At that moment, Reno had no idea that his fight with Hawkeye had unexpectedly won him the favor of the chef, Carmen, leading her to smoothly join his pirate crew.
Outside the restaurant.
Sparks flew.
The more Reno fought, the more excited he became, his eyes shining brightly.
Swordsmanship, Haki, teleportation, and healing powers. He used an endless variety of techniques.
Hawkeye, on the other hand, grew more and more frustrated with each exchange. He finally recognized that familiar feeling.
"The Golden Lion?!" Hawkeye asked in a deep voice amidst their fierce battle.
He had felt that Reno's moves were familiar.
They were clearly the signature moves of the Golden Lion.
Could he be the Golden Lion's apprentice?! Is that old lion still alive?!
Reno knew Hawkeye had misunderstood, but he had no intention of explaining.
"Hahahahaha... Hawkeye, defeat me, and I'll tell you."
Hawkeye: If you're not going to tell me, just say so.
Fine.
Clang!!
Hawkeye sheathed his Black Blade, Yoru.
Reno was stunned. He appeared and asked, "You're not fighting anymore?!"
He was just getting into it.
Hawkeye's lips twitched, but he admitted frankly, "Your swordsmanship and Haki are inferior to mine, but... I am not your opponent."
It was an objective assessment.
Reno's mysteriously unpredictable teleportation ability was extremely troublesome for him.
Even his Observation Haki was useless against it.
If Reno's Haki was on the same level as his, he would have been defeated in an instant.
As the World's Strongest Swordsman, he was well-versed and had seen much.
But Reno's teleportation ability was something he had never heard of; it defied all logic.
What was most surprising was that despite continuously using his teleportation and swordsmanship, Reno's stamina didn't seem to decrease at all. He wasn't even flushed or out of breath.
The East Blue was truly a strange place.
It was supposed to be the weakest of the four seas.
First, there was the Lord of the Coast that bit off Shanks's arm.
And now, a guy had appeared that even he was no match for.
Only Krieg was easy to bully.
Krieg: ???
You're feeding me peanuts.
"You're right, Haki is indeed my weak point," Reno nodded, not denying it.
His current three types of Haki were from the novice gift package and were at their lowest level.
Compared to Hawkeye's Haki, they were naturally far inferior.
But as long as he had teleportation and healing powers, he would forever be in an invincible position.
He might not be able to win, but he would absolutely never lose.
"Can you tell me your name now?!" Hawkeye repeated his earlier question.
"Reno, captain of the Reno Pirates. A rookie who has just set sail," Reno answered truthfully this time.
Hawkeye nodded with a blank expression.
After a moment's hesitation, he pressed on, "Reno, what is your dream?!"
Reno: ???
Why ask such a strange question all of a sudden?
Hawkeye stared at Reno, his posture making it clear he wouldn't give up until he got his answer.
He had to know.
A rookie pirate already possessed such a troublesome ability.
What about in the future?!
Weak Haki could be trained.
Once Reno's Haki improved, coupled with his infinite teleportation...
At that time, he would be unstoppable.
In Reno, he saw the power to stir up great waves.
That's why he urgently needed to know Reno's ultimate goal for setting out to sea.
Was it the pursuit of wealth?!
Power and status?!
The throne of the Pirate King?!
Or something else.
Reno smiled, clasped his hands behind his head, and turned to walk back to the restaurant.
At the same time, a light voice drifted out.
"I want beautiful women."
Hawkeye: ...
Alright, you win.
"Reno, I'll be waiting for you in the New World," Hawkeye said with a grin in Reno's direction.
A man like Reno was destined not to be cooped up in a small sea like the East Blue.
They would have a chance to meet again.
Reno waved his hand without turning back.
Hawkeye left, boarding his small coffin-like boat, taking his frustration with him.
He couldn't wait to find Shanks and have a good chat.
A chat about the Lord of the Coast, a chat about Reno, and a chat about the bizarre sea known as the East Blue.
Before he left, with a single slash, he cut down Krieg and Gin, who were trying to take the opportunity to escape.
