Chapter 229: Rushing Across the Seas!In an instant, Sanji's eyes transformed into vigorously throbbing hearts.With a "whoosh," he slid on his knees before Nami, leaving afterimages behind, his posture so smooth it looked as if he had practiced it a thousand times:"Miss Na~mi~~~!""Today you are truly... like a lily touched by morning dew under the rising sun, or a mermaid leaping from the shimmering sea.""No, an angel! You are as beautiful and moving as a radiant angel descended to the human world!"He placed one hand over his chest while the other seemed to lift a non-existent hem, his upturned face filled with unreserved intoxication and devotion.Nami was momentarily stunned by his overly flamboyant yet daily praise,but then, a faint smile spread across her face, which was exceptionally bright due to her careful dressing and a certain hidden good mood.That smile was like a lake surface brushed by a spring breeze, rippling with soft and sparkling light."Good morning, Sanji." Her voice also carried a hint of lightness.She stood there before the bedroom door of the sunny, bathed in the increasingly bright morning sunlight.The white hem of her skirt fluttered slightly in the breeze, and her long orange hair shimmered with a warm glow under the light, with a few playful strands brushing against her smiling cheeks.Her whole being seemed to glow, possessing both the dazzling beauty of a rose and, due to that rare tenderness, a beauty that was vivid and radiant.Sanji looked up and, for a moment, actually forgot to continue his non-stop poetry of praise, frozen in place.Miss Nami today... seems a bit different.Of course, she had always been beautiful, but at this moment, the brilliance flowing between her eyes and the smile playing on her lips,and even the relaxed and joyful aura radiating from her, gave her an unprecedented, breathtaking beauty.It was a radiance that came from being fully nourished, glowing from the inside out, like a flower that had been moistened by night dew and bloomed completely in the morning."It must be my chivalry, guarding her day after day, that has finally melted Miss Nami's heart!"Sanji's inner self began to spin and cheer wildly, with countless fireworks exploding behind him.He didn't know yet that in a certain room last night, the princess he admired had shown such a charming, seductive, and completely relaxed and dependent posture before someone else.If he were to catch even a glimpse of that ultimate charm reserved only for a specific person, it would likely be enough to make this loyal advocate of chivalry lose his mind on the spot and turn to ash."Miss Nami,"he stood up and brushed the non-existent dust off his knees."You look... exceptionally radiant today!""Would you like me to prepare a special 'breakfast of love' for you? Using the freshest ingredients, paired with your favorite orange flavor."Hearing this, Nami seemed to be reminded of an extremely pleasant memory.She didn't act shy or avoid the subject; instead, she laughed openly.That smile was even brighter than before, with a soft and dazzling spring-like warmth saturated with happiness lingering in the corners of her eyes and brows."Thank you, Sanji!"Her voice was crisp, filled with genuine gratitude, but her gaze had already unconsciously moved past the blonde cook.She began to scan the deck, searching for that rubber figure who always made her heart race and made her both angry and laugh.There was an irrepressible expectation and sweetness in her eyes, like a little girl waiting to unwrap her most precious gift.The next second, her smile instantly froze.What met her eyes was a lawn that looked as if it had been ravaged by a typhoon:Playing cards were scattered everywhere, and chairs were overturned.Luffy was stretching his arms and swinging Chopper like a morning star, while Usopp was clinging to his back, strangling his neck.Zoro and Yamato had joined the fray at some point and were wrestling with Luffy, Franky was striking a bodybuilding pose and shouting, and Brook was elegantly dodging a flying slipper from Usoppwhile holding his tea... It was a complete mess, pure chaos.On Nami's forehead, a clear cross-shaped popping vein slowly emerged.Even the sea breeze seemed to go still for a moment.Then, a low-pressure aura more terrifying than a volcanic eruption burst forth from the Navigator, sweeping across the entire deck."You guys—"A voice, eerily calm to the point of being hair-raising, spoke softly."Clean up the deck for me!! Right now!! Immediately!!""Otherwise, everyone's allowance for this month... will be! Completely! Revoked!!"The previously rowdy Luffy, Usopp, and Chopperinstantly froze, their movements locked in place, their faces filled with nothing but terror.Even Law, who was watching from the side, subconsciously stood up straight, feeling a sudden chill down his spine... "Nami, we have already entered the waters of Alabasta."Robin's gentle voice rang out with a faint, subtle hint of amusement.She leaned against the railing of the second deck, her elbows resting on an open newspaper.Her gaze passed over Nami, who was aggressively pulling Luffy's ear below, and looked toward the horizon where a silhouette was gradually becoming clear.It was a vast expanse of golden yellow that formed a sharp contrast with the deep blue sea."Aha! Are we finally there?!"Upon hearing this, Luffy's rubber body immediately slipped out of Nami's "Claws of Judgment."With a cheer, he leaped a few times and landed on the lion head at the very front of the sunny.Pressing one hand against the brim of his straw hat, he squinted and looked ahead with excitement.At the end of his vision, the vast desert lay like a crouching giant beast, meeting the blue sea and sky to outline a magnificent and strange sight.The heat waves seemed to blow toward them from across the distance, and the air seemed to carry the unique scent of dry sand mixed with date palms.In an instant, a gentle yet determined face, with that signature long blue hair and clear eyes, appeared vividly in Luffy's mind."Vivi..."Luffy grinned, his eyes sparkling with pure and intense anticipation,"Finally... we're going to meet again!!"His words seemed to flip a switch; the deck went silent for a moment, then was filled with various exclamations of emotion."Alabasta..."Usopp leaned against the gunwale, his tone complex, filled with both nostalgia and a trace of lingering fear,"It's really... a place where so many things happened.""Yeah, with Vivi, and that Smoke Guy..."Chopper looked up, the golden light of the desert reflected in his reindeer eyes, which were full of memories.Zoro leaned against the mainmast with his arms crossed, a slight smile on his lips; he didn't say anything, but his gaze also swept over that familiar land.Sanji lit a cigarette, the smoke blurring his expression:"I wonder if the royal capital's kitchens have improved... This time, I must let Princess Vivi taste my special Desert-style Cuisine."Nami also let go of her hands from her hips, her gaze softening as she looked at the land that held such deep memories.The experiences here were not just thrilling adventures, but also the starting point where the bonds of the Straw Hat crew deepened and they were remembered by a whole nation."Alright! Since we're here!"Luffy turned around, raising his arm high, his face showing a decisive lack of hesitation,"Then let's fly straight to Alabasta! After greeting Vivi, we'll head to the East Blue! Let's go!!"His command was simple and direct, with a clear goal."Roger, Captain!" Franky immediately rushed to the control console."What a reckless order..." Nami pressed her hand to her forehead, but a smile played at the corners of her mouth."Energy charging, Flight Mode—Activate!!" Frankypressed the button.Massive Cola Energy roared inside the ship's hull, and the thrusters at the rear of the sunny erupted with a dazzling blue light.In an instant, the entire ship seemed to break free from the shackles of the sea, its bow rising like a giant bird spreading its wings, booming as it left the water's surface!"Waaaaahhh—!!"The sunny transformed into a brilliant blue beam of light, streaking across the sky.Carrying the laughter, expectations, and precious memories of everyone on board, it sped straight toward the heart of the desert kingdom... the royal capital, Alabasta, sped away.A long trail of clouds was left in the sky, as if sounding a joyful whistle for this long-awaited reunion.