The steady, deliberate rhythm of Leo's footsteps sent a wave of pure, unadulterated panic across Doll's face. What was this monster going to do to her?!
Leo's eyes locked onto the collar around Doll's neck, and a faint, knowing smirk touched his lips. Perfect. A confirmed submissive. She would be the first test subject for the Brand of Obedience.
He stopped directly in front of her. Lifting his right hand, a dark, shimmering sigil slowly coalesced above his palm, pulsing with subtle energy.
"Ah!!!!" Doll shuddered. What kind of person, without very specific tastes, would wear such a thing around their neck?
Then, under her terrified gaze, he pressed the brand firmly onto her forehead.
It was not a physical burn, but an invasion of her mind. The Brand of Obedience seared into her consciousness, etching itself onto the very core of her soul. Doll let out a sharp, guttural cry as her expression shifted violently—from fierce resistance, through a chaotic struggle marked by a strange, fleeting glint in her eyes, to a final, unsettling calm.
When she opened her eyes again, she looked placidly at Leo. He was a pirate, her captor, yet she found she could summon no hatred for him. Instead, a powerful, instinctual urge to kneel, to submit, washed over her.
Was it an illusion?
Under the brand's influence, it was not. Doll genuinely desired to yield to Leo. This was the brand's power—it forged absolute loyalty and obedience to the host, leaving every other facet of the person unchanged.
It was no trick. Doll still knew she was a Marine Officer, a commander at Marine Base G-14. But facing Leo, her heart screamed to serve him, to follow him without question.
Doll's body trembled. A dark shadow seemed to flit deep within her pupils before vanishing, her demeanor settling into one of serene acceptance.
"Master~" Doll breathed, her gaze fixed on Leo with rapt devotion.
The other women in the room froze solid.
"Master?!"
"Just like that?!"
"Did we miss something?!"
Recovering from their shock, all eyes swiveled to Leo, their faces a canvas of bewilderment and suspicion.
Leo cleared his throat awkwardly. "No need to stare. It's... another one of my abilities." He offered a hollow laugh.
The women's expressions grew even more dubious. Had Leo secretly used this on them, too?!
"Doll," Leo said, swiftly changing the subject. "Don't call me 'Master.' 'Captain' is fine. From now on, you are a combatant for the Leo Pirates."
With the crew's expanding numbers, roles had become more defined. The crew now totaled fourteen: Kaya, Nami, Nojiko, Makino, Carmen, Tashigi, Vivi, Robin, Valentine, Goldenweek, Sarah, Laki, Conis, and Doll.
Chefs: Carmen, Nojiko.
Doctor: Kaya.
Brewers: Makino, Vivi.
Baristas: Valentine, Goldenweek, Sarah, Laki, Conis.
Combatants: Nami, Tashigi, Robin, Doll.
Fourteen women, but only four dedicated combatants. The ratio was undeniably poor. But Leo had little choice. The truly powerful women of the seas were mostly aligned with major powers like the Yonko, the Marines, or the Warlords, all based in the New World.
Of course, not being a designated combatant didn't mean the others were helpless. Everyone on board had awakened both Observation and Armament Haki. Nami and Robin had even awakened Conqueror's Haki. With the three Haki training manuals, given time, they could all reach formidable levels.
Leo focused his intensive "training" on the combatants, his daily, physical lessons continuously enhancing their constitutions. They spent nearly all their free time honing their skills. Others, like Vivi, had duties like brewing and cooking that occupied their time, slowing their progress.
"Understood, Captain," Doll replied, her voice filled with reverence as she nodded, her eyes shining with pure admiration.
"Leo, you're incredible!!" Kaya blurted out, giving a thumbs-up. The defiant Marine officer was now an obedient devotee in the blink of an eye.
The other women quickly added their own praise, though their glances at each other were laden with unspoken questions.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Doll frowned, feeling uncomfortable under their collective, strange stares.
The women stifled their laughter and shook their heads in unison.
Leo ignored their teasing; he was long since immune.
"Doll, you're new. Get to know everyone. I have matters to attend to."
"Of course, Captain. I will ensure harmonious relations with everyone," Doll assured him. As a former Marine officer, handling people was her forte. With women, there were even more topics to bond over.
"Ah, one more thing." Leo turned back to the group. "No one misses breakfast tomorrow. I have something for you all." Without waiting for a reply, he strode out of the room.
The moment the door closed, all eyes locked onto Doll.
"What are you all looking at?!" Doll felt a chill under their intense scrutiny.
