One Piece : Wild Hunt

Seeing Thomas taking his training seriously, Chloe sat on the sidelines and waited nearly two hours for him to take a break. When he did, she hopped to her feet and sauntered over to him, asking, "So, when do you want to form a contract? No one else is around, and I'm sure Astolfo and Vivi wouldn't mind, even if they were..."
Since it was just the two of them, Thomas was a bit more straightforward than he was the previous day, questioning, "Why are you so eager to form a contract? Even without one, we can travel together. And if Illya comes along, you would only need me to restore your Magical Energy during an emergency."
Shrugging her shoulders, Chloe replied, "Contracts go two ways. I'm not the type to simply trust others, so I would want you to agree to search for and hand over the Install Cards as a condition. In exchange..."
As she was still in her Archer costume, Chloe traced her navel and the line of her abdomen as she teased, "You gain access to all my knowledge and get to order me to do whatever you want. If that happens to be nothing, it lets you send me away with a simple command."
Though Thomas was staring directly into her eyes, Chloe could feel his tensions increasing in response to her actions. However, instead of trying to 'attack' her, he maintained a mask of relative calm as he replied, "Even if you know I won't do anything, you shouldn't tempt me like this. I didn't tell Shirou, but one of my aspirations in this world is to travel around and 'sample' the various cultures. If you continue pushing my buttons, there's a chance you might push the right or wrong one, depending on how you look at it..."
Narrowing her eyes into an impish grin, Chloe replied, "That's fine with me. I shouldn't even exist, so I decided long ago that I would live and die as I please. If I didn't care about Illya's and Miyu's feelings, I would have 'attacked' Shirou long ago. I mean, we risk our lives regularly, and I would rather not die a virgin..."
Directing her gaze to Thomas's waistline, the corners of Chloe's smile curled up like a cat as she teased, "Though, with the differences in our size, I'm not sure how 'practical' such a relationship would be. Should we give it a test run~?"
With a deadpan expression, Thomas flatly replied, "I'll pass. As for the contract, go ahead and lay out the terms. You don't really have anything I want, so as long as your conditions aren't too extreme, I'll agree to them."
Exhaling a pouty sigh, Chloe replied, "You're no fun..." before crossing her arms and adding, "My terms are pretty straightforward. Along with what I mentioned previously, you aren't to lay a hand on Illya or Miyu unless they take the initiative to approach you. Beyond that, it's just the usual Master-Slave Contract."
Furrowing his brows, Thomas asked, "Don't you mean Master-Servant...?"
Shrugging her shoulders, Chloe asked, "What's the difference?" before looking to the Command Spells on Thomas's hand and adding, "Oh, and one last thing. You can't use Command Spells or Mystic Codes to annul or overwrite the conditions of our agreement. I don't mind if you order me to go into heat or alter my common sense to make me addicted to your odor, but attempting to circumvent the conditions of our contract is a big no-no, okay~?"
With his right eye twitching, Thomas somberly remarked, "You have a very active imagination..."
After licking her lips in an overtly seductive manner, Chloe revealed, "A good friend of ours was a Doujin whose talents were sufficient to run a fairly successful booth at Comiket. She primarily focused on BL, but she had a veritable mountain of 'reference' material. After thinking about your reaction and accounting for the fact that we're fictional characters back in your world, I concluded you must have 'perused' something similar. Since you also mentioned we were Heroic Spirits, quite a few...possibilities came to mind."
"..."
Realizing that Chloe wasn't just perceptive but exceptionally smart, a cold sweat gradually broke out across Thomas's body. Using just a few context clues, she was able to deduce the truth with incredible ease...
Punctuating her words with a playful wink, Chloe said, "Relax. There's no one here to judge you. If anything, I find the notion you rubbed one out to me fairly amusing. In fact, I'd like to see you do it in person...I could even lend you a hand..."
Extending her right hand, Chloe tentatively traced the metal of Thomas's belt buckle while staring up at him with visibly glowing eyes. Fortunately, as 'compelling' as Chloe's words were, the fact she barely came up to his navel allowed Thomas to retain his reasoning. Before she could tempt him any further, he plopped his hand atop her head, firmly mussing her hair as he said, "Grow twenty to thirty centimeters, and then we'll talk."
Waiting until Thomas retracted his hand, Chloe took a moment to fix her hair as she replied, "Then I'll just wait until you can alter your size freely. Astolfo already told me about your plans to 'sample' various cultures last night. Once our sizes are more compatible, I don't mind giving you a taste of Germany and Japan."
