Syrup Village.
On the street leading to the Black Cat Pirates' ship.
Arton and Kaya walked side by side.
"Arton-san, is it really okay for us to go off on our own leaving Uta and Carina with Merry to organize the ship's supplies?" Kaya asked, walking alongside Arton.
"Kaya, we're not just here to wander around," Arton replied. "We mentioned earlier that we have a ship that we seized, docked on the other side of the island."
"We're heading there to pack up useful items and treasure from that ship. By the way, there's quite a lot of treasure—almost half a warehouse full."
"Wait, why am I telling you this? You're a wealthy girl, with more Berries than you can count."
Arton stroked his chin, realizing his mistake.
"Arton-san, just call me Kaya," Kaya replied, feeling a bit shy. "Being called 'wealthy girl' is a little embarrassing."
"What's so embarrassing about it?" Arton countered. "Kaya, you should be proud of your wealthy girl status. You know, many people would love to be in your position, but they just can't."
Arton shook his finger playfully, thinking of Carina and Nami.
Kaya pouted and said, "If I could choose, I wouldn't want to be a wealthy girl. I just want to be a healthy girl who can go anywhere she wants."
Arton laughed and said, "Well, aren't you now a healthy girl who can go anywhere you want? Besides, if you really don't want to be a wealthy girl, you could always consider marrying me."
"That way, I'd become rich, and you'd become a rich wife. What do you think of my idea, Kaya?"
As Arton spoke, his gaze drifted to Kaya's ample chest.
Walking alone with Kaya on the street, Arton was pleased with her new appearance. It's no surprise, really—when cuteness and sensuality combine, it's hard to resist.
"Arton-san!" Kaya crossed her arms over her chest, pouting at Arton.
"Okay, okay, I'll stop," Arton said, quickly closing his mouth and walking quietly.
Kaya let out a sigh of relief. But just as she was starting to relax, she noticed Arton updating his diary with new photos involving her.
[Photo: Walking Alone with Kaya—Is This a Date?]
[Countryside island, young couple strolling down a rural street, this could be considered a date, right?]
[I have to say, leaving behind the noise of the previous world, with its exhausting work schedules, and walking side by side with characters from stories I've read—it's truly a pleasure.]
[Carina and Uta are both lively and fun, and walking with them is never boring.]
[Kaya, on the other hand, is a bit more peaceful, though she's livelier than I expected.]
[Walking with her seems to calm my mind.]
[With Uta, Carina, and Kaya on board, life at sea should be pretty interesting.]
[However, Kaya's use of the Tsunade template has made her chest considerably bigger.]
[It's hard for a young guy like me to remain completely calm.]
"Date?! Bigger chest?! What's all this?!"
Kaya's face blushed an even deeper shade of red.
She hadn't expected that while Arton was quiet on the outside, he was quite lively in his diary.
"Ar... Arton-san!" Kaya stopped suddenly, blocking Arton's path.
"What's the matter, Kaya?" Arton closed the diary system's interface, looking at her with curiosity.
"Um, didn't you say you wanted to fuse with me earlier?" she asked. "Since we have some time, why don't we try it now? I'd like to see what you look like using the Tsunade template."
Kaya was a bit embarrassed about Arton's diary entry regarding their "date," so she decided to suggest fusion as a distraction.
"Alright, now that you have a bit more energy, you should be able to handle the fusion power with me."
"Are you ready, Kaya?" Arton placed a hand on Kaya's shoulder.
"Yes!" Kaya nodded firmly.
Arton then initiated the system's fusion process.
A soft green light enveloped them, drawing them closer together until they became one.
When the light faded, Arton's black hair had turned to golden blonde, and a diamond-like mark appeared on his forehead.
He wore a deep green robe with a large kanji character for "Gamble" on the back.
"At least my pecs didn't grow to Tsunade's size," Arton quickly examined himself and then focused inward, peering at Kaya.
Just like with Carina and Uta, Kaya was now enclosed in a greenish bubble of light, and her usual attire had vanished.
"Wow, that's… amazing," Arton thought, noticing Kaya's enhanced figure.
"Arton-san, can you really use all of Tsunade's powers with this transformation?" Kaya blushed and asked out of curiosity, clasping her hands over her chest and squeezing her legs together.
Although Uta had told her that Arton couldn't see inside the fusion bubble, Carina had mentioned he might be lying. Kaya felt the need to protect her modesty, just in case.
At that moment, she regretted agreeing to the fusion without fully preparing herself mentally.
***
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