Crap.
Ronn's eyelids twitched hard as regret flooded through him.
He should've rolled up his bedding and crashed in Rem's room… or maybe bunked with Rayleigh.
That damn dragon-woman — Lucoa — had warned him earlier: "I'm coming to your room tonight."
He'd laughed it off.
Now she'd actually shown up.
The window slid open with a click.
A graceful silhouette slipped inside — same window jump, same familiar face, same habit of… immediately undressing.
At the same time, the bedroom door creaked open a little wider, another figure squeezing through the gap.
"Ronn ~"
"Told you I keep my word ~"
Lucoa's voice was lazy, sultry — mature and dangerously soft.
Tempting.
But lethal.
The woman who'd just leapt through the window — Vice Admiral Gion (Momousagi) — froze mid-motion.
Then, one after another, more footsteps.
The door pushed open again.
Ronn's eyes went wide.
Click — someone hit the light switch.
Warm light banished the darkness — and illuminated every single person now standing in his room:
Lucoa. Momousagi. Tohru. Rem. Ram. And Yoruichi, purring in someone's arms.
Everything… had gone to hell.
"Did I come at a bad time?" Momousagi asked sweetly.
"Ronn!"
"Master!"
"Meow ~"
The chorus hit all at once.
Six pairs of eyes locked on each other.
Tension thickened like gunpowder smoke.
Lying in bed, Ronn realized — this was it.
The hardest choice of his life.
Should he tell the woman who shared midnight talks with him to leave?
Or send the others — Tohru, Lucoa, Rem, and Ram — back to their rooms?
Leaving none wasn't an option…
But maybe keeping all of them was?
He flashed a calm smile.
"Nice weather tonight. Why don't we take a walk on the beach?"
Before anyone could object, he snapped his fingers.
Snap!
A crimson magic circle burst beneath them, light swirling like water.
Dragon-tribe teleportation magic — short-range, multi-target transfer.
When everyone's vision cleared, sea spray and moonlit waves stretched out before them.
"See? Great view—"
Before he could finish, a hand grabbed him.
His body vanished from sight.
The others blinked — he was gone.
Tohru's teeth ground audibly.
"It was Lucoa!!!"
Elsewhere —
Ronn opened his eyes again.
A silent, empty plain.
Cool wind brushed his cheek… and the soft sound of breathing right beside his ear.
Suddenly, everything went dark.
Something soft smothered his face; he was engulfed, breath stolen.
"Mmph mmph — !"
His muffled groan echoed faintly across the plain.
No one answered.
Lucoa had already sealed the entire area with a dragon barrier.
(Ten thousand words omitted here.)
Morning.
Ronn slowly opened his eyes and sat up.
Last night… let's just say it was eventful.
Driving a "tank" might've been exhausting, but the handling and performance were… top-tier.
"You're awake?"
Lucoa's husky morning voice drifted across the room, tinted with tired sweetness.
She was fully dressed, hair still a little messy, clearly ready to leave.
Good.
No "throw-cash-and-run" scene this time.
"Yeah, I'm up," Ronn replied.
"Come have breakfast. Rem probably finished cooking."
Lucoa shook her head, yawning.
"You eat. I'm exhausted. I'm going back to sleep ~"
She walked out slowly — a bit bow-legged, rubbing her waist as she went.
Ronn exhaled. Figures.
After a quick wash-up, he entered the tavern.
Tohru, Rem, and Ram had already set breakfast.
None of them said a word about last night — but there was something in their eyes: silent determination.
That alone made Ronn uneasy.
"Master, breakfast's ready ~" Rem chirped, smiling like nothing happened.
"Thanks," he said, patting her head before sitting down.
Breakfast was as lavish as always: fried eggs, toast, bacon, porridge.
Ronn ate while scanning the latest paper.
[Breaking News! The Beast Pirates and the Red-Hair Pirates will clash in the New World in two days!]
[Sources claim Admiral Akainu was defeated on Sabaody by a mysterious figure! The Marines deny all rumors and vow punishment for anyone spreading them!]
[Shock! A commoner attacked a Celestial Dragon and was immediately shot dead — witnesses stunned!]
Below was a photo: a kneeling civilian, and beside him a middle-aged man lying in a pool of blood — unarmed.
"Tsk tsk tsk…"
"Morgans sure knows how to kiss up. He must've been paid handsomely."
Ronn chuckled, folding the paper.
If Akainu's brand of Justice won against Doflamingo's Corruption —
Would he still tolerate the Celestial Dragons?
If he chose war, he'd be no different from the Revolutionaries.
If not, he was still their puppet.
He sighed.
Just then — the tavern door burst open.
The Holy Master and his "son," Demon Xiaolong, stormed in, arguing loudly.
"Old man!" Xiaolong growled, murderous aura rising.
"Hand it over, or I'll kill you right here!"
The memory of them bawling in each other's arms yesterday made him gag.
If that "Heart-Soothing Spray" hadn't worn off, he'd still be stuck pretending to be a filial son.
Disgusting.
The Holy Master just chuckled, sitting at the bar.
"Silly child. I gave you the Heart-Soothing Spray — so my end can't be far away."
He pushed a thick old book across the counter.
"Boss, here. The witchcraft I promised."
Ronn flipped through a few pages — and raised a brow.
It was detailed — and powerful.
Spells like:
Qi and Blood — heals injuries rapidly.
Foresight — glimpses future events.
Rebirth Ritual — literally resurrects the dead.
Eternal Body — grants immortality.*
"Nice. I'll test it when I get time." Ronn nodded approvingly.
The Holy Master smiled.
"Glad you like it. But some of those spells… come with a terrible price.
Some so great that—"
He paused.
Xiaolong frowned. "What price?"
The old man's voice suddenly sped up:
"— that it turns you into my good son!"
Before the demon could react, the Holy Master snapped his fingers, activated the Rabbit Talisman, and pulled out — the Heart-Soothing Spray again.
Psssst — !
A mist hit Xiaolong square in the face.
His eyes went wide, fury boiling up — and then … softening.
"You old bastard, you— !"
But before he could strike, the Holy Master started wailing dramatically:
"My son! Forgive me! I just wanted you to be a little more filial!"
The spray's effect kicked in immediately.
Xiaolong's rage melted into tears.
"Father… it's my fault, I was unfilial!"
And just like that — the two monsters embraced again, crying their eyes out.
Ronn rubbed his forehead, muttering under his breath:
"He really did give him the Heart-Soothing Spray…
No wonder he knows his death isn't far off."
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