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"D-destroy the Grand Line?" Baccarat's expression froze for a second before she let out a strained laugh. "That Black Arm Zephyr really has gone insane."
Monet crossed her arms, her tone calm but her eyes sharp. "He's already been pushed to his limits. Anyone would snap after what happened to him."
Whitey Bay pounded the table. "The old man and the others are all on the Grand Line! We absolutely can't let Zephyr pull something like this!"
Stussy exhaled softly, the curve of her lips faint but serious. "So that's what's happening. No wonder the Marines sent such a large force after him— even Kizaru was dispatched."
Doll sighed. "To think things would escalate this far…"
Domino lowered her head slightly. "There's really nothing left to say."
Ulti gritted her teeth. "That damned Zephyr—does he want to blow me up along with everyone else?!"
Ginrummy hesitated before speaking. "I-I mean, if you think about it, it's all the Marines and the World Government's fault. If they hadn't betrayed him, he wouldn't have gone this far."
Belo Betty took a long drag from her cigarette and smiled faintly. "A man with true justice in his heart… what a pity. If he'd joined the Revolutionary Army instead, he might've found real justice."
Koala looked thoughtful. "Could it be that Arton intends to keep me by his side because of this?"
…
So that's what happened… so that's why he did it… Ain's hands trembled slightly, her eyes misted with emotion. Teacher Zephyr actually made such a choice. He must be in so much pain. It's all the fault of the Marines… and the World Government.'
"Relax," Arton said lazily. "At most, I'll have you do some maid work, or serve meals, or maybe I'll let you take a bath while I watch."
He smirked faintly. "You can rest assured. When the time comes, I'll let you go."
Arton assumed Ain was afraid he'd kill or violate her, so he tried to calm her down—
"No, I don't want to leave."
"Arton, please don't make me go."
Ain suddenly reached forward, the tray in her hands clattering to the floor as she gripped Arton's hands tightly.
"Ah?"
Arton blinked, stunned by her sudden outburst.
"What the hell is this about?"
The more he looked at her, the stranger she seemed.
"Miss Ain, please calm down," Kaya said gently as she stepped over. "Acting like this won't help you."
She placed her palm on Ain's forehead, and a faint wave of healing chakra rippled outward, soothing Ain's trembling body.
"S-sorry… I didn't mean to." Ain lowered her head, flustered.
Even so, the thought of being sent away by Arton made her chest ache unbearably.
"Kaya," Arton said, rubbing his temple, "take Ain to the infirmary for a checkup—especially here."
He pointed to his own head.
Kaya nodded slightly, crouched to pick up the tray, and took Ain's hand gently.
"Let's go, Miss Ain."
Ain hesitated for a moment, clearly reluctant to leave, but under Kaya's patient guidance, she finally walked out of the lookout.
Arton sighed, leaned back in his chair, and muttered, "I really don't even know what to say anymore."
Chapter 312: All the Navy Women Want to Cozy Up to Arton; The Pirate Women's Sneers
"Don't worry, Captain Arton. She'll be fine once she calms down." A crisp, feminine voice sounded behind him.
"Carina, you're awake."
"With all that commotion just now, how could I possibly sleep?"
"Sorry," Arton said with a faint smile. "You can keep resting if you'd like."
"Forget it," Carina replied, brushing her hair back. "I'll stay here and keep you company."
After saying that, she pulled a chair over and sat down beside him, crossing one leg over the other with relaxed elegance. Seeing her like this, Arton could only shrug helplessly before turning his eyes back to the diary before him.
[Could Ain have been triggered by something?]
[I only gave Zephyr a beating—could that really have shaken her that much?]
[Or maybe she heard about what I did to Hina and Tashigi, and now she's worried I'll take advantage of her, which made her mind go haywire?]
[Haa… what a headache.]
[She's one of my heroines, after all—if she goes crazy, that'd be a real shame.]
[Forget it. I'd better avoid stimulating her while she's on my ship. If she gets even more agitated, it'll be trouble. And if she really loses her mind, then I can't even enjoy teasing her.]
[Going after someone mentally unstable… I couldn't forgive myself for that.]
Whitey Bay chuckled. "This Arton actually thinks Ain's brain broke from being overstimulated."
Makino smiled faintly. "She was definitely stimulated—but in the exact opposite way of what he thinks."
Jewelry Bonney laughed. "That woman's clearly shaken because Arton said he was letting her go."
Koala crossed her arms. "Arton thinks Ain wants to leave, but deep down, Ain desperately wants to stay."
Baccarat smirked. "Well, staying by Arton's side means having the power to change Zephyr's future. That's why I went to sea to find him in the first place."
Monet nodded. "Seems like when we're around Arton, it's better to act closer to our original selves. Otherwise, he might get wary of us."
Charlotte Galette sighed dramatically. "If Arton takes you for a fool, you'll never win his affection."
Stussy smiled. "How ironic. A Marine who wants so badly to stay on Arton's ship."
Gion lowered her gaze. "Ain… is there really no way for you to come back?"
…
Inside the infirmary, the air was quiet except for the soft clinking of medical tools.
"Ain, you saw it too, right? Captain Arton's latest diary." Kaya's tone was serious as she faced Ain. "I know you want to stay. But if you keep acting the same as before, Arton will probably drive you away."
"I… I…" Ain's lips parted, but she didn't know what to say—or what she shouldn't say.
She had seen Arton's diary, of course. And when she read that Arton actually thought there was something wrong with her head, deciding not to take advantage of her because of it, her heart tensed with unspeakable anxiety.
Even though beauty traps don't work perfectly on Arton, if she can't even rely on her charm, she has no idea what else she can use to get closer to him.
That unease far outweighed the joy she'd felt earlier when she gained points from reading his diary.
After a long silence, Ain finally raised her head. "Miss Kaya… you really don't mind me staying?"
She remembered how Kaya had even given her advice before and couldn't help but ask curiously.
"If Captain Arton really allows you to stay," Kaya said gently, "then we'll have another strong fighter aboard. In your original future, you became Zephyr's right hand. That already proves your potential is excellent."
Kaya smiled faintly. "Unlike me—if it weren't for the template, I'd probably still be weak and sickly."
She folded her arms thoughtfully. "The last battle made me realize—the more fighting strength our ship has, the better. If someone with your potential can really stay, it's definitely good for all of us."
Hearing this, Ain's eyes softened, and joy welled up in her heart. "Thank you, Miss Kaya."
Even though she still hadn't received Arton's official permission, as long as his companions didn't dislike her, the chances of her staying had grown much higher.
...
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