Night fell.
Nami, filled with apprehension, as if she had committed a grave error, cautiously made her way to Ian's bedroom.
Unlike what she had imagined, Ian was not waiting for her on the bed. Instead, he stood with his back to her, holding a glass of red wine, by the window. Under the moonlight, his silhouette stretched long, creating a somewhat artistic scene.
However, Nami was not a woman blinded by love. Although Ian, in terms of physique, temperament, and other aspects, differed from the Celestial Dragons she knew, it wasn't enough to make her fall for him after just two days.
Now, her feelings for Ian were solely fear.
Firstly, because Ian's status was incredibly high and unattainable.
Secondly, because Ian's aura was too strong, so strong that she dared not even look him in the eye.
Of course, putting aside Ian's identity, and focusing solely on everything that happened in Cocoyasi Village, besides fearing Ian's identity and aura, deep down she felt more gratitude towards this man.
After all, this man had saved her from distress, not only sweeping away Arlong's Gang like fallen leaves but also holding a Marine Headquarters Admiral accountable, prompting the Marine to immediately launch internal investigations into various Marine branches in the East Blue, while also intensifying efforts to clear pirates from various sea areas.
She believed that with this incident, the East Blue, especially her hometown Cocoyasi Village, would enjoy peace for a long time.
Thinking of this, Nami mustered her courage and cautiously called out, "Young... Young Master."
"I thought you had gone mute."
Ian turned to look at Nami, a gentle smile on his face, and said softly, "Is This Young Master so scary? You've been standing behind me for so long, and only now have you come to your senses?"
"A little."
Nami did not hide her fear of Ian, stating seriously, "After all, Young Master is a noble Celestial Dragon."
"No matter, you'll get used to it soon!"
"Once you adapt to the identity of This Young Master's woman, you will find that in this world, no one will ever make you fear again!"
With that, Ian beckoned to Nami.
Seeing this, Nami quickly stepped forward, maintaining a one-step distance from Ian.
Ian smiled as he stroked Nami's cheek, gently saying, "Crouch down and tie up your hair."
At the same time.
Although the going merry's rooms were enough for Gion and Tina to each have one, because the going merry had not been prepared with extra rooms or bedding when it went to sea, the two were ultimately assigned to Kaya's room.
After learning from Gunko that Gion and Tina would be staying in her room, Kaya began tidying up early and prepared various daily necessities for the two.
"The three of us are sleeping here tonight?"
As soon as she entered the room, Tina frowned and said helplessly, "Gion, you and Miss Kaya take the bed, I'll take the sofa."
Gion was not modest. After smiling and nodding, she looked at Kaya, who was sitting quietly to the side, and politely said, "Hello, Kaya, my name is Gion, a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral. This is Tina, a Marine Headquarters Colonel."
"Hello."
Kaya stood up and approached Gion, then, pretending to be mysterious, she pulled out four earplugs from her bosom and whispered, "My room is next to Saint Ian's, so you'd better wear earplugs to sleep."
Tina took the earplugs and looked at them, asking confusedly, "Why should I wear earplugs to sleep? Tina doesn't understand!"
"Colonel Tina, keep your voice down."
Kaya leaned closer to the two, lowering her voice even further, "I just saw Nami-chan go to Saint Ian's room. Tonight, there will definitely be a lot of noise, and... and it might... might last all night."
"No matter, Tina has very good sleep quality."
Tina casually returned the earplugs to Kaya, then decisively turned and walked to the sofa to lie down.
Gion was very receptive to advice, taking the earplugs and putting them on without hesitation... The next morning.
Gion, who had slept until she woke up naturally, had just opened her eyes when she saw Tina standing at the head of the bed, with dark circles under her eyes and disheveled hair.
"Tina, what... what happened to you?"
Gion, who had just woken up, didn't react immediately. She promptly rolled out of bed and tilted her head, examining Tina with concern, "Dark circles, disheveled hair, you didn't sleep all night, did you!"
Tina said dejectedly, "Last night I didn't listen to Miss Kaya. The next door was noisy all night. Sometimes there was banging and clattering, sometimes heart-wrenching screams. What exactly were they doing? Tina is very confused!"
Upon hearing this, Gion's mouth twitched slightly.
Although Tina was well past marriageable age, she was still a pure maiden and utterly clueless about matters between men and women.
"They must have been playing some kind of game."
Gion also pretended not to know, then added curiously, "They played all night?"
Tina nodded emphatically, "Saint Ian didn't make any sound, it was just Nami, crying intermittently without stopping."
Goodness.
Is Saint Ian that strong?
Could it be that they were playing some interesting games?
As soon as this thought popped into her mind, Gion suddenly woke up, and at the same time, she vigorously shook her head to cast aside the distracting thoughts, decisively changing the subject, "Which sea area are we in now?"
Tina didn't speak. Without even bothering to take off her shoes, she plopped onto the bed and fell asleep.
Seeing this, Gion shook her head and smiled.
I told you not to listen to advice!
Now you know how serious it is, right?
However, is Saint Ian really that amazing?
All night long!
Just then, Kaya, who had finished washing up, walked in.
She glanced at Tina, who was napping on the bed, and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Kaya, can I ask you something?"
Gion again looked Kaya over, then tentatively asked, "Are you... also Saint Ian's... woman?"
"I suppose so."
Kaya nodded, then said, "Saint Ian said so when we left Syrup Village. However, because Kaya is not well, Saint Ian has never... never asked me to his room."
"I see."
Gion blinked, "In that case, Saint Ian doesn't seem to be as the rumors say."
After a slight pause, Gion changed the subject and asked, "What do you think of Saint Ian?"
"He's very good." Kaya's face instantly flushed, and she timidly said, "At least since leaving Syrup Village, Saint Ian has not only not bullied Kaya, but has also taken extra good care of Kaya! But I don't know why, I'm always very scared whenever I see Saint Ian."
Gion explained, "That's because his aura is too strong. Unlike the Celestial Dragons you know, Saint Ian is a Celestial Dragon among Celestial Dragons. Let alone you, even I, a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral, am afraid!"
"Ah?" Kaya's beautiful eyes widened, "Even Vice Admiral-sama... is afraid?"
Gion smiled and said, "Rather than fear, it's more like awe. By the way, Kaya, do you know which sea area we are in now?"
"Calm Belt!"
Kaya nodded, then said, "Gunko-sama said so."
"What!?"
Gion was greatly shocked. They were not traveling on a warship that could cross the Calm Belt, but an ordinary single-masted sailboat. Taking a single-masted sailboat into the Calm Belt was tantamount to suicide.
The reason was simple: sailboats rely entirely on wind power for propulsion, and the Calm Belt is called the Calm Belt precisely because there is no wind in the entire sea area.
Not only that, but the seabed of the Calm Belt sea area is also teeming with countless Sea Kings.
After a brief moment of shock, Gion didn't bother to wash up and turned to run out.
When she arrived on the deck, the going merry, which had been stationary, suddenly accelerated, speeding towards the depths of the Calm Belt.
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