Chapter 54: Pirate Scavengers (Part 2)
"Sailing on a boat, feeling the sea breeze—if it weren't for these two, this would basically feel like a date, Eric ~" Esdeath hugged Eric from behind. Even though Eric was taller, his head was nestled into Esdeath's chest.
"Hehehe~" Feeling the softness at the back of his head, Eric wore a dazed and lecherous grin.
"Ziiiiiip (stare)" The other two stared silently.
"Ahem, please don't do things like this in public," Eric said righteously. "Only do it when we're alone." The second part was spoken so softly that even Esdeath next to him didn't hear.
"You mean it's okay as long as no one's watching?" Kurumi took on the role of the tsukkomi. She had originally been the noble and tsundere type, but Eric 's influence had slowly twisted that.
"Ahem, due to the extreme cold of the future kingdom of Baldimore, even News Coo can't arrive on time. We have to rely on external Transponder Snails to deliver messages. And since we're avoiding the Marines on the island, we currently have very little information. We should head to a nearby island and see if we can gather some intel."
"Smart decision. Looks like Eric would do well in intelligence gathering or as a scout in the military."
"R-Really? Wait… is that even a compliment?" Eric was suspicious.
"Isn't it?" Esdeath tilted her head in a surprisingly cute manner.
"Pfft." Kurumi couldn't help laughing and covered her mouth with a hand at the sight of their interaction.
"Then let's head to the island before Machine Island."
"Why not the one after?" Akame asked innocently, holding a piece of grilled meat. What was supposed to be lunch had already been half eaten by the foodie.
"...Most pirates in the Grand Line use Log Poses. After reaching one island, they record the magnetic field of the next before continuing. So the seven routes of the Grand Line function as seven one-way lanes. There are tickets to go forward, but no way back."
"We've been on this island for half a month, yet no pirate has docked to record the magnetic field. That means the next island won't see any pirates from Machine Island for at least another half-month. That would be a complete waste of time for us."
"Oh, I see." Despite her airheaded personality, Akame was sharp and understood immediately.
Thanks to Captain Jack's compass, they could travel freely in the Grand Line. This allowed them to avoid Marine traps laid on the next expected island in the route.
Why, despite their overwhelming systems, manpower, materials, and money, the Marines still failed to capture all the pirates in the Grand Line? Maybe it was simply because there were too many pirates—or maybe most pirates had their own Eternal Poses or alternative navigation methods.
...
System Notification: January 2nd – [Spent one month with Kurumi, +1 Bond Point]
After one day of sailing, the group arrived at a summer island in the Grand Line—Drum Wave Island.
"Ara, what a lively town~" Kurumi wasn't wearing her "Astral Dress: Third Variant," but a long black dress with puffy sleeves covering her pale arms. Even her shoes were hidden beneath the hem, leaving only her hands and head exposed. Long bangs covered her left golden eye, giving her the look of a gentle and elegant noblewoman.
"Mm." Akame gave a brief reply and immediately turned her gaze toward the street food stalls.
"You're way too obsessed with food." Esdeath had been reflecting during this time, still wondering how she'd lost to such a glutton in her past life.
"...Let's eat later. First, we should trade the treasure we've been storing on the ship for cash. There's no way such a bustling town doesn't have an exchange center." Due to various reasons, half of the loot from the Krieg Pirates was still sitting untouched on the ship.
...
Bang! Eric slammed his fist hard on the counter, putting on a fierce expression. "I'm the great pirate Eric , with a bounty of 45 million! If you dare cheat me, I'll burn this place to the ground!"
"N-No, I wouldn't dare!" The clerk pretended to be scared.
"The total is 28 million Berries. Please take your payment."
"Mm~!" Eric , acting like a true big shot, nodded solemnly as he took the money—his performance almost on par with a young pop idol.
After leaving the building...
"Ara, Eric -'s performance just now was so entertaining," Kurumi teased with a hand over her mouth.
"I'm not really good at acting, but that performance didn't resemble a real villain at all," Esdeath commented.
"...Two million Berries for each of you. Buy whatever you want. Just be back on the ship by 5 p.m." Eric handed out allowance money, planning to go buy a book on acting to improve his skills—maybe even aim for an Oscar one day.
[Ding… System recommends: Master-level Acting Skill Fruit – Price: 30 million Berries. Note: Eat this and the next Oscar is yours!]
Just like a sudden popup ad, the system displayed a dialog box like a piece of junkware.
'I'm not even going to Hollywood! Why would I waste 30 million on a stupid acting fruit?!' Eric raged in his mind at the system.
"Let's go on a date, Eric -~"
"Dating is an essential part of romance."
Kurumi and Esdeath both spoke to Eric at the same time. Hearing each other, they turned and stared fiercely—electric sparks flew between their eyes. Kurumi, where's your tsundere personality gone?
'I'm the one with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, dammit…' Eric sighed, once again having to play mediator. Fighting in the middle of the street would not be a good look.
"Well, let's all go together. I need to get you both some new clothes. You've only been to the Winter Island, so all your outfits are heavy and insulated. We need spring, summer, and autumn wear too."
"Hmm… you're right. I didn't buy winter clothing because I don't feel the cold, but my wardrobe is seriously lacking in variety."
"Hmph, all you need is your military uniform. You're not even interested in fashion or clothes."
"Heh, if I can capture Eric 's heart with just a uniform, and you with all your outfits can't, wouldn't you feel like blowing your brains out?"
"Ara? What did you say?"
"Do I need to repeat it?"
"You two, that's enough. Akame has already finished snacks from three stalls." Eric looked at Akame weaving between food carts, nibbling on snacks, then at the curious crowd gathering to watch them. "Stop arguing. It's embarrassing."
"Ara, want me to 'eat' them all?"
"I'll freeze them into popsicles."
Shadows writhed at Kurumi's feet, and frost spread at Esdeath's.
"..." Eric could only grab both of them by the hand and Dragon them toward a clothing store.
"Eric … grabbed my hand willingly…" Esdeath whispered, cheeks slightly red.
Kurumi took the chance to wrap herself around Eric 's left arm.
...
"How about this one?"
"Very pretty."
"Eric , look over here. What do you think?"
"Perfect!"
They tried on all kinds of outfits—even swimsuits. Both were stunning beauties with flawless figures, and it was all becoming a bit too much for Eric to handle. 'I… I'm gonna lose it!'
'Wait a minute? Wasn't I here to take down pirate crews? Why does it feel like I'm sightseeing?!' Eric suddenly questioned himself on three levels at once.
(END CHAPTER)
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