Rona saw through Tsuru's cover instantly.
Not because Tsuru had slipped up—Rona simply remembered her.
They were both women of the Marines.
Both attractive.
Was it really so strange that Rona had looked twice?
Even Portman Nissen, a Marine staff officer, never guessed that an Admiral like Rona would notice an unremarkable recruit.
But Rona knew of Tsuru.
Tsuru, however, had no idea Rona had ever seen her before.
So when she carried her tray and sat beside Rona, it was with a mix of boldness and nerves.
"I don't know…"
Hearing Rona's question, Tsuru grew uneasy.
In front of her old idol, her usual wit and sharpness seemed useless.
Until Rona suddenly said:
"You don't want to join the White Wolf Pirates?"
"Of course not!"
Tsuru shook her head hard. Joining the White Wolf Pirates was her mission—how could she not want to?
"Hehe, it just seems like you're not happy about it."
Rona smiled.
"If you're unwilling, I can talk to Magnus. You're only an intern, just joined. He'd give me that much face."
Looking at Tsuru, Rona felt like she was looking at her younger self.
But Tsuru was unlucky.
Rona had defected, yes, but after decades in the Marines. She knew her own nature—after she lost the drive to capture Magnus, there was no way she could stay in the Marines.
So she had dropped it all.
But Tsuru wasn't the same.
She was too young. She hadn't yet seen enough of the Government's darkness, yet here she was, still holding illusions about the Marines.
"Hehe, don't be quick to judge. What you hear isn't always true. Only what you see with your own eyes can guide your judgment."
Under Rona's gaze, Tsuru felt exposed.
"Excuse me, Rona-san, I have something to do."
Leaving so quickly she forgot her tray, Tsuru made Rona chuckle. That girl would probably go hungry this afternoon.
Naturally, Magnus had his eyes on Tsuru as well.
No sooner had Tsuru left than Magnus showed up.
"Rona, Tsuru just joined my crew and already you're trying to poach her. Don't you respect me as captain of the White Wolf Pirates?"
"Ha? You're her captain, not mine. Why should I listen to you?"
Rona looked at him with disgust, as though he were some scumbag tricking innocent girls.
"Magnus, I'm warning you—Tsuru is my junior. If you lay a hand on her, don't blame me for being rough with you!"
"In your eyes, I'm that kind of man?"
Magnus's eyes went wide in indignation.
"Heh."
Rona shot him a sidelong glance and started counting on her fingers.
"Lily and Ripley aside, that Wano woman Toki clings to you every day. And that girl Stussy—tsk tsk, that figure could tempt even me. Don't tell me you never thought about it."
"Hey, I'm a pirate, and a man. Liking pretty women is normal, right?"
Magnus spread his hands.
"I don't lie, I don't cheat. If it's mutual, how does that make me scum?"
"Can you promise not to betray any of them?"
"I promise to keep them all satisfied."
"Do you even have the stamina for that?"
Rona wasn't some naïve girl. She knew exactly what he meant.
But when she counted them up, there were already several.
Even a bull would be worn out.
Wait a second—
"All of you?"
Realization dawned on her just as Magnus leaned in.
"Rona-san, would you share my bed tonight?"
Magnus was about to leave Sphinx, and he had to secure his rear guard before he went.
And his greatest assurance in the rear was Rona.
A former Marine Admiral.
A top-class swordswoman.
A powerhouse on Admiral level.
One-on-one, even Harald wasn't her match.
Truth be told, Magnus wasn't entirely sure what Rona felt for him.
Did she like him? Maybe.
Did he like her? Not really.
Even if she did have feelings for him, he didn't carry decades of passion—only memories of being chased.
Not hating her was already something. Liking was another matter.
But men could be shallow.
Had it been an ordinary woman, no matter how pretty, Magnus would have turned her down.
After all, he was a pirate.
A pirate never stayed in one place. At any moment, they could die at sea.
Pirates had too many enemies.
None dared reveal their soft spots.
Not even Magnus once upon a time.
Unless he were stone-hearted enough to not care even about those he treasured.
So no marriage. No children raised openly.
And even if they did, they'd have to be hidden away.
That was the pirate's sorrow.
Which was why in the past, Magnus only sought women who could keep up with him—unless it was just the pleasure districts.
Like Lily.
But now, Magnus's fears were fewer.
He'd stormed Mary Geoise itself. Could he not protect those he loved?
So now, if he liked someone, even an ordinary woman, he wouldn't mind.
As for Rona—
Well, even Magnus admitted the female Admiral was irresistible.
Every time with her was like being drained to the bone.
At thirty, a wolf. At forty, a tiger.
Rona was over fifty!
But with Life Return at her command, she still looked young. Her body flawless, without a trace of age.
Those long legs, just one casual pose—
How could an old man like him resist?
But as a master of martial arts, with an awakened Mythical Zoan fruit, who else but him could handle her?
So Magnus wasn't joking.
When the agreed day came, Rona looked at the man asleep beside her, feeling a faint melancholy.
Did she like him?
She wasn't even sure.
It was like an arranged match.
I don't dislike you, you don't dislike me.
So let's see how it goes.
If Magnus hadn't become younger, more handsome, she never would've gone to bed with him.
Besides, she had her ideals.
Magnus had his ambitions.
They'd never be the picture of perfect lovers.
But with time… who could say?
The future would tell.
(End of Chapter)
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