Krieg's dream of becoming the Pirate King was completely shattered.
...
Seeing Reno approach, the restaurant patrons gathered at the door quickly made way, looking at him with a mixture of admiration and fear.
"Brother Reno, you were amazing."
"Captain."
"Reno."
Kaya and the other women all called out to him.
Reno smiled slightly in response.
"Huh?!" He quickly noticed Carmen among the women.
The usually carefree and bold Carmen didn't seem quite right. She was acting shy and bashful, like a timid young woman.
"Ahem~" Nami cleared her throat, pulled Carmen forward, and announced solemnly, "Reno, allow me to make a grand introduction. This is the beautiful chef, Miss Carmen. From now on, she has officially joined the Reno Pirates."
"She is now a member of the Reno Pirates."
Reno: ???
Such a good thing happened?!
What was going on?!
He hadn't even made a move, and Carmen had already joined?!
He just had one fight with Hawkeye and gained a beautiful crew member. How delightful.
"You didn't do anything to her, did you?!" He looked at the women.
They all shook their heads one after another, indicating they had done nothing.
"Captain, they didn't do anything to me. I joined of my own free will. Please take care of me from now on," Carmen stepped forward and extended her hand.
Looking at the wild beauty of Carmen, Reno suddenly got a feeling.
And then~
He paid the bill, led the women back to the Going Merry, and created an island cloud to lift the Going Merry a thousand meters into the sky.
The entire process was as smooth as flowing water, completed in one seamless motion.
The women were all dumbfounded.
"I knew this would happen!!" Nami stomped her foot in frustration as she watched Reno and Carmen disappear from the deck with a whoosh.
She didn't need to guess where they went.
Nojiko and the other two covered their mouths and giggled.
"Looks like I'll be losing sleep again tonight," Makino said with a yawn.
"Kaya, the Merry isn't soundproof at all! Did you cut corners when it was being built?!" Nami demanded, hands on her hips.
Kaya spread her small hands, looking helpless. "How was I supposed to know something like this would happen today?"
Nami let out a sigh.
She would have dark circles under her eyes again tomorrow.
---
Meanwhile, in Reno's quarters aboard the floating Going Merry...
The cloud-ship drifted silently through the evening sky, a thousand meters above the darkening sea. Inside the captain's cabin, soft golden light from a small lamp cast dancing shadows on the wooden walls. Carmen stood by the porthole, watching the stars emerge one by one, her dark skin glowing like polished bronze in the warm light.
Reno approached her from behind, his hands settling on her waist. She leaned back against his chest, feeling the solid warmth of him through his shirt. "The view up here is incredible," she murmured, but her voice carried a different kind of hunger than admiration for the scenery.
"Not as incredible as you," Reno replied, his breath warm against her neck. His hands traced the curves of her waist, feeling the soft fabric of her dress beneath his palms. Carmen had always been confident about her body - her rich, caramel-colored skin that seemed to glow from within, her full curves that spoke of both strength and femininity.
She turned in his arms, looking up into his eyes. "You know what you said about wanting beautiful women?" Her voice was playful, teasing.
"I remember," he said, his gaze intense.
"Well, here I am." She pressed herself closer, her full breasts against his chest. "What are you going to do about it?"
Instead of answering with words, Reno cupped her face and kissed her. The kiss started gentle but quickly deepened as Carmen responded eagerly, her hands fisting in his shirt. She could taste the lingering salt air on his lips, mixed with something uniquely him that made her pulse quicken.
When they broke apart, both were breathing heavily. Carmen's dark eyes were half-lidded with desire. "I've been thinking about this since I saw you fight Hawkeye," she admitted. "The way you moved, so confident, so powerful..."
Reno's hands roamed down her back, appreciating the curve of her spine through the thin fabric. "Have you now?" His voice was rough with want.
"Mmm," she hummed, stepping back just enough to slowly untie the strings of her dress. "I wondered what those hands would feel like on my skin." The fabric slipped from her shoulders, revealing the golden-brown expanse of her chest. Her breasts were full and heavy, dark nipples already peaked with arousal.
