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"I'll pass, Uta. Your ability is impressive, but I'd feel better knowing you're staying behind on the Sylvan."
"If anything urgent happens while I'm away, I trust you'll handle it."
Arton smiled as he spoke to Uta. In his eyes, Uta had been progressing rapidly lately. Even when fully using the Elizabeth template, she could maintain it for a long period. Combined with her own Uta Uta no Mi powers, Arton believed that even if a Marine powerhouse showed up, they'd have to tread carefully.
With Uta standing guard aboard the ship, Arton felt reassured.
What Arton didn't know was that Uta's rapid growth was largely due to the sheer number of videos and photos he had taken of her lately—something he only did because of how close their relationship had become.
"Alright, every second I stay fused with Tashigi is draining her stamina."
"I won't waste any more time."
"I'm heading out. When Carina and Kaya return, fill them in on what's going on."
He gave Uta one last pat on the shoulder, then leapt into the sky, stepping on platforms formed from spiritual energy, soaring at an angle upward.
Before long, Arton and Tashigi vanished from sight, leaving Uta and Nojiko behind.
"…Honestly." Uta shook her head and turned to Nojiko. "Nojiko, let's hurry too. If anything happens, maybe we can help."
Nojiko nodded and gripped the helm, steering the ship with all her might. While she hadn't caught all of what Arton and the others had discussed, she had read everything written in his diary.
Knowing Arton's personality, she doubted he fused with Tashigi and flew off for no reason.
Still, she couldn't help being curious about where he went. Once she'd locked in the course and speed, she asked Uta, "What were you all talking about earlier? Where are Arton and Tashigi off to?"
Nami's voice drifted out from the cabin entrance. "Yeah, what happened while we were away?"
"Why'd Arton suddenly fuse with Tashigi? Don't tell me it's just for practice?"
Nami knew Arton had been training swordsmanship with Tashigi lately. So, when she saw the photos Arton uploaded in his diary, her first guess was that he wanted to test the effects of fusion with Tashigi.
Of course, it was also possible that he simply wanted to admire Tashigi's naked form—but that seemed less likely. After all, when they'd first captured Tashigi and Hina, Arton had already seen her in that state.
Back then, Tashigi was way more bashful, far less open than now, and Arton had even captured some very vulnerable photos of her…
"It's not for practice," Uta shook her head. She then explained what Tashigi had said earlier about the Marine Guerrilla Unit.
"I see… so Zephyr of the Marines is here."
"If it's just him, I think Arton can handle it," Carina said, rubbing her chin thoughtfully.
"But… did Arton really go out there just for Zephyr?" Nojiko added with a sly smile. "If my memory serves, there's a girl named Ain who's usually by Zephyr's side."
"And hasn't she appeared in Arton's diary several times?"
"Could he be going specifically to meet her?"
"That's definitely possible," Kaya nodded in agreement.
When it came to Arton's flaws, everyone could agree on one: he was far too much of a flirt.
Even innocent Kaya knew that much.
If the Marines didn't pose a real threat, it wouldn't be surprising at all if Arton took the chance to seek out Ain—just to meet her.
They all remembered how Arton once kept Hina and Tashigi aboard the Sylvan for a time and had the two strip to express their gratitude.
Kaya had a feeling he might do the same with Ain…
"Speaking of Ain, I remember Arton mentioning that she had deep respect for Zephyr, didn't he?"
"When the Marines and the World Government betrayed Zephyr, Ain left the Marines without hesitation to follow him."
"Do you think... she might end up joining us, just like Tashigi did?" Nami looked up, directing her curiosity to everyone around her.
"That depends on whether Zephyr in this world really will be betrayed by the Marines and the World Government," Carina said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Arton has already revealed that Zephyr gets cast out by both."
"Given that, Gion, Hina, Ain—all those female Marines—must know about it too. If I were them, I'd do everything I could to prevent that from happening. Maybe the future really can change, just like the fate branded on us has already changed," she added.
"But even if Arton revealed the future, it's not that easy for Gion and the others to alter it. Their attitude alone can't dictate the stance of the World Government. Unlike Arton, they don't have some extraordinary power or the knowledge of key turning points to change the future."
"So even if they try, Zephyr might still leave the Marines, just as Arton predicted. And when that happens, Ain might seek Arton's help to avoid the future death of Zephyr."
"At that point, whether to accept her or not—it'll be up to Arton. Ultimately, it's not something we can decide for him. The only thing we can do is monitor her, to make sure she doesn't become a spy for the Marines or the World Government."
"Just like we kept an eye on Tashigi." Even Nami, who was often at odds with Carina, couldn't help but nod at that.
That's when Uta spoke up.
"I don't think we need to keep watching Tashigi as closely as we did in the beginning. She's already deleted all her Marine contacts—there's no way she can leak our information to them. Besides, she attacked a World Noble. That alone means she could never be a spy."
"As for Ain, maybe we could suggest to Arton that she do the same thing Tashigi did. If she does, there's no way she could be working for the Marines or the World Government."
Carina, Nami, and the others nodded slightly.
She had a point. Anyone who dares lay a hand on a World Noble essentially eliminates the possibility of being a spy for the World Government.
They'd never sacrifice even the most useless World Noble just to place a mole.
No matter how despicable the World Nobles are, they're still the "nobles of the world"—the very face of the World Government.
What the others didn't realize was that Uta wasn't just talking about attacking a World Noble.
Her words also implied another meaning: that Arton and Tashigi had already shared a deep, intimate relationship.
If Ain were to share that same kind of closeness with Arton… Uta doubted she'd ever betray them. And if Ain were to carry Arton's child—then betrayal would be even more unthinkable.
Seriously, unless the father did something truly horrible, what mother would abandon him?
"Anyway, let's just wait and see how things unfold with Ain."
"For now, what matters is what kind of situation Arton and Tashigi are about to face with the Marines."
"Let's hope it doesn't delay our entry into the first half of the Grand Line," Kaya said, lifting her head.
Everyone nodded.
By this point, every single person aboard the ship was eager to reach the Grand Line.
Carina was after more treasure.
Nami wanted to chart her maps.
Kaya yearned to witness a broader world.
Nojiko shared those sentiments.
As for Uta—she wanted to see Shanks again. And when she did, she planned to tell him that she was now Arton's woman... and carrying Arton's child.
Even though she wasn't pregnant yet, Uta hoped deep down that she'd be carrying Arton's baby by the time she stood before Shanks.
Given their individual motivations, none of the women wanted the Marines standing in their way.
"Let's trust in Arton."
"What we need to do now is follow his orders and continue heading toward Reverse Mountain." Nojiko's voice carried conviction.
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