Just a short while ago, 2B had completed a full lap around the island without even breaking a sweat.
But during her data exchange with Ethan Chen, not only had she started panting, her flawless, porcelain-like skin had become damp and glistening as if coated in oil only enhancing the allure of her already sumptuous figure.
She was so captivating in that moment that Ethan couldn't bear to let go, holding her tightly in his arms as they shared the afterglow.
They rested together for a while. Once 2B's body cooled and the sheen of sweat dried from her skin, Ethan finally let go and began adjusting his clothes.
Even though the beach was secluded, sheltered by trees and boulders, it still wasn't a place they could linger for too long.
Ethan glanced up at the sun and muttered, "It's probably close to noon, right?"
The support pod responded, "Twenty-three minutes until twelve o'clock."
"Then it's about time. Let's head over."
After getting themselves sorted, the two left the beach and made their way to the village church.
The church was situated on the highest slope in the village, an elegant European-style building whose spire could be seen from nearly any point in town.
On the way, they passed several villagers heading in the same direction for the funeral service. Most greeted Ethan and 2B warmly, exchanging kind words and thanks.
By the time they reached the church, the crowd had mostly gathered. Hina was there too her suit's button had been hastily repaired, though it was still pulled tight across her chest like a ferry line straining against a spider web. It looked like it could pop off at any moment.
She and Ethan exchanged a distant glance and a polite nod that was enough for now.
They found a place to sit, and not long after, the church bell rang and the priest stepped up to speak.
After the eulogy, the priest invited Ethan to say a few words. Completely unprepared, he could only mutter some generic platitudes like "the departed are gone, and life moves on" to get through it.
As a Marine officer, Hina naturally had to make her own remarks. She stood and gave a short speech about not showing pirates any leniency. Then, with the priest leading the way, everyone proceeded to the cemetery behind the church for the flower offering and burial rites.
There was no post-funeral banquet in this region's customs, so afterward, Ethan and 2B had lunch at the tavern before returning directly to the inn.
They stayed there until dusk, when a Marine came knocking on their door to escort them to the captain's cabin aboard the warship docked at the harbor.
This was Ethan's first time boarding a wooden military vessel. He took in everything with wide eyes, studying its structure with childlike curiosity. Walking beneath the towering mainmast, he couldn't help but feel dwarfed by its sheer scale. He could imagine just how majestic this behemoth must look, slicing through ocean waves with sails full of wind.
How much timber must it take to build something this massive?
Knock knock
"Reporting in, Captain Hina. I've brought Mr. Ethan Chen and Miss 2B."
"Let them in."
The Marine saluted and stepped aside. Ethan and 2B pushed the door open and entered.
Hina was dressed as usual in her crimson uniform, standing before the porthole and gazing out at the sea, now painted gold by the setting sun.
Ethan grinned. "I thought this was supposed to be a date? I expected you to dress up a little maybe wear something sexy, like an evening gown or something."
Hina curled her lips slightly. "I was expecting you to come alone."
A date with a third wheel was doomed from the start. She had been looking forward to the evening for nothing.
Hina was clearly not in the mood.
"I'm here to ensure his safety," 2B said simply.
"Safety? This is the East Blue. There's no safer place than my ship."
2B didn't respond. She merely crossed her arms and held her ground.
Even she knew it might not be the most appropriate for her to come along. But since Ethan hadn't told her to stay at the inn, she had no reason to make that call on her own.
Not that it would've changed anything. Even if Ethan had told her to stay, she would have followed anyway.
To 2B, nothing was more important than his safety.
"That's your bounty," Hina said, gesturing to a black suitcase on the coffee table. "The pirate heads, their ship, and the treasure onboard total comes to thirty-six million Berries."
"Only thirty-six million?" Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Wasn't the pirate captain worth ten million on his own?"
Not to mention the ship. Ethan remembered from the Water 7 arc that even a used vessel slightly larger than the Going Merry had been worth over a hundred million Berries.
For many pirates, the bounty on their lives was less than the value of their ships.
That was one of the main reasons so many people couldn't afford to set sail in the first place. Just getting a seaworthy ship was prohibitively expensive.
Which only proved how wealthy and generous the fishing village was, to offer them a brand-new vessel as a gift.
No wonder those pirates had targeted it. Selling eels really was that profitable.
Hina sat down on the sofa and crossed her long legs. "First, the Navy treats captured pirate ships as raw materials. They're dismantled and recycled, so the value is far lower than market price."
"Second, taxes. Whether it's bounties or captured ships, all proceeds are taxed. The World Government takes their cut. So does the kingdom. Here this document breaks it down."
Ethan took the ledger from her and scanned it. When he reached the deductions column, his eyes went wide.
Good grief. More than half was gone!
Especially the kingdom's portion it took the largest bite by far.
His fists clenched tight.
"That's why," Hina said with a trace of annoyance in her voice. "After taxes, that's all that's left."
Even as a Marine officer, Hina wasn't completely exempt. Though her regular salary wasn't taxed by the kingdom or the World Government, she still had to pay the Heavenly Tribute every month a mandatory contribution.
For common people, the Heavenly Tribute was lumped together with the kingdom's taxes. That was why the kingdom's share was so huge.
"I get it now," Ethan muttered, his fists slowly relaxing.
The taxes were extortionate. No wonder so many people took to the seas as pirates.
He understood.
But understanding didn't mean he agreed.
Some pirates may have fled the absurd taxes to make a living honestly, seeking treasure and adventure at sea. That, Ethan could accept.
But most? Most were nothing but scum plunderers, rapists, murderers. The kind of trash who brought pain wherever they went.
What made them any better than the kingdoms or the Celestial Dragons they hated?
"By the way," Ethan asked suddenly. "If I wanted to sail legally, how much would it cost?"
"One hundred million."
"What?!" Ethan nearly jumped out of his seat. "That's insane!"
"Exactly," Hina said coolly. "If you don't have that kind of money, I'd suggest dropping the idea. If you sail without a license, the Navy will brand you a pirate."
She was willing to turn a blind eye for now, since they had saved the village and prevented greater loss of life.
But if they encountered other Navy officers in the future, they wouldn't be so forgiving.