CHAPTER 145 - NOJIKO JOINS! MRS. YUKINOSHITA FAMILY PROPOSES MARRIAGE

Afterward, Nojiko pretended as if nothing had happened. She picked up the blanket and clothes, then calmly walked from Nami's room back to her own.

She closed the door and didn't come out again.

Robin, the outsider, remained silent, being an honest bystander.

Nami held her forehead, momentarily at a loss for words. Her own sister had not only listened to her and Ren's passionate moments outside the door but had also, after the two left, run into her room.

What was on her bed? Nothing more than the traces left by her and Ren. That's not right... now there was another mark that wasn't hers, a very large one!

"Hiss!" Deep breaths... calm down...

Her older sister, Nojiko's, image in her mind was completely overturned. She seemed to have reached that age as well.

"Nami, how about I go out first?" Ren proactively tried to change the atmosphere.

"Mm, I need to tidy up the bed," Nami said, taking the hint.

...

*****

Ren walked out to the tangerine grove. He casually picked a tangerine.

After peeling it, he broke it into two halves. He handed one half to Robin, who was behind him.

"Try it, Nami said their family's tangerines are very sweet."

After a slight pause, Robin took the tangerine, plucked a segment, and put it in her mouth. With a gentle bite, the tangerine juice burst in her mouth. It was indeed sweet and sour, with the sweetness outweighing the sourness.

"It's really quite sweet. We should bring some back to share." These were otherworldly tangerines.

Ren ate a tangerine while asking, "What do you think about your current situation?"

...

Robin didn't dare to say that her life and death were now in someone else's hands.

"Tsk, I told you not to worry, I'm quite easy to talk to."

Ren clicked his tongue, originally intending to have a good conversation, but felt helpless and said, "Alright, let's rephrase the question. Do you have any wishes now?"

"My wish... is to live."

That answer was too basic. Ren waved his hand and continued, "You don't need to worry about that. You can live until you're sick of it. What else?"

Robin fell into deep thought; she indeed had another goal. "To uncover the history of the world."

Her mother and Ohara both died because of the world's history. Perhaps the scholars were foolish, or perhaps they overestimated themselves by challenging the authority of the World Government. That only means the direction of their decision was wrong, not that the action itself was wrong.

Uncovering the truth of history is not wrong. What's wrong is that the current world is ruled by the World Government, and what's wrong is the World Government suppressing the truth. For the people of the whole world, they are merely blind and victimized, their truth obscured. Since when should the victim-blaming theory prevail?

Robin wanted to know the truth of history, to see what the 'Blank Century' that cost so many lives truly was.

"That wish is simple. Once things here are concluded, you'll have the opportunity to investigate thoroughly." This was Ren's seemingly casual promise.

Robin didn't dwell on the promises; she was more practical: "What do I need to do? As your subordinate."

Aside from her ability, the Hana Hana no Mi, her only other use was reading and translating Poneglyphs. Other than that, she didn't feel she had any other use. Oh, her person could also be exchanged for a bounty.

Ren surveyed her, speaking with a free and easy demeanor: "You, just dress beautifully and keep me in a good mood. You don't need to do anything else."

???

Robin thought she had misheard. Was he just asking her to be a pretty face? Her body didn't seem to have any particular highlights. Currently, she was far less substantial than Nojiko.

What she didn't know was that Ren valued her potential.

The simple conversation didn't bring Robin much sense of security; at most, it just let her know that communicating with Ren wasn't difficult.

*****

Soon, Nami finished tidying the bed. She walked to Nojiko's door, cleared her throat: "Nojiko, give me the blanket, I need to wash it."

The door opened a crack, and the blanket was pushed out. Nami's eyes flashed, and she pushed her way in with force.

"Nami!" Nojiko was startled at first. Meeting Nami's eyes, she then lowered her head in shame.

"Nojiko, we need to have a serious talk," Nami's gaze was sharp, hitting the painful spot: "Tell me, when you were doing that, who were you fantasizing about?"

...

This question made Nojiko lower her head even further. The usually cheerful and generous Nojiko, facing the intimidating Nami, became a complete coward.

Nami slapped her forehead in frustration, seeing that it was true. It made sense. Nojiko had lived her entire life in this small village. She had never seen any other outstanding men.

And her man, Ren, was not only handsome and well-built, but also saved Cocoyasi Village. And his abilities were extremely powerful. He was strong in all aspects. No matter what, Nojiko was just a pure maiden, only slightly older than her. It would be truly strange if she wasn't captivated.

Since things had come to this, she didn't want to pursue the fault of her second-favorite sister. Why second? First, of course, was Ren now!

A plan formed in her mind, her eyes darted, and her tone became even more aggressive.

"Nojiko! Were you fantasizing about my man, Ren?! Speak!"

In the tense atmosphere, Nojiko gritted her teeth and responded.

...Yes.

"You peeked?"

...Mm.

"Ren's was very attractive to you?"

"I... couldn't help myself for a moment..."

"You saw how strong he was, right?"

...Mm.

"I'm going to punish you, Nojiko!"

"I'll accept all punishments. I'm sorry, Nami."

"Tonight, let's defeat Ren together!"

Mm... Huh?

...

*****

While it was still light, Ren, through his wish, built a modern house next to the wooden cabin. Inside were also modern electrical appliances.

Because it was built with the power of faith, there was no need to worry about its lifespan or damage. As for electricity, with Nami present, there would be no shortage of it.

Nami, Nojiko, and Robin all moved here. The small wooden cabin was not dismantled; it was kept as a memento for Nami and Nojiko.

He had originally planned to spend one last night with Nami in the new house before leaving. He didn't expect to be accompanied by one person. It turned into two people.

