"All right, all right—I won't ask. Don't look at me like that."
"And thank you for being willing to do this for me, Tashigi."
Arton gazed at her with tender eyes; even Tashigi could see the unspoken longing there.
So that leaves me no room to back out, she sighed inwardly—yet she did not retreat.
…
Some time passes.
Tashigi lay weakly against Arton's chest, her eyes still holding a gentle warmth.
"You worked hard, Tashigi. Can you still handle using Tier's power right now?"
Arton patted her back, noting the healthy bronze tone of her skin in Tier Mode.
"Mm. Just as you said, Arton… because it isn't a real battle, doing that doesn't seem to drain me any further," she whispered.
"That's wonderful. It means whenever we're close, I won't have to worry about how long you can keep the form."
He sounded almost giddy. After all, if Tashigi could manage it, Uta could too—and when the time came, so could Nami and the others. Two experiences in one body: the thought thrilled him.
Tashigi felt a different sort of thrill—one she could barely voice. Blushing hard, she shifted and murmured shyly, "A-Arton… you're… too strong. We only just finished…"
Arton paused, then realized why her body had tensed: his own enthusiasm had already returned. She'd been pressed against him; no wonder she had to arch her back.
"Hehe. Since you still have stamina, why don't we continue?" He wrapped his arms around her slick back and sat up with her in one swift motion.
"But… we've already taken so much time. If this keeps up, everyone will find out," she protested, face crimson. She wasn't ready for the whole Flameblade crew—apart from Uta and Kaya—to know she, a latecomer, had gotten Arton first. Nami and Carina's reactions alone made her shiver.
"If they do, we'll deal with it then. Right now, let's—"
A knock sounded at the door.
While Arton glanced that way, Tashigi slipped off the bed. In a flash—channeling Water Breathing's control—she washed away every tell-tale trace. By the time Arton looked back she was already smoothing her white clothes into place.
"Captain, should I help clean you up as well?" she asked meekly, tendrils of water coiling over her hand.
"Thanks, but I'm fine."
Not trusting the cool water not to excite him again, he kindled a brief blaze that burned away every mark. With Tashigi's help he dressed, then opened the door.
"Hope I'm not intruding," Uta said, tapping Arton's chest and grinning at Tashigi's flushed cheeks.
"Tashigi, you're really starting to enjoy yourself these days, huh?"
Tashigi's head dropped even lower.
"Alright, Uta, leave Tashigi alone—you know she's easily embarrassed." Arton's smile softened. "So, what brings you here?"
Uta brightened. "We're almost into the waters around Reverse Mountain. Nami and Carina asked me to fetch you two so we can see it together."
The name alone sent a thrill through her. She hadn't set foot on the Grand Line in ages; once they crossed, she'd also be that much nearer to meeting Red-Hair and his crew again. Fingers drifted to her stomach as she considered another wish entirely.
Arton stroked his chin. "Already? The timing makes sense." He looped an arm over Uta's shoulders and started for the deck, Tashigi hurrying after.
…
They emerged topside moments later.
Nami stood waiting, hands planted on her hips. "About time. Did your training really need to take that long?" The complaint couldn't hide a spark of envy—private time with Arton was a rare luxury, one Carina never let her have.
She shot Carina a pointed look; Carina just shrugged.
Nojiko's smile turned sly. "Both of them are swordsmen, Nami. Small wonder their exchange ran… so deep."
Tashigi's heart skipped—had Nojiko guessed? The teasing glint suggested as much.
Nami crossed her arms. "I'm a swordswoman now, too, thanks to the Raiden Shogun template. If it's practice you two needed, why not spar with me?"
Arton waved off the idea. "The Shogun's blade skills are far beyond simple breathing styles. You don't need my pointers."
A hush fell as the silhouette of Reverse Mountain rose from the horizon, twin torrents glittering in the sun. Every gaze on deck locked onto the looming slope—gateway to the Grand Line—while the Senya cut across the swell, the whole crew assembled to witness the climb.
...
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