Chapter 567: The Admiral Pisses Himself! NikaDescends to Crush the Field!"Hey! You bastard over there! What do you think you're doing to my friends!"Pure white lightning struck the ground from Luffy's fingertips.The powerful current pierced the ground, blasting the boulders in front of Aramaki into powder.Debris flew everywhere, grazing Aramaki's cheek.Aramaki broke into a cold sweat.His legs moved back uncontrollably, his military boots scraping against the rubble with a piercing sound.The vines that had been spreading everywhere now all retracted back underground.Luffy didn't pay any attention to Aramaki.He dispersed the Flame Clouds beneath his feet and landed steadily amidst the messy ruins.Zoro gasped for air, propping himself up with his wado ichimonji, the deep sword wound on his chest still oozing blood.Law was on one knee, kikoku stabbed into the ground beside him; the stitches on his abdomen had burst open again, staining his spotted shirt with blood, and he didn't even have the strength to lift a finger to use his ability.Sanji's suit was shredded into rags, and his right leg was twitching unnaturally.Jinbe's massive body was covered in bruises, his left arm hanging limply.Yamato held her Spiked Club, blood from her forehead matting half her face.Nami clutched her clima-tact, slumped in the rubble, her whole body trembling.Usopp's face was covered in blood, and he had exhausted even the strength to pull back his slingshot....Luffy stopped, looked around, his gaze sweeping over every single one of his companions' wounds!!The smile on his face gradually faded!!Pure white Conqueror's Haki surged from within him!!The ground began to shake violently, and the surrounding rubble, large and small, lost gravity and floated into the air, only to be crushed into white powder under the immense pressure.Luffy clenched his fists, his knuckles letting out a series of crisp pops."To hurt my friends like this... none of you are leaving here standing today!"Unforgivable!!He turned abruptly, his gaze piercing through the flying stone dust, locking onto the demonic Gunkohovering in mid-air.Gunko let out a cold snort.She raised her right arm, swinging the massive black Trident in her hand in a semi-circle, creating a piercing sound in the air!!Being provoked by a mere pirate was an insult to the authority of the Creator!!With a powerful flap of her black bat wings, the air boomed as Gunko charged forward at high speed, lunging toward Luffy's heart with an overwhelming sense of pressure.Luffy moved forward instead of retreating, stepping out with his left leg to crush the stone slab beneath him, and reaching out his left hand with precision to grab the sharp blade of the Trident."Bang!!"The massive impact caused Luffy's feet to carve two deep furrows into the ground, but he stopped Gunko's charge dead in its tracks.Pure white flames instantly erupted from his palm, spreading rapidly along the blade toward the shaft of the Trident!!The Trident, condensed from black energy, actually began to warp and melt under the burning white fire.Gunko immediately sensed the lethal threat of the flames and tried to pull back her weapon with all her might, but the Trident wouldn't budge an inch!!Luffy's left hand clamped onto the Trident like a vise, his fingers even leaving deep indentations in it.Gunko gritted her teeth and exerted even more force, dark purple energy surging wildly through her arms."You damned insect!"Luffy ignored her struggle entirely.He whipped his right arm back, stretching it dozens of meters as the muscles expanded massively, and dazzling white lightning converged wildly at his enormous fist.Luffy let out a great roar."Gum-Gum White Star Gun!"The massive fist, wreathed in white lightning and carrying immense kinetic energy, broke the sound barrier directly, creating a visible ring of white air as it slammed heavily into Gunko's abdomen.Boom~!!!An indescribable, powerful force erupted between the two!!Space visibly warped and collapsed!!Gunko's powerful body was completely unable to withstand this pure destructive force.Her body let out a series of dull explosions as bones snapped and muscles tore.After a pause of only half a second, Gunko's body exploded in mid-air, turning into a shower of shredded meat and black blood that splashed in all directions.At the edge of the nearby ruins,Aramaki fell onto his backside, watching the black blood falling from the sky, and scrambled backward several steps.Where on earth did this monster come from?To turn a lord of God's Knights into mincemeat with one punch—this was simply not an attack a human could deliver!!Justice and order are nothing but jokes in the face of absolute violence!!If he didn't escape quickly, he would definitely be the next one turned into mincemeat.Aramaki pressed his hands to the ground and activated his fruit ability; thick tree roots erupted from underground to envelop his body, attempting to drag him into the earth to escape this death trap.Luffy didn't even turn his head,But stomped his left foot heavily on the ground, sending pure white Haoshoku lightning spreading across the surface to accurately strike the spot where Aramaki was diving."Don't even think about running!"The soil exploded, and Aramaki was violently jolted out of the ground by the powerful current, coughing up a large amount of blood.Law leaned against a broken wall and coughed violently twice.Looking at that pure white figure in mid-air, his fingers gripping kikoku trembled slightly!!This level of power has completely transcended the scope of Devil Fruit awakening; just how far has Straw Hat-ya evolved?!The shredded meat scattered across the ruins had not lost its vitality!!A strange dark purple glow flickered on the surface of the fragments, and drawn by some intense magnetic force, they rapidly gathered in the air at the center of the explosion, the meat pieces pressing and merging together to forcibly reconstruct!!A few seconds later,Gunko's body stood on the ground once more!!She gasped heavily for air, her bat wings in tatters, and her aura significantly weakened!!She lost!!It was an undisputed defeat; there was no point in further meaningless attrition!!Luffy ignored her strange state entirely,His legs bent slightly before he suddenly kicked off the ground, the rubble beneath him shattered into powder by the immense reaction force.He soared into the air, his right leg stretching infinitely backward as the muscles expanded massively, pure white lightning converging on his giant sole, the powerful current crackling."Gum-Gum White Star Battle Axe!""Bang!!"The massive heel descended from the sky with enormous kinetic energy, slamming heavily onto Gunko's shoulder with the crisp sound of breaking bones!!The immense impact smashed Gunko directly into the ground, only for her to bounce back out at an upward angle.Gunko flew backward at extreme speed, smashing through over a dozen thick stone pillars along the way, carving a deep trench hundreds of meters long through the ruins!!...Finally, she slammed heavily into a distant rock wall, which collapsed with a roar, burying her completely.Aramaki lay trembling in a nearby pit, staring at that trench hundreds of meters long!!He had to escape; Aramaki's hands frantically clawed at the dirt, trying to bury himself underground.Zoro returned his wado ichimonji to its sheath; the wound on his chest was still bleeding, but he didn't care—as long as this man stood at the front, there was no desperate situation that couldn't be cut through....
