"Do you two really know each other?" Rindo raised her eyebrows, appearing somewhat surprised.
"That's correct, Rindo," Leigh replied. "Although we aren't very close, we hail from the same place. I've even indirectly received help from him. Speaking of which, what's the situation now? Has the conflict ended? Have the Big Mom Pirates departed?"
Leigh addressed Rifan with familiarity, then surveyed her surroundings. Her face held a hint of surprise when she realized she was in the sky.
"So, you do know each other," Rindo observed. "Even though you're not well-acquainted, your relationship seems amicable." Rindo glanced at Leigh and Rifan, and when she heard Leigh's words, she let out a faint sigh.
"Heh, sometimes you only truly get to know someone through a good old fight. Didn't I recognize Leigh from the very beginning?" Rifan chimed in with a smile on his face.
Since Leigh had revealed that they knew each other, Rifan was naturally unconcerned and maintained a friendly demeanor with Leigh. Having already assisted Ada in securing her position on Smoothie's side, Rifan saw no problem in helping Leigh attain a higher status within Hancock's side ranks.
"You're actually the second person I met at sea," Rifan said. "I'd love to have a good chat with you once I've wrapped up things here. By the way, it's a rare encounter, and I have a gift I hope you'll accept."
"A gift?" Leigh tilted her head, her expression curious.
"That's right," Rifan affirmed. "Unfortunately, I don't have any on hand, but I'll have Nojiko escort you to my ship's doctor, Chopper. He'll provide you with my gift. Don't worry; it'll be beneficial to you."
As Rifan spoke, he referred to the G Virus strengthening agent. With a supply of 420 available, Rifan was more than willing to share it with fellow friendly reincarnators.
"I understand. I'll be waiting for you, Rifan," Leigh replied with a smile, nodding to Nojiko, who stood beside Rifan.
"Well, I've got some matters to discuss with Hancock. We'll catch up later."
After exchanging words with Leigh, Rifan led Nojiko toward the Nine Snakes' cabin, eventually disappearing from Rindo and Leigh's view.
"Leigh, since you know Rifan, you must have some insights into his character," Rindo inquired. "What kind of person do you think he is, and what do you think he'll discuss with Snake-hime?"
Observing the direction Rifan and Nojiko had gone, Rindo turned to Leigh for her perspective.
"Well," Leigh rested her right index finger on her chin, deep in thought. After a brief pause, she began, "Rifan is very strong. He's also the kind of person who looks out for fellow villagers when they're away. From what I've gathered, he's helped many of his fellow countrymen who ventured out to sea."
Leigh's description held true. Though she didn't know Rifan intimately, his willingness to repeatedly sell Devil Fruits to reincarnations at a low price indicated that he wasn't a malicious individual. At least, that's how people from the same country typically treated each other.
This was why she had hoped for Rifan's swift arrival when she encountered Smoothie from the Big Mom Pirates. Of course, it also meant that she wished to meet Rifan, who had sold her the Spring Fruit and was the top reincarnator.
Rindo nodded in agreement. "I see. In that case, you should definitely have a good chat with him later. The Black Pearl Pirates are a formidable group, and Rifan is a standout among them. If possible, I hope you can ensure that Rifan doesn't become an adversary of Snake-hime."
Despite Rifan's current casual demeanor toward the Kuja Pirates, Rindo couldn't help but feel a hint of concern, especially when she didn't know the nature of Rifan's discussion with their Captain and the others.
"Don't worry, Rindo," Leigh reassured.
"Rifan won't take action against the Kuja Pirates. I believe she and Snake-hime have some very important matters to discuss. This situation may not necessarily be harmful to us," Leigh added confidently as she spoke to Rindo.
Although it wasn't clear what Rifan intended to discuss with Hancock, Leigh couldn't help but connect Rifan's conversation with Hancock to the matter of the subordinate pirates, considering the contract rewards Rifan had received.
"However, if Hancock does become Rifan's sub-captain, I'll essentially be a member of the Black Pearl Pirates," Leigh thought aloud. She rubbed her chin, contemplating her situation. "It doesn't sound too bad to stand alongside a formidable fighter like Rifan."
With these thoughts in mind, Leigh once again directed her gaze in the direction where Rifan and Nojiko had disappeared.
"Wait! Is Nojiko going to face Snake-hime curse alongside Rifan?!" Rindo's voice suddenly broke Leigh's reverie, expressing concern.
"Rindo, don't worry. Since Rifan took Nojiko with him, I believe they must have a plan to resist the curse," Leigh comforted Rindo with a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
…
In the cabin aisle of the Nine Snakes' ship:
"Captain Rifan, why didn't you let me record Leigh's body data?" Nojiko asked with a hint of confusion, considering Leigh's clean and attractive appearance.
Rifan shrugged and replied, "Well, it's because she's from my hometown."
"Hometown?" Nojiko blinked, still puzzled. Seeing Rifan's expression, she decided not to press the matter any further.
What Nojiko didn't understand was that in Rifan's heart, fellow reincarnators like Leigh from Panda were considered friendly. While Rifan didn't mind Nojiko copying the data of reincarnators from other countries like Tina from the Eagle Country, Helena from the Kangaroo Country, or Huuli from the Camel Country, he hesitated when it came to those from Panda. Rifan didn't want to create awkward situations if the other party discovered the data duplication in the future, unless, like Ada, they didn't mind.
"Where here, Nojiko," Rifan said as he stopped and knocked on the door of the room in front of him. "Marigold, Sandersonia, Hancock, I'm back. Have you discussed it?"
After a moment, Sandersonia cautiously opened the door, her expression tense upon seeing the smiling Nojiko beside Rifan. She had concerns about Nojiko revealing sensitive information.
"Don't worry about Nojiko, Sandersonia," Rifan assured her. "She's one of my most trusted and closest partners. If you trust me, please trust her too."
Understanding Sandersonia's worry, Rifan wanted to put her at ease.
"..." Sandersonia took a deep breath and regarded Nojiko carefully. Then, she looked back at Hancock and Marigold inside the room. After a brief moment, both Hancock and Marigold nodded in agreement.
Seeing their approval, Sandersonia reluctantly opened the door to let Rifan and Nojiko inside.
While Rifan was away, the Boa sisters had discussed Rifan's plan to remove the Celestial Dragons' curse. Although Hancock and Sandersonia were hesitant, Marigold was eager to give it a try. After all, Rifan had seen the 'mark' on her back. She was willing to let Rifan attempt to remove the curse if it meant her two sisters could also be free of their curse.
Although this would reveal their past as former slaves of Celestial Dragons, Marigold believed that if Rifan could truly remove the curse, it would be worth it. They would no longer have to worry about their shameful past being exposed.
"Let's proceed," Rifan said, casting a glance at the three sisters in the room, and his gaze settled on Marigold.