Finished with her hair, Chloe looked up at Thomas and asked, "Now, are you going to let me kiss you, or do we need to go through the hassle of formalizing our contract in writing? You should know that the latter gives us significantly less wiggle room. Like, we would need to come up with all kinds of rules, penalties, and other restrictions. It's a real pain in the ass."
Shaking his head, Thoams replied, "I'm not going to kiss you. Now, unless you want to start instructing me in the use of the EMIYA Card, why don't you leave me to my training and go prepare the contract?"
Clicking her tongue, Chloe resisted the urge to 'teach Thomas a lesson,' answering, "Fine." before promptly teleporting away in the blink of an eye. Her sudden disappearance caught the latter a little off-guard, but he only looked around for a few seconds before returning to his training. After all, it wasn't the first time a loli had abruptly vanished in front of his eyes...
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After training for several hours, long enough for Astolfo, Vivi, and even Illya to come out and check on him, Thomas entered the Emiya residence to wash up and eat breakfast. Shortly after he sat down, Illya surprised a grand total of zero people when she adopted a resolute expression and said, "There's something I wanted to ask you, Tom-san...can you please permit me to accompany you on your travels? I...I promise to do my best and not get in your way, so..."
Shrugging his shoulders, Thomas casually replied, "Sure, why not? And don't worry. I doubt you'll be more troublesome than a certain bronze-skinned succubus..."
Adopting a radiant smile, Illya exclaimed, "Thank you very much~!" in a cheerful and sincere tone. Immediately afterward, however, she adopted a somewhat apologetic expression as she met Miyu's gaze.
Without missing a beat, Miyu asserted, "It's fine. I've wanted to have some alone time with Onii-san for a while now. Besides, with Astolfo's Hippogriff, you can come to visit whenever you want. We'll be here."
Though Shirou's smile cramped when Miyu mentioned having 'alone time,' Illya had a far more natural, albeit dramatic reaction as she teared up and held her friend's hands, saying, "If you ever feel lonely, just have Sapphire send us a message. We'll hurry over as quickly as we can..."
Responding to Illya's words, Sapphire gave a 'salute' with her wing-like appendage, replying, "Leave it to me." in a calm, rich, and feminine tone. This was a stark contrast to Ruby, whose voice was somewhat harsh as she writhed about in excitement, exclaiming, "Finally! Now, the marvelous misadventures of the Prism Pirates can begin anew~!"
Seemingly incapable of waiting a moment longer, Ruby darted over to Illya, spinning around above her head as she shouted, "Maximizing Mirror Wor-"
Realizing what Ruby was attempting, Illya grabbed her by the rod and slammed the overexcited wand into the dining table as she exclaimed, "Not in front of guests...!" with a red face. Even after three, nearly four years as a Magical Girl, she still wasn't used to the 'compulsory posing' that occurred while she was transforming. She also didn't want to be seen naked in front of Thomas, even if her body was veiled in blinding light, so she intended to wait until they were preparing to depart before donning her 'Magical Pirate Princess - Prism Pink' attire.
Fortunately, Ruby knew when to stand down, so she just went limp, her 'face' embedded in the reinforced wooden surface of the dining table for the remainder of breakfast...
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Though he was interested in touring Amazon Lily, Thomas refused when he learned that Hancock was currently away at sea, sailing around and conducting raids with the Kuja Pirates. He also wasn't enthused by the prospect of being introduced to her through Shirou, so while Illya, Chloe, and Miyua headed into the city to say farewell to a few of their friends, he enjoyed a nice long bath with Astolfo and Vivi.
While using Thomas's chest as a pillow, Vivi softly muttered, "This is nice. The bath at the palace is also fairly large, but it quickly fills with sand and algae if we don't clean it frequently. It's also much cooler to compensate for the air being hot and dry..."
Raising his brows, Thomas asked, "Your palace doesn't have an AC or an alternate form of cooling? That sounds...miserable..."
Smiling wryly, Vivi replied, "It does, but only in a handful of places. The palace is very large and has many open spaces, so it isn't practical to cool the entire thing. Maybe you can do something about it using Magic...?"
Nodding his head, Thomas answered, "Sure. I'm not sure how long it will take, but I should be able to do something. If not, we could always make a smaller, concealed residence somewhere inside the palace. I mean, this place was literally constructed in a rock..."