Chapter 568: The King of the Void's Retreat!"Rumble—"In the distance, the collapsed rock wall suddenly burst apart.Several boulders weighing tons were forcibly tossed aside by a massive force.The rubble exploded in mid-air, turning into a cloud of dust.Gunko's body slowly stood upright from deep within the ruins.Only half the skeleton of her tattered black bat wings remained, with shattered scales hanging from them.The once-magnificent clothes on her body were reduced to rags, and dark red blood dripped from her arms, carving small pits into the ground.In her red concentric-ringed eyes, the original frenzy and anger had vanished without a trace.In its place was a sense of extreme age and oppression that had settled over countless years.The temperature of the surrounding space plummeted.The dust permeating the air suspended in mid-air, no longer falling.A thin layer of ice instantly formed on the puddles remaining on the ground, the ice surface making a "crackling" sound as it fractured.Gunko did not raise her broken trident, nor did she take a defensive stance.She tilted her chin slightly, her gaze piercing through the swirling white powder to lock firmly onto Luffy."Joy Boy, we finally meet again."An echo that completely did not belong to this body resounded across the empty ruins.These few words carried a certain physical weight.The sound waves spread, causing the surrounding rubble to tremble slightly, and the dust formed circles of ripples in mid-air.Luffy stopped in his tracks and tilted his head.He extended his right pinky finger and dug forcefully into his ear twice.His fingernail scraped against the ear canal, making a faint sound.Then he puffed out his cheeks and blew away the debris on his fingertip."My name is Monkey D. Luffy."He pressed his left hand down on the straw hatatop his head, his pure white eyebrows arching upward."Stop talking that nonsense I can't understand."Gunko ignored this rebuttal.She slowly took a step forward.The moment her foot touched the ground, the scorched earth cracked, the fissures spreading in all directions."This pure white form is indeed nostalgic."She looked Luffy up and down, extremely complex fluctuations flashing within her red concentric circles.Her gaze swept from the straw hat, over the pure white hair, and finally rested on Luffy's beating heart."Eight hundred years of time seem like yesterday to me."Law propped himself up with kikoku, his eyes beneath the spotted cap suddenly widening.Joy Boy.Eight hundred years.These two terms collided frantically in his mind.The legend recorded on the poneglyphs, the central figure of the Void Century.The awakening of Straw Hat-ya had actually drawn out such a monster that spans centuries.Law's brain rapidly calculated.The highest power center of the World Government, that existence hidden behind the scenes, was currently using this demonic body to speak with straw hat.Law's lips twitched, an unprecedented fervor churning in his chest.The odds of winning this gamble were greater than he could have imagined.His fingers tightened slightly on the hilt of his sword, his nails leaving faint white marks on the scabbard.In the dirt pit.Aramaki stopped moving.His muscles twitched violently.The Creator!!That high-and-mighty existence who ruled the world was actually speaking to a pirate in such an equal manner.The Absolute Justice he believed in, the title of Marine Admiral he was so proud of—in the face of this fated duel spanning eight hundred years, he didn't even have the qualifications to be cannon fodder.Aramaki buried his face deep into the mud, suppressing his breathing to the absolute minimum.His lungs stung from the lack of oxygen.But he didn't dare look up, for fear of attracting the attention of those two monsters."Your power is indeed enough to sweep across this sea."Gunko spoke again, the sound waves stirring up ripples in the air.She paused for half a second."I acknowledge your strength."The moment these words fell, the black-purple patterns on Gunko's skin began to flash violently.Lumps bulged beneath her flesh, moving rapidly.This body was under an immense load.Her tone shifted."But it is still far from enough."Gunko straightened her back, the arrogance that stood above all living beings released without reservation."In your power, true divinity is missing."She raised her right hand and pointed at Luffy's heart.A thin streak of black lightning shot from her fingertip, piercing the air between them."You are ultimately not the him from back then; there is still an unbridgeable chasm between you and the final God's Domain."The words struck the ruins with a sense of irresistible judgment.Luffy set aside his casual expression.He spread his feet on the ground, assuming a combat stance.Pure white flames rose from the soles of his feet, climbing up his legs and enveloping his entire body.He curled his fingers, clenching his fists.His knuckles cracked in a series of explosions.White flames danced wildly at his fingertips, making a "hissing" burning sound.Luffy grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth, his fighting spirit completely detonating in his chest."All I know is that any guy who stands in my way, I'm going to send them flying!"Whether you're a ghost from eight hundred years ago or some high-and-mighty god.The debt for hurting my comrades must be settled with my fists.Luffy bent his legs slightly.Pure white lightning gathered beneath his feet, and the ground, unable to withstand this violent energy, collapsed in a large area.The rubble was shattered by the lightning, turning into dust.He prepared to catapult forward again, to use even more absolute violence to crush this fellow playing god in front of him.Gunko stood in place, making no