Chapter 218: Reunion and Heartbeats in the Warm Glow of the Tavern!Nami leaned her head gently against Luffy's chest, his steady, strong heartbeat echoing in her ears.A warm, full emotion silently swelled in her heart, dispelling the anxiety and unease that had long plagued her.This feeling made her suddenly feel like a princess carefully protected.The bitterness of three months of waiting evaporated without a trace in this moment of warmth.Not far away, Uta's cheeks were slightly puffed out, her gaze seemingly fixed on the two figures leaning closely together.Her fingertips unconsciously twirled a strand of hair, and her lips were pressed into a straight line."Hehe..."A lazy chuckle came from behind the bar, and a wisp of smoke curled up from the cigarette held between Shakky's fingers.Her eyes held a playful amusement that saw through everything, and her gaze flickered between Luffy and the two girls before she slowly spoke,"Little Monkey's charm is truly extraordinary, isn't it?""It makes even an old woman like me curious!""How many cute little ships has such a popular Captain already stepped on?"These words drifted down lightly, yet they were like a stone thrown into a calm lake.In an instant, Nami felt the chest she was leaning against stiffen imperceptibly for a moment.She slowly raised her head from Luffy's embrace and met Uta's gaze, who had also turned her head.Then, both pairs of eyes focused on Luffy's face.The previously relaxed and joyful atmosphere suddenly solidified, and an invisible pressure descended like a mountain.Luffy, locked under their gaze, had beads of sweat visibly forming on his forehead, and the back of his shirt quickly darkened.He felt as if he had suddenly been placed under the scorching sun of the Grand Line, or thrown into the ice cell of Impel Down."Luffy~~~"Nami's voice rang out, sweeter and softer than the finest honey, with a slight upward lilt at the end that made one's bones tingle.But this sweet tone, when it reached Luffy's ears, triggered his instinctive sense of danger.The subtleJust at this critical moment—"Bang!"The wooden door of the bar was violently pushed open, hitting the wall with a dull thud."Everyone! Your great Warrior of the Sea, CaptainUsopp, has returned perfectly from his special training! Are you ready for a surprise?"That iconic, slightly exaggerated and enthusiastic voice, now sounded like heavenly music to Luffy's ears.Everyone looked over, only to see a tall figure standing in silhouette at the doorway.When he walked closer, everyone was stunned.The once thin, somewhat frail Usopp had been reborn:His bare upper body was covered in well-defined, solid muscles, with an orderly eight-pack.His skin was a healthy bronze from the sun, and he even carried a giant slingshot that looked quite heavy on his shoulder.Only his long nose and the familiar quick wit and vitality in his eyes allowed people to recognize him instantly."Usopp!!!"Luffy's eyes burst with an unprecedented light; he practically sprang up, instantly releasing Nami's arm, and rushed towards the Sniper King at the door with a gust of wind."That's great! You came at just the right time! Come on, give me a hug!!!"Before Nami, Uta, Shakky, and even Usopp himself, who had just entered, could fully react,Luffy had already embraced Usopp, then, without explanation, hooked his arm over Usopp's shoulder and began a strange, relieved celebration ritual.Arm in arm, like two wind-up toys, they hopped left and right in the open space in the middle of the bar, their steps perfectly synchronized."Uh..."Uta blinked, snapping out of the overly abruptShe tilted her head slightly, her gaze once again falling on Nami, the curiosity and scrutiny in her eyes undiminished.The question aboutNami met Uta's gaze, shrugging her hands lightly with a hint of helplessness.Her red lips parted, letting out a silent sigh.She looked at the two clowns stillA curve of amusement and exasperation formed at the corner of her mouth.This long-nosed guy... his appearance was a bit too coincidental!Forget it!Nami withdrew her gaze, her fingertips gently brushing her golden-orange hair.Some questions, it seemed, would have to wait until next time, when it was just the two of them, to beAfter all, some facts, they had vaguely known in their hearts and had begun to try and accept.About that rubber idiot's excessivelyThe setting sun dyed the sea a warm gold, and the lingering scent of the day's revelry still hung in the air."Number 7 still dares to be so arrogant towards Number 1?!"Zoro leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a sneer undisguised on his lips, his gaze cutting diagonally towards Sanji who had just stepped in."Don't think you can get carried away just because you miraculously arrived first!"A vein throbbed on Sanji's forehead, the cigarette between his fingers almost snapped.He couldn't understand it no matter what.He had clearly left earlier, so how did that Mosshead, who could get lost on a straight road, beat him?He, of course, didn't know that