Nami: "In other words, we get a lot safer too. As expected, we have to go to Sky Island—whether it's the gold or the Ancient Weapon, it's worth the trip."
Tashigi: "He wouldn't use an Ancient Weapon to do anything awful… right?"
Ain: "Staying with Arton really was the right call. With a system, and even knowing where an Ancient Weapon is, he can definitely help me change Teacher Zephyr's tragedy."
Domino: "Arton even knows intel on an Ancient Weapon! This is trouble."
Gion: "If Arton obtains Poseidon, given his attitude toward the Navy and the World Government… no. We absolutely cannot let him continue sailing freely. We have to bring him under control, fast."
Shyarly: "An Ancient Weapon… Poseidon…"
Shirahoshi: "Ancient Weapon Poseidon… what is that? A king of the sea?"
"Kaya, are you feeling unwell? Why does it seem like you're shaking a lot?"
Arton paused his train of thought and turned, puzzled, to Kaya, who was hugging one of his arms.
"N-no, Arton. I'm the ship's doctor—how could I be unwell?" Kaya shook her head.
Her trembling was entirely because the content Arton had just published in the diary was too shocking. She was no longer the innocent girl tucked away in the East Blue; now she knew much about the seas—naturally including what an Ancient Weapon meant.
'Arton isn't going to mention the Ancient Weapon's location, is he? No. That kind of information mustn't appear in the diary.'
'Besides blocking the next destination, I also have to stop Arton from posting where the Ancient Weapon is.'
Thinking that, Kaya pressed Arton's arm deeper into her chest, ready at any moment to use "special measures" to divert his attention.
An Ancient Weapon was a legendary engine of destruction. With the Flame Blade Pirates' current relationship to the Navy and the World Government, there was no telling whether they'd strike at the crew if they obtained it.
No matter what, she wouldn't let that disaster befall her own people—and she certainly wouldn't let Arton publish the location.
"True enough. If the ship's doctor were feeling off, that'd be odd."
Arton, feeling the stunning sensation through Kaya's embrace, promptly let the oddness slide.
"By the way, what's with you, Robin?"
He turned, puzzled, to Robin, who—like Kaya—had buried his other arm in her bosom. He'd overlooked Kaya's strangeness partly thanks to Robin's timing.
"Hee-hee, nothing. I just thought your arm could be a little closer to me." Robin smiled, casting a glance at Kaya.
She, too, knew what an Ancient Weapon implied, and she, too, didn't want the Navy or Government to acquire one. So she chose the same tactic as Kaya—ready to use her charm to pull Arton's mind elsewhere at a moment's notice.
"All for that?"
"Isn't that a bit much?"
"Mm? And what are you doing back there, Ain?"
Arton cocked his head ninety degrees toward the rear, puzzled—though from that angle, his field of view held only Ain's generous curves.
"I—I just wanted to be a little closer to you, Arton."
Ain set that fullness on Arton's shoulder, face flushed. She didn't care for the Navy and Government that would one day betray her mentor Zephyr, so she also wanted to "contribute" to diverting Arton's attention.
"See, that's what I don't get. Kaya and I are close. Robin wants intel on the Poneglyphs from me. So I understand them getting a little closer. But you—what's the point?"
"I only gave you a lift onto my ship, that's all. Then when I told you you could leave, you wouldn't. Don't tell me… you've fallen for me?"
Arton spoke with his cheek pressed to Ain's softness. Even through clothing, a sweet scent drifted in. With flanking pressure from left, right, and rear, Arton's attention was thoroughly, completely diverted.
Chapter 398 – For the sake of power, Whitey Bay plans to go all in
"I—I think so. I might really have fallen for you, Arton." Ain bit her lip, cheeks burning.
"…That joke isn't funny at all." Arton shook his head and looked back out the window. Even so, with a pillow offered right behind his head, he wasn't about to push it away. He leaned back slightly, resting on Ain's chest while watching the sea and splitting his focus to the diary panel.
