Chapter 429 - 268

Chapter 269: What she has, I must have too!Sea Forest.Ancient shipwrecks and coral formed an underwater forest, where sunlight was softened by the roots of the sunlight tree eve into strands of golden gossamer, slowly flowing through this sacred place of rest.Ten years.Ten years of time, four thousand days and nights; she had been imprisoned in the dark Hard-Shell Tower, able only to sketch the appearance of this forest in her mind countless times through Mekaro's descriptions, imagining the tranquility of her mother's final resting place.Now, the high walls of isolation had finally collapsed, and the entangling nightmares had dissipated.A simple and clean tombstone stood quietly, surrounded by coral "flowers" that would never wither!!Shirahoshi stopped before the tombstone.Her massive body leaned forward slightly, and then, slowly and with extreme gentleness, she knelt down.Her cheeks were almost pressed against the cool ground, and her long arms carefully embraced the base of the tombstone.There was no loud wailing, no heart-wrenching screams."Mother... I've come to see you.""I'm sorry for making you wait so long.""I'm... doing very well now. Really.""Mother, Shirahoshi has grown up. I have never dared to forget a single word of your teachings.""From now on, Shirahoshi is going to... walk her own path.""The world you hoped for, that future where the Fishman race can live in peace with everyone and bask in the sunlight... that is also Shirahoshi's wish. I will work hard, and keep working hard."Her words were soft yet firm, like a farewell to the past and a promise to the future.Not far behind her, the members of the Straw Hatstood quietly, maintaining a respectful distance.As for Luffy... he was sitting on a barnacle-covered boulder a hundred meters away, swinging his legs, looking up to study a school of shimmering little fish swimming by, looking bored and completely out of place with the solemn atmosphere of the scene.Shirahoshi slowly turned around, her gaze passing over everyone and landing precisely on the straw hat figure sitting in the distance, as if in another world.A clear expectation rippled in her azure eyes, along with a trace of subtle nervousness."Lord Luffy..."She called out softly, her voice even softer than before,"Could you... come over for a moment?"Luffy turned his head at the sound, a piece of seaweed he'd plucked from somewhere still dangling from his mouth."I want... to let you meet my mother as well."Shirahoshi clasped her hands in front of her chest, her fingertips pressing slightly,"I... really hope that my mother's spirit in heaven can know of your existence, Lord Luffy.""Eh? Me?"Luffy blinked, seemingly not expecting to be called at all. He pointed to his nose, then looked at the distant tombstone, a rare look of hesitation appearing on his face,"Paying respects... shouldn't that be a family matter? As an outsider, it might not be right, would it?""Lord Luffy is not an outsider!"Shirahoshi immediately retorted, her voice carrying a hint of urgent earnestness, and a moving blush appeared on her cheeks because of it,"I... I want to pay respects to my mother together with you."She lowered her head slightly, her long eyelashes fluttering, and urged him in a soft voice with a hint of coquettishness that was almost impossible to refuse:"Please come!""...Alright, alright."Luffy scratched the back of his head, jumped down from the boulder, patted his pants, and started walking toward the tombstone."Tsk, tsk,"Watching Luffy's back as he walked toward Shirahoshi, Usopp suddenly stroked his chin and muttered in a low voice, a mix of amusement and realization,"Why do I always feel like... we're just background characters here to make up the numbers?"His voice wasn't loud, but in the quiet Sea Forestand among his companions, it was heard exceptionally clearly."Usopp..."A low and dangerous voice sounded behind Usopp, accompanied by the crackling of burning flames,"If you can talk..."Sanji had stood behind Usopp at some point, a tangible fury rising around him, and the tip of the cigarette in his mouth suddenly glowed red:"...then say more for me, will you?! You bastard Long-nose!!!""Waaah! Sorry, Sanji! I was joking!!"Usopp jumped in fright and quickly hid behind Zoro."Sanji-kun,"Robin, who had been observing elegantly, suddenly spoke softly, a mysterious smile on her beautiful face,"If you really want to find your own romantic encounter and true love...""I suggest you... better stay a bit further away from our Captain.""Ro-Robin-chan! Don't be so mischievous!!"Sanji's anger was instantly replaced by embarrassment and a trace of inexplicable panic."It can't be helped,"Robin spread her hands, her smile deepening with a look of insight that saw through everything,"After all, Luffy's 'charm'... in some aspects, has an indiscriminate 'field-clearing' effect.""If you stay too close to him, I'm afraid the beautiful ladies' eyes will hardly have room for anyone else."As her words fell, not only Sanji, but even Brookand Franky nearby nodded thoughtfully.Meanwhile, Nami and Uta crossed their arms, looked at the two over there, puffed out their cheeks slightly, huffed, and turned their faces away.