(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited
smoothly. sp.atreon/INeedRest)
*************
Deidara rambled on, and Colt finally pieced together the situation.
Moria's pirate crew originally had four mbers, three of whom perished in battle.
The sole survivor was Perona.
Sasori and Deidara, oddly enough, refrained from killing her-not due to rcy, but because they saw no point in it.
Perona's survival wasn't just luck; it was as if fate had intervened.
Colt might not have believed this explanation before, but after teaching them, coaxing them, and delivering so "painful physical lessons," these two forrly reckless shinobi had llowed out considerably.
The inherent disregard for life ingrained in them as ninjas was smoothed over, bit by bit. Thus, Perona beca their captive.
To keep her under control, they placed seastone cuffs on her.
Without her Devil Fruit powers, Perona's abilities were below those of an average Marine officer, effectively trapping her on the island.
Initially, she did try to escape multiple tis. After being caught several tis by Deidara, they unexpectedly ford a peculiar friendship.
This was no surprise-both had lively, mischievous personalities.
Together, they pulled pranks, like using Perona's ghostly abilities to ss with Sasori.
One such incident left Sasori kneeling, utterly dejected, mumbling:
"Father, Mother... forgive ! I turned my body into a puppet and turned against the sand village. I've brought sha upon the family!"
It was funny because he would never say anything like that, even if you threatened him with death.
At most, he might think it to himself, but never out loud.
Deidara was so stunned by Sasori's breakdown at that ti that he nearly dropped the clay creations that were in his hand. If they did, he might have been badly injured as a result.
The aftermath of the prank, however, was brutal. Sasori hunted them down for half a month in retaliation.
****
"Wait, so you're saying you get along well with Perona?" Colt asked, confused.
Sasori replied coolly, "Life here is too quiet. Deidara and I plan to head to the New World to seek stronger challenges."
Deidara chid in, "Yeah we get along with her, but what he said is true, the pirates and Marines here are too weak. There's no real sense of danger to push us further."
As seasoned fighters, neither Sasori nor Deidara could tolerate stagnation.
Their strength might be impressive, but in the grand sche of the seas, they were far from the top.
To grow stronger, they needed ferocious battles against powerful foes, sothing only the New World could offer.
Taking Perona along wasn't an option, so they left her fate in Colt's hands.
"So, you want to babysit your problem?" Colt crossed his arms, sizing up his subordinates.
Nami and Robin exchanged glances, sensing sothing strange.
Was this just a ploy to leave a cute girl like her with Colt?
Colt shook his head.
"I'm not taking her. I already have two burdens on this ship. Adding another spoiled girl who needs to be cooked for? No thanks."
Robin and Nami flushed in embarrassnt, though they couldn't argue.
To their chagrin, Colt was actually the best cook on the ship.
****
"Huh?" Deidara tilted his head.
"Perona's cooking is pretty good, though. Even Sasori didn't complain!"
Colt raised a brow. His expression was hopeful.
"You're saying she's a decent cook?"
"Absolutely," Deidara confird.
"Hmm..." Colt pondered for a mont.
"Fine. Let's see her prepare tonight's dinner. If it's good, I'll consider taking her aboard. Robin, Nami, any objections?"
Both of them shook their heads. They were too embarrassed.
****
While Perona prepared dinner, Deidara excitedly dragged Colt to a special testing area to showcase his latest "art."
Explosions filled the air as Deidara's clay bombs detonated one after another.
"The power's improved, and you've added variety," Colt observed. "But without Haki, you'll hit a ceiling sooner than later."
Deidara frowned.
Colt's criticism was spot-on. Against ordinary pirates, Deidara's arsenal was devastating.
But against Logia users or Kaido-level defenses, naturally, his bombs fell short.
Sasori interjected, "He's been experinting with miniature bombs. The next step is finding
a way to deliver them into the enemy's body."
Robin and Nami shuddered at the thought.
Colt, however, nodded approvingly.
"Good thinking. That's the right path to go for."
Turning to Sasori, Colt asked, "What about you? Did you follow the sa path as Moria??"
Sasori smirked, his expression finally breaking into sothing resembling pride.
With a flick of his wrist, his black-and-red Akatsuki cloak fell away, revealing his core. Chakra threads erupted from his chest, summoning an army of puppets from the ground-each ticulously crafted.
"This," Sasori declared, "is my eternal art. Colt, even your godlike powers pale in comparison
to the immortality I've achieved!"
Colt groaned, rubbing his temples.
"I don't see eternal art. What I see is soone playing dress-up. Now put your cloak back on before I charge you with public indecency!"
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