Adopting a far more affectionate smile, Vivi replied, "I'd like that..." before planting a kiss on Thomas's pectoral. His face was out of range, so it was the easiest place for her lips to reach until the latter bent down to kiss her properly.
Seemingly prompted by the interaction, Astolfo waited for Thomas and Vivi to stop kissing before inquiring, "Did you kiss Chloe yet? She seems like a fun girl."
Exhaling through his nose, Thomas shook his head and said, "She did her best to try and convince me, but I managed to resist. I'm just not that into girls that look like little kids. I might make an exception in the future, but it wouldn't be until she's at least sixteen. That was the age of consent in my home state of Washington."
"Ah, I guess that makes sense...?" replied Astolfo, clearly unconvinced by Thomas's 'reasoning.' She understood his common sense was grounded in his original world, but they were no longer in it.
Deciding that it didn't really matter, as it meant she would have more of Thomas to herself, Astolfo ultimately just shrugged her shoulders before resting her head against the former's chest. She felt sorry for Chloe, as it was pretty obvious she was frustrated, but Thomas wasn't obliged to help everyone. If Chloe's patience ran out, finding a man with fewer inhibitions than Thomas wasn't exactly difficult...
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(A/N: Round 2 goes to Thomas...)

After reading through the stack of parchment papers Chloe had prepared for him, Thomas signed his name using a pen that used the writer's blood as ink. When he was finished, she did the same, causing the document to burst into fire, smoke, and ash that surged toward each of them, sinking into their chests and embedding the mark of the contract on their hearts.
Exhaling an exasperated sigh, Chloe adopted a pointed look as she asked, "Happy now? Now we get to walk around with ash engraved on our hearts until we manage to collect all the Install Cards."
Though he felt a bit of discomfort that compelled him to massage his chest, Thomas retorted, "I would rather endure a bit of discomfort than seal the contract with a kiss..."
Rolling her eyes, Chloe offered a retort of her own, asserting, "You're an idiot, you know that? You didn't even bother checking the contract to see if there was any hidden or invisible text. If I included a clause mandating that you personally replenish my Magical Energy, you would have to suffer the 'indignity' of making out with me for the next 4-5 years..."
Narrowing his eyes, Thomas flatly replied, "Then you will have betrayed my trust, and we would be enemies from that moment onward..."
Waving her hand dismissively, Chloe replied, "Don't be a sourpuss. I'm just pointing out you should be more careful when reading and signing magical contracts. I did include a few hidden provisions, but they were similar to comments within a computer program. I only included them to see if you would do your due diligence."
"..."
Contrasting Thomas's grim countenance, Chloe's resembled the look of a kid that had succeeded in a prank as she revealed, "No need to be upset. It was just a few throwaway lines stating that I wouldn't have to call you Master or perform lewd acts unless I wanted to. Since I expected you to find them, I only included things you would naturally agree to."
Exhaling through his nose, Thomas replied, "It was still a betrayal of my trust. Not exactly the best way to kick off our relationship as Master and Demi-Servant..."
Bringing her finger up to her lips, Chloe turned her eyes up at Thomas in an overtly sensual manner, teasing, "You're free to punish me. If you use a Command Spell, you can even mess with my head a bit..."
Shaking his head, Thomas adopted a serious expression as he muttered, "I don't like controlling other people, so you should stop saying things like that before I make it an order. Then neither of us will be happy..."
Crossing her arms, Chloe exhaled a sign and remarked, "You're way too uptight. But fine, I'll stop teasing you, at least until you mellow out a bit. Just know that if I catch you sneaking a peek at my panties or staring at my ass, I won't simply ignore it. I may even keep track of each incident, compiling them into a journal I can read aloud when you finally give in to your more 'bestial' urges..."
Punctuating her statement with a wink, Chloe took the initiative to depart the study she had invited Thomas into for the contract signing. She was a lot more proactive than Illya and Miyu, so she had a sizeable collection of books related to the world of One Piece, its history, and the many islands populating the Grand Line. She even had a collage of sea charts stitched together like a crime map, implying that she had been preparing to set out long before Thomas's arrival...
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Preempting Illya's emergence from the Emiya residence, Ruby flew out at high speeds wearing a pink pirate cap and a toy-like cutlass on her 'hip' as she exclaimed, "Feast your eyes on the marvelous, magnificent, and most importantly, Magical Pirate Princess - Prism Pink~!"
