Emma took a deep breath and wiped away her tears.
"If you ever need anything, just tell the three of us. My sisters and I can handle anything…"
"All right, Miss Emma. I promise. Please don't cry anymore."
"You'll stay with me for now…"
Before Reno could finish, the tavern door suddenly swung open.
Stussy walked in, wearing a purple cheongsam embroidered with a serpent design.
The tavern quieted immediately when everyone saw her. Though they knew Stussy was not particularly skilled in combat, she was an officer of the Rocks Pirates.
And behind her, standing tall and imposing, was Rocks himself. Respect was obligatory.
It was clear Stussy had a purpose.
She swayed her hips as she walked quickly toward Reno. With a sharp click, she closed her folding fan and lightly tapped the edge of Reno's cup with the fan's spine, producing a crisp, clear sound.
Crossing her arms over her chest, the cheongsam accentuated her stunning curves, and a lazy, alluring smile curved her lips. There was not a trace of sadness on her face, unlike at the banquet.
"Reno, you're in a good mood today," she said.
"You just sent Linlin off, and now you're with new beauties. Your… stamina is impressive."
Reno narrowed his eyes slightly, and his hand stroking Emma's slender waist paused. He wondered why Stussy was here.
Leaning slightly forward, her high heels tapping the floor, she approached Reno's ear. Her warm breath carried a subtle, intoxicating fragrance.
"I am very interested in your talents," she whispered. "If possible… I would like to… study your body, Reno."
Chapter 14: Stussy's Invitation
Her tone was calm, but her burning gaze betrayed her intentions.
Reno had planned to approach her eventually, but he hadn't expected her to appear at his doorstep, saving him the trouble.
He immediately released his embrace of Emma.
"Of course, Miss Stussy," Reno said, raising an eyebrow. "However, perhaps you'll need to fulfill a few of my small wishes before I agree to your request."
Stussy's fine eyebrows arched slightly, her lazy smile deepening.
"Oh? Small wishes?" she said with a playful glint, yet she did not retreat. She leaned forward slightly, radiating controlled energy, and met Reno's gaze without hesitation.
"I imagine your 'wishes' won't be so simple, right?" she asked.
Reno chuckled softly. Instead of answering, he extended a finger to gently hook under her chin, tilting her head back slightly, then leaned toward her ear.
"When the time is right, I'll tell you in person."
Stussy held his gaze for a few seconds before opening her fan to cover her faintly flushed face, feigning shyness.
"Then, sir, I would like to know when you'll be available."
"If you wish, now would be fine, Miss Stussy."
Hearing this, Stussy shook her head gently, her eyes forming crescent moons with a mysterious expression.
"Not yet, Reno. My equipment isn't ready."
"Tomorrow, I will come to your pirate ship to see you."
"I trust you won't stand me up, Reno. Will you?"
Without waiting for his reply, Stussy swayed her hips and left the tavern.
Reno watched her retreating figure, admiring the curves beneath her purple cheongsam. A flush of heat surged through him. The combination of her short hair and the cheongsam made it difficult to control his… urge.
Of course, this wasn't a lack of willpower. Ever since meeting Linlin, Reno realized that the women from the original world possessed a unique, irresistible charm. This was particularly evident with Linlin and Stussy.
Only after Stussy disappeared from the tavern did Reno slowly turn his attention to the trembling Emma.
Stussy's polite yet calculating gaze, paired with her subtle seductive scent, sent Reno's blood surging uncontrollably downward.
He reached out and pulled Emma back into his embrace, placing his hands firmly on her waist.
"Mmm…"
"Reno?"
Emma grimaced in pain, her body shivering, cheeks still flushed.
Reno didn't respond. Instead, he pulled her and the other two confused women closer, his hands roaming over them.
"Ah!"
"Reno! You're hurting me!"
"Sir… could you be gentler…"
The other two women shouted as well, but Reno showed no intention of stopping.
Around them, the pirates laughed.
"Hahaha!"
"Did Miss Stussy make Reno mad?"
"Careful, sir! Stussy is no ordinary pirate!"
Ignoring the commotion, Reno tossed a stack of berries onto the table.
"Bartender, keep the change."
With that, he left the tavern holding Emma and the other two women. The tavern owner had intended to invite Reno for drinks, but seeing the pile of berries, he wisely said nothing. After all, someone like Reno wouldn't lack money for a few drinks.
"Reno is so generous!"
Outside, Reno lost interest in wandering. Holding the three women, he flew straight toward his pirate ship. In the glow of the sunset, his black wings shone vividly, and a streak of crimson light cut across the sky, pointing toward the harbor.
Soon, he returned to his ship.
Yesterday, he had become intimate with Linlin midway through drinking and had been unable to find a place to stay on Eight Isles Island.
The crew on deck noticed Reno returning with three female pirates and gave knowing looks.
"The captain is…"
"Shh."
"Why so early today?"
"There's still time before nightfall?"
Reno waved to the crew and led Emma and the other two women into the captain's cabin.
"From now on, unless I allow it, you are not to make a sound. When I tell you to scream, you scream at the volume I specify."
"You may not move without my permission. When I command you to hold a position, you obey."
"Understand?"
Soon, Reno's spear was metaphorically covered in blood the cabin filled only with faint gasps. Outside, the crew had long since grown accustomed to such sights, quietly stepping aside.
Reno did not touch Emma. Not because of sympathy or sudden virtue, but because she had fainted in embarrassment upon seeing the size of his… endowment.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the windows. Reno awoke to find the three women still asleep beside him.
He glanced at the sheets stained with red marks and dampness and shook his head. Since activating his Succubus Growth System, he had lost count of how many bedsheets he had gone through.
Reno then checked his system panel and allocated all the attribute points from the past two days into physical strength.
[Physical Constitution: Vice Admiral Level (66/30,000)+]
[Attribute Points: 0]
What!
Seeing the long string of zeros for the next level, Reno's pupils contracted.
To reach Vice Admiral level, he needed 30,000 attribute points. And to become a full Admiral-level pirate, with strength, speed, and mastery of the three types of Haki, he would need 180,000 attribute points!
No wonder Vice Admiral-level Marines and pirates were relatively common in this sea, but Admiral-level fighters were as rare as phoenix feathers.
Reno exhaled deeply, his determination burning brighter than ever.
"If I were my old self, no matter how hard I tried, I could never reach Admiral-level in a short time. But now, I have Devil Transformation…"
Reno muttered to himself, recalling the arrogant figure of his former self.
"Captain Rocks… I wonder how many points you can provide me?"
As Reno considered how many points the Rocks Pirates could contribute, a crew member knocked on the door.
"Captain! Someone is here to see you!"
"WHO?!"
"It's Miss Stussy!"
A sly smile spread across Reno's face. Since she had arrived so early, it would be interesting to see just how far she was willing to go.
"Let her in."
Shortly after, Stussy entered the captain's cabin aboard Reno's ship.