Ain: "Arton pulled the gacha? Potions to awaken Armament Haki and Observation Haki?! Lucky… I still can't use either. Too bad he didn't pull a character template—then I'd have a shot.
Ain: "No, don't give up, Ain. If I blend into this crew, I'll get a template someday."
Tashigi: "It's still so convenient… No matter how many times I see it, trading points for power others might train years for is shocking."
Stussy: "Even basic Armament is a big headache for any potential Logia foes."
Gion: "This is bad—he ended up getting Armament after all."
Kujaku: "That Enel sounds strong, but if he doesn't know Haki… I have a feeling he's in for it."
Nico Robin: "A Poneglyph—Arton does know where they are! I must find you, absolutely!"
Raki: "Headed to Skypiea? That's wonderful news."
Conis: "Is Enel really that easy to beat in Arton's eyes? He's… terrifyingly strong."
[I'll use the Armament Haki awakening potion myself. As for the Observation Haki potion, I'll give it to Kaya.]
[Carina's Yae Miko template, Nami's Raiden Shogun template, Uta's Elizabeth template, Tashigi's Harribel template, Nojiko's Mirajane template—In sheer power, all of these outclass Kaya's Tsunade template.]
[Yae Miko, Raiden, Tier, etc. also have excellent sensing ability. Giving Kaya Observation Haki increases her safety.]
[At sea, there aren't many truly "rear-line" positions. Fights often splash onto the ship; Kaya with Observation is safer—for her and for us.]
[For me: at close range I have "Transparent World" to read the enemy, and at long range Emiya's "Hawk Eye" lets me see far.]
[A basic Observation potion won't help me much; I'll wait for a stronger one. That said, I noticed Garp way too late this time. If I'd seen him earlier, handling it would've been easier.]
[I've been too lax. Not okay—Uta, Tashigi, Kaya, Carina, Nojiko, Nami… I finally have these crewmates.]
[I can't put them at risk.]
[Until our crew is truly strong—or we recruit a top-tier lookout—I'll personally spend more time in the crow's nest.]
[With "Hawk Eye," I should spot danger well in advance.]
Ain: "So the Observation potion goes to Kaya… so jealous."
Violet: "So good for her—hours of filming and a Haki awakening."
Sadi: "Ugh, she's an enemy, but I'm still jealous."
Doll: "Arton's going to serve as lookout himself? That'll make approaching him much harder for the Navy."
Stussy: "Not just the Navy—CP and World Government will have a tougher time too."
Whitey Bay: "If it's us approaching, Arton won't turn us away… right?"
Baccarat: "Please don't turn me away—I've bet everything on you, Arton!"
Chapter 306 — You're… pretty proactive
Arton glanced out the window and saw the sunrise slowly lifting from the horizon.
Even in this brutal world, dawn was beautiful. He couldn't help but sigh.
He stopped the live recording of Kaya, raised a hand, took the "Basic Armament Haki Awakening Potion," and drank it. Then he picked up the "Basic Observation Haki Awakening Potion" and walked to Kaya's bedside.
Even with Arton gently supporting her shoulder to help her drink it, Kaya still didn't wake. Clearly, healing Arton had drained a lot of her stamina and spirit.
Arton smiled, stroked her hair lightly, and left her room.
"You're… Ain? Up awfully early."
As Arton stepped onto the deck, he saw Ain in a maid outfit, broom in hand, cleaning.
"This is what I should do, Captain," Ain said. "I told you—if you spared Instructor Zephyr, I'd do anything."
Her eyes locked onto him, bright and intent. Arton suddenly felt as if the woman in front of him was… yearning for something from him. He shook the thought away.
"You've certainly got resolve," he said. "All right, take your time with the cleaning."
He turned, ready to climb to the crow's nest.
"W–wait, Arton!"
"What is it?"
"N-not that… I just… aren't you going to do anything to me?"
"Do… what? What do you want me to do?"
"I, um… heard from Uta and Tashigi that you… k-kind of like women."
"Oh, so they told you I'm a lecher, huh?"
"N-not that directly…"
A shimmer flickered in Ain's eyes.
"I'm not in the mood to bother with you right now," Arton said, waving her off. "Maybe later."
He started toward the mast. Right now he wanted the lookout—he needed to scan the seas. Anything else could wait.
"Huh?!" Ain's mouth fell open as she stared at his back. W-wait… is Arton not interested in me?! But in those works about me, he clearly wrote like he was interested!
Anxiety pricked her. She'd been hoping he would take her, and then, moved by feelings, help her grow stronger. Yet he barely spared her a glance. How was she supposed to win him over—and get power?
No. I can't give up like this.
She took a deep breath and hurried to his side. "Th-then, Arton, do you have any… requests for me? If I'm doing anything poorly, you can say so. Or, um, how about I step on your back now?"
She blushed as she offered it—remembering he'd once asked Uta to step on his back.
Arton arched a brow, giving her a dubious look. "You're… pretty proactive."
"Zephyr-sensei is safe now," she said quickly. "I wouldn't go back on my word. I won't refuse you and claim I'd rather die."
"Yo, you're straightforward. Does that 'keeping your word' apply to pirates too?"
"Of course! I said I'd do anything—so I will."
"Interesting. You're interesting, Ain." He stopped, looking her up and down. "All right, since you insist on taking requests… let's start with clothes."
"Clothes?" Ain glanced at her maid outfit. "This isn't good?"
She'd specifically borrowed it from Tashigi to catch his eye. Why didn't it seem to be working on Arton at all?
...
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