————————The night was like thick ink, painting the banquet hall of Fish-Man Island with a warm glow.Amidst the clamor of voices, the fat of roasted Sea Kings sizzled, and the sweet scent of fruit wine drifted past the coral-carved pillars.Mermaids with graceful figures flicked their shimmering tail fins, their skirts like irises blooming in the water, drawing waves of cheers from the crowd.The noisy waves of sound were gradually left behind as Luffy carried a plate larger than half his body, turning into a quiet coral corridor with light steps.The roast meat on the plate was still steaming; he held a large piece of meat in his mouth and shouted indistinctly:"Munch... Robin, you were looking for me!"Under the corridor, Robin was lazily leaning against the coral-carved railing.The ocean current passed through the hall, fluttering her moon-white long dress, the hem rippling in fine waves, outlining her slender yet supple waistline ever more clearly.Her ink-black long hair fell like a waterfall, contrasting with her snow-white skin; a few strands of hair clung to her temples, adding a touch of laziness.When she looked up, her eyes were filled with fine light, and in her stunningly beautiful features was a mature big sister charm unique to her."Luffy, you're here."Robin opened her mouth slightly, her voice clear and cold, so pleasant it made one's heart tremble."What's wrong?"Luffy approached in a few quick steps.Robin's fingertips lightly brushed the hair at her temple, and she took a graceful step, leaning slightly closer to him.Her warm breath, carrying a faint scent of ink and seaweed, brushed past Luffy's ear."Luffy, I want to tell you something. I've already heard from Sanji about what happened after we fainted.""Those giant Sea Kings... it's very likely that Shirahoshi summoned them."She deliberately lowered her voice, the end of her sentence rising slightly with a hint of certainty:"In other words, Shirahoshi is very likely one of the three Ancient Weapons.""Oh, that!"Luffy grinned and reached out without hesitation to wrap his arm around her slender waist.A refreshing fragrance instantly flooded his nose, carrying a reassuring warmth."I already knew that!"Hearing this, Robin's delicate body trembled imperceptibly, then she looked up and laughed, her eyes curving into crescents; her appearance, like a swaying flower, was so beautiful it made the fireflies outside the corridor lose their luster."So, was I just being sentimental?""How could that be? I still have to thank Robin-chan for telling me!"As Luffy spoke, he lowered his head slightly and, without a word, captured her alluring lips."Mmm..."Robin's eyelashes fluttered slightly; she didn't resist at all, but instead obediently stood on tiptoe, raising her hands to wrap around his neck, her soft lips intertwining with his.After an unknown amount of time, their lips parted.Luffy smacked his lips, wanting more, while Robinshook her head helplessly, her finger lightly tapping his forehead, though her eyes were full of indulgence.After all, he was the person she held dearest to her heart; she was always willing to let him take advantage of her with his hands and mouth like this.In the quiet corridor, only the soft sound of the ocean current brushing against the coral remained.Robin suddenly looked up into Luffy's eyes, her voice low and carrying a hint of subtle probing:"Um, Luffy, between you and Nami, has it already...""Uh... that..."Luffy's eyes darted around, as if someone had poked at his secret.But meeting Robin's clear blue-black eyes, he finally gave in and slumped his head in confession,"That's right! Nami and I indeed...""I didn't mean to blame you."Robin let out a light laugh, her jade-like arms, white as frost, gently wrapping around his neck as she pressed her cheek against his chest.Her eyes were clear as water, clearly reflecting Luffy's face, with deep affection flowing slowly like the ocean current."After all, Nami is indeed a very good girl."Her voice paused, and a burning fire suddenly ignited in her eyes, like a dormant volcano abruptly waking up."But..."Robin looked up slightly, her nose brushing against his chin, her voice low and seductive, each word carrying an unquestionable persistence:"What she has, I must have too!"Her warm breath brushed past Luffy's ear again, carrying a fatal allure:"Take me, okay?""Yeah!"A hint of a smile flashed in Luffy's eyes, and then he leaned down, suddenly picking her up in his arms.Lightning and electric arcs suddenly flickered, and a golden-purple light pierced the silence of the corridor.In an instant, the two figures turned into a bolt of lightning and disappeared at the end of the coral corridor, leaving only the empty plate on the railing still swaying slightly... Meanwhile, the luxury private room that had been silent in the night suddenly lit up with a warm glow.Not long after, a series of melodious moans faintly echoed within the room.The sound was as soft as a feather brushing against the heart, carrying a hint of suppressed tenderness and mixed with an indescribable tingling.