Milim curiously walked back and forth on Linlin's back. She had never experienced this sensation under her feet before—well, not since she was a child.
Thinking of this, a nostalgic look unexpectedly appeared in Milim's eyes.
But the novelty didn't last long, and Milim soon lost interest.
Lacking enthusiasm, she simply leaped off Linlin's back.
Returning to the hot spring, Milim turned her attention to the rabbit swimming on the floatie.
Linlin, who was enjoying herself, suddenly felt a lightness on her back. Just as she was about to open her eyes, a familiar pressure returned, and the comfortable feeling spread once more. She couldn't be bothered to pay it any more mind and kept her eyes closed, immersed in the sensation.
The person now standing on Linlin's back was no longer Milim, but a red-faced Ryuka.
She carefully moved her feet, her eyes fixed on Linlin's expression, her heart pounding.
When she saw the look of complete comfort on Linlin's face, it was as if a new world had suddenly opened up to Ryuka. Her eyes held a mixture of nervousness and a strange, hidden excitement.
Meanwhile, Milim was holding the chariot-shaped floatie and throwing it far away with all her might.
Seeing this, the rabbit chariot paddled its four short, stubby legs—"pat, pat, pat"—swam over, and bumped the floatie back with its head.
Milim threw with gusto, and the rabbit chariot retrieved diligently. The two of them, a person and a rabbit, went back and forth, having a blast, their laughter echoing far into the surroundings.
Just then, Linlin, who had been enjoying herself, suddenly spoke, "Milim, I have something I'd like to ask you."
"Hmm?" Milim looked up from her play, puzzled, wondering what she was about to say.
Linlin kept her eyes closed, savoring the comfort on her back, and said slowly, "Totto Land is very close to the Calm Belt. There are often a large number of Sea Kings in our waters. Because of this, many of our merchant ships have been attacked by Sea Kings, and the losses have been particularly heavy."
"And the guards of Totto Land often lack the strength to fight against those massive Sea Kings."
"So?" Milim still didn't understand what Linlin meant. She couldn't handle these things either. It's not like she could just go and wipe out all the Sea Kings in the sea.
"Heh!" Linlin chuckled lightly. "Not long after I returned, I received a notification from Ryuka. The Amazon Lily of the Kuja Pirates is willing to establish a commercial partnership with Totto Land."
"To show our sincerity, I've decided to have you, Milim, go to Kuja Island and meet with their empress," Linlin said casually.
"I just got back, and now I have to leave again! And this has nothing to do with what you were just talking about." Milim blew bubbles in the spring water, a little dejected.
Linlin let out a few low laughs. "It's not that soon. When you go there depends on when you have time."
"Besides, you have nothing to do in Totto Land anyway. When you get bored one day, just go and check out Kuja Island."
"So I'm just going there to discuss a commercial alliance!" Milim frowned. Logically, this was something El should be doing. After all, he was more mature than her when it came to these things.
"Of course not. Amazon Lily is a country where everyone possesses Armament Haki. Even women with weak physiques can use it." Linlin's eyes were closed, and her voice wasn't loud, but everyone could hear her clearly.
"So I believe that Kuja Island must have a method to make it easier for people to learn Haki. This method is very important for Totto Land."
"So that's how it is. But why go through all this trouble? Can't I just go over there and snatch it?" Milim could feel with her toes that this was going to be a lot of trouble.
Linlin laughed. "We've just established a fierce reputation outside. If we high-handedly snatch things from Kuja Island, what will the world think of us then?"
"A bunch of robbers, or a bunch of barbaric pirates. The reputation we've built up would plummet."
"We acted before because the other party provoked Totto Land first, so we could retaliate. If we attack Kuja Island without any reason, then Totto Land will be the one actively causing trouble."
"I see. I understand," Milim nodded, indicating she understood.
"And what's the deal with that brat you brought back, Bullet?" Linlin asked softly.
"Bullet!" Milim cradled the struggling rabbit chariot in her arms. "He has the potential to become as strong as an Admiral."
"Oh!" Linlin was a little surprised but didn't doubt Milim's words. "In that case, he is indeed a talent. It seems we'll have to pay more attention to him."
"No need. Bullet will be my disciple from now on," Milim said immediately, afraid that her newly acquired toy would run away.
"Oh, you're actually thinking of teaching a disciple."
"What's wrong with that? I feel like it."
"Forget it. Do as you please." Linlin sighed inwardly. Although she said that, she still had to prepare some people to watch over Bullet.
Milim's talent was too high. But because of that, her growth path was just continuous training, and then she would get stronger and stronger.
If she really trained Bullet according to her methods, he would probably be worked to death in a few months.
After all, this was someone who could smash mountains with her fists—first, she'd gather her strength to throw a rock, then she'd dash to it like lightning and catch it steadily.
She even ran around the island at full speed for three days and three nights. Even she herself couldn't handle that amount of training.
Linlin simply couldn't imagine what a tragic life Bullet would have in the future.
After playing in the hot spring for a while, Milim quickly put on her yukata and left. Linlin, on the other hand, enjoyed the spring a little longer before leaving with Ryuka.
Back in her room, Milim used her magic to dry her wet hair and the rabbit chariot's soggy fur!
Finally, Milim hugged the rabbit chariot and fell asleep. The rabbit chariot, after a few resigned struggles, also fell asleep when it found it couldn't escape.
The daylight seeped through the cracks in the clouds, and the light shone through the window onto the soundly sleeping Milim's face.
Milim slowly got out of bed, fumbling for her toothbrush and face-washing tools with her eyes closed. Only after she was fully awake did she open her eyes.
She wore the same clothes as usual, then lifted the covers, pulled out the sleeping rabbit chariot, and went out with it in her arms.
After buying some breakfast, Milim strolled around while nibbling on a bun. As she walked, she unknowingly arrived at the door of Vegapunk's laboratory!
Thinking that since she was already here, Milim pushed open the lab door, only to find another iron door made of steel behind it.
And next to the iron door was a scanning machine. Milim stood in front of the scanner, and soon the machine scanned her face.
"Ding. Highest level of authority, Milim has been verified. Welcome to Vegapunk's laboratory."
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