Chapter 555 - 395

Chapter 396: Adventure in Zou (Part 8)Luffy's grand words brought an absurd end to the stalemate in Zou, and the Straw Hat Pirates' daily life returned to its usual chaotic and noisy state.Early morning,Preparations for "how to get to Wano Country" were underway in a grand, characteristically Straw Hat Pirates fashion.The side courtyard of Duke Inaran's palace had been temporarily taken over by the Straw Hat as a combat command center and... a massive performance art stage."Waaaah-!!! It's over! Everything is over!!"Usopp was slumped over a temporary stone table, snot and tears streaming (o(╥﹏╥)o). The quill in his hand danced frantically across his "Sogeking Special Notebook," moving so fast it left afterimages.He wasn't drawing precision weapon blueprints. Instead, he was using a lifetime of knowledge to write an epic survival report—"A Deep Analysis and Evasion Guide to One Hundred Fancy Ways to Die While Charging Into the Beasts' Nest (Final Last Words Edition).""Rule 1: Never tell a dragon joke in front of Kaido, or you'll end up as a snack for his drinks!""Rule 27: Never look King, one of the Three Disasters, in the eye for more than three seconds. They say he'll kick you down from the sky!""...""Rule 99: If none of the above works... immediately drop to your knees and shout 'Long live CaptainUsopp!' Maybe a miracle will happen, though the odds are lower than getting struck by lightning twice!"He cried heart-wrenchingly as he wrote, as if he could already see his tragic future being turned into a kebab at a banquet on Onigashima.On the other side of the courtyard, Franky was in a completely different mood."SUPER-!!!"He stood in the morning light, striking his signature pose, surrounded by clanging parts and complex mechanical arms.He was in a state of high excitement, throwing himself into a grand new invention."Check it out! This is the... SUPER Ultimate Fully Automatic poneglyph Rubbing Robot: General Franky No. 28, developed specifically for this mission!"He proudly showed off his half-finished product to the surrounding Mink Tribe warriors.It was a robot with the same pompadour hairstyle as General Franky, but its arms had been modified into massive rubbing rollers, and its shoulders carried two... uh... what looked like automatic ink-spraying Cola Cannons?Most absurdly, a disco ball was installed on its chest. According to Franky, it could play upbeat music while rubbing to "boost work morale."This thing didn't look like it was going to record history; it looked like it was going to throw a party in ancient ruins.As for the other main force of the Straw Hat Pirates, Zoro once again proved how terrifying a directionally-challenged swordsman can be.He said early in the morning that he was going to "scout the terrain and familiarize himself with the combat environment." Consequently, he was now solemnly circling between two identical "fishbone houses" in Kraud.He muttered to himself:"Strange, I remember coming from this way just now... Could the spatial structure here be warped by some ability?"He had treated his getting lost as a profound state of swordsmanship he hadn't yet mastered.Amidst this chaotic and lively scene, only two people were actually doing real work.Trafalgar Law and Nico Robin had moved away from the crowd to the palace balcony. They were seriously planning the route to Wano Country over a massive nautical chart."Starting from Zou, to enter Wano Country, we must break through Kaido's outer blockade,"Law's finger traced a precise arc on the chart."I suggest taking this fringe sea area. Though dangerous, there are very few Marine and Kaidopatrol ships.""Mm,"Robin nodded in agreement, her beautiful eyes shining with intelligence."And the currents around Wano Country are abnormal. We'll need an experienced helmsman to land safely."The professional, efficient, and intelligent atmosphere between them was a world apart from the group of goofballs nearby. It felt like a dimensional strike, making the veins on Law's temple throb uncontrollably."I'm—starving—!!"A soul-wrenching cry shattered the brief silence.Luffy lay sprawled on the palace roof, boredly patting his flat stomach.He had never been interested in things that required thinking, like route planning.Just then, light footsteps approached, accompanied by a sweet, fresh scent."What's wrong, my Great Captain? You just made such a big decision, and now you're out of batteries?"Uta appeared on the roof. Standing against the light, her face held