Chapter 28: The Team's True Colors
Ian raised an eyebrow, looking at T. Bone with a suggestive expression.
"Don't worry, Commodore Ian. I will record and report truthfully. There will absolutely be no errors, omissions, or reports with unclear facts. Today's record: After setting sail, Commodore Ian held an internal meeting to prohibit lying while enjoying the cool air under a parasol and drinking freshly squeezed iced orange juice!"
T. Bone had "perfectly understood" Ian's hint.
Ian: "..."
Peacock: "Pfft..."
Skylark: "Hmm!"
Horrible, terrible!
According to the record, what he drank wasn't just fruit juice, or even orange juice, but freshly squeezed iced orange juice! If T. Bone kept this up for a few days, wouldn't it be like recording which foot Ian stepped out of the house with? Would Fleet Admiral Sengoku, far away in Marineford, know everything?
It seemed the first difficulty after landing on the island wasn't external, but internal! It had to be resolved as soon as possible.
"Alright, alright, Uncle T, please step back. And you, Peacock, the one laughing! Yeah, you. What's so funny? It's your turn now. You tell me. Did you volunteer to join my team because I beat you up last time, so you want to find a chance to get revenge? Do you think I wouldn't dare do anything to you just because your grandmother is Vice Admiral Tsuru? Since this is a confession session, I might as well tell you the truth. When I beat you, I knew exactly who your grandmother was!"
Ian crossed his legs and looked arrogantly into Peacock's eyes.
Nami: "Captain Peacock... is actually Chief of Staff Tsuru's granddaughter?!"
Skylark: "Captain Peacock... was, was beaten by Commodore Ian?"
T. Bone took out a small notebook: "Commodore Ian said: He beat Captain Peacock, who cares who her grandmother is..."
Ian's forehead twitched, veins bulging: "Uncle T, is that what I meant? That didn't happen today, don't record it!"
The person involved, Peacock, appeared very calm. After hearing Ian's background, she smiled even more brightly. "Because it's fun! Commodore Ian is an interesting man. I like to be around interesting people and enjoy adventures full of the unknown. I've been kept under my grandmother's thumb for so long; it's rare to meet a leader my own age who fascinates me. I certainly couldn't miss the opportunity. Before, I just thought you were interesting, Commodore Ian, but after hearing what you just said, I think you're even more... courageous! Hehe, I prefer men with guts!"
After speaking, Peacock gently bit her lower lip with her pearly white teeth. This small gesture was full of meaning, as if done intentionally for Ian to notice.
Ian's attention wasn't focused on that little action. Judging by Peacock's overall demeanor and considering her personality, it was highly likely she was telling the truth. The girl who plays with fire at the first opportunity cannot be fully trusted right now!
Among the three, the only newcomer who might be slightly trustworthy was the remaining little one.
"Hey, Skylark... step forward!"
"Yes, Commodore Ian!"
Every time Skylark's name was called, the little guy got scared, and this time was no exception. She imitated T. Bone and Peacock, took two steps forward, and faced Ian.
"I..."
"Come closer!"
"Oh."
Skylark moved cautiously, her feet turned inward, taking small steps.
"Closer."
"Oh..."
Again, feet turned inward, small steps.
"If your legs can't walk properly, why not just cut them off?"
"Eh!! Sorry, Commodore Ian!"
After three consecutive reminders, Skylark finally made it under the parasol. Ian pointed at the high-tech special gun on her waist and crooked his finger:
"Give it to me."
Skylark tilted her head, not daring to refute. Then, she reached for her waist...
...and unzipped the bear-shaped backpack at her waist!
A box of something warm was placed in Ian's open palm.
Ian was stunned: "???"
What the hell is this?!
Skylark put her hands behind her back, intertwining her fingers shyly. "I didn't expect Commodore Ian to find out. This is indeed prepared for you... Because the departure was quite rushed, I thought Commodore Ian must have skipped lunch. So... so I took the liberty of preparing a lunch box!"
T. Bone nodded from behind and continued recording in his notebook: "Commodore Ian didn't have lunch and asked his subordinate for a lunch box..."
Ian: "..."
He opened the sealed, insulated lunch box to reveal exquisite dishes and white rice in the large and small compartments. The steaming heat, mixed with aroma, wafted into Ian's face, instantly whetting his appetite.
Skylark's cooking skills are pretty good! But with his mouth full, would he still be able to play the tough guy later?
"Commodore Ian... would you like to try it?" Skylark looked at Ian expectantly.
Ian nodded and spread his hands out again.
Skylark was puzzled: "Huh?"
Ian: "Chopsticks. Am I supposed to eat with my hands?"
Skylark suddenly realized: "Ah!! Chopsticks... yeah, I forgot to prepare chopsticks!"
Ian: "..."
He finally understood: each of the new subordinates on the ship had unique skills and characteristics.
What an excellent team!
"Forget it, I'll eat later. I want the gun, not the lunch box!" Ian closed the lunch box and placed it back on the wooden coffee table.
"So, it's the gun. The gun... is here." Skylark took off the special high-tech gun from her back and handed it to Ian.
Click! Click!
Clatter...
Ian moved quickly, opened the magazine, and poured the pink bullets onto the deck, keeping one in his hand. Everyone looked at Ian in surprise, not knowing what he was going to do.
"It's really this kind of thing..." Ian muttered to himself, snapping his fingers and holding the reserved bullet between his fingertips. Then, he aimed in T. Bone's direction and flicked it with charged energy.
BOOM!
The piercing sound of compressed air was no less explosive than a real gunshot. T. Bone's pupils constricted, but he stood his ground without moving. The pink ammunition automatically scattered, turning into fine powder just before it was about to hit T. Bone.
Swoosh...
For a moment, the unique fragrance of flowers filled the air.