The next day, he left with Robin's strange gaze seeing him off.

...

Ren also didn't expect Nami and Nojiko to be so bold. Or rather, it was entirely Nami's idea.

Nami wanted to gather the strength of her sister, Nojiko, to defeat him. Unfortunately, she ultimately underestimated Ren's strength.

Did she think I only had that much strength? I was just being gentle and considerate towards her. Nami didn't understand my good intentions at all.

Ren had no choice but to show them what true strength was. What it meant to produce filial daughters through the rod! He gained two obedient daughters overnight.

As for whether they would be in danger after he killed Crocodile, Ren wasn't worried at all. Firstly, who could find the person who killed Crocodile in The Grand Line, who had already returned to another world?

Nami and the others also returned directly to the East Blue; who could imagine such a span?

Secondly, Nami's strength was completely fine. While accompanying Nami and Nojiko, Ren activated his ability to preach and impart knowledge. He transformed Nojiko into a Redemption Angel. Haki, Six Styles, and Senzu Beans were all included without exception.

He was the last line of defense; he could cross over at any time, so nothing could go wrong. The only person who truly needed to worry was probably only Vivi. After all, Crocodile died in the Alabasta Kingdom. However, the World Government probably wouldn't move against Alabasta because of pirates at this time. Their destructive weapons had not yet been created.

...

*****

Vivi: "Esdeath, Ren, Nami, Tendou Kisara, thank you all very much for your help!"

Esdeath: "Thanks? No need. If you need a strong enemy killed, you can find me."

Vivi: "Oh... al... alright!"

Nami: "I didn't do anything."

Ren: "Likewise, no need to thank me."

Tendou Kisara: "Emmm, I didn't get a chance to act at all then. My Zanpakuto wasn't even used."

Saeko Busujima: "You also obtained a Zanpakuto?"

Tendou Kisara: "Are you too? I have an A-rank ability, and my Zanpakuto is named God Spear."

Saeko Busujima: "Yes, ever since Ren-kun resolved the apocalypse in my world, I obtained a Zanpakuto through the roulette. It's also an A-rank ability, and its Shikai is named Senbonzakura."

Ren knew Saeko's ability and had enhanced it to Lv4. Senbonzakura is indeed a good Zanpakuto.

March 7th: "Ren's abilities seem to include a Zanpakuto as well."

Ren: "S-rank, Dominator."

Momonga: "As expected of a big shot! Even the ranks he obtains are S-rank!"

Vivi: "Hmm... I just tried the roulette and also gained an ability."

Silver Wolf: "Oh? What ability?"

Rory Takakura: "Curious!"

Vivi: "A-rank ability, Wood Release."

Ren was startled. Wood Release? Is it the First Hokage's Wood Release?

Vivi: "I have some new abilities in my head for using wood."

Ren: "It suits you well. If you raise your level higher, you can transform your own country yourself."

Vivi: "That's great! I'll work hard!"

Saeko Busujima: "She's truly a dedicated princess for her country."

He exited the Chat Group.

*****

Ren glanced at his phone. Saturday, 8:30 AM.

He and Yukino were waiting for someone here.

"Haruno, Yukino." She's here.

Haruno, dressed youthfully and beautifully.

"Let's go!"

Ren held Yukino's right hand, and Haruno's arm was hooked around his left. As for where they were going...

*****

Chiba Prefecture.

They traveled by car from Minato Ward, Tokyo, to Chiba Prefecture. The location of the Yukinoshita Family.

And their final destination was precisely the Yukinoshita Family home.

...

Yukinoshita Family home.

The three of them got out of the car, standing in front of the gate.

"Yukino seems very nervous?"

Haruno gently rubbed Yukino's tense little face: "Stick to the plan, don't panic."

"Mm..."

Despite saying not to panic, in reality, thinking of facing her mother, Yukino still felt a bit intimidated.

Ren came here for no other reason than to propose!

"Young Miss, Second Miss, Madam is waiting for you inside."

A person resembling a guard or butler came to announce their arrival.

Then, under his guidance, they entered a reception room.

Mrs. Yukinoshita, the Yukinoshita Family's mother, dressed in a kimono and naturally adorned, sat quietly on the sofa, waiting.

Even when they entered, she merely said calmly, "Please sit."

The three of them sat on the sofa opposite her tea table. Yukino and Haruno sat on his left and right, respectively. This made Mrs. Yukinoshita frown slightly.

Ren spoke first: "My name is Ren, the Student Council President of Comprehensive High School, Yukino's classmate, and also Haruno's friend."

Student Council President of Comprehensive High School. This identity made Mrs. Yukinoshita give him another look.

Mrs. Yukinoshita slightly bowed her head, every movement displaying perfect etiquette.

"I am Yukino and Haruno's mother."

Her voice was melodious and clear, without much of a middle-aged tone. Coupled with her almost wrinkle-free, fair, and smooth complexion, if not for the mature aura and attire, one might even mistake her for Haruno's elder sister.

Because it was a conversation between Mrs. Yukinoshita and Ren, Yukino and Haruno remained silent.

"If you don't mind, Ren-kun, please state your purpose directly."

She had only agreed to this meeting because Haruno said there was an important matter to discuss. Seeing that the visitor was a young man, and then observing Yukino's silent, downcast demeanor, she roughly guessed the reason.

Ren was straightforward; since she asked him to be direct, he went straight to the point: "I am here to propose to Yukino."

"Propose?"

A ripple appeared on Mrs. Yukinoshita's usually calm face. It was beyond her expectation; she had initially thought he was just Yukino's boyfriend, coming to request a relationship. Such a situation would have been within her control.

But to start with a proposal, with marriage as the premise, it truly caught her off guard.