"It's so cold, Master..."
Shalria, dressed in nothing but a bikini, was shivering uncontrollably. Snow had even begun to gather on the special collar around her neck.
Anna, beside her, was equally frozen. She, too, wore a collar—one she'd put on herself after realizing that her master seemed to have... certain preferences.
Nojiko and Makino, watching this bizarre scene, blushed furiously. According to Sora, it would soon be their turn for this so-called "willpower training."
Sora's method was a military discipline technique from his previous life, originally used by Russians to train new recruits—designed to strengthen mental resilience.
In other words, it was all about building up their spiritual strength—one of the three key physical stats. The stronger the willpower, the more powerful the control over Haki and Devil Fruit abilities—and the easier it became to awaken a fruit's true potential.
Both Anna and Shalria had consumed Zoan-type fruits. Without strong mental fortitude, they'd risk becoming mindless beast-men like the Jailer Beasts of Impel Down once their fruits awakened.
Sora had no intention of letting that happen.
What he wanted was full, controlled awakenings—just like Lucci or Kaku—with blazing aura clouds and enhanced strength. This was his goal for Anna and Shalria.
Whether this method actually worked? Well, he'd read it online. No clue if it was legit. But since they were on a winter island, might as well try it.
"Alright, switch!" Sora called out after glancing at the time.
"Yay!"
Anna and Shalria cheered and rushed over, each latching onto one of his arms like excited little puppies.
"Good girls," Sora chuckled, pulling them onto his lap and wrapping them snugly in a thick blanket, then covering the three of them in his heavy fur cloak.
Both girls, now warm and nestled against his chest, looked up at him with sparkling eyes full of devotion.
They had learned a simple rule: complete Master's orders and they'd get affection and praise in return. No matter how strange or twisted the command, they obeyed eagerly—because his affection was their reward.
Seeing their expressions, Sora grinned.
Once escape became impossible, a slap followed by a sugar cube would make the sugar seem infinitely sweeter. This was Sora's personal twist on Stockholm Syndrome—blended with dominance-based behavioral conditioning. Add in a mutual resonance trait from his system, and the girls didn't stand a chance.
The same strategy would work on Nojiko and Makino.
Meanwhile...
"Pervert!" Nojiko and Makino both glared at Sora. Blushing, gritting their teeth, they stepped into the snow in bikinis and began their own round of beach volleyball, just like Anna and Shalria had done.
"Tsk tsk... kid really knows how to play," muttered Dr. Kureha, watching everything from her castle window in amused disbelief.
Then her eyes landed on Kaya, diligently studying. A wide smile spread across her face.
Beautiful, smart, hardworking, gentle, and sweet—Kaya was the perfect granddaughter. If she were stronger, she'd steal her right out of Sora's hands.
Two days passed.
Kaya finished her training and boarded the Divine Slave, bringing with her Dr. Kureha's medical notes and the formula for the Rumble Ball.
Once the ship set sail again, Sora finally heard the full story from Reiju about the "Swallow-Swallow Fruit surprise," and couldn't help laughing.
He had already known that any enemy defeated by a recognized crew member would give him either their treasure, bounty, or Devil Fruit. That's why even in Whiskey Peak, when Anna and the others finished off pirates, he still got the loot.
But it hadn't occurred to him that Wapol, of all people, would target the Divine Slave.
"If this fruit really can create memory alloy, then we can mass-produce battle suits," Sora said, eyes gleaming.
Reiju's expression lit up as well—they were thinking the same thing.
Sora had a few suits left from Judge, her father, but they weren't enough for everyone on board.
If the Swallow-Swallow Fruit could truly produce memory alloy, then custom battle suits could become standard issue for the crew.
While those without Lineage Factor modifications couldn't unlock the suits' full potential, the flying and defense abilities alone were incredibly valuable.
"You really are thinking just like me," Sora said with a smirk, giving Reiju's nose a playful pinch.
Reiju bit his finger lightly and smiled. "So, who are you going to give this Devil Fruit to?"
Reiju, who already possessed her own poison-based power, wasn't keen on eating another fruit. Losing the ability to swim was a serious drawback—and having too many fruit users on one ship could be dangerous.
Of course, if a truly rare fruit came along, she wouldn't say no.
"I haven't decided yet," Sora replied.
"Nojiko and Kaya probably wouldn't want it," he added, shaking his head with certainty.
Nojiko and Kaya, being delicate and refined beauties, naturally didn't want to eat the Munch-Munch Fruit.
And Sora had no intention of letting them eat it either.
To mass-produce Wapometal, one would have to constantly consume metal. For Nojiko and the others, that was simply too cruel.
"Maybe we can feed it to an animal instead. After all, Vegapunk has already developed the technology to let objects consume Devil Fruits," Reiju suggested, having guessed what was on Sora's mind.
"If we could give the fruit to a machine… that would be the best solution."
Sora nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that's a solid idea."
Just then, Shalria walked into the captain's quarters and called out to them, "Master, Reiju, Sister Makino has finished preparing dinner."
Thanks to her gentle and nurturing big-sister vibe, Makino had already become the de facto matriarch aboard the Divine Slave.
"Let's go. I'm starving," Sora said with a laugh, rubbing his stomach as he stood up.
Another day passed.
The Divine Slave had finally arrived near the waters surrounding Alabasta.
"Did everyone bring their things?" Sora asked, grinning as he looked at the women now dressed in dancer outfits.
Since Alabasta was a desert nation with scorching heat, Sora had thoughtfully prepared lightweight, breezy dancer costumes for Nojiko, Kaya, and the others.
"Big Brother Sora, do we really have to wear this?" Kaya asked shyly, her face flushed red as she wrapped herself tightly in a thin veil.
Makino, just like Kaya, seemed a bit uncomfortable and used a veil to cover herself modestly.
But the way they were only partially concealed actually made them even more alluring.