As the surroundings abruptly darkened, followed by a series of tri-colored spotlights converging on the entrance to the estate, a very embarrassed-looking Illya emerged wearing a frilly, predominately pink pirate outfit. It was the first time Thomas was seeing a pirate-themed Magical Girl, but it suited her surprisingly well.
Unable to contain herself, Astolfo abruptly shouted, "Oh my gosh, Illya! You're so cute~!" before rushing over, picking up the embarrassed-looking girl, and cuddling her like a tiny animal.
As she was pretty used to such reactions, Illya laughed awkwardly and replied, "Thanks..." while enduring Astolfo's overly friendly ministrations. When she was finally released, she fixed her outfit and gave Shirou and Miyu a meaningful look before setting her gaze on Thomas and asserting, "I'm ready." in a resolute tone.
Though he nodded in affirmation, Thomas asked, "Are you sure you'll be okay flying such a distance? According to Astolfo, there are at least ten thousand kilometers between here and Little Garden."
Returning a nod of her own, Illya confidently replied, "We might have to stop somewhere for lunch, but so long as we don't fly too quickly or get caught in a storm, I'll be fine. I'm more concerned about Vivi's home and people. We should free them as soon as possible."
Smiling wryly, Thomas was about to remind Illya that she was supposed to be joining them, not determining their course of action. Fortunately, he didn't have to defend the delay in Alabasta's salvation as Vivi adopted a smile and replied, "I appreciate your concerns, Illya, but Tom and I have already formulated a plan to liberate my people and restore prosperity to my Kingdom. I, too, would like to free my people as soon as possible, but rushing into things could have disastrous consequences..."
Voicing Thomas's thoughts aloud, Shirou calmly reminded, "Don't forget that you're the one accompanying Thomas and his friends, Illya. Being a little willful is fine, but you're not the Captain this time around. I know you want to save as many people as possible, but you should listen to Thomas and respect the will of his Captain..."
Nodding her head, Illya softly replied, "I understand..." before directing her gaze to Thomas and adding, "But if I see people that need my help, I won't just stand by and watch."
Adopting a smile, Thomas replied, "You and me both. Now, unless there's something else, we should be on our way. I don't mind making camp on a random island, but I'd prefer to reach Little Garden before sundown. Meet us outside when you're ready."
Without waiting for Illya's response, Thomas turned around with Astolfo and Viiv, giving the peculiar family unit a bit of privacy as they departed the Bounded Field and prepared for their departure. Chloe emerged less than a minute after them, but Illya took a full ten, emerging with slightly teary but fiercely resolute eyes...
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With Illya's cruising speed being just under 1200km/h, the return trip to Little Garden took around eleven hours. They had to make a few pit stops along the way, but nothing notable happened as they didn't stray too far from their temporary campsites.
As Astolfo guided Griff to land on the Going Merry's deck, Atalanta leaped down from her perch in the crow's nest, nearly being the first to welcome Thomas back. Instead, Benienma appeared out of thin air the moment he slid from Griff's back, cupping her hands together and bowing as she said, "Welcome back, Master."
Before Thomas could respond, Chloe issued an amused, "Hooo~?" as she sized up Benienma. The petite Oni immediately noted the presence of her and Illya but also largely ignored them, focusing most of her attention on Thomas as she asked, "Shall Benienma prepare a meal, dechi...?"
Nodding his head, Thomas replied, "Let's make it a feast," before looking around and asking, "Where is everyone?"
Answering in Benienma's stead, Atalanta explained, "Caenis got into a fight with the two giants inhabiting this island. Afterward, they invited everyone to join them for a celebratory banquet. I remained behind to watch the ship."
Nodding her head, Benienma appended, "I was helping to prepare the food but rushed over when I detected Master's approach. Shall I fetch them for you, dechi~?"
Not wanting to ruin a party already in progress, Thomas shook his head and said, "Nah, leave them be. We can always celebrate tomorrow. For now, you should return and continue what you were doing. If anyone asks, feel free to let them know we've returned."
Though she would have preferred to remain on the Merry and serve her Master, Benienma didn't hesitate to lower her head, responding, "As you will..." before promptly disappearing.
"That one's pretty fast..." remarked Chloe, a thoughtful glimmer in her two-tone eyes.
