Nao isn't a zookeeper, so of course, he couldn't control the proud little rabbit.
However.
Feeding the rabbit was no problem at all.
Looking at the delicate face just inches from his own, Nao was silent for a long time. Then, unable to help himself, he smiled slightly, opened his arms, and pulled Gion into his embrace, pressing a firm kiss to her soft, pink lips.
Looking at the delicate face just inches from his own, Nao was silent for a long time. Then, unable to help himself, he smiled slightly, opened his arms, and pulled Gion into his embrace, pressing a firm kiss to her soft, pink lips.
"OHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
A thunderous wave of cheers exploded across the entire plaza.
And then—for some reason—a round of applause started from one corner and rippled outward almost instantly.
Clap clap clap!
Ten people clapped. Then a hundred. Within seconds, the entire audience had risen to their feet, wildly applauding and cheering for the two locked in a kiss onstage.
Some wore looks of envy. Others had a shadow of disappointment in their eyes. Bitterness bloomed quietly in many hearts—and for a moment, it was impossible to say whether they were jealous of Nao… or of Gion.
"This is the first time something like this has ever happened at a commissioning ceremony."
Up on the platform, Kong stood with arms crossed, watching the scene with a faint smile.
"But I suppose it'll become a legend—something recruits will be whispering about for years to come."
"It's definitely a romantic scene," Zephyr added with a chuckle beside him. "But the height difference's a bit off. Look at that kid—he's been on his tiptoes the whole time. I'm getting tired just watching."
"…"
Kong gave him a sideways glance.
"Can you not kill the mood at a moment like this?"
Farther back, behind the long table—
"Bwahahaha! That kid Nao's got some guts!"
Taking advantage of Sengoku's distraction, Garp snatched the last donut, stuffed it in his mouth, and burst out laughing.
"When did this even start…? Hey, Tsuru! How do you feel right now? Are you so shocked your jaw's about to dislocate? And does it feel like your prized cabbage was rooted by a pig?"
"This old woman knew long ago."
In the midst of the commotion, Tsuru raised her teacup and took a calm sip, her gaze serene like still water.
"Chishio knew too. We just didn't bother telling you two fools."
"Exactly."
The elegant, frail old woman beside her, simply dressed, also put down her teacup, her expression just as calm.
"Besides… my cabbage, my little golden pig—they're both my children. What's there to root or not root?"
"Eh?! Dammit—! You two are too much!"
...
As the saying goes: "When blossoms wither in October, the peach flowers bloom at Marine Headquarters."
5:30 AM.
Right before the alarm blared, Nao opened his eyes right on time and smoothly shut it off with a flick of his hand.
What met his gaze was a pale pink ceiling, a clean, minimalist room, and the faint scent of gardenia lingering around the bed.
—This clearly wasn't his room.
Nestled against his chest, Gion still slept soundly. Her tangled black hair couldn't hide the fatigue written across her face.
Nao didn't have the heart to wake her. He lowered his head and brushed a kiss across her forehead, light as a dragonfly on water. Then, gently lifting the blanket, he slipped out of bed.
The moment his feet touched the ground, something felt off. The bed was too low.
He looked down—and instantly understood.
—Oh. All four legs of the bed were broken.
Should've switched to steel frames. Wooden ones just couldn't be trusted.
Clicking his tongue, he walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge.
Inside: a few eggs, some broccoli, an avocado, and two half-eaten packs of toast.
So meager, just like feeding a rabbit.
Still, it didn't shake the determination of the invincible Lord Nao to lovingly prepare a hearty breakfast for his hard-working little bunny.
He grabbed four eggs, oiled the pan, and started cooking. While clumsily cracking the eggs, he pulled up his system panel and checked the mission log.
No question—Gion's sudden change of heart yesterday, that bold confession—it had both surprised him and, unexpectedly, completed a side mission that was just about to expire in a little over a month.
He'd realized it last night.
But in that kind of situation, what kind of lunatic would stop to sneak a peek at their system screen?
Only now did he finally have a moment.
[Side Quest: True Superior's Confession – COMPLETED]
[Rewards: 350,000 Points, S-Rank Reward Box ×1, Random Attribute Points ×3 — Delivered]
[Note: To complete such a high-difficulty mission within the time limit… astonishing!]
[Note: Is it time to complete that other side mission too?]
...
Wait—what other side mission?
Nao blinked, opened the mission list, and scanned it.
It had been months since he'd looked at it. He'd been so busy he'd nearly forgotten all about it.
Kick Gion into the sea?
He glanced over at the sleeping little rabbit and scoffed.
"What kind of joke is that? Like I could ever do something like that."
He wasn't some heartless psycho.
That kind of inhumane mission? Screw that.
"Anyway, let's collect the rewards first."
His attention returned to the system panel. The S-Rank Gift Box and the three random attribute points were already in his inventory, waiting to be opened. And that hefty 350,000 points had been credited immediately.
Thanks to the lingering effects of the newspaper report and the 20,000 points Shia provided each month, he already had nearly 200,000 points saved up.
Now, that total had surged, more than doubling:
[Name: Natsuya Nao]
[Age: 19]
[Strength: 25 (100,000 points/level)]
[Agility: 24 (+2) (100,000 points/level)]
[Stamina: 26 (100,000 points/level)]
[Intelligence: 9 (100,000 points/level)]
[Charm: 14 (200,000 points/level)]
[Current Points: 512,900]
[Standard Skills]: Dual Blade Swordsmanship (Intermediate), Rokushiki (Intermediate), Firearms Proficiency (Advanced), Close-Quarters Combat (Advanced), Self-Discipline (Master), Armament Haki (Intermediate), Observation Haki (Beginner), Painting (Advanced), Fishing (Master)
[Innate Skills]: Radiant Smile, Thick Skin (Intermediate), Iron Head (Intermediate), Limb Regeneration
[Equipped]: Boots of Lightness, Thornmail Armor
Upgrading core stats only got harder as time went on, but after months of grinding and training, his growth was starting to show—and it was reflected in the numbers.
After passing the 24-point threshold, the cost of upgrading Strength, Agility, and Stamina had skyrocketed to 100,000 points per level, now matching Intelligence.
"So expensive…"
Nao muttered, "But hey, with over 500k in the bank, I can splurge a bit on stats and still have some fun…"
But first, time to open that box.
He turned his eyes to the inventory slot, a surge of excitement and anticipation building.
—When was the last time he even opened a loot box?
Felt like forever.
"Let's start with the S-Rank one."
His eyes flicked between the Gift Box and the attribute points—no hesitation. He picked the Gift Box.
Most of his previous pulls had been A-Rank boxes. Thinking back, the last time he got an S-Rank one might've been back when he and Gion had swapped bodies?
He clicked the box in his inventory.
Flash!
Golden light flared. The familiar blue dice appeared—each side bearing the six same words:
[Attribute Point] [Consumable] [Weapon] [Skill Scroll] [Defense Item] [Egg]
"Let's go!"
Nao shouted, silently praying:
Last time I pulled an S-Rank, I got Yone's Twin Sword. Even if my luck's bad today, it shouldn't be too terrible… right?
[S-Rank Gift Box opening… please wait]
[Rolling…]
The dice spun at lightning speed. Nao stared, unblinking. As the rotation slowed, his heart climbed to his throat.
[Roll Complete]
[Reward Type: Skill Scroll]
"A skill?" That was right up his alley. He eagerly rubbed his hands. "Will it be a talent skill? Sword skill? Dammit—I wish I had two S-Rank boxes right now…"
Another golden flash.
[You have acquired Talent Skill: Amphibious Breathing]