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This time, the navigation lesson went way beyond what Logan had expected.
Teaching Karumen was a totally different experience compared to Nami and the other four girls.
When it came to the four of them, they all had the same problem—learning passively, without much initiative. Even when they tried to connect concepts or improvise, it always felt clumsy.
But Karumen was different.
It didn't take long before she got into the flow.
She went from passive to proactive, even starting to think creatively—something that made Logan click his tongue in surprise.
Her performance matched her personality perfectly: bold, carefree, unrestrained.
It was a completely new experience for Logan.
When Karumen finally absorbed everything he had to teach, he ended the session.
Even so, Karumen still looked like she wasn't ready to stop.
Logan glanced at the clock—it was nearly midnight. Time to call it a night.
Besides, he couldn't wait to claim his reward.
In the next room—
"Claim reward."
[Congratulations, Host! You have obtained the navigation-assist skill — Hand of the Tides!]
Description: When activated, this skill can summon immense tidal waves at will, granting the host an unparalleled navigation experience.
Friendly reminder: Don't forget your waterproof gear!
Logan pressed his lips together, almost laughing out loud.
Perfect.
The system really knew him too well.
Up to now, not one of the five women he'd recruited—Nami, Kaya, Nojiko, Makino, and Karumen—had any real talent in this area.
Teaching them always felt dry and uninspired, which had always been a shame.
But Hand of the Tides was the perfect solution to that flaw.
Even if each person learned at a different pace, this skill would let them all grasp it in their own way.
"Alright, let's test it out."
Skill: acquired.Partner: ready.Timing: perfect.
No reason to wait. Logan went to find Karumen again.
With a wave of his healing power, he cleared away all her lingering fatigue and negative effects.
Karumen blinked, completely confused.
The captain can do that too?!
The sun rose as usual.
At breakfast, the four girls sat around the table, dark circles under their eyes, earplugs still half-in.
Even the ever-gentle Kaya and Makino were quietly fuming.
What the hell happened last night?!
Was Karumen that interesting?!
Normally, Logan's "training" sessions with new recruits lasted about four hours max.
They'd left Baratie around eleven last night... and now it was seven in the morning!
Still not done?!
So now he's into "new flavors," huh?!
Trying to teach every bit of navigation knowledge in one go, are we?!
Unbelievable! What a jerk!!
"I'm done. I'm going to bed." Nojiko, barely keeping her eyes open, set down her half-eaten breakfast and dragged herself off to her room.
Makino yawned, downed the last sip of her milk, and followed suit.
"Hey, where are they going?!" Nami frowned as the two disappeared. "Are we… staying here all day then?!"
She hesitated—she didn't dare interrupt Logan while he was training someone new.
"Forget it, Nami," Kaya sighed, rubbing her temples. "Let's just wait for Logan to finish."
That sound had been echoing in her head for a whole day now.
She was sure Logan had used his healing ability again—otherwise, there was no way…
"…Fine," Nami grumbled, picking up her fork again.
Meanwhile, inside Logan's room, the floor was soaked.
System products really were top-tier.
Logan couldn't stop muttering praises—"Dominant" was the only word that fit.
It was like watching the sea surge into a desert.
"Alright, let's stop here for today."
He put away the "Hand of the Tides" tools.
Karumen buried her face in the blanket.
She wished she could disappear.
Feeling satisfied, Logan stepped into the living room—only to find it empty.
He used Observation Haki to check and sensed that everyone was in their rooms, asleep.
"So lazy already?"
He shook his head.
Oh well. Let them sleep. Once he finished breakfast, he'd rest too.
He couldn't rely on healing to remove fatigue every time—life was about experiencing things, after all.
That evening, the atmosphere at dinner was… awkward.
Nami and the others kept shooting Karumen weird looks.
Karumen, who knew exactly why, kept her head down and focused on eating.
What was she supposed to say?
Just thinking about last night made her want to die of embarrassment.
Every time someone's eyes landed on her, she wanted to sink straight through the floor.
Logan couldn't help chuckling.
Who'd have thought carefree, straightforward Karumen could look this shy?
Even more flustered than Makino. Even more bashful than Kaya.
His laugh instantly drew sharp glares from all four girls.
"Logan. Is that funny to you?!" Nami asked through gritted teeth, her voice dripping with ice.
Kaya and the other two didn't say a word, but their judging stares were enough to make Logan's scalp tingle.
Great. Now I've pissed them all off.
He quickly scarfed down his food and stood up.
As he slipped out, his voice drifted back from the hall:
"Karumen, after you're done with your cooking duel with Sanji, we're setting sail right away."
Karumen had been chasing Sanji for ten years—she was finally here.
Of course Logan would let her settle that score.
The next day, under the watchful eyes of Logan, Nami, and everyone at the Baratie—
Karumen and Sanji finally began their long-awaited culinary showdown.
Wearing her chef's uniform, Karumen looked like a completely different person.
The way she moved as she cooked—it was like a performance, graceful and captivating.
Nami and the others couldn't help murmuring in awe.
So this was what true skill looked like.
She was nothing like the Karumen from that other night.
While she cooked, her confidence lit up her face, drawing everyone's attention.
Even the girls couldn't look away.
But her opponent was Sanji.
In the end, Karumen lost the match—but her cooking still earned the respect and praise of every chef at Baratie, Sanji included.
Though the result was a narrow defeat, Karumen's ten-year dream was finally fulfilled.
With a touch of bittersweetness, the Going Merry rose into the sky once again, sailing gracefully into the distance.
"....."