Chapter 64: Before Setting Sail

Chapter 64: Before Setting Sail

One hundred and eighty-five centimeters.

A few years ago, using a combination of Life Return and Paper Art, Shane had compressed his body to this specific height, with almost no impact on his combat strength.

The initial reason for settling on this exact number was simply because Belle-mère was one hundred and eighty-six centimeters tall.

He didn't want his mother to always have to look up at him.

His experiences since then had proven it to be a comfortable decision.

Although still taller than the average person, it no longer interfered with his daily life, nor did it make him stand out too much in a crowd.

By compressing his body's density, he sacrificed a small fraction of his strength but gained a significant boost in agility.

His target profile was drastically reduced, and it also greatly enhanced the effectiveness of Paper Art, allowing each part of his body to develop an independent, instinctive reaction to dodge attacks.

This gave him an even greater advantage in most combat situations.

He had named this form Paper Art: Martial Body.

If Rob Lucci ever came up with the same name in the future, then based on the principle of first-come, first-served, he would obviously owe Shane royalties.

As for his true form…

"Hmm?"

Shane suddenly looked up at the ceiling, a slight frown on his face. "Summer's just started, and there are already mosquitoes."

WHOOSH—!

His body abruptly expanded, soaring upwards. In an instant, his head was touching the ceiling.

His muscles were corded and powerful, yet his overall physique remained sleek and aesthetically pleasing. Compared to the demonic, monstrously muscular form he had a few years ago, he looked more like a normal person—

If you ignored his terrifying height of three-point-seven meters.

He flicked a finger.

The striped mosquito, the size of his thumb, was instantly reduced to a fine powder that drifted down, having never even had the chance to beat its wings.

Yet the spot on the ceiling hit by his fingernail was completely unharmed; not even the surrounding dust had been disturbed.

This was a testament to his absolute peak control over his entire body, down to the most minute cells.

In this state, his terrifying strength could be unleashed without reservation, and his defense and durability were maximized. It had its own advantages and disadvantages compared to his Paper Art: Martial Body form.

…

Shane glanced at the powdered remains of the mosquito.

He nodded in satisfaction, then whooshed back to his everyday size and resumed washing the dishes, humming a little tune.

The entire transformation process didn't even take half a second.

"You're gonna give someone a heart attack!"

Zoro's startled shout came from the living room behind the door. "You suddenly got that big, I thought an enemy was attacking! And it was all just to swat a mosquito?!"

"Zoro."

Koshiro's low voice followed. "Mind your manners. You are a guest. How can you be so rude in someone else's home?"

"That sounds familiar. Isn't that what you said back at the Isshin Dojo when I was the host and you were the guest? So when exactly am I allowed to be rude—Ouch, that hurts!!"

"Mr. Zeff, when did you get back?"

…

Hearing Zoro's yelp, Shane couldn't help but smile.

It was funny, really.

Aside from his immediate family, almost everyone else who knew him thought his Paper Art: Martial Body was his original form.

His true, massive form was instead believed to be some kind of transformation that was difficult to maintain for long periods.

That little brat Sanji had once sneakily asked him if he had eaten a Mythical Zoan, Human-Human Fruit, Model: Muscle Monster. He had earned himself a sound beating for that and ran off crying his eyes out.

"Everyone's back?"

Just as he finished the dishes, Shane turned off the tap and wiped his hands on his apron as he walked into the living room.

"Everyone except Gin," Zeff said, pulling his fist out of the "moss head's" hair with a pop. He grinned. "We've already said all our goodbyes at the dinner table. It's time for us to get going, Captain."

"Yeah."

Kuina and Koshiro exchanged a glance. Kuina then looked away, feigning nonchalance as she stretched her arms. "Time to go, Captain."

"She's not calling him 'brother' anymore," Nojiko muttered under her breath from behind them.

"Don't be so stingy," Shane said, ruffling his sister's hair. "So you've decided? You're really coming with us?"

"Mhm."

Nojiko nodded emphatically.

"So you made up your mind a long time ago. Actually, you wanted to set sail with me from the very beginning, even before you mentioned wanting to train on The Orange Grove, didn't you?"

"As expected of my brother. You saw right through me," Nojiko said, a little embarrassed. But when she noticed Kuina's gaze on her, she immediately put her hands on her hips and snorted. "But back then, I really was too weak! I didn't have any confidence and didn't want to be a useless burden. That's why I said I'd stay home. But now…"

She clenched her fists tightly. "I'm super strong now! Not only can I protect myself, but I can also help you out, big brother!"

"I believe you."

Shane chuckled.

Perhaps it was the tacit understanding between siblings. Like him, Nojiko had no aptitude for swordsmanship, but she had displayed an astonishing talent for martial arts.

She first built a solid foundation with the Breathing Fist, and then, under Shane's guidance, began training in the Six Powers, mastering Shave, Moonwalk, and Finger Pistol.

On top of that, over the past few years, whenever a martial arts manual appeared in the System, Shane had bought it for Nojiko, regardless of whether it was useful to him.

After years of diligent training, Nojiko's strength had skyrocketed.

Although there was still a significant gap between her and Kuina, who was now a full-fledged Swordmaster, she was more than qualified to venture into the Grand Line.

"Me too! I'm going too!!!"

The wooden staircase suddenly trembled as an orange-haired girl came bounding down, her slender, graceful body as light as a bird. She slid down the last few steps on the banister and shot her hand into the air. "Did you forget about this beautiful young lady? Hmph, don't forget, I'm your one and only navigator! You can't leave me behind!"

"Don't mess around."

Shane flicked her forehead. "You're not even an adult yet. What's a kid like you getting involved for?"

Men came of age at eighteen, women at sixteen. Nojiko and Kuina were the same age and had both just crossed that threshold this year.

Nami, however, was only fourteen. At dinner, she still had to sit at the kids' table with Zoro and Sanji. She had a long way to go.

"Kid? Who are you calling a kid?!"

Nami puffed out her chest indignantly to prove her point, but she shrank back after getting a dark glare from Shane. Her eyes darted around, and then she let out a cry, "Ow!" and collapsed onto the sofa, clutching her stomach.

"NAMI-SWAN!" Sanji slid across the living room floor on his knees, squatting nervously in front of her. "What's wrong? Are you not feeling well?"

"When did you become such a simp?" Zoro shot him a disdainful look. "Your brain is still as dumb as ever. It's that thing. The thing that happens to girls when they reach a certain age! That's how I managed to beat Kuina for the first time, when she suddenly got it."

"SHUT UP, YOU IDIOT!"

Kuina's face turned beet red, and she lunged at Zoro, her hands ready to scratch him.

"Everyone's here! Watch what you say! Besides, that only happened once! Don't you forget that I beat you three thousand times after that!!!"

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