Ain's figure was in no way inferior to Sadie's—she just dressed more conservatively, so most people never noticed.
Of course, Ren was an exception.
At the moment, he felt like he couldn't breathe.
"Ain dear, I'm simply showing everyone my best side. That's not a crime, now is it?"
Sadie twirled a strand of her wavy hair and flashed a sly smile, her eyes narrowing flirtatiously.
"Aah…"
Ain finally let go of Ren.
That was their first time getting that close.
"Mmm~ Little Ren, you should be thanking me."
Sadie leaned her face in with a teasing grin.
"You damn temptress! What are you even trying to say?"
Ren shot her a dirty look—this woman nearly smothered him just now.
Sure, it was… pleasant in its own way, but he couldn't breathe!
Sadie winked again, drawing lingering gazes from every man in the bar.
Ren, used to this routine by now, quickly regained his calm.
"Call me your pretty big sister, and I'll tell you what department I'm joining Mmm?"
If Ain wasn't beside him…
And if they weren't in the Marine Academy tavern…
Ren might've gone full beast mode already.
"Temptress, see you around!"
Without another word, Ren bolted out the door in a flash.
If he stayed any longer, he might actually lose control.
Sadie giggled behind him like a thousand-year fox demon.
Her curvy figure swayed seductively as she pulled a long whip seemingly from nowhere.
She raised her arm and lashed it toward Ren.
As Ren reached the door, he felt the air behind him shift.
Combat instinct kicked in immediately.
"New Rokushiki — Shave: Gale Blade!"
His form blurred into light, surging forward with twin wind blades at the ready.
"Ren, darling! Catch me~!"
Sadie suddenly jumped into his path, arms open wide.
Startled by her voice, Ren hesitated for just a split second.
That was enough.
He stopped his attack just in time. If he hadn't, Sadie would've been seriously injured.
In that instant, he shifted his body and canceled the strike.
Looking at her grinning face, Ren sighed.
Ever since he'd joined the Elite Division three years ago, he'd been haunted by this woman.
The first time he beat her in a spar, she started obsessively trying to get back at him.
And when her strength couldn't win her any ground, she discovered another method—seduction.
And she never stopped.
Unfortunately, Sadie just wasn't his type. Not to mention, her preferences were… too intense.
Seeing Ain already on the verge of emotional collapse, Ren wisely set Sadie down.
He figured he should keep things under control—at least until he had properly "handled" Ain.
The girl was shy. If she got mad, she'd probably ignore him for a week.
"Alright, alright, I'm done teasing you," Sadie finally said. "Let's get serious."
She crossed her legs and spoke in her usual lazy tone.
"The World Government is expanding internal positions, and every department is coming to the Marine Academy to recruit."
"So there's going to be a recruitment exam."
"A… what now? A job fair?"
Ren blinked.
Was this world getting more and more like his past life?
"Yep," said Sharin Kuhl, rubbing his chin. "Your wording is perfect, actually. It's a job fair."
"These past few years, pirates have been going wild. The World Government is seriously short on people, so they're sending representatives from every division to pick talent from the academy."
"And this time, even instructors have to participate. Even those who graduated less than ten years ago can come back to apply."
Now Ren understood why Garp had dragged him back from Foosha Village.
Normally, instructors at the Marine Academy were selected from top graduates and could stay on staff.
But now that even instructors had to apply, it meant the World Government was running out of options.
The pirates were truly getting out of hand.
"But this doesn't have anything to do with us, right? I mean, I haven't graduated yet."
Ren hadn't decided what he wanted to do after this.
Ideally, something with good pay, low workload, and close to home.
As for "becoming the Pirate King"? He'd leave that to some hot-blooded idiot.
--------------
Access 30 chapters in advance on my P@treon: [email protected]/Ashborn60