move to meet the attack."Crack."An extremely faint tearing sound rang out.The skin on Gunko's body suddenly split open in large areas.Countless fine bloody gashes covered her body, and thick black blood gushed from the wounds.This body, after suffering heavy blows from Nikaand then forcibly bearing Imu's will, had finally reached its breaking point.Her bones let out an overburdened wail."Boom—!"Above the heavens, the thick leaden clouds were forcibly torn open into a massive void.A giant pillar of black light, dozens of meters in diameter, descended from the sky.The light pillar carried extremely distorted spatial gravity, directly enveloping the broken Gunko.The surrounding rubble that touched the edge of the light pillar was instantly decomposed into basic particles.At the base of the light pillar, a complex black-purple Magic Circle quickly took shape.Sinister energy flowed through the lines of the array, which began to rotate at an extremely high speed.Luffy's charging motion came to a sudden halt.He looked up, his gaze following the black pillar of light all the way up into the bottomless void.Light and shadow shifted violently.An indescribably massive Phantom briefly emerged in mid-air.The Phantom wore a towering crown, its face obscured.Only those red concentric-ringed eyes looked down from above, giving Luffy one last cold glance.The light pillar contracted.The Magic Circle glowed intensely.The black pillar of light suddenly withdrew upward, its speed surpassing the limits of Observation Haki's perception.Along with Gunko's remains and Imu's massive Phantom.They completely disappeared into the vast night sky.The thick clouds closed again, obscuring the heavens.On the ruins, only a bottomless, giant circular crater remained, the rocks at the edge still melting into dark red magma under the high temperature.Luffy stood at the edge of the crater, pure white Flame Clouds slowly circulating around him.He tilted his head back, staring fixedly at the sky that had returned to darkness.
Chapter 569: The End of Admiral Ryokugyu!The gale-force winds gradually subsided.A brief silence fell over the battlefield, broken only by the faint crackling of burning wooden planks in the distance.Crack—!The crisp sound of breaking rubble shattered the tranquility.All eyes turned in unison, coming to rest on the tall figure at the edge of the ruins.—Marine Headquarters Admiral, Ryokugyu Aramaki.Aramaki maintained a recoiling posture, his right foot still planted on a protruding, broken stone pillar.Meeting Luffy's gaze,cold sweat broke out on his forehead, sliding down his cheeks in continuous beads.Just a few hours ago, he had been counting on God's Knights to sweep everything clean here so he could swoop in and claim the credit.Now,those high-and-mighty knights had fled without a trace, leaving him alone amidst a group of monsters who had just defeated the Four Emperorsand the World Government's highest combat power.Zoro bit down on the wado ichimonji once more, his hand resting on the hilt of Enma."This is the guy who took advantage of us while we were fighting to sprout those disgusting vines and drain people's life force, isn't it?"Zoro spoke, his voice muffled but laced with killing intent."Luffy, do you want me to go over there and cut him down?""Even though I only have enough strength left for one swing, it's more than enough for a guy who only dares to hide in the back and fire cheap shots."Sanji exhaled a puff of white smoke, his right leg lightly scuffing the ground."Mosshead, you can barely even stand, so stop trying to act tough."Sanji straightened his tattered tie, his gaze sweeping over Aramaki."For a man who doesn't know how to show consideration for a lady, it's better if I just kick him into the sea to feed the fish."Trafalgar Law used kikoku to prop himself up, gasping for breath."An Admiral is indeed a troublesome title."Law's voice was raspy."If we let him go back, the World Government will definitely send a fleet immediately.""...Finishing him off here is a good choice."Jinbe took a step forward, assuming a Fish-Man Karate starting stance."I can also join the battle."Jinbe's tone was steady....As Aramaki listened to these pirates unscrupulously discussing how to deal with him, the fear in his heart was temporarily suppressed by a strong sense of humiliation.He was a dignified Marine Admiral!A representative of the World Government's highest combat power!Even if Kaido of the Beasts had been defeated, and even if God's Knights had retreated, he could not tolerate being treated like a lamb for the slaughter by a group of exhausted pirates.Luffy raised his right hand and waved it in the air."There's no need for you guys to step in."Luffy took a step forward, the smile on his face vanishing."Everyone is heavily injured, so get some rest. I'll handle this guy."He walked toward Aramaki, step by step."Don't get too cocky, pirate!"Aramaki mustered his courage and roared.Forcing himself to maintain the dignity of an Admiral, he flung his arms open, his ten fingers instantly transforming into sharp tree roots that plunged into the hard, rocky ground below."I am a Marine Admiral!""...Don't think that just because you defeated Kaido, you can look down on the Marines!"The power of the Mori Mori no Mi was pushed to its limit by Aramaki.Even though these ruins had long been stripped of nutrients by fire and battle, Aramaki still used the power of his Devil Fruit to forcibly extract the last ounce of vitality from deep within the earth.Rumble!The ground began to crack over a wide area.Massive green vines and giant trees erupted from the earth.Hundreds and thousands of vines intertwined in the air like ferocious giant pythons, lunging toward the approaching Luffy."Forbidden Wood: Windbreak!"Aramaki shrieked, the veins on his forehead bulging one by one.He attempted to use this instantly generated forest of steel... to block Luffy's path.The sea of trees pressed down from above.Behind the Straw Hat crew, Usopp sucked in a cold breath of terror."Luffy! Watch out! Those vines will suck your blood!"Usopp shouted a warning.Faced with this surging mass of giant wood, Luffydidn't even move his feet an inch.He stood there, his chest rising and falling slightly.Luffy took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled.Vroom—!Without any extra movement.Conqueror's Haki erupted directly from within Luffy's body.This Haki transformed into a physical, crimson-gold storm, accompanied by dazzling lightning, sweeping forward like a tsunami.Crack!Crack!Dense cracking sounds echoed throughout the entire forest in succession.The hard bark of the vines