As Long as You Like Me, I Can Grow Stronger

Sunlight filtered through the window, spilling across Kane's muscular chest and waking him from his slumber.

Opening his eyes, Kane moved Robin's slender arm—which was giving off a faint floral scent—away from his neck, and with a thought, a glowing screen materialized before him.

[Nico Robin's affection level has reached 93, allowing the third ability duplication to begin.]

[Please choose one of the following abilities to duplicate:]

[1. Paramecia Devil Fruit - Flower-Flower Fruit (Development Level: 47%)]

[2. Ancient Text (Mastery)]

[3. Painting skills and artistic appreciation (Unique style)]

[4...]

[Note: Ability 1 has already been duplicated twice. Duplicating it again will only increase the development level by a small amount. Please consider carefully.]

Was there even any need to consider this?

Without hesitation, Kane chose option one again and then opened his own status panel.

[Douglas Kane]

[Duplicated Abilities:]

[Zoan - Bat-Bat Fruit (Development Level: 61%)]

[Paramecia - Flower-Flower Fruit (Development Level: 82%)]

[Six Powers (Fully Mastered)]

[Armament Haki (Proficient)]

[Observation Haki (Proficient)]

[Giant Strength]

Feeling the newly added ability within his body, Kane nodded with satisfaction.

When he first time-traveled to the world of pirates, he actually landed in Ohara right as it was about to be destroyed by the Buster Call, almost scaring him out of his wits.

Although he managed to escape with Nico Robin at the risk of his life, he got separated from her just as he awakened his system, and their reunion didn't happen until ten years later.

Thinking back over the past decade, Kane sighed softly, increasingly feeling that to live a decent life in this world ruled by violence, increasing one's strength was the fundamental solution.

Unfortunately, his cheat only worked on the opposite sex, and he only got a chance to copy someone's ability for every 30 points of affection gained, which imposed quite heavy restrictions.

Since powerful female characters in the pirate world were truly hard to find, he had no choice but to join the Marines where powerhouses gathered, taking the opportunity of going to Marine Headquarters for training to frantically farm affection from those powerful female Marines.

Fortunately, he was handsome and emotionally intelligent, successfully farming the Six Powers, Haki, and Giant Strength.

However, while he managed to get his hands on that power, his reputation among male Marines stank, especially among young field-grade male Marines, who viewed him as a thorn in their side.

After all, female Marines were already scarce to begin with, and a handsome, smooth-talking guy like Kane kept trying to cozy up to them, so how could they not resent him?

"Hmph..."

A soft murmur interrupted Kane's thoughts, and the fair arm that Kane had just moved away wrapped itself around his neck once again.

Following the slender arm, a pretty face rested in the crook of Kane's arm, her long hair, shining with a deep blue luster amidst the jet black, spread out like satin.

And amidst the strands of hair, a pair of deep blue eyes shimmered with crystal-clear moisture, and Kane could even see his own reflection within them.

Unlike the calm and reserved Robin who joined the Straw Hat Pirates ten years later, the Robin of today had become lively and spirited after Kane unknotted her heart, and her thoughts would be written directly on her face when the two of them were together.

Just like now, she gazed at Kane with a pout, her pink lips lightly pressed together as if she firmly believed that if Kane didn't speak, she wouldn't say a word either.

"How did you sleep?"

Kane gently used his finger to brush away a strand of hair blocking Robin's view.

"Terrible!"

Robin let out a huff, yet she rested her leg on Kane's stomach, rubbing it back and forth against his well-defined abdominal muscles.

"You weren't saying that last night..."

"Hey! You're not allowed to say that!"

Robin blushed with shyness and embarrassment, hurriedly reaching out to block Kane's mouth, only for him to dodge it with a chuckle.

Immediately afterward, the world seemed to spin, and when she came to her senses, she was already pinned beneath Kane.

"What... what are you doing?"

Robin looked nervous; Kane's gaze was burning hot.

"Though I'm tempted, unfortunately, now isn't the time."

"Get lost! Who asked... asked you about that!"

Kane's gaze wandered uninhibitedly over Robin's body, flicking her on the forehead with his finger before getting up to walk to the window and stretching lazily, letting the warm sunlight wash over him.

On the bed behind him, Robin looked up.

She saw Kane standing against the light, his tall and muscular body resembling a sculpture meticulously carved by an artist, casting a shadow that radiated vibrant life energy, enveloping Robin like an embrace.

When I picked him up ten years ago, he was clearly still just a little brat...

The image of young Kane frantically carrying her on his back through her memories surfaced in her mind, gradually merging with the man before her, and Robin smiled unconsciously.

She lazily propped herself up, the blanket sliding smoothly off her body, unconcerned even as it exposed her charms, thinking that he had already seen it all long ago anyway.

Recalling the scene of her reunion with Kane three months ago, it felt in a daze as if it were a lifetime ago.

At the time, she was driven to a dead end while being hunted by bounty hunters, with no choice but to hide in the warehouse of a Marine Branch base, only to pass out from a combination of injuries and illness.

When she woke up, she found herself in the home of a Marine lieutenant commander, and that Marine lieutenant commander was none other than Kane, who had parted ways with her ten years ago in order to cover her escape.

