Reno watched the direction Streusen had left in, a trace of coldness flashing through his eyes.
After a moment, he got up and went to find one of his crew members—Bro, the bearded man who had joked with him earlier.
"Captain Reno, what can I do for you?"
"Bro, follow Streusen. See where he's going and report back to me immediately."
"Remember—don't get discovered."
Bro's expression immediately turned serious. He nodded firmly, grabbed a few supplies, and quietly slipped away.
Linlin, with her Observation Haki, had naturally noticed Reno'ss.
When he returned, she asked,
"Why are you having someone follow Streusen?"
Reno sat down beside her, casually resting a hand on her thigh.
"Nothing much. Just being cautious."
"He's been with you for over ten years, and suddenly he leaves? That's worth paying attention to."
Linlin thought for a moment, then shrugged.
"Do whatever you want."
"Even if he stirs up trouble, what can he really do?"
She smirked, her tone full of confidence.
"Remember this—before absolute strength, all schemes are meaningless."
Reno didn't argue. Instead, he stood up and playfully rubbed her fox ears.
"Of course I know that, my Linlin."
"In that case… how about you help me 'train' a bit?"
Linlin's eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief.
"What kind of training?"
Reno grinned.
"Improve my attack speed and strength… and my endurance."
Linlin burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Good!"
"Then let me give you some proper training!"
There was something slightly dangerous in the way she emphasized "proper," but before Reno could react—
She grabbed him.
With a flick of her nine tails, she shot out of the hall toward her ship.
The pirates immediately erupted into whistles and laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"As expected of Linlin's man!"
"Looks like she's got two battles a day now!"
"Zehahaha!"
Rocks shook his head, amused.
"They really don't bother hiding it."
Shiki laughed loudly.
"Jahahaha! In that regard, the kid's got guts!"
"Since they're gone, I'll go relax too!"
Newgate, however, stayed put.
"Gurararara!"
"Captain, forget them—let's keep drinking!"
Meanwhile, Reno and Linlin had already returned to her ship.
"Boom!"
The captain's cabin door was kicked open.
Linlin tossed Reno onto the bed and shut the door behind her.
Reno was about to speak—
But when she turned around, the smile on her face made his instincts flare.
Something was very wrong.
"My Reno… having fun at the banquet?"
"Of course. Weren't you?"
He didn't realize they were talking about completely different things.
The next second—
Her tails wrapped around him tightly.
"I'm talking about your little stunt earlier."
Reno froze, then quickly tried to explain.
"Wait—I thought you didn't mind—"
"Didn't mind?"
Linlin smiled wider.
"Oh, I minded."
"Very much."
"BAM!"
Her fist came down on his head.
Reno's spun.
That hurt.
A lot.
By the end of it, Reno had completely given up resisting.
Even with his strong recovery, a lump remained on his head.
Linlin clearly had no intention of letting this go easily.
What followed wasn't just "training"—it was punishment.
She deliberately controlled everything, dragging things out, slowing the pace, and denying him any chance to finish quickly.
Every time he thought it might end, she would stop him cold.
Again and again.
For the entire night.
Only near dawn did she finally relent.
"Learn your lesson?"
"…Yeah."
"Good."
"Then I'll reward you once."
Only then did Reno finally get what he'd been waiting for—earning his attribute points.
After that ordeal, he had one clear takeaway:
Never push Linlin's limits when you're still weaker than her.
The next morning.
Sunlight streamed into the cabin.
Reno woke up, Linlin still asleep beside him.
Her face was calm, almost peaceful.
It was hard to connect this version of her with the terrifying woman from last night.
Reno stretched slightly—
Then stopped.
Nope.
Not risking it.
"ALL HANDS, ASSEMBLE! PREPARE TO SET SAIL!"
Rocks' booming voice echoed across the island.
Linlin's eyes snapped open, excitement blazing.
"Time to move!"
She jumped out of bed.
Reno, meanwhile, was nearly thrown off.
"My Linlin… ever heard of being gentle?"
She laughed.
"Gentle?"
"I don't do that."
Soon, they stood on deck.
Dozens of pirate ships filled the harbor.
Rocks stood at the front, with Newgate, Shiki, Wang Zhi, and others behind him.
"Set sail!"
The fleet moved out as one.
Linlin turned back briefly.
"My Reno, stay on Beehive Island and wait for me!"
"When I get back… we'll continue yesterday's 'training'!"
Reno's twitched.
"…I'll be waiting."
The fleet disappeared over the horizon.
Reno let out a quiet sigh, then spread his wings and flew back to his own ship.
Inside, he called over the captured women and lay down to rest.
After last night—
He needed it.