The grand corridor fell into a comfortable silence as we walk.
Polished marble stretched endlessly beneath our feet.
Tall windows in the corridor gave warm afternoon sunlight, while banners bearing the crest of the World Government hung proudly between towering pillars.
I casually slipped both hands into my pockets.
"..."
A faint smile tugged at my lips.
It hadn't even been thirty seconds.
Another glance.
Then another.
...
Girl...
If you're going to observe someone, at least commit to it.
Trying so hard not to look only made it more obvious.
I turned my head slightly.
"You've been looking at me for quite a while now."
Kalifa jolted.
"N-No, Saint George, I was merely-"
"Observing?"
She blinked.
"...Yes."
"Hm."
I nodded thoughtfully.
"Good."
"...Eh?"
"I'd be disappointed if my personal assistant lacked observational skills."
Her blue eyes widened slightly.
"Though..."
I looked at her for another brief moment.
"...you could relax your shoulders a little."
She instinctively straightened even more.
"..."
I couldn't help but chuckle.
"There."
"You just proved my point."
A faint flush quietly crept up behind her ears.
Not enough to notice unless someone was paying attention.
But I was.
"I...apologize."
She hesitated.
Even Laskey let out the faintest cough behind us, though I couldn't tell whether he was trying to hide a laugh or save his daughter from further embarrassment.
Probably both.
I slowed my pace ever so slightly.
"You know..."
"I picked you because I genuinely thought you were capable."
Kalifa looked up.
Not expecting that.
"You carry yourself well."
"You pay attention."
"You don't panic easily."
"You've got a good head on your shoulders."
I smiled softly.
"...And you're rather pretty."
Silence.....
Her entire body visibly stiffened.
The blush that had been hiding behind her ears immediately spread across her cheeks.
She quickly lowered her eyes.
"...T-Thank you..."
Laskey, meanwhile, nearly forgot how to breathe.
He kept his composure remarkably well.
Years of Cipher Pol discipline.
But I still caught it.
The slight widening of his eyes.
He understood exactly what had just happened.
I wasn't complimenting her out of obligation.
Nor was I making idle conversation.
I genuinely liked the girl.
For a father living beneath the shadow of the Celestial Dragons...
That realization alone was enough to lift a mountain from his shoulders.
Good.
At least the old man could stop imagining the worst every five minutes.
That's more irritating than people realize when you want to get shit done
I glanced sideways again.
Kalifa was still trying very hard to recover.
Poor girl.
"...Kalifa."
"Y-Yes?"
"It's alright to be yourself around me."
She looked at me, puzzled.
"I don't enjoy conversations.....with fluff,
you get me?"
"I'd rather hear what you actually think."
I smiled.
"After all..."
"You're my 'personal' assistant."
I placed just enough emphasis on the word personal for both of them to catch it.
"I didn't choose you to become another walking report."
"I believe you'll be better beside me,
For both of us"
Her expression softened.
Ever so slightly.
The nervousness remained.
But beneath it...
There was warmth.
"...I'll do my best."
"Good girl"
I nodded once.
She unconsciously drifted another half-step behind me again.
Habit, Training or
Years of discipline.
I don't know but it is bothering me....
I slowed to a stop.
Kalifa blinked.
"...Saint?"
I turned toward her.
"Walk beside me."
She froze.
"...Beside... you?"
"Mm."
"But..."
Her eyes instinctively darted toward Laskey.
Not asking for permission.
Looking for confirmation that she'd heard correctly.
Even Laskey seemed momentarily stunned.
I waited.
One second.
Two.
She still hadn't moved.
I smiled helplessly.
"...Come now."
"Don't make me wait."
Before either of them could react.....
I gently motioned my hand.
A soft ripple spread from my body.
Almost imperceptible.
My Qi quietly flowed outward.
Like an invisible silk thread.
It wrapped delicately around Kalifa's slim waist.
Not restraining.
Not forcing.
Simply...
Inviting.
A soft tug.
Her body moved one effortless step sideways until she naturally stood beside me.
The Qi dispersed immediately.
Kalifa merely blinked in confusion.
"...?"
She looked around, seemingly unable to understand why she'd suddenly moved.
Laskey, however...
Stopped walking entirely.
His pupils contracted.
His breathing hitched.
What...
...did he just witness?
There had been no physical contact.
No Devil Fruit transformation.
No air current.
No invisible string.
His daughter had simply...
Moved.
As though the world itself had obeyed the young Saint's will.
Cold sweat quietly formed beneath his collar.
He had served the Government for decades.
Seen countless Devil Fruits.
Witnessed terrifying assassins.
Even then...
Nothing resembled what he had just seen.
I pretended not to notice.
Kalifa was still looking around in innocent confusion.
Poor girl had no idea she'd just become the first person in this world to be pulled by Qi.
I leaned ever so slightly toward her.
Just enough for our eyes to meet.
Crystal blue.
Clear and Earnest.
She instinctively held my gaze.
I could see the girl behind the Mask of Assassin....
Her cheeks had become completely red.
I pulled back with a grin,
"...Cute."
And continued walking as though nothing had happened.
Behind me...
I could almost hear Laskey wondering whether this was all some elaborate dream.
Kalifa, meanwhile...
Had completely forgotten how to breathe.
After letting the silence settle for a while, I shifted gears.
"So..."
I glanced over my shoulder.
"Laskey."
He immediately composed himself.
"Yes, Saint George."
"I've been curious."
"You've spent decades training Cipher Pol agents."
"Tell me..."
"What exactly does the training involve?"
Laskey answered without hesitation.
His voice naturally slipping into that of an instructor.
He explained the physical conditioning.
Endurance.
Discipline.
Martial arts.
Field survival.
Weapon mastery.
Psychological conditioning.
Rokushiki.
I listened quietly.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
It wasn't cultivation.
Not even close.
But...
There were similarities.
Body refinement.
Control.
Repetition.
Pushing the body beyond its limits.
No wonder Rokushiki users possessed such monstrous physiques.
They had unknowingly stumbled upon a primitive form of body cultivation.
Not enough.
But certainly not insignificant.
"Hmm..."
I nodded thoughtfully.
Then asked the question I'd truly wanted answered.
"Laskey."
"...Yes?"
"This answer stays between us."
"No ranks."
"No politics."
"Off the Record."
He looked slightly confused.
"...Understood."
I met his eyes.
"Using your decades of experience..."
"What do your eyes tell you?"
"What level of strength do you believe I currently possess?"
"..."
Laskey's expression gradually became serious.
Very serious.
For the first time today...
He wasn't looking at me as a Celestial Dragon.
He was looking at me...
As a martial artist.
His eyes carefully examined my posture.
My breathing.
The rhythm of my footsteps.
The way I unconsciously carried myself....
I simply waited.
Whatever answer he gave...
Would tell me far more about him...
Than it ever would about myself.
By the time he finally opened his mouth.....
We had arrived.
A pair of enormous iron doors stood before us.
Behind them...
The dull rhythm of fists striking wood echoed through the hallway.
Laskey slowly exhaled.
"hold your thought, Tell me after the Session"
I chuckled.
"Trust me, You'd be surprised."
His brows rose.
I merely smiled.
Turning toward Kalifa one last time, I caught her finally managing a small, genuine smile of her own.
Much better.
I reached forward.
Placed both hands upon the massive iron doors.
And pushed.
The heavy doors slowly swung inward.
"Lucci"