Luffy stared at the status panel in front of him, a deep sense of accomplishnt filling his heart.
Especially his Haki.
After just the Alabasta battle, it had grown from initial awakening to the Interdiate level, while his Armant Haki had already reached the peak of Interdiate.
As for Ultimate Life Return, it was even more outrageous.
As long as his life force wasn't depleted, he was practically immortal, and he also possessed a "Last Burst of Life" ability that could activate once every three days.
Then there was his grandpa's Iron Fist.
It could help guide his path sowhat, but he would probably only cultivate the Breath Chapter.
As the na implied—
Gather energy into the fist and strike through the heavens.
But in the future, he was certain he would walk his own path.
"Luffy, dinner's ready," Vivi said with a gentle smile, her eyes softly curved with warmth.
"Oh, thanks! I'm starving!"
Luffy stopped thinking about the system and leaned his head tiredly against Vivi's delicate shoulder, which carried a faint, pleasant fragrance.
Sunset — Alabasta Palace Banquet
The palace hall was filled with celebration.
"Ahh—!"
"Oh—!"
Luffy fully embraced his identity as a rubber man, stretching his arms across the table to shove endless skewers of at and sticky rice balls into his mouth.
Knowing Luffy's terrifying appetite, the others also started devouring the food in front of them.
anwhile, in the kitchen, Head Chef Terracotta was cooking frantically.
A fierce competition had begun—
Guests vs. Chef.
"This has absolutely no elegance," one palace guard muttered while watching the chaos.
"At a royal banquet, things should be quieter…"
Plates piled higher and higher on the table.
Terracotta's competitive spirit ignited.
"These pirates are impressive!"
"But I'm not losing!"
She started stir-frying even faster.
"I need to eat faster!"
Zoro stabbed a piece of at with his fork.
Suddenly—
A long rubber arm stretched across the table and stole the at from his plate.
Without hesitation, it disappeared into Luffy's mouth.
At the sa ti, another arm grabbed the giant crab from Usopp's plate.
"HEY, LUFFY!"
"You just took sothing from my plate!"
Usopp slamd a foot onto the table and pointed a fork at him angrily.
Luffy covered his mouth with both hands.
His cheeks puffed out enormously from all the food inside.
He tried to talk—
But could only shake his head.
"Don't spit food everywhere, idiot!" Nami shouted.
"You don't have to eat that fast," Sanji sighed while watching Chopper slurp noodles at lightning speed.
"Just you wait, Luffy!"
Usopp secretly pulled sothing from his pocket and spread it over a rice ball on his plate.
"This is my Special Chili Sauce Star!"
Just as he finished—
A hand grabbed the rice ball.
"That's it! Eat it, Luffy!" Usopp laughed triumphantly.
The next mont—
The rice ball went straight into Usopp's own mouth.
His face froze.
Oh no…
The burning sensation exploded in his throat.
His already ridiculous expression turned bright red as flas burst from his mouth.
"SPICY!!"
"SPICY!!"
"WATER! I NEED WATER!!"
Usopp ran around the banquet hall in panic while everyone else burst into laughter.
Even Luffy laughed loudly.
"Heh! Did you think my Interdiate Observation Haki was for nothing?"
The dining hall filled with cheerful noise.
At first, the palace soldiers watching thought:
"This table is way too noisy."
"They have no manners."
"How can Princess Vivi laugh so freely like that?"
But before long—
"HAHAHAHA!"
Everyone ended up laughing together.
After the Banquet — Palace Bathhouse
The group headed to the palace bathhouse.
n's Bath
Water flowed loudly through the large stone baths.
"This is the palace's pride!" King Cobra said proudly.
"Normally it's only used during the rainy season."
"That's aweso!"
Luffy and Usopp rushed toward the bath at the sa ti—
Only to crash headfirst into a pillar.
Then they started splashing and playing.
"You guys can turn anything into a party," Cobra said with a sigh.
"Zoro! Look! We can train here!"
Luffy and Usopp stood beneath a powerful stream of water like martial artists practicing endurance.
"What kind of training is that supposed to be?" Zoro said, holding his forehead.
"Tell where the won's bath is!" Sanji demanded seriously.
"You idiot! Why would I tell you that?!" Igaram shouted.
"…It's on the other side of that wall," Cobra casually said.
"Your Majesty, what are you doing?!" Igaram yelled.
Sanji's eyes filled with hearts.
Just as he prepared to move—
Luffy suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Nope."
His dark eyes shone with rare seriousness.
"You're not allowed, Sanji."
Won's Bath
Compared to the chaos next door, this bathhouse was peaceful.
Only Vivi and Nami were there.
"So relaxing," Nami sighed.
"I doubt there's a bath this big anywhere on our ship."
"There definitely is," Vivi replied while washing Nami's back.
"The sea is vast."
"There are giants… dinosaurs…"
"And in snowy countries, cherry blossoms bloom in winter."
"The sea is full of wonders beyond our imagination."
Nami rested her chin on her hand and looked at Vivi.
"So…"
"You like Luffy, don't you?"
"Huh?!"
Vivi's snow-white face instantly turned red.
She lowered her head and stayed silent for a mont.
"…Yes."
Her voice was soft—
But firm.
"Why?" Nami asked.
"Why would you like that idiot?"
"He's a fool who laughs all day and never takes anything seriously!"
"He's just a blockhead!"
"All he thinks about is at!"
Her tone changed as she spoke.
First confusion.
Then anger.
Finally—
Sadness.
A faint mist appeared in her beautiful eyes.
"Nami…"
"You like him too, don't you?"
Though it sounded like a question, Vivi spoke with certainty.
"Don't be ridiculous! Why would I like—"
But the final word never ca out.
After all—
He was the one who pulled her out of hell.
The one who destroyed her nightmare.
At that ti, she had been completely alone.
And then Luffy appeared—
Like a beam of sunlight.
When she asked him for help, his answer had been simple.
"Of course I will."
When she was sick, he had thrown away his pride and begged for help.
A man who aid to beco Pirate King.
How could Nami possibly say she didn't like him?
Finally, Nami sighed and smiled helplessly.
"But Luffy will never understand our feelings."
"He's hopelessly dense."
Vivi whispered,
"But you still won't give up… right?"
"Of course not," Nami said firmly.
After a mont, Nami sighed again.
"We should probably leave tonight."
"Huh? Why?"
"Because we don't have any reason to stay anymore."
"The Marines are probably guarding the port."
"Our ship might already be in danger."
Vivi bit her lip softly.
Her eyes filled with hesitation.
Later
"Thank you!"
King Cobra suddenly dropped to his knees and bowed deeply.
"Thank you for saving this country!"
The room fell silent.
"Hey… is it really okay for a king to bow like that?" Zoro said calmly.
"That won't do, Your Majesty!" Igaram protested.
"A king must never bow to anyone!"
Cobra shook his head.
"Authority cos from clothing and crowns."
"But this is a bathhouse."
"Right now, I'm just a naked man."
"I'm thanking you as a father… and as a citizen of this land."
"Thank you."
"Truly… thank you."
"Tonight?"
"We're leaving?" soone asked.
"Feels about right," Zoro said.
"We don't have any reason to stay."
"I'm also curious about the Marines' movents," Sanji added.
"Luffy, you decide," Usopp said.
Luffy nodded.
"Alright."
"Let's eat one more Alabasta al before we go!"
"We're leaving imdiately, idiot!" everyone shouted.
Elsewhere in the palace—
"We have to tell them quickly!" Chaka said anxiously.
"Yes… but the situation is really terrible right now," Igaram replied.
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