Chapter 524 - 364

Chapter 365: Battle!The royal palace of Dressrosa, reduced to ruins in the flames of war, was then being cleared and rebuilt at an incredible speed amidst the hope of the people.Although it was far from being called magnificent, tonight, the brightest light of the entire nation gathered here.Royal Palace Night Banquet.This was the highest-specification victory feast held by King Riku, in the name of a nation, for their heroes—the Straw Hat!The long banquet tables were filled with a dazzling array of delicacies from land and sea, from fragrant whole roasted oxen to mountains of fruit and desserts; every dish was poured with the most sincere gratitude of the people of Dressrosa.And at the absolute head of the banquet sat, naturally, the man who ended the ten-year nightmare, Monkey D. Luffy."Mmm!! Delicious!! This roast meat is so good!!!"Luffy's mouth was stuffed full, holding a huge roasted leg in each hand, attacking from both sides, his mouth covered in oil, with a silly smile on his face that looked happier than if he had gained the whole world. (ﾉ´▽｀)ﾉ♪He didn't care about being a hero or a king.To him, having meat to eat and his partners by his side was the happiest thing!!Seeing Luffy's ravenous eating manner, King Rikuand Kyros, who were sitting beside him, both showed relieved and doting smiles.A hero should be like this.Pure, free, and doing as they please.However, unlike the harmonious atmosphere on the King's side, another area near Luffy was quietly filled with the scent of gunpowder and silent smoke."Honestly, eat slower, you stupid Captain! No one is competing with you!!!"A voice rang out, tinged with a bit of coquettishness and helplessness.Nami sat on Luffy's left side, skillfully using a dining knife to cut a whole giant roast turkey into small pieces for Luffy to eat, while naturally picking up a napkin to wipe away the oil stains from the corner of his mouth.Her movements were fluid and intimate, as if she had done them countless times. In those beautiful eyes, the look she gave Luffy was full of doting and possessiveness."Luffy, try this. It's the Love Sea Sweet Shrimp, a specialty of Dressrosa. It's said that those who eat it will receive the blessing of the Goddess of Love."On Luffy's right side, Robin smiled as she used a fork to pick up a piece of translucent, peeled shrimp meat and elegantly offered it to Luffy's mouth.Her voice was as gentle as water, and in those bottomless eyes, a whole starry sky seemed to be hidden, making people unable to help but be intoxicated.Feeding.What an intimate action this was.Countless eyes on the scene held their breath for half a beat when they saw this scene.Especially those young men and women who had just experienced the war and hadn't had time to talk about marriage; they were made to blush and their hearts raced by Robin's quiet but extremely seductive action.This wasn't just feeding; this was clearly declaring her unique sovereignty over this man to the whole world in the gentlest way!!Luffy, of course, didn't think that much.He opened his big mouth and swallowed the sweet shrimp full of love in one "gulp," then praised indistinctly:"Mmm! Delicious! Robin, I want more!!""Hehe, don't worry, there's plenty more."Robin smiled and picked up another one, continuing her quiet feeding mission.Nami glanced at Robin, her mouth twitching as she cursed "scheming woman" in her heart, but her movements were not to be outdone.She directly picked up a plate of sliced roast meat drizzled with secret sauce, brought it to Luffy's mouth, and said in a tone that brooked no refusal:"How can you just eat shrimp! Quick, try this tenderloin I cut for you!! I specifically had the chef roast the most tender part!!!"Thus, under the envious, jealous, and hateful gazes of all the guests, the future Fifth Emperor of the New World, Straw Hat Luffy, enjoyed a wonderful life like an emperor, being served hand and foot by the two peerless beauties beside him.Nami on the left was like a shrewd and considerate housekeeper, arranging Luffy's food and drink clearly, full of the breath of daily life.Robin on the right was like an elegant and intellectual lady from a great family, satisfying all of Luffy's needs in a way that was as subtle as rain moistening things, particularly in tune with him spiritually.One fire and one water, one active and one still.Between the two of them, not a word was exchanged, but in every glance and every movement, the most intense battle was being waged.They used this most direct and indisputable way to clearly convey a message to everyone present, especially those flock of beauties who harbored ill intentions toward Luffy:"This man is ours!!!""You all, step aside!!!"This area, filled with the atmosphere of a Shura Field, made the surrounding guests afraid to even breathe loudly.Bartolomeo, Cavendish, and the others were even more wide-eyed, their admiration for Senior Luffyflowing like a surging river, unending!!As expected of Senior Luffy!Not only is his strength powerful enough to defy the heavens, but even the configuration of this harem can be called a textbook level of harmony and balance!!!However, just as the absolute domain constructed by Nami and Robin was about to become completely stable, a clear and pleasant voice, like heavenly music, broke the balance."Luffy."Uta held a glass of red