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...
Gion, looking at the tightly bound Z and the others, asked Noir, "How long was I asleep?"
Noir thought for a moment. "About six or seven hours. I'm pretty tired myself, to be honest."
Puff nodded. The Captain's new ability was like hypnosis; it was impossible to wake anyone up from it.
Gion sighed, a strange undertone in her voice. "Only that long…?"
Noir yawned, puzzled. "Why... aren't you afraid of me?"
Gion scoffed, her voice filled with confidence. "You may be conceited, narcissistic, and reckless, but you wouldn't harm a female enemy."
Noir was taken aback. How did I not know that about myself?
He'd faced plenty of female opponents in his time, and it seemed…
Huh. I really haven't killed any of them.
With a stern expression, Noir summoned the cursed blade, Devil Blade, from The Underworld. He pointed the tip at Gion's nose. "Well, then, you can be the first!"
Gion rolled her eyes and then abruptly lunged towards the blade.
Noir's hand jerked in surprise, and Devil Blade's trajectory shifted, slicing off a few strands of Gion's long hair.
Gion reached out a delicate hand and flicked the blade. Without missing a beat, she retorted,
"I know everything about that little thing of yours. Don't try to scare me with your sword tricks!"
Noir shuddered, clutching his groin and hiding behind Puff. "What's going on?!"
Puff's expression was a mix of surprise and concern. Then, with a dramatic flourish, he cried, "Captain! You'll break Robin's heart!"
Noir's face flushed. "Nonsense! There's nothing going on between us!"
But Puff, usually so reliable, continued his theatrical lament, as if suddenly enlightened.
"I left for half an hour last night to make coffee for the Captain, and that's when you…!"
Noir exploded. "What the hell are you talking about?! Do you think I have time to even draw my gun in half an hour?!"
Gion nodded in agreement. "He's quite… energetic, though."
Noir almost dropped to his knees and begged. "Lady, when did we become so close?"
Gion pushed Noir's head away, laughing. "Don't worry about it."
Though she spoke lightly, a hint of sadness lingered in Gion's eyes.
She had known all along that it was an illusion, but she had been reluctant to wake up, clinging to the dream of a man who loved only her.
Now, Noir stood before her, but they were enemies. The chance for love between them was likely gone.
This kind of cheesy plot would get ripped apart by readers if it were in a novel…
A love meant to last forever wasn't something one could easily discard, even if it was just a dream.
That was why Gion's gaze seemed so peculiar to Noir, making him want to run for the hills.
Puff looked at Noir like he was looking at a scumbag who'd abandoned his responsibilities after having his fun.
Gion stretched languidly, flaunting her impressive figure in front of Noir without a hint of shyness. "So, what are you going to do? Keep me locked up here?"
Noir put on a fierce expression. "Of course! I'm going to ransom you and the others to the Marines."
Gion shrugged, unfazed.
Showing no fear, she walked over to Z and sat down next to the captive Marines.
Noir stared at her, a headache forming. Why does my Bewitching Eyes suddenly feel so useless?
Gion's understanding of him was unnervingly deep. She seemed to know his thoughts and desires almost better than his own mother, Bell-mère.
She's like a walking Anti-Noir weapon…
Noir, fuming, turned to leave with Puff. As he reached the door, Gion called out,
"Remember to send some food! I want steak."
Noir, who had just calmed down, nearly exploded again. Why should I treat you like royalty?!
No way! You could rip out both my kidneys, and I still wouldn't!
"Hurry up, darling~," Gion purred, sending him a seductive smile.
Noir slammed the door shut, burying his face in his hands, and groaned to Puff, "Prepare her meal…"
Puff nodded seriously. Given the current situation, they couldn't afford to neglect her dietary needs.
If.. by some miracle, they achieved a perfect ten, they needed to be prepared to welcome their Captain.
I need to look up recipes for pregnant women…
Noir, watching Puff hurry away, was too tired to explain. He addressed the System in his mind.
"This Bewitching Eyes is too powerful. Isn't this ability kind of messing with people's emotions?"
The System's calm, mechanical voice responded,
"The host within the Bewitching Eyes Illusion is the real you. There's no difference."
"The illusion only changes the host's background and allegiance, allowing Gion to interact with you without any burdens or reservations."
"Therefore, if Gion develops feelings for you within the illusion, those feelings are for the true you, regardless of your allegiance."
"If, upon returning to reality, she overcomes the differences in your allegiances and still harbors genuine feelings for you, then the illusion played no part in her affection."
Noir nodded thoughtfully. He hadn't expected to receive a lesson on love from the System.
"System.. Bro, do you have a cyber girlfriend?" Noir asked with a mischievous grin.
The System fell silent. Noir waited, but no response came, leaving an awkward silence.
Noir shrugged. Fine, be that way, you single-system-forever…
The night passed with its usual hustle and bustle. The Underworld Pirates soon awoke.
Noir took the opportunity to introduce the newest member, the recently recruited Admiral Fujitora.
Seeing Noir's respect for the Admiral, the older crew members felt a twinge of jealousy.
Enel, self-proclaimed God and lightning enthusiast, was the first to express his displeasure. He glared at Fujitora with undisguised annoyance.
He just summons harmless meteors, and he's a blind swordsman. Why does he get treated better than me?
Noticing Enel's glare, Noir grinned mischievously. "If you're not convinced, why don't you have a little spar with Fujitora?"
Enel, easily provoked, immediately accepted the challenge.
The two stepped out onto the spacious deck of Thriller Bark. The rest of the crew, eager for entertainment, followed suit.
Only Robin, who stayed by Noir's side, frowned, her sensitive nose twitching. She looked at him pointedly. "Who did you sleep with last night?"
Noir froze.
How was he supposed to explain this?
If he told the truth... he'd stared at a beautiful woman all night, done nothing, and then she woke up calling him "darling"?
That sounded… kind of creepy…
...
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