Just as a child cannot resist a straight wooden stick, a swordsman like Zoro could not resist a sword that burns with fire — a blade that once existed only in his imagination.
But Ren had turned that fantasy into reality… and handed it right to him.
Zoro, like a child with a new toy, swung the fiery blade through the cramped cabin, a brilliant arc of flame trailing from its edge.
Following Ren's suggestion, he even tossed the blade out the door and watched in awe as it flew back into his hand by itself.
"A fine sword! I'll call it Ryuen—Flowing Flame."
Zoro grinned with satisfaction, naming the once-Sunblade anew. Then a thought struck him — had he ever told Ren about his desire for such a weapon?
…No, he hadn't.
But did it really matter?
By now, Zoro had a grasp of who Ren was — not a villain, perhaps even a friend.
Since that was the case, there was no need for suspicion.
With that thought, Zoro inclined his head in gratitude.
"Thanks."
"No need. Here—take these boots too."
Ren handed him a pair of black boots enchanted with Frost Walker and gave a quick explanation of their effects.
He had already made sure they were the right size.
".A swordsman doesn't usually rely on tools."
Zoro sounded hesitant.
"They won't affect your combat directly," Ren replied. "They'll just make things easier. And don't forget—you're supposed to protect me. If a battle breaks out at sea and I charge across the water, you'll need to follow. Without these, that'd take you a lot longer."
Ren had his excuse prepared.
"…Alright."
Zoro took the boots, his expression grave. "I'll remember that."
"No worries—we're friends, after all."
Ren waved him off, turned, and went next door to Nojiko's cabin.
He knocked politely, waited for permission, and stepped inside.
It was a simple, cozy little room — a single bed, a small bookshelf, and little space to spare.
The Pipi Shrimp was, after all, a single-mast ship. Space had to be managed carefully, and personal quarters were small.
Ren's captain's cabin was the largest — easily the size of two or three regular rooms.
Nojiko's quarters, though, had one distinctive feature: the walls were covered in hand-drawn sketches — scenes of an orange grove, and three familiar silhouettes.
Nojiko, Nami, and Bell-mère.
"What is it?"
Nojiko was lounging comfortably on the bed, propped up by a pillow as she looked toward him.
Perhaps because she was in her room, she was dressed lightly — more like Nami's casual style.
Her sun-kissed skin gleamed with a healthy glow, and Ren found his eyes wandering before Nojiko chuckled softly.
"Bringing gifts. Or rather—investing in a crewmate."
Ren coughed awkwardly but didn't feel particularly guilty.
After all, by any measure, Nojiko was beautiful.
"I heard from Nami. What are you giving me?"
Nojiko sat up straight, posture neat and eyes expectant.
Clearly, she too was aware of her weakness.
"You're a non-combatant, so just four things."
Ren handed her a double-enchanted silver Desert Eagle, a translated Firearm Training Manual, a glowing golden bracelet pulsing with faint violet light—
—and Schrödinger's Poster/Seal.
Though he had grown fond of 007, Ren truly had no use for it anymore. Giving it to Nojiko felt right.
When Ren handed her the heavy scroll, his tone softened. He hoped she would take good care of 007.
After all, they had been through life-and-death together.
He briefly explained the enchantments, then left her room.
When it came to Nami's cabin, however, Ren didn't bother with manners.
After all, Nami never knocked before entering his room—sometimes she didn't even use the handle, just kicked the door open.
So Ren simply pulled the door open and stepped inside—
—and was met with a sight worthy of Schrödinger's Poster itself.
Moonlight streamed through the small round window, bathing the cabin in silver.
A stunning girl stood there, half undressed, sleepwear in hand.
Firelight from the table lamp flickered across her figure, its warmth swallowed by smooth, snow-white skin.
She turned her graceful neck, her beautiful face illuminated — eyes wide in shock, embarrassment flooding into anger.
"Hiss—!"
Ren inhaled sharply. Heat flooded his face—and then, his nose.
He staggered back, slammed the door shut—BANG!—just in time to hear something heavy crash against it from the other side.
But Ren hardly noticed. His mind was still stuck on one thought: 36D?
"Wait—was that… a real 36D?"
He didn't even really understand what it meant. He only knew it was big. Very big.
But… just how big? Maybe only his hands could tell for sure—
"Come in!"
Nami's irritated voice interrupted his train of thought.
Ren took a deep breath, pushed the door open again, and found himself facing the same woman from a moment ago—though now, dressed.
"You saw, didn't you?"
Nami ground her teeth, glaring at the dark-eyed man before her.
"…Saw what?"
Ren blinked innocently, his mind conveniently blank.
"Don't play dumb! You've got blood running down your nose!"
Nami huffed, marching closer. Her pale fingers brushed his upper lip, coming away with a streak of red.
She looked tired beneath her anger—perhaps from watching Ren tirelessly help everyone grow stronger these past days.
Nami found her irritation fading, just a little.
Truthfully, even if Ren admitted it outright, she wouldn't have punished him.
After all, whether she liked it or not, the "You're mine" situation still technically stood.
If Ren had truly intended to take advantage of it, she and Nojiko would never have shared a cabin at the start of their voyage.
But as days passed, and Ren never crossed any lines, she began to realize he wasn't that kind of man.
At least—not in the crude, impulsive way she'd feared.
After the Mys Island incident, Nami had examined her own heart and found her resistance toward him softening.
Otherwise, that kiss a few days ago… wouldn't have happened.
With that thought, Nami's anger dwindled even more.
Before she could say anything, she had already talked herself down by seventy percent.
Finally, she just stretched out her hand. "One hundred thousand Beli—per look."
Ren thought for a moment, then muttered, "Any chance of a monthly plan?"
"Ten billion Beli!" Nami's voice rose, fury reignited.
"…Forget it, then."
Ren didn't bother to ask if "per look" meant per second or per minute.
That was one expensive perk!
—Crack!
(End of Chapter)