One Piece: Tale of the Harem Pirates

The walk through the forest took roughly half an hour. Once the small group of nobles exited the crest of the forest. They were greeted by a mostly destroyed town. Buildings that once housed families of people. Now laid in ruin. Toppled to the side in a vaguely building shape. Or simply a pile of materials on the ground. Only one building appeared to be in a usable condition. 

In the center of the town was a five story building. A box shaped hotel. There were carriages next to a stable built outside the building. From this distance Lance could see horses and human slaves resting. "Bwah! Bully. It looks like those slaves were able to build a halfway decent hotel for us to stay in." The bald man turned to face the group. Giving his hands a clap for emphasis. "Now then. All of you go speak with your families. I will send a signal once i'm ready to head towards the starting area. Beatrice." The man's attention turned specifically to his niece. "Before you go to speak with your family. I have a gift for you. The rest of you are dismissed." With that the entire group broke and made their way towards the hotel. Lance hung towards the back of the group.

Lance turned his head back to try and catch a glimpse at what this gift was. To his horror he saw Beatrice take a brand new flintlock out of a case presented to her by her uncle. Remembering the last time he saw Beatrice holding a gun. Lance decided that he wanted to be at the front of the line. And as far away from her as possible. He scooched past all the other nobles until he was at the front of the pack. 

The hotel had two large doors made of wood. Which were opened by two servants posted to make sure none of the dragons had to use their hands. The inside of the building was just as well crafted as the outside. Had someone woken up here they would have no idea that they were on a mostly deserted island. The floors were covered in a velvet red carpet. Over hardwood floors. 

The space was larger than any of the one story houses outside. The lounge floor was filled with the other celestial dragon families. But Lance's eyes keyed towards the back of the room towards the stairs. Where he saw Mary and Abigail standing by themselves. Most likely looking for him. Walking over with a smile Lance raised his hand in the air and waved. Successfully catching the attention of the two. "Mary! Abigail!"

Turning their heads. The mother and daughter smiled as they spotted their young master. Mary raised her hand and waved back. But Abigail forced her daughter's arm down before speaking. "Young Master. I hope your trip was pleasant." She reached into a bag and pulled out some new clothes. "Your mother, Mary, and I had these made for the competition." Handing over the clothes. Lance got a notification as he looked at his new threads. 

[You have found 'Custom Tailored Padded Button-up Shirt'. +5 to defense when worn by Lance Duval. Durability 90/90]

[You have found 'Custom Tailored Undershirt'. +10% to defense when worn by Lance Duval. Durability 40/40]

[You have found 'Custom Tailored Padded Dress Pants'. +5 to defense when worn by Lance Duval. Durability 80/80]

[You have found 'Custom Tailored Steel-Toed Dress Shoes'. +2 to defense when worn by Lance Duval. +10% speed when worn by Lance Duval. -10% Stamina use when running when worn by Lance Duval. Durability 100/100]

"Woah!" Lance exclaimed as he looked over all the clothes. He was amazed at the craftsmanship. The feel of the silk shirt was immaculate. The cotton of the undershirt was resilient but not itchy. And these shoes…these shoes had more durability than his current outfit combined. 

The defense bonuses were also killer. He had thought defense could only be increased through armor. Or through skills like unarmed. Which added a certain percent to his defense when unarmed. But if he could make clothes that acted as armor. There could truly be no force to stop him once he combined fashion. And practical defenses. 

"These clothes look great! Where's the nearest changing room?" Abigail pointed her hand up towards the ceiling. 

"Our room is on the second floor. Mary please show the young master where he can change. Then send him back down. The master wants to see him before the games begin." 

Mary gave a small bow before turning to head up the stairs. "Thanks, Abigail." Lance put one hand in his pocket and held his new clothes in the other. The two walked up the stairs. Mary tried to stay ahead to lead the way. But Lance pushed to walk next to her. "So how have things been this past month? I'll tell you that the boat ride for me wasn't any fun. They stuck me with all the boys. Who jumped at the chance not to take a shower."

Now that they were away from Abigail. Mary's stern expression turned into a half hearted smile. "So that's what that is. I didn't want to say anything…but you are awfully smelly."

Lance gave a pout as he walked beside her. "It's not my fault I was on a ship with a bunch of smelly guys. Not that the girls were much better. Only a handful of us insisted on taking daily showers." Mary giggled at that. Lance couldn't explain it but making Mary laugh was one of Lance's favorite things. He would do almost anything to get her cute face in a good mood.

Mary brought Lance to his family's hotel room. It was a large spacious living room with large couches and an open space kitchen that could feed an entire platoon of soldiers. "Wow. Really nice digs. What are they gonna do with it once we're done with the games?"

Mary walked over to the stove to begin making some tea. "I'm pretty sure I heard one of the laborer slaves say they were just going to leave the building here. But all the furniture was going to be auctioned back to Mary Geioes."

"Well that seems like a waist. Why don't they just take the building back home?" As Lance walked into the room with his full name engraved on the door. With the tea being heated. Mary followed to enter the bedroom with Lance. To help him with anything he might need during changing. But to her surprise he held out his hand to stop her at the door. Causing her eyes to wide with surprise. "Sorry, Mary. I've had people watching me change all month. Mind if I have some privacy?"

The redhead maid's wide eyes looked between Lance's face and his hand. Up and down in disbelief in what she was hearing. "Oh…well. Um…ok." Her voice was laced with a poisonous disappointment that surly Lance would catch and change his mind on.

"Thanks, Mary! Just talk through the door i'll still be able to hear you." Before taking anything off Lance took out the piece of paper he snuck from the boat. Beginning to write a letter for his bodyguards.

Mary gave a small laugh with a pained expression as he closed the door. Once the door was closed the maid kicked a nearby table and cursed under her breath. "Damn."

"What was that?" Lance yelled from inside the room.

"Nothing!~" Mary chimed back in perfectly masked anger. "Just spilled a little tea. Keep putting your clothes on!"