Sailing on the open sea can be dreadfully boring. Thankfully, Reno had Nami and Makino to keep him company. Bickering with Nami, watching her get all riled up, or teasing the easily flustered Makino before walking away satisfied—these little daily interactions brought Reno immense joy.
Of course, the most important activity was "discussing navigation techniques" with the two women. Once Nami and Makino grew closer, Reno started "playing cards" with both—sharing the love equally! A few times, he got so engrossed that the ship veered off course, delaying their journey significantly.
"Reno, keep it up! At this pace, we'll reach Syrup Village by tomorrow, and you'll finally meet your precious ship doctor," Nami said, sipping juice under a parasol, lounging leisurely.
After days of traveling together, Nami's curiosity was piqued. How did Reno know exactly where to find beautiful women?! And how did he know their names? Whether it was Makino in Windmill Village or Kaya in Syrup Village, he was spot-on.
When she asked, Reno's answer was utterly ridiculous. A natural sense for beauties?!One that ignores distance?! Who'd believe that nonsense?!
Seeing Reno dodge the question, Nami let it drop.
Makino emerged from the cabin, holding a towel and gently wiping the sweat from Reno's forehead.
"That's my Makino, always so thoughtful," Reno said, keeping his eyes on the sea ahead while rewarding her with a quick kiss on the cheek.
Makino's face flushed bright red.
"I'm going to prepare lunch. Anything you want to eat?" she asked softly, her voice warm.
"As long as it's made by you, I'll love it," Reno replied earnestly.
Makino's blush deepened. It was a perfectly innocent question, so why did it feel like they were flirting?!
"Nami, what about you?"
"I'm fine with anything," Nami said with a casual wave.
Makino nodded and headed to the kitchen.
Once she was gone, Reno focused on steering the pirate ship again. During the voyage, besides flirting with Nami and Makino, he'd been testing his newly acquired Teleportation skill. When passing uninhabited islands, he'd hand the helm to Nami temporarily. Then, with a single thought, he'd teleport to the island he sensed.
It was on a completely different level from moves like Shave. What's more, Reno discovered that within a certain weight limit, he could teleport with others. Taking two girls along? No problem. Something as big as a pirate ship? Not so much.
He also left a spatial coordinate on one of the islands they passed. After sailing far away, he could instantly return to it using the coordinate. After multiple tests, Reno concluded: he was now the fastest man in the world. As fast as his thoughts. Paired with the Healing Fruit, he was practically invincible!
Filled with anticipation for the future, Reno picked up the pace.
…
Syrup Village, a remote location in the East Blue. With little of value in the nearby waters, it rarely saw pirate raids.
This morning, as the first rays of sunlight rose over the horizon, Usopp, dressed in a brownish-yellow suspender outfit and sporting his distinctive large nose, stretched comfortably. "Looks like another fine day," he said.
"Which pirate crew is it today?" After a moment's thought, he made up his mind.
Soon, a voice—both familiar and infuriating to the villagers—echoed through Syrup Village.
"Emergency! The Silver Wolf Pirates are attacking! This time it's real!" "Everyone, get up! They're really here!" "If you don't run now, it'll be too late!"
His voice was so piercing it carried from one end of the village to the other, reaching every household.
"That damn kid! Can't he give it a rest for one day?!" "Seriously, shouting every single day—doesn't he get tired?!" "Usopp, I'll kick your grandma's leg!"
Villagers jolted awake from their sleep, grumbling and cursing. But reluctant to leave their warm beds, they buried their heads under blankets to drown out the noise. Only the nearest households opened their doors to yell back at Usopp.
The exchange was colorful, to say the least. A symphony of insults.
After nearly ten minutes of shouting, both sides finally quieted down.
Outside, Usopp laughed triumphantly. But moments later, his smile faded as he gazed at the distant sea, a hint of melancholy in his heart. If only pirates did come to the village. He'd save everyone from danger, and the villagers would hail him as a great hero.
Lost in his daydreams, Usopp glanced at the sea—and froze. He clearly saw a small ship heading toward Syrup Village.
"A pirate ship?!" His eyes lit up.
Using his exceptional dynamic vision, he scanned the deck. A man and two women were chatting and laughing, their interactions intimate. No one else was aboard.
Seeing this, Usopp's face fell with disappointment. The ship looked like a pirate vessel, but with only three people, it hardly seemed like a pirate crew.
Still, he walked to the shore to greet them. Yes, he was just that warm-hearted—definitely not trying to show off to strangers and earn their admiration.
As the ship drew closer, Reno, standing at the bow, spotted Usopp on the shore. The Straw Hat crew's sniper. There was a saying in the One Piece world: Fair winds, Luffy; headwinds, Zoro; desperate times, Usopp. That's the guy standing before him.
But Reno wasn't interested in him.
After docking the ship, Reno led Nami and Makino ashore, stepping onto the island.
…