Chapter 263: Let them... wait a little longer!The miraculous light of the sunlight tree eve, which pierced through the ten thousand meters of deep sea to bring light and warmth to Fish-Man Island, began to slowly fade and recede like the tide.Luminescent shells and glowing jellyfish began to appear, signaling that the peaceful night of Fish-Man Island was about to descend.Having lost the command of Hody Jones and his core elite, as well as the support of the energy steroid, the New Fish-Man Pirates rapidly collapsed under the counterattack led by the Ryugu Palace army and the three princes, with the remnants being wiped out one by one or fleeing in disarray.The violent clouds hovering over Fish-Man Islandseemed to be quietly dispersing along with the fading light.Meanwhile, the members of the Straw Hat, who had been scattered throughout the island quelling the riots, also completed their tasks one after another and converged toward the center of Ryugu Palace."My beautiful Mermaid Princess... I am here!!!"The voice arrived before the person.A golden whirlwind rushed into the hall first in an exaggerated spiral posture; Sanji performed an extremely magnificent Thomas flair followed by a knee slide,with a delicate deep-sea rose appearing in his hand from who knows where. His eyes turned into beating hearts as he gazed affectionately at the huge, pink, beautiful figure in the distance:"Please accept me... eh?"His flower-offering gesture and aria-like line came to an abrupt halt.Because he clearly saw that the Mermaid PrincessShirahoshi, the legendary most beautiful princess in the world whom he had been yearning for,was currently leaning over slightly, affectionately and intimately rubbing her exquisitely beautiful cheek against Luffy's face,her large azure eyes filled with reliance and joy, while Luffy grinned, laughing heartlessly.Sanji instantly petrified, and the rose between his fingers fell to the ground with a "plop"."Sanji, despite putting in the most effort during the battle, you still don't feel tired at all. You really are full of energy! Yo ho ho ho~"Brook walked in leaning on his cane, elegant but slightly out of breath, happening to see Sanji's petrified back."Hmm? Why does it sound like something shattered? Is it glass?"Usopp looked around suspiciously and even picked his ear."Idiot cook... love-struck swirl-brow... perverted kappa..."Zoro walked in slowly, cradling his three swords. Seeing Sanji's state, the corners of his mouth twitched violently, and he turned his face away in disgust,"What a disgraceful guy.""Luffy—!"A female voice, clearly filled with displeasure, rang out.Nami stood with her hands on her hips, her long orange hair seemingly rising slightly due to her mood. She puffed out her cheeks, glaring at Luffy, who was being held in Shirahoshi's palm and seemed to be enjoying the treatment,"How long do you plan on staying in the princess's hands? Get down here right now!"Clearly... clearly he already had her—a gentle, virtuous, beautiful, and capable woman who had accompanied him on his adventures—so how could this guy get all clingy with another girl the moment she wasn't looking?!Alarm bells rang in Nami's heart, and a subtle sense of displeasure welled up."Haha, that's true. It does seem a bit inconvenient."Luffy's Observation Haki instantly caught the hint of "deadly kindness" in Nami's tone. His survival instinct made him grin immediately, and he patted Shirahoshi's finger,"Shirahoshi, put me down first.""Oh..."Shirahoshi pouted slightly in disappointment, her large azure eyes full of reluctance, but she still carefully and gently placed Luffy back on the ground."Right, I forgot to introduce you."After standing firm, Luffy pulled Nami over and said to Shirahoshi with a grin,"This is Nami, the best and most amazing Navigator on our ship! Without her, we wouldn't be able to go anywhere!"Nami's originally tense mouth corners curved upward involuntarily upon hearing Luffy's unadorned yet incredibly sincere praise. The slight displeasure in her heart instantly vanished, and a hint of sweetness even welled up.Hmph, I guess you rubber idiot still have some taste!"Sister Nami..."Shirahoshi bowed her head slightly, examining Nami with curiosity and friendliness, then revealed a pure and innocent, brilliant smile,"You are so beautiful!""You are too, Princess Shirahoshi, you are truly beautiful."Nami was made a bit shy by this direct and sincere compliment, her cheeks flushing slightly.Looking at the huge yet simple and cute princess before her, she suddenly felt that the more she looked, the more pleasing she was, and the jealousy from just a moment ago had long since flown to the ends of the earth.Usopp and Brook were exaggeratingly recounting their "heroic deeds" of the "great battle" against the Fishman District thugs;Franky and Hachi were engaging in a cross-dimensional exchange about mechanics and fashion;Chopper was surrounded by the Minister of the Left and the Minister of the Right, who were treating him like a mascot and curiously asking about his medical skills;...As night truly fell, more delicious food and fine wine were brought out again, and cheerful music began to play once more.