"No kidding..." responded Thomas, adding, "Atalanta here would win in a foot race, but Beni is the fastest over short distances. She has two plus modifiers to her Agility and A-Rank Presence Concealment, so unless you have incredibly high perception, her movements resemble teleportation..."
With Atalanta having entered his range, Thomas habitually extended his hand, caressing her head as he spoke. She was a little uncomfortable due to the presence of others, but she didn't attempt to avoid him. After a few seconds had passed, she even closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation of having the space between her ears caressed.
Witnessing Thomas's actions, Illya eventually asked, "Are those ears and tail real...?"
Preempting Thomas's response, a gleam flashed across Ruby's 'eyes' as she excitedly inquired, "Could it be!? Have you finally realized the marvel of possessing cat ears and a tail!? It's never too late to modify your outfit to have a few more 'charms,' you know!?"
Recalling a series of traumatic incidents, the light promptly faded from Illya's eyes as she grabbed Ruby with both hands, tightening her grip like a vice as she threatened, "Don't you dare..." in a low, monotone voice.
Understanding the reason for Illya's reaction, Chloe's eyes narrowed as she adopted a mischievous grin. Fortunately, at least for the time being, she had no intention of involving Illya in her 'conquest.' If she tried using Ruby's 'beast' transformation at this stage, there was a good chance that Thomas would immediately send them back to Amazon Lily...
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With the intention of surprising Nami and the other girls, Thomas asked Illya and Ruby if they could expand the women's cabin while he focused on preparing dinner. Curiously enough, the EMIYA Card actually included the peculiar Hero's prowess as a chef, prompting Chloe to suggest he use it while she assisted with the ingredients.
Though she could have easily replaced Thomas and prepared everything herself, Chloe complained that it was too much work for very little reward. She also made a few remarks about how girls were only obligated to cook for their spouses and the people they had crushes on, so Thomas didn't press the matter. Instead, he focused most of his attention on observing how his body moved and reacted on its own, almost like he was on auto-pilot despite being in full control of his actions...
Perhaps as a result of Ruby pointing it out, Thomas felt as though he was in a 'very' lucid dream the moment he included the EMIYA Card. He didn't have any of the man's memories, but he felt like everything he was doing was something he had done countless times before. The cooking utensils felt familiar in his hand, and if he wanted to, he could spin and twirl them between his fingers with a finesse he could barely comprehend. His little performance even earned a spontaneous applause from Astolfo and Vivi, causing him to feel inwardly awkward while his expression was a mask of calm and confidence...
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(A/N: Even if it was an important 'lesson,' Chloe is playing with fire...)

Once Shirou was finished placating his sisters, particularly Miyu, he transferred ownership of the EMIYA Card to Thomas before inviting him, Vivi, and Astolfo to stay the night.
As he had planned to spend at least a few days searching for Install Cards before returning, Thomas ultimately accepted Shirou's invitation. The temptation of sleeping in a bed or atop a futon was pretty compelling, but he also wanted to ask about the 'Bounded Field' within which Shirou's house was built. Thus, while Astolfo and Vivi changed into animal pajamas to have a slumber party with Illya, Miyu, and Chloe, Thomas split off from the group, joining Shirou in his forge.
Before Thomas could ask about the forge or how Bounded Fields worked, Shirou surprised him by stating, "I should apologize. You clearly had your own thing going on, but now you've gotten wrapped up in our problems..."
Exhaling a faint, exasperated sigh through his nose, Thomas said, "Don't worry about it. While I never expected this development, I knew Zelretch would do something to pull me into his world. This just takes me out of my comfort zone and forces me to think outside the box."
Adopting a faint smile, Shirou replied, "Still, without you appearing like this, we would have been trapped, not knowing how to move forward. I know Chloe has been restless since we moved to Amazon Lily. And now that she intends to travel with your group, I'm certain that Illya and Ruby will follow suit..."
Furrowing his brows, Thomas asked, "Seriously, man? Give me a break..."
Nodding his head, Shirou revealed, "Illya was actually the Captain of our crew, the Prism Pirates. She and Chloe also serve as foils for one another, so she wouldn't feel comfortable letting her travel without supervision."
Before Thomas could protest, Shirou's smile became wry as he added, "Look on the bright side. With Illya around, you'll have access to Ruby's knowledge and several additional Install Cards. More importantly, they can replenish Chloe's Magical Energy in your stead."
