Chapter 20: Chapter 19 - It's a legit business
Tim closed up his shop and came out to find Bob waiting for him.
"I never caught your name."
Tim said.
"Oh, i'm Bob."
"Bob? Well i'm Tim, so we both have plain names."
Bob laughed.
Tim was a plain name just like his, however he didn't really pay it much attention.
"So where are we going first Tim?"
"I was thinking about going to the east side. It's close to the dock and I know someone selling their property. I know you said you didn't want a key location, but if you're planning on opening up a shop this is the perfect place for you."
Bob nodded his head.
He didn't really mind where he was going to set up. If he was closer to the dock then gathering information would be easier.
"If the location is so good, why are they selling it?"
Bob asked.
"Well the property used to be home to a jewelry store but since it kept getting robbed by pirates the owner had enough. She's an old friend of mines and can't stand it anymore so she's putting the property up for sale."
"Oh a girl huh. Is she cute?"
Bob asked.
"Very much so. If you are going to pursue her, you better get in line. There are tons of men lined up to court her."
"Seems like a lot of work, I think i'll pass."
Tim laughed.
"Does she plan on moving locations after she sells?"
Tim shrugged his large shoulders.
"I have no idea. She likes her job, but the pirates really bother her. She doesn't feel safe."
"I see. I assumed there wouldn't be pirates here on this island, seems I was wrong."
"Actually a few big names come here. Like One-eyed Fred, or Stonehand Brian. Both of them are worth a 100 million belli, they usually come here a few times a year. However for some strange reason the two of them haven't left the island in over four months. Last I heard they were working on some sort of pirate alliance."
Hearing Tim talk about pirates worth a hundred million got Bob excited. The more money they were worth, the more money Bob could make.
"Gossip must spread around here fast huh?"
Bob asked since Tim seemed to know a few things.
"I wouldn't say fast, but things such as that can't escape my ear. I have friends all over the island, and each one of them has a big mouth. Makes things easier when you're like me and you're a big drinker! Just stay in the bar for a few hours a day, you can't help but learn a thing or two."
"A bar? How good is the drinks there?"
Tim grinned.
"Let me tell you, i've been to six different islands in my lifetime but nothing beats the beer here!"
Bob listened to Tim praise the beer on the island. Tim sort of reminded him of Dave, as he just couldn't stop talking once he got started.
Only thing was he didn't ask that many questions. Guess talking about alcohol was his favorite subject.
It did not take Bob and Tim long to make it to an area close by the dock.
Bob passed by this area earlier, but he didn't look around. He mostly saw raw food for sale, as well as small shops. He never imagined that there would be a jewelry shop in this area.
Tim led Bob to a medium sized building, it had a closed sign on the door. Tim knocked on the door.
"We're closed!"
A woman's voice yelled out from inside.
"It's me Tim!"
"Come in!"
Tim opened the door and stepped inside followed by Bob.
Bob scanned the building, it wasn't bad. Lots of floor space, too much for someone who ran a jewelry store.
A petite woman was in the middle of the floor with a broom in her hand. She was around the height of a middle schooler, but her looks were something else. Bob could see why so many people were interested in her.
She had long blue hair and blue eyes, her chest couldn't be considered big but Bob thought they looked perky. She had an innocent look about her that Bob found very attractive. Too bad she was so small, Bob did not do loli type of characters.
"Hey Bella, how are things?"
Bella looked at Tim and pouted.
"What do you mean how are things? Look around, you see i'm cleaning house. It's impossible to stay open any longer, those damn pirates keep harassing me and my shop! I can't even get a supplier anymore due to them."
"So you're still selling the place then?"
Tim was very direct and got straight to the point.
"You heartless bastard. You can't even give me words of comfort? But yes, i'm still selling the place. You know someone who'd want to buy it?"
Tim nodded his head.
"Yeah, this guy right here. This is Bob, he's looking to buy some property so I thought of you first."
Tim pointed at Bob.
"Nice to meet you."
Bob said.
"Nice to meet you too, if you're looking to buy i'm selling it. I'm not asking for much, just 500 thousand beli for it."
"If you don't mind me asking, why do pirates keep bothering you?"
Bella seemed surprised by his question.
"Well thats simple, its because their captain wants me to be his woman. He said he won't force me to be his, but his crew keeps bothering me. I've held them off, but I fear if I keep declining him he'll come after me and force himself on me. I'd rather die than let that happen, thus I plan on selling this place and moving far away."
Bella didn't seem to mind telling Bob the reason as to why she was selling her shop.
Bob could also understand how Bella felt.
He felt that there could be a deal made here.
"Are you only interested in jewelry? Ever thought about doing something else with your life?"
Bob asked her.
Bella thought it over for a second and shook her head.
"No not really, i've always been intrigued by jewelry. It's a shame i'll have to close up shop, but what can I do?"
"Well… there are options. Ever thought about hiring a bounty hunter to take care of those pirates for you?"
Bella nodded her head.
"Of course, that's the first thing I did. Except, they were too weak to go after One-eyed Fred. After I hired three people and each of them came back beat up or dead, I gave up."
"I feel your pain. I heard One-eyed Fred has a bounty of 100 million, guess he has some skill to his name."
"Some skill? He's been to the grand line, he brags about it all the time. He said that's where he lost his eye. Under him he has his two deputy's one's worth 30 million the other is worth 40 million! Not to mention he has around 500 hundred men under his command, no one dares to mess with him."
"That's true Bob, it's not a good idea to get any ideas to go after him. He's ruthless, I heard someone spilled some beer on his leg once and that person left the bar with no leg!"
Tim added in.
"He's also talking to Stonehand Brian about an alliance, I think they are finalizing the deal. Been seeing their men buy supplies lately."
"What's this stonehand like?"
Bob asked.
"He's not as ruthless as Fred, but he has devil fruit powers. He's able to turn his hands to stone, one hit from him and you're dead. His bounty is the same as One-eyed Fred's, except he has one deputy. Owlface Lea, that woman's crazy and she also had devil fruit powers. She's worth 60 million beli."
Bella said.
Bob listened closely.
In his head he was calculating how big of a pay he was going to get once he turned all these guys in. He couldn't wait!
"I'll do you a favor Bella, but in return you have to work for me."
Bob said.
"I'll get rid of all the pirates bothering you as well as One-eyed Fred's crew and Stonehand Brian's crew. In return you come work for me, and you don't even need to leave the island if you don't want to. How does that sound?"
Bella looked at Tim.
Tim did not say anything, leaving the decision up to Bella.
"If you really can get rid of them, I don't mind working for you. But i'm not doing any shady or perverted business."
"No, its a legit business."
Bob thought about something else for a moment.
"Oh yeah, also help me find some cute ladies that want to work."
Bella squinted her eyes.
"Are you sure this isn't…"
Bob interrupted her.
"No! I swear, it's a legit business."
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