[159] Zala's Moment

[2400 Words]

-------------------

[The Next Day.]

[East Blue, Uninhabited Island]

*BOOM!!*

A thunderous sound echoed across the island, causing birds and animals to flee in terror. A deep crater formed in the ground due to a powerful strike.

"Captain, will we..."

Benn Beckman, who was about to speak with Shanks, the one responsible for the crater, stopped when he saw his captain's expression.

"That's right... something happened that I never expected..." Shanks's expression was cold. Since his conversation with Garp, his usually friendly demeanor had shifted to anger.

Years ago, Shanks had found Luffy and saw in him the will of his late captain, Roger. When Luffy ate the fruit, Shanks realized that the fruit had chosen him, and it was destined for him to be the savior and hero of this world.

So, he supported Luffy, at least morally, believing that his journey would be smooth given Luffy's identity, the grandson of the most legendary marine and the world's most dangerous man... Luffy was supposed to rise through the ranks step by step.

But what happened? His crew was killed by a pirate who had just come to prominence...

When Shanks saw Luffy, who appeared distant and filled with deep hatred and resentment, he realized a harsh truth: Luffy had changed mentally and was no longer the cheerful boy he once was.

And Ace's death made matters worse.

Luffy's mental defenses had completely collapsed.

Sigh... Shanks let out a deep sigh, and his expression became serious again.

"A mysterious pirate, whose origin and whereabouts are unknown, caused all this... He's also become a Warlord of the Sea and showed impressive strength at the Marineford War..." His tone carried clear ill intentions and resentment towards the person he was speaking of.

And, of course, that person was none other than Ren himself.

"It seems I owe the Five Elders something..." An idea crossed Shanks's mind. He then pulled out a special Den Den Mushi from his pocket and started calling a specific number.

At that moment, Ren had no idea that this call would shape his future as a Warlord of the Sea.

-----

[Grand Line, Paradise]

[Alabasta]

Ren had returned to his headquarters in Alabasta not long ago. Not much had changed on this desert island, except for several pirate crews from across the Grand Line gathering under the flag of the Pirates of Sin.

"I see, very good, keep up the hard work and report any updates to me." Ren was currently having a conversation through the Den Den Mushi, a slight smile on his face.

He was inside the dimension of El Sama, specifically in his room.

Robin was in his arms, clinging to him like a cat.

"My love ~ isn't this bad? We'll be targeted by a Yonko if your guess is correct." Despite the dangerous words coming from her mouth, her tone was playful, as if she wasn't afraid of provoking a Yonko.

Yes, Ren was talking through the Den Den Mushi with Koby, who had informed him of what had happened, including the meeting between Garp and Shanks.

Ren knew that Shanks had left the Windmill Village angrily after seeing Luffy's state.

As someone who had seen the original work, it was clear that Ren knew what Shanks would do next.

"This person has a mysterious and strong relationship with the Five Elders, despite being one of the world's most dangerous pirates... I wouldn't be surprised if they suddenly announce my loss of position." Ren spoke, but there was no sign of worry on his face.

Robin, who was in his arms, was shocked by his words, "Is his relationship with the World Government this strong...? Even though he's a pirate... and not just any ordinary pirate..."

"That's correct." Ren confirmed, "But I'm not afraid of him." He continued with a confident smile.

His current strength was enough to face a Yonko.

He might not win since he hadn't mastered Conqueror's Haki yet, but he was confident in his ability to survive.

And if things really went south, he could escape using El Sama, and no one would be able to stop or find him.

The system and its elements were merely a big facade.

What Ren didn't know was that these thoughts about the system caused a woman in an unknown location to shake her head and nod with pride.

"Anyway, Robin, I have a request..."

Ren spoke, and with every word she heard, Robin's smile widened, though traces of jealousy appeared on her beautiful face.

After a minute or so, she nodded her head and said, "I'll help you with that... but you must reward me~"

She looked at him with a lustful gaze when she mentioned "the reward."

Of course, Ren knew what the woman wanted, so he didn't hesitate to push her to the bed.

