When Wanda heard Carl's judgment, she gasped in shock.
"If that's really the case, then the people on the island are in danger!"
Carrot immediately sprang from the ground onto the bed, her eyes wide with anger.
"That lunatic Joy Boy! Damn it!!"
After speaking, both Wanda and Carrot turned to Carl. Carrot, no longer caring about anything else, grabbed onto Carl's arm, pressing herself against him with a desperate expression.
"Master, please! Save my people!"
Wanda's arms, which were wrapped around Carl's waist, instinctively tightened. Carl glanced down at the two of them and said calmly,
"Don't be afraid. I promised you that I would protect part of the Mink Tribe. If Joy Boy really does what I think he will, it actually saves me quite a bit of trouble."
Hearing this, Wanda pressed her face against Carl's abdomen, her voice soft.
"Master, thank you. Shouldn't you return now to make preparations?"
Carl chuckled.
"No need. With the military strength of Marineford and Mary Geoise, there's no need for any special arrangements. Even if something urgent happens, I can return immediately."
"Then what should we do now?"
"What else? Get some rest."
With that, Carl smirked and, without hesitation, pulled the still-stunned Carrot into his embrace, holding one girl in each arm as he lay back.
Carrot let out a startled yelp, locking eyes with Wanda. The warmth beneath the covers seemed to rise rapidly.
...
The next morning, when Carrot sleepily opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Wanda. Carl, however, was nowhere in sight.
Recalling what had happened the previous night, Carrot's fair cheeks flushed with a deep crimson. She avoided Wanda's gaze and murmured,
"Wanda..."
Hearing Carrot's voice, Wanda's eyelashes fluttered before she slowly opened her eyes. When she saw Carrot's blushing face, memories of the previous night flooded her mind, and steam practically rose from her head as she nearly fainted from embarrassment.
Carrot noticed Wanda's odd reaction and quickly turned to face her.
"Wanda, are you okay?!"
Wanda bit her lip and let out a soft hum.
"I'm fine... Carrot, last night must have been quite the spectacle for you..."
Last night, aside from the final step, she and Carl had done nearly everything, while Carrot had been nothing more than a bewildered bystander.
Carrot propped herself up, placing a serious hand on Wanda's shoulder.
"No! I don't think it was funny at all! I know you did it for the Mink Tribe. I've already made up my mind—next time, it'll be my—"
Before Carrot could finish, Wanda raised a hand to press against her lips. She whispered,
"I'm not as noble as you make me out to be. Last night, I... I wasn't just doing it for our people."
Carrot blinked in confusion. Wanda took a deep breath and continued,
"Carrot, you probably thought I was forced into this, but the truth is... I chose it."
"Huh?! Wanda, you—"
Wanda smiled gently, reaching out to stroke Carrot's soft rabbit ears.
"Before leaving Zou, I never imagined that a man like Master could exist in this world. To me, being his woman is a blessing... even though I haven't fully achieved that yet."
Carrot sat frozen, staring blankly at Wanda. Just then, Carl pushed open the door.
Wanda turned to look at him, completely unbothered by her bare upper body, and spoke softly.
"Master, you're back."
Carl glanced at the dazed Carrot and chuckled.
"Yeah. I already spoke with Rosinante. We'll be heading back to Marineford soon."
As he spoke, he walked to the bed and sat down, lifting an arm. Wanda naturally leaned into his embrace. After a night together, she had fully accepted Carl as her master.
Carl playfully tapped Wanda's nose.
"What's with this little rabbit? Daydreaming first thing in the morning?"
Wanda reached over and flicked Carrot's forehead, snapping her out of her trance.
Carrot, looking at Wanda nestled in Carl's arms, had a complicated expression.
"Wanda... after all this is over, will you go back to Zou?"
Wanda blinked.
"Of course, it's my homeland."
"I mean... ugh!"
Carrot shook her head in frustration, leaving Wanda puzzled. Carl then spoke.
"What's wrong, little rabbit? Do you think I'll take away Wanda's freedom?"
Carrot hesitated, biting her lip before nodding slightly. Carl smirked.
"Only my people are truly the freest in the world. Do you understand what that means?"
Carrot's rabbit ears twitched as she mumbled,
"You're talking about freedom too? That scumbag Joy Boy used the same words to deceive Pedro and the others..."
Smack!
Carl flicked Carrot's forehead again, making her clutch her head in pain, her eyes welling up with tears.
"Don't lump me in with that fool. His so-called 'freedom' is nothing but a lie to fool brainless followers—like your Pedro."
Hearing Pedro's name, Wanda couldn't help but speak up.
"Pedro has been completely blinded by hatred. To him, nothing is more important than revenge. He doesn't care if the entire Mink Tribe has to die for it."
Carl responded indifferently,
"He wants to avenge Nekomamushi and Inuarashi, right? What a reckless fool."
"Master, Pedro is still the king of the Mink Tribe, and he's determined to follow Joy Boy. If this continues, more Minks will be dragged into the upcoming war..."
Carl gently stroked Wanda's back before standing up.
"They won't last much longer. I already have a good idea of when they'll make their move."
Wanda and Carrot sat up straight, eyes fixed on Carl.
He turned to the window, looking out at the bright sun.
"Perhaps Joy Boy is just waiting for a full moon."
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+185 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg