Chapter 36: Chapter 37: Breaking Ties and Desert Paths
After reporting falsely to Crocodile, Josh released Galdino and Marianne from their encounter.
"Consider this a favour from our past partnership," Josh said.
"Kyahahaha! Lucky for you Josh doesn't enjoy sex after killing,"
Gem just ribbed his nose after hearing Mikita's remark. Melissa, intrigued about something, turned to Josh with a question.
"Josh, why not ask them to join us? Aren't they part of your plan?" Melissa asked, her curiosity piqued, especially about Marianne.
Could it be possibly because Marianne looks like a loli?
Josh shot her a look. "Galdino's too clever for his own good. He's terrified of Mr. 0. The second he has to choose sides, he'll betray us," Josh said with a shrug.
Better not to rely on someone so easily swayed by fear. Josh glanced at Galdino, knowing he wouldn't be of any real help. "And you know Crocodile will kill you the moment you return, aren't I right, Galdino?"
Galdino lowered his head, sighing in defeat. "You're right. I'm planning to sail somewhere far away, where no one will hunt me. Good luck on your mission. I'll pray for your peaceful afterlife."
With that, Galdino pulled out a knife and cut his hair tie, severing the signature number three shape, effectively renouncing his status as an agent.
"Mr. 3!" Marianne exclaimed, wide-eyed with surprise.
Expecting sympathy, Galdino was instead met with laughter. Marianne was the first to giggle, wiping a tear from her eye. "Hahaha! You're Mr. Minus Three now!"
"You look funny, no offence," Josh said, chuckling. Melissa leaned her arm against Josh and started laughing with tears streaming down.
"Hey, those tears better not be gasoline."
"Shut up," Melissa replied, still laughing and punched his shoulder at his silly remark, which was almost true if she wanted to.
Josh turned back to Galdino. "Adios, we're heading to Alabasta."
Gem, always wary, chimed in. "What guarantee do we have that they won't stab us in the back?"
Josh asked for the location of their ship. After receiving the information, he burned it, without using any oil—his power making such resources unnecessary.
"How are we supposed to leave now!" Marianne exclaimed, her eyes wide as she watched the flames consume their ship.
Josh smirked. "Mr. 3 can make a new ship with his Devil Fruit, right?"
"I'll starve before finishing it! Take me with you, please! I can be useful," Marianne pleaded, tugging on Josh's pants.
Josh glanced at her but shook his head. Marianne, despite her cunning, was still a potential traitor.
"Whatever," Josh said as Melissa placed a bucket of gasoline next to Galdino. "Here's some for warmth. Also, there's fruit nearby. You'll survive."
"Thank you," Galdino muttered, hugging his legs while Marianne continued to beg.
"Please! I can help with my art. It even complements your fighting style! Besides, Crocodile knows I've betrayed him. I can't back-stab you now, even if I wanted to."
Josh considered for a moment before nodding. "Fine. You can come."
---
"We've arrived," Josh said, standing at the edge of the desert. The Alabasta heat hit them like a wall.
"Boss!" Marianne, now seated next to Mikita, called out, sketching on a piece of paper.
"Just call me Josh."
Josh glanced back at his small but formidable crew: three women and one man, all set on taking down Crocodile. While the system had pushed him into this mission, he had no qualms about using Crocodile's former pawns, including Marianne, to his advantage.
However, one problem remained—privacy. With Marianne on board, Josh was hesitant to engage in any personal moments with Mikita, especially given Marianne's youthful appearance.
Josh and Mikita looked at each other. From the slow way they were breathing, it was clearly visible that they were horny.
As they landed at the nearest seaport in Alabasta, Josh and his crew took a moment to rest. The town nearby offered water, but at a steep price.
"Stay close to me," Mikita said, resting her hand on Marianne's shoulder and pulling her close.
"Why are you bothering me?" Marianne grumbled, annoyed by Mikita's touch.
"You seem to be over Josh's comments about your size," Mikita teased with a smile, casting a glance at Josh, who simply smirked and kept walking.
Marianne turned her face, her cheeks flushing. "I've given up hope on him," she muttered, though her red cheeks told another story—likely stemming from the kiss Josh had given her on the cheek the night before.
"Why are you blushing then?" Mikita asked.
"It's makeup! I messed up the blush."
"Hmmm," Mikita replied, unconvinced but letting it go. "Anyway, remember that Mr. 4 is next. He's way stronger than Mr. 3."
After walking for a while, they stopped to eat. Josh amazed everyone with his monstrous appetite, devouring everything in sight.
"You pay," Josh said to Gem after finishing his meal, citing Gem's nose-picking antics as the reason for losing his appetite.
Gem scowled. "Fuck off." He reluctantly left the restaurant to pay.
"I don't have any money," Josh said, glancing around at the others.
Melissa sighed, about to pull out her wallet when Marianne interjected. "I'll pay."
"You sure? I don't want you to spend your money," Josh said, genuinely surprised.
"It's fine. I just want to prove my usefulness," Marianne smiled softly.
Feeling a bit guilty, Josh patted her on the head. "I'll pay you back later."
"Whatever. Let's just focus. We have a mission waiting for us," Marianne said, determination in her voice.
"Yes," Josh agreed, nodding.
The night before, Josh had made sure to secure the location of Mr. 4 and his partner. He knew that striking first could give them the upper hand in the battle to come.
"We'll head out after we recuperate from traveling," Josh said, stretching his arms and rising from his seat.
"Why? Tired from the sea?" Melissa teased. "You can smell my gasoline. It helps you wake up."
Marianne shot a glare at Melissa for her suggestive remark, but Josh, unfazed, quipped, "Depends on where I'm supposed to smell it from." He winked, the gesture unconscious but smooth.
"Hahaha. Mikita, your boy is smooth," Melissa chuckled, amused by Josh's playful response.
"Only now you figured that out?" Mikita rolled her eyes but smiled, her usual calm demeanor intact as she glanced at Marianne, who was busy paying the bill.
Noticing that Mikita didn't react to Josh's flirtatious comment, Josh shrugged and walked out the door. Outside, he spotted Gem leaning against the wall, smoking a cigarette.
"When are we going?" Gem asked, exhaling a cloud of smoke.
"In a few moments. Let's take a nap at the hotel. We need to rest," Josh replied, stretching again.
"Hotel?" Gem raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "You're the last person who needs rest."
Gem had fought Josh before and knew firsthand that Josh never seemed to tire, even after enduring Gem's most powerful explosions. The suggestion of rest didn't fit Josh's nature.
"You just want some sex, don't you?" Gem smirked. "Just admit it and do it behind the building."
Josh didn't deny it. Instead, he smiled slightly. "I'm not an uncultured swan- like you."
Josh explained his timing. "Mr. 4 won't be at the meeting spot with Mr. 3 for a few hours. We'll move in two hours, once the heat dies down."
With that, Josh shook his head and walked back inside, ready to regroup for the next part of their mission.
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