After heading downstairs, Lin Bei couldn't get the image of Zoro's flushed face and tense posture out of his mind.
Terrifying.
This ability of his really caused trouble. The worst part? It could activate without his control.
…Though, maybe that wasn't entirely bad.
After all, he was just a rookie. If someone ambushed him while he was sleeping, he'd be done for.
With this self-defense mechanism, he at least had an extra layer of protection.
"Good, it's noon. Time to eat."
The restaurant owner greeted him—but she looked a little strange. Her face was flushed, her eyes moist, and her steps slightly unsteady.
Wait.
"…Good afternoon. Where were you just now?"
She pointed to the room directly below his.
She pointed to the room directly below his.
Lin Bei nearly suffocated.
I'm sorry, ma'am! I didn't mean to… trigger anything!
Not daring to say more, he rushed to the table and started eating.
Soon after, Luffy wandered down, seemingly guided by smell alone, eyes still closed, and began devouring food.
Not long after, Luffy smelled the food and sleepwalked downstairs, eyes still closed, and started chowing down.
Zoro came next. During the meal, he shot several glances at Lin Bei.
She had changed clothes and approached the table cautiously, deliberately keeping her distance from Lin Bei.
Another victim.
Lin Bei realized he had to explain himself. Otherwise, the way Zoro and Nami kept looking at him like that—it was unbearable.
People who didn't know better would think he had captured these two as slaves.
He cleared his throat.
"Cough, cough... About my ability—you've probably both felt it. First, I apologize. When I'm unconscious, it activates automatically. When I'm conscious, I won't release it randomly."
Zoro and Nami breathed a sigh of relief. Zoro asked:
"So you're like the Captain, a Devil Fruit user?" Zoro asked.
"You can think of it that way. But I'm a bit special. My ability changes daily. At midnight, it changes by itself. Today's power is different from yesterday's."
He lifted his chin slightly.
"I call myself… the man who cannot be defined... The Undefinable Man!"
Zoro nodded thoughtfully. Sometimes the unknown is what makes something frightening. Once explained, it loses its edge.
Nami's eyes widened.
"So that thing yesterday, that was also a superpower!?"
"Of course."
"You tricked me!" She stood up in a fury.
Thinking back to last night—acting like a fool, begging him to take her as an apprentice, even serving him.
And on top of that, being messed up by Lin Bei's ability until she felt unwell all over.
Just thinking about it made her feel a mix of shame and anger. She turned around, intending to leave.
Lin Bei remained calm.
"I said before—anyone who betrays the master must accept punishment. Are you sure you want to defect?"
"Hmph! Who cares about... Arghh~ Ngh~"
Lin Bei flexed his biceps slightly, tensing them hard. Nami's legs instantly went weak, and she collapsed on the floor.
What Lin Bei didn't expect was—this damn thing is an AOE attack! He couldn't select a single target!
Consequently, Luffy, Zoro, and the owner couldn't remain standing either. They could only hold onto the table, their faces completely red.
Lin Bei: ...
Why wasn't "Area of Effect Attack" mentioned in the description!!!
Dammit!
Anyone curious what Luffy looks like affected by this ability?
Lin Bei had wondered too. After seeing it once, he never wanted to see it again.
This rubber man looked like Zac from League of Legends with the Pink Chroma skin activated—he had melted into a puddle.
Zoro's fist hardened. He glared death at Lin Bei.
"From now on, you are not allowed to move today. Whatever you need, I'll do it."
Lin Bei hurried to nod.
Zoro pointed sharply at him.
"Don't even nod!"
He felt wronged. None of this was intentional.
After a good while, because he didn't continuously use the ability, everyone recovered.
However, the difference between a mature woman like the owner and a young girl like Nami was blatantly obvious!
Nami sat back in her original seat weakly, with Zoro holding a sword to her neck.
"Today, without a nod from Lin Bei, don't even think about going anywhere! Also, don't make him angry. Otherwise, I'll cut you down!"
Nami wiped the sweat from her forehead and bit her lip, thinking to herself, Even if you told me to run now, I wouldn't.
Just that one burst, and I couldn't recover for an hour!
Meanwhile, even though the meal was basically over and Lin Bei hadn't ordered more, the restaurant owner returned with two extra dishes—face still flushed.
After doing so, she even brushed her shoulder against him.
The corners of Lin Bei's mouth twitched up. I can't live this damn life anymore!
...
After lunch, they prepared to depart.
The owner and townspeople had arranged a seaworthy boat for them, fully stocked with supplies.
The owner clearly looked reluctant to see Lin Bei go.
But then the town's Marines arrived, declaring they could never coexist with pirates.
The small pink-haired boy joined them without hesitation, officially becoming a Marine.
At the harbor, he shouted tearfully at Lin Bei's group:
"As Marines, we'll definitely capture you! Don't run too fast! And don't even think about sailing from Shells Town to Orange Town, then to Syrup Village, Baratie, Cocoyasi Village, and finally Loguetown! If we catch you, we won't let you go!"
Luffy flashed his trademark sunny grin and waved goodbye.
The Straw Hat Pirates had officially begun their voyage.
After sailing a short distance, Zoro suddenly asked,
"Which way are we going?"
Luffy picked his nose.
"Fate."
Zoro: !??
Nami: ????
Lin Bei inwardly thanked fate for tricking Nami onto the ship earlier. Otherwise, he'd be just as confused.
No, they would be in the worst possible timeline... As they only one who had some basic idea about seatravel... Zoro would have to be thier navigator.
He shuddered in horror as he nudged Luffy.
"Nami's a navigator."
Luffy's eyes lit up.
"Really?! That's why you recruited her? Lin Bei, you're amazing! Wait—why didn't I know that?"
Zoro looked up gloomily.
"Last night, Captain, you only had eyes for the banquet."
Hearing this, Luffy scratched his head.
"Shishishi, that explains it! Then, Nami—do you want to join my crew?"