Chapter 95: Women Only Slow Down My Fishing!
Baterilla Island really didn’t have much to offer. The scenery was ordinary, the town was ordinary, and aside from Roger and Rouge, there wasn’t anyone particularly interesting around.
After a casual walk through the place, Ortoren and Gion didn’t even bother saying goodbye to Garp before boarding a merchant ship and leaving the island behind.
“We’re just leaving like this? Garp’s definitely going to give you an earful later.” Gion leaned against the deck railing, letting the sea breeze hit her face, and said with a laugh.
Ortoren, dressed in a beach shirt, gaudy shorts, a sun hat, and black sunglasses, was baiting a hook on his fishing rod.
“From the looks of it, Roger won’t be ‘captured’ anytime soon. And Garp-san’s too soft-hearted. Now that he knows Roger doesn’t have long to live, he won’t push him either. Most likely, he’ll just stay there with him through his final days. I don’t have that kind of patience. I’d rather take this chance to give myself a proper vacation.” Ortoren said carelessly.
It was, after all, a legitimate paid vacation. Officially, he was on a covert mission to hunt down Roger, but in truth, all the responsibility had been dumped on Garp. With nothing much left to do, he could just cut loose and enjoy life—a luxury even Borsalino would cry with envy over.
Working under Admiral Sengoku wasn’t nearly as exhausting as people claimed.
The real reason? Ability. It all came down to ability. His efficiency was simply too damn high.
“If I say you’re ambitious, you’re always pulling stunts on missions. But ever since you left Marineford, you’ve been acting like a completely different person. If I say you’re just a lazy slacker, you’re constantly scheming about promotions and wealth. Honestly, I don’t even know how to describe you anymore.” Gion chuckled.
“And yet, you still chose to ditch the mission with me, didn’t you?” Ortoren shot her a glance.
As he spoke, he snapped the fishing line out with a quick flick, then settled onto a small stool, gripping his rod like a seasoned fisherman.
“You’re the one in charge of this mission. Garp and I are only assisting you. Now that you’ve run off yourself, of course I’m not going to be overly dutiful either.” Gion said as she walked toward a nearby attendant, taking a glass of juice and a travel brochure from his hands.
Before Ortoren could argue further, Gion smoothly changed the subject. “Come to think of it, I’ve never properly explored the South Blue. Do you know much about this sea? Any interesting places worth visiting?”
“Not really. This is my first time here too. My life’s been pretty dull—I was just a villager on Terian Island in the New World, occasionally helping my old man play the local bully. After leaving the New World, I went straight to Marine Headquarters. Never been anywhere exciting... Honestly, I don’t care much for the South Blue. Shame we don’t have more time—otherwise, I’d rather visit the East Blue or North Blue. Heard there are plenty of interesting people and places there.” Ortoren replied while fishing through his pocket. A moment later, he pulled out a cigarette and clenched it between his teeth.
No lighter was needed—a small spark of lightning flickered, and the cigarette was lit.
“If I’m not mistaken, Kuzan’s from the South Blue. Should we contact him and ask if there’s anything fun here?” Gion asked casually as she flipped through the brochure.
Glancing at him, she suddenly frowned in curiosity. “Since when do you smoke? I don’t remember ever seeing you with one.”
“Just recently,” Ortoren said, exhaling a puff of smoke. “I figured with my body, not smoking would be wasting my health. And as a future big shot at Marine Headquarters, I ought to give myself a hobby I can expense with public funds, right? I tried cigars back with Zephyr-sensei, but they didn’t really suit me.”
Gion: ???
That’s the strangest excuse she’d ever heard.
But she didn’t bother arguing. After all, she herself sometimes smoked the occasional slim cigarette. And truth be told, Ortoren already carried a rugged, commanding aura. His build was powerful, his features sharp and bold—and now, with a cigarette between his lips, he really did look a little more striking.
Enough that Gion found herself sneaking glances at him now and then while pretending to read the brochure.
Honestly, Gion felt her relationship with Ortoren was simple. There was no ambiguity between them, no flirtatious gestures—maybe their personalities just meshed well, making being around him surprisingly easy.
She was strong, strikingly beautiful, and naturally carried a touch of pride. That, combined with her position, was part of why she was so admired within the Marines yet still single.
But ever since meeting Ortoren, she found herself drawn to him. Not because of vague things like personality or ideals—it was straightforward: his strength was undeniable, and his looks hit her taste perfectly.
Mostly his looks!
Even so, she’d always been at the top of the so-called romance food chain, the one being pursued, never the pursuer. So even if Ortoren suited her perfectly, she had no idea how to act on it.
As for Ortoren, he probably never even considered romance. His head was filled with nothing but promotions and money.
Now, he sat leisurely fishing while Gion flipped through a travel brochure. Neither spoke, but the silence wasn’t awkward—it was calm, natural, and comfortable.
The gentle South Blue breeze carried away the smoke from Ortoren’s cigarette and stirred Gion’s flowing hair. From a distance, the two of them really did look well-matched.
“Hey!” After about five or six minutes, Gion called out.
“What is it?” Ortoren asked casually.
“This brochure says in about a week, our ship will reach Kles Hot Spring Island. It says it’s a famous resort in the South Blue, with an entertainment complex and all kinds of facilities. Want to check it out?” she asked with interest.
Ortoren, drifting without any real plans, didn’t hesitate. “Sure, let’s go.”
“Good.” A smile tugged at Gion’s lips, but it quickly shifted into a grimace. “Damn, I didn’t even think about vacationing before we came out here. If it’s a hot spring island, of course we’ll want to soak. But I didn’t bring a swimsuit—what do I do?”
“Just use a private bath. Strip down, no one’s gonna care.” Ortoren answered without even thinking.
Gion froze. For a split second, some image must have flashed through her mind, because her pretty face turned scarlet, practically steaming.
Right then, Ortoren’s rod bent sharply—a big catch on the line. Just as he gripped it in excitement, Gion suddenly appeared behind him and smacked him on the back of the head.
“You damn pervert! What the hell are you imagining?!” she shouted before bolting off like the wind.
Ortoren was left stunned. He wanted to chase after her and give her a good punch—he was quietly fishing, how the hell did that make him a pervert?
But with a big fish on the line, Gion was forgotten. His focus burned on the catch. Grinning ear to ear, he tugged the rod and shouted, “Got one! Got one! Hahaha, finally not going home empty-handed!”
His cry fired up the nearby fishermen on deck. They rushed over, tossing out “encouragement.”
“Young man, that’s just trash you’ve hooked. Cut the line!”
“Listen to us veterans—you’ve snagged seaweed, clear as day. Better cut it before you waste more effort.”
“Trust me, cut it now before your rod snaps. Not worth it!”
“Exactly! Your girlfriend already stormed off, and you’re still fishing? Here, let me reel it in for you—go chase after her!”
“You reeling one in makes me feel worse than being skunked!”
Ortoren laughed while hauling in the line, shouting back, “Get lost, all of you!”
At that moment, forget a girlfriend—even if his wife had left, he wouldn’t care. He was in full-on fishing emperor mode!
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