Tesoro's expression shifted through a storm of emotions shock, hesitation, inner struggle before finally settling into resolve.
He took a deep breath, stepped to Stella's side, and knelt on one knee as well.
"Captain Rhett… this is her choice… and also my request."
Rhett raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And you're not afraid she'll get hurt?"
Tesoro's fist clenched, the golden ring on his finger growing warm. "Afraid? Of course. But I'm more afraid… of clipping her wings."
Stella gently took his hand, their eyes meeting in a quiet, unshakable understanding.
Rhett: (reading aloud with mock drama) "When the flowers bloom? When the peach blossoms fall, I love only one person ugh, ugh, ugh, the stench of romance is killing me."
He stared at them for a few seconds, then grinned broadly. "Alright then, the husband-and-wife team boards together! From now on, when there's a fight, the husband's in front throwing punches, and the wife's in the back patching him up!"
"Guess we're gonna be choking on dog food for the foreseeable future."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Perona floated over and curiously poked at the green glow in Stella's palm. "Wow! Does it really heal wounds?"
Stella nodded softly. The green light enveloped Perona's finger, and a small cut left from training yesterday closed instantly.
"That's amazing!" Perona's eyes sparkled.
Enel snorted. "A god doesn't get injured."
Rhett smacked the back of his head. "Oh really? Who was it that spent three days lying flat after a fight with the Marines?"
Enel clutched his head and sulked off to a corner, squatting and drawing circles.
Rhett turned back to Stella. "You also said something about… 'soothing hearts'?"
"Yes," Stella replied. "My ability can influence emotions like calming an angry person, or giving courage to someone who's afraid."
Rhett rubbed his chin. "Interesting… Can you show me?"
Stella smiled faintly. The green glow in her hand deepened.
A split second later
"Fog God Style: Ghost Flash!"
Rhett's figure vanished, his massive black greatsword cutting straight toward Stella's forehead!
Tesoro simply watched. He knew Rhett wouldn't truly harm her this was her chance to prove herself, and she had fought to earn it.
The blade stopped just an inch from her skin.
Rhett's pupils contracted at the instant the edge touched the green light, his killing intent… faded, just slightly.
"Heh…" He withdrew the sword, grinning. "Not bad! You even dulled my will to fight?"
For someone of Rhett's strength a match even for the Emperors that was impressive. Against weaker foes? She'd be devastating.
A random image popped into Rhett's head Stella patting an enemy on the head, saying, "Don't be scared, the bad guys are all gone now."
Sweat beaded on Stella's forehead, but her smile stayed gentle. "It's only temporary. Against true powerhouses, the effect drops a lot."
Rhett burst into laughter. "Good enough! Before every fight, you hit 'em with the 'Brain-Drain Aura'!"
Anyone who's been "brain-drained" knows it's a cruel curse indeed.
Tesoro sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Captain Rhett…"
Rhett waved him off. "Relax, relax! Oh, by the way "
He suddenly leaned in with a sly grin, whispering into Tesoro's ear. "You…"
Tesoro's face flushed bright red. "Captain Rhett!!!"
Everyone: "…"
Enel peeked from his corner, wearing the same goofy grin as Rhett. "Captain, you're incorrigible. Don't tell me you're actually an old "
Rhett: "Shut it! Want me to launch you into the sun?!"
Enel: "…"
(Quietly puts the pillow under his backside.)
Night deepened, but the neon of Gran Tesoro gleamed brighter than ever.
Rhett kicked open the door to the VIP casino lounge, swaggering in like a rich tycoon. "Alright, people! Tonight, the whole place on Tesoro's tab!!"
The crew erupted: "OHHHH!!!"
Tesoro sighed with a bitter smile. "Captain Rhett, are you trying to bankrupt yourself?"
Rhett slung an arm over his shoulder. "Please. Your casino makes enough in one night to buy ten battleships!"
Stella covered her mouth with a soft laugh. "It's fine. Tonight, let's all enjoy ourselves."
Perona zipped to Stella's side, eyes shining. "Stella! Let's go shopping! The clothes here are gorgeous!"
Moria sprawled on the couch, hugging a bucket of popcorn. "Shopping? Eh, I'd rather keep lying here."
He was still dashing in his own way, but ever since joining Rhett's crew, something had changed. Outside of battle where he was still terrifying he radiated a faint, lazy "salted fish" vibe, slowly evolving into a full-blown couch potato.
Enel crossed his legs and sniffed disdainfully. "The amusements of mortals… barely worthy of a god's attention."
Rhett hurled a pillow at his face. "Then get your divine butt up to the deck and meditate!"
Enel: "…"
(Quietly sits back down, keeping the pillow.)
Rhett dropped into a seat at the gaming table and waved his hand. "Let's play something exciting!"
The dealer's voice trembled. "M-May I ask what you'd like to play, sir?"
He wasn't stupid he could see their own boss standing respectfully behind this man. Whoever he was, he had to be terrifying.
Rhett grinned. "Rock-paper-scissors. I'll throw rock every time, and if you don't beat it, you lose!"
Dealer: "???"
(Is this… is this just straight-up robbery? You're not even pretending anymore.)
Tesoro sighed and motioned to the dealer. "Do as he says… Put the losses on my tab."
Moria gave Rhett a look of utter disdain. "If you can't handle real games, don't play. Why don't you try me instead?"
Rhett wasn't about to back down. He scooped up Laboon, who was sitting nearby.
The table was stacked high with dried fish treats since his opponent was Laboon, naturally.
He didn't want to risk losing to Moria right away, so he decided to test his luck first against the whale.
Before they started, Rhett puffed himself up. "I'm known as the Pirate Gambling King! Laboon, watch and learn!"
Ten minutes later
Rhett smirked. "Heh, Laboon, you lost."
In front of Rhett was a mountain of dried fish. In front of Laboon only a few lonely pieces. If Laboon was pure luck, Rhett was pure shamelessness.
And no, don't misunderstand Rhett didn't use any dirty tricks.
It's just… Laboon's choices were easy to read: never scissors, only rock or paper.
Laboon looked at Rhett, then at the pile of dried fish, then back at Rhett. After a moment, he seemed to convince himself it was fair, and even pushed one piece toward Rhett.
"Wooo." (Here this is from the last round.)
Moria couldn't watch anymore. Maybe because of raising little Perona, he just couldn't stand to see Rhett bullying "kids."
"Captain, could you be any more shameless? Come on, play me."
Rhett tossed his handful of dried fish aside. "Eh, boring."
He'd figured himself out no talent whatsoever.
He could only win one in ten rounds against Laboon, the rest ending in ties. And against Moria? He'd be cleaned out in no time.
So he turned to Tesoro. "Got any more exciting games? Something… more hands-on!"
Everyone gave him looks of pure disdain. Even adorable little Laboon, not wanting to show it, covered his face with his fins. Better hide it, so the captain can save a little dignity.
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