The banquet square erupted with cheers from the Pirates!
The powerful alliance between Lord Gurd and the Demon Princess had shown them the future of the Beasts—how could they not be thrilled?
"Waaah, Lord Gurd!"
"I'm so happy!"
"I'll never forget this day!"
In one corner of the square, a group of burly men wept uncontrollably as they watched the newlywed couple, but they quickly pulled themselves together.
"It's our time to shine! Let's show Lord Gurd the fruits of our training!"
"We originally planned this to express our admiration for Lord Gurd, but now it's turned into a wedding gift!"
"Lord Gurd will definitely be pleased!"
Under the spotlight, a group of muscular giants took the stage. The moment Gurd's gaze turned toward them, they tore off their coats.
Clad only in their underwear, the giants struck bodybuilding poses, instantly capturing the attention of all the Pirates.
"Lord Gurd is watching us!"
"Brothers, flex those muscles!"
"We are the Oni Island Bodybuilding Club—Lord Gurd Support Fitness Club!"
"Huh? Why is Lord Gurd leaving?"
"Was he not satisfied?"
Atop Skull Castle.
Gurd led Yamato by the hand to the highest point of the horned structure.
"Gurd, it's so high up here!"
"Yeah."
Gurd sat cross-legged and patted the ground beside him, signaling for her to join. Yamato immediately gathered her wedding dress and sat down next to him.
"Look at the sky."
"Huh?"
Their gazes turned upward.
Tonight, there were no clouds—only countless glittering stars.
"The stars are so beautiful!"
Yamato's eyes sparkled as she instinctively leaned closer to Gurd. She hadn't expected him to bring her here just to stargaze.
For some reason, her heart was pounding wildly.
An arm wrapped around her waist.
Gurd held her close.
The castle was too noisy, and those annoying creatures were an eyesore. Watching the stars on the rooftop was far better.
This wedding had been too rushed.
After all, it was put together by a bunch of violent maniacs—it felt more like a formality.
"Yamato, once everything is settled, let's get married again. I'll arrange a grand wedding for you."
"Okay!"
Yamato nodded vigorously.
She was still in a daze, completely unsure of how things had unfolded. She had somehow ended up married in the blink of an eye.
Damn that bastard father of hers!
The two of them gazed at the stars, enjoying the rare tranquility.
"Pfft! Hehehe!"
Yamato covered her mouth, giggling uncontrollably.
Gurd looked down at her in confusion.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing."
She shook her head hard, biting her lip to suppress her laughter. But it didn't take long before she blurted out, "I was just thinking… you always act so fierce, but deep down, you're actually really gentle."
"Gentle? That's got nothing to do with me!"
Gurd scoffed.
"Yes, it does!"
Yamato insisted emphatically.
She truly believed it. Even though Gurd often did terrible things, most of the time, he still left people with a glimmer of hope—like how he treated the people of Wano Country and the Nation of Labor.
If it were her father, he wouldn't have cared about the lives of those poor people at all.
And then there was Elbaf—even at his angriest, she hadn't sensed any real killing intent from him.
"Think whatever you want."
Gurd lay back, resting his hands behind his head as he stared deeply at the starry sky, lost in thought.
What good was gentleness anyway?
In this world where only the worst thrive, survival demands being more ruthless than your enemies. Soft-heartedness will never achieve great things.
Compared to the greatest foes, the Celestial Dragons, his cruelty was still far from enough. Those high and mighty beings truly treated people like ants, like expendable tools.
"Whoosh!"
Yamato climbed onto Gurd.
"Hmm?"
Gurd's gaze lowered to look at Yamato.
"What's wrong?"
"Mmm~~"
Yamato fidgeted awkwardly, her face turning red before she finally spoke: "Gurd, can you kiss me again?"
"Why?"
Gurd looked at her with disdain.
Yamato put her hands on her hips, glaring at Gurd in frustration: "I didn't get to feel it properly last time before you pulled away!"
"..."
Gurd's face darkened.
"Do you even know what a kiss means?"
"Of course I do! You're always looking down on me!"
Yamato proudly lifted her chin: "A kiss means love, and only the closest people can kiss. To me, Gurd is the closest person."
"Oh?"
Gurd was surprised.
This girl had grown up quite a bit.
"Fine, but just once."
"Mm-hmm!"
Yamato quickly got off Gurd and knelt properly on the ground, tilting her head up and closing her eyes in anticipation.
"I'm ready! Make it last longer this time!"
"Got it. Stay still."
Gurd smiled helplessly, his heart softening at Yamato's expectant expression. The girl was finally showing some femininity.
The girl's eyes peeked open slightly.
"Close them!"
"Okay!"
Under the starry sky, their soft lips met.
After a long while,
they separated.
Yamato opened her eyes, watching as Gurd lay back down. She touched her lips, feeling her heart race wildly.
So thrilling!
This indescribable, wonderful feeling was a first for her.
She wanted to kiss him again!
Yamato shuffled closer to Gurd and, seizing the moment he wasn't paying attention, quickly pressed down on him.
"Mmph!"
Gurd pushed the girl away, scolding her in annoyance: "Once wasn't enough? You're just curious, you brat!"
"It's because I love you!"
Yamato covered her mouth, grinning mischievously in triumph.
Yes!
She never understood why her sisters liked getting so shamelessly close to Gurd, but now she was starting to get it.
Kissing was so fun!
"Couldn't you just enjoy this nice atmosphere quietly?"
"Never mind, talking to you is pointless."
"Yamato, let me show you something fun!"
Gurd stood up and stomped his foot, causing stone pillars to rise from the ground. He casually grabbed one and snapped it off.
Yamato tilted her head curiously.
"Gurd, what are you doing?"
"Shh!"
Gurd raised a finger to his lips, then dug his fingers into the stone pillar. The next moment, the pillar began glowing orange-red from within.
Ready.
Gurd's right arm tensed as he hurled the pillar into the sky!
"Whoosh! Whoosh whoosh whoosh!"
One after another, the stone pillars shot upward.
When the last one disappeared, a brilliant light suddenly burst across the sky, followed by countless fiery streaks descending.
"Meteors!"
Yamato's face flushed red, her pupils reflecting the starlight.
A shower of meteors rained down!
Gurd looked at Yamato with a bright smile.
"Do you like it?"
"Mm-hmm!"
Yamato gazed at the meteor shower, her eyes sparkling.
Soon, the girl remembered something and quickly closed her eyes, clasping her hands together. She didn't forget to remind Gurd.
"Gurd, make a wish quickly!"
"Okay."
Gurd nodded with a smile, closing his eyes to make a wish just like Yamato. The moment he opened them, the girl threw herself onto him, wrapping her arms tightly around him.
"Gurd, I like you!"
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