Chapter 171: Shattered Beliefs and Exclusive Tenderness"So—Amazon Lily absolutely forbids men from entering?!"Sanji's roar exploded like a clap of thunder, his golden hair standing on end, and the air pressure around him plummeted terrifyingly low, making him look like a furious lion.His peach blossom eyes, which usually held a gentle smile,were now burning with raging flames, churning with anger, unwillingness, and a hint of despair on the verge of collapse."Luffy! Why didn't you tell me sooner?!"He grabbed Luffy's collar, veins bulging on his arms, practically lifting the instigator off the ground.Luffy's feet dangled, and he instinctively kicked them, his finger still by his nostril, his face a mix of bewilderment and guilt.—He had clearly forgotten all about it.Sanji's face was flushed red with extreme anger, the veins on his forehead throbbing, and spit almost sprayed onto Luffy's face.He, Sanji, had dreamed his entire life of encountering the legendary Maiden Island, said to be full of beauties.For this moment, he had overexerted himself, flying across the turbulent sea for an entire night!The fierce winds stung his cheeks, his stamina was pushed to its limit, and he almost fell into the sea several times, but as long as he thought of the countless beauties he was about to see, he was filled with motivation.But what was the result?As soon as he reached the Calm Belt, he learned of Amazon Lily's iron rule—men forbidden!This was a bolt from the blue, shattering all his aspirations and expectations!"Do you know how much I sacrificed for this day?!"Sanji's voice held an imperceptible sob, deep despair mixed with his fury."I flew all night! All night!""I'm practically a wreck, and you're telling me the dream is over?!"Luffy, suspended in mid-air, could clearly see the flames in Sanji's eyes, burning not just with anger, but with a despair akin to shattered beliefs.At this moment, Sanji exuded a terrifying aura, his hair moved without wind, and even his gaze became sharp as a knife.As if he was about to unleash world-destroying power in the next second.Luffy muttered to himself:Oh no, oh no, Sanji in this state could probably take down an Admiral alone, right? I should have told him sooner... (＞﹏＜)He shrank his neck, trying to force a ingratiating smile:"Uh... Sanji, I forgot...""Forgot?!"Sanji's anger intensified, and the grip on his hands tightened even further."How could you forget something like this?! Do you know what beauties mean to me?""They are my life! My faith!"Sanji stared intently at Luffy, the fury in his eyes almost melting him.But looking at Luffy's foolish and guilty expression, he was both angry and helpless, finally letting out a sorrowful wail:"Why—!""My beauties! My Maiden Island!""My dream—!"...Beside them, the sea breeze carried tiny splashes of waves, and suddenly, a clear laugh rang out:"Puff!"Yamato laughed heartily, her shoulders shaking continuously, her gradient long hair, from frosty white to icy blue, fluttered freely with her movements, the tips sweeping across the shimenawa on her shoulder, creating delicate arcs.Her red eyes were filled with undisguised longing and excitement, shining as if flecks of gold had been kneaded into them.She raised a hand and gently pressed it to her chest, her soft murmurs carried away by the sea breeze:"Is this Luffy's companion? This is just too much fun!!"She simply spread her arms, letting the salty sea breeze lift the tips of her hair and the hem of her kimono. The light blue patterns on the white fabric shimmered in the sunlight, her red skirt flapped, and her whole being exuded a beautiful, dashing, and carefree air.Unlike the oppressive gloom that perpetually enveloped Onigashima, merely sailing with Luffyfor a few days, she had touched the untamed freedom and exhilaration she had yearned for her entire life, through that always passionate, reckless, and freedom-chasing figure.No longer bound by the identity of "Kaido's son," no longer living within a predetermined fate... simply following her heart, going wherever she wanted, doing whatever she desired.This unrestrained life was a luxury she had never even dreamed of in her cage-like existence on Onigashima during the first half of her life... On the other side, Trafalgar Law's mouth was twitching uncontrollably, his ashen eyebrows knitted into a knot.He leaned against an ancient tree, his fingertips unconsciously caressing his sword hilt.Watching Sanji still "roaring accusations" at Luffynot far away, and then thinking of that clueless, always-charging-headfirst straw hat Captain, a cold sweat dripped down his forehead.Although he had some guesses about the "style" of the Straw Hat Pirates before boarding, this scene was just too outrageous, wasn't it?One was a Captain whose thoughts jumped around, who always missed the point, and whose fighting relied entirely on instinct and a burst of passion;The other was a seemingly gentle individual who often adopted a knightly posture,but in reality, instantly turned into a lovesick pervert, so consumed by lust that he could overexert himself flying all night for a beautiful woman.Law couldn't help but roll his eyes internally, secretly grumbling: How many more "demons and monsters" are hidden on this ship?Could it be that he's the only normal one on this entire vessel?!...Rayleigh remained his usual unperturbed self, watching this "only-laughter" scene with a gentle smile."How similar, yet... what a pity!"Lost youth, lost people, lost feelings... nothing would ever return... "Luffy?!"A gasp of unbelievable joy accompanied a tall, graceful figure striding quickly, her skirt swirling, as if the air itself was infused with a rich fragrance.She wore a crimson qipao, the fine silk fabric clinging to her curvaceous figure.Her slender waist was barely a handspan, outlining a breathtaking curve; the high-slit skirt opened and closed freely with her long strides.The pearl earrings on her earlobes swayed violently, clinking against the diamond necklace around her neck, each step like a beat on one's heart.Her upturned dark blue eyes were astonishingly bright, reflecting only that familiar figure... Sanji's pupils dilated in shock, and nosebleeds erupted without warning. He stared rigidly ahead, uttering an inarticulate gasp of amazement:"It's, it's—!! It's the world's most beautiful woman, Hancock!!"Before he finished speaking, he toppled backward, completely petrified into a statue, his face still frozen in a look of ultimate infatuation."Hancock, long time no see!!"Luffy completely ignored Sanji's predicament beside him. He grinned, revealing his signature bright smile,like a blooming flower in spring, his teeth dazzlingly white,as if reflecting the sun's rays, his arms spread wide."Luffy!"Her voice held a choked tremor, like a flower swaying in the wind, making one feel pity."Alright, alright, it's only been a day or two, why be so dramatic?!"His arms tightly encircled her curvaceous waist, as if embracing the most precious treasure in the world.His palm rested on the warm silk fabric, feeling the softness and trembling of her body,like a delicate flower gently swaying in the breeze.Luffy sighed inwardly, a little helpless, thinking that the Empress's dependence on him was perhaps a bit too strong.Hancock buried her face deep into his chest, like a docile kitten,her nose rubbing against his clothes, which carried the scent of sunshine and sea breeze, greedily inhaling his scent as if it were the most wonderful fragrance in the world.Luffy looked down at Hancock, who nestled against him like a docile kitten, a mischievous smile flashing in his eyes, like stars twinkling in the night sky.His fingertips gently patted her back, his tone carrying a hint of indulgent tenderness, like a warm spring breeze:"Alright, haven't I come back now?"