shattered inch by inch.The powerful life force bestowed upon the plants by the Mori Mori no Mi was stripped away directly before Luffy's overwhelming will.Tens of thousands of tons of giant wood turned into wood chips flying through the sky, scattering with the wind.The entire process took less than three seconds.The forest Aramaki had created, capable of trapping an army of tens of thousands, was leveled by Luffy using nothing but Conqueror's Haki.Amidst the flying wood chips, Luffy's straw-hatted figure was revealed once more.He maintained his steady pace, walking forward step by step.Aramaki's face turned pale.His hands, still plunged into the ground, trembled violently as he tried to summon the vines again.But he discovered to his horror that the Devil Fruitpower within him seemed to be completely severed by an invisible shackle, making it impossible to release even a shred of natural energy."This... how is this possible..."Aramaki's teeth chattered, his voice fragmented.His knees buckled.This high-and-mighty Marine Admiral collapsed directly to his knees.He propped himself up with his hands on the ground, gasping for air, having lost even the courage to lift his head and look Luffy in the eye.Luffy walked to a point less than ten meters from Aramaki.Recalling the methods this guy used to try and drain the life force of others, the fire of anger in Luffy's chest could not be quelled.His palm clenched into a fist."Sizzle—!"Pure white lightning exploded on Luffy's fist.Immediately after, blazing white flames burned fiercely on his fist.The surrounding air was scorched into a distorted blur by the extreme heat.The rocky ground below could not withstand the incredible heat and began to turn a molten dark red.Feeling the high temperature coming from above his head, Aramaki's body wouldn't stop shaking.He wanted to run, he wanted to beg for mercy loudly, but under the suppression of the Conqueror's Haki, his vocal cords seemed completely paralyzed."It's over."Luffy's left arm, carrying the weight of ten thousand tons, smashed down toward Aramaki like a falling meteor."Gum-Gum Hellfire!"Rumble—!!!!!Accompanied by a deafening roar.An incredibly thick pillar of white fire erupted from Luffy's fist, completely engulfing Aramaki's body.The dazzling white light made half of Wano Country as bright as day.Violent energy swept out in all directions.Onigashima completely collapsed under this strike.The heatwave turned into a hurricane, forcing the Straw Hat crew members to shield their faces with their hands."It's so bright!"Usopp shouted."This temperature is even more exaggerated than a volcanic eruption."Law shielded his face with his arm.The firelight lasted for a full ten seconds before gradually dissipating.Luffy floated down from the air, his feet landing steadily on the rocks at the edge of the crater.The white flames on his left fist were completely extinguished, returning to his normal skin color.Everyone stepped forward, looking down into the bottom of the deep pit....In the center of the pit, which was still emitting black smoke,Ryokugyu Aramaki lay charred and motionless on the molten rock layer.The Justice coat that symbolized his status as an Admiral had long since turned to ash.—Admiral Ryokugyu, deceased!...
Chapter 570: Return to Wano Country!"An Admiral is gone just like that."Sanji exhaled a puff of white smoke,"The News Coo tomorrow morning will probably go crazy."Trafalgar Law leaned against a broken wall in the distance.He didn't even have the strength to walk over."You guys, can't you have a bit of a sense of crisis?""This is the headquarters of one of the Four Emperors!!""Even if Kaido is defeated, it doesn't mean we're absolutely safe. I don't even have enough stamina to use the simplest space transfer."Luffy turned around.He ignored his companions' bickering.His gaze crossed the many layers of ruins, landing on a dark corner at the other end of the battlefield."Is it not over yet?"Jinbe looked in the direction of Luffy's gaze.He immediately assumed a defensive stance of Fish-Man Karate.Yamato gripped her massive Spiked Club and stepped forward quickly.As the dust was gradually blown away by the sea breeze, three miserable figures were revealed behind that pile of rocks.The All-Stars of the Beasts Pirates.King the Wildfire, Queen the Plague, and Jack.Although they hadn't died on the spot from that earth-shattering Haoshoku Haki, their current state was even harder to look at than if they had died in battle.After "Black Rotation Dominion" was forcibly interrupted by Luffy, a terrifying backlash occurred....Queen no longer had his originally fat, ball-like body.He was now so thin that only a layer of skin remained on his bones.—Jack's proud Mammoth physique had completely collapsed.His massive body had shriveled up terrifyingly; his skin had lost its luster and was covered in dark brown age spots.His iconic giant tusks were broken at the base, and dark red blood pooled beneath him into a muddy mess.This monster who rampaged across the seas with brute force could now not even move a finger.—Among the three, King's condition was slightly better.His long white hair and brown skin were revealed.His weathered face was covered in blood, and his once sharp eyes had become murky....Chopper ran over carrying his medical kit.He took one look and gasped."Their life force is draining away too fast."Chopper's voice trembled,"Each of them has had at least twenty years of their lifespan drained!!""Their internal organs are rapidly failing!!""...This kind of damage simply cannot be healed."Hearing Chopper's words, the members of the Straw Hat stopped what they were doing.Law watched all this with cold eyes."This is just the price they pay.""That demon doesn't care about their lives at all; he just treats them as consumables!!""Screech—!!"King gripped that serrated longsword tightly with both hands.He tried to shift his weight to his right leg, wanting to stand up on his own strength.That leg, which could once shatter steel, was now as soft as a sponge.He fell heavily to the ground.King did not give up.He thrust the longsword deep into a crack in the ground, pressed his sweat-covered forehead against the hilt, and gasped for air.With every breath, fine blood spray spat from his mouth.He failed twice.On the third attempt, he used the last ounce of strength in his body to barely stand his wobbling frame upright.Zoro looked at him."Still want to fight?"Zoro's eyes showed no emotion,"You don't even have the strength to hold your sword now."King didn't look at Zoro.His gaze pierced through the crowd, locking onto Luffy.Luffy met his