[Ain actually leaned in first and let me rest my head on her chest. And she's saying she likes me. Haha, that's taking the joke a bit too far, no?]
[She's not like Sadi—no M potential at all.]
[Don't tell me she was sent by the Navy as a spy? Is this a beauty trap plus a self-sacrifice act?]
Ain: "I-I'm not! I've already cut ties with the Navy and the World Government, Arton!"
Domino: "M?! How could Sadi have that potential? She loves tormenting inmates—she's clearly an S! Wait, Arton wouldn't lie… is Sadi hiding her true nature?"
Sadi: "Th-this is bad! What is Arton babbling about?!"
[Forget it—whether it's a sob story or a honey trap… Since the benefits come to me, I might as well enjoy them.]
[Speaking of which, Ain's bust is pretty generous. Paired with that cute face, it's a different flavor altogether.]
Ain's eyes lit up. Great—Arton is interested in me. Maybe I should be bolder from now on.
[Ain's embrace, plus Kaya and Robin's bosoms… my head and both hands are getting premium treatment.]
[Honestly, they're making me want to spend the night with all three.]
Kaya: "!!!"
Ain: "I-is it really happening?"
Robin: "It's a bit fast… but if Arton wants it, so be it. Once he personally confirms I'm a pure woman, he won't think of casting me off. On the pillow—whether it's other Poneglyphs or Saul's location, it should all be easier to learn."
Tashigi: "Huh, the three of them at once? Isn't that a bit too intense?"
Uta: "Mm… if there are three more, I'll get more rest next time, right? But if there are too many, will it be harder for me to bear Arton's child?"
Nami: "Kaya's obviously diverting Arton's attention—Ancient Weapon locations are at stake, fair enough. But Robin and Ain too? Are they both that eager to join our crew? Wait, Arton won't actually cave and spend a night with the three, will he?"
Carina: "Robin and Ain—hardworking girls, I'll give them that. But no sleeping with Arton yet, okay? I haven't gotten Arton myself!"
Smoothie: "Kaya, Robin, Ain—so the three are all stopping Arton from saying where Poseidon is."
Ginrummy: "Their execution is… impressively fast."
Doll: "Has Ain already decided to become a member of the Flameblade Pirates?"
Gion: "Damn it! Ain, can't you have a little more faith in the Navy? And Tashigi too—why are you all straying from the Marines one after another?"
Hina: "Tashigi, Ain… sigh!"
[Where was I in my notes again? Right—heading to Sky Island.]
[Sure, I could just fly straight up there but ten thousand meters high—taking a whole ship up is a bit much.]
[Better to use the more traditional route.]
[Experience the classic ascent, and while I'm at it, swing by the neighboring town.]
[In the original manga, Blackbeard showed up in that town.]
[Maybe if I pass through, I can take him off the board in advance.]
[We've already made enemies of each other; removing him early means fewer headaches.]
[If I recall, that town's name is Mo… tsk, this feeling—Kaya, Robin, and Ain really are abundantly endowed. Quite distracting.]
Doll: "Mo-what Town?! Those three again—diverting Arton's attention?"
Smoothie: "Good diversion. Even if I knew the destination now, at this range I wouldn't make it in time. Don't let those Navy and Government women have all the advantage. Kaya, Ain, Robin—clever girls!"
Ulti: "Heh, not bad."
Gion: "Damn it, damn it!"
Kalifa: "The Marines will be mad again. Lucky I quit early—my mood stays serene!"
Whitey Bay: "Arton wants to deal with Blackbeard? That's fantastic! Arton, if you can take down Blackbeard, I'll do anything for you—grovel, lick your feet, whatever you want."
Makino: "D-do we really have to go that far?"
Whitey Bay: "Of course. Forget kneeling—if he wants it from behind…"
Makino: "S-stop! I'm getting mental images!"
Makino's face flushed scarlet. Thanks to the works Arton had penned with her as a model, Makino had been forced to learn a lot of things she never would've touched before.
....
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