One Piece: Ulquiorra Template

Chapter 38: Challenging a God

"Really?" Tashigi, the wide-eyed Marine, practically jumped for joy, her face beaming with delight. In the world of One Piece, freedom of movement came at a price, the price of power. Without it, one faced the harsh reality of plunder and peril. She, undoubtedly, lacked such power.

But her superior officer possessed it in abundance. Why was he so kind to her? Could it be... that he had feelings for her? The mind of a young woman in the bloom of youth was a fertile ground for such fantasies.

"..." Her face flushed crimson, and she covered it with her hands, unable to meet Ian's gaze.

Though she possessed a charm, his potential was huge, too handsome. A Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit user with formidable swordsmanship.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he was destined to reach the heights of power, standing alongside Admirals and Emperors. She, even with the Clear-Clear Fruit he had bestowed upon her, combined with her swordsmanship, Soru, and mastery of two Haki types, would at best achieve the level of a strong Vice Admiral. The gap between them felt insurmountable.

"Because you're my assistant, of course. Who else would take care of my daily needs? I can't function without you." Ian stated, his deadpan expression betraying no hint of the romantic undertones his words carried.

It sounded more like a plea for a maid or a housekeeper, a realization that made him cringe inwardly.

Dude, you're handsome and have a powerful aura, but do you have to be so awkward? It was like that meeting at Marine Headquarters all over again. He had attempted to convey amusement, but it had been perceived as mockery.

The collective glare of the Vice Admirals had been unsettling. They had concocted a tragic backstory for him, a victim of a pirate attack, blessed with holy power through sheer luck. It was supposed to garner sympathy!

"So, I'm just an assistant?" Tashigi's voice was laced with disappointment. But her eyes quickly lit up, her sharp mind grasping the implication.

An assistant provided professional support, not personal care. Did that mean... there was still a chance?

Her thoughts spiraled once more.

"Yes, it would certainly make things easier. And I suppose I could take you along on my travels." Ian continued, drawing upon his vast knowledge of romantic strategies gleaned from countless books and anime. However, his delivery, combined with Ulquiorra's stoic, aloof demeanor, created an unsettling dissonance. This was excruciating!

"..." Tashigi's hopes were dashed once more.

Was she truly that useless? She would only be a burden in high-level battles, a liability that could be eliminated by a stray blast of energy. Protecting her would only hinder him.

"... Are you hungry?" After a period of silence, Tashigi, yearning for any sign of comfort or reassurance, finally spoke.

Had he grown tired of her presence, her constant need for protection? Then, she heard his words, turned her head, and saw Ian preparing a meal over a small, portable stove. A table nearby was already set with three dishes and a bowl of soup. He gestured for her to join him.

Once the food was ready, he extinguished the flames and stored everything within his Garganta, a pocket dimension. While this world lacked a Hueco Mundo or a Soul Society for him to connect to, he had developed his spatial manipulation abilities, creating a ten-square-meter space.

Unlike its counterparts, it was devoid of any elements, air, sunlight, even time itself. It served as a convenient storage space for food and other items, eliminating the need for refrigeration. However, living beings couldn't survive within its confines.