"Also, Nojiko, I'm sorry I didn't entrust you with the power of Devil Fruit and Haki earlier."
"Instead, I let Carina obtain Armament Haki and Devil Fruit first."
After Nojiko turned around and leaned against the wall, Rifan put his head on Nojiko's shoulder and said with a little apology.
"It's okay, Rifan."
"I know you have your own plan."
"As long as it is the best way for you, I will support it."
Nojiko said softly with a rosy face.
"Thank you, Nojiko."
"Don't worry, I will find you a better Devil Fruit in the future."
"I will also allow you to gain enough physical strength to exert the power of this Devil Fruit."
Rifan brushed Nojiko's hair with his hand, and said.
"I trust you, Captain Rifan."
Feeling Rifan's concern, Nojiko felt a sudden warmth in her heart.
"Speaking of which, Rifan, I once heard Nami mention a girl named Carina."
"Since just now, I have been observing that girl Carina you invited."
"And she seems to be very similar to the girl Nami mentioned."
Nojiko suddenly raised her head and said to Rifan.
"Is that so, maybe she really is Nami talking about."
"By the way, forget about her, let's have a good chat too. It just so happens that it's quite quiet here."
Rifan said with a smile on his face.
….
On the other side, in the aisle of the cabin of the Black Pearl.
Carina tested her own power, while thinking about the power displayed by Rifan.
'Observation Haki, can you conduct a wide-ranging investigation with it?'
'Sure enough, it is really difficult to leave this pirate group. '
'However... Rifan's power to make partners stronger quickly…'
'Maybe I can stay by his side first, wait until I am strong enough, and choose to leave?'
'Looking at Rifan's appearance, he probably likes beautiful girls. '
'No wonder he wanted to invite that girl Ayane before, and he must have taken a fancy to her too.
'At that time, as long as I give him two more kisses, he shouldn't blame me... Hehe, it's impossible, he will definitely be angry.'
Carina shook her head, unknowingly she had come to the restaurant.
"Carina, you're back, are you okay?"
Seeing Carina's return, Abis ran over immediately.
"Don't worry, Abis, I'm fine now, better than ever."
"I will take good care of Abis in the future."
Carina touched Abis's small head, and said.
Then, she approached Abis ear and whispered:
"By the way, you have to let me meet the Dragon Lord you mentioned later."
"I'm very curious about the legend of the Millennium Dragon."
On the one hand, Carina really cares about Apis.
On the other hand, she also wants to see if she can obtain the dragon bone used for eternal youth in the legend.
"Definitely."
Abis laughed happily when she heard Carina's words.
"Sorry, Carina, because of me, you were targeted by that man Rifan."
"Please rest assured, after the matter is over, I will ask Rifan to let you leave the Pirates safely."
At this time, Tashigi stepped forward and apologized to Carina.
Unbeknownst to Tashigi, Carina is a long-time thief who has been cheating pirates in East Blue for many years.
At this moment, she only thinks that Carina is an ordinary civilian like Abis.
And they just happen to be involved in Commodore Marine Nelson's conspiracy.
"That, it doesn't matter, Tashigi."
"At least we're saved now, aren't we?"
"Although Rifan asked me to join his pirate team, he also promised to help us."
"We get his help, I pay the price. From this point of view, what Rifan is asking for is not too much."
Carina smiled and patted Tashigi on the shoulder.
Carina still has a good impression of Miss Marine who stood up when she and Abis were in danger, and confronted Marine soldiers after learning about the incident.
In addition, just from the powerful power obtained from Rifan here.
It also made Carina have no complaints about temporarily joining the Black Pearl Pirates.
Of course, this does not mean that she has no intention of leaving.
"But Miss Carina, you are obviously a commoner, but now you are forced to become a pirate."
"If you follow Rifan all the time, you will definitely be wanted."
"He only fought against Vice Admiral Garp not long ago."
"His latest reward will definitely not be low."
"Although the rewards for Rifan and other pirates of the Black Pearl Pirates have not yet been released.
"But the latest bounty must have been distributed all over the world through Newsbird."
"It's only a matter of time before we know of his reward."
"And the crew members who follow him will definitely receive considerable attention."
"Miss Carina, if the Marine finds out about your existence, you won't be able to return to your normal life from now on."
Tashigi put her hands on Carina's shoulders and said anxiously.
"That's right, haha."
Carina smiled mischievously at the excited Tashigi.
Even if she is not wanted by the Marines, she is not living an ordinary life.
Of course, she wouldn't say that to Tashigi who is a Marine.
"Tashigi, let me figure this out. "
"Your identity is a bit sensitive on this ship."
"Also, you have no way to make Rifan give up on me."
Carina shook her head and said.
Although she doesn't know how Rifan did it, making her stronger must have cost Rifan something.
Under such circumstances, Carina doesn't think that Tashigi can use words to make Rifan give up on herself.
Tashigi pursed her lips, and after holding hed breath, he blushed and said the solution that he had thought for a long time.
