"Really, I was careless."
Gion sighed deeply as she looked at the tea she had just drunk, shaking her head slightly in resignation. She could not have anticipated that the "Usopp" she had been interacting with was actually Arton in disguise. This was partly because she had never seen Arton before and couldn't remember his scent.
Moreover, Gion was unaware that Arton possessed the ability to transform into others. After all, Arton didn't show Tsunade possessing such a transformation ability.
What saddened Gion more was her failure to recognize Arton immediately, whereas he had identified her using some method.
In an instant, Gion's original plans were thoroughly disrupted.
'However, all is not lost,' Gion thought, her emotions gradually stabilizing. 'Rather than wallowing in self-pity…'
"Please answer my questions, Miss Gion," Arton said with a smile, resting his sword on the ground as he looked at her.
"I found out about you through the... um!"
"Yes, indeed, I came here after learning about you from Sengoku-san."
Gion cautiously began to mention the diary in Arton's presence. However, the familiar tremors made her quickly change her statement. Remembering what Arton had recorded in his diary about his interactions with Garp, Gion smiled at Arton and said:
"Arton, it's a waste for a man like you to be a wandering musician."
"If you're interested in joining the Navy, they would surely help you properly manage your music team."
"I quite like music myself and am good at playing some tunes."
"If you're willing, I could also join your music team."
After saying this, Gion deliberately stepped closer to Arton. However, as soon as she moved, Arton lifted his sheathed sword and pointed the tip at Gion's face.
"Stop right there, Vice Admiral Gion."
"I believe I made it very clear to Garp."
"I'm not interested in joining the Navy."
"Isn't it better to be free?"
"Besides, there are so many rules in the Navy."
"Joining you would make it difficult for me to achieve my other goal."
Arton squinted, carefully observing Gion. At this moment, he was not holding back.
His 'Transparent World' was fully activated.
His gaze penetrated Gion's clothing and skin, reaching deep inside her body.
He was observing Gion's physical condition to determine how much the weakening agent he had put in the tea could debilitate her.
Gion's eyes flashed with a sharp glint, feeling an unusual sense of being seen through under Arton's gaze. However, she didn't pay too much attention to it.
"Arton, maybe Garp-san didn't make it clear to you," Gion began, "but forming a music team within the navy has many benefits."
"To be honest with you, there are many beautiful girls in the navy who love music. Someone like you, with handsome looks and musical talent, would surely be very popular among them."
"Arton, wouldn't you like to have some beautiful female navy fans? Perhaps I could even help you meet them. I'm quite interested in your music myself."
Gion raised her hand to gently touch her hair, giving Arton a flirtatious wink.
Arton raised an eyebrow and appraised Gion for a moment.
'You really know how to charm, Gion,' he remarked. "Worthy of being one of the leading ladies in my works.'
'It's just too bad you're in the navy, or else I might actually invite you to join my pirate crew.'
Thinking to himself, Arton shook his head and said, "It's very unfortunate, Miss Gion."
"I really have no interest in joining the navy. Moreover, while I do like beautiful girls, beauty is abundant everywhere—I wouldn't join the navy just to meet a handful of beautiful navy women."
"And don't think that you can use your charms on me. That might work on other pirates, but it won't sway me from my goals."
Gion frowned upon hearing this. Arton's casual remarks made her ponder deeply.
'So he wouldn't join the navy just for a few beautiful women,' she thought, suggesting to herself that not only she, Hina, Tashigi, and Ain have the diary copies in the navy.
'Arton isn't tempted to join the navy for a few women, could it be that his works feature more female pirates than female navy officers?'
'If that's the case, we have a problem,' Gion pondered, her eyebrows knitted tightly.
She had thought Arton's reluctance to join the navy stemmed from an incident where the navy, under the orders of a Celestial Dragon, had sunk his ship and he survived to seek revenge against that navy officer and the Celestial Dragons who commanded the attack.
However, it seemed even without that incident, Arton would not join the navy just to meet the women from his drawings, unless the navy allowed him to keep captured female pirates at his home for 'training,' otherwise, he would never join the navy.
