After hanging up the Den Den Mushi—
Stussy walked over with a composed expression and handed an invitation to Leno.
Linlin had given her quite a few invitations.
Just in case she needed help delivering them—
And now they came in handy.
In a calm tone, she said:
"Master, BIG MOM—Charlotte Linlin—has also sent you a formal invitation to her tea party."
She didn't elaborate.
After all, Leno had already planned to go to Totto Land.
This invitation merely turned their trip from crashing the party—
Into entering with tickets.
Leno took the invitation, glanced at it casually, and curled his lips.
"Oh? Pretty formal."
He had originally planned to sneak in.
Now he was practically an honored guest.
Hancock, Domino, Robin, and the others—
Who hadn't known about this plan—
Showed slight surprise.
"Lord Leno, we're going to BIG MOM's tea party?" Hancock frowned slightly.
She had no fondness for that madwoman's territory.
Or rather—
She had no fondness for any Yonko other than Leno.
"Captain, is there a specific purpose for going there?" Robin asked curiously.
It wasn't doubt—
She just didn't believe Leno would attend another Yonko's gathering for no reason.
If he didn't stir trouble, that would be unusual.
Leno lay back on the beach chair, basking in the sunlight.
He explained lazily:
"No special plan."
"Mainly just taking you all to broaden your horizons—and to try Totto Land's famous desserts."
"In short, we're going as guests this time, not to fight. Relax."
Hearing this—
The women relaxed.
Since their captain said so—
They'd just enjoy being tourists for once.
Bonney, who had been unusually quiet since meeting Vegapunk—
Suddenly looked up.
Her gaze toward Leno carried resentment and hostility.
"Hey! Leno! You promised to help me save Kuma! It's been so long—why hasn't anything happened?! Did you forget?!"
Leno paused for a moment—
Then cursed himself internally.
"I'm such an idiot."
It wasn't that he had done nothing.
He had already made arrangements with Kuma during his deal with Vegapunk.
The problem was—
He hadn't said anything.
What kind of nonsense was "doing good deeds without leaving a name"?
He should've taken credit and leveraged Bonney properly!
Why act like some hidden hero?
If you do something good—
Say it!
Let others remember it!
Leno deeply reflected on his "mistake."
Then he looked at Bonney and said directly:
"Who said I did nothing? I've done a lot—you just don't know about it."
"You… you did something? What did you do? Where is Kuma now?"
Bonney was full of suspicion.
She clearly didn't believe him.
Leno put on a mysterious expression.
"Don't ask. If you ask, I'll tell you."
Bonney froze again, thinking:
"This captain might actually have something wrong with him…"
But she still couldn't hold back:
"…So what did you do?"
Leno didn't bother dragging it out anymore and spoke plainly:
"Details aren't important."
"You just need to know that I reached an agreement with Vegapunk. Kuma won't die. But the suffering he has to endure—that can't be avoided."
He paused, then added:
"And before I even met you, I had already made contact and a deal with Kuma."
"Honestly, you two… one willing to undergo modification for the other, and the other running around everywhere for him."
Hearing this—
Bonney was stunned.
It wasn't that she thought Leno was lying.
With his status and strength—
There was no need to lie about something like this.
She was just surprised by his efficiency—
And how he managed to do it.
Still—
Her tightly wound nerves finally relaxed.
She let out a long breath.
"…That's enough."
Her voice was soft, her expression complicated.
She had actually feared Leno would boast—
Claiming he had already fully rescued Kuma.
If he had said that—
She would've doubted him immediately.
It would've sounded too fake.
But this explanation—
Felt real.
She calmed down.
Now she would just wait—
Hoping that when she saw Kuma again—
He would still be Kuma.
…
Several peaceful days passed.
Kalifa's Devil Fruit replacement was nearly complete.
The More-More Fruit—
Was far superior to the Bubble-Bubble Fruit.
Whether in combat or… other uses—
It had far greater value.
The latter?
At best, it made for a bubble bath.
After appreciating the "sleeping beauty" that was Kalifa—
Leno yawned, feeling a bit bored.
He got up and returned to his room.
It wasn't that he didn't want a "body pillow" to sleep with—
The problem was—
His current ones were all… overworked.
They had been avoiding him lately.
Clearly, they needed time to recover.
Leno felt helpless.
As for the new arrival, Nami—
He wasn't particularly interested in older women at the moment.
S-Snake, Little Alice, and Bonney?
Out of the question.
Perona wasn't ready yet.
The best option—Kalifa—
Was still in a weakened state from the fruit fusion.
"Tch… people say I've got too many women," Leno muttered while lying on the bed.
"But when it actually matters, it's still not enough…"
With that slight frustration—
He drifted off to sleep.
Not long after—
He heard the door quietly open.
Leno opened his sleepy eyes.
In the faint moonlight—
He saw a slender figure walking in, steps unsteady.
He was completely confused.
Seriously?
What is it with all these night raids?
What kind of habit is this?
The person who entered—
Was Kalifa.
But unlike her usual sharp and composed demeanor—
She looked weak.
One arm hung limply, the other holding her shoulder.
Her steps were unsteady—
Giving her a fragile, almost pitiful beauty.
Her outfit was slightly disheveled—
Accentuating her figure even more.
She said nothing.
And walked straight toward the bed.
Under Leno's astonished gaze—
Kalifa climbed onto the bed somewhat clumsily.
"You… what are you doing?"
Leno was completely baffled.
Kalifa lifted her face.
She gave him a soft smile—
Very different from her usual cold elegance.
There was a hint of fragility—
And stubbornness.
"Doing."
…
The next day—
Leno looked at Kalifa.
Recalling the night before—
A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
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