Chapter 430 - 269

Chapter 270: Farewell!!The next day, the silence of the top-floor suite at the Deep Sea Hotel was quietly broken by the soft artificial light, like the first rays of dawn.The scene inside the room could only be described as a mess.Luxurious fabrics and garments were scattered everywhere in disarray; a fragment of a white long dress even hung from a coral chandelier.Most eye-catching was the large, soft seaweed-velvet bed.One bedpost was visibly crooked, and the center of the mattress was deeply sunken, as if it had endured incredible pressure, with half of it already collapsed."That was truly... a hearty 'battle'."Luffy stood before the giant floor-to-ceiling mirror, looking radiant as he carefully adjusted the collar of his red vest. The corners of his mouth curled up uncontrollably in a curve of reminiscence and satisfaction."—Phew... Luffy, I... completely understand what Nami went through now..."Robin's slightly weak voice came from behind him.She was still lying on the side of the bed that hadn't collapsed, buried in the soft fabrics, appearing as though she lacked the strength to even lift a finger.Her pupils were slightly dilated, staring out of focus at the pearl-encrusted ceiling, her red lips parted slightly as she panted softly.On that beautiful face, which combined intellect and charm, a lingering flush remained, mixed with extreme satisfaction and deep exhaustion."Haha... I-I'm not that amazing!"Luffy turned his head, looking at the scene on the bed that could be described as 'battle-damaged' yet alluring.The usually elegant and composed archaeologist was currently scantily clad, her snowy skin covered in marks, exuding an incredible seductive power in her lethargy.After all, last night, Robin had mostly been silently enduring the discomfort of her first time, yet she had still tenderly accommodated him.In comparison, his own unrestrained demands... cough, did seem a bit too 'passionate.'However, as his gaze lingered on her again, thinking that this highly knowledgeable and mysteriously charming beauty had now truly become his woman...An indescribable, burning sense of accomplishment—a mix of pride and possessiveness—instantly filled his chest, making every pore feel open and his entire body feel refreshed."You get some good rest!"He suppressed the excitement in his heart and tried to make his voice sound more considerate."I'm going to get some breakfast, and I'll bring back the best portion for you!"With that, he pushed the door open and stepped out with a light gait, unable to hide his smile.The heavy seashell door closed gently, isolating the inside from the outside.Silence returned to the room, leaving only the soft pulse of the water current.Robin lay quietly for a long time before slowly exhaling a long breath.It took her nearly half an hour to barely prop up her sore and weak body, sitting up against the slanted headboard.Her gaze swept over the mess in the room, finally settling on the bedsheets beneath her.There, a dazzling and sacred crimson was silently imprinted on the plain fabric.Robin's usually calm and intellectual face was dyed, at a speed visible to the naked eye, with a flush more vivid than sunset clouds, even the tips of her ears turning pink.She instinctively pulled up the thin blanket that had slipped to her waist, clutching it in front of her to hide her exquisite body, which was now covered in love marks and enough to make one's blood boil.The cool touch of the thin blanket made her shrink slightly, and it also allowed her chaotic thoughts to gradually settle.A moment later, a very faint but deep smile slowly blossomed at the corners of her lips, like a night orchid quietly blooming in a secluded valley."Now... finally..."She whispered to herself, her voice slightly raspy from the aftermath, yet incredibly clear:"I've become Luffy's woman."...Meanwhile, in the corridor leading to the banquet hall of Ryugu Palace."You rubber-brained idiot—!!!"Nami accurately grabbed Luffy's ear with one hand and twisted it half a turn with force, her other hand on her hip, her long orange hair fluttering slightly from her anger."Where the hell did you go last night?! Huh?!""You made me... wait for most of the night for nothing!! I didn't even sleep well!!"Thinking about her rare anticipation and preparations last night, only for him to never show up, the fire in Nami's heart flared up even more.She loosened her grip on his ear for a second, then twisted it even harder, poking Luffy's chest with her other hand:"Monkey D. Luffy! You're something else, aren't you?! Getting bold, huh?! Daring to stand me up?!""Is it because... you've already gotten what you wanted, so you don't care anymore?! You don't know how to cherish it, do you?!"The more she spoke, the angrier she got. Namisuddenly stopped and narrowed her eyes suspiciously.Her small nose twitched slightly like an alert feline. She suddenly thrust her face toward Luffy's neck and collar, sniffing carefully."Spit it out! Did you sneak out last night and ruin some other girl?!"At first, it was just a faint difference.But the next second, a unique and familiar scent drifted into her nostrils.That fragrance was elegant with a hint of scholarly air, and beneath its coolness hid a faint charm... It definitely wasn't the smell of banquet food or wine, but the body fragrance belonging to a specific person!"This scent... it's so familiar..."Nami frowned, several figures quickly flashing through her mind.Suddenly, her pupils shrank as if she had confirmed something unbelievable. The expression on her face instantly transformed from anger to a complex look of shock, betrayal, and even greater fury."It's... Robin?!!""You philandering jerk, you shameless, despicable rubber idiot—!!!"BANG—!!!A 'Fist of Love,' with power far exceeding its usual strength and condensing all her anger and jealousy, slammed solidly onto the top of Luffy's head!In an instant, a bright red bump the size of three normal fists swelled up on Luffy's head at a visible speed, even emitting wisps of steam!"Hmph!!"Nami withdrew her fist and crossed her arms over her chest, which was heaving violently from anger.She glared fiercely at Luffy, who was clutching his head and grimacing in pain, tears nearly welling up.Without looking back, she walked into the palace hall ahead with angry strides, leaving behind only a murderous silhouette."Ow... so, so painful..."Luffy clutched the giant bump on his head tightly with both hands, jumping in place from the pain, tears really beginning to well in his eyes.'If I had known... I should have soaked in the water longer after we finished last night, and scrubbed more carefully...'He thought tearfully, his heart filled with regret.Now, let alone explaining, he didn't even have the courage to get within three meters of Nami.This woman... when she gets angry, she really hits hard!!