"Everyone, let's drink together!"
Reno sat at the long table, watching the pirates wildly toast each other. He loved the chaotic energy of the celebration.
Shiki's face was flushed red from drinking. He often wandered to the center of the hall to dance and guzzle directly from barrels of wine.
Newgate and Wang Zhi competed to drink faster, neither willing to yield.
"Glurglurglur!"
"Wang Zhi, you bastard! Your tolerance has improved!"
"Nonsense! I trained specifically for this!"
Marlin lounged back in his chair, cigarette in mouth, taking slow sips.
Stussy, still wary of Newgate's antics, sat elegantly to the side, sipping red wine from her glass with grace.
Her gaze wandered around the hall, occasionally flicking toward Reno, nestled in Linlin's arms.
Meanwhile, Reno leaned against Linlin's soft body, but his eyes wandered toward Stussy.
Seeing Reno's gaze, Stussy quickly put on a melancholic, pitiful expression, feigning vulnerability.
Rocks sat at the head of the table, a constant smile on his face. He raised his cup toward Reno.
"Reno, tomorrow we set out to raid the Celestial Empire's tribute."
"Do you want to join?"
Reno raised his cup and shook his head.
"No, thank you, Rocks."
"I'm too weak. Even if I went, I wouldn't be of much help."
"I'd rather stay on Eight Isles and work on strengthening myself."
Rocks shook his head slightly.
"Battles are the best way to grow stronger, Reno!"
"But at your current strength, participating would be meaningless."
"Don't forget, Rocks, I don't need battles and bloodshed to increase my power."
"And then, when we return, you can help us become devils."
"Hahaha, fine! It's settled then."
After their conversation, the two clinked cups from afar and downed their strong drinks.
Linlin sat next to Reno, her nine tails swaying lazily behind her.
She held a massive barrel of wine and drank it in one go, a satisfied grin on her face.
"Hahaha! So refreshing!"
Reno watched her boldness, the faint scent of wine clinging to her, and her irresistible charm.
It made his skin tingle and his body warm with desire.
Quietly, he reached behind Linlin, gently stroking the nine fluffy tails.
Linlin remained unmoved as usual, showing no reaction to Reno's hand.
But when his hand continued downward, exploring areas he hadn't touched before, one tail wrapped around his wandering hand.
Linlin turned her head, amber eyes glaring at Reno.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Reno raised an eyebrow.
"What do you think, my Linlin?"
"I just wanted to touch your tail."
Linlin frowned slightly but quickly returned to normal.
"My Reno, if you don't want to get smacked right now, then just enjoy your drink."
She turned back to her wine, but her nine tails didn't stop Reno's mischievous hand.
Resigned, Reno could only explore the areas he had already accessed.
This time, however, Linlin did not interfere with his playful antics.
Instead, she drank her wine expressionlessly. After all, compared to what she had endured in the past, Reno's hand was negligible.
It could cause no real harm.
Unexpectedly, Reno's body adaptation ability could be applied individually to his fist.
"System, increase the diameter of my left fist to sixty centimeters, then down to thirty, with a three-second interval for each change. Execute immediately!"
[ Size adaptation activated. The host's fist has been adjusted to the specified range. Each change takes three seconds. Note: If physical contact ceases, the fist returns to normal immediately. ]
The surrounding pirates were all drunk, so no one noticed the subtle movements.
Linlin, normally calm, felt her face flush as Reno's fist grew bolder.
She gulped down a large mouthful of wine, letting it spill slightly over her soft skin, unbothered.
"Reno, you bastard…"
She muttered under her breath, a mix of embarrassment and anger flashing across her eyes.
But she chose not to retaliate. Instead, she folded her nine tails like a screen, fully concealing her lower body from view.
If you want to play, then I'll play with you!
I want to see what other tricks you have!
And tonight, you better not beg, my Reno…
On the surface, Linlin seemed normal, but inwardly, she was grinding her teeth in frustration.
At that moment, Shiki staggered over and plopped down across from Reno.
"Hey, Reno!"
"I'm telling you! After we raid the Celestial Empire's tribute, I'm going straight to find the Gorou Gorou Fruit!"
"I've been eyeing the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia for ages!"
"When the time comes, turn me into a devil and serve me!"
Noticing Shiki's stumble, Reno's eyes flickered with regret; he had only intended to test eighty centimeters.
Reluctantly, Reno deactivated his ability, slowly withdrawing his hand, wiping the moisture onto Linlin's smooth body before finally pulling it away.
Though he enjoyed the thrill, he had no intention of letting anyone else discover or share it.
"Turning you into a devil is fine, but I can't serve you!"
"Shiki."
"Planning to leave, captain? Want to form your own crew?"
"Jiehahahaha, you bastard! Don't pin that on me!"
Reno laughed too, using his hand freshly withdrawn to stroke Linlin's tail.
"I didn't! Don't accuse me!"
"But the Gorou Gorou Fruit isn't easy to find, Shiki. It might take some time."
"It's just the Gorou Gorou Fruit. I've got plenty of time!"
"If necessary, I can even turn the entire ocean upside down!"
Soon, Newgate leaned in.
"Glurglur!"
"Shiki, how long has the Gorou Gorou Fruit been out at sea? Stop daydreaming."
"Newgate, you bastard, you talk as if you already found the Tremor Fruit!"
The feast continued until nightfall.
Drunken pirates staggered everywhere; some collapsed on the floor asleep, others clung to barrels and kept drinking.
At that moment, Longbread appeared at the edge of the hall.
He stood silently, watching Linlin and Reno laugh together, his expression dark and stormy.
He took a deep breath and approached them.
"Linlin."
Linlin turned to see Longbread, still smiling.
"What is it, Longbread?"
Longbread paused, then gritted his teeth.
"Linlin, I'm leaving."
Linlin froze for a moment, then asked curiously.
"Oh? Why?"
"Linlin, you've found your husband, and I need to chase my dream."
His expression was calm. He didn't look at Reno, who had stolen Linlin from him, but at her, with unwavering determination.
"Then, Longbread, go chase your dream."
"Huh? Aren't you…"
Linlin cut him off impatiently.
Since becoming a devil, her hunger was gone, and she no longer needed Longbread's Devil Fruit power.
Also, speaking while drinking like this was annoying, Longbread!
"If there's nothing else, then leave. Don't disturb my drinking."
Longbread opened his mouth, but no words came out. He could only turn and leave silently.
He had planned to make her care for him again through his departure.
But now, it seemed unnecessary.
Over ten years of companionship and protection were completely replaced by a man she had known only for a few days…
Suddenly, jealousy and malice rose within him.
"Linlin, if you have no feelings for me, then I'll destroy everything you cherish myself!"
This is your own fault!