"Gun?"
Leno's gaze held a hint of surprise. It was an unexpected choice… but also perfectly reasonable.
This little girl had Observation Haki that was abnormal by any standard. Maybe if the two worked together, it would produce some unexpectedly amazing results.
"Alright, I've noted it down. In the next few days, I'll have someone custom-make one for you!"
As he spoke, he reached out and ruffled the two little girls' heads, then looked at everyone and said:
"Then let's head back. We've delayed long enough."
Before anyone could even react, the ship sped off, flying toward the distant island...
Midway through, once Vivi and Olga felt their "oxygen deprivation" symptoms ease, they immediately rushed to the railing, stretching their necks as they looked around in every direction.
They didn't want to miss this dreamlike scenery just because their bodies couldn't handle it.
Watching them gasp in amazement again and again, Robin, Nojiko, and the others exchanged knowing smiles.
Back when they'd first seen Skypiea's beauty, they'd been just as spellbound.
By the time Leno's ship finally arrived at the Divine Palace, they found Wiper had already led the guard force and was waiting for them.
Only when Leno appeared did Wiper finally let out a breath of relief, then quickly led his men forward to salute.
When he'd received a message from the "holy maiden" Aileen earlier, he'd been shocked to his core. After confirming it again and again, he hurriedly gathered manpower to prepare to welcome the god's return.
Thank goodness they made it in time!
"Welcome the god's return~"
After speaking, he noticed Aileen beside Leno, so he continued:
"Welcome the holy maiden~"
"Hm?"
Leno raised an eyebrow, looking with mild surprise at Aileen beside him—chin slightly lifted, wearing an awfully smug little expression.
He didn't ask much. He simply raised a hand to have everyone stand, then looked to the man leading them and said:
"Wiper, I've got a task for you now that I'm back!"
Watching Leno issue orders in front of the crowd, then enter the Divine Palace surrounded by them, Vivi, Uta, and the others behind him all wore stunned expressions.
They hadn't expected Leno's identity to be more than just "captain"—he was actually Skypiea's god!
They'd heard them talk about Skypiea this and Skypiea that, and guessed Leno must have a high status here… but they hadn't imagined it was this high.
As Leno and the others stepped through the palace doors, two rows of attendants immediately bowed in unison.
"Welcome the god's return~"
"Welcome the holy maiden~"
Seeing that there were twice as many attendants as before, Leno's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help taking a few extra looks.
Ten girls stood sweetly to either side, all dressed in pale moon-white gowns, each with a pair of cute little wings on her back.
With nearly identical heights, every one of them had refined features—young and radiant—and their figures were also full and graceful, with all the right curves.
It was obvious they'd been carefully selected.
They'd put real effort into it!
All good girls, ah~
Just as Leno was quietly appreciating the moment, someone behind him grew dissatisfied.
"Ahem…"
A short, crisp cough yanked Leno's thoughts back.
He immediately put on a calm expression, gave the attendants a slight nod, and strode toward his divine throne.
Watching his elevated back, the attendants all looked excited, eyes blazing with fervor.
Especially the newcomers—some of them were trembling slightly from sheer excitement.
They'd waited so long for the god to return… and now they could finally serve him up close!
On the throne, Leno habitually crossed his legs, then glanced at Aileen seated down to his lower left and rolled his eyes, feeling rather speechless.
"Wiper, I'm planning to expand the guard force to one thousand members. Any problems?"
Hearing that, a flash of delight passed through Wiper's eyes. He immediately lowered his head and replied, "No problems, my god!"
After a brief pause, he continued:
"Actually, I was going to suggest the same thing to you!"
"As Skypiea's territory expanded and the population grew, the guard force has been short-handed for a while now."
"Alright. Then I'll be counting on you for this, Wiper~"
Leaning lazily against the chair, Leno rested his fist against his cheek, his tone casual.
"That's good."
As soon as he finished speaking, he seemed to remember something. With a wave of his hand, five small wooden boxes flew toward Wiper below.
"These are five Devil Fruits. I marked what each ability is."
"Later, hold a private competition among the guard members. Reward them to the winners. I won't be participating!"
"As you command! This subordinate will see it done!"
Below, Wiper fumbled in a flurry to catch and steady all five boxes. After hearing Leno's arrangement, he was overjoyed—his voice even shook noticeably.
Devil Fruits were good stuff. Not only did they enhance one's baseline strength, they also granted all sorts of miraculous abilities.
At present, only a few captains in the guard force were ability users—everyone else had been envious for ages.
"There's nothing else for now. You may go."
"Yes, this subordinate takes his leave!"
After Wiper withdrew from the hall, Leno finally turned his gaze to Aileen at the side and said with amused interest:
"So tell me, our holy maiden… what exactly is going on here?"
The moment Leno spoke, everyone else's attention snapped over as well.
They'd already been curious when those people called Aileen the "holy maiden." How had this little girl suddenly become one?
But since Leno hadn't asked, they'd kept their questions down for the time being.
Now, everyone stared at the little girl, wanting to hear what happened—and where this "holy maiden" title even came from.
Then, under everyone's gaze, Aileen flopped back into her seat, crossed her little legs, and expertly propped up the same carefree leg-crossed pose.
After that, she spread her tiny hands as if helpless, lifted her big innocent eyes to the crowd, and said:
"Why are you all looking at me like that? Honestly, I didn't want to either~ But they just insisted I had to be the holy maiden!"
The moment they heard that, the onlookers' faces darkened, and their gazes turned increasingly unfriendly.
Who had she learned that from? Since when did she get this cheeky? Couldn't she just talk properly?
Looking at Aileen's lazy posture, everyone felt an odd sense of familiarity—like they'd seen it somewhere before.
Their eyes drifted upward… and then they saw it: the same pose, just in an enlarged version, with a leg swinging lightly.
Even Leno was rendered speechless by Aileen's words. He felt the little brat's courage was getting bigger and bigger.
She actually dared to openly provoke this many big sisters—was she not afraid of getting smacked?
Sensing everyone's attention suddenly shifting onto him, Leno was confused.
Weren't they asking Aileen? Why were they all staring at him?
Then he noticed Aileen's matching leg-crossed pose, and his forehead instantly filled with black lines.
Oh, so that's how it is, Aileen—learning the bad things but never the good, huh? Looks like she really needed a lesson.
But before he could make a move, a figure abruptly appeared beside Aileen and grabbed her by the ear.
Then a voice, icy to the bone, rang out:
"Come on. Tell me—how exactly did you 'not want to'?"
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