"What did you say?" Luna questioned after noticing Number One's lips move. The wind was too strong with their speed so his words of appreciation went unheard.
"It was nothing," Number One replied with a smile and teased, "What do you say if we practice flying right away? I can drop you from the sky and you try making your own wings."
Both beauties immediately tightened their hold and Luna denied, "No! If you drop me, I will bite you!"
"How can you bite me after I drop you?" Number One asked playfully which caused Luna to sink her teeth into his shoulder. Nami only laughed in response and just kissed him softly to balance the pain with pleasure.
"Anyway, I have something to talk with you two," Number One finally turned serious as he flew towards the nearby grass hill. "It's about the man I once called Master and his disciple."
The girls stopped kissing his neck as they looked at Number One's expression and they prepared for landing. Although he was good at keeping his balance in the air, he still needed to work on braking and lowering his speed. They all rolled on the grass upon touching the ground but it was thankfully soft enough to avoid any injuries.
Nami was the first to crawl towards Number One and hugged him on the grass before he could get up. "What is it that you wanted to speak about?"
"It's about my ex-disciple sister. I met her today when I was gone and the situation doesn't look that great," Number One informed as he embraced Luna who joined them. "I would argue that she is even more powerful than your sister and she will eventually come to get me. I have no choice but to get strong enough before that happens."
"Hmm? Isn't that good?" Luna questioned with raised eyebrows. "Having a strong expert who will support you is a blessing. Did that motivate you to work harder?"
Number One smiled awkwardly. "It did motivate me but it's not good at all. If she comes and manages to take me away, I probably won't be alive for long."
Luna squinted her eyes in confusion and Number One finally explained with a sigh, "The man I keep calling my Master is not really my Master. He is the person who killed my family right in front of my eyes and then kidnapped me. I eventually managed to escape after stealing a few of his treasures but I recently found out it was all part of his plan. His disciple has been shadowing me for years and provoking various challenges which were meant to put me through life and death situations."
Number One paused before adding, "We first thought he just wanted to train me in his twisted ways but today I found out that probably isn't the case. He seems to be having a severe condition and I suspect he was raising me to either steal my body for himself or use me to somehow recover."
"Wow… that sounds so surreal," Luna muttered as she raised herself to gaze at him. "Does your disciple sister have nothing else to do? How many years has she followed you?"
"I honestly don't know anymore but that doesn't matter. The point is that my life is in danger and I have to improve as quickly as I can," Number replied as Nami hugged him to show her support.
"Don't worry, we will train hard and overcome this problem together," Nami assured sweetly. "I will do whatever I can to make it happen."
"I know," Number One nodded while caressing her back. "I'm just telling you this to be transparent. My life has always been dangerous which is why I never let anyone get too close to me. I wouldn't want you to risk your life by being around me. The chance you will die in the process is high and I doubt I can protect everyone while also saving myself.
"I don't mind," Nami replied without hesitation. "I already decided to be with you for better or worse so why would I leave you now? The only question I will ask is how can I help you more."
Number One already expected such a reaction from Nami but Luna was in a different pair of shoes. She just joined them not too long ago so she didn't share a similar attachment to Nami. He gazed at her and wondered, "What about you? Do you still want to stay with us knowing a powerful Inner World expert can come to kill you at any moment?"
Luna wasn't in a hurry to reply and instead reached out to hold his hand. Number One would definitely understand it if she decided to leave and he wouldn't even be mad. It was actually the most reasonable and responsible reaction but Luna was far from doing things that made sense.
"So you are saying it is just your ex-disciple sister that we have to face?" Luna questioned casually. "We should still have time to improve a lot so why would I be scared of a single expert? Is she powerful enough to face thousands at the same time?"
"Do we have thousands?" Number One questioned speechlessly when Luna cuddled into his arms again. "It's just the three of us if we don't count the Academy."
"You really underestimate the strength of an alchemist. You are someone who can make supreme tier pills as if it's nothing. Can you imagine how many people would stand by your side if they knew about your skills?" Luna pointed out with pursed lips. "It wouldn't even be hard to order everyone to hunt her down for you. Why are you waiting for her to come instead of taking the initiative and eliminating the problem yourself?"
"That's something I was already thinking about but I wouldn't do that without having sufficient strength myself. When you push someone into the corner, they will act unexpectedly and might even attack directly in desperation. We should delay the inevitable for as long as we can," Number One explained. "I would rather prepare first before we go on the offensive."
"That's fine as well but it doesn't change my point," Luna muttered and leaned over to find his lips. "I was never scared of danger and my decision to stay with you is final. If I wanted a safe route, I would have gone to the Dragon Academy a month ago."
It was definitely a welcomed response since having an additional force by his side lessened the pressure off his shoulders. Number One rewarded Luna with a deep kiss she was searching for but that started a chain reaction. Both girls threw themselves at him as if trying to continue their morning exercise and he had to smack their butts to calm them down.
"Not here and not now," Number One commented and picked them both from the ground. "You are still yet to learn how to fly. Let's go, I will catch you in case you fall."
"Ahhh, you are such a mood killer…" Luna lamented as she followed suit and smiled as she flew right past him. "The last one in the Academy loses!"