One Piece: Gambling to The Top
Chapter 106 - 106

Josh was walking down the street of Water 7.

Although he was particularly nobody now, since his bounty was deactivated, some citizens gave him a glance.

They seemed to be wondering where they had seen them. Josh, of course, ignored them while focusing on the signal.

Since he and Kalifa had a blood contract, Josh could feel it when she is near.

Though he can't tell exactly where she is, he will just head in the direction where he feels the signal stronger.

After walking for twenty minutes, Josh found himself stopping in front of one of the shops. It wasn't because he felt Kalifa was here. It was because something had caught his attention, subconsciously. Josh found himself staring at a long line. At the end of the line, there was a square glass with hidden patterns inside it.

Paints of nature and all. Although they looked ordinary, the more he stared at them, the more he felt relaxed and positive. As well, something inside of him was telling him to go and buy it. Looking at the price tag, 150.000 Berries, Josh wanted to say it's very high, but he still wanted to buy it. His brain was bothering him to do it.

'What's in the hell…' Josh scanned the painting, before looking at the people. They made a large line. Each one of them was holding money in his hands. Focusing on what they are saying, Josh heard that these citizens were saving money for a month or so, just to buy this.

Josh suddenly snapped back. He knows exactly what's going on. Colour Trap. He knows one girl who can do that.

'And she almost made me spend money.' Josh had a smile on his face. Marianne surely thinks in a good way. Just by looking at the line, Josh could tell that she made a profit more than his casinos would make.

Ignoring the line, Josh walked inside the shop. Some man, angry, stood in his way.

The guy was large and muscular, and he didn't like Josh's behaviour. Without giving him any necessary attention, Josh waved his hand to the left, sending the guy flying.

The other people, who were angry at Josh as well, started reconsidering if they should stand in his way.

Entering the shop, Josh put his hand on his eyes. Around, on the walls, there were many hidden shapes, between the paints. Josh didn't dare look at them, since he knew, the moment he does, he would happily spend all of his money.

"Hey, brat, come here," Josh said, with a deep voice.

"Put the money on the table." Came a lazy voice.

Josh looked at the table. A little woman was sitting there, her legs crossed, and she was holding a newspaper, not seeming to care about anyone who enters here. Josh could tell it was Marianne, since not so many people are 145 cm tall. Unlike in the past, she made some changes in her look.

She had black hair, falling down, which should match her blue eye. Her hair got longer as well.

Josh noticed that she wasn't wearing her hat. She was wearing a short skirt, exposing her legs, some heels, and a blouse.

Sighing and hiding his smirk, Josh squatted at the chair.

"Someone with a strong brain can rob you one day." He said with a deep voice.

"I dare them." She lifted one finger. The top finger turned into a plasma-like. It had sparks of electricity. One could easily feel the heat emitting from there, and Josh only lowered his head and sighed.

Since she is in Paradise, Marianne obviously gained the self-confidence any Logia type eater would have.

Making a ring with his index and thumb, Josh reached with his hand forward and gently flicked on her forehead.

"Ouch… Ouch…"

Marianne left her newspaper and held her forehead, her eyes turning teary as she angrily glared at the person who did it.

But once their eyes met, those teary eyes blinked twice in surprise.

The eyes began to tear again. Josh smiled at Marianne, waiting for her to analyse the situation.

"Daddy!"

Opening her arms widely and ignoring the red mark on her forehead, Marianne jumped off her seat. Josh hugged the short woman and lifted her up, his arms around her waist.

Marianne, emotional, put her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his neck. She pulled back, looked at his face to confirmed it was him, and then, she landed a kiss on his lips.

Josh felt somehow strange as he closed his eyes. She was a bit heavier than she used to be. Still, he kissed her back with his tongue. Marianne moaned softly in his mouth and blushed when Josh grabbed her butt. It was bigger than before.

After putting her on her feet, Josh felt somehow strange. "Is it me or did you grow."

"Oh, I had a growth spurt after doing nothing but eating and working out," Marianne said, proud.

She grew by 5 centimetres, making her 150 cm tall. There was a little bulge on her chest. Josh eyed her with pride.

"Right, it can happen too." He smiled and patted her head. People still can grow even after adulthood. It all depends on hormones levels.

Josh then sat down and had a conversation with her, asking about how they lived without him all along. She said it was difficult at first, not having him around.

But they managed to get through. She, with her cheat fruit and Colour Trap, started a business and accumulated a lot of money, before buying a house. Kalifa, with her spy's skills, was protecting them from the marines and from getting exposed. No one ever doubted that they are in Water 7. On the other hand, Mikita and Robin were working out.

"How about you, what happened after your fight with Akainu. Is everything alright?"

Marianne, concerned, put her hands on his chest, before lowering them to his abs. She was checking out if everything was fine. Finally, she reached to his crotch and grabbed his bulge with her small hand, squeezing it. She sighed in relief. And when she saw Josh lifting his eyebrows, she only blushed.

"We can have that quickly before we move and see the others." She invited him to have sex.

"I would love to. But the people who got me here are waiting."

"Alright. Just let me close the store."

Marianne opened her hand. Plasma left it and made a shape that went along the line. When the people saw the shape, the colour trap, they suddenly forgot why they are there. Turning, they left the shop and went away.

When Marianne looked back at Josh, she felt proud, seeing him looking at her with a little awe.

"Tell me, how much did you sell." Josh wanted to know.

"Around some thousands, I don't count. Maybe 7000 or more. People are dumb to buy it without thinking. Well, it gives them emotions. Some people buy them in bulk. I tricked some pirates to spend millions and gold to get the glass paints." Marianne reported, trying to remember. "Rich people are my favourite. One young mistress spent 30 million Berries.

"In the end, I had to raise the price for more profit, and people are working hard to get it…" she shrugged her shoulders.

"some thousands..." Blinking and doing math, Josh realised that she made a few hundred million. "Marry me." He said quietly.

Marianne smiled a bit and lowered her head. "But I thought you don't believe in marriage."

"Just kidding," Josh said. "You're my girl." he smiled.

'Alright, maybe I was lucky that Akainu showed up. Many good things appeared on the way.'

Josh grabbed Marianne's hand and then walked out of the shop. She was guiding him on the street, to where she and the girls are living. With each step, Josh could feel Kalifa was getting closer to him. Josh felt more excited to see them finally.

"By the way, Daddy."

"Yes." Josh looked at Marianne.

"How did you manage to touch my forehead." She looked at him with her big blue eyes. To her, it didn't make sense that Josh could touch her, while she was in a mode where any physical object would pass by her body. But Josh had given her a small flick on the forehead. The little pain had made her wonder.

"Later, you'll learn. But first, let's see the others." Josh said, giving her a teasing smile.

-x-X-x-

A/N: Advanced chapters ahead at patréon

www..patréon.com/Blazuki