"Rifan invited Ms. Carina, he must have taken a fancy to Ms. Carina's beauty."
"Although it's a bit self-proclaimed to say so, I'm also a woman, so I shouldn't be too bad."
"I can trade myself for your freedom, Miss Carina."
Tashigi put her hand on her heart with a very serious expression.
Although Hina did not tell Smoker what happened to her, nor did she write it in the report to Marine.
But she also said that Rifan is a man who is quite interested in beautiful women and has a certain desire to play tricks on others.
In addition, the reason why Rifan invited Carina earlier was that he must fell in love with her.
That's why Tashigi is more sure about Hina's evaluation of Rifan.
Having said that, Tashigi still had a red face when she said this.
"Tashigi, you are a Marine, are you going to betray a Marine?"
"And... your situation..."
Carina was moved and glanced at Tashigi who cared about herself and even planned to give up her Marine position for herself.
But looking at Tashigi's simple attire, Carina felt that Rifan might not be able to like Tashigi.
It's not that Carina thinks Tashigi is not beautiful enough, it's just that Carina has considerable confidence in her appearance.
Even excluding the resources Rifan invested in her, Carina doesn't think Rifan would be willing to give up her to recruit Tashigi.
Of course, Carina's judgment is only her own.
If Rifan were to judge by himself, Rifan would definitely agree since he knows Tashigi's potential is astonishing, and she will not lose to Carina in her two years of development.
Maybe even better than Carina in terms of chest size.
"Carina, what do you want to say?"
Tashigi looked at Carina who was hesitant to speak in front of her, and tilted her head with some doubts.
"She means you're not as attractive as she is."
"Maybe it doesn't make Rifan interested enough in you."
Ayane took a step forward, walked to Tashigi's side, and said coldly to Tashigi...
"Wh... what?! No charm?!"
Tashigi looked at Ayane in surprise.
"Sister Carina is more fashionable."
"This cool big sister is also very powerful."
"Sister Tashigi's on the other hand…is simple."
Abis pouted, tilted her head and said suddenly.
"what?!"
Tashigi's eyes widened in surprise.
If Ayane's words didn't make her feel too much emotional fluctuations.
But the words of a little girl like Abis forced her to start evaluating herself again.
'Simplicity, isn't that better?'
'Am I really dressed so badly?!
Tashigi's usual sluggish front, the color of the whole person seems to have paled a lot.
"Marine, if possible, could I trouble you to go to the deck first?"
"I have some personal matters to discuss with Miss Carina."
Ayane said to Tashigi calmly.
"O...okay."
Tashigi nodded involuntarily, walked towards the deck staggeringly as if losing strength, and disappeared into the dining room.
"It looks like Ms. Tashigi has been hit hard."
"Speaking of which, you don't have to do this."
"Tashigi's condition is still good, but she doesn't seem to be very good at dressing up."
Carina shook her head, then turned to look at Ayane.
"I'm just telling the truth, her dress is indeed too rustic."
"Besides that Nojiko, beside Rifan, there are several beautiful women."
"Under such circumstances, it will be difficult for her to have the opportunity to replace you with her own charm."
Ayane shook her head and said.
"Are there any other beautiful women? As expected of Captain Rifan, it's exactly what I thought."
"By the way, are they as attractive as Ms. Ayane?"
Carina asked curiously.
"My situation is different, please don't compare me."
"Also, you...became very strong, that man Rifan helped you gain great strength, right?"
At this time, Ayane suddenly changed her tone, and there was a hint of chill in her words.
After finishing speaking, Ayane also took a good look at the pirate tattoo on Carina's arm.
"So you know."
"Speaking of which, Rifan also invited you, why didn't you join him?"
"You know his power to make others stronger right?"
Carina turned her head and looked at Ayane curiously.
"I'm not like you, I have my own situation."
"Well, by the way, you are very strong, can you do me a favor, Miss Ayane. '
"What do you want me to do?"
"Hee hee, you also know that I got power from Rifan, so I want you to help me familiarize myself with this power. I wanted to find Rifan and Nojiko, but they seemed to have some personal things to attend to."
"So that's the case, do you want to compete? That's fine, I agree."
Ayane nodded and spoke.
In Ayane's perception, Carina's breath before and after following Rifan's departure can be said to have undergone earth-shaking changes.
She sent Tashigi away to try Carina's power, so that she can learn more about Rifan through Carina.
She wants to see how much Rifan can help a new crew member become stronger at once.
Therefore, at this moment, Ayane would naturally not refuse Carina's proposal.
"Great, let's find a place to start then."
Carina said happily.
"No, we can do it here. Just in time, that Marine also left."
As she spoke, Ayane revealed her short sword and was about to stab Carina.
"It turned out that you were already ready to duel with me, so you sent Tashigi away... Hey, wait, why are you so rush!"
Carina opened her eyes wide, and instinctively used Armament Haki to grab Ayane's short sword.
…