gaze and started walking toward him.King gasped for breath.With every breath he took, a harsh noise echoed from his chest."Straw Hat."King spoke.His voice was incredibly hoarse.Luffy stopped a few steps away from him."Big Brother Kaido. Where is he?"When King asked this, his bloodshot eyes turned completely red.At this moment, he was no longer that cold and ruthless All-Star.He was just an ordinary man desperate to know the whereabouts of the Captain he had followed his entire life.Memories flooded into his mind uncontrollably.In that cold Punk Hazard laboratory, it was that man, as tall as a demon god, who had torn his chains apart."Do you think... you can change this world?""As long as I'm following you, I'll go anywhere."Twenty years of following, twenty years of campaigning.They had built this impregnable fortress, attempting to overturn the order of the entire sea.Now, all those ambitions had vanished like bubbles."What did you do to him!"King suddenly roared.His intense emotion strained his failing internal organs.He suddenly bent over and spat out a large mouthful of blackened blood.Luffy watched King's miserable state as he coughed up blood.There was no ripple of emotion on his face."I don't know."Luffy gave a calm answer.King froze.He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his blood-stained hand and looked up at Luffy."I didn't hold back."Luffy continued,"From the moment I stepped onto Onigashima, every move and every technique of mine was to take him down, to take his life."Luffy reached up and pressed down on the straw hat on his head."I put all my strength into the final punch.""He sank to the deepest part of the sea."Luffy turned his head, looking toward the churning sea level in the distance."However."Luffy's tone shifted."That guy is a monster with freakish vitality.""Even if he fell into the deep sea, maybe he's holding his breath and living somewhere."Hearing this, King's tense body completely relaxed.The serrated longsword slipped from his hand."Is that so."King murmured softly.He tilted his head back and looked at the sky.A single tear rolled down his brown cheek."Big Brother Kaido won't die easily."He finished speaking in a voice so low it was barely audible, his legs gave way, and he slumped completely into the ruins.He closed his eyes and gave up all resistance.Zoro looked at King, who had given up resisting.He stepped forward.Deep green Oni Aura flickered on his wrists.He gripped the hilt of Enma with his left hand."Luffy!!"Zoro spoke in a low voice, "Should we finish them off?"Zoro's attitude was resolute.On this cruel sea, kindness to an enemy is cruelty to oneself.These executives of the Beasts Pirates had once brought endless disaster to Wano Country.If they were allowed to return to the wild, they would definitely be a huge trouble later.Jinbe stood aside without speaking, but he tacitly agreed with Zoro's approach."Clang—!"Enma was unsheathed half an inch.Just as Zoro was about to draw his sword, a firm hand pressed down on his wrist.Luffy stopped him."Luffy?"Zoro frowned slightly and looked at his Captain."No need, Zoro."Luffy shook his head.He looked at the three shriveled bodies on the ground."They no longer have a reason to continue fighting.""The outcome of this war was decided long ago."Luffy turned around, his back to the Three Disasters."They're almost dead anyway; there's no point in killing them."Luffy released Zoro's wrist."Let them be!!"Zoro looked at Luffy.The coldness in his eyes gradually faded."Fine, whatever you say, since the Captain has spoken!!"Zoro pushed Enma back into its scabbard.He shrugged and stopped looking at the three of them.Yamato stood to the side, carrying her massive Spiked Club, watching Luffy's back.Compared to that illusory name, this man wearing a straw hat was the one truly worthy of her faith and loyalty.King sat on the ground and heard Luffy's words.He opened his eyes and looked at the back of the man wearing the straw hat.No finishing blow to kick them while they were down.Luffy simply used this complete disregard to declare the end of an old era.—This is the new era!!King tilted his head back, quietly waiting for the moment his life reached its end.The Beasts Pirates were completely defeated!!After confirming there was no danger, exhaustion washed over everyone's hearts like a tide."Alright everyone! Come and gather here!"Chopper shouted loudly.He dragged that massive medical kit, sweating profusely from the work.He ran quickly.First, he went to Zoro and, without a word, tore off the bandages that were already soaked in blood."You idiot! Your wounds have reopened so badly, and you're still walking around!"Chopper scolded him while expertly applying a special ointment and wiping away tears."Easy there, Tanuki, it hurts!!"Zoro grimaced in pain."I'm a reindeer!"Chopper roared, tightening the bandages with force."Chopper, take care of my right leg first."Sanji complained while leaning against a rock."Perverted Cook, can't you just bear with it!!"Zoro mocked him."Do you want to be kicked into the sea right now, Mosshead!!"Sanji retorted.The two began their daily bickering again.Although their voices were weak, it made the surrounding oppressive atmosphere more relaxed.Law walked over, supported by Carrot.He took the recovery potion handed to him by Chopper and swallowed it in one gulp.The bitter medicine made him frown."Straw Hat-ya."Law looked at Luffy,"Since the business on Onigashima is over, we should set out.""God's Knights have retreated, and the others in the World Government must have received the news as well.""There are still many people waiting for us back in Wano Country."Law reminded him.Luffy nodded."Franky!""Leave it to me, Captain!"Franky brought his arms together, striking his big signature pose."Guys! It's time to check on our thousand sunny!""That ship took a massive impact! But don't worry, it's the sturdiest ship in the world!"Everyone began to move, supporting each other.Jinbe helped carry several medical supply bags recovered from the ruins.Brook walked at the very back, leaning on his cane sword.The group made their way through the ruins in a grand procession toward Onigashima's inner port.Along the way, collapsed buildings and burning planks were everywhere.The once-invincible fortress was now nothing but ruins and broken walls.They arrived at the port.The thousand sunny was quietly moored on the water.The giant lion head faced the sea breeze; although the hull had some scratches, the main structure was intact."The thousand sunny is still waiting for us."Franky touched the ship's planks, moved.One by one, everyone climbed the