Free Web NovelChapter 31: Chapter 31
Chapter 31
The sight floating above the clouds was none other than Marine Branch 16.
"So the incident reported a few days ago was really your doing!" Reiju said with certainty.
"If you’re talking about the disappearance of East Blue’s Marine Branch 16, then yes, that was us," Rorschach replied with a slight smile.
"Why did you do it? Aren’t you afraid of the Navy retaliating?" Reiju asked, puzzled.
In her view, if they wanted an island, they could have just found an uninhabited one. Why choose such a conspicuous target like a Marine base?
"It’s a long story. But those Navy guys are hypocrites too. They had the information but never made it public."
Rorschach then told Reiju about Nami’s story and why he had targeted the Marines.
"I see. So it was all for Nami-san. Captain Rorschach, you really are a good captain who cares about his crew. Is this what they call ’raging for a beauty’?" Reiju said with sudden understanding, teasing him lightly.
"That’s right. Anyone who dares to bully my crew, I’ll retaliate against them by any means necessary. Even if the Navy comes, it won’t matter."
"If they really piss me off, I’ll just lift dozens of massive islands and drop them on Marine Headquarters. No one can stop me."
Facing Reiju’s teasing, Rorschach spoke those terrifying words in a calm, unhurried tone.
Only at this moment did Reiju truly feel the depth of this man’s protectiveness toward his crew.
"Hehe, what a responsible captain. Then please take good care of me from now on," Reiju said with a slight smile, extending her hand.
Rorschach paused for a second, then took her hand and smiled.
"I thought it would take longer before you truly joined the ship."
"Hehe, actually, I was planning to sneak away once we landed," Reiju covered her mouth with her right hand and laughed softly, completely unconcerned about how Rorschach might react to hearing that.
"Then why did you decide to be honest now?" Rorschach asked, a bit surprised. He didn’t understand what he had done to make this girl willingly accept him.
"No particular reason. The atmosphere on the ship is nice. This feeling of freedom is the life I’ve always wanted — cooking every day, chatting with companions, traveling the world to see beautiful sights, living freely."
Reiju walked to the side of the ship and leaned against the railing. She took a deep breath, looking down through the clouds at the sea below, her expression growing softer.
"Besides, I have nowhere else to go. Drifting on the sea alone isn’t bad, but staying by your side isn’t bad either."
Rorschach walked over and wrapped an arm around Reiju’s waist. He winked at her and gave a thumbs-up.
"Captain Rorschach, do you usually treat all your crew members like this?" Reiju asked with a smile, pointing at the hand he had placed on her waist.
"That’s right!"
"This is sexual harassment, you know," Reiju said, smiling as she gently removed his hand.
"What sexual harassment? This is my love and care for my crew! I treat every crew member equally!" Rorschach declared with his arms crossed, looking righteous.
"Hmm, now I finally understand what Nami-chan meant when she said you can be really annoying sometimes," Reiju said with a troubled expression.
"What?! What did Nami-chan say about me?!" Rorschach looked like he had been struck, which made Reiju laugh softly beside him.
Soon, the sailboat landed at the port.
"Welcome to our secret base! Dragon Swim Island!" Rorschach spread his arms wide and proudly announced to Reiju. frёewebηovel.cѳm
"Huh? When did you even name it?" Nami asked in surprise from the side. Even she hadn’t known the base had been given a name.
"Hahaha, just now. We can’t keep calling this island ’Marine Branch’ forever, so I gave it a proper name."
"Come on, Reiju. Let me show you around. Nami and the others are making dinner, so we won’t disturb them," Rorschach laughed, then took Reiju’s hand and started to lead her on a tour of the island.
"Umm... Actually, I’d like to cook with Nami-san and the others too. It looks like fun," Reiju said after a moment of hesitation, expressing her true desire.
"Eh? Eh?"
"Cough, no need to rush. There’s plenty of time later. Let me show you around the island first. I’ll teach you cooking when we have time."
"Does Captain Rorschach know how to cook too?" Reiju asked curiously.
"Heh heh, you don’t know this yet, but Nami and Karina’s cooking skills were actually taught by me!" Rorschach declared proudly with his arms crossed, taking full credit for the Advanced Cooking Manual.
"I’m impressed, Captain Rorschach," Reiju said, clapping lightly with a smile.
The man before her was easy to understand — a bit narcissistic, a bit fond of showing off, decisive and ruthless in battle, and extremely protective of his companions.
...And, of course, add one more trait: massive LSP (pervert).
But he really is a good captain.
Reiju thought to herself, her smile growing brighter.
She then let Rorschach take her hand as he began explaining the island’s facilities.
However, when he introduced the Crew Training Room, she couldn’t help but be shocked again.
"So this is the key to how you became so strong?" Reiju asked in amazement, reaching out to touch the door. It felt truly unbelievable.
"That’s right. Nami, Nojiko, and Karina all train here. Kaya studies medicine every day and also trains here for a while."
"Starting tomorrow, you’ll be one of us too. I’ll do my best to teach you how to become stronger."
By the end, Rorschach’s expression turned serious. He had always been strict when it came to training his crew.
"That sounds very promising," Reiju said.
"Hahaha, your physical fitness is much higher than Nami and the others, so you’ll be able to train in a lot more things."
"I’ll personally teach you how to use Armament Haki, Observation Haki, and the Marine Six Styles techniques — Shave and Moon Step."
"These are all very practical skills for real combat."
Rorschach explained his training plan for Reiju.
"Oh right, you can also learn cooking here. Since it has a ’twice the result with half the effort’ effect, Nami will give you the Advanced Cooking Manual to study later."
Suddenly remembering that Reiju was also interested in cooking, he added that reminder.
"Twice the result with half the effort? What an amazing Devil Fruit ability," Reiju murmured.
"Alright, I’ve pretty much introduced all the facilities on the island. Now let’s go back and try the big feast they made!"
Rorschach pulled Reiju into his arms and flew toward the dining hall.
The large table in the dining hall was already filled with various exquisite dishes.
Rorschach’s eyes lit up as he charged straight toward the food.
"Hey, you idiot! Wash your hands before eating!" Karina grabbed Rorschach’s cheek. At that moment, his face stretched like he had eaten the Gum-Gum Fruit, but it didn’t slow down his eating speed at all.
"Isn’t it because the food you girls made is just too delicious? I couldn’t help tasting it first," Rorschach said with his mouth full, a piece of sea beast meat still not swallowed.
A big vein popped on Karina’s forehead. Rorschach felt a chill run down his spine, and his view suddenly spun like a stormy sea.
"You just wanted to sneak a bite! Go wash your hands properly and wait until we’re done!"
Rorschach was thrown straight in front of the sink. Facing Karina’s roar, he swallowed the meat in his mouth, washed his hands, and quietly sat down at the table.
Reiju watched the scene with a soft laugh, then washed her hands and sat down beside Rorschach.
This kind of atmosphere was the life she had always longed for, but it could never have happened in Germa Kingdom.
When Nami brought out the last dish and announced that dinner was ready, Rorschach began devouring the food like a storm.
Seeing how much Rorschach enjoyed their cooking, the girls all smiled happily.
After dinner, Rorschach suggested swimming in the pool, and everyone agreed.
Late at night.
The door to Rorschach’s room quietly opened.
A petite figure slipped in from behind the door.
The figure walked to the side of Rorschach’s bed, hesitating several times, wanting to move forward but feeling too shy.
Finally, as if having made up her mind, she bravely jumped onto the bed.
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