Chapter 634 - 874 – The Gap in Strength

"Thanks for the compliment. So how about letting me get some proper exercise next?"

Lying on the ground, Arton patted Raki's thigh and spoke with a smile.

"Looks like I'll be able to take it easy for a while."

Raki smiled.

"No. To be precise, you need to lie face down."

Arton gave her a look.

"Same difference."

Raki smiled and nodded, then immediately lay down beside Kalifa.

At such close range, even though Kalifa was exhausted and wanted to rest, there was no way she could fall asleep.

As she watched Arton and Raki spar against each other, Kalifa gradually felt as though she were being inspired as well. Her originally exhausted body seemed to regain more strength from the sight.

"As expected, I need to work hard and loosen myself up too."

Kalifa took a deep breath and rose from the ground.

"What, you still want to spar with me? Haven't you been defeated enough already?"

Arton lay across Raki's back and looked up at Kalifa beside them.

"It's true, but being called someone you defeated really is a little depressing."

"If I want to shake off that title, then I have no choice but to work hard."

Kalifa planted her hands on her hips as she stood beside Arton.

"So what are you planning to do?"

Arton raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Obviously, I'm going to launch a fierce attack on you just like Raki did before."

Kalifa lifted her chin as though it were only natural.

"Heh. You really overestimate yourself. I thought you'd at least choose to stay on the defensive."

Arton shook his head with a sigh.

"Maybe I'll need to defend myself later, but at the beginning, I still need to take the initiative and attack to loosen up."

Kalifa smiled as she looked at Raki, who was currently acting as Arton's cushion.

"For now, Captain, you should take good care of Raki first."

"I can fight you afterward."

"No problem."

Arton naturally had no objection to Kalifa's suggestion.

After all, even someone as strong as him had no way to deal with both Raki and Kalifa at the same time.

Only after he had finished dealing with Raki would he have the leeway to take on Kalifa.

"Still, you wouldn't mind if I added a little extra burden for you, would you, Captain?"

Kalifa placed a hand on Arton's back.

"That depends on what kind of burden it is."

Arton replied.

"A burden named Kalifa."

With a soft laugh, Kalifa lay down on Arton's back, entrusting her entire weight to him.

"This burden called Kalifa really is a bit heavy."

Arton sighed as he felt Kalifa resting against his back.

Although Kalifa herself was not especially heavy, the strength she possessed was extremely impressive.

Under these circumstances, Arton could not help but admire her.

Even with Kalifa on his back, however, Arton's offensive became fiercer and fiercer.

Before long, Raki completely lost the strength to resist.

"Next up, it's your turn, Kalifa."

Arton got to his feet and drew his longsword, facing Kalifa.

"Mm. I'm ready. Please don't move for now, Captain. Let me show you what I can do."

As Kalifa spoke, she raised one leg high before bringing it down heavily toward Arton.

Smack!

Kalifa landed another powerful attack on Arton.

Unfortunately, the gap in their strength was simply too great. Arton did not even tremble.

Instead, Kalifa herself shuddered from the impact.

…

"Let's stop here. I can't have the two of you becoming unable to work tomorrow."

Arton stood with his hands on his hips before Raki and Kalifa, both of whom were sprawled on the ground.

"Well, thank you very much, Captain."

Kalifa let out a long sigh.

She had already expected the outcome, but being thoroughly defeated by Arton once again still left her sighing inwardly.

If possible, she really did hope she could become much stronger.

No—if Arton was going to be her opponent, she needed to become more than just a little stronger.

"Don't worry, Captain. I'll make sure to supervise their shipbuilding properly."

Raki spoke with a serious expression.

She tried to rise as she spoke, but Arton, knowing just how exhausted she was, stopped her.

"Get some proper rest, Raki. You don't need to get up just to see me off."

"Are you leaving, Captain?"

Kalifa asked curiously.

"Mm. Of course."

Arton nodded.

"I haven't gone back to the ship in quite a while."

"I should at least head back and take a look."

"Otherwise, the others aboard might start thinking I'm someone who stays out all night."

Besides, Arton still had not had nearly enough fun.

Under the circumstances, he naturally planned to go find some of the others afterward.

He was sure Tashigi, Hina, and Uta would all be more than happy to spend some quality time with him.

Failing that, he could always go look for Kaya.

Arton felt that teasing the shy Kaya every once in a while and enjoying her adorable expressions was also quite a pleasant way to pass the time.

"At least let me clean you up before you go."

Raki said.

"Let me do it. I'm closer to Captain."

"Besides, Raki, you just endured so many of Captain's attacks."

"Let me do a little more this time."

As Kalifa spoke, she propped herself up and moved closer to Arton.

"All right, all right. We'll do it that way."

Seeing how eager Kalifa was to get to work, Raki could only shake her head.

Arton lowered his gaze toward Kalifa's constantly bobbing head and instinctively reached out to stroke her hair.

It had to be said that although Kalifa was an agent, she was also an agent who cared a great deal about her appearance.

Her hair was as beautiful and smooth as silk.

"Speaking of which, Kalifa, have you ever thought about becoming a Devil Fruit user?"

Arton asked.

"Mmph… Mm!"

Kalifa choked and hurriedly pulled her head back.

Then she raised it and looked at Arton in confusion.

"Why are you suddenly asking me that?"

For a moment, Kalifa had almost thought Arton was about to bring up something entirely different.

Instead, he suddenly changed the subject and asked whether she had ever considered becoming a Devil Fruit user.

As far as she was concerned, becoming a Devil Fruit user was hardly an unquestionable improvement. Once someone ate one, they could no longer swim.

"How should I put it? I happen to have a Devil Fruit here that might suit you extremely well."

Arton rubbed his cheek as he spoke.

Naturally, the Devil Fruit he was talking about was the Bubble-Bubble Fruit.

...

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