rope ladder onto the deck.Stepping onto the familiar lawn, that feeling of being on solid ground made everyone feel incredibly at ease.Luffy jumped directly onto the lion's head at the bow.He sat there, looked back, and took one last look at Onigashima, which had been completely reduced to ruins.It was there that the ambitions of the Beasts Pirates were buried, and it also bore witness to the rise of the Straw Hat.Luffy withdrew his gaze.He reached out to pat his shrunken stomach and shouted loudly:"Sanji! I'm hungry! I want to eat meat!""I heard you, idiot Captain!! Let's get those wounds healed first!!"Sanji dragged one leg as he headed toward the kitchen.Luffy rested his hands on his knees and turned his head toward Nami, who was in charge of navigation."Nami! Where to next!"Nami stood on the deck, holding the latest charted sea map.She looked at Luffy, a brilliant smile blooming on her face."Do you even need to ask!"Nami pointed toward the sea ahead."Everyone is waiting for us there!""Target, Wano Country mainland!""Set sail!"Luffy shouted out.The thousand sunny's massive sails slowly rose.The sea breeze filled the canvas, carrying these voyagers who had changed the world's landscape toward the land of final victory.
Chapter 571: Wano Country, The Coming of Dawn!On the rolling waves, the Thousand thousand sunny sailed steadily toward the mainland of Wano Country like a sharp blade slicing through the darkness.The first light of dawn pierced through thick layers of clouds, casting large patches of golden light onto the undulating waves.In a corner of the deck, Trafalgar Law slowly set down his specially encrypted den den mushi.He leaned his back against the wooden bulkhead and let out a long, heavy breath of turbid air.Due to extreme physical exhaustion, every breath he took was accompanied by a sharp pain in his lungs."How is the situation, Trafalgar?"Law pressed down the brim of his spotted hat, concealing the deep exhaustion in his eyes."The intelligence is confirmed. Those CP0 Agents, who were lurking near the coastline like flies trying to reap the benefits of the conflict, suddenly withdrew entirely half an hour ago.""Withdrew?"Zoro, who was tending to his wounds nearby, stopped his movements. His right eye narrowed slightly, revealing a cold, sharp glint."Did those lapdogs of the World Governmentreally just tuck their tails and run away in disgrace?""It's not that simple."Sanji lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled a curl of white smoke."Those guys are emotionless killing machines!!""God's Knights just suffered a setback and retreated from Onigashima, and these Agentsreceived orders to withdraw immediately after...""Clearly, those high-and-mighty old men in Mary Geoise don't want to have an even more uncontrollable, full-scale conflict with us at this critical juncture."Sanji pointed his cigarette-holding hand toward the figure wearing the straw hat sitting on the figurehead of the ship."After all, who they have to face now is a monster who has truly defeated one of the Four Emperors."Law nodded, agreeing with Sanji's analysis."Indeed!! A battle of this level is enough to completely change the situation of these seas!!""The higher-ups of the World Government aren't fools. Before they have absolute certainty, they would never dare to rashly wage war against a newly risen hegemon.""...Wano Country is safe for now!!"Hearing the word'safe,' the tense atmosphere on the deck finally relaxed a little.A cool sea breeze blew past, bringing a long-awaited peace."I see it! That's the coast of Wano Country!"Usopp shouted excitedly from the lookout tower, breaking Yamato's train of thought.Everyone walked to the ship's railing.As the sea mist gradually dispersed, the familiar silhouette of the port on the outskirts of the Flower Capital appeared in the dawn light.However, as the Thousand thousand sunnygradually approached the shore, the voices on the deck abruptly vanished.There wasn't a single sound.It wasn't because the port was empty; on the contrary, the wide coastline was densely packed with people!Thousands of samurai, as well as civilians of Wano Country supporting one another.They formed a vast sea of people.Everyone bore shocking scars on their bodies.Some had their severed arms crudely bandaged with blood-stained strips of cloth, some leaned on chipped katanas, and some still had dried tear stains on their faces.But at this moment, this army of tens of thousands maintained an awe-inspiring solemnity."Splash—"The massive anchor dropped into the water, kicking up a spray of white foam.The Thousand thousand sunny docked steadily at the shore.The moment Luffy stood up from the bow of the ship.At the very front of the crowd.Duke Inuarashi, who had lost his left leg, and Nekomamushi, who had lost his right hand—these two kings of the Mink Tribe—knelt on one knee on the muddy ground without any hesitation.Immediately after."Thud, thud, thud..."Like a strong wind blowing across a field of wheat.Tens of thousands of subjects of Wano Countryfollowed the two kings' lead, kneeling and prostrating themselves on the ground in perfect unison.They used this most ancient method to offer their most devout gratitude to the man who brought dawn to this land that had fallen into endless darkness.Luffy stood at the bow, putting away his usual smile and looking down at this grand scene with a deep gaze.Just then, a path slowly opened in the center of the kneeling sea of people.A frail figure stumbled out from behind the crowd.Kozuki Hiyori.This princess, who was once the most beautiful in Wano Country and had always maintained her dignity and reserve regardless of the situation, appeared so disheveled now.Her smooth long hair was scattered messily over her shoulders.Her originally magnificent silk kimono was covered in mud and dark red bloodstains.Hiyori's exquisite face was as pale as paper, her eyes were swollen from crying, and her gaze held a heartbreaking, extreme fragility.Luffy bent his legs slightly and jumped directly from the deck over ten meters high, landing steadily in front of Hiyori.When she clearly saw the man wearing the straw hat before her.She could no longer maintain her so-called strength.She ran forward desperately, nearly falling with a stumble, but using that forward momentum, she threw herself fiercely into Luffy's arms!"Thump!"A dull sound of impact echoed.Hiyori buried her face deep into Luffy's broad and warm chest.Her hands were like those of a drowning person clutching at a final lifeline, deathly gripping the lapels of Luffy's clothes."Lord Luffy..."Hiyori's voice trembled uncontrollably, carrying