Chapter 8 Shameless Ragnar.
Ragnar and Yamato patted their full bellies.
"The food is awesome. Too bad someone had to take them back, or Hiyori could have enjoyed it too."
Ragnar nodded.
"Well, we can always bring her here later. It's not like Sabaody is running anywhere."
"By the way, what's the deal with those guys following us? They are really bad at it. Don't they know anything about Observation Haki?" Yamato asked, puzzled.
"Well, technically they don't. In Paradise, most don't know Haki and are just fodder. That's why it's called Paradise. And we are monsters to have awakened Observation this early," Ragnar explained.
"Well, that makes sense… but who are you calling a monster?" Yamato smacked him.
"Oi!" Ragnar pulled her cheeks.
Soon, both started pinching and beating each other.
The slave traders following them looked puzzled.
"Boss, why are they fighting each other?"
"Yeah, they might hurt each other."
"Idiots, they are kids. Of course they would fight. Let them exhaust themselves. Since they are fighting, we can see if anyone is with them. And if they are alone, we can sell them," the boss said, grinning.
"Hehehe… just look at those horns on their heads. They are obviously from a rare race. They would fetch a very high price in tomorrow's auction."
"If a Celestial Dragon takes interest in them…?"
Everyone froze as their eyes turned into berry signs.
Ragnar and Yamato separated.
"Well, let's stop. No need to waste our mood over something—"
Ragnar scratched his head.
"Umm… what were we fighting for?"
"Umm… who cares? Let's go. I want to sleep," Yamato yawned.
Ragnar smiled as he crouched down.
"Hop on."
Yamato climbed on his back, hugging his neck.
"What about those stupid guys following us?"
"Well, they are too weak."
Ragnar said as Conqueror's Haki surged toward the slave traders.
The slave traders, who were dreaming of selling them, froze and collapsed as foam started coming out of their mouths.
Ragnar smiled.
"You can rest."
"Umm…" Yamato murmured and pecked his cheek.
"Wake me if you need me."
After saying that, she closed her eyes, falling asleep on his back.
Ragnar smiled as he started walking.
A black mist began gathering around the slave traders.
Soon, their bodies became lifeless.
The boss was dragged by Ragnar.
The intense pain of being dragged woke him up.
"Ow—!"
Ragnar grabbed his throat.
"Shh… my Yamato is sleeping. Do you want to wake her up?"
The boss wet his pants.
The hand on his throat was strong. Even with all his strength, he couldn't make it budge.
"L-let me live! I'm just a slave—"
Ragnar's grip tightened.
The boss struggled.
"Tell me where the slaves you captured are."
"I-in Grove 5's port… on a merchant ship. In it is everything we prepared to sell in the auction. There are beautiful women… and three special slaves, caught recently…"
"L-let me live, please—"
"Did you let the slaves go when they begged you?" Ragnar asked.
"N-no… ple-please— AHHH—!"
Dark mist covered him as his body started dissolving into an acidic mist.
Ragnar walked away.
A small wind barrier was around them, keeping the noise out.
"Sleep well," Ragnar muttered.
He walked toward the port.
Yamato slept on his back.
"More fish…" she smiled as saliva started dripping from her mouth.
"This girl… still thinking of eating in her sleep."
Ragnar sighed as he wiped her mouth.
Soon, they arrived at the ship.
Ragnar sent a wind slash and cut the door open.
The slaves inside were startled.
"Oi, kid—"
He never finished as a wind slash cut his head off.
Everyone froze.
"Tsk… can't you see someone is sleeping? So keep your damn voice down, or die," Ragnar said coldly.
Everyone shrank back in fear.
Ragnar nodded as he started walking deeper.
The cells were cut open.
"I don't need trash like you. Make a single noise, and you die."
His voice echoed in everyone's ears.
The slaves slowly started moving out, trying not to make noise.
But some were just not meant to live.
Three strong-looking men exchanged a look and attacked Ragnar.
"Die—!"
A fist slammed forward—
—and their entire bodies froze in ice.
The frost spread across the ship.
"Damn it… can't you let me sleep a little? And who the hell do you want dead?"
Yamato looked angrily at the two remaining men.
She was furious.
Those bastards woke her up—and dared to try to kill Ragnar?
"Oi? Wake up and look at them again," Ragnar sighed.
"With their strength, do you think I need you to save me?"
"Hmph… but they still woke me up. I'm angry."
Yamato puffed her cheeks.
"So where are we?"
She finally noticed everything around her.
"Well, the people following us were slave traders. So I took care of them. This is their ship. Let's see if we can find something fun," Ragnar said.
"Ohh, treasure hunting?"
Yamato's eyes lit up.
He bonked her head.
"Idiot, it's not that."
"Owww! You bastard! I just saved you and you dare attack me?!"
"Okay, let's go already."
As for the remaining two men—
they were lying headless on the floor.
"M-monsters…"
"R-run…"
The remaining slaves, scared out of their wits, ran out.
Ragnar and Yamato went deeper inside.
There was a single cage, moonlight spilling over it from a window.
Inside were three girls—a blonde one and a green-haired one hiding behind a black-haired girl.
"Who are you? Run, this place is dangerous," the black-haired girl warned them.
Ragnar waved dismissively.
"Who cares?"
He and Yamato started searching the room.
"Hey, I found it!" Yamato shouted, grinning.
She opened a chest.
Inside was a pink, heart-shaped Devil Fruit.
"Woo… that's the Mero Mero no Mi?" Ragnar exclaimed.
"What does it do?" Yamato asked.
"Well, it gives you the power to petrify anyone who has feelings for you. It's a super strong Devil Fruit."
The three girls looked at them in confusion.
"Who are you?" the black-haired one asked.
