Five hundred years ago.
Inazuma, Tenshukaku.
After the call ended, the telephone in the room slowly disappeared.
Just as suddenly as it had appeared.
"The Boss's rewards truly are incredible."
Watching the scene, Raiden Makoto couldn't help but marvel.
From swapping souls...
...to communicating across five hundred years of time.
Every new miracle broadened her horizons.
"If only I could read manga too..."
A sudden thought surfaced in her mind.
The more she considered it...
The more possible it seemed.
If communicating across time was already possible...
Then perhaps...
Reading manga across time wasn't impossible either.
The more she thought about it, the brighter her eyes became.
If it really worked...
She would bring Ei, Kitsune Saiguu, and Chiyo together.
With everyone obtaining rewards...
They would have a much better chance against the coming Khaenri'ah war.
"I'll ask her during our next call."
Makoto quietly made up her mind.
They had already agreed during their previous conversation...
Until the outbreak of the Khaenri'ah war...
...they would call each other once every day.
There would be plenty of opportunities to ask.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
A knock sounded from outside.
"Come in."
Makoto straightened her posture before responding softly.
Creak—
The door opened.
A woman who looked almost identical to Makoto walked inside.
"Makoto."
"Were you talking to someone just now?"
Ei sat down nearby, curiosity written across her face.
She had merely been passing by.
But after hearing voices from inside the room, she'd stopped.
Normally...
No one disturbed her sister during this time.
Curious, she'd waited until the conversation ended before entering.
Sure enough...
There was nobody else inside.
Which only made her even more confused.
"I was."
Makoto smiled warmly.
"With you."
"Just... the version from five hundred years in the future."
Of course...
She only thought those words to herself.
She didn't actually say them.
Just as before...
The explanation was far too complicated.
And difficult to believe.
Better to wait until the timing was right.
"You'll understand eventually."
Ei: "..."
She had the strange feeling...
Ever since yesterday's gathering...
Her sister had changed.
The old Makoto never kept people guessing like this.
"Come on."
"Help your big sister deal with these documents."
Makoto smiled as she pinched Ei's cheek.
She wanted her younger sister to properly learn state affairs.
That way...
If something unexpected ever happened...
Ei wouldn't be caught completely unprepared.
"...Again?"
Ei immediately looked miserable.
As a warrior...
She would much rather fight someone than handle paperwork.
But seeing the hopeful look in her sister's eyes...
She ultimately couldn't refuse.
"Ei really is adorable right now."
Makoto secretly laughed to herself.
If the Ei from five hundred years later could see this younger version...
The expression on her face would surely be priceless.
I wonder...
Will that chance ever come?
Meanwhile...
Inside Solace Book House.
Ningguang, Keqing, and the others arrived at the counter carrying their manga.
They had clearly finished reading the East Blue arc of One Piece together.
Han Feng glanced at the system panel.
The rewards had refreshed.
[Customer Ningguang has finished reading One Piece – East Blue Arc.]
Reward obtained — Conqueror's Luck Card.
Conqueror's Luck Card: After use, grants a period of enhanced good fortune lasting one minute. Expires immediately afterward.
[Customer Keqing has finished reading One Piece – East Blue Arc.]
Reward obtained — Human-Human Fruit.
Human-Human Fruit: When eaten by an animal, it gains human-level intelligence, learning ability, bipedal movement, human lifespan, and other uniquely human traits.
Animals that consume it are also able to understand both human and animal languages.
[Customers Baiwen, Baishi, and Baixiao have finished reading One Piece – East Blue Arc.]
Reward obtained — Seashell.
"So they actually drew it again?"
A trace of surprise flashed across Han Feng's eyes.
It seemed that reading as a group really did increase the odds somewhat.
Though...
That was probably only because the Conqueror's Luck Card was a relatively ordinary reward.
If it had been one of the truly powerful Devil Fruits...
That would have been wishful thinking.
Keqing's reward, however...
Was rather interesting.
For animals...
It was practically a blessing.
After all...
It represented a rare opportunity to evolve.
As for humans...
Congratulations.
You just earned the ability to be a terrible swimmer.
"A reward that's useful..."
"...and yet not all that useful."
Han Feng shook his head with a smile.
Buzz—
Several brilliant pillars of light descended from above, enveloping Ningguang, Keqing, and the others.
Moments later...
The light faded.
A black card appeared in Ningguang's hand.
Meanwhile...
A strange fruit materialized in Keqing's palm.
It resembled a red mushroom covered in spiral patterns.
Green vines sprouted from its cap.
As for the three secretaries...
Their rewards were far less impressive.
Each received a single seashell.
Though at least they made decent decorations.
"Phew..."
"It paid off."
Seeing the familiar black card, Ningguang finally relaxed.
She had been somewhat nervous earlier.
After all...
This reward had already appeared yesterday.
There had been a real possibility it wouldn't appear again today.
Yet somehow...
Lady Luck had smiled upon her.
She'd obtained another one.
Still...
She knew this was probably the limit.
Trying again tomorrow would most likely be a waste of time.
"With two Luck Cards..."
"If that still isn't enough..."
"...I'll have to find another solution."
Ningguang looked thoughtfully at the black card in her hand.
"Ningguang."
Keqing spoke up.
"So you really got the Luck Card?"
She had effectively sacrificed her own opportunity to choose another manga just to help Ningguang.
If they hadn't drawn it...
It would have been a complete loss.
"I did."
Ningguang nodded with a smile.
"It's another Conqueror's Luck Card."
"Thank you."
"The next time something like this comes up..."
Keqing muttered,
"Go ask Yelan instead."
"I don't want to get dragged into this again."
"She wasn't in Liyue."
Ningguang chuckled.
Yelan was her special intelligence officer.
The two worked together closely.
Recently...
Yelan had been away gathering intelligence.
But judging by the time...
She should be returning soon.
"When she gets back..."
"I'll have her come here to read manga."
"She definitely shouldn't miss this opportunity."
Ningguang silently made her decision.
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