Hot Spring Chat

Milim curiously paced back and forth across Lingling's back. The sensation beneath her feet was something she had never experienced before—or rather, she had experienced it when she was little.

At that thought, a trace of unexpected nostalgia appeared in Milim's eyes.

But the novelty soon wore off, and Milim lost interest.

Feeling bored, she simply leaped off Lingling's back.

After returning to the hot spring, Milim turned her attention back to the rabbit swimming on the inflatable ring.

Lingling, who had been enjoying herself, suddenly felt the weight on her back lighten. Just as she was about to open her eyes, the familiar pressure returned, and that pleasant feeling spread through her once more. Too lazy to pay it any further mind, she kept her eyes closed and continued to savor it.

The one standing on Lingling's back now was no longer Milim, but Ruka, whose face was flushed bright red.

She cautiously shifted her feet across Lingling's back, staring intently at Lingling's expression with her heart in her throat.

Only when she saw the blissful look on Lingling's face did Ruka seem to have opened the door to a new world. Her eyes were tense, yet they held a strange flicker of excitement.

Meanwhile, Milim lifted Rabbit Tank's inflatable ring and hurled it as far as she could.

Seeing this, Rabbit Tank paddled over with its four short, stubby legs, going tap tap tap through the water. It bumped the ring with its head and sent it back.

Milim threw with growing enthusiasm, while Rabbit Tank diligently retrieved it. The girl and rabbit tossed it back and forth, having a grand old time as their laughter carried far across the area.

Just then, Lingling, who had been wearing an expression of pure enjoyment, suddenly spoke. "Milim, there's something I'd like to ask of you."

"Hm?" Milim raised her head from the game and looked at Lingling in confusion, not understanding what she suddenly wanted to say.

Lingling still had her eyes closed. As she enjoyed the comfort on her back, she slowly said, "Many Countries is very close to the Calm Belt, and large numbers of Sea Kings often appear in our waters. Because of that, many of our merchant ships have been attacked by Sea Kings, resulting in particularly heavy losses."

"And the guards of Many Countries often lack the strength to fight those enormous Sea Kings."

"So?" Milim still did not understand what Lingling meant. There was nothing she could do about that, either. It wasn't as if Milim could go kill every Sea King in the ocean.

"Heh." Lingling chuckled softly. "Not long after I returned, I received word from Ruka that the Daughter's Country of the Nine Snake Pirates was willing to establish a commercial partnership with Many Countries."

"To show our sincerity, I've decided to send you to Nine Snake Island to meet their queen," Lingling said casually.

"I just got back, and now I have to leave again? And this has nothing to do with what you were just talking about, does it?" Milim grumbled, blowing bubbles in the spring water.

Lingling let out a low laugh. "Who said you had to go so soon? When you go depends on when you have the time."

"Besides, you have nothing to do staying in Many Countries anyway. Whenever you get bored, go take a look around Nine Snake Island."

"So I'm just going there to discuss a business alliance?" Milim furrowed her brows. Logically speaking, El should have been the one handling this sort of thing. He was more mature than Milim when it came to such matters.

"Of course not. The Daughter's Country is a nation where everyone possesses Armament Haki. Even women with weak constitutions can possess Armament Haki." Lingling's voice was not loud, but everyone could hear her clearly.

"So I believe Nine Snake Island must possess some method that lets people learn Haki more easily. Such a method is very important to Many Countries."

"I see, but why make it so troublesome? Why don't I just go over there, beat them up, and take it?" Milim could tell with her toes that this would definitely be a hassle.

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.

Lingling laughed. "We've only just made a fearsome name for ourselves out there. If we domineeringly steal something from Nine Snake Island now, what will people around the world think of us?"

"A bunch of bandits? A bunch of backwater pirates? The reputation we've built would take a huge hit."

"We acted before because the other side provoked Many Countries first, giving us reason to strike back. If we attack Nine Snake Island without any reason, then Many Countries would be the ones picking a fight."

"I see. I understand." Milim nodded to show that she got it.

"And what's the deal with that little brat named Bullet you brought back?" Lingling asked softly.

"Bullet?" Milim scooped Rabbit Tank, who was struggling in the water, into her arms. "He has the potential to reach Admiral-level strength."

"Oh!" Lingling was somewhat surprised, but she did not doubt Milim's words. "Then he really is a talent. We should keep a closer eye on him."

"No need. Bullet will be my disciple from now on." Milim immediately spoke up, afraid that the toy she had just acquired would run away.

"Oh? You actually want to teach a disciple?"

"So what? I want to."

"Fine, do whatever you want." Lingling sighed inwardly. Even so, she still needed to arrange for some people to keep watch over Bullet.

Milim's talent was simply too high, but precisely because of that, her path of growth had been nothing but constant training followed by becoming stronger and stronger.

If Bullet really trained the way Milim did, he might be worked to death within a few months.

After all, she was the sort who could smash mountains with her fists—first throwing a rock with all her strength, then dashing over like lightning to catch it securely.

She had even run around an island at full speed for three days and three nights. Not even Lingling herself could endure that kind of training volume.

Lingling could hardly imagine how miserable Bullet's future life would be.

After playing in the hot spring for a while, Milim soon put on a yukata and left. Lingling remained in the spring a while longer before leaving with Ruka.

After returning to her room, Milim used magic power to dry her soaked hair, then dried Rabbit Tank's dripping-wet fur as well.

Finally, Milim hugged Rabbit Tank and drifted off to sleep. Rabbit Tank struggled a few times in utter despair, but after realizing it could not break free, it also fell asleep.

Daylight seeped through gaps in the clouds, shining through the window onto Milim's sleeping face.

Milim slowly climbed out of bed, keeping her eyes closed as she fumbled for her toothbrush and washing supplies. Only after she had fully woken herself up did she open her eyes.

She put on the same clothes as usual, then lifted the covers and pulled out Rabbit Tank, who was sleeping beneath them. Holding it in her arms, she headed out.

After buying some breakfast, Milim wandered around while munching on a bun. Before she knew it, she had arrived outside Vegapunk's laboratory.

Since she was already here, Milim pushed open the laboratory's main doors, only to find another iron door forged from steel behind them.

Beside the iron door stood a scanning machine. Milim stepped in front of it, and it quickly scanned her face.

"Ding. Highest-level authorization confirmed. Milim has been granted access. Welcome to Vegapunk's laboratory."