"Woman of the King of the World?! That sounds quite fitting too." Leo nodded slightly, quite pleased with Robin's name for him.
Robin suddenly stared directly at Leo, a shallow smile on her face. "Captain, with so many women around you, where do I rank in your heart?!"
While they never said it out loud, every woman wanted to know the answer!
Leo was stunned. A pure death question.
"Captain, is this question difficult for you to answer?!" As Robin spoke, her long, slender legs subtly brushed against him.
Leo raised a hand to stop Robin's little movements, smiling as he played along. "Of course, it's you."
Pa!
A crisp sound followed by a sway from Robin's backside.
Robin blushed crimson and immediately fell silent, stopping her teasing.
A playful smirk curled Leo's lips. "Giving up already?"
"Captain, I was wrong. I won't do it again," Robin lowered her posture, repeatedly begging for mercy.
With no one else around, she was genuinely afraid Leo would 'deal with her' on the spot. If the other girls saw, it would surely become teasing material after meals. That would be utterly mortifying. She was the infamous Demon Child, did she not have any pride?!
Leo pointed to his cheek. Understanding, Robin immediately leaned in.
A moment later, a warm, soft sensation.
Robin pecked Leo's cheek like a chick(pecking at rice). "Captain, I really know I was wrong. Please let me off this time."
Having successfully turned the tables, Leo put on a stern act. "It's fine this time, but don't let it happen again."
"Thank you, Captain." Robin stuck her tongue out playfully, then familiarly linked arms with him.
Leo glanced at Robin. He hadn't expected the usually cool and collected Robin to have such a contrasting side.
He liked it even more.
He'd have to properly train her later.
"Business first." Leo set aside his playful thoughts, looking seriously at the giant Golden Bell before them.
For hundreds of years, the bell carrying the faith of countless people deserved to ring!!
Leo threw a powerful punch at the Golden Bell.
Emission Armament Haki!!
An invisible, powerful shockwave erupted.
The next moment!
A deep, heavy sound reverberated through the air.
Back in Shandora, Wiper looked up sharply towards the direction of the bell, tears welling in his eyes.
Their promise to Noland was finally fulfilled!
Simultaneously, on Jaya, ten thousand meters below.
The residents looked up in shock upon hearing the melodious bell chime from above, expressions of awe on their faces.
"The sound of the Golden Bell! It's the Golden Bell ringing!!"
"Everyone, do you hear it?! The Golden Bell has been rung!!"
"Hahahaha... The legends are true!"
"Our ancestors didn't lie to us! Skypiea is real!!!"
The residents of Jaya wept tears of joy, their excited hearts taking a long time to calm. This day was destined to be extraordinary for them.
As time passed, the sound of the Golden Bell slowly faded until it disappeared completely.
"They must be very moved now?!" Robin sighed emotionally.
Even her own heart had stirred with the ringing of the bell.
"Perhaps."
"But it's our trophy now."
Leo smiled slightly, storing the Golden Bell and the two massive golden pillars into his system warehouse.
"Let's go down. We'll take the remaining gold too."
By the time Leo returned with Robin, the girls were busy carrying large and small packs filled with gold back to the ship. Though the bags were bulging, it was still a drop in the bucket compared to the gold left at the site.
Seeing everyone sweating and breathless, Leo laughed. "Everyone, pack up. It's time to set off."
"Understood, Captain!!"
"Coming, Brother Leo!!"
The girls responded one after another.
Leo proceeded to store all the remaining gold into his system warehouse.
Including the earlier Golden Bell and the two golden pillars, it totaled hundreds of billions.
They were rich!
"Leo!!!"
Just as Leo finished storing the gold, Nami's high-pitched voice called out from the distance.
Everyone looked over to see the fully gold-plated Ark Maxim flying rapidly towards them, accompanied by the roar of thunder.
"The gold?! Leo, you said this was the City of Gold!!"
"Why isn't there a single piece of gold?!"
"Where did all my gold go?!!"
As soon as she arrived, Nami eagerly scanned the area, only to find... nothing but a dilapidated city.
The girls glanced at each other, covering their mouths to suppress their laughter.
"Let's go, I'll explain on the way." Leo didn't bother with explanations, stored the Ark Maxim, and herded the girls onto the ship.
With a roar from the ship's engines, the Skypiea arc officially concluded!
During the subsequent voyage, Leo fully appreciated the benefits of having many women on board.
After Conis and Laki joined the crew, Leo didn't even need to speak.
