By the time Reno finally woke up, it was already late afternoon. He glanced lazily at the women who had been waiting in his arms the whole time.
Pinching one of them lightly by the chin, he watched her obedient expression, and the lingering frustration from being suppressed by Linlin the night before finally eased quite a bit.
Before long, sounds of heavy breathing echoed from the captain's cabin.
When Reno stepped out again, dusk had already fallen.
He glanced back at the scattered figures behind him—so drained they couldn't even lift a finger—and stretched his body in satisfaction. The pent-up irritation from the previous night had been completely vented.
"Only fifteen attribute points… better than nothing."
He casually assigned the points to his physique. Feeling the surge of strength coursing through his body once more, he decided to take a walk around the island.
…
As he walked through the streets of Hachinosu, Reno realized it was far more bustling than he had imagined.
Shops lined both sides of the road—weapons stores, taverns, gambling dens, even a few high-end restaurants.
And thanks to the banquet the night before, nearly everyone treated him with great respect.
"Look, it's 'Devil Man' Reno!"
"Lord Reno!"
"My lord, would you like to visit my shop?"
Reno responded casually to the flattery along the way. It was clear that news of his ability to grant others devil powers had already spread across the entire island.
As he walked, he suddenly thought of the beauties from the original story.
At this point in time, the Marines only really had Tsuru.
Among pirates, aside from Linlin and Stussy, there were also Shakky and Gloriosa.
Gloriosa would only join the Rocks Pirates three or four years later.
As for Shakky, she would come to Hachinosu to open a bar after being hunted by the Marines and following Gloriosa's decision to join Rocks.
In other words, if Reno stayed holed up on Hachinosu, it would take at least three or four years before he met them.
"Looks like I'll have to visit Amazon Lily at some point."
With that thought, he kept walking.
Soon, he arrived at a lively tavern.
The sign above the door read: "Pirate's Haven."
Pushing the door open, he stepped inside.
The tavern was packed with noise—pirates drinking, shouting, playing games.
The moment Reno entered, everything went silent.
"It's 'Devil Man' Reno!"
"Lord Reno is here!"
The tavern owner hurried over, all smiles.
"Welcome, Lord Reno! Please, this way—prepare the best seat!"
In no time, Reno was ushered into the central private area.
Pirates around him stared with burning enthusiasm.
"Lord Reno! Let me toast you!"
"Lord Reno! I have a request…"
Reno smiled and handled them one by one.
These fierce-looking pirates were unusually respectful toward him.
After all, no one knew when they might get their hands on a Devil Fruit—and need Reno to turn them into a devil.
At that moment, three figures pushed through the crowd. The one in front carried two mugs of beer.
"Lord Reno, it's an honor. My name is Emma—allow me to offer you a drink."
She was a tall, nearly three-meter-tall blonde woman with a striking figure.
Rather than pressing herself against him, she kept a respectful distance and held out the drink.
Reno studied her with interest.
Through his succubus perception, he could tell she had no traces of any man on her.
For a pirate of her appaRenot strength, that was… unusual.
Instead of taking the drink immediately, he smiled.
"Is it really just a drink?"
Emma's smile didn't falter as she nudged the mug closer.
"Of course. It's an honor to share a drink with someone like you, my lord. However…"
Her tone shifted as she bowed slightly.
"If you don't mind, my sisters and I would like to seek refuge under your command."
"Three of you?"
Only then did Reno take the mug, glancing at the two women behind her.
"Why?"
"Our captain died in yesterday's chaos. Without a strong protector, we…"
Reno found it amusing—his reputation had barely spread, and already people were throwing themselves at him.
"Of course, Miss Emma."
He downed the beer in one go, then pulled her into his arms, seating her on his lap.
"But everything comes at a price. You understand that, don't you?"
"I… understand…"
Her hands rested on his shoulders as she leaned closer, though her body trembled slightly.
Feeling that trembling, Reno couldn't help but indulge a mischievous thought.
"Look at me, Emma."
"O-Okay…"
She lifted her gaze—and found him staring directly at her.
Within moments, her face turned red as a ripe apple.
She had never seen someone as striking as Reno… let alone sit on his lap like this.
"My lord, I… what should I—"
Before she could finish, Reno leaned forward and kissed her.
…
After a moment, he pulled back.
The woman in his arms was trembling even more now, her breathing uneven.
He glanced down—her eyes tightly shut, lashes quivering, blush spreading to her ears.
"Just that much already…"
He didn't scold her. Instead, he pulled her closer, one hand resting casually at her waist.
Soon, he drew the other two women in as well.
For someone like Emma—shy yet unable to resist—force wasn't necessary.
That would ruin the fun.
"Lord Reno… can we now—"
Before she could finish—
The tavern door suddenly swung open.
All chatter stopped.
Stussy walked in.
She wore a purple qipao embroidered with serpents, her figure outlined in breathtaking curves.
Though not known for combat strength, she was still a core member of the Rocks Pirates—no one dared disrespect her.
Her purpose was obvious.
With graceful steps, she approached Reno, snapping her folding fan shut and lightly tapping his glass with it.
Clink.
Arms crossing beneath her chest, she smiled—a lazy, alluring expression completely different from her melancholic demeanor at the banquet.
"Mr. Reno, you're in quite the mood."
"Linlin's barely gone, and you already have new beauties in your arms. Your… stamina is truly impressive."
Reno narrowed his eyes slightly, his hand pausing at Emma's waist.
"And what brings you here, Miss Stussy?"
She leaned in closer, heels clicking softly against the floor.
Her lips neared his ear, her breath warm, carrying a faint fragrance.
"I'm very interested in your abilities."
Her voice dropped to a soft whisper.
"If possible… Would you let me study your body?"
"Mr. Reno?"