Chapter 64: Before Setting Sail

One meter eighty-five.

This was the height Siano had achieved several years ago by combining Life Return and Paper Art to compress his body to the extreme, without significantly affecting his combat power.

The reason this specific number was chosen initially was simply because Bell-mère stood one meter eighty-six tall.

He did not want his mother to always have to look up at him.

Subsequent life experiences also proved that this decision was quite comfortable.

Although still slightly taller than the average person, it no longer affected daily life, nor did it make him overly conspicuous in a crowd.

After compressing his body density, he sacrificed a small portion of strength, but gained much greater agility in movement.

His hit volume decreased significantly, while the effect of "Paper Art" was greatly enhanced, granting each part of his body an instinctive reaction to dodge independently.

This allowed him to easily gain the upper hand in ordinary combat situations.

He named this form "Paper Art Martial Body."

If Lucci ever thought of this name in the future, according to the principle of first come, first served, he should obviously pay royalties.

As for his current true form...

"Hmm?"

Siano suddenly looked up at the ceiling, frowning slightly, "It's only early summer, and there are already mosquitoes."

Whoosh—!

His body abruptly shot upward and expanded; in an instant, his head pressed against the top of the ceiling.

His muscles were knotted and robustly powerful, yet his overall lines were smooth and aesthetically pleasing; compared to the rough, devilish muscle-man physique of a few years ago, he looked more like a normal person—

If one ignored the terrifying height of three meters seventy.

He flicked his finger.

That spotted Aedes mosquito, nearly the size of a thumb, turned into countless particles of dust before it could even flap its wings, drifting down in a cloud.

Yet the section of ceiling struck by his fingernail remained completely undamaged, not even shaking loose the surrounding dust.

This was the manifestation of controlling every muscle, down to the tiniest cells, to the peak of perfection.

In this state, his terrifying strength could be unleashed without reservation, while his defense and physical bulk reached their maximum, each aspect having its own advantages and disadvantages compared to the Paper Art Martial Body form.

Siano glanced at the mosquito turned to powder.

Nodding in satisfaction, he instantly shrank back to his daily size and continued humming a tune while washing dishes.

The entire transformation process took less than half a second.

"You're going to scare someone to death!"

Zoro's startled shout came from the living room behind the door, "Suddenly getting so huge, I thought some enemy had attacked the house, and it turns out it was just to swat a mosquito!"

"Zoro."

Teacher Teacher Gengsilang's deep voice followed immediately, "Mind your manners; you are a guest. How can you be so rude when visiting someone else's home?"

"That sounds familiar. When I was the host entertaining guests at the Isshin Dojo, you said the exact same thing, didn't you? So when exactly am I allowed to be rude... Hiss, that hurts!!"

"Mr. Zeff, when did you return?"

Hearing Zoro's scream, Siano couldn't help but smile.

Interestingly enough.

Apart from family members he lived with day and night, almost everyone else who knew him regarded his "Paper Art Martial Body" as his original appearance.

Conversely, his original true form was mistaken for some kind of transformed state that was difficult to maintain for long periods.

That brat Sanji had once sneakily asked him if he had eaten the Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan Type, Muscle Monster Form, and successfully earned a severe beating, running away while wailing loudly.

"Is everyone back?"

Having just finished washing the dishes, Siano turned off the faucet, wiped his hands on his apron, and walked into the living room.

"Except for Gin, everyone is back."

Zeff pulled his fist out of the green moss head with a 'pop', grinned, and said, "We've said almost everything that needed to be said at the dinner table; it's time we set sail, Captain."

"Yes."

Sister Sister Guyina and Teacher Teacher Gengsilang exchanged a glance, then suddenly turned their heads away, stretching lazily as if nothing were the matter, "Time to go, Captain."

"At times like this, you don't call him 'Big Brother' anymore," Nojiko muttered quietly from behind.

"Don't be so stingy." Siano rubbed his little sister's head, "Have you decided then? Are you really going to follow us?"

"Yep."

Nojiko nodded vigorously.

"As expected, you made up your mind long ago. Actually, from the very beginning, even before you mentioned cultivation to me on the Orange Garden Ship, you already wanted to set sail with me, didn't you?"

"Just as expected of Big Brother; I've been seen right through."

Nojiko felt somewhat embarrassed, but noticing Sister Sister Guyina's gaze sweep over, she immediately put her hands on her hips and snorted, "But back then I was truly too weak! I lacked confidence and didn't want to be a useless burden, so I specifically said I would stay in our hometown, but now..."

She clenched her fist tightly, "I am very strong now! Not only do I have the power to protect myself, but I can also help you, Big Brother!"

"I believe that."

Siano chuckled lightly.

Perhaps this was the tacit understanding between siblings; like him, Nojiko knew nothing about swordsmanship, yet displayed astonishing talent in Fist Style combat.

First, she laid a foundation with the "Breathing Fist Style," and later, under Siano's guidance, she began cultivating the Six Styles, mastering Shave, Moon Walk, and Finger Pistol with complete proficiency.

Besides that.

Over the past few years, whenever Siano came across any Fist Style secret manuals, regardless of whether they were useful to him, he basically bought them all and handed them over to Nojiko.

After diligent cultivation up to the present, Nojiko's strength had advanced by leaps and bounds.

Although there was still a considerable gap between her and Sister Guyina, who had already become a Sword Master, she indeed fully possessed the qualifications to venture into the Grand Line.

"And me, I'm going too!!!"

The wooden staircase suddenly shook; an orange-haired young girl came clattering down, her slender and graceful figure as light and quick as a little bird. For the last few steps, she simply sat on the handrail and slid down with a whoosh, raising her hand excitedly as she did so. "Did you forget about this beautiful young lady? Hmph, don't forget, I am the only navigator; you can't leave me behind!"

"Stop messing around."

Siano snapped irritably, flicking her forehead. "You aren't even an adult yet; what business does a child have joining in the fun?"

Males reached adulthood at eighteen, females at sixteen; Nojiko and Sister Sister Guyina were the same age, having just crossed the threshold into adulthood this year.

But Nami was only fourteen; she could only sit at the children's table with Zoro and Sanji during meals—she still had a long way to go.

"Child? Who are you calling a child!"

Nami puffed up her cheeks, about to thrust out her chest to prove herself, but one dark glare from Siano made her shrink back. Her eyes darted, and she let out an "Ouch!" instead, clutching her stomach as she collapsed onto the sofa.

"Young Lady Nami!" Sanji slid across the living room floor on his knees, squatting anxiously in front of Nami. "What's wrong? Where does it hurt?"

"Since when did you become this pathetic?"

Zoro looked at him with contempt. "Your brain is still that of the idiot you've always been. It's that thing, you know—the thing girls get once they reach a certain age! Back then, Sister Sister Guyina was defeated by me for the first time precisely because that suddenly happened to her."

"Shut up, Bai Chi!"

Sister Sister Guyina's face flushed red with anger as she reached out to scratch at Zoro.

"Everyone is here; watch what you say and where you say it, hey! Besides, wasn't it just that one time? Don't forget that afterward, I defeated you a full three thousand times!!!"

(End of Chapter)