After chatting for a while, everyone became a bit more familiar with each other.
Lynn finally understood what kind of person Garp was. Even though he praised him as the Navy's hero, the old man kept smacking him on the head. The pain was unbearable…
After finally calming down, Lynn began to come down from his earlier panic and couldn't help but regret not killing the Celestial Dragon when he had the chance.
But thinking it through, as a civilized man of the 21st century, never mind the fact that he didn't have the heart to kill, the moment a Celestial Dragon dies, the consequences become catastrophic.
Maybe there really was no safe place left in the world for him.
After all, who could guarantee that the World Government wouldn't eventually figure out who did it? Lynn, who had watched the anime, knew well the terrifying power behind the Celestial Dragons.
Garp, for his part, also came to understand Lynn a bit better. He realized the kid wasn't a bad person at heart. He also knew Lynn wouldn't agree to join the Navy, so he didn't bring it up again.
By now, the Marines who had lost consciousness earlier had all recovered and gone back to work as if nothing had happened.
Garp, sitting nearby, asked curiously, "Kid, since you're not joining the Navy, what are your plans for the future?"
Lynn, while secretly swiping some of Garp's senbei, replied seriously, "I want to find a safe place, hide out, and get some proper sleep first."
Bam!
Garp smacked him on the head and scolded, "Wake up, you degenerate! What a waste of talent!"
Lynn clutched his head in pain. "You stinky old man, I swear you're going to beat me into brain damage one day! What kind of fist is that?! It hurts like hell, wuwuwu…"
Garp scratched his head awkwardly and turned to Aokiji. "Was I that strong just now?"
Aokiji stared at him blankly, unsure how to respond.
While Garp had his back turned, Lynn took advantage of the moment and used hand speed beyond his age to swipe the rest of the senbei from the table…
The Marines nearby were struggling not to laugh. Who would've thought Lynn would go that far just for a few crackers?
When Garp finally noticed, he exclaimed, "My senbei—!"
Purupuru… The Den Den Mushi on the warship rang.
Aokiji asked, "Mr. Garp, should I answer that?"
Garp stared at Lynn and grumbled, "It's probably that old bastard Sengoku complaining again. Didn't I tell him I'm on vacation? Just ignore it."
Under Garp's withering stare, Lynn gulped and sheepishly returned the senbei from his pocket to the table… one by one.
Marine Headquarters
A cup crashed to the floor and rolled to the feet of Admiral Kizaru—Borsalino.
Kizaru, with his usual relaxed tone, asked, "Marshal Sengoku, do you want me to go?"
Sengoku growled, "That old fart Garp isn't picking up again. Aokiji should be with him—I was going to ask him to investigate the situation. Kizaru…" He looked pointedly at Borsalino, and the meaning was clear.
Kizaru's yellow eyes flickered. "It seems a Celestial Dragon was knocked unconscious at Sabaody. The guards didn't notice until much later when they finally checked inside."
He paused and added, "I really didn't expect someone would actually dare to attack a Celestial Dragon. But since it happened, we can't exactly sit back and do nothing, right, Marshal? Don't worry… I'll be back soon."
Sengoku sighed. "I'll leave it to you, then."
Back on the warship
Lynn looked puzzled. "Old man Garp, where is your ship headed anyway?"
Garp's eyes lit up. Since this kid didn't want to join the Navy, he might as well drop him off in Windmill Village to keep his grandson Luffy company. That brat was always alone and probably needed a friend…
Thinking of that, Garp casually said, "I'm heading back to visit my grandson. Want to come with?"
Lynn's eyes lit up. That was perfect! Life would be exciting hanging around with Straw Hat Luffy, the protagonist of this world.
Plus, Luffy was the main storyline! Sticking close to him was like having another golden finger!
But not wanting to look too eager, Lynn asked cautiously, "Is it safe there? If it is, I'll go. By the way, is Admiral Aokiji going too?"
Aokiji waved lazily. "I'm just hitching a ride. I'll be getting off halfway."
Getting off halfway, huh? Lynn raised an eyebrow, then shamelessly asked, "General Aokiji, you're so tall and handsome. Could you lend me some Bellies? I don't have any money on me! I'm far from home, please be kind? I'll pay you back ten times—no, a hundred times!"
Aokiji's face darkened. How was he supposed to refuse with such blatant flattery?
This kid is definitely a sly one.
But Aokiji was a seasoned veteran. He quickly deflected. "Why not ask Mr. Garp for a loan?"
Garp shot Aokiji a dangerous glare.
Lynn explained with righteous indignation, "That old man? Are you kidding? Does he even have Bellies? Even if you beat me to death, I wouldn't believe it…"
Bam!
Garp socked Lynn in the head again.
"Ow! Stinky old man! Am I wrong? Do you even have Bellies?"
"Hahaha," Garp said seriously. "No."
Lynn sulked. "See? No money, yet you still hit me. Tsk…"
"Ara ara…" Aokiji sighed. "I've got 250 Bellies. Take it."
He had no choice. He'd been on the receiving end of Garp's punches before. That fist could crush mountains. The pain… unspeakable.
Lynn beamed as he accepted the money. "Arigato, Brother Aokiji! You're such a good person!"
Aokiji instantly got goosebumps and slid far away from him.
Just then, a mechanical voice rang in Lynn's head.
Ding! Congratulations to the host for activating the Flirty System and completing a successful flirt to borrow money from an admiral!
You've received 250 Flirty Coins, +50 free attribute points, and your first bonus to Physical Strength. Check your personal panel for details.
So this is what the Flirty System is?!
Lynn quickly found a quiet corner and opened his panel.
Host: Lynn
Strength: 100
Agility: 10
Physical Strength: 300 (250 base + 50 bonus)
Conqueror's Haki: Level 1
Effect: Can stun targets; released at will, but currently uncontrollable. Can be upgraded to Haki entanglement in future.
Flirty Coins: 250.1
Inventory: Space backpack - 1 sword
Looking at the stats, Lynn's breathing quickened. This is way too awesome!
System: "Host, please don't be too surprised. First-time flirt rewards are always generous."
Everyone else was busy with their own tasks. Lynn, itching for more, decided to try again.
"System," he said. "Back in my world, I was a literary and martial genius. I could flame my teammates in League of Legends and feed the enemy while arguing! What a waste of talent—now I have no outlet…"
System: "The host is indeed flirtatious… but sadly, you targeted the wrong person. No reward."
Lynn slapped himself. Ugh! No reward? Guess I need to flirt with the right people next time…
Before he could mope, Garp noticed Lynn smacking himself and burst out laughing. "You call me unserious? You just hit yourself, idiot! Hahaha!"
Lynn's face darkened. "Can't I just kill a mosquito?"
Garp picked him up like a sack and tossed him toward the galley. "Go to the kitchen and help out. If you want to eat, you need to work for it!"
System: "Congratulations! Flirtation success. +40 free attributes. +400 Flirty Coins."
Lynn blinked. "Wait, what was that from?"
System: "Garp and Aokiji are important figures. Each one gave +20 attributes and +200 coins. The host may allocate attribute points freely in the system menu."
Lynn grinned.
Flirt to win? Count him in.
-End Chapter-
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