"Ahh~ Ahhn~ H-honey..~"

In the following hours, no sound could be heard from Ren's room except for Robin's lustful moans.

-----

[Grand Line, Paradise]

[Marineford]

"We've recently received reports about the Black Death's movements... This person is recruiting large numbers of pirates under his flag!"

Sengoku, who had not yet retired, slammed his fist on his desk in anger.

"Tsuru-chan, do you have any thoughts?"

He looked at the woman known for her cunning and wisdom to share his thoughts.

Tsur's gaze was deep as she pondered Sengoku's words.

Her silence lasted for several seconds before she finally spoke, "He's suspicious, he's planning something big."

"Like what?" Sengoku's expression was serious as he looked at the woman.

"Like... the vacant Emperor's position? But... I don't think his individual strength is enough." She quickly dismissed her guess.

But Sengoku kept thinking about her words, then looked at a few piles of reports on his desk and started going through them eagerly.

*Scratch scratch*

Tsuru watched him as he folded one paper after another, then looked at him puzzled when she saw him focusing on one of the reports.

"A report from the patrol ships in the New World... It states that they've lost contact with two ships under mysterious and sudden circumstances."

He spoke, then took a deep breath and continued: "The last signal from the two ships was detected near the Devil's Range Archipelago!"

"And how does this relate to Black Death's objective?" Even Tsuru, known for her wide experience, couldn't understand why Sengoku was bringing up the sudden disappearance of patrol ships.

Every year, contact is lost with ten or more patrol ships in the New World; it was normal. That sea was chaotic and dangerous, a haven for sea emperors.

So, the destruction of several ships there wasn't a big deal, whether it was caused by one of the Emperors' crews or a natural disaster.

"I believe the cause behind the disappearance of the two ships is related to Black Death, and it could very well be him!" Sengoku answered Tsuru's confusion calmly.

Upon hearing this, Tsuru's mind was enlightened, and she responded, "Do you think that because the incident happened in an area that was once under the rule of the Whitebeard Pirates...?"

"That's right. Blackbeard's location has been identified, and Akainu was sent after him, so this only leaves one pirate who could be competing for Whitebeard's territories, which are a prime target for these greedy pirates... Of course, excluding the other emperors who don't seem interested in taking Whitebeard's territories but are more concerned with maintaining the fragile balance in the New World. They are waiting for the rise of the new emperor!"

*BAM!*

Sengoku slammed his fist on the desk as he finished speaking, then declared to Tsuru in a deep voice:

"Black Death is trying to become the new emperor! That's the reason for his recent suspicious movements."

Tsuru looked at him, then replied, maintaining her wise demeanor: "So isn't that a good thing? If he becomes the new emperor, it means the balance will return to the New World."

"You're right... but only under normal circumstances." Sengoku sighed, looking like he was remembering something.

"What? What happened?" Tsuru saw his hesitant expression and knew something had happened, meaning he had received orders from higher-ups.

"The Five Elders contacted me recently and...."

-----

[At the same time, on the Sky Island.]

"Get ready!"

"Go!"

"One! Two! Three! Four! Five..."

"Male Pegasus Warriors! Form up in 7 rows!"

"Female Pegasus Warriors! Form up in 7 rows!"

*Bam!*

*Whoomph!*

A terrifying scene unfolded, one capable of frightening even the strongest hearts currently on this floating island in the sky.

Dozens of warriors lined up, emitting a suffocating aura as they stood in multiple rows, each holding different weapons such as spears, swords, and rifles.

"Listen carefully!"

The voice of the Pegasus Priest, Shura, pierced the silence and reached the ears of the mighty warriors.

Shura stood with the last remaining priests—Sadori, Gidatsu, and Omo—calmly.

"Yes, sir!" everyone replied in unison.

"The Lord wants our strength! The Lord commands us to fight for Him, are you ready for this?"

"Yes, we are ready!!"

"I can't hear you!" Shura seemed dissatisfied.

"Yes, we are ready!!"

"Yes, we are ready!!"

"Yes, we are ready!!"