a torn agony."Denjiro... Kawamatsu... and Lord Shutenmaru..."She gasped for breath, and with every name she spoke, the shivering of her body intensified."They're all gone... To cover my retreat... they were all killed by those demons in white suits!""I have no retainers left... I have nothing left!"The despair and fear accumulated in her heart finally found an outlet.Hiyori abandoned all pretense and wept loudly in Luffy's arms."Just cry."Luffy's voice was low and steady, without a trace of impatience."It's alright now. Those guys who bullied you will never appear again. You are safe."This extremely simple sentence contained an irresistible power.Hiyori cried even louder, pressing her body even closer to Luffy, as if only by drawing warmth from him could she prove she was still alive....At the port, the sea breeze continued to blow.The samurai remained in their kneeling positions; no one interrupted the princess's emotional release.After a long time, Hiyori's crying gradually turned into suppressed sobs.She had cried until all her strength was exhausted, and she didn't even have the strength to stand; her body went limp and slid down Luffy's chest.Luffy was quick, his arms snapping out to catch her, directly scooping up Hiyori's impossibly light body in a princess carry.Hiyori let out a small cry and subconsciously wrapped her arms around Luffy's neck.Her cheeks instantly turned bright red, and even the tips of her ears were flushed, but she didn't dare to break free, only shyly burying her face back into Luffy's chest.Luffy held her, turned around, and faced the tens of thousands of kneeling Wano samurai."Everyone!""Wipe away your tears! Carry the will of our fallen comrades with you!"Luffy grinned, revealing his signature smile."Let's go! Tonight, we're going to light the world's largest bonfire on the ruins of the Flower Capital!
Chapter 572: Wano Country - Banquet of Rebirth!In the ruins of the Flower Capital square, a bonfire tens of meters high blazed, its soaring flames turning the devastated night sky into day.Beside the fire, tens of thousands of Wano Countrysamurai sat in a circle.There was no boisterous celebration of victory; the air was filled with a tragic sense of survival.Nekomamushi grabbed a ceramic bowl larger than his head with his furry palm and filled it with sake.He turned his head to look at Inuarashi.Inuarashi didn't speak, silently taking another ceramic bowl full of wine.The two kings of the Mink Tribe dragged their broken bodies, limping to the very front of the bonfire."Shutenmaru, Denjiro, Kawamatsu."Nekomamushi spoke, his voice hoarse and thick with nasal congestion.He forced a smile that looked worse than crying."You three old bastards who won't die, you left so cleanly!!""We agreed to endure until dawn to see Wano Country open its borders... but you lot were fine, throwing away this riddled mess and going down to the afterlife to drink with Lord Oden first."Inuarashi took a deep breath, his eyes bloodshot."Don't listen to this old cat's nonsense."Inuarashi's voice was low and solemn:"You did excellently! Retainers of the Kozuki Clan, indomitable samurai of Wano Country."*Splash.*Both tilted their wrists at the same time, spilling the wine from their bowls onto the charred earth.The wine seeped into the ground, making a faint sound, nourishing the heroic souls sleeping here.Behind them, Hyogoro was moved to tears. He took off his headscarf and bowed deeply toward the flickering bonfire.Carrot covered her mouth and sobbed quietly, her shoulders shaking.The surrounding samurai didn't wail; they just gripped their scabbards tightly, looking down, processing the sacrifice with silent endurance.Luffy took a huge bite of meat and shouted indistinctly at the crowd:"Stop kneeling on the ground in a daze! If you're hungry, get up and eat meat!""The banquet started long ago. If you don't eat soon, I'll eat it all by myself!""..."Nekomamushi and Inuarashi froze in place.Then, the two looked at each other, and the lingering sorrow in their eyes was finally replaced by hearty laughter.Jinbe sat cross-legged to the side and laughed heroically: "Hahahaha! Did you hear that?"He picked up a wine jar as big as a water vat, "Our Captain doesn't like such lifeless scenes. Samurai, lift your wine bowls!"Led by the Straw Hat crew, the oppressive atmosphere was finally broken.The samurai rose one after another, tears still in the corners of their eyes, but long-lost smiles full of hope appeared on their faces.Jars of mellow wine were brought out, and the bonfire burned even brighter.In a corner of the square, Roronoa Zoro leaned against a relatively intact boulder.He tilted his head back and downed a bowl of Wano Country's strong liquor.The spicy wine flowed down his resolute chin, past the freshly bandaged cross-shaped scar, exuding a wild and unrestrained masculine charm.A large group of young Wano Country samurai gathered around.They held their wine bowls, staring intently at this Three Sword Style Great Swordsman with fanatical gazes, as if looking at a god of the sword.A young samurai's face flushed with excitement as he held a bowl in both hands to offer a toast:"Zoro-dono! That supreme sword technique of yours that slashed Kaido was like a ghost god descending!""...We samurai of Wano Country admire your swordsmanship to the point of total submission!"Zoro curled his lips disdainfully, tossed the empty bowl aside, and pressed his hand on the hilt of Enma at his waist."This Wano Country wine is indeed strong enough, but don't lump me in with those boring ghostly things. I'm a pirate."A flash of unruly sharpness crossed Zoro's eyes."Satisfied with a slash of this level?""...My goal is to be the world's greatest!"On the other side, the temporary cooking area was another scene of bustle.Vinsmoke Sanji took off his battle-damaged suit jacket, wearing only a white shirt with sleeves casually rolled up to his elbows and a clean white apron tied around his waist.His hands moved back and forth between several large iron pots.Stir-frying, seasoning, tossing the wok, and plating—every movement was smooth and fluid, possessing a beauty that sublimated culinary skills into art.Beside him, Pudding was blushing as she helped hand over seasonings.Pudding had chestnut-colored twin tails, and her skin was like peeled lychee, white with a hint of red.Although she had a third eye on her forehead, it didn't ruin her beauty; instead, it added a charm where mystery and enchantment intertwined.She wore a slim-fitting dress that showed off her exquisite figure, full of a young girl's sweetness."Sanji-san, how much of this spice should I add?"Pudding lowered her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.Her cheeks were so red they looked like they might drip blood, and pink steam seemed to be rising from the top of her head.Looking at Sanji's profile as he focused on cooking, Pudding's heart went pit-a-pat, her mind in turmoil.'Sanji-san looks so handsome when he's serious!''Straw Hat Luffy actually defeated Four EmperorsKaido, and as the cook on the ship, Sanji-san's status is incredibly high.''Ahhh, what am I thinking! I don't like him because of that!''I just... I just...'In the moment she fell into a daze, Puddingsuddenly looked up.The third eye on her forehead opened, and her shy expression did a 180-degree turn, becoming fierce."Hey! You perverted curly-eyebrowed idiot! Don't think I care about you!""