Kaido stood on the ship's railing, his whole body wrapped in bandages. His face was covered in bruises, and a cut at the corner of his mouth had yet to fully heal.
But in a way, his sorry state also served as indirect proof that he hadn't slacked off during Rocks's training sessions.
"Whoa, Kaido! Haven't seen you in days. I've missed you." Standing on the deck below, Ron tilted his head up and waved to him.
Kaido scowled, folding his arms across his chest, and clicked his tongue irritably. "Ron, I could let it slide that Linlin didn't take me, but we're practically brothers. And you didn't take me either."
"Brotherhood lives in the heart. Don't be mad. I brought you some local specialties." Ron smiled as he soothed Kaido.
Standing behind Ron, Linlin shot him a suspicious glance at that. Local specialties? When did he get those? How come I don't know about it?
"Local specialties?" Kaido paused, his tense shoulders relaxing a little, as though thinking, Fine, at least you have some conscience.
"Ta-da!"
Like a magician, Ron turned around, grabbed a child beside him, and held him high for Kaido to see. "Like him? If you do, he's yours, Kaido!"
Linlin: "..."
She knew it. That bastard Ron was full of dirty tricks.
Bonk!
Before Kaido could speak, Linlin gave Ron a light, irritated knock on the head, then said darkly, "You idiot, put Oven down right now! Is he yours to give away?"
"Heh heh heh." Ron chuckled and gently set the child back on the ground.
"Hee hee hee!" Annika stood on the upper deck, covering her mouth as she laughed.
Sure enough, the Rocks Pirates only had these warm, cheerful moments after Lord Ron came back. The rest of the time, they were