One Piece: I Can Repel Everything

"But now that you mention it, you've moved fast. I bet you'll be a Shichibukai before long."

Chris went on to tell her about the more important developments: his partnership with the Vinsmoke Family, the treasure map left by the great pirate Rocks...

After listening to him, Momousagi shook her head, a wistful look on her exquisite face.

"You've been through so much lately. There's enough to fill a book."

"Compared with you, I feel like I've accomplished nothing. I've barely made any progress."

Momousagi gave Chris a rueful smile. "Sakazuki hasn't had any assignments that would take him away, so I can only keep waiting."

"As for bringing people over to our side, I've been talking to Hina lately. I think there's a good chance she'll join us."

"She's quite strong. If she joins our side, she could be a tremendous help down the line."

Chris nodded in agreement. "Colonel Hina, wielder of the Cage-Cage Fruit. She's strong, all right, and has plenty of potential."

"Once you become an Admiral, you can promote her. She'd make a Vice Admiral easily."

Momousagi then brought him up to date on her side of things.

They stuck to what mattered, without wasting a word.

"We can't talk for too long. Let's leave it there."

Chris looked at Momousagi. "No more meeting in person. If anything comes up, call me. It'll be safer."

Momousagi nodded. "By the next time we talk, I'm sure you'll be a Shichibukai. I'll be waiting for the good news."

"I'm off."

The moment he finished speaking, he vanished without a trace.

Momousagi leaped down without hesitation and left as well...

Somewhere on the seas of the North Blue.

Eleven thirty at night.

Moonlight poured down like water, bathing the Chris in a glow so bright it was almost daylight.

The crew had all gone back to their rooms and turned in early.

With a soft whoosh, Chris appeared on deck without attracting the lookout's attention.

He was about to head off and resume his training.

Then he noticed a beautiful woman standing at the bow.

It was the gentle, graceful Reiju.

After a moment's thought, Chris put off his training and walked over to her.

Someone as lovely and kind as she was worth taking a little time to check on.

If he hadn't seen her, that would have been that. But now that he had, he could at least ask how she was doing.

Reiju was so lost in thought that she didn't even hear his footsteps.

"Something on your mind? Why are you still up?"

Chris asked as calmly as ever.

Reiju came back to herself, alarm flashing across her breathtaking face.

She smoothed her pink hair, turned slowly, and said with a strained smile, "I couldn't sleep, so I came out to look at the moon."

"Chris, did you just get back?"

Click!

Chris stood beside Reiju and lit a cigarette. Gazing ahead, he said, "I just got back. I saw you here and came over to check on you."

"So tell me. What's bothering you?"

Reiju knew Chris smoked.

He rarely did, though, so she hadn't seen him do it often.

A strong man looked handsome no matter what he did.

And Chris, smoking beneath the moonlight...

He was incredibly handsome!!

On top of that, this man who lived for training had come over to check on her and ask how she was doing.

Reiju was deeply touched. As she looked at Chris, her beautiful eyes shone.

A faint smile rose unbidden on her flawless face, making her look lovelier than ever...

(Everyone, the picture above is of Hina. I won't say much about her now; she'll come up again later. And as for why Reiju appears here, it's simply because I really like this gentle older woman, so I gave her this scene (*￣︶￣).)

"It's nothing. I just couldn't sleep, so I came out for some air."

Resting her hands on the railing, Reiju lifted her head toward the boundless night sky and murmured, "The moon is so beautiful tonight. I could gaze at it forever."

Chris took a drag and tried a different tack. He shrugged. "Fair enough. You're not one of my crew, so I have no right to pry."

"We're partners. It makes sense to keep some things to ourselves."

There was no way Reiju's flustered expression had escaped him.

It had made him curious. Something was clearly troubling her, enough to keep her awake at night.

If she had been anyone else, Chris would have turned and left. If she didn't want to talk, fine.

But he had patience for Reiju. He was willing to hear what was bothering her.

At that, Reiju grew flustered and hurried to explain.

