One Piece: We already have the Four Gods, so my Six Paths Sage is reasonable, right?

Feed it?

What's wrong with you, you little rascal?

Why is there such a kind and sensible little devil on this ship full of scoundrels?

Last time too... Golden Lion recalled the day he got Ron to drink strong liquor through Annika.

A normal person would be angry after realizing they'd been tricked, right? But this kid wasn't angry at all; instead, he smiled and said to himself, "Lord Shiki, don't be discouraged. I believe you can definitely make the real Water of Life."

What the hell?! You bastard!

I don't even believe I could make that thing!

I was just using you!

You silly little brat!

"Hehehehe~~~~"

Golden Lion suddenly burst into exaggerated laughter. He stared at Annika and said in a deliberately affected tone, "Kid, don't flatter yourself. I, Shiki, was just acting on a whim. Otherwise, who would bother with a bunch of idiots like you?"

Annika raised her head slightly, her face still bearing that smile that made it hard to be annoyed at first glance: "Even if you say that, I think you don't actually dislike everyone at all."

The golden lion almost choked on his words.

Then, he paused for a moment, and almost instinctively retorted, somewhat agitatedly saying, "Hey, kid, don't think so highly of me!"

What does it mean that I don't dislike anyone?

If I had the chance, I'd love to rip their skulls off!

"But," Annika said earnestly, "in Annika's eyes, Lord Shiki is just that kind of person. He always complains about the trouble, the hardship, and that he doesn't want to work for nothing... but you still sent us here."

She paused, then quickly added, "So I think you're a very reliable person too."

Holy crap, do you want to listen to what you're saying?

The golden lion opened his mouth, instinctively wanting to end the conversation with a sarcastic remark, "Say such cheesy things, give me..."

He had already said "Get lost!" but suddenly stopped.

He wouldn't feel burdened by anything those heartless guys on the ship said.

But Annika, she is a compassionate person.

"Fine," the Golden Lion looked away, his tone lower than before, "Say whatever you want."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Gan followed his voice from not far away: "Hey, Shiki, why are you standing still in mid-air? Can't you just send us down?"

The golden lion suddenly turned its head to look at Gan Sui, as if a surge of emotions that had not yet dissipated had finally found a safe outlet.

"Are you disabled? Can't you just jump yourself? Neither Rocks nor Newgate received special treatment, do you think you'd get it?"

"Don't say that, Shiki," Stussy's voice drifted over slowly, "We're just one step away, let's just take us down."

"I insulted him, not you, Stusi!" Golden Lion rolled his eyes. "Now that we're all gone, who's going to protect the ship?"

There was a moment of silence on the deck.

John's voice was filled with shock, as if he had heard something he shouldn't have: "Hey, Skeeter, don't you want to listen to what you're saying? Protect the ship? Weren't you the fastest one before? Has your brain suddenly shrunk?"

Golden Lion glanced at John and sneered, "I can say whatever I want and do whatever I want. It's none of your business."

"Crazy," John muttered.

"Hmm?" The Golden Lion raised an eyebrow. "You bastard, are you looking for death? Believe me or not, I'll kill you right now!"

John shrugged and repeated in a flat tone, "I'll say whatever I want, it's none of your business."

The deck of the Sword of Gibbek was bustling with activity once again.

The sounds of arguing and cursing rose and fell like a rekindled fire.

On the other side, Annika had already brought out a plate of freshly made cake from the kitchen.

She walked up to Alice and asked, "Lady Alice, would you like some cake?"

Alice looked over at the sound, then a gentle smile appeared on her face: "Thank you."

She reached out, picked up a piece from the tray, took a small bite, and then her eyes lit up slightly: "Mmm, delicious."

"Really?" Annika was a little embarrassed by the compliment, but her smile deepened.

"Of course, you're amazing, Annika," Alice added earnestly.

"Hehehehehe." Annika chuckled softly.

Alice watched her laugh for a while, then casually changed the subject: "Speaking of which, do Gibeck's friends often do this?"

"We were just bickering, but we're all really nice people," Annika said.

"Hmm~"

Alice pondered for a moment, a mischievous smile playing on her lips, "Is it the kind of good enough to blow everyone's mind away?"

"Lady Alice, isn't that a bit too serious?" Annika said slowly.

"Hahaha."

Alice laughed. "Just kidding. But... everyone really does have a lot of energy."

-------------------------------------

Inside Nine Snake Island.

Four tailed beasts were besieging Kong, while on the other side of the battlefield, continuous explosions and collisions echoed.

Ron stood on the edge, like a bystander watching the spectacle.

Shakky, supporting her injured body, walked step by step to his side. When she stopped, her breathing was still rapid and not fully calm: "Ron, I never thought that our second meeting would be in such a disheveled state."

Ron glanced at her but didn't reply.

Xia Qi paused for a moment, as if waiting for him to speak, but all she got was silence.

She gave an awkward laugh and continued, "Anyway, thank you so much for coming to Amazon Lily. For a moment... I don't know how to repay you."

"No need to thank me, you should thank Annika. But there are many ways to repay a debt, like, you know," Ron said calmly, but his eyes lit up when he mentioned repayment, and he raised an eyebrow slightly, hinting at something.

Xia Qi was stunned for a moment, and then a thought popped into her mind: That look... could it be that he wants me to repay him with my body?

"I think... this might not be appropriate."

"Whatever." Ron's tone was flat. He really didn't care. He came all this way for Annika. He didn't care whether he was paid or not. Of course, if you insisted on paying him, he wouldn't refuse.

Xia Qi stood there, looking at his "that's it" expression, and remained silent for a while.

Not even a chance to try? Or...did she misunderstand?

...........

...........

(First update)