Separation, Stirring Feelings

Inside the Kamui Dimension, Momousagi was utterly shocked, while Nangong Yan was brimming with excitement, his face even flushed with a faint red from it.

Nangong Yan was thrilled by the earth-shaking spectacle of Roger and Golden Lion's battle, by the desperate slaughter between the two great pirate crews, and by the calamity that seemed capable of destroying heaven and earth. How could such a grand stage possibly lack him?

Nangong Yan decided to raise his strength as quickly as possible and form a pirate crew of his own. Before the Great Pirate Era arrived, he would strive to fight each of the legendary pirates of the old era one by one, battle to his heart's content, and claim a territory of his own in the New World.

Having made up his mind, Nangong Yan could hardly wait to begin training. He no longer paid Momousagi any attention, using Kamui to leave the Edd War seas ravaged by disaster and return to Orange Island.

After returning to Orange Island, Nangong Yan summoned Pike. A spatial vortex appeared, and countless Beli poured from his right eye. "Here are three hundred million Beli. Take it, Pike. I'm planning to enter seclusion and train hard for a while."

"During this time, use the three hundred million Beli to win people over and thoroughly investigate every force in the New World for me. Then have a sturdy, reliable pirate ship built for me. If you handle things well, whatever money is left will be yours."

"When I come out of seclusion, it will be time to formally gather crew members and form my pirate crew. Make arrangements on Orange Island. Once I'm out, I'll come back here to find you."

"Do you understand?"

"I understand, Captain." Pike stared in shock at the densely piled Beli on the ground and hurriedly answered with respect.

"Good. Tell me, where in the New World is there an island with countless ferocious beasts, ever-changing weather, and an extremely high danger level? Don't hold back. Any place will do—the more dangerous the island, the better." Nangong Yan looked at Pike expectantly.

Pike pondered for a moment before replying with a solemn expression, "There are quite a few islands in the New World that fit your requirements, Captain, but the most dangerous one should be Divine Punishment Island, located within Whitebeard's territory."

"That island is as though it has been punished by the gods. The weather on it changes unpredictably. At times, blazing fire falls from the sky; at times, frost covers a thousand miles; at times, winds cut like blades; at times, the earth trembles violently."

"The extremely harsh weather on Divine Punishment Island has created all sorts of strange and dangerous plants. Its ground is as hard as iron, and it is filled with rare beasts and exotic creatures. There are even creatures from ancient times."

"After adapting to the harsh weather, these creatures mutated. Their bodies are incredibly powerful, and many of them possess special abilities."

"If one had to accurately describe the island's level of danger, then perhaps only legendary pirates could run wild there without restraint. Marine Admirals would have some guarantee of survival, while all other pirates risked perishing."

As Nangong Yan listened to Pike's description, the excitement on his face grew stronger and stronger. When Pike finished, Nangong Yan clapped his hands sharply and shouted, "That's the place! The more dangerous, the better. Hurry and bring me a sea chart to Divine Punishment Island."

Pike hesitated before trying to persuade him. "Captain, that place is too dangerous. I suggest you choose somewhere else."

"No, this is the one! Only by training between life and death can I improve my strength the fastest. Pike, you don't think I'm forming a pirate crew just to fool around, do you?"

"Every core member of my pirate crew will be an expert capable of standing on their own. Without sufficient strength, not only would I be unable to command them, I wouldn't even be qualified to recruit them."

"Don't slack off in improving your own strength while I'm gone, either. As the first person to follow me, I wouldn't want to see you fail to become a core member."

"My pirate crew will one day contend with the heroes of the New World for supremacy over the New World. Pike, work hard, hahaha..."

Nangong Yan laughed loudly and slapped Pike on the shoulder. Confidence and dominance radiated from his entire body, as if he were not currently little more than a commander without an army.

Infected by Nangong Yan's confidence and dominance, Pike smiled. He no longer tried to dissuade him, merely reminding him, "Then please be careful, Captain. I'll definitely handle everything you entrusted to me properly, improve my strength, and keep up with you."

"Good. Then I'll be leaving first. When we meet again, we'll drink and talk until we're completely drunk!"

"Farewell, Captain!"

Nangong Yan's body vanished into a spatial vortex and entered the Kamui Dimension. One matter was settled, but there was still another troublesome matter to deal with.

Momousagi had long recovered from her shock. At this moment, she was wandering aimlessly around the Kamui Dimension, seemingly searching for something.

"No need to keep looking. Without my permission, you won't find Kompira." Nangong Yan folded his arms and studied Momousagi, who was dressed in men's clothing, with interest.

"Hmph, I wasn't looking for it. I was just taking a casual stroll." Having been exposed, Momousagi's face reddened slightly, though she still wore a stubborn expression.

Nangong Yan merely smiled without saying anything, continuing to stare at her until goosebumps rose all over her body and her heart raced like a startled deer.

"You've held me captive for so long. How do you intend to deal with me?" Uncomfortable under Nangong Yan's gaze, Momousagi changed the subject. This was also something she desperately wanted to know.

"I'll deal with you however you want me to." Nangong Yan winked at Momousagi, his tone teasingly suggestive.

Momousagi shivered slightly, her scalp tingling. Yet for the sake of freedom, she still gathered her courage and said, "Of course I want you to release me, and return Kompira to me."

"No problem." Nangong Yan agreed without hesitation.

Nangong Yan had never intended to do anything to Momousagi in the first place. It was not only because she was beautiful, but also because they were not enemies in the truest sense.

