Near Cactus Island – At Sea
"Captain Reno of the Reno Pirates, is it…?"
A mysterious woman sat atop the shell of a massive turtle, gazing at a wanted poster with narrowed eyes. A dangerous glint flashed in her gaze.
Beside her stood the Unluckies—the otter and the vulture—watching in silence.
"Go report back to the boss," the woman commanded. "Anyone who can subdue Miss Valentine… shouldn't be underestimated."
Without a sound, the turtle turned and began swimming toward Alabasta at full speed.
—
Back at the makeshift stronghold—
The chaos of battle had finally settled.
With a warm pulse of healing light, Kaya restored Igaram to full health. Now back on his feet, the royal guard busied himself organizing the mess left behind.
Meanwhile, Nami tilted her head curiously.
"That sea otter earlier… it can draw?"
Valentine answered honestly, "They're the Unluckies—Baroque Works' messengers and enforcers. Whatever they witnessed here… it's going straight back to the boss."
She grew visibly anxious.
"That means stronger agents will be coming after us soon."
"The boss won't let this go."
Valentine's voice trembled slightly. She might've been Mr.5's partner, but she knew very well… there were four agents above them, each deadlier than the last.
Especially Mr.1, the infamous assassin who killed without blinking.
If he made a move...
—
"Don't worry."
Vivi rested her head gently against Reno's arm, her tone full of conviction.
"With Reno-nii here, I know we'll be fine."
"...Crocodile?" Valentine blinked. "Wait, who's Crocodile?!"
She froze.
Isn't that the Warlord of the Sea?
Why was Vivi suddenly dropping his name?!
Her brain clicked into place a beat too late.
"W-Wait a minute… you're saying the boss—our boss—is actually Crocodile?!"
"Of course. You didn't know?" Vivi asked innocently, tilting her head.
WTF.
How would I know that?! Valentine screamed internally.
—
Reno chuckled, watching Valentine's mental collapse.
"Crocodile's bounty is a few hundred million at best," he said with a shrug. "And he doesn't have Haki."
His casual tone made it sound like Crocodile was nothing but a minor inconvenience.
Reno then turned to Nami.
"Which means… you might actually be able to beat him."
"Ehh?!"
Nami looked stunned, pointing to herself. "Me? Really?"
"You've got Conqueror's Haki and the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. He's just a Logia with sand and no Haki."
Reno's words made things click immediately for Nami.
She could hit him. He couldn't hit her.
Advantage: her.
—
Kaya and the others immediately clung to Nami dramatically, feigning helplessness.
"Nami~ we're counting on you!"
"Please save us from the scary sand man!"
Nami sighed at her sisters-in-arms being absolute drama queens.
She placed her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow.
"Relax," she smirked.
"As long as Reno's around, we'll be just fine."
She stuck her tongue out at him playfully.
Reno shook his head in amusement.
"Rest up for now. Once the Log Pose is charged, we're heading to the next island."
—
9:00 PM
The Eternal Pose finished recording one hour later than expected.
Reno gathered the crew—Nami, Tashigi, Vivi, Nojiko, Kaya, Makino, Karumen, and now Miss Valentine—and returned to the Going Merry.
That made eight women.
Igaram had already set off for Alabasta with the old Eternal Pose to inform King Cobra.
Reno didn't mind one bit.
Fewer men on his ship = better.
Besides, their next stop was to recruit Golden Week.
As for Alabasta… it was already falling apart. A little delay wouldn't change anything.
The only unexpected twist was Robin—she hadn't appeared at Whiskey Peak as she did in the original story.
Strange.
Little did he know, Robin had already reviewed their bounties.
She instantly recognized both Reno and Nami.
300 million? 500 million? That wasn't the point.
Reno had real strength. Nami wielded lightning.
Robin knew better than to get involved.
She ran.
—
Under the moonlit sky, laughter echoed from the deck as the Merry lifted off once again.
After dinner, the other girls conveniently excused themselves.
That left Miss Valentine alone, nervously pacing in her room.
She'd never been on a ship with so many women. It felt… weird.
And just as she was closing the door—
Click.
Reno stepped inside behind her.
—
"C-Captain, d-do you need something…?" she asked, heart pounding.
"You're not a child, Valentine. Don't play dumb."
"You and I. In a room. At night. What do you think I'm here for?"
The door clicked shut behind him.
Valentine flinched.
So direct?! On the first night?!
Reno didn't waste time. His hand moved toward her.
Her breath hitched.
—
But then she bit her lip, eyes firming with resolve.
She'd betrayed Crocodile. She had no backup now.
Her only way forward—was Reno.
Miss Valentine tore off her hat, lifted one leg, and slammed her foot into the wall behind him.
A textbook wall-pin.
Her sultry voice whispered in his ear.
"Captain... please take care of me."
📖 To be continued...
If you're enjoying Reno's crew conquest and pirate chaos, don't forget to like, bookmark, and drop some love to keep this ship sailing!