The salty, damp sea breeze gently caressed the massive ship. Above the azure sky, several unknown seagulls circled, their calls crisp and clear.
A colossal, silver-white vessel, the 'Conqueror,' steadily navigated the boundless ocean. Its sleek, beautiful lines exuded a sense of futuristic technology, a testament to the highest engineering achievements of the Golden Empire. This new submersible had been specially designed by the top scientists of Germa for Takuro's trip to Fish-Man Island.
Inside the luxurious main command room, Takuro leaned back on a soft leather sofa. "How much longer will it take us to reach Sabaody Archipelago?" he casually asked a guard member responsible for navigation.
The member instantly snapped to attention. "Reporting to Lord Takuro! Based on our current speed and nautical charts, we estimate it will still take three days at the fastest speed."
"Three days, huh…"
Takuro nodded, acknowledging the time, and then fell silent.
It had been some time since they departed from Amburi Island. Their initial destination on this voyage was the famous 'Crossroads of the World'—the Sabaody Archipelago. To reach Fish-Man Island, which lay ten thousand meters beneath the deep sea, they first needed to go there to coat the ship with a special, pressure-resistant 'coating.' After that, they would utilize the complex and dangerous underwater currents for the long dive.
If Takuro were traveling alone, the trip would be simple. He would only need the general direction; with his super speed, he could probably reach the destination in no time. However, this time he had Robin and a group of attendants with him.
Takuro wasn't in any rush, though. Since he was idle, he decided he might as well treat the journey as a vacation or a relaxing trip. Takuro left the cabin and stepped onto the spacious deck.
He immediately ran into Fisher Tiger.
Takuro smiled and greeted him. "Yo, Tiger, how's it going? Are you used to being on the ship these past few days?"
Tiger scratched the back of his head, giving a simple, genuine smile. "Thanks to you, Lord Takuro," he said. "These past few days have honestly been the most relaxed and comfortable time I've had in over a decade."
His words were not mere flattery. On Takuro's 'Conqueror,' Tesoro had provided the best and most luxurious food, living spaces, and entertainment facilities. After becoming accustomed to such 'fine fare,' Tiger recalled his past days spent sleeping rough at sea, constantly evading the Marines and bounty hunters. He could only think about how bitter those times had been.
Seeing Tiger's completely 'convinced' expression, Takuro smiled. "That's good," he replied, then asked, "What are you about to do now?"
"Oh, I've been too comfortable on the ship lately," Tiger said, stretching his muscular body. "I feel like my body's getting rusty. I'm heading to the ship's gym for a good workout."
He then looked at Takuro and offered an invitation. "Lord Takuro, would you like to… come with me?"
However, Takuro shook his head without hesitation, instantly refusing. "You go by yourself."
What a joke? He had trained himself almost to death in a hellish gravity chamber every day to get stronger, but that was out of necessity for survival. Now that he finally had a little bit of 'self-preservation' strength, it was time to properly enjoy life! He wasn't some austere fighter who thought only of combat.
Bidding farewell to the 'driven' Tiger, Takuro hummed a light tune and arrived at the stern of the ship, where there was a huge open-air swimming pool complete with an artificial beach.
By the poolside, a slender, black-haired woman wearing stylish sunglasses was leisurely lying on a wide, comfortable sun lounger, sunbathing her smooth, jade-like back. This was Robin. She wore a form-fitting, dark blue bikini that perfectly highlighted her astonishing curves. The delicate fabric clung tightly to her soft, healthy, and vibrant skin.
Watching Robin's graceful figure, which resembled a work of art as she displayed astonishing flexibility on the chair, a mischievous smile appeared at the corner of Takuro's mouth.
He softened his steps, moving stealthily like a hunting leopard, and walked silently behind her. Then, he extended his 'wicked hand'!
Suddenly, it landed on Robin's tender waist, a waist so small it could be clasped with a single hand!
"Ah—!"
This sudden attack made Robin gasp in surprise! She was about to react, but her peripheral vision caught the sight of the culprit behind her, who wore an expression of 'successful mischief.' Her initial alarm instantly turned into helplessness and a hint of gentle flirtation.
"Master!" she chided him softly. "You… you startled me!"
Takuro showed a satisfied smile. Then, his eyes darted, and he came up with a new 'naughty idea.'
"Look at you," he said playfully. "I think you've gotten a little darker these past few days. Did you not apply sunscreen properly?"
"Never mind, I'll help you apply it."
"Eh? No… no need, Master…" Robin began to object, wanting to say she had already applied it.
But Takuro simply gave her no chance to refuse.
He casually picked up the bottle of faintly fragrant sun oil from the small nearby table, squeezing a generous amount into his palm. Then, rubbing his hands together to warm and spread the oil, he began to slowly apply it to her silky, smooth, and delicate beautiful back.
Upon contact with her skin, the essential oil instantly gave off an alluring sheen, emitting a faint, gentle, and non-pungent natural floral scent.
Initially, Robin was a little shy and resistant.
But under Takuro's warm and strong hands, which had a peculiar, gentle, massaging rhythm, her tense body gradually relaxed. She closed her eyes, feeling his magical palm slowly gliding over her smooth skin, bringing with it a current-like sensation of profound comfort.
"How does it feel?" Takuro asked in a low voice while meticulously rubbing her smooth and flexible back.
"…Very… very comfortable, Master," Robin replied, her eyes closed, her voice carrying a barely perceptible tremor.
Takuro admired her beautiful back. Under the afternoon sun and the rubbing of his palms, fine, glistening beads of sweat gradually appeared on her honey-colored skin. The sweat beads slowly trickled down Robin's graceful and alluring body curves.
A smile played on his lips.
It seemed… it was time.
"Robin…" Takuro's voice became noticeably deep and husky. "Just stay like this…"
…Time passed; it was unknown exactly how long.
The sun overhead had slowly dipped below the horizon in the west. The entire sky had gradually transformed into a warm and ambiguous orange-red canvas.
Takuro lay contentedly on the large sun lounger.
And Robin, her face flushed with a deep crimson, nestled quietly in his arms like a docile kitten. She appeared to have fallen asleep from exhaustion. Her breathing was even, and a satisfied smile still lingered at the corner of her mouth.
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