The other girls actively took on the task of persuading the two new members, quickly breaking through Conis and Laki's psychological defenses.
Finally, Conis and Laki decided to face the upcoming challenges together.
Sisters united, their strength could break metal!!
They were confident they could meet Leo's expectations.
The result was settled in less than two hours.
"Claim rewards." Leo sat on the sofa in the luxurious suite, legs crossed.
[Congratulations, Host, for recruiting crew member Conis. Reward obtained — Marine Six Powers Training Manual.]
[Congratulations, Host, for recruiting crew member Laki. Reward obtained — Location Information of Pure Gold.]
Marine Six Powers Training Manual?!!
Mediocre.
Pure Gold? Also pretty...
...Pure Gold?!!!!
Leo shot up from the sofa.
He confirmed the reward he just received.
[Congratulations, Host, for successfully recruiting Laki. Reward obtained — Location Information of Pure Gold.]
Leo's eyes shone with unprecedented intensity.
Pure Gold! It was actually Pure Gold!!
Wearing it on one's body could slow aging, preserving youth forever!!
It could be called the number one treasure in the One Piece world, with nothing else comparable!!
Even the Celestial Dragons coveted it desperately.
Leo slowly calmed his excited emotions, recalling the legend of Pure Gold.
Over 200 years ago, the scientist Myskina Acier's daughter, Olga, was terminally ill. To cure Olga, Acier and his wife refined a heavy metal called Pure Gold.
Because Olga wore a ring containing Pure Gold, illuminated by its light, she not only cured her terminal illness but also lived for over 200 years.
Most importantly, Olga's appearance remained exactly the same as it was 200 years ago.
Unfortunately, the good times didn't last. News of Acier creating Pure Gold leaked, attracting the greed of pirates.
Olga's mother was brutally killed by pirates during their escape, while Olga and her father, along with half an island, were swallowed by the giant sea creature, the "Lampoon."
Over time, no one in the seas had seen Pure Gold again, and it became a legend.
Even with Leo's steady temperament, he couldn't help but become excited upon seeing Pure Gold.
For him, Pure Gold's role wasn't just preserving youth or even granting immortality; there was another crucial point.
As everyone knew, the strong in the One Piece world all had their peak periods.
Only within a certain age range could their strength remain at its peak.
Beyond that time, whether physical fitness or reaction ability would decline.
If one could wear Pure Gold during their peak, their body would be定格 (locked in place), and their strength would forever remain at its peak.
It might even grow stronger.
Leo's original plan was to head to Water 7, but now he had to obtain Pure Gold first.
As the system notification ended, a virtual map appeared in Leo's mind.
The location was in the Grand Line, with a red dot flickering intermittently and constantly changing position.
No need to ask; it was definitely the Lampoon.
"Lampoon, this time you won't get away." Looking at the small red dot on the virtual map, a playful smile slowly spread across Leo's lips.
He was determined to get Pure Gold!!!
The next day.
The ship changed its course, swiftly flying towards the new destination.
At their current speed, it would take at most three days to reach the sea where the Lampoon was located.
A beautiful day started with communication between Leo and the girls.
After a few hours of playing cards with the girls, everyone gathered in the café.
Aside from the training room, this was where they spent the most time. The space was spacious and very relaxing.
Kaya and Robin lay on rocking chairs, seriously reading their favorite books.
The newly joined Conis and Laki were learning from Sara, Goldenweek, and Valentine how to brew coffee and remember each person's unique preferences.
Vivi and Nami lay quietly on either side of Leo's thighs, resting with their eyes closed.
The other girls were busy with their own tasks. Everything was peaceful and serene.
Leo's gaze swept over the girls one by one, a random thought crossing his mind.
Vivi, Nami, Tashigi, Makino, Robin, Carmen, Kaya, Nojiko, Goldenweek, Valentine, Sara, Conis, Laki.
Unknowingly, he had already recruited thirteen beautiful women from the story.
Looking at the girls' lovely faces, Leo truly couldn't imagine what they would look like when they grew old.
Was it some kind of curse?!
In the One Piece world, whenever a young, beautiful woman grew old, she seemed to become a different person, with not a trace of her former charm remaining.
Like Big Mom, the former Empress of Amazon Lily, Gloriosa (a.k.a. Nyon), Bakkin...
They were all first-class beauties in their youth, but now... well, it was hard to describe.
Once he obtained Pure Gold, he absolutely had to equip every girl with it.
