Chapter 28: You Can't Beat Him~!
Half a day later, the waves of the vast ocean shimmered beneath the afternoon sun. The massive Elbaf pirate ship sailed calmly across the horizon, leaving the pursuing warships far behind.
Inside the ship, Roy and Amatsuki Toki sat opposite each other in a smaller cabin, drinking tea. Her samurai sword rested on the wooden wall beside her—a blade Roy had retrieved from the Rommel Kingdom before their departure.
"Oh~ Sister, so your destination is Wano Country?" Roy asked, feigning surprise. After sparring with the nun in the art of acting for nearly a year, his innocent tone was flawless.
"Yes," Toki nodded gently. "It won't trouble you, will it?"
"Trouble? Sister, why are you being so polite? Aren't we friends?" Roy smiled sincerely, tilting his head with an almost childlike charm.
Toki blinked in surprise. "Of course, but I—"
Roy's face fell into a sad, pitiful expression. "So… Sister doesn't think of me as a friend?"
"No, that's not what I meant!" she said quickly, waving her hands, a soft laugh escaping her lips. His expression—so exaggeratedly hurt—was impossible not to find adorable.
What a warm and lovely child… she thought. For the first time since arriving in this strange era, she met someone who helped her without wanting anything in return. Her heart felt lighter.
Seeing her reaction, Roy's grin widened. "Then it's settled! Since we're friends, let's head to Wano together. I've been curious about that place anyway."
He smirked inwardly. What's there to be afraid of? Oden doesn't even exist yet! He's not even… a liquid at this point.
Only fools relied on sleazy tricks to attract women. True men—handsome, confident, and naturally charismatic (like every reader here, of course)—won them over with skill and timing.
Toki's eyes sparkled. "Going to Wano has always been my dream! I've wanted to see it since I was a child." She clenched her small fists, smiling brightly.
"Eh? So you're not from Wano?" Roy asked, pretending to be surprised again.
"Not exactly. You mean my clothes?" She tugged lightly at her pink kimono sleeves and blinked innocently.
Roy nodded. "Yeah, this style's pretty rare overseas."
Though in his mind, something didn't quite add up. Since when do kimonos come with miniskirts?
"Our family settled overseas long ago," Toki explained softly. "But my parents were from Wano, so I kept their customs—and their style of dress."
"I see. Well, your clothes are beautiful, Sister."
Toki smiled, brushing a strand of green hair behind her ear. "Thank you."
"Sister, you're being so polite again," Roy teased, grinning mischievously.
She chuckled helplessly. "You really like teasing people, don't you?"
Time passed slowly, filled with gentle laughter. With each passing moment, the atmosphere between them grew warmer. Roy's effortless charm and clever words slowly drew her in.
Between men and women, trust often blooms quietly—especially when both are drawn to each other. And Roy… Roy was playing the long game.
Unlike a certain "Reader out there", Roy had standards. He wouldn't rush into things recklessly.
A wise man strikes when the moment is ripe. Acting too soon? That's how you end up stabbed in the chest during a Shura field scene. Acting naturally and letting her fall first? That's how you win the war.
After all, when love becomes a battlefield, whoever's calmer holds the advantage.
---
Night fell softly across the sea. The moonlight shimmered upon the waves, painting the ship's deck in silver hues. Inside the cabin, warm light flickered from Pandora's small sun-like form, illuminating the cozy space.
"Master Redding and the others are huge," Roy said, placing a tray of food on the table. "Their sleeping quarters are basically small castles, so they built me a cabin closer to my size."
"How thoughtful," Toki said, smiling. "Still, it's fascinating—living aboard a ship crewed by giants."
Roy ladled porridge into bowls, his movements smooth and practiced. "Sister, stay here with me for now. When we reach the next island, they'll gather wood and build you a cabin too."
"Alright," she replied softly, picking up a spoon and helping him serve.
It was an oddly domestic scene—one that made Pandora, floating above, squint suspiciously.
Why was his master dining alone with this woman? The giants were eating elsewhere, yet here Roy was… strategically isolating his target.
Roy moved his chair beside Toki before sitting down. They ate quietly, shoulders almost brushing.
"Roy's cooking is amazing," Toki said, tasting the porridge with surprise.
"I learned from my grandfather—and from the nuns who raised me," Roy said smoothly.
Toki tilted her head. "Oh? So you have family?"
"There was…" Roy's voice trailed off, his expression darkening. His fingers tightened around his spoon as his eyes fell to the table.
Pandora stopped glowing for a moment. Even the flame spirit could feel the shift in mood.
Toki's heart clenched. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to"
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