Chapter 640 - 886 – Gion’s Eyes Lit Up

[Smoothie: Hm? What kind of photo is this?]

[Cinnamon: Arton actually took this many pictures of the same woman in a row? Who is she?!]

[Galette: It looks like she's begging for mercy. Is she one of Arton's enemies? Did he defeat her and then force her to kneel?]

[Custard: It looks like he didn't just force her to kneel—he even stripped off her clothes along the way. Is Arton trying to humiliate this woman?]

[Gion: Arton really went a little too far this time.]

Gion sighed inwardly. However, when she remembered what Arton had once done to her, she quickly felt relieved again.

Arton did indeed tend to give special attention to beautiful girls, but there was one prerequisite: the beautiful girl in question could not be his enemy. If she were an enemy, Arton would not hold back.

Even now, Gion still remembered how mercilessly Arton had treated her when they first met.

That said, she could not exactly blame Arton. From his perspective, everything he had done was understandable.

If Gion wanted to blame anyone, she could only blame herself. Back then, she should not have pushed Arton so hard. If she had not pressured him so aggressively, Arton might have formed a much better impression of her.

At least, that was how Gion saw it.

If Arton's impression of her had been better, the chances of him choosing to attack her would have been much lower. Gion also felt that she should have been more cautious when dealing with him back then. Had she been careful enough not to give Arton an opening, perhaps she could have gradually won him over and gotten him to lower his guard around her.

Whenever she remembered that she had failed to make Arton stay with her back then, Gion could not help sighing.

"All right, Gion-nee. That all happened a long time ago, so stop dwelling on it. Haven't we already decided that we'll go find Arton together someday? Maybe he'll even be willing to come with us."

Kujaku walked up behind Gion as she spoke, her wheat-colored skin exposed beneath a short dress that showed off her long, toned legs.

"Thank you for comforting me, Kujaku."

Gion turned around and looked sincerely at her.

Having a companion like Kujaku beside her was probably one of the things Gion had been happiest about lately.

"It's fine, really."

Kujaku waved a hand casually before turning her gaze toward the Sea Diary in front of them.

Displayed clearly on its pages were the photos of Kalifa begging for mercy.

"Arton really was bold with these pictures, but this girl is pretty attractive. No wonder he photographed her. I just wonder whether he'll end up having his way with her afterward."

"H-Having his way with her?"

Gion's lips twitched.

She understood what Kujaku meant, but was that really something a young woman like her should say?

Normally, Kujaku should not even be familiar with expressions like that.

Wait. Arton's Sea Diary Copy!

A sharp gleam flashed through Gion's eyes as she suddenly remembered her own copy.

Hadn't Arton used that sort of phrasing in it too?

Seriously, Arton. You really are corrupting such a lovely young flower.

Gion let out a long sigh inwardly.

…

If Arton knew what Gion was thinking at that moment, he would definitely protest loudly.

Someone as outgoing, sexy, and uninhibited as Kujaku did not need him to teach her those things in the first place. Anyone could tell that much simply from the way she liked to dress.

Of course, Gion did not know that.

The reason she had chosen to remind Kujaku to avoid saying things like having his way with her so often was simply out of concern.

"What's wrong with it? You can't expect me to use an even cruder expression, can you?"

"Or would you rather I spell out exactly what I mean, Gion-nee?"

Kujaku looked at Gion's expression and smiled.

"Uh… I think we can leave it at that."

Gion shook her head.

Kujaku had not actually said anything else, but Gion could already guess exactly what she had been about to say.

After all, Gion was a mature woman who had sailed the seas for decades. There were plenty of things she understood perfectly well even if she had never personally done them.

"So let's focus on this blonde woman instead."

"Gion-nee, do you think Arton will lay his hands on her?"

Kujaku asked.

Gion understood what Kujaku meant by lay his hands on her. She shook her head thoughtfully.

"I'm not Arton, so I can't know what he's thinking. But I don't think he's the kind of man who enjoys forcing people into things they don't want. If he were, then back then he would've already… already had his way with me."

As Gion spoke, she raised one hand to her forehead and sighed. Suddenly, she understood Kujaku a little better.

Sometimes, had his way with her really was a useful expression. At the very least, it was much better than using something even cruder and more direct.

Kujaku noticed Gion's slight embarrassment but chose not to tease her about it. Instead, she smiled and said, "That's true. Arton isn't the kind of man who acts however he pleases. That's one of the reasons I approve of him."

"In that case, maybe Arton will let this woman go afterward."

"Maybe."

Gion nodded.

"Do you recognize her? Maybe we could use this woman begging with her hands clasped together to figure out where Arton is."

"Now that you mention it…"

Gion rested her chin on her hand and began thinking carefully.

Unfortunately, she had never seen Kalifa in person, so even if she wanted to identify her, there was no way for her to do so.

"I'm afraid I don't know who she is. At the very least, she isn't a Marine, and as far as pirates go… I don't remember ever seeing a bounty poster for her."

Gion sighed.

There were far too many pirates on the seas. Even she could not possibly remember every single one of them.

"That makes things troublesome."

Kujaku sighed as well. "I can't remember who she is either. Looks like we won't be able to use her to find Arton's location."

Kujaku sighed once more.

She genuinely wanted to locate Arton as soon as possible. Once she did, she and Gion could move on to the next stage of their plan involving him—the plan to invite him into their little scheme.

Kujaku believed Arton would definitely find it interesting.

After all, it could indirectly increase the number of companions he gained while also giving Arton and the women around him more opportunities to team up together.

Their camps might be different at the moment, but Kujaku was certain Arton still had plans for them.

Since he had used both of them as models for so many derivative works, there was no way he would simply forget about them so quickly.

Arton's rationality might currently keep him from getting too close to women who were Marines.

But if their status as Marines ever stopped being something Arton had to care about, then his desire for them would naturally be stirred.

Kujaku very much wanted to see that happen.

...

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