"That's not true. I'm part of this ship too. It isn't like you said."

Reiju shot him a look. "You know, I thought all you cared about was training and that you didn't understand people at all."

"Turns out you know exactly how to get someone talking. Now I'd feel bad if I didn't tell you."

Chris exhaled a stream of smoke and looked at the beautiful woman beside him. A rare, faint smile crossed his face. "Go on. I'm listening."

Reiju smoothed her hair, lowered her head slightly, and began to explain.

"It started with Oliford."

"After we wiped out the White Ghost Pirates, I reported what happened."

Reiju glanced up at Chris, then looked out to sea. Sounding a little embarrassed, she said, "After that, my father had a great deal to say."

"He said that once you became a Shichibukai, he wanted the Vinsmoke Family to arrange a marriage with you."

"That's the gist of it."

Chris fell silent. At last, he understood.

It didn't surprise him.

Judge was too coldhearted. If it would fulfill his lifelong ambition of ruling the North Blue, he would do anything.

He wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice his own children.

So it was hardly surprising that Reiju had been chosen as a sacrifice for the family.

It was deeply unfair to her, but what could she do?

Chris breathed out a plume of smoke, then turned to Reiju with a serious expression. "Your father has lost his mind."

"He'd give up anything to rule the North Blue."

"He's seen what I can do and chosen to work with me. He's pinned all his hopes on me."

"So for the sake of that goal, he'll listen to me and support me unconditionally."

Chris took a drag and reassured her. "You don't need to worry. Once I become a Shichibukai, I'll talk to him. I promise he'll listen."

"Honestly, I think you have a good life here. Unlike in Germa, you have friends who care about you, and there's always something new happening."

"Why think so far ahead? Stay here, put your mind at ease, and enjoy yourself."

Chris flicked his cigarette butt into the sea and shrugged. "As long as Judge wants to rule the North Blue, he'll keep you here. He won't send you back to that cold place."

"It all sounds pretty good to me. I don't understand what's troubling you."

Chris truly cared about Reiju. Anyone could see it.

When had he ever said so much?

Never!!

And the reason was simple: Reiju was a wonderful woman. That was all.

It clicked.

After hearing Chris out, Reiju's eyes grew bright.

Everything suddenly made sense to her.

Her worries vanished, replaced by a rush of joy.

She looked at the man beside her with a feeling she couldn't quite name. It was complicated, impossible to put into words.

In the end, it became a sweet smile. Her eyes curved as she said, "Chris, I'm suddenly a little sleepy. I think I'll go get some rest."

"You should rest soon too. Don't keep training so late, all right?"

From the joy in Reiju's voice, Chris knew her worries were gone and her good mood had returned.

"It's too early for me to sleep. I'll train a little longer, then turn in."

"Now go on. Staying up late is terrible for your skin!"

Reiju looked at Chris and blinked, happiness filling her beautiful face.

"I'm going to bed, then. Good night~~"

She headed toward her room with a spring in her step. Her mood was plain to see.

Chris watched her go for a while before heading straight to the Training Room...

Four days later.

"Report!"

"Good news, everyone! We've entered the East Blue! Good news..."

The lookout's call rang out, loud and brimming with excitement.

The lookout knew this was their last sea. Once they finished sailing through the East Blue, they would enter the most mysterious sea of all.

The Grand Line!!

At the news, the entire crew erupted, shouting at the tops of their lungs.

"Whoa! We finally made it to the last sea!!"

"I'm so excited I want to punch somebody! Who's volunteering?"

"Get lost! Why don't you punch yourself in the face?"

"Ahh, I'm too excited! Can't take it. I'm going to take a leak."

"Enough talking! Jump up and start dancing, all of you!"

"Could you people stop shoving me? Damn it!!"

(I like Reiju so much that I wrote a little extra about her. Hope you'll forgive me! And we've finally reached the last sea. What will happen here? Things are about to get exciting. After all, everyone knows the East Blue well. The show is about to begin, so stay tuned ︿(￣︶￣)︿.)