Chapter 71: Aisha and Buck
"It should be possible,"
Camon said uncertainly.
He had just eaten the Swallow–Swallow Fruit. While he knew it allowed him to devour anything, he hadn't yet tried what the captain was suggesting.
"Then give it a try," Jiang Qize said casually, handing him a wooden plank about thirty centimeters long.
Camon took it, then opened his mouth wide — so wide it was like a basin — and swallowed the plank whole.
Afterward, his mouth returned to normal size, and his body showed no change at all.
Then Camon opened his mouth again and spat the same wooden plank back out, still damp with water.
Watching this, Jiang Qize couldn't help feeling slightly disgusted.
Camon's face flushed. "Captain, it was my first time. I couldn't control it properly."
"Get used to it," Jiang Qize nodded.
"Oh, right, Ba wang," he said, turning toward the Tyrannosaurus, "if possible, start researching shipbuilding. Once we reach Water Seven, I want you to build an amphibious — maybe even a tri-environment — ship. For materials we don't have, try having Camon use his ability to synthesize them for you."
The moment Jiang Qize saw the Swallow–Swallow Fruit, this idea had come to him. The fruit could combine different materials, even ones impossible to assemble in reality — Camon could "build" them inside his stomach, then spit them back out completed.
"Yes, master," Ba wang replied immediately.
He didn't bother to question whether he could actually do it; he simply accepted the order and resolved to give it his all.
"Good," Jiang Qize nodded with satisfaction.
That was the beauty of having subordinates — all he needed to do was give the word.
After that, he returned to his room.
Over the next few days, since they had to wait for the Log Pose to record Drum Island's magnetic field, the crew stayed put on the island. They didn't wander much, as they'd already bought everything they needed.
Still, they managed to recruit two new members — a pair of lovers, both yearning for freedom: a doctor named Aisha and a cook named Buck. They were both around twenty-five.
To ensure their loyalty, Jiang Qize gave them Dinosaur Fruits. He had too many secrets aboard to take chances.
Aisha ate the Triceratops Fruit, and Buck the Stegosaurus Fruit — both quite decent.
During those days:
Ba wang buried himself in books.
Camon and little Robin trained to develop their abilities.
The Raptor, Mosasaurus, and little gorilla hunted sea beasts underwater.
Aisha and Buck adjusted to their new life aboard.
Jiang Qize focused on strengthening his body.
No one slacked off.
Meanwhile, in the Drum Kingdom—
On a throne sat an aging king, dressed in splendid robes and wearing a crown. His face was weary as he looked down at the head of his royal guard.
"Have they left yet?" he asked hoarsely.
"Not yet," the guard captain shook his head with a sigh.
"Ah…"
The old king sighed deeply. He regretted not joining the World Government — if he had, he could have requested the Navy's help.
But given Drum Island's current condition, once they paid the Heavenly Tribute, his people's lives would become unbearable. The kingdom survived mainly on its medical industry; it had no other means of wealth.
"Still, at least they haven't slaughtered civilians or plundered our goods. They're nothing like other pirates," the guard captain said with relief.
"So I suppose they're just waiting for their Log Pose to finish recording before they leave. Best we don't provoke them."
"I hope so," the old king murmured.
…
A day later—
"Captain, it's ready," Camon said quietly as he entered Jiang Qize's cabin.
"Then set sail!"
Jiang Qize opened the door and stepped out. His body radiated heat, the air around him shimmering with warmth. Beads of sweat rolled down his chiseled, handsome face, every muscle on his body taut and perfectly defined.
(Show your support and read more chapters on my Patreon: [email protected]/psychopet. Thank you for your support!)