Reno's breath caught. Carmen's skin was like burnished gold in the lamplight, smooth and unmarked except for a small scar on her shoulder from a kitchen accident years ago. She was beautiful in a way that made his chest tight with desire and something deeper.
"God, Carmen," he breathed, reaching out to trace the line of her collarbone. Her skin was incredibly soft, warm beneath his touch.
She shivered at the contact, then smiled wickedly. "Your turn, Captain." Her hands went to his shirt, quickly unbuttoning it and pushing it off his shoulders. Her palms spread across his chest, feeling the hard muscle beneath scarred skin. "Mmm, very nice," she purred, leaning forward to press a kiss to his sternum.
Reno's control was slipping. He pulled her closer, his hands cupping her breasts, thumbs brushing over her nipples. Carmen arched into the touch, a soft moan escaping her lips. The sound went straight to his groin, and he could feel himself hardening rapidly.
"Bed," Carmen whispered against his neck, nipping lightly at his skin. "Now."
They stumbled toward his bunk, hands roaming, lips meeting in desperate kisses. Carmen's dress pooled around her ankles, leaving her in only a pair of thin cotton panties that did little to hide her arousal. She turned her back to him as she bent to step out of the fabric, giving him a perfect view of her magnificent ass - full, round cheeks that curved beautifully from her narrow waist.
Reno groaned at the sight. Carmen's body was a work of art - all curves and soft skin the color of rich honey. Her ass was particularly stunning, each cheek perfectly shaped, the kind of curves that begged to be touched, squeezed, worshipped.
"Like what you see?" Carmen asked over her shoulder, wiggling her hips teasingly.
"You're killing me," Reno said honestly, his hands going to his belt buckle.
Carmen turned back to face him, her eyes dropping to watch as he undressed. When he pushed his pants down, her eyes widened appreciatively. Reno was impressively endowed - his cock was thick and long, already hard and flushed with arousal. The head was dark red, a bead of moisture at the tip.
"Oh my," Carmen breathed, licking her lips unconsciously. "I was right to join this crew."
She approached him like a predator stalking prey, her hips swaying with each step. When she reached him, she wrapped her hand around his length, feeling the hot, silky skin over rigid steel. Reno hissed at the contact, his hips jerking involuntarily.
"So big," Carmen murmured, stroking him slowly from base to tip. "I wonder if I can take all of it."
"We'll find out," Reno growled, his hands going to her hips. He lifted her easily, her legs wrapping around his waist as he carried her to the bed. The feel of her wet heat against his stomach through her panties was driving him crazy.
He laid her down gently, then stepped back to look at her. Carmen was sprawled across his sheets like a goddess - her dark skin a beautiful contrast against the white fabric, her hair spread across the pillow like black silk. Her breasts rose and fell with her rapid breathing, and when she hooked her thumbs in her panties and slowly slid them down her legs, Reno thought he might lose his mind.
"You're perfect," he said reverently, settling between her spread thighs.
Carmen's pussy was as beautiful as the rest of her - dark pink lips glistening with moisture, a neat triangle of dark curls above. She was clearly aroused, her inner lips swollen and slick.
"Stop staring and touch me," Carmen demanded, her voice husky with need.
Reno didn't need to be told twice. He lowered his head, his tongue dragging slowly along her slit. Carmen cried out, her back arching off the bed. She tasted like heaven - musky and sweet, uniquely her.
He explored her thoroughly with his tongue, finding all the spots that made her gasp and writhe. When he focused on her clit, sucking the sensitive bundle of nerves, Carmen's hands fisted in his hair.
"Yes, just like that," she panted, her hips rolling against his mouth. "Don't stop, please don't stop."
Reno had no intention of stopping. He slid two fingers inside her, feeling how tight and wet she was. Carmen was perfect - her inner walls gripping his fingers, her taste on his tongue, the sounds she made as he pleasured her.
"I'm going to come," Carmen warned, her thighs trembling around his head.
