After devouring the entire Spicy Express Shrimp, Su Xiaoqi stood up and patted Sanji's shoulder. "The flavor was decent overall. Next time, remember to add more spice."
Sanji gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead. *This bastard...*
He had worked hard to prepare the shrimp, yet aside from Chopper, none of the male Straw Hats got even a single bite—almost all of it had been hogged by this Saiyan. What pissed him off even more was watching the girls not only finish their portions but then start peeling shrimp for him. Zhu Qing, Vivi, Lu Linglong, and even Tokisaki Kurumi had fed him directly.
Luffy licked his empty plate, drooling. "Sanji\~ I wanna eat spicy shrimp too..."
Sanji snapped. "Piss off! I wanna eat some too!"
Su Xiaoqi chuckled. "Luffy, this shrimp was too small to share. Later, I'll catch a bigger one so you can eat your fill."
"Alright, let's split up now. Those who want to explore can go with Luffy. Those who want to swim, come with me."
The next second, everyone except Luffy and Zoro rushed to Su Xiaoqi's side.
Luffy blinked in confusion. "Huh? Why are even you Devil Fruit users going swimming?"
Su Xiaoqi hadn't expected this outcome either. He sighed. "Fine, let's all go together after the Merry docks."
---
Once ashore, the boys immediately scattered to explore Skypiea while the girls changed into swimsuits.
Soon, a dazzling array of beauties in colorful swimsuits appeared before them.
Luffy remained oblivious as usual. Zoro's gaze lingered on Tashigi. Usopp stared dreamily at Kaya.
As for Sanji...
The moment he saw them, blood erupted from his nose as he collapsed, muttering, "Heaven... This must be heaven..."
Noticing the girls' awkward expressions, Su Xiaoqi asked, "What's wrong?"
Lu Linglong shot a glance at **Himejima Akeno** and pouted. "Xiaoqi... Zhu Qing and I lost."
Kurumi scoffed. "Tch. Just useless excess flesh."
Akeno smiled serenely, adjusting her violet swimsuit. "Ara\~ This one feels a little tight... perhaps you'll help me loosen it, Su-kun?"
*Gulp.* Su Xiaoqi's throat moved as he stared. Why does she even have a swimsuit? That question no longer mattered.
What did matter was that he recognized this swimsuit.
Zhu Qing glared at him. "What are you staring at? Weren't you the one who couldn't swim? Go practice."
Nami gasped dramatically. "Wait—you can't swim?!" She smirked. "No wonder you didn't go after Blackbeard!"
"Pfft. The mighty Saiyan, helpless in water? Need me to teach you, oh great one?"
Su Xiaoqi rolled his eyes. "Hard pass. Focus on your own developments, little hills."
Nami's eye twitched. *Just you wait! Two years! TWO YEARS AND I'LL—!*
---
Zhu Qing and Vivi took charge of Su Xiaoqi's swimming lessons. Vivi's skills were expected, but Zhu Qing's proficiency surprised him.
Zhu Qing smirked. "What? Did you forget? I am a cat."
Su Xiaoqi deadpanned. *Your spirit is a cat. Doesn't mean you actually are one.*
Still, learning to swim between two beauties was... educational. If he failed now, he might as well drown himself.
---
As everyone rested on the clouds, melodic music drifted from afar.
Su Xiaoqi pointed at Conis. "Kaya, meet your long-lost sister."
Kaya blinked. "Eh?!"
Though they shared some resemblance, one had wings and the other didn't.
Zhu Qing, Vivi, and Lu Linglong covered their laughs. There he goes again. Last time, he'd "convinced" a Marine to become a pirate.
After bonding with Conis and her father, they were invited for a meal.
---
Post-dinner, Su Xiaoqi addressed the Straw Hats. "Luffy, you guys go ahead to Upper Yard. We'll stay here."
Luffy jumped up. "Yosh! Adventure time!"
Conis fretted. "It's dangerous! The God will punish trespassers!"
Luffy grinned. "Then I'll punch your God."
Lu Linglong waved. "Nami, Robin, Kaya, Tashigi—stay safe!"
Once they left, Su Xiaoqi reassured Conis. "They'll be fine. Could you arrange lodging for us?"
Conis smiled. "You're welcome to stay here. I'd love to hear about the Blue Sea."
As they settled in, Kurumi suddenly glared at Akeno. "You. Get lost. Family time now."
Akeno tilted her head with that infuriatingly calm smile. "Ara\~ Last I checked, you're not his girlfriend either. Who's the third wheel here? Oh right—*you*."
Black mist seeped from Kurumi. "Himejima Akeno... You really want to die."
Akeno's tone remained honeyed, but her eyes sharpened. "Ufufu\~ I'll take that as an invitation."
"Enough." Su Xiaoqi's voice cut through. After apologizing to Conis, he dragged them aside.
"You want to fight? Fine. But wait until I return. Otherwise, one-year mute for both."
Kurumi pouted. "Darling, where are you going?"
"Checking on Sakuragi. The tournament's tomorrow." He turned to the others. "Zhu Qing, Vivi, Linglong—keep these two apart."
"Kurumi. Don't make me angry."
She nodded. "I'll behave. Will you come back tonight?"
Su Xiaoqi winked. "Why would I stay with men when I have you?"
---
The moment he left, Kurumi's smile vanished.
"Now. Let's end this."
Zhu Qing tensed. "Kurumi, stop."
Vivi agreed. "He'll be furious!"
Kurumi's gaze softened. "You three... You've become precious to me. If you consider me a friend... let me do this."
Her eyes hardened as she faced Akeno.
"I don't care what lies you told Darling. I hate you. I hate you near him."
Akeno's voice was still gentle, but her power radiated. "Ufufu\~ How scary. Pick the place, little spirit."
"Don't worry—I won't kill you." Kurumi's grin turned sinister. "But I will make you beg."
Akeno's eyes narrowed, her smile never fading. "My line."
As the two flew off, Lu Linglong panicked. "Should we call Xiaoqi back?!"
Vivi sighed. "This was inevitable."
Zhu Qing nodded. "We'll supervise. Intervene if it escalates."