Chapter 31: Troubles
The two fell to the ground, their eyes locked onto each other. Ginny's face grew redder by the second. It wasn't until Carl gently patted her waist that she slowly sat up.
With a soft *pop*, their lips parted, but Ginny still didn't move away. Instead, she remained seated on Carl, her long legs crossed in a figure-eight shape, making the scene even more ambiguous.
Lowering her head, she gazed at Carl intently and asked,
**"Brother Carl, just now... did you feel anything?"**
Carl blinked and casually replied, **"Not bad. Soft."**
*"Oops!"* Ginny let out a squeal, her face burning with embarrassment. She quickly scrambled off Carl, covered her face, and ran away.
Carl smirked, watching her retreating figure. Having lived two lives, how could he not understand Ginny's intentions? However, he felt that now wasn't the right time.
*At least, not until I graduate from Marine School. By then, I'll only be eighteen...*
---
### **Time Passed...**
In the following weeks, Ginny's attitude toward Carl remained unchanged, but she often found ways to "accidentally" make physical contact with him.
Carl, being the more experienced one, remained calm each time, while Ginny would end up blushing and fleeing in embarrassment.
Of course, it wasn't all play. Most of their time was spent training.
Though Ginny's natural talent wasn't on the level of a monster like Carl, she had a unique trait—the **Big Eater Attribute**. Despite consuming massive amounts of food, she never gained weight. In the One Piece world, such people were often far from weak.
Her constant intake of nutrients fueled her rapid physical growth. Combined with rigorous training and the structured guidance at Marine School, within a few months, she had become the strongest among the female students.
With her cheerful and outgoing nature, she also earned the respect of her peers. She often stood up for her female classmates, protecting them from flirtatious male students, gradually gaining the reputation of a **big sister figure** among the girls.
However, when it came to Carl, she remained the same soft and playful Ginny, constantly being "teased" by him.
---
### **Missing Carl**
One afternoon, Ginny sat on the ground after running a few laps around the training field. She drew circles in the dirt with her fingers, looking unusually gloomy.
Several of her close female friends approached her.
One of them, a short-haired blonde with a confident, heroic aura, patted Ginny's shoulder and asked, **"Ginny, what's wrong? This isn't like you."**
Ginny blew the pink bangs off her forehead and pouted. **"I'm fine... I just wonder when Brother Carl and the others will be back."**
Jessica sighed helplessly and crossed her arms. **"Seriously, Ginny? He's only been gone a few days, and you're already like this? Where's your pride?"**
The other girls chuckled and teased her.
**"Yeah, Ginny, Carl has Teacher Zephyr with him. Nothing bad will happen. You're overreacting!"**
**"Honestly, Carl is amazing. He was personally chosen by Teacher Zephyr for a mission so soon after joining!"**
**"Right? If it weren't for you, Ginny, half the girls here would be all over him. Even I—"**
The girl paused mid-sentence when she felt Ginny pinch her cheek.
Ginny narrowed her eyes. **"Even you what?"**
*"Nothing! Nothing at all!"*
Jessica, amused, playfully grabbed Ginny's ears. **"Alright, alright. We won't fight you for your precious Carl. But don't act like a broody hen protecting her chick."**
Ginny turned and hugged Jessica tightly, her eyes welling up. **"Jessica~ But I've never been apart from Carl since I met him... I really miss him!"**
She buried her face in Jessica's stomach, making Jessica shudder from the ticklish sensation. Gently, Jessica patted Ginny's head, comforting her like an older sister.
---
### **A New Visitor**
Meanwhile, on the male side of the training grounds, Momonga and the others were chatting as they trained.
**"I wonder how Sakazuki and the others are doing. I really wish I could go out to sea with them!"**
**"Yeah, who wouldn't? The seas are dangerous these days. Without strength like theirs, even with Teacher Zephyr's protection, it's risky."**
**"Exactly. Let's just focus on getting stronger!"**
As they talked, a tall and elegant figure appeared at the entrance of the training ground.
She had a long black ponytail, subtle makeup, and a small beauty mark near the corner of her lips. Her delicate features gave her a refined, mature look.
She wore a peach-colored short-sleeved top, dark shorts, and had a **prominent spider tattoo** on her smooth, pale thigh. A luxurious sword hung at her waist.
As soon as she stepped in, she immediately drew the attention of the male students.
The female students, on the other hand, glanced at her *impressive* figure and collectively sighed in shame.
Jessica nudged Ginny, pointing at the new arrival. **"Ginny, look. That girl is gorgeous. Is she a new student?"**
Ginny gave a quick glance but wasn't interested. **"Meh."**
She was too preoccupied with waiting for Carl's return to care about anything else.
The young woman's gaze swept across the training field before she gracefully made her way toward the male students, including Momonga.
With a sweet smile that made their hearts skip a beat, she asked in a soft, melodic voice, **"Excuse me, is there a student named Carl here?"**
The moment she mentioned Carl's name, a wave of disappointment washed over the male students.
One of them stood up and replied, **"Carl and Sakazuki went on a mission with Teacher Zephyr. May I ask who you are?"**
The woman looked slightly surprised. She placed a delicate hand near her lips and murmured, **"A mission? But isn't he still a student?"**
**"Yes, but he's exceptionally strong. Teacher Zephyr personally chose him for an early mission."**
**"I see... No wonder my sister keeps mentioning him."**
She rested her chin on her fingers, deep in thought.
Just then, a soft but firm hand patted her shoulder.
Turning her head, she found herself face-to-face with a girl whose beauty was entirely different from hers—fresh, playful, yet just as captivating.
Ginny, arms crossed, looked at her suspiciously and asked, **"Hello, my name is Ginny. I just heard you're looking for Brother Carl... What do you need him for?"**
---
### **End of Chapter**
**+30 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg**
**Want early access to my latest One Piece fanfic chapters before their official release on Webnovel? Join my Patreon for exclusive content and more! Your support helps me keep creating amazing stories for you!**