At the Dock
Jin and Gion clasped hands.
She was statuesque, her voluptuous frame exuding allure. Even without her heels she stood three meters tall—the height expected of an Admiral candidate. Her hair, black as storm clouds, was tied into a neat bun, baring a long pale neck.
A rose-red lace blouse clung to her torso, the short sleeves revealing slender, fair arms. Draped over her shoulders was the white coat of Justice. The blouse tucked into a miniskirt so short it barely reached mid-thigh, showing off long legs smooth and firm, all the way down to her bare feet in black heels. On her thigh, half hidden beneath her skirt, a gray-black spider tattoo hinted at forbidden wildness.
Alluring. Dangerous. Tempting.
The problem was her height.
Jin had grown taller with each "upgrade," but standing before her now, his eyes lined up perfectly with her cleavage. It wasn't his fault. The view was simply… there.
He was a man. And like any man, ambition aside, he could hardly ignore ambition's other form—cleavage.
"Yes, we meet again," Gion said lightly, withdrawing her hand. This king was bold, his gaze almost tangible. But compared to the filth of most nobles she'd known, Jin was practically a saint.
In this rotten age, even "white lotuses" existed only by contrast.
"What brings the King of Drum to the South Blue?" she asked casually.
Jin sighed. "You know how it is. My kingdom's small, with little income. Paying the Heavenly Tribute is hard enough. I came to South Blue to earn a little extra, maybe recruit craftsmen, bring some projects back. But after that mess in Sorbet… I was scared. When I heard an Admiral was here, I reached out."
Plausible. Reasonable. Gion found herself nodding.
"You truly care for your people," she said with a faint smile. "If only the world had more kings like you, perhaps…" She stopped herself. Some things were better left unsaid.
Jin smiled. "Recruitment ends tomorrow. Can you wait one day? If you're busy, no need."
"Ensuring the safety of a king at sea is also our duty," Gion replied.
"Ah, thank you," Jin said warmly. Then, with a grin: "Since we're idle, shall we share a drink?"
"…Why not."
The colonel in the background nearly choked. His goddess, happily drinking with another man, while he guarded the ship. The cruelty of fate.
Over drinks, Gion probed carefully, but Jin remained composed. Later, she asked to see his ship. Jin welcomed her aboard, letting her inspect every corner. Nothing suspicious. Eventually, she excused herself.
Jin had been tempted—her height gap alone was… interesting—but she wasn't prey to trifle with. A Vice Admiral candidate was no "small fry." He settled for the fleeting touch of hand and the stolen glances.
A few days later, Once his craftsmen were recruited, Gion continued to escort Jin's vessel, the Devil Carrier. Her manner was a dance of ambiguity—neither too close, nor too distant. Yet something about the ship gnawed at her instincts.
Too normal. Suspiciously normal.
Determined to uncover the truth, she resolved to bait him. If the king was truly as lecherous as rumors claimed, she would draw him out.
On the eve of their parting, she brought wine aboard, suggesting a private farewell dinner. A trap disguised as intimacy.
Jin laughed, waving it off. "Too dangerous. We're close to the Calm Belt. Giant Sea Kings roam there. Drinking now would be reckless."
He wasn't stupid. He saw the trap.
"But," he added with a grin, "if you're sincere, a kiss goodbye will do."
Gion blinked. Not the answer she expected. Hadn't she already wrapped him around her finger? Was she losing her touch?
A kiss? Very well. She smiled faintly. "If you can manage it, Your Majesty."
"You underestimate me."
With a snap, springs coiled beneath Jin's feet, launching him upward. He seized her face in both hands and kissed her hard.
From the warship, sailors gawked in disbelief.
"Vice Admiral Candidate Gion!?"
"What the hell—?!"
Their wails echoed over the water.
Gion froze, then snapped back. Her brow furrowed, her knee shot upward. A vicious strike.
Her sharp eyes caught the springs at Jin's feet—an ability? A Devil Fruit?
Clicking his tongue, Jin pressed down with one palm, releasing a concussive burst. He grinned, hand clamped around her ankle, effortlessly halting her kick.
She was startled. She had put strength into that blow—yet he caught it as though it were nothing.
Had he truly defeated Hanafza?
Until now, she'd doubted. He was young. Too young. Perhaps Hanafza had been wounded, or careless. Weak defeating strong was rare, but not unheard of. Poison, ambush, tricks.
But this strength…
Everything is possible.
Coming from the Gion district, she was quite familiar with these shady tactics.
Gion came back to her senses.
Jin was holding one of her legs in his hand, while she effortlessly leapt up without bending her knees.
"Such long legs, it's basically a leg and foot fetishist's dream! Imagine if she wore black stockings or white stockings..."
"Nice legs, nice feet!"
Jin appraised her.
"Go away!"
Gion, embarrassed and furious, twisted her strong waist and spun around. Her other leg instantly kicked upward.
Whoosh!
Her long leg cut through the air like a sharp blade, a deadly strike.
One word: White!
But, due to Jin's royal status, Gion didn't dare to use her full strength. She merely struck out in anger.
Such an attack posed no threat to Jin. With quick reflexes, he reached out and caught her other leg.
He wrapped her legs around his waist, and his entire body lunged forward, throwing Gion onto the deck.
This move was called the "Invincible Fire Wheel"!
Jin used Gion as a cushion.
Her face crashed into the deck with a thud.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The stars exploded, the universe shook, and even the Dao was obliterated!
Bounce, bounce...
The huge and soft sensation, mixed with a strong fragrance, made Jin understand what it meant to have deep motives.
Such ambition was truly extraordinary.
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