a hint of smugness and an unhideable affection.Today, the young diva's outfit was particularly eye-catching.A white off-the-shoulder puff-sleeve top accentuated her already snow-white skin, making it look delicate and translucent like fine mutton-fat jade.Below, she wore a playful pink pleated skirt, revealing a pair of straight, slender legs full of youthful vitality.Her signature red-and-white long hair was carefully tied into a lively side ponytail, swaying gently with her movements and glistening beautifully in the morning sun.She was like a peach not yet fully ripe—plump, sweet, and radiating an irresistible charm."Look, what's this?"Like showing off a treasure, Uta produced a small gadget from behind her... a "cat paw" massager?!"Honestly, talk is cheap,"Humming a little tune she had just written, she gracefully knelt beside Luffy and gently pressed the fluffy "cat paw" against his shoulder, beginning a tender massage."You need to stay in top shape to go to Wano Country and create a 'New Era' where everyone is happy."She leaned down, her warm breath mixed with a girl's unique fragrance, lightly brushing past Luffy's ear."Whoa! Uta, that feels great! It's so soft, like a marshmallow!"Luffy closed his eyes in comfort, letting out a satisfied sound like a cat being stroked."Hehe, of course. I specifically learned this 'Vitality Recovery Massage' from the big sisters of the Mink Tribe!"Hearing her Captain's blunt and pure praise, Uta's lips curled into a happy smile, her heart feeling as sweet as honey.'Great, Luffy likes it... It feels so good to be able to do something for him.''If only time could stop at this moment forever...'Her movements instinctively became even gentler.Meanwhile, Luffy thought to himself:Uta's hands are so soft and smell so good... just like marshmallows. It feels so nice, I'm almost falling asleep...Enjoying the comfort, he subconsciously nuzzled Uta's hand like he was acting spoiled.This small gesture made Uta's heart skip a beat, and a beautiful blush instantly spread across her cheeks.She quietly leaned in closer, a strand of her hair accidentally brushing against Luffy's face.Feeling a bit itchy, Luffy instinctively turned his head. Their faces were suddenly extremely close, their noses almost touching.Uta could clearly see her own reflection in Luffy's eyes and feel his warm breath. Her mind went blank with a "boom," and even her hands stopped moving.The sun was just right, and the breeze was gentle.The young Captain enjoyed the attentive service of his exclusive songstress, while the world-renowned diva was immersed in the sweetness of giving to her beloved.This warm and slightly ambiguous scene was so beautiful it seemed unreal.However, the daily life of the Straw Hat Pirateswas destined to have nothing to do with the word "peace."BOOM—!!!!A thunderous sound, like the sky collapsing and the earth splitting, suddenly erupted from the outskirts of Kraud!Immediately after, the entire city—no, the back of the giant elephant—began to shake violently and uncontrollably!The vibration was so strong that the tiles on the palace roof rattled, looking as if they would be blown away at any moment!"Ah!"The blushing Uta was caught off guard by the sudden jolt. With a startled cry, she fell uncontrollably toward Luffy's arms.Luffy, who had been lazily closing his eyes a second ago, snapped them open the instant the shaking began!Reacting instantly, he sat up with a flip, reached out his arm, and firmly pulled the falling Uta into his embrace to protect her. A curious and puzzled expression appeared on his face."Hmm? What was that sound?"Almost at the same time!"Oh? Do we have guests?"The lost Zoro grinned, a cold light flashing in his eyes. He instantly locked onto the direction of the sound and added with a surge of battle intent,"My hands were just starting to itch for a fight."On the balcony, Law clicked his tongue in annoyance, his golden eyes narrowing slightly as if seeing through spatial barriers, his face full of disdain."Is it Kaido's subordinates? Excellent!"Yamato excitedly shouldered her Spiked Club, a fire of excitement dancing in her pupils."Finally, I can stretch my muscles!"In an instant, four invisible perceptions spread out like ripples, silently sweeping across the entire island, precisely catching the uninvited source filled with violence and destruction.The warm and ambiguous atmosphere from before vanished instantly.It was replaced by the eager gazes of four individuals who thrived on chaos.