"Come for me," Reno murmured against her, then sucked hard on her clit while curling his fingers inside her.
Carmen shattered with a scream, her body convulsing as waves of pleasure crashed over her. Reno worked her through it, gentling his touch as she came down from her high.
When she finally stilled, she pulled him up for a kiss, tasting herself on his lips. "That was incredible," she breathed. "But now I need you inside me."
Reno positioned himself at her entrance, the head of his cock nudging her wet opening. "Are you sure? I'm bigger than most men."
Carmen reached down to guide him, her hand wrapping around his thick shaft. "I'm sure. I want all of you."
Reno pushed forward slowly, feeling her tight heat envelop him inch by inch. Carmen gasped at the stretch, her nails digging into his shoulders. He was big - bigger than anyone she'd been with before - but the slight burn only added to her arousal.
"More," she panted when he paused halfway. "I can take it."
Reno pushed deeper, watching her face for any sign of discomfort. But Carmen only looked blissful, her dark eyes heavy-lidded with pleasure. When he was finally fully seated inside her, they both groaned at the sensation.
"Fuck, you feel amazing," Reno breathed, struggling to stay still. Carmen was so tight around him, her walls fluttering as she adjusted to his size.
"You too," Carmen gasped. "So full... I've never felt so full."
Reno began to move, pulling out slowly before pushing back in. Carmen's body welcomed him, her arousal making the slide smooth despite her tightness. Soon they found a rhythm, Reno's thick cock sliding in and out of Carmen's eager pussy.
The sound of their coupling filled the small cabin - skin slapping against skin, Carmen's breathy moans, Reno's rough groans. The bed creaked beneath them as their movements became more urgent.
"Harder," Carmen demanded, her legs wrapping around Reno's waist. "I want to feel you for days."
Reno obliged, his thrusts becoming more forceful. Carmen's breasts bounced with each impact, her dark skin glistening with sweat. She was a vision beneath him - all curves and golden skin and desperate need.
"Turn over," Reno said suddenly, pulling out of her.
Carmen whimpered at the loss but quickly complied, rolling onto her hands and knees. The position put her magnificent ass on full display, and Reno couldn't resist running his hands over the smooth curves.
"God, your ass is perfect," he groaned, squeezing the firm flesh. Carmen pushed back against his touch, clearly enjoying the attention.
"Then stop admiring and start fucking," she said with a laugh that turned into a moan as Reno slid back inside her.
This angle was even better - Reno could go deeper, and the view was incredible. Carmen's ass rippled with each thrust, her dark skin beautiful in the golden lamplight. He gripped her hips, pulling her back to meet his forward thrusts.
"Yes, yes, yes," Carmen chanted, her head dropped between her arms. "Right there, don't stop."
Reno reached around to rub her clit as he fucked her, and Carmen nearly screamed at the added stimulation. Her second orgasm built quickly, her body trembling on the edge.
"I'm close," she gasped. "So close..."
"Come for me," Reno commanded, his voice rough with his own approaching climax. "Come on my cock."
Carmen obeyed with a cry, her pussy clamping down on him like a vice. The sensation was too much for Reno - he thrust deep one final time and emptied himself inside her with a roar of pleasure.
They collapsed together on the bed, both breathing heavily. Carmen curled against Reno's side, her head on his chest, listening to his racing heartbeat slowly return to normal.
"That was..." she started, then trailed off with a satisfied sigh.
"Amazing," Reno finished, his arm tightening around her.
Carmen propped herself up to look at him, a mischievous glint in her dark eyes. "I hope you have good stamina, Captain. Because I plan on doing that again. Soon."
Reno's cock twitched with renewed interest, and Carmen laughed delightedly.
"Very soon," she purred, her hand trailing down his chest toward his already stirring length.
Outside, the cloud-ship continued its silent journey through the night sky, carrying its crew toward whatever adventures awaited. But inside the captain's quarters, Reno and Carmen were creating their own adventure, one that would leave them both thoroughly satisfied and eager for more.