[Congratulations Host! Successfully recruited crew member: Gloriosa (Flame Flower). System is evaluating crew member's aptitude!]
[Crew member aptitude evaluated: Gloriosa (Flame Flower) - A+ Rank Aptitude.][Reward: 300,000 Voyage Points!]
First-rate powerhouse aptitude; it was about what Reno had guessed.
He wasn't disappointed.
In the entire world, people with S-Rank aptitude were few and far between; you could count them on your fingers.
But they were either in enemy factions, key cultivation targets of the Marines (future Fleet Admirals or Admirals), or unruly great pirates.
Like Rocks, the Overlord of the Sea who was already somewhat famous in the New World and would dominate the seas in a few years; the future Pirate King Roger; the Flying Pirate Golden Lion Shiki, and so on.
These guys were all arrogant and ambitious; recruiting them would be no easy feat.
Finally, there were a few with good talent who hadn't set sail yet because the time wasn't right.
For example, the future Governor-General of the Beasts Pirates, Kaido, and the "Demon Heir," Douglas Bullet.
Reno had designs on these two.
Currently, in the entire pirate crew, those with S-Rank aptitude or higher were himself, Linlin, and Jace.
The others were at least A-Rank, meaning once they grew up, they would be at least at the level of elite Marine Vice Admirals.
At this stage, Reno was already very satisfied.
As for others, it would depend on future opportunities.
"Captain, where are we going??"
Within a few days, Gloriosa had completely integrated into the group, showing no sign of the hesitation and unwillingness from days ago.
Every day, she clung to Reno's side, inseparable, looking at him with eyes full of tenderness and affection.
Not just the others, even Reno felt a bit uncomfortable.
They say a woman at thirty is like a wolf, and at forty like a tiger; it really wasn't false.
"Cough, cough, cough..." Reno coughed twice, pulling his arm out under everyone's peculiar gazes, and said softly:
"The place we are going to... if nothing unexpected happens, we should arrive in another week."
Changing the subject quickly, Reno took out the map to show Gloriosa and the other Kuja warriors.
"Hmm??"
Curious, Gloriosa looked at the location marked on the map and frowned slightly.
"What is this place? Is it special??"
For Reno to care about it so much, there must be something special. Could there be treasure?!
Gloriosa guessed in her heart.
Next, Reno briefly explained the situation to Gloriosa.
"Is there really treasure??"
Hearing about treasure, Gloriosa's beautiful eyes flashed, widening into circles.
The next second, she pouted and acted coquettishly: "I've been at sea for so long and haven't found any treasure. Every day I'm either chased by Marines or other pirates, almost dying several times."
"It's better to be with you. If only I had met you sooner, I would have joined your pirate crew long ago."
As she spoke, she leaned her shoulder against him weakly again.
"Hajrudin, do you think... (Pfft!)... the Captain and Gloriosa... (Pfft!)... are dating??"
"Probably. I don't really understand this stuff."
Although an adult, Hajrudin scratched his head, being a complete novice in this regard.
"Roge, you have a lot of experience (Pfft!)... what do you think??"
Looking at the crew lined up, cracking melon seeds and watching the show, Roge coughed awkwardly twice and quickly stood up: "Um... time to cook. I'll go help Streusen."
After speaking, he left in a panic.
"Is this our Empress??"
Watching Gloriosa snuggling against Reno's shoulder, the Kuja warriors covered their eyes, daring only to peek through the gaps between their fingers.
Where was the Pirate Empress now? Where was the queenly aura?
She was completely a little woman fallen in love.
"Sigh... Fallen. She's fallen."
A Kuja warrior shook her head helplessly. "I didn't expect the Empress to fall too."
"But Reno is indeed worthy of the Empress."
The next second, she changed her tone and said very seriously.
"Eh?? Big Brother, what are you and Big Sister Gloriosa doing??"
Running out of the kitchen with a strawberry cake in hand, Linlin saw the scene and asked puzzledly.
"Linlin, don't look!!"
"Big Brother and Big Sister are busy; don't disturb them."
The observant Jace teleported to Linlin's side, blocking her view with his body. Regardless of anything else, he grabbed her hand and pulled her back into the kitchen.
"Let's go too."
"Let's go, let's go. Or we'll be eyesores."
The others sensibly picked up their small stools and left, looking back every step of the way.
Leaving only the dumbfounded Reno and his human ornament, Gloriosa.
Time passed, and a week went by quickly.
During this time, Reno and the others learned from the newspapers that the Marines were fully committed to hunting down the Kuja Pirates in the New World.
Fortunately, for a full seven days, they didn't encounter any Marines; the journey was calm.
The group arrived smoothly at the sea area marked on the map.
"Is this it?? There doesn't seem to be anything here??"
Holding a telescope, Gloriosa frowned slightly.
Forget treasure; she couldn't even see an island.
"Yeah? Captain, did you make a mistake??"
The crew members, looking around similarly, observed the vicinity. Apart from the endless sea...
The rest... was still the endless sea.
Let alone signs of habitation, there wasn't even a deserted island.
Reno frowned and didn't answer.
He never doubted the System's judgment; this was undoubtedly the sea area on the map.
But since his Treasure Radar hadn't given any notification yet...
It meant they probably hadn't reached within a thousand meters of the treasure.
"Let's continue forward and take a look."
Thinking Reno hadn't given up yet, everyone stopped talking and continued steering the ship forward.
Soon, night fell, and darkness enveloped the sea.