After noon had passed, Hina finally came shakily down from the Gale.
Seeing this, Nojiko and the others hurried forward to support her, while simultaneously shooting accusatory glares at Leno.
That bastard—doesn't he know how to treat a woman gently?
That bull-like brute strength of his—doesn't he have any self-awareness at all? This was way too much!
Just look at Sister Hina like this—she must have been thoroughly worn out last night!
Sensing everyone's looks, Leno felt helpless inside. He couldn't exactly say that he had merely been cooperating with Hina.
But seeing Hina's slightly pale complexion, he could only keep his mouth shut to avoid provoking public outrage.
When Hina noticed her close friends scolding Leno out of concern for her, she originally wanted to explain things for him.
However, upon seeing Leno's aggrieved expression, she found it novel and amusing, and soon joined the ranks of those condemning him…
Not long after, Hina hastily finished her lunch. Due to her status, she couldn't stay any longer.
After bidding farewell to her friends one by one, Leno personally escorted her back.
When Leno returned to Shakky's bar once again, he found that the girls had gone out shopping yet again—it seemed they were determined to make up for it.
Leno looked around, then curiously asked Shakky behind the counter:
"Shakky, where did Brook and Grandpa Crocus go?"
Hearing this, Shakky gently exhaled a smoke ring, her eyes turning playful. "They left early in the morning. Didn't you notice?"
She then rubbed her forehead helplessly and sighed. "Ah~~ figures. All you've got eyes for are beautiful women, kid!"
"..."
Leno awkwardly darted his eyes around, unsure how to respond.
This old hag was really something—once she started roasting someone, she just wouldn't stop!
Forget it. They didn't really have anything to do with him anyway. Let them be.
"Ahem… well, I'll go outside and see if Uncle Rayleigh needs any help~"
After hurriedly brushing it off, Leno quickly headed outside the bar.
He was genuinely afraid of that sly old woman and really didn't want to be alone with her.
Over the next two days, Leno passed the time like this—watching Rayleigh work while idly killing time himself.
During this period, Nami and the others went completely wild, heading out early and returning late every day, bringing back massive amounts of goods without repeating a single item.
It left Leno both shocked and somewhat emotional.
A woman's obsession with shopping really was just as insane no matter which world you were in.
He was actually glad he hadn't gone along—otherwise, he'd definitely have suffered for it! Just thinking about it was terrifying!
That day, Rayleigh finally finished the coating work.
Just as everyone excitedly stepped onto the Gale, they were immediately startled by the sensation under their feet.
"Wow~ so this is coating~"
"It feels like jelly~"
Nami and Robin poked around curiously, even the walls felt soft and bouncy—everything felt incredibly novel.
After surveying their surroundings, they finally understood why it was called coating.
At that moment, Rayleigh walked over and began explaining the next steps, casually handing an instruction sheet to Nami.
After Rayleigh finished explaining,
Leno opened the air valve beneath the ship. The coated membrane began to slowly expand, and before long, it enveloped the entire ship.
Seeing the timing was right, everyone gathered by the railing and waved goodbye to Rayleigh and Shakky.
...
Watching the Gale's silhouette gradually fade away, Rayleigh quietly sat in place, his thoughts drifting far off.
Footsteps sounded behind him, and moments later, Shakky's voice followed.
"In the blink of an eye, they're already gone~"
Lighting a cigarette where she stood, she exhaled a smoke ring and continued with a hint of emotion:
"That kid Leno and his crew… heading into the New World, they'll probably become a brand-new legend, won't they?"
"Oh? You think that highly of them?"
Rayleigh tilted his head slightly, surprised by Shakky's attitude.
In all these years together, they had seen all kinds of people—no shortage of astonishing figures.
Yet she had never expressed any particular opinion before!
Now, judging by his old partner's tone, it was as if she was certain those kids would achieve something extraordinary.
Of course, deep down, he also thought highly of Leno's group—but unfortunately…
They weren't the chosen ones!
"Yes. I'm already their fan~" Shakky said matter-of-factly, cigarette between her fingers.
"Is that so…"
His voice was so low it was almost inaudible. Rayleigh slowly raised his head, gazing into the distance, his eyes seeming to pierce through time and space to see figures from long ago.
The sea breeze brushed against his face, ruffling his silver hair and stirring the thoughts in his eyes.
Looking at his slightly lonely back, Shakky flicked away some ash and softly asked:
"Did you remember something, old Ray?"
"Hm? You could say that~"
Rayleigh's body paused for a moment. Then he closed his eyes, a faint smile lifting the corners of his mouth.
The tide of the new era had already come crashing in. Those who inherited the will would surely raise earth-shaking waves.
Looks like living a little longer has its perks—you get to look forward to many things!
As Rayleigh sank into his memories, Shakky stood silently behind him, cigarette in her mouth, keeping him company.
One seated, one standing—their two figures were bathed in a soft glow by the morning light, like a painting forgotten by time.
At the same time, Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's Office.
Sengoku sat upright behind his desk, calmly listening to the communications officer's report, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the figures seated on the sofa opposite him.
In the end, he waved his hand and dismissed the marine.
"The adventurer crew has already headed to Fish-Man Island. At least we don't need to worry too much about them causing trouble for now."
Casually remarking on that, Sengoku turned his attention to Kizaru, who was filing his nails, and asked:
"Kizaru, it's been a few days since that incident. Has the Holy Land contacted you privately at all?"
"How strange~ There's been no movement whatsoever~"
Kizaru drawled lazily, lifting his eyelids slightly, though his hands never stopped.
He was just as puzzled by the Holy Land's attitude this time. After all, those people valued their authority above everything else.
Whenever something happened that damaged the dignity of the Celestial Dragons, they always responded with thunderous retaliation.
Logically speaking, after a Celestial Dragon was publicly beaten like that, things shouldn't have been this quiet.
"Is that so? So their stance toward the adventurer crew is already this obvious?"
Hearing Kizaru's words, Sengoku furrowed his brows slightly, his expression turning somewhat grave.
Since the last incident, he still hadn't received any new orders.
He had originally thought that the higher-ups bypassed him and contacted Kizaru directly, but now it seemed that wasn't the case.
This left him both confused and uneasy. What exactly was the reason behind the higher-ups choosing to remain silent on this matter?
Their attitude toward Leno's crew had already been rather ambiguous before—was this them laying their cards on the table now?
While he was pondering, Kizaru's voice rang out again, filled with amazement and a hint of fear.
"Scary stuff, that adventurer crew!"
"Publicly beating a Celestial Dragon, and the Holy Land doesn't even pursue it…"
…
…