"Indeed, I can't just let this man slip away," thought Gion, as she summoned her strength to bypass Arton's long sword and approached him closely. With a gentle embrace, she wrapped her arms around Arton's, pressing them against her chest, and softly whispered in his ear:
"Arton, you don't understand me enough yet. That might be why you think my charm isn't sufficient. If you knew more about me, maybe you'd change your mind."
After speaking, Gion deliberately squeezed the arm she was holding against Arton.
When Arton gave the Tsunade template to Kaya, Gion understood Arton's interest in big breasts.
Although she might not have a bosom as expansive as Tsunade's, she did not believe her own was not enough to capture Arton's interest.
"This woman, to use such methods!" Kaya blushed deeply as she watched Gion's actions from inside Arton. She had thought Gion, having been exposed by Arton, would treat him more seriously or even engage in combat directly.
However, Gion resorted to seduction instead. But upon further reflection, Kaya understood Gion's reasoning. Anyone who had access to Arton's diary would know how special he was, especially for a major organization like the navy. Arton's significance was undeniably crucial.
Arton raised an eyebrow and took a good look at Gion, who was smiling at him confidently.
"You're right; I seem to have underestimated your charm. I need to reassess you," Arton said, purposely twisting the arm that was within Gion's grasp.
Gion appeared unfazed, quietly watching Arton. Seeing this, Arton seemed intrigued and reached his other hand towards Gion's waist.
"Arton-san?!" Kaya couldn't help but call out.
However, just as Kaya thought Arton might succumb to Gion's seduction and embrace her, Gion suddenly stiffened and leapt backward. But as soon as she landed, she uncontrollably fell to the ground.
"What happened?" Kaya asked, puzzled.
"Ha, don't worry, Kaya. I do like beautiful girls," Arton chuckled. "But I'm not a man who gets led around by them. I used a 'Medical Attack: Nerve Disruption' on Gion, paralyzing her nerves."
"Without a mistake, her body movements will soon be completely opposite to what her brain commands."
"Kaya, I might go into combat mode next," Arton communicated to Kaya in his unique way, adding, "Your stamina will also run down faster, so be prepared. Also, you can take this chance to learn from how I fight. It should be helpful for your future battles."
Arton then turned his attention to Gion, who was struggling to get up, her body seemingly uncontrollable. What had easily been done before was now impossible despite her efforts.
"Arton, what have you done to me?!" Gion furrowed her brows, her eyes fixed intently on Arton.
"Who said we were having a nice chat?" Arton retorted. "I've made it very clear that I won't join the Navy. Since you won't give up, I have to make you give up my way."
"Tsk, tsk, such a high-ranking marine, you knew you were drugged, and you still approached me so carelessly. I can't tell if you're overly confident or just ignorant."
"As for what I've done, do you think I'd tell you?"
Arton then formed hand seals, and his form shifted again. When the smoke from the ninja technique dispersed, he returned to the form he had when he was merged with Kaya.
Seeing Gion in her current state, Arton couldn't help but snap a photo for his diary.
[Photo: The disheveled Vice Admiral—Gion.]
Peacock: "Is that... Vice Admiral Gion? Why is she with Arton?"
Whitey Bay: "The Navy's Vice Admiral found Arton before us? Is she also a holder of the diary copy?"
Charlotte Smoothie: "Should I say as expected of the Navy, to find Arton first?"
Black Maria: "Sorry to say, this Vice Admiral seems quite troubled."
Monet: "Arton managed to corner a Navy Vice Admiral to this extent?! Does that mean he can now rival our young master?!"
Tashigi: "How could it be, Vice Admiral Gion failed?!"
Meanwhile, on the other side of Syrup Village Island, Uta and Carina saw the content on the diary and exchanged glances. They then put aside their tasks and hurried towards Arton's location.
***
Enjoyed the chapters? Read 20 chapters ahead on Patreon
PATREON.COM/METARLN
500 power stones = 1 extra chapter