Then, she spent three carefree months under Kane's meticulous care.

Last night, when Kane pushed a birthday cake in front of her and hummed a birthday song for her, she suddenly found her heart beginning to beat wildly.

After tremulously making a wish, Robin closed her eyes and chugged a bottle of red wine, then, fueled by the alcohol, lunged at Kane.

Yet this man who could play with an adult giant bear like an ant was easily tackled by her.

Thinking back on the absurdity and madness of last night, this guy had simply let himself be tackled on purpose!

Robin resentfully bit Kane with her gaze, stood up, walked behind him, and wrapped her slender, soft arms around his waist.

The warm touch of skin against skin instantly filled her heart, and Robin couldn't help trembling slightly, yet felt a wave of peace.

The warm and fragrant softness against his back made Kane's heart race, and just as he was about to turn around and mete out punishment, Robin giggled and ran into the bathroom, leaving him with a lively, graceful back view.

Just as Kane was about to chase after her, the loud sound of a horn rang out from outside the window.

Kane looked outside, and in the broad, overlooking field of vision, a warship appeared on the horizon, its hull marked with its unique serial number.

Kane activated Robin's ability, and his eyes appeared on a seagull soaring through the sky.

After adapting for a moment to the strange sensation brought by the new perspective, Kane saw the warship's serial number, as well as the slender figure standing on the deck.

"Hina? You're early."

Kane turned his head and shouted into the bathroom, "My dear lieutenant, get ready quickly, it's time to welcome the superior officer!"

"Pervert! I... I don't want to!"

Kane paused, his expression odd as he said, "I meant the superior officer from Marine Headquarters has arrived, are you misunderstanding something?"

There was a moment of silence in the bathroom, followed by Robin's embarrassed and vexed denial, "...I did not!"

Kane laughed heartily and neatly put on his Marine uniform.

Robin also walked out of the bathroom wearing a female Marine uniform, having completely changed her appearance.

Her hair had turned into brown loose waves, her fair face gained some freckles, her deep facial features became soft, and her dark blue eyes were concealed by a pair of wide, amber-tinted round glasses.

Robin quietly draped Marine's Justice coat over Kane's shoulders, wearing an expression of nonchalance with only her earlobes burning red, clearly still feeling embarrassed and awkward about what had just happened.

The two walked out of the room and arrived at the port of the Marine base, where neatly lined-up Marines snapped to attention and saluted in unison.

"Hello, sir!"

"Good day, Lieutenant Carina!"

Kane waved casually, draped his arm over the neck of a sergeant at the front of the formation, and asked with a chuckle:

"I'm about to be transferred, are you guys happy?"

The sergeant answered loudly and earnestly, "You are our most beloved—"

"Cut the crap!" Kane hooked his arm tightly around the sergeant's neck. "You're about to crack a smile, give me the truth."

The sergeant pursed his lips, his cheeks and chin twitching uncontrollably, until he finally gave up the fight as a smile bloomed across his face, snapping a salute and shouting:

"Sir, yes, sir! Living to see the day you scram is the happiest thing in my life!"

"To celebrate escaping your clutches, we're going to hold a banquet..."

"Bastard! You're not even calling me to your banquet? Go to the ocean and reflect on yourself!"

Kane kicked the sergeant into the sea with a flying kick, turned to look at the Marines desperately holding back their laughter, cracked his knuckles, and grinned ferociously:

"And you lot, looks like you're all ready to take a beating!"

The crowd of Marines couldn't hold it in any longer, bursting into uninhibited laughter one after another.

"The tyrant is finally going to scram!"

"Lousy superior, don't think we're scared of you!"

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku will kick your ass for us!"

"Brothers, all together! Avenge the sergeant!"

Without even waiting for Kane to make a move, the crowd hollered and swarmed forward, only to be kicked into the sea by Kane one by one.

Robin, disguised as Carina, wore a bookish look as she stood quietly to the side, a smile unconsciously tugging at the corner of her mouth.

Amidst the laughter and commotion, the huge warship docked into the port. However, before the Marines on board could even toss out the mooring lines, a figure leapt down from the bow and charged aggressively straight at Kane!

The crowd looked over in astonishment, seeing that the newcomer was a tall and curvaceous beauty, her pink hair and coat fluttering wildly in the wind, with a pair of long, well-proportioned legs.

Her fair hand formed into a fist, heading straight for Kane, and while she was still mid-air, the fierce wind she kicked up was already washing over their faces!

"That's great! It's Colonel Hina!"

"Colonel Hina is the best!"

"Kick that bastard lieutenant colonel's ass!"

The Marines whom Kane kicked into the sea shouted and hollered, a few of them even having their eyes turn into the shape of pink hearts.

Kane watched Hina descending from the sky, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he raised a palm covered in Armament Haki to block in front of him.

Bang!

Fist and palm collided with a massive roar, and the fierce wind bursting forth between the two of them made their coats snap loudly in the gale.

The base's Marines were instantly dumbfounded and exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes nearly popping out of their heads.

Kane still wore a smiling expression, silently gazing at the expressionless Hina, while a line of text was written on the light screen only he could see.

[Hina, Affection: 29]

Three points higher than their last meeting...