NOVEL WEB Chapter 75: [75] Hina's Not Ready Yet
"If you really want to participate in the campaign against Whitebeard, Hina might be able to find a way."
Hearing that, Sora glanced at her with surprise.
Hina had just been brought aboard, and they hadn't even... gotten that close yet. It didn't make sense for her to trust him so quickly.
"I did vouch for you quite a bit, you know."
Reiju grinned proudly at his puzzled face.
Hina rolled her eyes at Reiju and said, "Actually, Hina only started trusting you after seeing you release the CP9 members."
Sora raised an eyebrow in interest.
He hadn't expected that letting Lucci and Kaku go wouldn't just earn him Kalifa's loyalty—but now Hina's trust as well.
Curious, he asked, "So what's your plan, then?"
Hina cleared her throat and explained, "As long as you're willing to fight against Whitebeard, I can bring you in under my command. That way, you'll be on the battlefield with freedom of movement."
"But..." she added, "You'll need to release me first, and stick with me when we begin coordinating with the Navy."
Sora and Reiju both facepalmed.
This woman seriously thought she could flip the situation?
Not only did she want to be released, she expected him, the infamous Godslayer, to join the Navy's strategic planning like a good soldier.
Sora deadpanned, "Do I look like an idiot to you?"
He pulled her into his arms and started squishing her cheeks with a grin.
"Let go!" Hina cried, blushing furiously. But with sea prism cuffs on, she was helpless.
Sora ignored her protests and kept playing with her cheeks. They were... surprisingly soft and squishy. Very satisfying.
Frustrated beyond reason, Hina suddenly blurted, "Fine! If you don't want to serve under me, then I have another offer."
"I can sneak you into Marineford the day of the war and set up a meeting with Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
"That way, you can still participate without anyone stopping you."
"But—" she added hastily, "You're not allowed to touch me!"
"Now that sounds more reasonable," Reiju nodded approvingly.
With Hina guiding them, infiltrating Marineford would be a piece of cake. And if she really could help arrange a talk with Sengoku, Sora wouldn't have to fight the Navy head-on.
Which would make collecting Devil Fruits—like the Tremor-Tremor or Phoenix Fruit from Whitebeard's crew—way easier.
"And do you have any more ideas, Miss Hina?" Sora cupped her chin, smirking.
Flustered by his intense gaze, Hina turned away. "Hina has nothing else to offer..."
"In that case, it's time for us to handle... serious business," Sora said, picking her up bridal style.
Realizing what was about to happen, Hina panicked.
"You—if you touch Hina, I won't help you get into Marineford!"
Sora chuckled at her red face and said, "Don't worry. I've already planned for that. This doesn't interfere with us."
"And don't forget—you lost the bet."
"So from now on, you follow my orders. Or are you going back on your word?"
He carried her toward the cabin, shooting a glance at Reiju.
Reiju instantly turned bright red and followed with a sigh.
Blushing furiously, Hina gave her final protest: "Hina... Hina admits she lost... but... Hina's not ready yet!"
Sora grinned. "Reiju will help you."
"Pervert!" the two women snapped at once.
The Next Morning
Sora yawned as he sat up in bed.
He glanced at the sleeping Hina beside him, then at Reiju still curled against him.
Smiling softly, he kissed both their foreheads.
Having one pink-haired beauty was blissful.
Having two? Pure heaven.
[Name: Hina]
[Affiliation: Marine]
[Specialty: None]
[Talent: None]
[Affection: 50]
[Power Level: Four Stars]
[Devil Fruit: Cage-Cage Fruit]
[Yield: +20 Physique, +20 Vitality, +20 Spirit/hour]
Note: Four-star power level yields x4 stat multiplier.
"Hmm... looks like she hasn't mastered Haki or the Six Powers technique either," Sora murmured.
"No wonder she's only a Marine Colonel despite having a Devil Fruit."
Next, he checked Reiju's stats.
[Name: Vinsmoke Reiju]
[Affiliation: Princess]
[Specialty: Toxic Powder]
[Talent: Genetic Modification]
[Affection: 100]
[Power Level: Seven Stars]
[Genetic Mod]: Superhuman strength, exoskeleton, rapid regeneration
[Yield: +80 Physique, +80 Vitality, +80 Spirit, +80 Body Arts, +80 Armament Haki, +80 Observation Haki, +80 Genetic Power/hour]
Note: Seven-star power = x7 multiplier, 100 Affection = x2 bonus (does not stack with power bonus).
"Physical stats, mental stats, Haki, genetic buffs... damn, Reiju really is the best. High variety and great bonuses."
Grinning, Sora stretched and headed out of the room.
He peeked in on Kalifa—still asleep.
Then he went up to the deck.
A few hours passed.
On the horizon, suspended above the sea, a grand island came into view.
Sora grinned.
"Another iconic destination in the One Piece world—Enies Lobby, unlocked."