Novel Lived
Chapter 343: Chapter 343: Perona can cook?
Chapter 343: Chapter 343: Perona can cook?
(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. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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Deidara rambled on, and Colt finally pieced together the situation.
Moria's pirate crew originally had four members, three of whom perished in battle.
The sole survivor was Perona.
Sasori and Deidara, oddly enough, refrained from killing her-not due to mercy, but because they saw no point in it.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
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 some "painful physical lessons," these two formerly reckless shinobi had mellowed out considerably.
The inherent disregard for life ingrained in them as ninjas was smoothed over, bit by bit. Thus, Perona became 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 times. After being caught several times by Deidara, they unexpectedly formed a peculiar friendship.
This was no surprise-both had lively, mischievous personalities.
Together, they pulled pranks, like using Perona's ghostly abilities to mess with Sasori.
One such incident left Sasori kneeling, utterly dejected, mumbling:
"Father, Mother... forgive me! I turned my body into a puppet and turned against the sand village. I've brought shame 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 time 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 chimed 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 scheme of the seas, they were far from the top.
To grow stronger, they needed ferocious battles against powerful foes, something 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 me to babysit your problem?" Colt crossed his arms, sizing up his subordinates.
Nami and Robin exchanged glances, sensing something 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 embarrassment, 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 confirmed.
"Hmm..." Colt pondered for a moment.
"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 experimenting 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 same path as Moria??"
Sasori smirked, his expression finally breaking into something 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 meticulously 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 someone playing dress-up. Now put your cloak back on before I charge you with public indecency!"