Nangong Yan had always been clear about grudges and favors. In his mind, opponents, enemies, and sworn enemies were entirely different concepts. A sworn enemy was someone he would kill at all costs. No matter how sweet their words, unparalleled their beauty, or immense the benefits they offered, they would die. Enemies were different. There were many reasons to become enemies, the most common being opposing positions. An enemy could be killed or spared, depending entirely on his mood and whether they courted death. Opponents merely had a competitive relationship. They could remain strangers until death, become friends, or be killed or spared.

Pirates and Marines currently stood irreconcilably opposed, so Momousagi and Nangong Yan could be called enemies. Enemies could be killed or spared. Nangong Yan was in a good mood, and Momousagi had not courted death, so naturally he intended to spare her.

However, although he could let Momousagi go, Nangong Yan had always been the sort to take advantage and never suffer a loss. Releasing her for nothing was impossible. He had to get something in return.

After spending so much time with Nangong Yan, Momousagi had gained some understanding of him. She felt that he definitely would not be so generous.

Thus, Momousagi immediately asked warily, "What are your conditions? Don't go too far, or I'd rather stay here forever."

"What conditions? You really underestimate me, Yan. This is a naked insult to me."

"Really none?"

"None. But since I'm generously letting you go, our beautiful and kind Marine lady officer must feel bad about it. I presume you'll reward me with a deep, wet kiss." Nangong Yan gave a shameless grin, and Momousagi's face instantly darkened.

Momousagi's expression immediately shifted back and forth, turning red and pale as she fell into an intense internal struggle.

She knew this was Nangong Yan's condition. Though he kept claiming there was none, he was merely teasing her.

What should I do? Should I agree? That's my first kiss. How can I give it to this bastard?

But if I don't leave, I'll be trapped in this strange space forever. There's no chance at all of escaping. My family and friends must be so worried, and my strength will remain stagnant...

Most importantly, although this guy acts badly, he can barely be considered a gentleman. If one day his beastly urges flare up, without Kompira, I'm definitely no match for him. Especially those strange eyes of his—I could fall for his tricks if I'm not careful.

As she thought it over, Momousagi finally made her decision. Gritting her teeth and stomping her foot, she softly said, "Fine."

A faint delight appeared on Nangong Yan's face. He opened his arms and gestured with his head for Momousagi to come over.

"What are you doing? No hugging. I only agreed to that." Momousagi shook her head like a rattle-drum.

Nangong Yan's face darkened as he said coldly, "What kind of wet kiss in your house is just lips touching lips? Get over here. Since you agreed, show a proper attitude."

"Are you trying to numb a ghost? I'll give you three breaths. If you still don't straighten out your attitude, then stay here forever. In the future, I'm afraid the only living creature you'll ever see will be me."

"One."

"Three..."

"The agreement is void—"

Momousagi had not expected Nangong Yan to completely ignore the usual order. He jumped straight to three after one, catching her off guard.

The moment she heard the word "agreement," she panicked. She immediately used Soru from the Marine Six Powers, her figure vanishing in an instant. The next moment, she appeared in Nangong Yan's arms and sealed his lips, preventing the word "void" from leaving his mouth.

Heh, women! You really have to put some pressure on women, or they'll start opening dye shops. As for what color they end up dyed, that depends on their fate. If their fate is bitter, they'll turn green. Nangong Yan mocked inwardly, while saying aloud in a teasing tone, "So this is what you like? I really couldn't tell normally."

Hearing Nangong Yan's words, Momousagi's face, already red from throwing herself into his arms, became even redder. It was as if a piece of red cloth soaked in boiling water was about to bleed color. She instinctively wanted to explain herself, but could only make muffled sounds. Her shimmering eyes were opened wide.

That was because Nangong Yan suddenly kissed Momousagi's soft cherry lips, swallowing all her words at once. Taking advantage of her surprise before she could close her mouth, Nangong Yan's tongue immediately slipped inside, entering her warm, moist mouth carrying a faint minty fragrance, chasing and teasing Momousagi's rosy little tongue.

Only after Momousagi came to her senses did she realize her defenses had been completely breached and every line had collapsed. Her tongue had been wrapped and sucked by a rough, large tongue, her entire body was weak and unable to muster any strength, and heat spread through her body. She had even unconsciously wrapped her arms around his neck.

Momousagi could hardly believe that she had actually made such a gesture.

That deep, wet kiss lasted for a full quarter of an hour. Momousagi's eyes were dazed, her body limp as she could only cling to Nangong Yan's neck to steady herself, while her soft pink lips were slightly red and swollen.

Nangong Yan activated his Mangekyo Sharingan. His ocular power surged as he retrieved Kompira and took out some Beli as well. Holding Momousagi around the waist, he summoned a spatial vortex, and their figures vanished from the Kamui Dimension.

Nangong Yan and Momousagi appeared by the sea. As the sea breeze blew, Momousagi immediately regained her senses. Her face flushed crimson as she released her arms and stood prettily by the shore.

"Here is your Kompira, and there's some Beli as well. You're a woman, after all. It wouldn't be good for you to return dressed as a man. Go buy yourself a set of clothes. Consider it compensation from me."

"Ms. Momousagi Gion, it was a pleasure meeting you. I was very happy during the time we spent together. Until we meet again!" Nangong Yan gently kissed Momousagi on the forehead, released the arm around her waist, and rose into the air. He transformed into a Golden Crow bathed in Solar True Flame, noble, mysterious, and domineering, before becoming a streak of golden light that vanished into the sky.

Momousagi stood there in a daze, her gaze complex as she watched that golden streak in the distance. Her heart felt somewhat unsettled.

What's going on? Why don't I hate him at all? He made me angry so many times and even took such a huge advantage of me... But this guy really is thoughtful. He even prepared Beli for me to buy clothes.