The steam was so thick it could not dissipate, like a layer of scalding living flesh writhing against the skin.
In the bathtub, Stussy's fingertips scraped away the caked-on filth from Adams's chest with a measured force.
"You handed the intelligence work to me. Aren't you afraid I might have thoughts against you? Or betray you?"
Her voice was somewhat muffled by the steam as her fingertips brushed across the silver-haired man's broad shoulder blades, neither too lightly nor too heavily.
Adams's massive body lay submerged in the warm bathwater, his head tilted back against the hard porcelain rim. He said comfortably,
"If I can't even trust my own woman, who can I trust?"
"You little pervert! Don't flatter yourself! I haven't agreed to anything yet."
Stussy spat, deliberately pressing hard against a bulging muscle on his shoulder. Water droplets splashed onto her slightly flushed cheeks.
A lazy curve tugged at Adams's lips. He raised a sturdy arm, sending up a spray of water, then casually draped it over the edge of the bathtub as he spoke with certainty.
"It'll happen sooner or later. You've already seen me, and now you came here on your own to do this. Other than me, who else can you choose?"
Steam swirled over Stussy's exquisite face, obscuring her expression. Only a soft snort came from her nose.
"Hmph, not necessarily. A woman's thoughts are very complicated."
Adams smiled but said nothing more.
The sound of water resumed. Only Stussy's hand moved in the silence, washing away the last stubborn traces of grime and revealing flawless skin beneath.
At last, the water fell still. Adams stood, using a thick towel to dry the droplets from his short silver hair before wiping across his sharply defined abs.
He dressed swiftly in a white shirt and trousers and was about to head for the door when he caught sight of the woman behind him, looking as if she wanted to speak but held herself back. He sighed and said leisurely,
"Say whatever you want. Don't keep it bottled up."
Silence fermented in the hot, humid air. Several seconds later, Stussy spoke in a voice that strained to remain calm but could not conceal the turmoil beneath it.
"I've always... always been curious. What exactly is your relationship with the doctor? Why did the doctor tell you about me?"
Adams turned around to face her fully, his back against the cold door.
"You've been holding those questions in for quite some time, haven't you? If I'm not mistaken, you were so proactive just now because of this too."
The complexity on Stussy's face vanished in an instant, replaced by her familiar smile. She lazily leaned over the bathtub's edge, resting her chin on her folded arms as ripples lapped at her chest.
"You saw right through me~ If you can grant your big sister this wish, becoming your woman... isn't impossible, you know~"
"Stop it. How many times have I told you not to use that stuff the World Government trained into you on me? I can tell whether you're genuinely interested or just testing me."
Adams's voice remained even as he exposed her directly.
He knew very well that the woman before him simply had unusually abundant emotions. Combined with the strange things Cipher Pol had instilled in her, that was why she had become like this.
He sighed silently to himself, then continued.
"If you want to know, I'll tell you. It isn't some shameful secret."
The seductive look on Stussy's face immediately collapsed. Pouting, she slid into the water like a deflated float, leaving only the area above her nose exposed as she muttered,
"Tch... What a bore. You fake-prudish little pervert. Go on, big sister's listening."
Leaning against the door, Adams's gaze seemed to pierce through the steam before him and the languid woman, reaching toward a more distant time and place.
Several months earlier, Ohara.
The ashes of the Buster Call had not yet fully faded. The air was thick with a nauseating burnt stench, and the massive Tree of Knowledge had been reduced to a few remnants pointing toward the sky, like the ribs of some colossal beast cleaved apart by heavenly fire.
High above Ohara, Adams used his power to create a miniature Floating Island. In addition to the scholars and books, it held a great deal of unburned living supplies. Just as everything was ready and he was about to move the Floating Island, someone suddenly called out to him—
"Wait, little Adams!"
An old yet still powerful voice rang out. Dr. Clover wore a solemn expression mingling grief and urgency.
"Could you... wait here a little longer? I have an old friend... He might come here... to 'mourn' me. Before I leave, I want to see him once."
Adams understood at once. He knew who this friend was and nodded without hesitation.
"No problem."
More than two agonizing months passed soundlessly above the sea of clouds.
At last, off the northwestern coast, a huge, somewhat clumsy sailing ship slowly approached the silent shore.
When the ship docked, Saul, his body wrapped all over in bandages, was the first to step onto the beach. Several Giant companions carrying salvage tools followed behind him.
"Please go to the lake at the center of the island and salvage the books. I'm counting on you all."
He pleaded with his companions.
The other Giants answered and headed toward the center of the island.
Saul remained alone on the shore. Through the gaps in his bandages, his eyes stared fixedly at the coastline filled with memories. His huge body trembled slightly before it finally turned into a heavy sigh that nearly shattered the air.
He raised his foot, preparing to walk toward the center of the island that bore his deepest despair.
"I've finally met you, Saul."
A clear young voice suddenly descended from high overhead without warning.
Saul's massive body tensed abruptly. He instantly looked up, beastlike vigilance flaring in his eyes. His muscles swelled, nearly tearing apart the bandages.
"Who?!"
Adams slowly descended, hovering several meters above the ground.
"Don't be nervous. I'm the friend Robin mentioned."
"Why should I believe you?!"
Saul had already clenched his enormous fist, his knuckles cracking dully.
Adams understood this battered vigilance.
"Come up with me and take a look. You'll understand naturally."
He said no more. An invisible force instantly enveloped Saul's massive body. His enormous form was lifted effortlessly from the ground, shooting upward through the clouds.
When the full sight of the miniature Floating Island and the familiar faces upon it came into Saul's view, his steel-like vigilance crumbled at once.
His huge body shook violently. His taut nerves suddenly slackened, as though all strength had been drained from him. Tears silently welled up, washing away the grime along the edges of his bandages.
After an excited, incoherent conversation, Adams sent Saul back to the shore.
By then, the Giant companions had returned and were complaining as they looked at their empty hands.
"Saul, we couldn't salvage anything at all! There's nothing in the water!"
Saul took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions in his heart, and let out his signature laugh.
"Dereshishishi! I got it wrong! Sorry! I'll treat you all to as much drink as you want later, to make it up to you!"
The lure of good liquor temporarily suppressed his companions' doubts. After a few mutters about him being unreliable, the group boarded the sailing ship and slowly departed from this place of sorrow.
TO BE CONTINUED