Stepping back onto the land of the sky island once more, Ren felt a faint sense of nostalgia. After all, this really did count as a long journey.
After dealing with the two special cases, Monet and Baccarat, the long-awaiting crew members dragged Stussy and the newly recruited junior, Cavendish, into hosting a grand welcome banquet together.
The revelry lasted an entire day, and only ended when Ren finally gave in, helplessly putting a stop to it.
Cavendish still wasn't satisfied and dragged Urouge off to Angel Island, eager to broaden his horizons and see what the sky island girls were like.
Zoro hauled a massive barrel of liquor deep into the forest, seemingly intending to go find the Lord of the Sky.
Nojiko and Vivi, on the other hand, didn't dare relax. After drinking just a little, they immediately took charge of the important matters.
For example—
Under Stussy's expectant gaze, helping him write a reply letter filled with praise and affirmation.
As for Ren and Nami… tonight seemed destined to belong to just the two of them.
"You drank that much you're already swaying when you walk. Are you really going to be able to point the way to the temporary residence like this?"
Ren supported Nami helplessly, her soft, full body almost pressing completely against him.
Tonight, Nami was wearing a goose-yellow velvet coat.
Beneath the open coat was an orange shirt patterned with windmills—not the midriff-baring kind from before.
The hem fell to her waist, covering everything that needed to be covered.
Because she knew Ren didn't like things being too revealing—or rather, too revealing in front of other people.
Even so…
The highly elastic fabric outlined astonishing curves.
A stretch of snowy skin at her collar trembled slightly, irresistibly drawing the eye.
Unconsciously, she leaned even closer to Ren.
Her soft curves pressed against his arm, distorted by the squeeze, swaying as they brought a wonderful sensation.
Between them was an unfathomably deep cleavage, as eye-catching as a black hole.
Looking further down—
The seductive curves tightened sharply, outlining a slender, hourglass-like waist.
Her slim waist twisted as she walked, and the tight jeans wrapping her hips invited subtle, dangerous imaginings.
"Hehe, why wouldn't I be able to?"
Out of nowhere, the tipsy Nami suddenly steadied her steps.
Her cheeks were still flushed, but it no longer seemed to be just from the alcohol.
"Uh… pretending to be drunk? I almost forgot how good your alcohol tolerance is."
Ren paused, then remembered Nami's established drinking capacity and laughed helplessly. "Then why did you look so weak earlier and act all pitiful, dragging me in to block drinks for you?"
"Because it's fun. Don't you like it?"
Nami blinked her beautiful eyes and pressed herself against him again, clearly implying something.
"No, I just can't understand it."
"That's just how women are—troublesome. We need a sense of security, dependence, and we like the feeling of being cherished. Even now, I'm still the same."
"Then what's the difference between you now and before?"
"Well… for you there's no difference, but—"
Nami raised her hand, and a cluster of lightning exploded at her fingertips. "—I'm much stronger than before.
My Weather Cloud techniques and the power of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit have basically fused together.
If I prepare properly now, I can create a storm disaster or even a tsunami covering over a hundred kilometers.
I've also mastered a weather phenomenon that suits you perfectly—thunderstorms!"
As she spoke, she looked extremely proud, even a little arrogant.
Compared to warriors who cultivated strength step by step,
Nami at this moment was like an inflated pufferfish—confident and bristling with outward aggression.
But—
"That's really impressive."
Ren reached out and gently ruffled her orange hair, his gaze soft.
He knew, just as she knew that he knew—
Part of the reason she'd grown stronger was to keep up with his pace, to be able to help him.
"So?" Nami hummed, rubbing her cheek against his palm like a cat. "It's been almost half a month since we last saw each other, and that's all you have to say about my experiences?"
"I'm probably the freest person right now, so I'm all ears."
"Well, while you were gone, I went studying with the old folks in Weatheria.
Since the team needs it, I focused on extreme weather—storms, floods, that sort of thing.
You know Thunder Island in the New World?
The place where lightning strikes nonstop.
The island itself is a massive metal landmass, hardened by constant lightning.
No—more like a mineral vein pushed up by tectonic forces!
That place is basically hell. Even ironclad knights wouldn't last long before melting into slag.
But the magnetic fields and climate there were fascinating. I spent some time recording everything.
Then I made it my own—what I just called thunderstorms.
Give me a little more time, and I could even trigger a nation-destroying level disaster.
Even Zoro wouldn't be my match!"
"Why are you so set on picking on Zoro?" Ren asked, amused.
"Because he still wants to steal my vice-captain position."
Nami snorted. "And I need a chance to show off my strength, right?
I can't exactly electrocute you in bed, can I? Or… are you interested in that?"
