The two of them had been standing quite far apart earlier, and Zoro's clothing style was very neutral.
Because of that, nobody could tell at a glance that she was a woman.
The bigger issue, though, was that Leon Ford never once considered the possibility that Zoro wasn't a man.
He had been completely biased by the One Piece he knew—
and his brain simply refused to think in that direction.
"I'm a woman. So what?"
Zoro pulled off her bandana.
A cascade of long hair spilled down her back.
Because they were standing close now, Leon caught a whiff of a light fragrance the moment her hair fell.
"It smells really good…"
Leon blurted the words out without thinking.
Zoro casually tossed her bandana at his face—
whether accidentally or on purpose was impossible to tell.
"You're pretty good in a fight. Interested in following me?"
Just as Zoro was about to turn and leave, Leon's voice echoed behind her.
Are you after my skills… or my body?
Zoro turned halfway, snorting softly.
"Both," Leon said without hesitation, touching his nose.
He didn't bother pretending.
He wanted Zoro's combat strength—
and yes, he appreciated her physique too. Her figure was undeniably impressive.
"Give me one good reason."
The moment Zoro said that, Leon knew things were getting serious.
As for reasons? Those were easy. Anyone could brag.
If he wanted, he could boast so loudly the sky would shake.
"My reason is simple—
I'm going to become the King of Hosts."
"King of Hosts?"
Hearing that title, Zoro blinked and fell silent for a moment.
"You?"
"You think you can become King of Hosts?"
"What's wrong with me?"
Leon thumped his chest and laughed heartily.
"People need dreams. The bigger the dream, the bigger the stage."
"A person without dreams is just a salted fish."
"What you said… makes sense."
"My dream is to become the top delinquent in the world."
"I want to be the greatest bat user in existence!"
Leon glanced at Zoro shouting her dream with such passion…
And was a little embarrassed to point out that, as a woman, her bat was technically… fake.
"The future Bat Queen formally invites you to join her crew—
as my second partner."
"Second partner? So there's already a first?"
Zoro frowned.
From that tiny reaction, Leon could tell she was curious about the "first partner."
"She's back in the Host Carriage.
Type: lazy."
"Let's go."
Leon waved his hand and started walking toward the distant Host Carriage.
As for Zoro, he didn't bother worrying. She had already agreed.
If someone really wanted to leave, ropes and chains wouldn't matter.
They'd escape one way or another.
"Nami, open the door!"
Arriving at the carriage, Leon knocked.
Soon, the door opened, and Leon brought Zoro inside.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"
Nami glanced over Leon quickly, pretending to ask casually, but her eyes checked him from head to toe.
"I'm the future King of Hosts. How could I get injured so easily?"
Leon grinned, stepping to the side so Nami could see Zoro behind him.
"Leon, you're unbelievable. You walk out for a bit and come back with a woman."
At first glance, Nami's eyes held a faint hint of hostility toward Zoro.
"You don't recognize her?"
Leon was a little surprised.
Nami had mentioned Zoro's name more than once on the way here, so he thought she at least knew what Zoro looked like.
"What kind of question is that? I've never met her before.
How would I know her?"
Nami eyed Leon like he was the weird one.
"How would I know someone I just saw for the first time?"
"She's Zoro. The biker madwoman you were talking about."
"Zoro?"
"She's Zoro!?"
Nami's jaw dropped instantly.
Her mouth opened so wide a fist could probably fit inside.
The idea that the woman standing in front of her was Zoro had completely shattered her expectations.
"I'm Zoro. What? Is that so strange?"
Zoro looked just as confused by Nami's expression—
especially that stunned look in her eyes, as if she were staring at some alien creature.
"Excuse me. I'm covered in sweat. I'm going to take a shower."
Zoro walked past Nami into the bathroom.
Moments later, the sound of running water echoed from inside.
"Leon, come here for a second."
A few minutes passed.
Zoro's voice floated out from the bathroom.
That wasn't the surprising part.
The surprising part was—
She specifically called for Leon.
"She's in the bath… and she's calling me in? What's that supposed to mean?"
Leon furrowed his brow.
Even so, he walked slowly toward the bathroom—
step by step.
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T/N:
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