On the plaza, Sanji's "heartfelt education" of Baby Caesar continued.
The crisp smack-smack-smack echoing across the square, paired with the baby's loud, full-powered wails, blended into a bizarre yet strangely rhythmic symphony.
Renzo lay sideways on his cloud sofa, yawning, utterly uninterested.
For someone like Caesar, he didn't even feel like giving a second glance.
Ain and Sanji's methods, one unique, one violent, were different, but the result was the same.
Harmless enough.
His attention had already drifted elsewhere.
Just moments ago, the Observation Haki that blanketed the entire island had detected two little mice trying to escape through an underground emergency tunnel.
One of them carried a cold, steely aura, like bloodstained iron, clearly the spy who infiltrated the Marines, Vergo.
The other… was cool and refreshing like a chilled glass of mint soda, with a quiet, intellectual sweetness mixed in.
"Trying to run?"
Renzo's lips curved slightly in amusement.
He didn't even bother getting up. He simply willed it.
Instantly, a formless, intangible gray aura spread out from him like mist, silently sweeping through every corner of Punk Hazard.
This aura had no lethality, no sense of threat at all.
It only made one feel… so sleepy.
So tired.
So eager to lie down immediately… to forget everything… to sleep peacefully until the end of time.
[Domain of Absolute Sloth, All Things Slumber]
Meanwhile, on the third underground floor of the research facility, inside a cold, narrow emergency escape tunnel,
Vergo and Monet were running at full speed.
"Hurry! Monet, move faster!"
Vergo's voice was low and urgent. His signature sunglasses had fogged from heavy breathing.
"That Haiiroyo ability is too bizarre. We must reach exit B-5 and escape via the mini-sub before the Marines surround the island!"
"Yes, Sir."
Monet followed closely behind him.
Her soft green hair fluttered lightly as she ran.
She wore a fitted white shirt and dark skirt, a delicate pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on her nose.
She radiated such scholarly elegance that she looked completely out of place in the cold, metallic escape passage.
She was panting, sweat beading on her forehead.
As a Logia Snow-Snow Fruit user, physical endurance wasn't her strength, and she was pushing her limit.
Just as the two were about to reach a bend in the passage, a sudden change happened!
An overwhelming wave of drowsiness swept over them from all directions, enveloping them instantly.
It felt like collapsing onto the softest bed in the world after staying awake for seven days and nights straight.
A gentle lullaby whispered through their minds.
Their eyelids weighed a thousand pounds.
Every cell in their bodies screamed, Give up. Stop running. Lie down and sleep…
Nothing is more important than sleep…
Monet's eyes unfocused. Her sprint slowed to a jog… then to a stagger… then to a slow, dreamy walk.
A faint, peaceful smile even appeared on her face, like she was drifting into a beautiful dream.
Thud.
Two seconds later, the loyal secretary collapsed sideways onto the floor, breathing softly, fast asleep.
"Monet?!"
Vergo was horrified.
He could feel the same crushing drowsiness crawling through his own mind.
Even with his Armament Haki, this strange ability, attacking his very will, was impossible to defend against.
His consciousness blurred.
His legs felt like they were filled with molten lead.
A ridiculous thought flashed through his mind, Maybe lying down beside Monet and sleeping wouldn't be so bad…
"No…! Absolutely… not…!"
A thick vein bulged on his forehead.
'Loyalty!'
'Loyalty to the Young Master!'
This was the conviction burned deepest into his soul.
For the Young Master's future, he would sacrifice anything.
"RRAAAAHHH!"
Driven by sheer willpower, Vergo let out a beast-like roar.
He lifted his right hand, fingers tight together, Armament Haki coating them like a deadly spear, and without hesitation,
He stabbed it into his own left arm!
Shhk!
Blood sprayed.
The sharp agony ripped through his brain like lightning, shredding the haze of sleep in an instant.
"HAIIIIROOOYOO!!!"
Vergo growled the name through clenched teeth.
He glanced down at the peacefully sleeping Monet. For a moment, conflict flashed in his eyes.
But reason was cruel.
He could barely keep himself awake; carrying someone else was impossible.
"I'm sorry, Monet… The Young Master's ambitions… matter more!"
Enduring the agony in his arm and the encroaching laziness, he forced his body to its limit, turning into a streak and vanishing down the tunnel.
"One got away."
Renzo's voice was lazy as ever, no disappointment at all.
"To escape my 'All Things Slumber' by hurting himself… decent willpower. But that's all."
Distance had weakened the aura; Vergo, with good willpower, barely managed to slip through.
Renzo floated down from his sofa, landing lightly, and walked leisurely toward the facility.
Ain and Sanji hurried after him.
"Did an enemy escape?" Ain asked tensely.
"Mm. One little mouse. Doesn't matter," Renzo waved.
"But we caught something far more interesting. Come, let's take a look."
The three soon reached the underground tunnel.
Turning a corner, they instantly saw Monet lying on the cold floor, sleeping soundly.
She lay curled on her side, long green lashes fluttering softly with her breathing.
Her glasses had slipped crookedly down her nose, adding an innocent charm.
Her white blouse traced her elegant figure.
She looked just like a college girl who'd fallen asleep studying in a quiet library, peaceful and beautiful.
"OHHHHH! Such a stunning, intellectual big-sister beauty!"
Sanji's eyes turned into giant hearts, his body twisting into an S-shape.
"In this cold, filthy tunnel, your sleeping form shines like holy light illuminating the depths of hell! Ah! I would gladly become the very floor beneath you, just to support your weight!"
"Shut up, curly-brow. Don't wake her." Renzo shot him a look of pure annoyance.
He crouched beside Monet, observing her with interest.
Indeed, she was pleasing to the eyes.
Delicate features, pale skin, tall build, and, most of all, that quiet, bookish aura. Elegant and serene.
Perfect to place in an office as a decorative flower vase.
Just seeing her would boost one's mood several percent.
"Good. I'll take her."
Renzo nodded in satisfaction and snapped his fingers.
The "lazy aura" around Monet dissolved instantly.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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