"I like controlling lightning," Ren replied, meaning more than one thing as he wrapped an arm around her slim waist and slipped his hand beneath her shirt hem.
His hand moved swiftly upward, then closed around a familiar softness.
"Pervert," Nami shot him a look, but quietly endured it, then leaned her head against him and whispered in his ear, "Then shouldn't you explain what you've been up to?"
"There's not much to explain. Didn't I already say it all at the banquet?"
Ren toyed with the long-missed softness, feeling how it differed from the other pair. "Nojiko's already made arrangements.
If things go fast on Kuma's side, we'll gain another powerful Devil Fruit user."
"That's not what I mean, idiot!"
Nami rolled her eyes and slapped his wandering hand away.
"Then what do you want to know?" Ren asked, puzzled.
"How's Vivi?"
"She did well. Mentally, she's reached the point where she can handle ordinary enemies.
As for combat power… probably around the level of a 200-million-beri pirate.
At the very least, Cavendish wouldn't necessarily be her match—about fifty-fifty.
If she stabilizes for a while longer, she might become a major force.
Though I'm not sure who to give that weakness-transfer rod to—"
"Enough, enough, stop."
Nami waved him off, interrupting, a thoughtful look flashing through her eyes.
Didn't get anywhere, huh?
Hmph, just as I thought—still a naïve little girl!
After thinking for a moment, she placed a hand on Ren's waist. "What about my sister? What's her situation?
She looks completely different this time—like she's been thoroughly nourished.
Why do you think that is?"
"Uh…"
Ren hesitated, and then his waist was viciously pinched.
Her nails caught a bit of flesh and twisted hard.
He winced in pain.
Probably because they were so close now—and because Nami herself had grown much stronger.
Compared to her former obedient self, she clearly didn't mind showing a bit of her claws anymore.
"Why are you yelping? At least half of that was you exaggerating!"
Nami snorted and let go. "Fine, leave it at that."
"That really hurt, you know."
Ren said so, but secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He finally understood what Nami had really been asking.
That pinch wasn't undeserved—and it wasn't in vain either.
But just then,
Nami's hand returned to his waist, pinching another piece of flesh with a sweet smile. "So then, what about Monet and Baccarat?"
"…!"
"Hey—stop pinching!"
Ren helplessly stepped back, raising both hands to block the pursuing Nami. "It was just coincidence.
Honestly, they don't even count as our people yet. How things turn out will depend on how they act later."
"What do you mean?"
Nami narrowed her eyes. "Not falling for their looks?"
"No!"
"Not keeping them around just for eye candy?"
"Definitely not!!"
"Yeah, that's what I thought."
Nami stepped back, suspicious. "So what's the follow-up plan?"
"Research."
Ren thought for a moment and took out the black-gold card. "This thing involves mental abilities, and we lack a suitable test subject.
Monet is strong and has an extremely firm will—and intense loyalty to one of our enemies.
So loyal she'd die for him. Because of that, I want to see if that loyalty can be altered.
If it works, this direction of development could become extremely valuable."
"I see."
Nami thought of the green-haired woman, a trace of pity flashing through her eyes before quickly vanishing.
She knew very well—
Ren would never experiment on innocent people when he understood the situation.
"As for Baccarat, her value lies in luck. She might be able to enhance my Devil Fruit abilities."
Ren briefly explained the earlier plans.
He also emphasized one point.
"Baccarat needs to be tested. While we wait for her to push her ability toward awakening, that's the perfect trial period.
If she proves herself, letting her join the team wouldn't be a bad outcome.
But if she has other ideas or makes the wrong choice… then she'll have to be eliminated."
When he said that, Ren's expression turned cold.
"I see."
Nami nodded and pressed close to him again.
This time, she wrapped both arms around his waist and clung to him like a koala.
"How are you supposed to lead the way like this?"
"Just follow the vines. After the Enlightenment got dismantled, I moved into Enel's old residence."
"In that case, wouldn't it be easier to just fly up?"
"Shouldn't we be enjoying our private time right now?"
"Uh…"
"Alright, stop complaining. Didn't you already see my sister's succubus-angel outfit?
If you perform well tonight, I can let you see my succubus-angel outfit too!"
Hiss—!
Ren sucked in a sharp breath, his expression instantly turning serious.
"Please issue your orders!"
After long battles, rest periods naturally felt especially long—and with no sailing schedule to worry about,
there was no need to care about whether they could even get out of bed the next day.
After spending some time climbing the vines—and playing a few small games along the way—
the moment they entered one of the rooms in the residence,
Ren decisively pushed Nami down.
What followed was something best left unsaid.
(End of Chapter)