let's play hide-and-seek!" Luffy yelled.

Usopp smirked. "I'm the king of hiding. You'll never find me!"

Lucas grinned. "Oh? A real master never loses." He stretched, then paused. "Wait...let me show you a trick first."

"Trick? Like barfing up your own stomach?" Usopp joked.

[Mood +1]

Lucas deadpanned. "No. This." He flashed hand signs. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

POOF! An identical Lucas appeared beside him.

"WHOA!!" Luffy's eyes sparkled.

Usopp gaped. "No way! A perfect copy!"

Lucas smirked. "Watch closely." Both clones weaved another set of signs.

"Double Harem Jutsu!"

POOF!

Instantly, two clouds of smoke erupted revealing a pair of stunning, barely-clad women.

From the crow's nest, a fountain of blood erupted as a certain swordsman nose-dived onto the deck.

Usopp's jaw hit the floor, a crimson river gushing from his nostrils. Luffy just tilted his head. "Huh. Neat."

THWACK!

"LUCAS!!" Nami's fist sent him flying.

....

T/N: Thanks for the support from: Lam Sha, Black Widow, Hamza Masfar, Lord Of the Mysteries, Andrew, Jiri Stehule, trey hill, Agustin Monti, Tightless,Impulsionimulsion.

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