Ha Shiro slept straight through the entire ordeal and missed the whole plot of Valpo's attack. Even the commotion on the island didn't wake him.What finally stirred him from unconsciousness was the sudden burst of pink fireworks blooming overhead.
He blinked groggily, realizing he was lying on a sled as it slid across the snowy ground.
"So this is their farewell flower… pretty nice," Shiro murmured. The pink snowflakes drifting down like cherry blossoms really were beautiful—soft, quiet, almost dreamlike.
"Ha Shiro! You're awake! Are you feeling better?"Nami reacted first. She rushed over and wrapped her arms around him.
"Ahem… I'm fine. Just a little cold. Maybe if I hold on to you for a bit…"Shiro slipped effortlessly into a sickly act, leaning heavily against her.
"Huh? You didn't catch a fever again, right? Well, don't worry—we have our own doctor now. That little reindeer is named Choba."Nami gently helped him lean on her as she began explaining their new crewmate.
"Damn it, Shiro! You bastard—get out of Nami's arms!"Sanji finally realized what was happening and exploded, pointing accusingly at Shiro.
"Ohh~ I still feel a little dizzy. Nami, may I get a lap pillow?"Shiro shamelessly snuggled further into her embrace, casting Sanji a triumphant, taunting glance.
"YOU—!! LET'S SETTLE THIS WITH A DUEL!"Sanji lunged at him, but Usopp grabbed him by the collar just in time.
Shiro ignored him and let out a slow, dramatic sigh.
This is starting to feel a little like Momonosuke's growth arc… hm. Whatever. Momonosuke can die for all I care—just not by my hand.
And like that, with chaotic bickering and strange harmony, the crew boarded the Going Merry once more.
Choba, the ship's new doctor, was soon accepted by everyone—especially because Nami still needed a physician to monitor her recovery.
Shiro eyed Choba thoughtfully.
A cute little mascot with decent combat potential and zero guile… and he can be bribed with a single piece of candy. Perfect. I can probably use him as a promotional mascot to charm beautiful women…
Sanji glanced over with a smirk. "He'll also do fine as emergency rations."
Emergency rations?Choba's ears trembled in panic.
The Merry sailed onward toward their next destination—Alabasta.
"Princess Vivi, may I trim your lovely hair now?"Shiro's voice was bright with anticipation. Vivi's ocean-blue hair had tempted him from the moment he saw it, and now that he had time, he wasn't about to miss the chance.
"Well… all right."Vivi hesitated but ultimately agreed. After all, Shiro had saved her life multiple times. Granting him this request wasn't too much, even if the result turned out strange—she would accept it.
But Shiro's craft was anything but sloppy.
[First time styling Princess Vivi.Stamina +3996.Hair Toughness increased.]
The notification chimed more than half an hour later.
"As expected… serving beautiful women is king. These physical bonuses are no joke."Shiro admired the finished hairstyle—exactly the elegant style Vivi would have in the future. Her beauty blossomed instantly, and he couldn't be prouder of his work.
He looked around. No one was watching. Vivi was still admiring her new look in the mirror.
Perfect.
"Mmm~"Shiro gently lifted her chin and pressed his lips to hers.
Vivi froze in shock, eyes wide. She was so stunned she didn't even resist when he softly pried her lips apart.
Only after several seconds did she snap awake. She shoved him away, flustered and breathless, and bolted toward the cabin.
"Tsk."Shiro smacked his lips, savoring the taste, then began collecting the strands of blue hair left behind.His hair curled around them and absorbed them instantly.
He never absorbed random people's hair—only the beautiful ones. As for the rest? He tossed them to the system for recycling.
Inside the cabin, Nami noticed Vivi's flushed cheeks and the faint swelling at the corners of her mouth.
"Vivi, why is your face bright red? Are you okay?"Nami hurried over, concerned. The two women had grown very close over these past days, sharing almost everything.
"Huh? N-No… it's nothing."Vivi quickly turned away, unable to meet her eyes.
"Nonsense. Did Ha Shiro trim your hair? It looks gorgeous! You're even prettier like this."Nami's praise made Vivi's heart leap, but she relaxed when she realized Nami hadn't noticed anything strange.
"Yes… he's very skilled," Vivi murmured after taking a few steadying breaths.
Damn that Shiro… Nami likes him so much, and he did that to me… What am I supposed to do…?Vivi fretted internally, but Nami leaned close and continued complimenting Shiro.
"He may act unreliable sometimes, but his craftsmanship is amazing. And he really cares about us…"
He cares about eating us, more like…Vivi swallowed her thoughts and nodded politely."Y-yes… he's very good…"
No! My task is to liberate Alabasta. I can't get distracted…
She forced herself to clear away the budding feelings—no matter how gentle Shiro had seemed, no matter how her heart had fluttered.
At that moment, noise erupted on deck. The two women hurried out.
Luffy had caught Mr. 2 Bonclay, who was now dancing flamboyantly on the deck.
"This guy is hideous… but that mimic ability is pretty impressive. If he ever copies a beautiful woman, I'm definitely capturing him," Shiro muttered, watching without much interest.
Vivi didn't share his nonchalance—she quickly explained Bonclay's identity and danger.
To prevent impersonation, everyone followed Shiro's suggestion: each person tied one of Shiro's hair-rings around their arm.They had no special combat effect; they simply let Shiro sense their locations and acted as a sort of marker.
Soon after, they reached the first village in Alabasta and prepared to resupply.
"Nami, Vivi, let's stay here and rest. Leave the supply run to Sanji and Choba."The moment Shiro spoke, Luffy vanished—having run off in search of food.
"That guy is hopeless. Forget it—he'll wander back eventually."Shiro sighed and turned to the women with a smile.
"In this heat, you'll need sun visors. When the others go to buy supplies, I'll make some for you."
He crafted several stylish visors from his own hair, offering them to the two women to choose from.
"Hey, Shiro! We want some too!"Usopp and Zoro jumped forward.
"You guys can wear normal hats. These are to hide their faces. As compensation… I'll give you both shaved heads."
Shiro grinned wickedly.
[Stamina +666][Stamina +929]