On the Gale, the women kept a constant watch on the movements of the nearby fleet, afraid that if anything went wrong, they wouldn't have time to react.
It wasn't until hearty laughter drifted over from the other side that the tension in their hearts finally eased a little.
"That damn big idiot. If something's going on, he should at least explain it properly. Making so many people worry for nothing…"
Muttering her dissatisfaction under her breath, Nami angrily punched the railing.
She turned back under the parasol, grabbed her drink, and took several big gulps before calling out to the others:
"Everyone, come over here and wait. If anything happens, that big idiot will definitely let us know right away~"
"This fleet isn't simple!"
Kuina, her long sword hanging at her waist, walked over slowly, her expression somewhat grave.
Though the time had been short and her observations incomplete, a glimpse was enough to see the whole picture.
So many ships anchored in place, yet everything was orderly, without the slightest hint of chaos.
Every crew member remained quietly at their post, without a trace of noise—discipline like that was unmistakable.
"The feeling they give me… they don't seem like pirates. More like a well-trained army!"
"Exactly~ I feel the same way."
Robin, who had been deep in thought, suddenly spoke up, her gaze still carefully sizing up the crew members.
"That kind of presence is very similar to the Marines we saw back at Marineford!"
"Nani?! Could this be some kind of Marine plot? Wouldn't that put Leno in danger?!"
Listening to their conversation, Chopper—who had just settled back into his lounge chair—panicked instantly and blurted out in alarm.
Hearing his frantic shout, the others who didn't know what was going on also started to panic.
Carmen and Mikita were just coming out of the cabin carrying drinks and snacks. At his words, both of them jolted.
The things in their hands were about to fall, but several arms suddenly sprouted out of thin air, steadying them in time.
Robin turned her head and said, slightly exasperated:
"Chopper, don't make a fuss. That's just our guess…"
She paused, then added, "Besides, Leno definitely knows what's going on. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone over to their ship alone."
"So that's how it is… you really scared me just now~"
Like a deflated balloon, the tiny Chopper slumped straight into his lounge chair, his face full of relief.
For a moment there, he'd really thought it was a Marine trap, specifically set to deal with Leno.
Seeing him like this, everyone around him felt both annoyed and amused. This guy really panicked at the slightest breeze.
On the other side,
The atmosphere between Zephyr and Leno was remarkably harmonious. Laughter rang out from time to time during their conversation, nothing like two people meeting for the first time.
Perhaps influenced by his ingrained beliefs, Leno held great respect for this old man who had devoted everything to the cause of justice.
Although he felt that Zephyr's current way of thinking leaned a bit toward the extreme, Leno wouldn't judge him lightly.
After all, never urge kindness without knowing another's suffering—that was the most basic principle of dealing with people.
As for Zephyr, his thoughts were much simpler. At first, he merely wanted to meet this young man who had already made a name for himself across the seas.
He wanted to see whether the rumors were true.
Unexpectedly, through their conversation, he found this brat extremely agreeable.
Despite his overwhelming strength, he wasn't arrogant, and there was even a hint of respect in the way he looked at him.
Or perhaps it was simply the care a junior showed toward a senior?
Zephyr wasn't arrogant enough to think it had anything to do with his own strength. After all, the young man before him was someone who had hammered two Yonko into the ground one after another.
Right now, Zephyr wasn't even sure he could beat him!
Ain still stood quietly behind Zephyr, but her gaze occasionally drifted toward Leno.
Just what kind of strange charm did this pervert have, to earn such favor from her teacher?
Moreover, it had been a very long time since her teacher laughed and talked so freely with someone like he did today!
As the sky gradually darkened and the wine flask ran dry, a slightly tipsy Zephyr said with a hint of fatigue:
"Alright, brat. It's getting late. Your crew must be getting anxious. I won't keep you here any longer."
"Much obliged~ Take care, old man!"
Leno stood up and clasped his hands toward Zephyr. Then, as if he remembered something, he waved his hand.
In an instant, a large pile of alcohol appeared out of thin air—several crates of sherry among them!
This miraculous scene left the two across from him staring wide-eyed, speechless for a long while.
Then Leno's cheerful voice rang out:
"Old man, drink sparingly. These were a real pain for me to collect~"
With that, he turned and walked away. But after only a few steps, he stopped, turned back, and grinned:
"Ain, adventurers always welcome you~"
Crackle~
A flash of lightning passed, and Leno's figure vanished on the spot!
"That damn brat… thanks!"
Coming back to his senses, Zephyr shook his head and cursed with a laugh at the empty air.
Did he hold back the sherry at first because he was afraid it would stir up old memories?
Behind him, Ain was now fuming. That damn pervert—had he set his sights on her?
Catching a glimpse of her teacher staring blankly at the pile of alcohol, she hesitated for a moment before stepping forward.
"Teacher, about that pervert's methods just now…"
"Hm~ Probably a Devil Fruit ability."
Zephyr patted one of the wine crates, his expression tinged with emotion.
"Someone who carries multiple fruits within himself… who knows what kind of changes have happened to him."
As he spoke, he looked at Ain with a strange gaze and said earnestly:
"Ain, don't follow the crowd and hold prejudices about people you don't understand."
"Teacher, I…"
Ain looked a little awkward. She hadn't expected her thoughts to slip out so easily.
He hadn't actually done anything yet, after all—calling him a pervert really was a bit inappropriate.
But then she thought of something, lifted her head, and weakly protested:
"You didn't see his ship. It's full of nothing but beautiful women!"
"So what?"
Zephyr waved his hand indifferently, then smiled and asked back,
"Do you lack confidence in yourself?"
"…"
"Te-Teacher, what are you saying~"
Ain froze for a moment. Her cheeks rapidly flushed red as she stomped her foot in embarrassment and ran off.
Hearing her teacher's hearty laughter behind her, Ain stumbled in her steps and hurried away even faster, looking rather flustered.
Watching her retreating figure, the smile at the corner of Zephyr's mouth faded. He looked around, a trace of melancholy surfacing on his face.
They're all good kids~
If this old body of mine has to be used up, then so be it. I still have to think of a way out for them.
Crackle~
Leno's figure appeared atop the railing. After sweeping his gaze across the deck, his face instantly darkened.
Aside from Robin reading at the table, every single one of them was sprawled out on lounge chairs, fast asleep.
He was so mad he started laughing!
Did they even have a shred of awareness? Sleeping so soundly while the captain was away!
This time, he was definitely going to teach them a lesson.
Bad habits absolutely could not be encouraged!
Thinking that, he raised his arm as threads of lightning rapidly spread outward…
…
…