wine and walked up to Luffy with elegant steps.Tonight, she wore a light purple off-the-shoulder long dress, her seaweed-like red and white hair tied up behind her head, revealing her exquisite collarbones and swan-like graceful neck.Under the palace lights, she was like a fairy who had stepped out of a fairy tale, untainted by the world, so beautiful it was breathtaking."To celebrate your triumphant return, I will sing a song for you."Uta didn't fight for the right to feed him like Namiand Robin did.She knew very well that in terms of daily intimacy, she couldn't compare to Nami, who spent day and night with him; in terms of spiritual rapport, she couldn't compare to Robin, who had gone through life-and-death trials with Luffy.But she had her own unique weapon!!!That was her singing voice!!!After she finished speaking, Uta didn't wait for Luffy to answer and walked to the center of the banquet hall.She just nodded slightly to the conductor of the orchestra.A melodious and soulful melody slowly began to play."When starlight falls into your eyes, my world has daylight from then on~~~"Uta slowly closed her eyes and began her soulful performance with her voice, which was hailed as the "world's number one."It was a song she had specifically written for Luffy.In the lyrics, there were no flowery words, only the most simple admiration and confession of a young girl to her beloved.From the ignorance of their first meeting to the joy of reunion, and at this moment, the unwavering determination to want to stay by his side forever.Uta's singing voice seemed to possess magic.It made the noisy banquet hall suddenly go quiet, and everyone was immersed in the moving story she depicted, full of love and adventure.When the song ended, the lingering sound drifted.The entire banquet hall was still silent.Until Luffy was the first to clap his hands and shout loudly."Wow! Uta! Your singing is so beautiful! Do another one!!"On Luffy's face was pure appreciation and joy from the bottom of his heart.Looking at Luffy's brilliant smile, Uta also smiled sweetly.That was enough.As long as my singing can make you happy, it's enough.She didn't return to Luffy's side but turned around and sat down by the orchestra, acting as the exclusive backup singer for the banquet.For a moment, a hard-to-detect solemnity flashed across the faces of Nami and Robin.This opponent is very strong!!!And just then, an even more unrestrained voice joined the war."What's the fun in just singing! Luffy! Let's have a drinking contest!!!"Yamato carried a huge wine barrel taller than herself and smashed it in front of Luffy with a "thud," splashing quite a bit of wine.She wiped the wine stains off her face and looked directly at Luffy with eyes full of fighting spirit, laughing heartily:"As the man who wants to become the Pirate King, you can't lose at drinking! Come! Whoever falls first is a puppy!!"Saying that, she directly picked up the wine barrel and started gulping it down from the opening.When Luffy saw this, his eyes instantly lit up."Ohhh! Drinking contest! Interesting! I won't lose to you!!"He followed Yamato's example, picked up another wine barrel, tilted his head back, and started drinking.The duel between the two great Gluttons instantly pushed the banquet atmosphere to another climax.Looking at this chaotic Shura Field, in the distance, a girl with a great figure wearing a magnificent princess dress silently picked up her wine glass.It was Rebecca.Tonight, she had taken off that cold gladiator armor and changed into a grand dress befitting her status as a princess.The exquisite hem of the dress was dotted with tiny diamonds, shimmering under the light, making her already delicate face look even more charming and moving.She looked at Luffy, who was surrounded by beauties and was as dazzling as the sun.Looking at the natural intimacy of Nami and Robin, looking at Uta's soulful singing, looking at Yamato's unrestrained drinking...A sense of bitterness and inferiority that she had never felt before rushed into her heart. o(╥﹏╥)oShe found that she seemed... unable to do anything.In terms of intimacy, she couldn't compare to Namiand Robin, who spent day and night with him.In terms of talent, she couldn't compare to the world's number one singer, Uta.In terms of strength and boldness, she couldn't even come close to Yamato.She was just a useless princess who had been saved by him.What right did she have... to hope to stand by his side?Rebecca's eyes were a little red, and the wine glass in her hand trembled slightly because she was holding it too tightly.However, at the moment she was about to give up and prepare to retreat.Luffy's brilliant smile, as he reached out his hand to her, suddenly flashed through her mind.No!I can't give up!!!Mr. Luffy, he doesn't like weak women who cry!!He likes strong women who will fight for what they want!!Just like... just like Sister Nami and the others!Rebecca took a deep breath and forced back her tears.When she raised her head again, there was no longer any hint of confusion or retreat in those clear eyes; in its place was a fiery determination she had never had before!She looked in Luffy's direction, a moving blush rising on her cheeks, and the determination in her heart became super clear at this moment.I also want to... fight!!!For myself, for my love, I will fight just this once!!!