Luffy was good at multitasking. He could discuss knowledge with Nami in this relaxed position while simultaneously replaying his previous battles in his mind, thinking about how to use Haki more effectively.
In a way, this counted as rest.
Though he felt a little sorry for himself.
So Luffy started asking questions about the navigation and meteorology he had been studying, or sharing some of his more unconstrained ideas.
At first, Nami tried to answer seriously. But with Luffy staring at her, feeling the weight and warmth of his head on her lap, her cheeks stayed flushed and her thoughts grew sluggish.
Then the restless Luffy quietly took one of her hands, which lay at her side, and started playing with it. Now he was multitasking three ways.
Nami's hand trembled slightly. She instinctively tried to pull it back, but Luffy held on tighter.
She tugged once, but couldn't free it. So she looked away, pretending to gaze at the distant horizon, and muttered:
"You..."
"What about me?"
Luffy asked shamelessly, his fingers absently stroking the back of her hand. He found the smooth texture rather pleasant.
This kind of relaxation could become addictive.
But Nami was the one who started it.
Free things were wonderful.
Nami's hand tingled like it was getting an electric shock. Her heart pounded so hard she thought it might burst out of her chest.
She didn't speak again, staring resolutely into the distance, the tips of her ears bright red. After a long moment, she protested in a voice almost too soft to hear: "Stop squeezing."
Human nature was contrary.
If someone told you not to do something, you wanted to do it even more.
With one hand holding Nami's, Luffy was indeed not being gentle. He squeezed her soft palm, traced his fingers through hers.
The small gestures were playful, but also intimate.
Finally, unable to endure this ambiguity, sweet torture any longer, Nami yanked her hand free. Then she reached out, grabbed Luffy's cheeks with both hands, and tugged them gently outward.
"No more squeezing! Study!"
"Mmph... hahaha... Nami, you're so cute."
Luffy's mouth was distorted by her grip, but he couldn't help laughing.
The restless urgency to get stronger that had consumed him since his fight with Aokiji seemed replaced by something else—something indefinable—through this intimate moment with Nami.
This wasn't bad.
Discussing high-pressure zones and sail angles while engaging in this peculiar form of relaxation.
Yes, this sweet torment of studying was, for Luffy with his tense nerves, a form of relaxation.
For Nami, however, it was exhausting.
Her body was already tired from the battle and flight. Her mind had to resist Luffy's unconscious distractions and his intense gaze—while also explaining complex navigation concepts.
As she spoke, her eyelids grew heavy. Her voice got softer. Her head began nodding like a chick pecking rice.
"So... around the edges of the Calm Belt, you can use these slight... variations in the current..."
Nami's words faded into mumbled sleep.
Luffy was about to tell her that if she was that tired, she should rest—he could brainstorm on his own.
But before he could speak, Nami's head suddenly dropped forward.
Mm?!
Her soft, warm lips met his slightly parted mouth, silencing his words.
Time seemed to stop.
Luffy's eyes went wide. He could clearly feel the softness against his lips, and her breath, carrying a faint scent of oranges, so close.
Nami didn't seem to notice. Her eyes closed, asleep, still leaning forward with her lips against his.
After a long moment, Luffy finally recovered his senses.
Carefully, slowly, he supported her shoulders with his hands and gently lifted her head.
Nami seemed completely asleep.
Luffy smiled. He reached for the extra jacket he had taken earlier—the one he had grabbed when covering Vivi and Robin—and draped it over Nami.
Then he sat cross-legged beside her, looking at her peaceful sleeping face. His lips still held the memory of softness and a faint, lingering sweetness.
He shook his head, picked up the scattered navigation log.
Now he would have to study alone.
Meanwhile, back in Water 7—
The Franky Family, using their knowledge of the terrain and a bit of luck, had also survived the Buster Call's devastating attack. They had rescued Franky, who had been badly injured by CP9.
He was still wrapped in bandages, but Franky was in great spirits. He had recovered most of his strength.
He went straight to Iceburg, who was still recovering.
"Iceburg! I'm going to build the Straw Hats' ship!"
Franky got straight to the point, his voice excited. His metal hand was slammed on Iceburg's desk with a loud clang.
Iceburg jumped, almost reopening his wound. He shot Franky an annoyed look. "I know you're eager, but calm down first."
He rubbed his brow and explained. "First, the Straw Hats' fate is unknown. We haven't heard anything. Second, building a ship—especially one worthy of carrying them through the second half of the
Grand Line—requires a huge amount of money. They saved my life, but without money, Galley-La Company can't just start construction out of thin air."
But Iceburg had a feeling. The Straw Hats wouldn't fall that easily.
They would return.
So not long after they left, trusting his instincts, Iceburg had quietly instructed some trusted veteran shipwrights to begin preparing materials and sketching the new ship's main structure.
The Franky Family and some shipwrights who knew the truth and were grateful to the Straw Hats were all enthusiastic about the project. They had secretly contributed where they could.
Sure enough, a few days later, on a moonlit night, the Going Merry silently slipped back into Water 7, docking at a remote abandoned dock.
The moment the Straw Hats stepped onto the pier, they were greeted by Franky and the Franky Family, who had been waiting.
"SUPER! I knew you'd make it!"
Franky saw that everyone was safe—especially Luffy, full of life—and tears and snot burst forth as he struck his classic pose.
Luffy tilted his head, staring at Franky's bandaged body and exaggerated pompadour for a long moment. Finally, he asked: "Who are you?"
Franky's surge of emotion came to an abrupt halt. His pose froze mid-motion. Tears and snot hung on his face. He almost cried for real.
"It's me, Franky! The guy CP9 captured! Didn't you come to rescue me?!"
He felt deeply wounded.
***
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