Chapter 35: Air Combat?
"Tsk, tsk…"
Hearing her mother's scolding, Jasmine secretly stuck out her tongue, then retorted, "Yukiko often says Kurozumi Orochi is an old witch."
"Yukiko can say it, but you can't," Yuriko glared at her, displeased. Etiquette was one matter, and no parent liked hearing their child curse.
There was also the matter of status. Yukiko had followed Ren for a long time and now held a high position, so it did not matter what she said about Kurozumi Orochi. Jasmine and Yuriko, however, were different.
They had only been bought back by Yukiko and thus gained the privilege of entering the Daimyo's Mansion to serve Master Ren. They could not help Ren as much as Yukiko or Kurozumi Orochi could.
Even among the maids, Yuriko was special, as she was the only one who had given birth to a child. This meant she had once given herself to another man, and in her own eyes, she was already a "withered flower."
Such a status made Yuriko especially sensitive. Having endured hardship before, she cherished her current life deeply and kept herself particularly humble within the Daimyo's Mansion.
That was why Yuriko was especially happy to be able to help Ren this time. When Ren asked whether her body could handle the journey, she agreed without hesitation, not considering her physical condition at all.
What Yuriko did not know was that Ren actually had a bit of Wei Wu's style. Not to mention how good the meals were.
"Yukiko and Kurozumi Orochi are both working for Master Ren," Yuriko said seriously. "No matter how much you admire Yukiko, Jasmine, you must not speak ill of Kurozumi Orochi behind her back."
Sensing her mother's displeasure, Jasmine could only pout and agree.
"I know, Mother. Please don't be angry."
"Yuriko, there's no need to be too strict," Ren said, reaching out to pat Jasmine's head. "But Yukiko teaching people to curse isn't good either."
"Yukiko didn't teach me. I heard it myself and learned it," Jasmine said quickly.
"You're quite loyal," Ren chuckled.
At the same time, he noticed Yuriko's breathing grow uneven. Turning to look, he saw fine beads of sweat on her forehead, and the soft hair at her temples clung to her skin.
"Are you already a bit tired, Yuriko?"
"A little, but it's fine. I can still hold on," Yuriko replied with a smile. Her weakness was not due to illness, but long-term lack of exercise and frequent hunger after her family's misfortune.
Walking such a long distance at once naturally left her short of breath.
"Come up."
Clouds and mist emerged beneath Ren's feet, condensing into a soft, tangible surface that could be stepped on.
Jasmine's eyes sparkled as she looked at the clouds, and she could not help reaching out to touch them.
"It's soft, like cotton but more elastic. You're amazing, Master Ren, being able to create clouds like this," Jasmine said with admiration.
In Wano Country, Devil Fruit abilities were often regarded as sorcery. Yet whether something was called sorcery or divine art depended on perspective.
When someone revered by the people displayed such power, they were more likely to be seen as a god.
Yuriko did not immediately step onto the cloud. Instead, she looked at Ren with hesitation.
"Master Ren, wouldn't this be too much trouble for you?"
Like Jasmine, Yuriko had a stubborn side. She felt she had already received too many favors and should not burden Ren over something so small.
"It's fine. Come up," Ren said. "If you fall ill, that would be troublesome for me. We may still need your strength this time."
Hearing this, Yuriko nodded gently and carefully stepped onto the cloud. Because it floated in the air, she did not dare stand and instead sat down with her legs folded to one side.
"Master Ren, can I sit too?" Jasmine asked excitedly. Flying on a cloud was something she had never experienced.
"Yes. We'll be using this method to go out to sea anyway," Ren nodded. Then he added, "But Jasmine, you haven't finished today's training, have you? How about running from here to the beach, or are you planning to take the day off?"
"I forgot! I'll start now!" Jasmine blurted out, immediately sprinting toward the coast. Taking a day off was completely out of the question.
Watching Jasmine's figure shrink into the distance, Ren turned back to Yuriko.
"Your body is really too weak. I should find time to choose a Zoan-type Devil Fruit to strengthen you."
"But aren't Devil Fruits extremely important strategic resources?" Yuriko laughed softly. "Is it really all right to give one to me?"
To her, Ren spoke of Devil Fruits as casually as if they were medicine.
Living in the Daimyo's Mansion, Yuriko naturally knew of these miraculous fruits. She had heard that a single Devil Fruit was worth at least 10,000 gin.
For people like Oden's group, obtaining one would require working in Kuri for at least 10 years.
Using such a precious item on someone like her felt far too extravagant. She was merely a maid bought to serve Ren, and in a few years, she would likely grow old and fade away.
Rather than giving it to her, she felt it would be better to give it to Jasmine, who was learning martial arts and could be useful in the future.
"It's fine," Ren said calmly. "We already have many ordinary Zoan-type fruits. For you, the ability doesn't need to be strong. You're not a combatant."
"Orochi should still have some in reserve. I'll help you look later," Ren continued. "But after eating the fruit, you'll need to exercise as well. Only then will its physical enhancement truly take effect."
Yuriko nodded, her gaze toward Ren growing noticeably gentler.
What Ren said sounded simple, but a Devil Fruit was still worth 10,000 gin. To use it merely to strengthen her body made Yuriko's heart feel as though it were melting.
No woman disliked being treated this way. At that moment, Yuriko felt an urge to melt into Ren's arms.
"Master Ren…" Yuriko's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz. Her head was lowered so far it nearly disappeared into the folds of her clothes.
"Do you… do you want to try… air combat?"
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