"You know it's a secret, Smoothie."
"Instead of asking me this, you'd better lie down and let me apply the ointment for you."
"Nojiko, you should come and help too."
Rifan took out the ointment from the medical bag on his body, glanced at Nojiko who entered from the consulting room's door, and said.
"Yes, Captain Rifan."
Nojiko nodded slightly, followed Rifan to Smoothie, and began applying the ointment using Kanpo Kenpo technique.
Rifan, in addition to applying it himself, also used the power of the Flower-Flower Fruit to expedite Smoothie's healing process.
Rifan and Chopper had previously experimented with using the Munch-Munch Fruit to heal wounds. Although Munch-Munch Fruit couldn't directly alleviate pain like Kuma's Paw-Paw Devil Fruit, they could utilize its unique properties to facilitate healing.
Based on Rifan and Chopper's research, Munch-Munch Fruit's ability was especially effective for treating injuries like fractures. This might be due to the inherent ability of the Munch-Munch Fruit to rearrange things. While it couldn't completely heal a fractured body part, when combined with the ointment developed by Rifan and Chopper, it could significantly accelerate recovery.
"However, since the unawakened Munch-Munch Fruit has a healing effect," Rifan thought to himself, "After awakening, Munch-Munch Fruit's ability to heal injuries should be even more amplified. I wonder if Chopper can separate the pain of the wounded from the wounded himself, similar to what Kuma did to Luffy's pain.
While applying ointment to Smoothie, Rifan considered this possibility.
Munch-Munch Fruit was a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit, and Rifan believed that his speculation wasn't out of the question. With this in mind, he felt a strong desire for Chopper to awaken his Munch-Munch Fruit.
"Hiss, not there, Rifan," Smoothie chuckled, looking at Rifan with a smile on her face.
"Stop making strange noises, Smoothie. I'm just applying the ointment; your treatment is over. I believe it won't be long before you can return to your original state. These unused ointments are for you to use on your journey."
Rifan tossed a medicine bottle to Smoothie.
Smoothie didn't mind Rifan applying the ointment, and even let him take advantage of her. Under normal circumstances, Rifan wouldn't show any mercy, but the situation was different now.
Cinnamon and the others watched Rifan intently, as if worried he might do something improper. However, Rifan's Observation Haki had sensed Mikita flying towards the sky with Hancock and others. To prevent any accidents with Hancock and Leigh, Rifan wanted to meet them promptly.
"It's really cold, Rifan. Now I have some doubts about your earlier statement regarding your interest in beauties. Or am I not a beauty in your eyes?" Smoothie inquired.
"You are a beauty, but I'm very busy right now. I don't have time to admire your beauty. Let's chat when we have the chance, preferably when your mother allows you to join my Black Pearl Pirates." Rifan glanced at Nojiko, who had her hand on Smoothie's face while applying the ointment, and said with meaning.
Unaware of Nojiko's Devil Fruit ability, Smoothie didn't have any reservations about her actions. Instead, she smiled warmly at Nojiko, who responded with an equally friendly smile.
Nojiko then approached Cinnamon and Garrett with two bottles of ointment. "This is the leftover ointment. Since you are Miss Smoothie's sisters, I'll rely on you to help her with the treatment."
Cinnamon and Garrett both nodded, seeing Smoothie's improved condition. They believed Rifan's intentions were genuine and recognized the effectiveness of Nojiko's ointment. Consequently, they didn't hesitate to accept.
As Cinnamon and Garrett received the ointment, Nojiko took the opportunity to touch their cheeks with her right hand.
And Cinnamon and Garrett didn't think much of it.
Smoothie, however, was somewhat puzzled. Nojiko applying ointment made sense, but Cinnamon and Garrett weren't injured, so Nojiko's actions seemed abrupt.
"Let's go, Nojiko. We should head back," Rifan said after achieving his goal, then looked at Smoothie and Ada standing nearby.
"Ada, this should settle my debt to you. By the way, are you sure you won't stay with my Black Pearl?"
Ada shook her head and replied, "Thank you for the offer, Rifan. But I decline. A man like you is quite appealing, but if I were always by your side, I might fall for you. Besides, you have plenty of women, and I don't want to share a man with others. You can't give up other women for me, can you?"
