Chapter 96
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Lured by the promise of an additional one million Berries, Aqua, who was extremely pain-averse, reluctantly agreed to Zyhark's punching test.
As Zyhark had anticipated, despite not having her goddess powers restored, Aqua's physical resilience was remarkably robust. She took two punches from the now physically enhanced Zyhark and only shed a barrel's worth of tears, showing no significant injuries.
Zyhark conservatively estimated that Aqua's physical defense was even higher than his own, and ordinary attacks would likely struggle to breach her defenses.
---
The next morning, Zyhark was awakened by noisy disturbances on the deck. Getting up and stepping out of the cabin, he found Aqua and Meowth fishing—Aqua was the source of the noise, having successfully caught another blind fish.
Aqua, who usually slept until noon, was too excited to sleep thinking about the money to buy wine. She had sneaked out to fish with Meowth, who was still half-asleep, before dawn.
Poor Meowth, barely awake, was stuffed with fish by Aqua and lay there listlessly, enduring the humiliation of being treated like a pet right after waking up.
It was challenging to voice such grievances, especially when its own claw attacks couldn't breach her defenses, forcing it to endure this indignity.
"To endure such trials on the first day in a new world—who among my kin would understand?"
"Good morning, Zyhark! Look, I caught another fish!"
Aqua held Meowth by the armpits, showing off the fish tail hanging from Meowth's mouth.
"It's indeed rare to hear 'good morning' from you."
If it weren't for Meowth, Zyhark might have thought he was hallucinating from getting up too fiercely.
As for the fish in Meowth's mouth, there was no need to take it out to know it was another blind, disabled fish...
"What do you mean by 'indeed rare'? That's super rude to say to the Goddess of Water!"
Aqua pouted unhappily, then looked forward eagerly, "It's dawn now, shouldn't we be heading to town?"
From the drool inadvertently dripping from her mouth, it was easy to guess what was on her mind.
"Let's wait a bit longer, the shops in town aren't open yet."
Zyhark said, trying not to stare as her drool dripped onto Meowth's head, "Also, Meowth is our companion, not a pet, put it down."
Hearing this, Meowth's hopeless eyes suddenly lit up.
The team leader was truly a good person!
Aqua touched Meowth's fur as if it were only natural, "Exactly because he's a companion that I need to protect this child at all times."
"I don't need protection at all! Also, I'm already an adult, stop calling me a child, meow!"
Meowth bristled, spat out the fish in its mouth, and struggled, showing a fierce expression.
"What's the difference, Meowth? We're companions, after all~"
Aqua didn't budge, instead rubbing her cheek against Meowth's head more vigorously.
"If that's the case, then Aqua, you let go of Meowth, and let me, also a companion, take over."
Seeing Meowth being held, Zyhark stood up seriously, ready to act righteously.
"Don't."
Aqua, repulsed by Zyhark's suggestion, thought for a moment before bending down to set Meowth down.
Zyhark smirked: Just like that?
It was easy to handle her!
Once on the ground, Meowth quickly scurried to hide behind Zyhark.
As a villainous character with a record of evil, it was the first time Meowth encountered such a terrifying woman!
After the brief commotion, Zyhark casually fetched a cup from the bathroom and handed it to Aqua.
Though reluctant, Aqua extended her slender fingers to fill the empty cup with water.
Despite the lack of verbal exchange, their time together had built some mutual understanding.
As Zyhark leaned against the deck railing to finish up, King emerged from the cabin, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
"King, you're just in time. I'm going to make some breakfast. After eating, we can head out."
With that, Zyhark bent down to pick up the fish that had fallen to the ground.
Catching a glimpse from the corner of his eye, he confirmed that the fish was indeed blind in both eyes.
Watching Zyhark walk away, Meowth, not wanting to stay alone with Aqua, hurriedly followed.
"Hey! Wait for me!"
Hearing there was something to eat, Aqua also hurried to catch up.
---
After breakfast, the group disembarked from the Endless Dream and approached the entrance of Loguetown, marked by a sign.
The spacious streets were already bustling with residents going about their day—fishermen heading out to sea, merchants setting up their stalls, and playful children running around.
Since Smoker had taken charge of Loguetown, the birthplace of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger wasn't as chaotic as before. Pirates headed for the Grand Line kept a low profile, at least in public, and those bold enough to engage in open plunder were virtually unseen.
"Aqua, stay composed in town, don't cause trouble, and if you get lost, ask for help from a marine or townsfolk!"
Zyhark sternly instructed Aqua before they parted.
Initially reluctant to let the foolish goddess wander alone, he agreed thinking about the even more challenging environments of the Grand Line ahead. They couldn't always be together 24/7.
Given that the marines in Logue Town knew them, any issues could be easily addressed. It was better to let her develop some independence now than deal with bigger problems later.
In a sense, Zyhark's view of Aqua wasn't much different from her view of Meowth.
"Don't worry, I am, after all, the capable Goddess of Water!"
Aqua dismissively waved her hand.
"Is because you're dumb—cough, the Goddess of Water—I find it hard to be at ease..."
Seeing her carefree demeanor, Zyhark's concerns deepened.
"Darn it! How dare you look down on this goddess!"
Aqua, proud and concerned about her image, could not tolerate such disrespect and assertively patted her ample chest, "Just watch and see how reliable the serious Goddess Aqua can be!"
With that, she confidently walked into Loguetown with two million Berries in her pocket, quickly blending into the bustling streets.
(End of Chapter)