This time, the navigation instruction perfectly exceeded Reno's expectations.
Carmen gave him and the four women, including Nami, a completely different feeling.
The four women showed obvious similarities in learning navigation skills; they were all passive learners, finding it difficult to exert their subjective initiative.
Even when extrapolating, they were still a bit rusty.
But Carmen was different.
Before long, she was fully immersed.
She went from passive to active, even brainstorming ideas that made Reno marvel.
It perfectly matched Carmen's personality: bold and unconventional.
It also gave Reno a completely new experience.
Only after Carmen had absorbed all the knowledge did Reno stop teaching.
Even so, Carmen still felt like it wasn't enough.
Reno checked the time; it was almost dawn, so he decided to stop.
Most importantly, he was eager to claim his reward.
In the next room.
"Claim reward."
[Congratulations to the Host for acquiring the navigation auxiliary skill — Hand of the Tide!]
Annotation: Once this skill is activated, it can easily stir up surging tides, providing the Host with the most optimal navigation experience.
Friendly Reminder: Be careful with water!
Reno pursed his lips, almost blurting out 'birdsong and fragrant flowers'.
It was too thoughtful.
As expected of the System, it truly understood him.
Up until now, of the five girls he had taken in—Nami, Kaya, Nojiko, Makino, and Carmen—not one had talent in this area.
Their learning was all very dry.
This left Reno feeling deeply regretful.
The appearance of Hand of the Tide perfectly remedied this shortcoming.
Even if everyone's comprehension abilities differed, they could all master it.
"Let's try the effect of Hand of the Tide first."
The skill was already mastered, and there were people to try it on.
The timing, location, and people were all perfect.
Without further ado, Reno found Carmen again.
He used the Healing Power to completely clear all negative effects from Carmen's body.
Carmen, fully revived, looked utterly bewildered.
Does the Captain have this kind of work too?!
The sun rose as usual.
The four girls ate breakfast with earplugs in and dark circles under their eyes.
Even gentle Kaya and Makino felt a bit resentful.
What was going on?!
Was Carmen really that fresh and exciting?!
Normally, Reno's teaching of new people was controlled within four hours.
Yet, they had left Baratie Restaurant around eleven o'clock last night.
And now, it was already seven o'clock!
It wasn't over yet?!
So he liked new flavors now, huh?!
Was he planning to teach all the navigation knowledge in one go, huh?!
Damn it! Bastard!!
"You all eat, I'm going to rest." Nojiko, her eyelids fighting a desperate battle, put down her half-eaten breakfast and turned to walk to her room.
Makino yawned, finished her last sip of milk, and likewise left the dining table dispirited.
"Hey, why are you all leaving?!" Nami looked at the backs of the two girls. "So, are we staying here again today?!"
Nami was a bit undecided.
But she didn't dare to disturb Reno while he was teaching a new person.
"Never mind, Nami, let's wait until Reno is finished." Kaya rubbed her forehead, speechless.
That sound had been ringing in her head all day.
She was certain that Reno had definitely used the Healing Power.
Otherwise, it would be absolutely impossible.
"Alright."
Nami mumbled as she continued to eat her breakfast.
Inside the room, the floor was completely covered in water stains.
There was no other way; anything from the System was a masterpiece.
Reno praised it repeatedly, ultimately only able to describe it as domineering.
It was as if the sea had overturned, pouring into a parched desert.
"Let's stop here for today."
Reno put away the tools used to activate Hand of the Tide.
Carmen buried her head in the quilt.
She was too embarrassed.
Reno, feeling satisfied, walked to the living room, only to find no one there.
He used Observation Haki to sense his surroundings and found that all The girls were sleeping in their rooms.
"Are they that fond of sleeping?!"
Reno couldn't help but shake his head.
Never mind, let them sleep. After he finished breakfast, he should go rest too.
He couldn't always use his ability to remove negative effects; that would make life miss out on many experiences.
At dinner time.
Nami and the three other girls looked at Carmen with strange, peculiar eyes.
Carmen, knowing the reason, kept her head down, continuously picking at her food, not daring to utter a single word.
What was there to say?
Thinking about last night made her feel ashamed.
Whenever eyes fell upon her, she wished she could find a crack in the ground and burrow into it.
Reno couldn't help but laugh.
He hadn't expected the usually boisterous Carmen to have such a highlight moment.
She was even shyer than Makino, more demure than Kaya.
His laughter immediately drew the displeasure of the four girls.
"Reno, is this funny?!" Nami gritted her teeth, uttering icy words.
Although Kaya and the two other girls didn't speak, their judgmental gazes made Reno's skin crawl.
It was over; he had incurred public wrath.
Reno wolfed down his dinner and quickly made his escape.
As he left, his voice drifted back in.
"Carmen, once you've finished your Culinary Arts competition with Sanji, we'll set off immediately."
Carmen had been searching for Sanji for ten years, and now she was so close.
Reno would naturally help Carmen fulfill this wish.
The next day.
Under the witness of Reno, Nami, and the other crew members, as well as all the chefs of Baratie Restaurant.
Carmen and Sanji finally began their Culinary Arts competition, which had been ten years in the making.
Wearing a chef's uniform, Carmen seemed like a completely different person.
When she cooked, she gave the impression of performing a show, delightful to watch.
Nami and The girls watched, exclaiming in admiration.
Indeed, everyone had their specialty.
She was completely different from the Carmen of the previous day.
The confidence that radiated from Carmen's face when she cooked captivated The girls.
Unfortunately, her opponent was Sanji.
The competition ultimately ended with Carmen's defeat.
However, Carmen's superb Culinary Arts still earned the recognition of all the Baratie Restaurant chefs, including Sanji.
Although she narrowly lost, Carmen finally fulfilled her long-held wish.
With a hint of regret, the going merry ascended once more, drifting away gracefully.
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