After reading the description of the Healing Fruit, Reno genuinely fell in love with this system. It was so considerate. Not only did it boost his strength, but it also allowed him to "care for" the beauties of the One Piece world—a win-win situation. System Sis, you're the best!!
Every single note about the fruit hit Reno right in the heart. Healing all ailments, regenerating limbs, and removing various negative effects. The first person who came to mind was Kaya from Syrup Village. Though a wealthy heiress, she had been frail and sickly since childhood, tormented by constant illness and trapped in melancholy.
Kaya's image appeared in Reno's mind—a kind and adorable beauty. Due to her condition, her face lacked the healthy glow of others. Reno didn't know the severity of Kaya's illness, but he was confident that the Healing Fruit, born from the power of the Shennong Beast, could cure any incurable disease.
Moreover, Kaya's dream was to become a doctor who saves lives. No one was better suited for the Healing Fruit than her. Most importantly, even if Kaya ate the fruit, Reno could share its abilities. A true win-win. Absolutely delightful.
Is this the joy of being a cheater in the game?!
Reno felt a bit dazed. In just one day, he'd experienced the wildest ups and downs. College graduation → dreaming of taking over the "Beautiful Country" (America) → getting smashed by a truck → transmigrating to the One Piece world as a weakling → awakening the system and claiming a newbie gift package, becoming a Navy Rear Admiral-level powerhouse → "conquering" Nami and obtaining the Healing Fruit → ?!
This was probably more thrilling than most people's entire lives.
Reno extended his right hand, and a peculiarly shaped, entirely green fruit appeared in his palm. It perfectly matched the Shennong Beast, even down to the color. After a quick glance, he stored the Healing Fruit in the system inventory. Devil Fruits only revealed their power after being eaten—staring at it wouldn't do anything.
That night, Nami slept deeply. It wasn't that she trusted Reno so much, but she was utterly exhausted. Her first day on the "job," four hours of intense labor, experimenting with various methods and techniques, and wrapping things up at the end—it was overwhelming. Fatigue hit her like a tidal wave, making even speaking feel like a luxury.
Reno didn't disturb her. Nor was he worried about her sneaking away. For one, with his Observation Haki, she couldn't escape. For another, Nami would never abandon ten million Berries' worth of gold and treasures.
And so, the night passed quietly.
…
The next day, Reno woke early and tidied up the larger pirate ship. He scrubbed the bloodstains from the deck. As for the pirate corpses? They'd become fish food the previous night.
Luckily, the ship's storage held plenty of supplies. After cleaning, Reno used what was available to prepare breakfast.
At the dining table, Nami shuffled over, rubbing her messy hair, her posture awkward.
"Morning, Nami," Reno said, sipping milk and flashing a smile.
He was met with Nami's resentful glare. Morning? The sun was already high in the sky! If she hadn't been so worn out from yesterday's "work," would she have slept this late?! With that time, she could've stolen a few hundred thousand Berries by now.
Perhaps because of their "close collaboration" the previous day, Nami casually sat across from Reno without hesitation. She grabbed some breakfast and started eating unceremoniously.
"I gave you my most precious thing. Isn't it time to return my gold and treasures?" Nami mumbled through a mouthful of food.
"No need to worry about Arlong," Reno replied casually. "You're now the navigator of the Reno Pirates. Your problems are my problems. I'll take care of Arlong for you."
At those words, Nami froze mid-bite. Her hand hovered in the air, her wide eyes filled with disbelief. Reno had seen right through her deepest secret.
For a moment, she was at a loss. But soon, a self-deprecating smile crossed her face, and she said gloomily, "You don't understand. They're Fish-Men, born with ten times the strength of humans." "Arlong's even stronger than most Fish-Men, and he has plenty of Fish-Man allies. You're no match for him." "Going against them will only end badly for us."
For years, Arlong had haunted Nami's heart like a nightmare. There had been others who resisted, and she'd held onto hope, but what happened? They all died at Arlong's hands. Over time, Nami had come to see Arlong as an invincible force. Even if Kaido stood before her alongside Arlong, unless Kaido crushed him with a single blow, she'd still choose Arlong as the greater threat.
Looking at Nami's despondent expression, Reno shook his head helplessly. Eight years of trauma had etched Arlong's invincible image deep into her psyche. No matter what he said now, she wouldn't believe him.
When they reached Cocoyasi Village, he'd have to kill Arlong in front of her—maybe turn him into sashimi—to break her mental chains. But for now, he had more pressing matters.
"After breakfast, we're heading to the Goa Kingdom," Reno said, steering the conversation away.
"What are you going there for? Do you know someone there?" Nami asked, puzzled.
"To recruit crew members, obviously," Reno explained patiently. "You're the first member of the Reno Pirates, but there'll be a second, a third. There's so much work on this ship—do you expect me to do it all? If you weren't so exhausted yesterday, you'd be the one making breakfast today, got it?"
Nami: …
She bit her lip, glaring at Reno with indignation. This jerk!
Ignoring her angry stare, Reno continued eating breakfast calmly. His real reason for going to the Goa Kingdom? Makino, of course. With a Beauty Conquest System, how could he miss out on any plot-relevant beauty?
…