Chapter 92: Tsuru's Pursuit
"How about… we eat baby bird for lunch today?" Roy said after thinking for a moment, his voice dripping with mischief.
"Don't joke about that! How could you eat your own friend?!" Tsuru snapped, glaring at him as she hurried to calm the frightened chick.
He even knew it had fallen out of the nest several times.
Suspicious!
Roy stared at her in silence. He was starting to suspect this little fledgling was working together with Tsuru and jumping from the nest on purpose.
Eight times this month. That was not normal.
"I'm not joking. Look at it. It's so young and already so big. The meat must be tender. Based on my cooking experience, it would be amazing to make it into a dish." Roy stood up and set down his training weights with two heavy thuds, then crouched beside the chick and stroked its feathers with a chef's appreciation.
"Pah, stop talking nonsense! We should take it home, visit it every day, play with it, and help it stop leaving the nest! Don't scare it!" Tsuru snapped again, shooting him an angry look.
She was just as confused as ever. Toki's plans were useless, and Roy was impossible to fool.
These days, Toki had shared many of her thoughts with Tsuru. What really moved Tsuru was that Toki was willing to share Roy with her.
It left Tsuru excited…
Cough.
Following Toki's advice, Tsuru had started plotting step by step, trying to create moments alone with Roy by escorting the lost chicks home.
But each time Roy noticed a fledgling, he simply whistled.
And a giant bird immediately swooped down, grabbed the chick, and flew off.
No matter how much Tsuru tried to win over those giant birds, they always obeyed Roy. It was like watching loyal subjects receiving orders from their king.
Which meant Tsuru never got her chance to walk home with Roy even once.
As for Toki, she was completely defeated. No matter how much she and simple minded Tsuru brainstormed, they could not outsmart Roy in the slightest.
As soon as Roy whistled, another giant bird arrived and flew off with the chick, leaving Tsuru staring helplessly after it.
"You… you… you're infuriating!" Tsuru yelled, ready to pounce on him like an angry cat. She didn't care anymore. She was going to do exactly what Toki told her and attack him head on.
Roy caught her wrist just in time and stopped her mid lunge.
"Harassing an underage boy is a crime!" Roy declared boldly, dropping her hand and bolting.
This girl was supposed to be gentle, wasn't she?
Even decades later, Vice Admiral Tsuru would be known as a calm and composed naval strategist.
Why was she yelling and charging at him now?
He had underestimated how terrifying a girl's pursuit could be.
From this moment on, whenever he went out without Toki, Roy vowed to stay at least ten meters away from Tsuru.
He had to survive long enough to reach the future and become the Pirate King.
How could he let a young Marine ensnare him here?
Behind him came frantic footsteps. Roy glanced back and saw Tsuru chasing him determinedly, sweat glistening down her face. Her clothes clung to her skin, outlining the graceful curves of adolescence.
In this blazing summer heat, it was like staring straight into temptation itself.
He tore his eyes away immediately.
Think of swords.
Think of training.
Think of anything else.
A swordsman with no girl in his heart becomes a god when he draws his blade.
"Why are you running? Huff… huff…" Tsuru panted, hands on her hips. She had finally calmed down.
"Not shouting anymore?" Roy asked with a sly smile.
"Shut up! I didn't shout!" Tsuru snapped, cheeks red.
"Alright, alright. Nothing happened. Must've imagined it because of the heat." Roy waved lazily and came to a stop.
"What exactly were you imagining?" Tsuru asked, still panting, but her eyes teased him.
"I was fantasizing about kicking a fleet admiral, punching a marine hero, kidnapping an admiral, and enjoying a carefree life all over the world," Roy said with a wicked grin.
"Tch. Keep dreaming. Taking down someone at that level isn't just about talent. You need strong training and enough partners to help deal with the enemy's forces." Tsuru replied without thinking.
Then she froze.
When did she start speaking as if she were on Roy's side?
When did she start thinking of the Navy with a hint of… displeasure?
"Do you really hate the Navy?" she asked quietly.
"Not exactly," Roy said seriously. "But I don't want to be part of it. Reality will force us to stand on opposite sides eventually."
He knew the truth well.
If he did not serve them, the world government would eventually consider him a threat.
"Why?" Tsuru pressed nervously.
"Because I hate the Celestial Dragons," Roy answered plainly. "Your Navy is a tool for them to rule the world. I don't want to be used by them."
"But… but we Marines are good people. We stand for justice. There are things we can do…" Tsuru protested, trying to keep up.
Roy took out a folded newspaper and handed it to her.
"This princess is from a country that refused to join the World Government. The Celestial Dragons captured her, executed her parents, sent her siblings to the Bridge Kingdom as slaves, and brought her to Mariejois for their amusement."
He stared at Tsuru.
"Why should I serve monsters like that? I already have a sister who's a born queen. Why should I serve anyone?"
Tsuru froze.
Roy had the backing of Elbaf and a sister like Linlin. He lived freely and comfortably. If he wanted money, his sister had plenty. If he wanted protection, Elbaf could provide it.
And he could flirt with girls anywhere he went.
Why would he ever join the Navy and endure the Celestial Dragons?
"I don't want to be bullied by the Celestial Dragons," he said.
"But… if you're strong enough, they won't dare touch you, right?" Tsuru replied instinctively.
Roy laughed softly.
"How about we make a bet?" he asked.
"What kind? Tell me."
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