"Very good! Sacrifice your lives for the Lord!" Shura said with a face full of devotion and reverence.

"Yes! We will sacrifice our lives for the Lord!!"

"Yes! We will sacrifice our lives for the Lord!!"

The atmosphere in Skypiea was maddening. The cries of the warriors, filled with obedience and reverence, could even be heard by the citizens on Angel Island.

-----

[Elsama, the dimension.]

"Don't be too nervous."

Ren glanced at the girl who had entered his room with a red face, giving her a slight smile.

"Zala, welcome..." he said calmly, noticing her obvious hesitation.

Zala, standing at the door, swallowed before taking a breath. "I think... I just came to talk to you, Captain." She spoke quickly, then looked down as if searching for something to hide her nervousness.

Ren smiled lightly and gestured to the chair next to him.

"You don't need to be like this. Sit down, nothing here is worth stressing over."

Zala hesitated for a moment, then finally decided to sit beside him.

The atmosphere between them was strange, but it was filled with something else... something hidden beneath their words.

She looked into his deep blue eyes and couldn't resist the growing feeling in her heart.

She was trying to understand her feelings, which were beginning to evolve into something more.

"Is everything okay?" Ren asked in a calm voice, leaning a little closer. His words were simple, yet they carried a real sense of concern.

Of course, he knew why Zala had come here.

He was the one who had asked Robin to speak with Zala after All.

She gazed at him, her eyes studying his face as it gradually moved closer.

She whispered softly, "N-nothing... I just felt a little bored and wanted to come here..."

As her words scattered into the air, Ren couldn't help but get closer. The distance between them was now minimal.

Then, without planning it, Ren gently reached out his hand toward hers, as if trying to reassure her.

"I see..." he whispered softly, his voice filled with warmth.

As their hands touched, Zala felt something overwhelm her from within.

'Ah~ He's so handsome...',She felt the heat rising to her face and quickly turned her gaze away, trying to hide the sudden rush of embarrassment that swept over her.

Ren watched her in silence, his eyes filled with interest and curiosity. He took another step forward, drawing even closer to her.

Then, in an unexpected moment, Zala caught a hidden gleam in his eyes—something that suggested more… something growing stronger, perhaps hidden behind his cold and reserved actions.

"Hmm... you have a beautiful face," Ren whispered, gently placing his other hand on her face. His fingers were warm, and his movement was filled with unspoken emotion.

Zala felt something strange in her chest. There was hesitation, but her heart was screaming for something else—something she couldn't explain. She hesitated for a moment, her feelings a mix of caution and the desire to get closer to him.

"You're also... handsome," she whispered, but her words choked in her throat, and she continued with difficulty due to the shyness that overwhelmed her.

His eyes were on her, and her heart began to race. In that moment, the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only that moment filled with tension and desire, an escape they couldn't find.

As Zala hesitated, Ren's hands remained gently on her face, caressing her soft skin.

There was something invisible in the air between them, something growing and expanding, making their breaths intertwine. Time seemed to stop, and the world around them faded gradually.

Ren looked into her eyes, and inside those eyes filled with tension and confusion, he moved closer to her until he could feel the warmth of her breath on his face, his eyes locked with hers.

"I appreciate your compliment," he smiled, his voice warm, but there was a clear desire he couldn't deny. "Zala—"

"!!!"

But before he could finish his words, Zala couldn't resist the rising feeling in her heart.

Her desire for him pushed her forward, and with a sudden but passionate movement, she closed the gap between them until there was no space left.

*Kiss~!*

Then, in an irreversible moment, her lips moved toward his, and a passionate kiss erupted, filled with all the unspoken emotions.

It was a hot kiss, full of passion, like an expression of all her repressed feelings.

*Kiss~!*

Their hands intertwined, their hearts racing, while the world around them disappeared, leaving only the moment where they both felt that anything was possible.

Long moments passed, and they remained tangled together, the air around them saturated with intense emotions.

In that night, Zala knew she would experience bliss.

-----------------

[A Lewd Pic (Add yous too)]

To be continued....