Ada's response marked another act in the performance.
"Too bad. Well, since you've decided to join Big Mom Pirates, I won't object. I wish you a happy life there. However, I've heard that Charlotte Linlin has a short temper and tends to shorten others' lifespans with her ability so be careful."
Rifan sighed, appearing regretful. Then, he looked at Smoothie and added, "Smoothie, remember to take good care of Ada. Your recovery is thanks to her efforts."
After speaking, Rifan turned and walked out of the cabin with Nojiko. The Big Mom Pirates' crew didn't dare to stop them.
"So, this is why you didn't stay with Rifan. But what do you mean? Does Rifan already have a woman?" Smoothie asked, intrigued.
"That's right. In my opinion, both Robin and Nojiko beside him have a close relationship to Rifan," Ada replied, looking up at the tall Smoothie and smiling.
"Okay, it seems that if I want Rifan to marry me, I'll have to defeat Robin and Nojiko," Smoothie mused, licking her lips and glancing meaningfully in the direction Rifan had left.
After a moment, she turned to Ada and asked, "Ada, Rifan said he likes women, and some of his actions support that. But I deliberately allowed him to take advantage of me, and he didn't react. Since you know him well, can you tell me if he was affected by what happened with Hancock? Is that why he's paying less attention to me? Or perhaps he doesn't find me attractive?"
After spending time with Rifan, Smoothie had moved on from her initial infatuation and now cared more about Rifan's feelings. She was also unaware that many ordinary humans found long-legged tribe women unattractive.
Even though Rifan had previously expressed his interest in her and her sister Cinnamon from the long-legged family, Smoothie was still somewhat worried.
"Please rest assured," Ada reassured her. "Rifan is definitely interested in you Miss Smoothie. Not only you, also to Miss Cinnamon, and Miss Garrett."
Ada knew Nojiko's devil fruit ability. And since Nojiko had deliberately gathered data of Smoothie, Cinnamon, and Garrett with her devil fruit. This indicated that Smoothie and Cinnamon were within Rifan's aesthetic range.
"Is that so? Then I'm relieved," Smoothie replied with a nod. She glanced once more in the direction Rifan had left and sighed softly. "It's a shame that such a powerful and charming man can't be brought back. Marrying a man like him would be a wonderful thing."
At that moment, Citron burst into the room, looking at Smoothie with concern. "Smoothie, are you alright? Have you recovered?"
Citron had seen Rifan and Nojiko return to the Black Pearl a moment ago and had become worried about Smoothie.
"I'm mostly cured, don't worry, Sister Citron," Smoothie reassured her. "By the way, your complexion seems a bit off. Did something happen outside? Did Rifan's partner defeat Empress Hancock?" Smoothie inquired with interest.
Earlier, she had sensed the conflict between Mikita and Hancock using Observation Haki. However, she had stopped using it when she received treatment from Rifan. Still, the matter had left her curious, and after Rifan left, she resumed using Observation Haki.
But to her surprise, she couldn't detect the presence of Mikita and Hancock anymore.
"To the sky?" Smoothie remarked. "No wonder I couldn't sense their presence. However, the ability to elevate a ship into the air does sound somewhat familiar. Ada, do you have any knowledge of Mikita's abilities?" Smoothie asked Ada with a hint of suspicion.
"Sorry, Miss Smoothie," Ada replied. "I'm not Rifan's partner after all. Although I did assist Rifan and others in the battle against Crocodile, my knowledge of Mikita is limited. I know she's skilled with the Marine Six Styles and possesses formidable Armament Haki and Observation Haki. I wasn't even aware she could use Conqueror's Haki. As for her Devil Fruit ability, I have very little information."
Smoothie sighed hearing it, "Well, that's unfortunate."
"Smoothie, I think I've figured out Mikita's Devil Fruit ability," Citron said with a determined expression, taking a deep breath.
"Tell me your theory, Sister," Smoothie responded, her smile fading as she anticipated the answer.
But when Strong uttered her answer, Smoothie's smile froze, and her expression grew serious.
"Smoothie, I believe Mikita's Devil Fruit ability is likely the devil fruit of Golden Lion Shiki!"
Citron's serious expression sent a chill down Smoothie's spine. Her gentle smile vanished completely as she absorbed the shocking revelation.