Realizing the truth within Shirou's words, Thomas replied, "You make a very good point. The problem is that our ship is already pretty cramped, especially the female quarters. Unless Illya or Ruby can create a space like this one, there isn't much room to accommodate additional people..."
Nodding his head, Shirou replied, "That shouldn't be an issue. This space was created by Miyu and Sapphire using the Medea Install Card. It takes weeks to produce a sanctuary like this, but expanding the dimensions of a room only takes a few hours."
Returning a nod of his own, Thomas said, "Well, that answers my first question..." Then, even though he wasn't sure he wanted to know, he tentatively inquired, "Now, you said Illya was the Captain of your crew? Does that mean she has an even higher Bounty than you...?"
Shaking his head, Shirou answered, "She used to. However, after my rampage in Marie Geoise, my Bounty increased from 313,000,000 to 713,000,000, Dead or Alive. Illya's was 337,000,000 previously, but it has since increased to 500,000,000 alongside Chloe's and Miyu's. Unlike me, however, they are wanted 'Alive Only.'"
"..."
Taking advantage of Thomas's silence, Shirou explained, "That's one of the reasons I considered becoming a Shichibukai. I wanted to have their Bounties frozen and prevent people from hunting us. Unfortunately...no, never mind. I'd rather not talk about it..."
Recalling how one of the Celestial Dragons had wanted to 'collect' his sisters like some kind of trophy or action figures, a murderous glimmer reflected across Shirou's eyes. If not for his body's condition, he would have burned Pangea Castle, the heart of the World Government, to the ground...
Shaking away his negative thoughts, Shirou forced a smile as he said, "With the support of Ruby and Sapphire, Illya and Miyu are capable of fighting without the use of Install Cards. Illya, in particular, can fly around at high speeds, bombard opponents with Magical Energy, and cut through massive warships using a self-created technique called Schneiden. Don't think the girls are helpless just because they're cute..."
Smiling wryly, Thomas replied, "Yeah, I know how 'broken' Magical Girls can be. Still, it's a little jarring to hear they have Bounties of 500,000,000. That's going to make lying low a lot more difficult..."
Though he nodded in affirmation, Shirou argued, "If it's any consolation, you're bound to receive a high Bounty the moment the World Government learns the nature of your Devil Fruit. The Special Science Group, led by Dr. Vegapunk, is conducting research into Mana and Magical Energy. Once it comes to light that there is a Devil Fruit that grants the user the ability to generate Mana, the Marines and the World Government will do everything in their power to collect it..."
Since Robin had given him a similar warning, Thomas just exhaled a sigh before grumbling, "Yeah, yeah, I know. I kind of shot myself in the foot on that one..."
Before Shirou could ask, Thomas revealed, "Since I didn't know Install Cards were a thing, I told a bunch of people the name of my Devil Fruit. One of them was a Marine Captain, so I'm just waiting for the News Coos to bring me a Bounty Poster..."
Scratching the back of his head, Shirou was tempted to apologize, but, as Thomas had dismissed his other apologies, he ultimately decided against it. Instead, he said, "Even if you're assigned a high Bounty, the Admirals are usually busy dealing with the Yonko and the more dangerous Pirates in the New World. So long as you avoid causing a scene at Sabaody, the only people you'll have to worry about are the members of Cipher Pol. But Chloe should be able to sense and deal with them. She isn't as strong as Illya and Miyu with their Kaleidosticks, but she has the proper 'conviction' to deal with troublesome and persistent enemies..."
"She certainly gives off a 'dangerous' aura..." muttered Thomas, adding, "So long as my Servants are near, I'm not too worried about the members of Cipher Pol. Benienma, in particular, can detect life forces and discern if someone has wicked intentions or is lying. She's a Cook, but her Skills are a mix between a Saber and a high-ranking Assassin. That includes A-Rank Magic Resistance and Presence Concealment."
Though he once again felt that Thomas had been inordinately 'blessed,' Shirou didn't point it out. Thomas's blessings meant they would have an easier time assembling the remaining Install Cards, so he replied, "That's good to know. Chloe does her best to protect Illya's innocence, so her hands are already stained with blood. If possible, I would prefer it if she didn't have to get them dirty too often..."
Nodding his head, Thomas replied, "That shouldn't be a problem. I'm trying to increase my strength enough to reach the pinnacle, so I'll have her and Illya remain on the ship or sit things out unless shit hits the fan. Beyond that, it's really up to them what they want to do..."
