Soon, the two of them appeared on the deck.
The harbor was already crowded with dozens of pirate ships, and darkness spread across the water like a thick blanket.
Rocks stood at the bow of the lead ship, with Newgate, Shiki, Wang Zhi, Marlon, and Ganzou behind him.
Stussy was absent.
"Set sail!"
Seeing Linlin at the bow, Rocks immediately gave the order, and all the pirate ships moved in unison.
Linlin stood at the front, turning to call back to Reno, who had already leapt off the ship.
"My Reno, stay put on Eight Isles Island!"
"Wait for me to return, and we'll continue yesterday's game!"
Reno's mouth twitched slightly. "Enjoy yourself?"
He really didn't want to go through the kind of 'contest' from last night again, but he had gone anyway, against his will.
"Don't worry, I'll wait for you."
Linlin nodded in satisfaction, then turned to face the open sea, leaving Reno silhouetted heroically against the sky.
He watched the pirate fleet gradually sail away, eventually disappearing beyond the horizon.
Reno exhaled softly, spread his wings, and flew back to his own pirate ship.
He went to the captain's quarters and called over the underworld women he had captured earlier.
He used the largest and softest one as a pillow, and held a few smaller women in his arms as cushions.
Last night's battles had left him exhausted in both body and mind, and he needed proper rest.
Stussy's Initiative
By afternoon, Reno awoke leisurely, glancing at the women who had remained at his side.
He pinched the chin of one and, seeing her obedient expression, felt some of the lingering tension from Linlin's dominance dissipate.
Soon, the captain's quarters were filled with soft breathing and murmurs.
When Reno finally stepped out of the captain's quarters, it was already late in the day.
He looked back at the tangled, motionless figures sprawled across the room, then stretched contentedly. The shadow from last night under Linlin's control had fully lifted.
"Only fifteen attribute points, but better than nothing."
Reno casually allocated the points to his constitution, feeling strength surge through his body once more.
He decided to take a walk on the island.
Walking through the streets of Eight Isles Island, Reno found it far more prosperous than he had imagined.
Shops lined both sides of the road: weapon stores, taverns, gambling halls, and even several high-end restaurants.
Moreover, after last night's feast, many people treated Reno with immense respect.
"Look, it's the demon Reno!"
"Lord Reno!"
"Sir, would you like to visit my shop?"
Reno responded politely to their flattery as he walked along. The news that he could grant Devil Fruit powers had clearly spread across the island during the feast.
As he walked, he recalled the beauties from the original story.
At this time, it seemed only Tsuru remained in the Marine ranks.
Among pirates, besides Linlin and Stussy, there were also Shakki and Gloriosa.
Gloriosa would likely join Rocks' crew in three to four years.
Shakki, because Gloriosa had joined Rocks' pirate crew and due to constant pursuit by the Marines, chose to come to Eight Isles Island to run a tavern.
In other words, if Reno stayed hidden on Eight Isles Island, it would be at least three to four years before he could meet Shakki and Gloriosa.
"I guess I should find a chance to visit Amazon Lily," Reno thought as he continued forward.
Soon, he arrived at a lively tavern.
The sign read boldly: Pirate's Home.
Reno pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The tavern was bustling, filled with pirates drinking and playing drinking games.
When they saw Reno, everyone stopped.
"It's Demon Reno!"
"Lord Reno has arrived!"
The tavern owner rushed forward, beaming.
"Lord Reno, welcome, welcome!"
"Hurry, prepare the best seat for Lord Reno!"
Soon, Reno was surrounded and seated in the central booth of the tavern.
Pirates all around him watched with intense, eager eyes.
"Lord Reno! I salute you!"
"Lord Reno! I have a bold request…"
Reno smiled and addressed them one by one.
Though these pirates looked fierce and ruthless, they treated him with unusual reverence.
After all, no one knew when they might acquire a Devil Fruit and request Reno to transform them.
At that moment, three figures pushed through the crowd, the leader holding two mugs of beer.
"Lord Reno, pleased to meet you. I'm Emma. I offer this toast to you."
The newcomer was a nearly three-meter-tall blonde beauty with a voluptuous figure that strained her clothes.
She kept a respectful distance, offering Reno one mug of beer.
Reno observed her with interest.
Thanks to his succubus senses, he detected no hint of a man's scent on her.
Yet for a pirate of her caliber, she seemed surprisingly pure.
He didn't drink immediately, instead smiling and asking,
"Is this really just a simple toast?"
Emma's smile didn't falter. She pushed the mug slightly forward.
"Of course. It is an honor to share a drink with a great pirate like you. However…"
She changed her tone, leaning forward about sixty degrees and bowing slightly, her soft voice carrying with the movement.
"Sir, if you don't mind, the three of us sisters would like to seek refuge under your flag."
"You three?"
Reno finally took the mug and glanced at the two equally charming female pirates behind her.
"Why?"
"Yesterday, there was chaos on Eight Isles Island. Our captain was killed in the fray. Without a strong protector, we…"
Reno watched Emma with interest, surprised at how quickly word of his fame had drawn people to him.
"Of course, Miss Emma."
Reno downed the beer in one gulp, then pulled Emma onto his lap.
"But everything comes at a price."
"You understand?"
"I understand…"
As she spoke, her hands rested on Reno's shoulders, and her body leaned forward slightly, trembling.
Feeling Emma shiver in his arms, Reno's mischievous side stirred.
"Look at my face, Emma."
"Ah? Oh… okay."
Emma, clearly inexperienced, placed her hands on Reno's chest and looked at his face.
Then she realized he was staring back at her.
Soon, her face burned crimson.
She had never seen anyone as handsome as Lord Reno.
And now she was sitting on his lap, looking into his eyes!
"Lord Reno, I… what should I do next…"
Before she finished, Reno leaned forward and kissed her soft, reddened lips. Her lips were moister than Linlin's, though she was far less beautiful.
After a while, Reno released her.
Her trembling body conveyed warmth through her clothes.
He looked down at Emma, her eyes tightly shut, long lashes quivering, cheeks flushed to the ears, and breath shallow and uneven.
"So simple, and she's already…"
Reno didn't scold her for wetting his pants. Instead, he held her tightly, causing her to gasp again.
His hands naturally rested on her curves, giving a gentle squeeze.
Hmm~
Emma let out a soft moan, burying her head in Reno's chest, clutching his shirt tightly.
Reno's hand moved upward slightly, stopping on her soft skin.
"Sir, please don't…"
Emma immediately placed her hands over his, tears in her eyes.
Seeing this, the surrounding pirates began murmuring among themselves.
"Wasn't Lord Reno drained by Charlotte Linlin yesterday?"
"Even married to a pirate like Linlin, he dares to act like this?"
"Truly deserving of Lord Reno!"
The tavern owner hurriedly brought more drinks.
Reno nodded, drinking while joking with those around him.
His hand didn't move further upward, but rested around Emma's waist.
He also drew the other two women to sit beside him.
For shy women unable to resist his charm, he naturally refrained from the violence he had used with others before after all, that would ruin much of the fun.