"Me? I'm Ragnar. This stupid girl is Yamato. We are Kaido's kids. And I'm a Shogun," Ragnar said as a wind blade cut open the cell.
"So, what's your name?"
"Boa Hancock. These are my sisters, Boa Sandersonia and Boa Marigold."
"Ohh, I see."
Ragnar nodded as his eyes lit up.
He grabbed the Mero Mero no Mi and tossed it to her.
Hancock caught it.
"What?"
"An investment. Let me see how strong you grow," Ragnar grinned.
Hancock was still confused.
Suddenly, Ragnar appeared in front of her.
He grabbed her waist, pulling her into a hug.
Looking into her eyes, he brushed the hair away from her face.
"You see, I have a very bad habit. I can't resist beautiful princesses."
Hancock was completely caught off guard.
Her face burned in embarrassment.
This boy had hugged her without asking—and started talking nonsense.
"Leave our sister!" Sandersonia and Marigold shouted.
Ragnar ignored them.
"Boa Hancock, from now on, you are mine and mine alone."
"W-what are you talking—"
She froze as Ragnar lifted her chin and kissed her lips.
Hancock's mind short-circuited.
She was saved by a boy, then he gave her a Devil Fruit, then he hugged her, then he declared her his—and kissed her.
Her face burned red as she pushed him back.
"Pervert!"
She pointed at him angrily.
Yamato was completely speechless.
"Damn… this guy has really gone mad," she muttered.
Ragnar grinned.
"Remember my name, Hancock. We will meet again in the future. And the next time we meet, let's get married."
"W-who wants to marry you?!"
Hancock was clearly flustered.
This guy in front of her was completely shameless.
Her sisters weren't thinking that far.
"How dare you kiss sister?!"
Both attacked Ragnar without thinking.
"Sto—!"
Hancock shouted.
But Yamato had already appeared in front of them.
"Tsk… you are too weak."
She slammed her fist down.
Both froze in ice, leaving only their heads free.
"Sonia! Mari!"
Hancock moved to attack Yamato, but Ragnar grabbed her by the waist.
"Hey, calm down. They are okay—just frozen."
She looked at them again.
"Hiss… it's cold…"
Sonia and Mari trembled.
Hancock relaxed.
"You really are cute when you get angry. I wonder if there will be a day when you'll be angry for me?" Ragnar muttered.
Hancock snapped her head back—and accidentally kissed Ragnar as their faces were too close.
Ragnar blinked.
Hancock staggered back, covering her face.
"Well damn… this time it was you. But I don't hate it," Ragnar said, smiling.
"Ahem… well, let's go. It's night already, and you can't go back home alone anyway."
Ragnar picked Hancock up in a princess carry.
"H-hey! Put me down! I never said I was coming with you!" Hancock protested.
"You don't want to go out alone, do you? Can you protect your sisters alone?"
Hancock stopped speaking.
Ragnar touched her forehead with his.
"Don't worry. I know you will become super strong in the future—and protect everything you care about."
Hancock looked at him again.
This guy was a complete mystery.
One moment he was indifferent, the next he declared her his, then kissed her, then showed such a caring side.
Yamato, Sonia, and Mari, who had been left behind, stared at their backs in silence.
"Damn it… did that bastard just forget I was here?" Yamato complained.
"Sister… we are still frozen in ice here…" Sonia and Mari almost cried.
Yamato released the ice, and the three followed them.
Ragnar took Hancock's hand as they went to a clothing shop.
"Yo, bring the best clothes for my future wife."
"Who is your wife?!" Hancock complained.
Ragnar ignored her.
A woman arrived.
"My… what a beautiful wife you have, young man."
"I'm not his wife!" Hancock complained.
Both ignored her.
"You have a good eye. Now bring some good clothes for her."
Ragnar smiled and tossed her a stack of berries.
The woman pocketed them quickly and dragged Hancock to the changing room as she protested.
Yamato, Sonia, and Mari arrived soon.
"Where is big sister?"
Both asked angrily.
Ragnar looked at them.
"Hey, bring some clothes for them too."
Two attendants dragged them away as well.
"You don't want to buy anything?" Ragnar asked Yamato.
She puffed her cheeks.
"Why do you care? Go and buy clothes for your new princess."
"Okay, fine."
Ragnar dashed toward the kimono section.
Yamato stood there, dumbfounded.
"Oi… now you got another princess and you forget your sister? You heartless bastard!"
She pouted and sat on a chair, sulking.
Soon Ragnar came back with a white kimono with cherry blossoms on it.
It was beautiful.
He grabbed Yamato by the collar, made her stand, and looked between her and the kimono.
He nodded.
"Perfect for my princess."
Yamato blinked.
"For me?"
Ragnar dropped an arm around her.
"Who else?"
Yamato's eyes grew wet, clearly touched.
"For Hancock, a cheongsam should be best. And for Hiyori, a colorful kimono," Ragnar said, nodding.
"So help me find a good one."
Yamato had a vein popping on her forehead.
"You—"
She sighed and took the kimono.
It was beautiful—exactly her type.
Just then, the woman arrived with Hancock.
She was dressed in a cheongsam.
Ragnar's eyes lit up as he gave a thumbs up.
Hancock blushed and shook her head.
'Tsk… why am I happy about his approval?'
Soon, Ragnar dragged the Boa sisters and Yamato all over Sabaody Archipelago.
Shopping, eating, and enjoying the amusement park.
Hancock didn't even realize her hand was in Ragnar's the entire time.
She genuinely enjoyed the time with them.
After a few hours, they went to an inn and booked a few rooms.
All the girls went into one room.
Ragnar was left alone.
"Tsk… should have brought Hiyori. Those stupid girls left me alone."
He complained as he fell asleep.