Strolling down the bustling street, everyone was in high spirits. Carmen, lured by the aromas from the food stalls, grabbed Leno and dashed off.
They walked, snacked, and walked some more—like browsing a night market: see something tasty, buy it, eat it on the spot.
As they ambled along, they glanced at Chopper, whose cheeks bulged with grilled skewers.
Leno suddenly had a wicked idea. "Hey, Chopper, do reindeer even eat meat?"
Chopper froze mid-bite, then blew his top. "Leno!!! After eating a Devil Fruit, my diet's the same as a human's! We've been together this long and you're only now noticing I eat meat?!"
"Ah? R-right… didn't notice… ha… haha~" Leno turned away, embarrassed.
"Hey, there's a clothing shop! They sell the local style in there! Let's go look."
Nami lit up at the sight of the boutique and waved everyone inside.
"Mmm, cheongsams. Not bad, not bad—buy them. Buy a lot!"
Eyeing the styles, then sweeping his gaze over the women, Leno's eyes sparkled. "The purple one… sky blue with florals… and the red…"
"Ayo, what are you muttering about?" Nojiko asked, noticing how he kept glancing from the dresses to them, mumbling under his breath.
"Ah?! N-nothing. These styles suit you all. Pick several each—money's no issue!" Leno said grandly. "Want me to help choose? You know my taste never misses!"
"Yes, yes! Stupid Leno, pick some for me!" Nami tugged him, excited.
Leno gave her a once-over. "It's a bit early for you to wear a cheongsam. How about I pick for Robin and Kuina first—"
Nami's face went iron blue as her gaze turned razor-sharp. "What did you just say? Say it again."
A chill cut to the bone. Leno shivered. "Ahem—what I said was, you'd look amazing in a cheongsam!"
Robin and Nojiko covered their mouths, snickering. They knew exactly what was going on in Leno's head. And since they were happy to show him their prettiest sides, they let him get away with it.
After everyone picked a few styles, they left the shop.
"So what if they're bigger than me right now—mine will grow too! Stupid pig Leno! Total lech!" Nami puffed out her small chest, glaring at Robin and Kuina's generous curves as she grumbled.
"Move aside! Move aside!"
A commotion rose ahead. A squad marched through with intimidating force.
"Quick, move! It's the Second Treasure Navy— they're heading out to sea today!"
"I thought the Sixth Treasure Navy was scheduled to sail? Why the Second Treasure too?"
"King's orders—four units are sailing. Word is there's an enemy convoy at sea transporting weapons. They're going to deal with it."
Hearing the chatter, Leno and the others understood: they'd gotten intel and were heading out to raid the enemy's transport fleet.
Uholisia led the formation, face clouded. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a pretty-boy at a shop entrance, surrounded by several stunning women.
She thought of her quarrel with Sai earlier. Over that little incident, he'd gone out to find women?
Watching the pretty-boy laugh and chat with the girls stoked her fury. Her hand moved faster than her brain—she yanked the whip from her waist and cracked it toward Leno with a sharp snap.
Leno blinked, baffled. He'd been chatting happily with Robin when that burly woman glanced his way—then suddenly lashed a whip at him.
He only reacted when the strike was nearly on him—mostly because they'd just stepped out of the boutique, and all his eyes were on Robin in that purple cheongsam. Who'd expect someone to attack without a word?
"Boom!" A burst of explosive sound.
"Leno, you've grown careless," Kuina said, cleaving the whip aside in a single stroke and turning to him, stern.
"I know. My apologies."
Heat crept up Leno's face. Even if the whip landed, he'd be fine—but as captain, he should never drop his guard. Keeping his crew safe came first.
He drew his blade and walked forward, crimson arcs of lightning starting to dance over his body.
"Give me a reason. If you can't, then your Second Treasure Navy won't live to see tomorrow's sun."
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Civilians who'd been murmuring moments ago rolled their eyes white and dropped like flies. As Leno advanced, soldiers of the Second Treasure Navy collapsed one after another. Cold sweat poured down Uholisia's face.
She'd regretted her rash strike the instant the female swordsman cut her whip. When the blond man drew his blade… a sinking dread took root.
Now, under the mountainous pressure and before that figure wreathed in bloody red lightning—half god, half demon—she had no doubt he could butcher her and the troops behind her with ease.
"Sir, it was all my fault. I shouldn't have attacked you without cause. Please be chivalrous and forgive me this once."
Bowing and trembling, Uholisia pleaded.
"The taunt of an ant wouldn't normally matter to me. But this—you made me lose face."
"Here's the deal: you lashed me once; I cut you once. If you survive, you're forgiven. Fair enough, isn't it?"
"Th-this... this, Sir..."
"Or do you want everyone behind you to die because of you?"
Leno overbearingly interrupted what Uholisia was trying to say.
Uholisia's face went sheet-white.
"Fine… then I'll dare to take your strike."
In despair, she drew the long blade from her back and met Leno's slash.
Leno didn't waste words. He stepped forward; his sword swept sideways.
Staring at the crimson slash roaring toward her, Uholisia's eyes filled with despair. It was as if a giant loomed over her.
'I can't stop it. I'll die. I'll die!'
Just as the slash was about to end her life, a figure suddenly appeared in front of her.
She'd been about to shut her eyes—then saw the back shielding her and screamed in horror, "Father! Get out of the way!"
T/n:
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