— — — — — — — — The next morning, in the bedchamber deep within Ryugu Palace.Steam curled out from the cracks in the shower room door, carrying the light scent of fresh seaweed.Nami pushed open the seashell door of the shower room and stepped barefoot onto the warm coral floor.She simply wiped her body with a soft bath towel, and crystal-clear water droplets rolled off her smooth skin.She casually slipped on a loose pink yukata; the silk fabric clung to her curves, faintly outlining her graceful figure.Walking to the vanity mirror inlaid with pearls, the reflection showed a face as fresh and pure as a lotus rising from clear water.Her cheeks, steamed by the water vapor, were rosy white. Beneath willow-leaf-like eyebrows, a pair of bright eyes were as clear as the purest seawater, accompanied by a pert nose and cherry lips that seemed to carry the morning dew.Her damp long orange hair was uncombed, draping over her shoulders and back like a golden waterfall, with tiny water droplets still dripping from the tips, adding a touch of lazy allure to her.She turned around, her gaze falling on the bed in the center of the room, crafted from a giant seashell and covered with soft seaweed fabric.The man was lying on it with his limbs spread out, his straw hat tilted to one side, fast asleep, his rhythmic snoring showing that he had no intention of waking up.Nami frowned slightly, walked to the bedside, leaned over, and gently pushed Luffy's shoulder with her jade-like hand."Luffy, it's time to get up."Her voice was softer than usual, carrying the slight huskiness of having just woken up,"King Neptune is hosting a speech and celebration for the entire island specifically for us. You are the protagonist this time, you can't be late.""A speech? What's fun about that..."Luffy mumbled vaguely, not even opening his eyes, just subconsciously turning over, facing away from Nami, and burying his face deeper into the soft pillow.Nami was both annoyed and amused, adding a bit of strength to her hand as she continued to push him:"Stop sleeping, everyone is waiting! You are the 'hero' who saved Ryugu Palace... although you don't seem to care much about that title yourself."Just as she leaned in close, trying to drag this bed-hogging Captain up, Luffy suddenly moved.His eyes remained closed, but his arm, like a premeditated rubber band, swept backward with lightning speed, precisely wrapping around Nami's slender waist that could be held in one hand."Ah!" Nami let out a soft cry, her body instantly losing its balance, and she was pulled by that irresistible force, falling into the soft bedding and Luffy's solid embrace.Before she could react, Luffy's fingers had nimbly hooked the loosely tied pink sash at her waist, giving it a gentle tug.The sash loosened and slipped off as if it had a life of its own.The already loose pink yukata instantly lost its restraint, sliding down Nami's fair, smooth body, which was like a top-grade pearl, and piling up at her waist, revealing a large expanse of dazzling snow-white skin and the beautiful lines of her collarbone."Luffy! You..."Nami's shy gasp was choked in her throat; she felt the burning body temperature being transmitted through the thin clothing, carrying an unquestionable possessiveness."Luffy... don't mess around..."Nami struggled subconsciously, her hands pressing against his solid chest, but her force was so weak it was almost like she was resisting while inviting it.The laziness of the morning, the sensitivity after a bath, and the familiar, reassuring scent on Luffycaused her resistance to rapidly crumble."The speech... is about to... start..."She tried to use her remaining reason to remind him, but her voice had already become intermittent, carrying a tenderness she hadn't even realized,"And... I just... finished showering..."She tilted her face up, her cheeks flushed red, her clear eyes rippling with shimmering water, and her breathing quickened slightly due to nervousness and a different kind of expectation.This defenseless, charming posture, so different from her usual sharp and capable self, was like a spark igniting a fuse.Luffy finally opened his eyes. Those black eyes, always filled with adventure and impulse, were now as deep as the night sea, clearly reflecting her shy appearance."What does it matter."He lowered his head, his hot breath spraying against her ear, his voice low and hoarse, carrying an unquestionable decisiveness."Let them... wait a little longer."As his voice fell, he gave her no further chance to argue or escape. With a slight exertion of his body, he gently but firmly pressed her onto the soft bed, covering that breathtaking morning light and snow-white scenery with his own body.