————————At the inland port of Fish-Man Island, the light from the sunlight tree eve shone through the giant double-layered bubble membrane, plating the anchored Thousand sunny with a dreamlike golden edge.The sails were slowly being furled, Franky was doing the final power checks, and the crew members on deck were each attending to their duties; the preparations for departure were proceeding in an orderly fashion.The port shore was already crowded with people. Countless Fish-Man Island residents swarmed the pier, waving their arms, ribbons, and homemade small flags. The cheers and farewells merged into a warm ocean of sound."Lord Luffy... you must come back again!!""Mr. Sanji! Remember that Fish-Man Island will always welcome you!!""Lord Zoro! Next time you come, let's compete in drinking!!""Big Brother Usopp! We haven't heard enough of your stories yet!!""Doctor Chopper! Thank you!!"...The enthusiastic waves of sound almost lifted the bubble membrane.The beautiful female mermaids gathered together, blowing countless kisses and casting lingering glances toward the golden figure on the ship."Lord Luffy... are you really... leaving right now?"Shirahoshi's giant body was half-afloat in the port waters. She carefully held Luffy in her right hand at eye level, her blue eyes brimming with tears.Pearl-like teardrops rolled down continuously, wetting her pink eyelashes and smooth cheeks."We finally became friends... I, I still have so many things I want to say to Lord Luffy, so many places I want to go and see with Lord Luffy..."She sobbed, her voice intermittent and full of childlike reluctance:"At least... stay for one more day... no, a week... no! How about a year?!""Ah~"Luffy looked at the giant princess crying her eyes out in front of him. He scratched his cheek a bit awkwardly and crossed his arms over his chest."You really are a 'Crybaby-hoshi,' aren't you! You're so big, yet you still shed tears at the drop of a hat.""Ugh... I'm so sorry!!"Hearing this, Shirahoshi hurriedly used her other free hand to desperately wipe the tears from her face, even though new teardrops kept gushing out."I, I won't be a crybaby anymore! Lord Luffy, please don't hate me!"She tried hard to make a strong expression, but the tip of her nose was still red:"Lord Luffy, I will definitely become stronger! I'll become brave like you!"She leaned in slightly, those moist eyes—more moving than the purest sapphires—gazing unblinkingly at Luffy. With cautious anticipation, she asked softly:"If... if next time we meet... could Lord Luffy take me to the world outside Fish-Man Island... to have a look?""I want to see the snowy country with cherry blossoms you talked about, and the islands in the sky with my own eyes..."Luffy looked at the pure desire and reliance in her eyes and remained silent for a moment."Oh,"He said, as if he had just remembered, and grinned,"That's right, you haven't been to the surface yet!"He raised his hand and firmly pressed down on the straw hat on his head. The smile beneath the brim was as brilliant, confident, and full of the power of a promise as ever:"Sure!""I promise you!!""Next time we meet, I'll take you on an adventure! To see the real sunshine and all the interesting things on the surface!"These words were like magical sunlight, instantly dispelling the gloom in Shirahoshi's eyes.She broke into a smile, a smile that seemed to brighten the entire port."Mm!! It's a promise, Lord Luffy!!"..."Hey! Luffy—!! We're about to set sail, SUPER—prepare to depart!!"Franky's rough and powerful voice pierced through the port's clamor from the deck of the sunny, accompanied by the steady hum of the ship's engine preheating."Yeah!!"Luffy turned and shouted back, a brilliant, cloudless smile blooming on his face.He took one last look at the giant pink figure on the shore: Shirahoshi was waving her arms vigorously, tears still flying, but her smile was brighter than pearls.Then, his gaze swept over Jinbe, who was solemnly saying goodbye to King Neptune and the three princes."Jinbe! Let's go!!"Before his voice could fade, his arm shot out like a living rubber cable with a'shua' sound, accurately wrapping around Jinbe's broad waist."Wha...?!"Before Jinbe could react, an irresistible yet gentle pulling force came from his waist.In the next instant, his entire burly body was lifted off the ground by this force, soaring across the port alongside Luffy toward the open deck of the sunny!The sea breeze brushed against their cheeks; below them, the crowd of well-wishers and the magnificent streetscape of Fish-Man Island rapidly shrank.In mid-air, Luffy turned his head to look at the comrade he had 'kidnapped,' his smile more dazzling than the light of the sunlight tree eve.He spread his non-extended arm,Toward the thousands of Fish-Man Island residents below, who were waving their arms and shouting loudly;Toward Shirahoshi with her red-rimmed eyes, toward the giant King Neptune, and toward this deep-sea dreamland that had given them banquets, battles, and precious memories... He used all his strength to turn that pirate-like free-spiritedness and promise into a shout that echoed through the port:"Jana!!"The sunny's engine let out a departure whistle. Amidst the blessing petals fluttering through the air and the glint of tears, it slowly sailed away from the port, heading toward the bright current above that led to the New World.