Zoro had hitched a ride on Hawkeye's"My apologies, Number 7!"Zoro deliberately drew out his words, his face devoid of any apology, clearly adding fuel to the fire."You damn Mosshead!"Sanji raised his leg to kick, his fury almost materializing as flames erupting from his suit collar.But at that very moment—A steady hand gently pressed on his shoulder.It was as if thunder exploded in his mind.Scenes of hellish training instantly flashed before him:Blood, sweat, tearing pain, and those calm yet unfathomable eyes.Sanji's boiling killing intent abruptly paused, as if doused with ice-cold seawater.He took a deep breath, slowly exhaled a smoke ring, and his emotions surprisingly calmed down in an instant."Hahaha, Zoro, Sanji, you two are still the same!"Luffy popped out from who knows where, stretched out his rubber arm, and familiarly wrapped it around their necks, bringing their heads close together."Luffy!"The sharp lines on Zoro's face instantly softened, and he broke into a genuine smile,"It's been a long time!"Then he glanced at Sanji, who was still subtly trembling beside him, raised an eyebrow, and resumed his provocative demeanor:"Perverted cook, are you... weak?"Unexpectedly, Sanji didn't fly into a rage this time.He merely gave Zoro a quiet glare, then turned his gaze to the lively figure who had already broken free from them and was peering out the window,His voice imbued with a certain understanding forged through trials and tribulations:"Unless you tie him up like a mummy from head to toe with Sea Stone... otherwise, I can't think of any way to beat this guy.""Tch,"Zoro spat lightly, but didn't refute. He tightened his arm holding his sword slightly, a similar solemnity flashing deep in his eyes... At the entrance of the tavern, steeped in twilight, warm light spilled from the windowpanes, casting long, slender shadows.Zoro spat lightly, but didn't refute. He tightened his arm holding his sword slightly, a similar solemnity flashing deep in his eyes... At the entrance of the tavern, steeped in twilight, warm light spilled from the windowpanes, casting long, slender shadows."Luffy, long time no see."Robin's voice was as mellow as if steeped in moonlight.She stood at the edge of the halo, her waist-length hair making her skin appear even fairer, and the subtle smile on her lips held the unchanged intellectual composure of years.When it came to temperament, she always handled it just right."Mhm!"Luffy's reaction was astonishingly quick.Almost the instant her words fell, he flashed close, his rubber arm deftly and firmly encircling Robin's slender waist, drawing her steadily into his embrace.He dared not be careless about matters of the heart at all.Warm body heat permeated through the fabric.Robin paused slightly, then her brows relaxed.She didn't struggle, merely rested her cheek on his shoulder, taking a deep breath of the familiar scent of sea breeze and sunshine intertwined.A moment later, she gently patted Luffy's back, then calmly stepped back half a pace... She was an older sister, after all.Luffy grinned.Always so gentle, so clear-headed, even understanding how to properly contain the surge of reunion.Nearby,"Tsk." Zoro, arms crossed, glanced sideways."I thought a certain cook would be weeping."Sanji, cigarette in mouth, actually looked unexpectedly calm. He flicked the ash, feigning nonchalance:"What's this... I already guessed it."But before his words finished, certain memories suddenly surged forth.Those days and nights on Amazon Lily, a hellish special training dominated by dog food and punches.He subconsciously clutched his chest, his voice suddenly rising:"I, I wasn't envious at all!!!"That last defense sounded particularly pale against the noisy backdrop of the tavern.Zoro scoffed, too lazy to expose his slightly reddened ear tips... "Luffy—!"A familiar shout, like a stone dropped into a pond, instantly rippled out.The entire bar seemed ignited by that name, suddenly bustling.The dim yellow lights seemed to brighten a few shades, and the air was filled with the sweet, warm clamor unique to reunions.At the entrance, a small figure squeezed in.Chopper was on tiptoes, trying hard to lick a pink cotton candy bigger than his head, his big, dark eyes immediately curving into crescents when he saw Luffy."Clang!"Immediately followed by the crisp sound of metal hitting the floor, Franky burst through the door with an iconic cool pose, arms raised high:"Super—!! It's so moving to see the Captain!!"In the corner, the elegant sound of a violin began to play.Brook, in a well-tailored, stylish suit, bowed slightly, his bony fingers gliding over the strings:"Yohohoho~ Although I have no eyes to cry with, the joy of this reunion has my soul singing!"He tilted his head, his empty eye sockets"Mr. Luffy, would you like to see my new clothes?... Ah, although I also have no eyes to see with, yohohoho!"The small tavern was filled with laughter, shouts, music, and various figures, bustling with warmth.The last piece of the puzzle quietly fell into place.