Adopting a wry smile, Shirou asserted, "If you give them the option, they will choose to fight. One of the reasons our Bounties were so high by the time we reached Sabaody was because Illya is incapable of standing by and watching people suffer. That's why I'm certain she'll go with you. The moment you mentioned Crocodile and liberating Alabasta, she would have felt compelled to help. That's just the kind of girl Illya is."
Though Shirou's words made Thomas question his decision to let the two lolis accompany him, he didn't voice his thoughts aloud. With how things were developing, he would likely be parting ways with the Straw Hats in the near future. Interacting with Zoro, Lucy, and even Usopp was pretty fun, but traveling aboard the Merry and putting up with Nami's pestering had worn him down. Now, he kind of just wanted to do his own thing until they obtained the Thousand Sunny or reconvened at Sabaody...
"Then we'll just have to see how things develop," said Thomas. "At this point, I'm tired of trying to predict the future and plan around it. Now, I primarily want to focus on increasing my strength and having a bit of fun before things get serious. If Illya and Chloe stress me out, I'll bring them back and let you deal with them. Simple as that."
"That sounds fair," replied Shirou. However, at the same time, he couldn't really imagine Thomas 'abandoning' the nearly identical girls just because they irritated him. Now that he had a bit of time to familiarize himself with the inordinately tall and muscular man, he had the distinct impression that Thomas was the type to complain but still help people when they needed him. He may not possess the qualities of a true hero, but he at least used his innumerable blessings to help people...
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After his lengthy conversation with Shirou, Thomas spent more than an hour relaxing in the residence's massive, open-air bath. Vivi and Astolfo had already gone in before him, using it as an opportunity to get to know Illya, Chloe, and Miyu, so he had the entire bath to himself, soaking up to his chin as he contemplated everything that had transpired over the past forty-eight hours.
As troublesome as recent developments were, Thomas would be lying if he said he wasn't at least a little excited. Just the prospect of becoming a 'True Mage' made his heart beat faster, not simply because it guaranteed his freedom, but because he would potentially be able to traverse all the worlds he had given up on to enter One Piece. As for the matter of Chloe, well, she wasn't entirely wrong when she said he was putting on a front...
Though they were around the same height, Chloe, Illya, and Miyu gave off a markedly more 'mature' impression than Benienma. Had Thomas been around the same age as Shirou, he might have played along and allowed his gaze to wander while Chloe was taunting him. Since he was already in his mid-thirties, he couldn't just let himself get riled up by some wannabe succubus...
Fortunately, even though he dozed off for a few minutes, Thomas's bath went uninterrupted. He half-expected Chloe or Astolfo to sneak in on him, but that was, evidently, an undue concern. The two pink-haired imps were having fun chatting in Miyu's room, so Thomas spent much of the evening alone since Vivi, despite her mature appearance, was only a few months older than the trio of lolis. She had also spent the last two years of her life undercover, so having a 'girl's night' where she could relax and cut loose was something she desperately needed...
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After a lonely but peaceful night's slumber, Thomas rose well before the Sun, dragging his feet as he made his way outside to get in a few hours of training. Before leaving, Chiron had recommended him to get between 6-10 hours of training whenever he wasn't busy with other things. Reaching the peak required a certain mentality, so he would never reach his goal if he allowed himself to become complacent and slacked off when he could have been training.
With such thoughts in mind, Thomas released a long yawn before giving himself a few light smacks to wake himself up. As he did so, something pointy pressed against the small of his back as the now-familiar voice of a young girl remarked, "You're full of openings. If I were an enemy, you'd be dead right now."
Though he initially tensed, circulating his Magical Energy for protection, Thomas relaxed when he heard the voice, lazily responding, "Lucky me..." before turning around to find Chloe standing behind him in her incredibly skimpy, red and black Archer attire. In her hands were a pair of black and white shortswords that Thomas couldn't readily recall the names of, but he didn't pay them any mind, asking, "What's up? Don't tell me you were up all night watching me..."
"You wish," replied Chloe. "I just sensed you were awake and decided to see what you were up to so early in the morning. Mind telling me where you're going?"
Shrugging his shoulders, Thomas lazily replied, "Daily training..." before turning around and continuing on his way. When he did so, Chloe briefly adopted a skeptical look, asking, "Seriously...?" before hurrying to catch up when he didn't stop to respond...
...
..
.
(A/N: It's okay, Tom. Every badass needs a loli.)

Chapter 62: Interplay