Chapter 528 - 368

Chapter 369: Rebecca's Bold Offer!Fujitora's earth-shattering kneel set off a storm far more violent than anyone could have imagined.Overnight, the World Government's prestige plummeted to freezing point.The internal rift within the Marine was laid bare before the entire world.Countless eyes were fixed on Dressrosa—this tiny island that had become the eye of the global storm.However, as the instigators of it all, the Straw Hatcrew acted as if nothing had happened, enjoying the final moments of peace before the storm.The departure date was set for tomorrow.Tonight would be their last night staying in this country.On the palace terrace, the night breeze was slightly cool, dispersing the day's noise and bloodshed.Luffy leaned against the railing alone, a meat bone he'd swiped from somewhere dangling from his mouth. He swung his legs idly, watching the shimmering sea in the distance, bathed in Moonlight.He wasn't thinking about the state of the world or Marine justice.He simply felt that Fujitora was a pretty interesting guy, a good person.He was much more pleasant than that sour-faced Akainu, who was always covered in smoke.Of course, more importantly, they could set sail tomorrow!!!At the thought of the upcoming adventure, a massive grin involuntarily spread across Luffy's face.Just then, the sound of hesitant footsteps came from behind him.Luffy turned to look.Under the Moonlight, a slender and elegant figure stood there quietly.It was Rebecca.Tonight, she was still wearing that dazzling princess gown from the banquet. Her exquisite makeup added a touch of glamour to her pure face that seemed beyond her years.However, at this moment, the shyness and hesitation from earlier in the day were gone from her face.Those eyes, which had been full of tenacity and unyielding spirit in the Colosseum, were now fixed unblinkingly on Luffy.That gaze was so intense it almost seemed to set the night ablaze."Lord Luffy."Rebecca spoke, her voice carrying a barely perceptible tremor, yet every word was exceptionally clear.She stepped forward, walking toward Luffy one step at a time.The distance between them was barely a step.Luffy could even smell the pleasant scent of her natural fragrance mixed with expensive perfume."Is something wrong, Rebecca?"Luffy scratched his head, looking somewhat confused at the princess who seemed different from usual.Rebecca didn't answer him.She just took a deep breath, as if gathering all her strength, then looked up at Luffy with tearful but incredibly determined eyes."Mr. Luffy, I know you're leaving tomorrow.""I also know I can't go to sea with you. Because I am the princess of this country, I must stay to protect my people and rebuild my home."Her words carried a hint of resignation to reality, but then her tone underwent a drastic change!"But!!!"Rebecca's voice suddenly rose, and that stubbornness and persistence belonging to a gladiator returned in that instant!"Before I am the princess of this country, I am first... a woman!"Boom—!These words were like a bolt of lightning, instantly striking Luffy's somewhat dense nerves.He looked at the girl before him, her eyes ablaze and her cheeks flushed with a charming blush.As a result, before Luffy could even react.Rebecca suddenly stood on her tiptoes, closed her eyes, and pressed her soft, slightly cool lips firmly against Luffy's!Time... seemed to hit the pause button at this moment.The night breeze stopped, and the moon seemed to hide shyly behind the clouds.Luffy's eyes widened suddenly, and his mind went completely blank.He could clearly feel the trembling coming from her lips—innocent, clumsy, and filled with a desperate determination.This was a woman expressing her long-suppressed, deep love in the most direct and precious way possible.Who knows how much time passed.It might have been an instant, or it might have been as long as a century.Rebecca let go of Luffy.Her cheeks were so red they were practically dripping blood, and tears hung from her long eyelashes, sliding down her perfect profile.She looked at the man who was stunned by her bold move, her eyes misty with tears, her voice carrying a hint of humility yet an incredibly firm plea."Mr. Luffy...""Please... please take me!!!"Take me?!These words were practically intoxicating, making Luffy's heart, which had just calmed down, race wildly once more!He looked at the girl before him, her body trembling slightly from nervousness, and her beautiful eyes filled with admiration, longing, and reluctance."I don't want to leave any regrets..."Rebecca's tears could no longer be held back, falling incessantly like broken strings of pearls.Sobbing, she used the last of her strength to utter the boldest vow of her life."From tonight on, I am your woman. No matter where you are in the future, no matter if you still remember me..."As soon as she finished, she could no longer support herself, her body going limp as she began to fall backward.However, a strong arm instantly wrapped around her slender waist, pulling her back into his embrace.Rebecca looked up and met a pair of black eyes that were like the dark sea, domineering like an emperor.Luffy smiled.On that face that usually wore a silly grin, there was now a kingly smile filled with aggression and possessiveness that had never been seen before.An invisible Conqueror's Haki, powerful enough to make heaven and earth submit, erupted from him, enveloping the entire terrace in his Absolute Domain!He lowered his head and leaned close to Rebecca's ear, speaking softly in a husky, magnetic voice, word by word:"Since it's your wish...""Then I certainly won't refuse!"