The banquet ended, and once everyone finished clearing the table, they all headed back to their rooms to change.
A few figures were still lying on the floor with bruised faces and their backsides sticking comically into the air.
After Nami erupted in a furious crackdown on Leno and the others, everyone else who had also been battered by their antics joined in.
The result: the battlefield spread from the dining table to the entire restaurant.
Outnumbered, Leno's group was brutally pummeled. Leno, Yamato, Chopper, and Olga were all knocked out with no survivors.
Acier wanted to intervene when he saw his daughter getting beaten, but a few dagger-like stares made him freeze.
Those glares were downright terrifying. He was certain that if he dared stick his head out, he'd get a beating too.
All he could do was lament in his heart: Daughter, you made a mistake—just accept it. Your old man can't save you.
After a long while, the four finally crawled up from the ground. They exchanged looks, all of them unwilling to admit defeat.
Especially Yamato. She wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, sniffed, and muttered indifferently:
"This time they had the numbers. Next time… next time I'll definitely—"
Chopper was on the verge of a breakdown. This isn't how things were supposed to go. I was just quietly eating my food… How did it end like this? And Yamato—how do you still have the nerve to talk big right now?
You've seen Nami angry before. Even Leno gets one-shot. And yet your mouth is still this hard?!
"I'm never provoking them again. Do whatever you want. Just leave me out of it!"
"Chopper, you're way too timid. Why don't you just fight them back?"
Seeing Chopper already traumatized, Olga clicked her tongue with disdain.
Back in the day, your big sister fought dinosaurs in a fish's stomach and swam through stomach acid. You think I'd get bullied by a bunch of little girls?
…but remembering how terrifying those girls actually were, she decided she might as well get a helper first.
She glanced around.
Then clicked her tongue again.
Not a single reliable fighter in sight.
Meanwhile, Leno hadn't spoken. He was deep in thought.
Why couldn't his powerful physique block Nami's iron fists?
Could there be some mysterious force at work… or was Nami simply his natural nemesis?
He thought for a long time but couldn't figure it out. Forget it. Bath first.
"Chopper, Olga—go tidy yourselves up. Take a bath while you're at it."
Seeing the two idiots spacing out at the table while covered in dirt, Leno was speechless.
Even something this simple needs the captain to remind them? Exhausting. Without me, this family would fall apart instantly.
After they left, Yamato also glanced down at herself. She was indeed dirty, so she turned to leave.
But before she could take a step, Leno quickly called out to her.
"Of course. Aren't we always good brothers?"
Yamato thumped her chest confidently. She didn't know why Leno suddenly asked, but she still stated her position firmly.
Seeing how little she cared for her own safety, Leno's eye twitched.
Nami and the others are probably still mad… If I wait around, I'll get beaten again.
He looked at Yamato with growing brightness in his eyes.
"Well, since brothers take care of each other… if I want you to help me scrub my back in the bath, do you agree?"
"Of course I agree!"
"Then let's go!"
Without another word, Leno slung an arm around her shoulders and pulled Yamato toward his bathroom.
He originally thought Yamato should have learned about the differences between men and women by now. After all this time, she should at least know something, right?
Or was she pretending to be prey, waiting for the hunter to walk into her trap?
…No, she wasn't that cunning.
He studied her closely.
Nothing unusual.
She was acting exactly like a straightforward bro.
Sigh… looks like I'll have to personally teach her lesson number one of adulthood.
After Leno filled the bath, Yamato immediately stripped down without hesitation. When she saw Leno standing there frozen, she urged:
"What are you spacing out for? Take your clothes off!"
"Oh—right, right!"
Staring at the dazzling sight before him, Leno swallowed hard, then hurried to undress.
Since things had already reached this point, there was no backing out. Eventually it had to happen anyway, right?
The two entered the bath, one in front and one behind. At this moment, Leno felt grateful he had insisted on building oversized bathtubs in every room.
"Weren't you scrubbing my back?"
"Are you stupid? You scrub the front too!"
Steadying himself, Leno began helping her wash. But after a short while, that smooth skin…
"Yamato, do you want to test just how strong my body really is?"
"Can I? I've made a lot of progress recently. Perfect time to test!"
"Of course you can. Turn around first."
Looking at her smooth back and firm curves, Leno took a deep breath, leaned in, and began letting Yamato personally experience the true power of his physique.
"Your body really is strong. I didn't expect you to injure me so easily."
Yamato looked back at him in shock, marveling at his strength.
It seemed she still had a long way to go in her training. Reaching Leno's level might be impossible.
He mentioned before that he had been struck by lightning to get this strong.
Should I… try something like that too?
While she was lost in thought about how to strengthen her physique, Leno didn't idle either—his "teaching" continued.
As time passed, Yamato's breathing gradually grew heavier. She turned around in a fluster.
"Why is my whole body hot? And I feel weak…"
Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes soft and watery. Leno smiled gently and reassured her:
"It means your physique is improving."