The women exchanged glances, and identical, mischievous smiles spread across their faces.
In his private quarters, Leo focused his mind.
[Congratulations, Host. You have successfully recruited crew member Doll. Claim your reward?!!]
"Claim it!" Leo responded instantly.
The Brand of Obedience worked flawlessly. Apply the brand, secure loyalty. It was the only way to handle staunch Marine loyalists like Doll. Otherwise, even claiming the system reward by force would not secure their genuine allegiance, leaving him with only undesirable options. Letting a storyline beauty go was not an option. This was the most efficient method. Aside from absolute fidelity to him, they remained unchanged.
[Congratulations, Host. You have obtained the weapon reward: Demon Splitter.]
[The system has automatically optimized this item, removing any and all negative side effects.]
Huh?!
The name sparked a flicker of recognition. The Demon Splitter, a blade whose form was fluid, its capabilities limited only by the user's will. A weapon of immense offensive potential.
An excellent blade!
And without the draining side effects of the original. The system was indeed thoughtful.
Having given the Wado Ichimonji to Tashigi, he needed a new personal sword. The Demon Splitter, versatile and powerful, suited him perfectly. Its potential was easily on par with the Supreme Grade Swords of this world.
After a brief examination of the seemingly innocuous sheathed weapon—its true nature awaiting battle—Leo stored it in his system warehouse.
His consciousness then delved deeper. Within the endless inventory space, the Going Merry and the Ark Maxim sat docked. A long table held rows of Haki Fruits and training manuals. The massive Golden Bell and piles of gold lit the area with a soft glow. But nearby, an enormous, radiant lantern outshone it all.
Pure Gold!!
Eternal youth. Extended life.
The ultimate treasure.
Something the World Government would wage war to possess.
A slow grin spread across Leo's face. Devil Fruits, legendary blades, Ancient Weapons, the One Piece itself... none of it compared to the promise of agelessness. With Pure Gold, he and his crew could truly live forever. He could explore every corner of the globe with them. Wake up each day to a different smile.
He withdrew a small portion of the Pure Gold and meticulously divided it into fifteen shares, each piece perfectly sized to be embedded within the rings his crew already wore.
Task complete, Leo lay back on his bed, hands behind his head. His original plan after Skypiea was Water 7, to recruit Kalifa. Doll and the Pure Gold were unexpected windfalls. Now it was time to acquire his future private secretary.
The next morning, after the meal, the women gathered, buzzing with anticipation.
"Captain, what is it this time?" Makino asked pleasantly.
Leo produced the tiny, brilliant pieces of Pure Gold.
"Is this... that glowing substance from before?" Robin picked up a piece, her sharp eyes noting its exceptional quality, though she couldn't identify it.
"Leo, could you be any less generous? This is tiny," Nami complained, remembering the vast quantity she'd seen.
"Enough," Leo said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Place these inside your rings. Wear them at all times."
The women, sensing his seriousness, complied without another word. The pieces fit perfectly into the hidden compartments of their spatial rings.
Satisfied, Leo nodded. He would not tell them the truth about Pure Gold. The risk was too great. If its nature were ever discovered, the entire world would become their enemy.
"Captain," Makino began, her tone casual. "How many beautiful women are in Water 7, our next stop?"
The other women's expressions remained neutral, utterly accustomed to this line of questioning. Only Doll looked completely lost.
"Doll," Sarah said, slinging an arm around her, "our Captain has a tradition. Every new island means a new beautiful crewmate."
Doll's neck flushed crimson, her cheeks turning scarlet. She had, after all, been the most recent "recruit."
"There is one," Leo admitted frankly. "And besides her, Kashii and Oimo are on Enies Lobby. I need to return them to Little Garden." He hadn't forgotten his promise to Brogy and Dorry.
The conversation quickly devolved into excited plans for shopping in the famous water city, the women chattering about clothes, souvenirs, and local specialties. Leo felt a familiar headache coming on. Thankfully, his treasury could support their habits.
Five days later, their commandeered ship docked at Water 7. The women dispersed in small groups to explore, leaving Leo, Tashigi, and Doll on the waterfront.
"Nothing you want to buy?" Leo asked.
Tashigi shook her head; only training and swords held her interest. Doll also declined, her focus entirely on Leo.
"Then let's go find Kalifa," Leo said. With a nod, the two women fell in beside him, each taking an arm. After asking for directions, they made their way towards the towering headquarters of the Galley-La Company.
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T/N :
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