章 48: Chapter 48: The Ninth Member - Queen Stussy
Stussy.
She stepped onto the Radiant Eclipse with a few women accompanying her.
The women behind Stussy looked at Kuke with admiration, their gazes filled with awe.
"Mr. Kuke, these are my sisters. They were once captured by the Celestial Dragons. I was too weak to rescue them on my own. If it weren't for you, they would still be in captivity," Stussy said, her voice full of gratitude.
The women accompanying Stussy nodded in agreement. One by one, they gently took off their shirts to reveal the mark of the "Heavenly Hoof of the Flying Dragon" on their backs—the brand of the Celestial Dragons' slaves.
Hancock and Koala, who had been on guard, began to soften towards Stussy and the women.
"Lord Kuke, if not for you, we might already be dead. You are our savior. We have nothing to repay you with, but we wish to serve you for the rest of our lives," said one of the women, their eyes filled with tears.
Their emotions were genuine, not an act.
Kuke didn't doubt their identity; it was likely that they were indeed former slaves of the Celestial Dragons.
He couldn't help but acknowledge Stussy's cunning.
Quite the clever move.
There wasn't a single flaw.
"Mr. Kuke, please accept their offer," Stussy said with a smile. "Let them stay with you. They may not have any special skills, but they can take care of your daily needs."
Kuke looked at Stussy. His eyes seemed to be testing her.
Stussy's heart skipped a beat.
Is he dissatisfied?
Could it be that he wants me?
How greedy of my little brother, Stussy thought to herself, suppressing a smile.
In her original plan, Stussy intended to first send her sisters to join the Sun and Moon Pirates. These women weren't spies—having too many spies would raise suspicion. It was worth sacrificing her loyal sisters to complete her mission.
With these women on board, she could establish a connection with the Sun and Moon Pirates. Stussy would then stay with the crew for a while, and after showing signs of being "won over," she would formally request to join. That way, her intentions wouldn't be questioned.
After all, it would be too abrupt for the Queen of the Pleasure District to suddenly request to join their crew.
But Kuke's eyes told her something else.
He wants me on the ship.
Stussy's gaze faltered, and she avoided meeting Kuke's eyes. Her face turned slightly red, an uncertain mix of real and feigned emotion.
"Sister Stussy, why not join us on the ship too?" one of the women asked.
"Sister Stussy, you offended Emperor Big Mom while looking for Lord Kuke. If you go back to the New World, she won't let you off so easily," another added.
"Let's stay under Lord Kuke's protection together."
The women looked at Stussy expectantly.
"I haven't agreed to anything yet," Kuke interjected.
"Following me would be too dangerous for all of you. Now that you're free, it's best you go home and reunite with your families."
He had no intention of taking them aboard.
"What?" The women were visibly disappointed.
Stussy furrowed her brow.
He doesn't want them?
The intelligence clearly stated that all of Kuke's crew were women. Stussy glanced at Hancock and the others.
To her, Gion, Hancock, and Makino were all rare beauties—even more charming in person than in their photos.
Even Koala, the young girl, had the makings of a future beauty.
And the giantess Lily was impressive in her own right, with her ability to change size.
"Could it be that I was wrong? Perhaps he's not interested in beauty, or perhaps his self-control is simply exceptional," Stussy thought, her heart sinking.
If he refuses...
Then her plan would fail.
Is this my only option?
Stussy first glanced at Kuke from the corner of her eye. When she saw that he noticed, her cheeks turned slightly pink. She then grew bold, her demeanor taking on a regal air.
"Mr. Kuke, I have nowhere to return to either. Could you offer me a place to stay?" she asked, her voice softening.
There was no other way.
Stussy had to step up herself.
If she failed today, it would be difficult to find Kuke again, let alone join his crew.
Kuke looked at her, and Stussy gave a graceful smile.
There was a faint glow emanating from her—a barely perceptible glimmer.
Kuke was slightly surprised.
That faint glow meant she genuinely wanted to join, even if only a little. There was no malice—only a small part of her genuinely wished to be aboard.
But it wasn't enough to meet the conditions for taking on new crew members.
"The Queen of the Pleasure District wants to join us? I am, of course, delighted. Welcome," Kuke said, extending his hand.
Stussy placed her delicate, pale hand into his.
Kuke decided to accept her for now.
Though she wasn't sincere and had come with the orders of the World Government, letting her board the ship would fulfill the second condition for crew recruitment: "boarding the ship!"
And that would allow Kuke to gain fifty percent of her combat power.
Her slight sincerity also stirred in Kuke the desire to win her over completely. Such a capable woman was rare in the vast sea—few could compare.
If she couldn't be fully recruited, she'd end up confined in the lowest level of the ship, where her actions would be limited.
"Mr. Kuke, from now on, you are my captain. My fate is in your hands," Stussy said with a charming smile, the situation turning out simpler than she had expected.
What a considerate little brother.
Stussy almost felt guilty for deceiving him.
New, Provisional Crew Member: Stussy (Combat Power: 56,301)
Kuke's combat power increased by roughly twenty-three thousand, which was only fifty percent of Stussy's full strength due to her lack of complete sincerity.
"Now that you've joined us, you'll participate in tomorrow's event," Kuke said.
Stussy leaned in slightly, her posture suggestive. "Captain Kuke, please give me your orders."
"You'll stay aboard the Radiant Eclipse. You'll find out tomorrow," Kuke replied, giving her a meaningful smile.
Stussy wasn't fazed.
The East Blue? What could possibly happen here?
Even if the Sun and Moon Pirates wiped out all of the East Blue Marines or destroyed a kingdom, it would be considered a minor affair.
Stussy didn't give it much thought.
Joining the Sun and Moon Pirates had been the hardest part of her mission. Now that it was done, there was no need to draw unnecessary attention. If Kuke wanted her to stay on the ship, she'd obediently do so.
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