Two days passed in a flash.
Everything was calm, without any obstacles.
Along the way, Leo even took the girls to visit the islands they passed.
The suddenly wealthy girls spent generously, buying many strange and interesting trinkets.
After all, money was no object now!
As for Leo, he bought several dozen hollow rings for future use.
Once he obtained Pure Gold, he would place it inside the rings and have the girls wear them on their persons.
Bathed in the light of Pure Gold, the girls' bodies would be(locked), never aging, forever young.
On the morning of the third day.
After finishing his training, covered in smelly sweat, Leo took a hot shower and headed to the café.
At this moment, all the girls were sitting together, chattering about something, occasionally exchanging glances, nodding in response—it looked very lively.
"What are you all talking about?! I think I heard my name." Leo sat on the sofa, seamlessly joining the girls' conversation.
The girls turned to look at Leo, their pretty faces slowly blushing.
"Hey, what's with all of you?!" Leo was utterly confused.
So many girls wanting it at once?!
It was possible, but not very likely!
"Brother Leo, we all know. Don't hide it, bring it out." Kaya, blushing, threw herself into Leo's arms, softly撒娇 (acting coquettishly).
Leo spread his hands, smiling wryly. "What am I hiding?! What are you all even talking about?!!"
Nami crossed her arms, teasing, "Leo, I saw it yesterday. You went and bought rings behind our backs, right?!"
"Are you planning to propose to us?!!"
All the girls rested their chins in their hands, eyes dreamy, already imagining the scene to come.
"Brother Leo, is it true?!" Vivi blinked her big eyes, her bright gaze full of anticipation.
This was one of the happiest moments for a woman.
The other girls similarly swallowed, their burning eyes fixed on Leo.
Women and their dramas.
He just bought rings to hold the Pure Gold.
But under the intense gazes of so many, Leo sighed helplessly, then pulled out thirteen exquisitely crafted rings.
Nami was right! The girls' breaths hitched!!
Thinking of the beautiful event to come, their little faces turned red as apples.
"Captain, I want one!"
"Brother Leo, I want one too~"
"Leo, give me one!!"
"Captain, me first!!"
Naturally, Leo wouldn't play favorites; everyone got one.
Receiving the rings from Leo, the girls eagerly put them on, raising their delicate hands to admire them.
"Thank you, Captain, they're so beautiful!!"
"Leo, come look, it fits my finger perfectly~"
"Brother Leo, I love it!!"
"...."
The girls' reactions were within Leo's expectations.
These rings were the most expensive model in the shop at the time, costing him quite a few Berries.
Seeing the girls like them so much was indeed worth it.
"Brother Leo~" Kaya bit her lower lip lightly, her hands gently shaking Leo's arm.
Leo: ...
Kaya's unusual behavior gave him a vague (premonition).
After this time together, Leo had accurately grasped all the girls' personalities.
For bold, enthusiastic types like Sara, Carmen, and Nami, once they felt the urge, they would express it without reservation.
For semi-willing, semi-resisting types like Makino, Nojiko, and Valentine, they would tell Leo secretly when few people were around.
But for particularly shy types like Kaya, Vivi, and Tashigi, once they... they would act like this, not saying a word.
But their longing eyes, rapid breathing... would express themselves through more direct physiological reactions.
The rapidly rising hormone levels in the café, combined with Kaya's abnormal reaction, made the previously chattering girls fall silent one by one.
Looking at Leo, they each swallowed hard.
He entered the room at noon; he left at eight in the evening.
Activating his Heal-Heal Fruit powers, he felt refreshed and clear-headed again.
As Leo stepped out of the room, the ship(happened to) fly into the sea where the Lampoon was located.
"Captain, what are you looking for here?!!" Tashigi asked, looking at the empty sea around them, puzzled.
The other girls also frowned.
These past few days, they could clearly feel Leo's (mood) was somewhat excited.
This was the first time they had seen Leo so一 (out of character). Even when he saw all that gold, Leo was only briefly surprised. Could it be there was something here more precious than gold?!
"You'll know in a moment." Leo smiled slightly at the girls, keeping them in suspense.
Leo looked at the virtual map only he could see; the red dot on it was growing brighter.
It wasn't far from his position, though the red dot's location kept changing.
"Restless even so late at night. I'll capture you soon!!" Leo(complained) inwardly.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T/N :
Support me and Access 25 chapters in Advance on my P@treon: [email protected]/GodFic