Chapter 623 - 852 – Conis, Can You Still Hold On?

Ain knew her own situation perfectly well. Ever since she learned about Teacher Zephyr's future, she had wanted to join Arton's pirate crew no matter what and obtain the power to change that future.

Kalifa was in a similar situation, and her own future was just as grim. Ain figured that since she herself had wanted to cling tightly to Arton after seeing glimpses of the future, there was a good chance Kalifa felt the same way.

And judging by the affection Arton had shown for Kalifa in his diary, it probably wouldn't be particularly difficult for Kalifa to join the Flame Blade Pirates.

The more Ain looked at Kalifa now, the more convinced she became that this was exactly what had happened.

What she didn't know was that even Kalifa had needed to get Arton drunk first and thoroughly win him over before things could reach this point.

Without everything that had happened beforehand, joining Arton's crew wouldn't have been nearly so easy for Kalifa.

"Don't worry. I'll take you to see the Captain. But before that, want to buy some special outfits with us?"

"Maybe Captain will really like seeing you in a flight attendant uniform. Hehe."

Raki smiled.

"Special outfits?"

Ain looked around and only then noticed the wide assortment of clothing filling the shop.

Maid outfits, bunny-girl outfits, golden-honeybee outfits, and all sorts of other special costumes were packed throughout the store.

Every single outfit had one thing in common: they were incredibly sexy.

In an instant, Ain understood exactly why Raki and Kalifa had come here.

"Mm, I want to buy some clothes too."

Ain blushed as she spoke.

As someone who had grown quite close to Arton, Ain naturally wanted more opportunities to be intimate with him.

And the outfits in this shop would obviously increase the chances of that happening.

There was no way Ain could simply walk away without buying anything.

"In that case, let's start shopping to our hearts' content."

Kalifa spread her arms and laughed.

...

Some time later, inside a suite.

"Conis, can you still hold on?"

Arton patted Conis on the back as she braced both hands against the wall.

"I-I can... I can still hold on, Captain. Don't worry about me. You can keep attacking."

Despite her words, Conis's body was already trembling faintly.

Arton could see that she was at the end of her rope.

Since that was the case, he had no intention of tormenting her any further. With one forceful thrust, he unleashed his finishing move and then withdrew from the battle.

Conis was already exhausted, and after taking Arton's finishing move, she naturally had no strength left at all.

"S-Sorry, Captain. I said I'd practice properly with you, but I couldn't hold on for very long."

Conis spoke apologetically.

Only now did she truly realize how important Raki was to her.

At least when Raki was around, she could help shoulder much of the pressure Arton placed on her.

Without Raki, having to face Arton alone was simply too exhausting.

"It's fine. I'm already more than satisfied."

Arton lifted Conis into a princess carry. "What about you? Is your stomach okay? It's not too bloated, is it?"

He could clearly see that Conis's stomach was bulging slightly. Even through her dress, it was obvious how swollen it had become.

...

"N-No problem. It's a little too full, but it feels really warm."

Conis rested a hand on her stomach, speaking with a blissful smile.

"As long as you're feeling all right."

Arton was happy to hear her answer.

Just as he carried Conis over to the sofa so she could rest, the doorbell suddenly rang.

"Who could that be at a time like this?"

Arton stood beside the sofa, puzzled as he looked toward the door.

"Mmm... Mmm, mmm."

"Hm?"

Hearing Conis make muffled noises, Arton looked down at her as she sat on the sofa brushing her teeth.

"What's wrong, Conis? What are you trying to say?"

"S-Sorry." Conis took the toothbrush out of her mouth and looked up at him. "I was wondering if Raki and the others might be back."

"Raki and the others?"

Arton stroked his chin. Judging by the time, they really should be returning around now.

He had originally intended to open the door right away, but when he saw Conis start brushing her teeth again, he decided to stay where he was for the moment.

Even so, he sent his Observation Haki toward the door.

The sofa wasn't far from the entrance, so his Haki quickly picked up three familiar presences.

"Raki, Kalifa... Why is Ain here too?"

Arton sounded puzzled.

"Ain is here too?"

Conis's eyes lit up, and she looked up again.

If Ain had joined them, then wouldn't someone be able to take over the work she hadn't finished earlier?

Although Arton had already used his finishing move, Conis could clearly sense that he was already capable of using it again.

"Yeah, Ain really is here."

Arton nodded, then used Haki at a distance to open the door.

He had become increasingly proficient at applying Armament Haki.

Even while staying beside the sofa and accompanying Conis as she brushed her teeth, opening a door with Haki didn't interfere with him at all.

With a soft click, the lock released.

When the door opened, the three women outside naturally walked in with smiles on their faces.

But once they got a clear look at what was happening inside, all three froze for a moment.

"Don't just stand there. Come in. We're all old acquaintances."

Arton waved them inside.

Hearing him, Kalifa and the others quickly recovered and closed the door behind them.

Arton and Conis's current state really wasn't something they wanted outsiders seeing.

Just as Arton had said, there was no need to worry when everyone present was familiar with one another.

"Captain, you really know how to enjoy yourself."

"Of course. Though the one who enjoys it even more is Miss Kalifa, isn't it?"

Kalifa hurried over, looking at Conis with envy.

Conis was still brushing her teeth, but her senses were sharp.

As Kalifa approached, Conis immediately noticed her.

"If you don't mind, Kalifa, you can take my place."

Conis smiled.

"What a nice offer."

Kalifa's words sounded reserved, but her body was anything but. She came straight to Arton's side and took over the work Conis had been doing with her hands.

...

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