...I'm just afraid you'll expose your low-level cooking skills and turn Wano Country's precious ingredients into pig slop!"Pudding roared fiercely, trying to hide her panic.Sanji completely ignored her malicious tone.His eyes turned into pink hearts, his body twisted like a noodle, and he cupped his face with his hands."Oh! My dear, beautiful Pudding-chan! You're even charming and cute when you're scolding people!""With such a beautiful lady like you helping me, this seafood bisque is simply filled with deep love!"Pudding's whole body stiffened, and her fierce expression instantly broke.She covered her burning cheeks tightly with both hands and squatted directly on the ground, the steam from her head erupting even more violently."Sanji-san praised me for being charming... I can't take it... I'm going to faint from happiness!"Sanji carried several plates of dishes that looked, smelled, and tasted excellent, walking with a cheerful step toward where the ladies were resting.Passing by Zoro's boulder, Sanji accidentally tripped on a stone, splashing a drop of hot soup.Zoro, sitting on the ground, sneered: "Hey, Perverted Cook, are your legs weak from fighting? You can't even walk straight, how pathetic!!"Sanji was furious and turned to glare at Zoro:"What do you, a Mosshead who only knows how to drink and gets lost easily, know! This is called a passionate stride for the lady I love!""If you dare say another word of nonsense, I'll take those three pieces of scrap iron and use them as meat skewers!"Zoro pulled out wado ichimonji: "Do you want to die, Curly Eyebrows! I'll cut you down right now!"Sanji raised his leather shoe, sparks igniting on his foot: "Bring it on! I'll kick your Mosshead into a bald spot!"The two stood forehead to forehead, trading insults without yielding.It wasn't until Nami roared from a distance that the two reluctantly put away their weapons and called a truce.The banquet atmosphere reached its climax, and Luffy returned to the main seat to sit down.Just as he sat down, his body suddenly stiffened.Kozuki Hiyori had, at some point, silently leaned against his left shoulder and fallen into a deep sleep.This most noble princess of Wano Countrypossessed a breathtakingly tragic beauty at this moment.She had emerald-green hair that was stained with some dust from the battle, but it still flowed smoothly over Luffy's arm.Her skin was as fair as mutton-fat jade; even on this battlefield full of smoke and mud, it appeared delicate enough to be broken by a mere breath.Hiyori's features were exquisitely soft and beautiful to the extreme, her eyebrows like distant mountains, her nose bridge high and straight, and her tender lips, like blood-stained cherry blossoms, slightly pursed.She wore a magnificent kimono torn in many places, her frail body curled up tightly, trying to find a sense of security.Hiyori did not sleep peacefully.Her eyelashes trembled from time to time, and teardrops still hung in the corners of her eyes.Luffy looked down at the face resting on his shoulder.In his left hand, he held a Sea King's thigh meat specially roasted by Sanji, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, sprinkled with secret spices.Usually, he would definitely hold the big bone with both hands and tear it clean in a few bites.But now, the gentle weight on his left shoulder forced him to stay stiffly in an awkward position.He wanted to reach out with his pinned left hand to adjust the roast meat, but as soon as he moved, Hiyori's body shivered like a startled fawn, her hand gripping the corner of his clothes tighter, and an uneasy murmur escaped her lips.Luffy sighed helplessly and stopped his movements abruptly.He could clearly feel the sadness and fear radiating from Hiyori.Luffy awkwardly switched hands, using only his right hand to hold the giant bone.Even his usually crude and wild chewing was now deliberately slowed down and lightened countless times, for fear of making a loud noise and waking this heartbroken princess of a fallen nation.But this warm and quiet scene, in the eyes of two women in the distance, was no less than a bomb exploding in their hearts....*Crack!*The sturdy wooden wine cup in Nami's hand was snapped, a crack appearing.Amber fruit wine dripped through her fair fingers and onto the grass.At this moment, Nami was incomparably beautiful.Her long orange hair glowed with a warm and charming light under the reflection of the bonfire.A tight-fitting short top outlined her proud and perfect peaks, rising and falling with her hurried breathing.Below her slender waist was a pair of ultra-short tight denim shorts.Those long, straight, beautiful legs were of a lethal golden ratio.But this clever Navigator's large, expressive eyes were now burning with fury.'Back in Cocoyasi Village, Luffy put the straw hathe valued as much as his life on my head and sent Arlong flying for me!''...Now he's actually letting another woman get so close!'Nami gritted her teeth, her chest heaving violently as she muttered fiercely:"That vixen... just how long is she going to cling to him! How dare she lean on Luffy's shoulder and act pitiful like that!"...Uta, beside her, reacted even more strongly.As the World's Greatest Diva, Uta's looks and temperament were also top-tier.Her features were as delicate as a doll's, and her skin was white with a rosy tint.Her signature oversized colorful jacket, with a tight camisole underneath, perfectly blended a young girl's youthfulness and sexiness.'I'm the childhood friend who grew up with Luffy!''In Elegia, it was also Luffy who pulled me out of the Demon King's abyss!'Uta was full of resentment and stamped her feet in anger, hands on her hips; colorful musical notes even faintly appeared in the air around her, as if she were about to unleash a powerful move.Uta puffed out her cheeks and shouted in annoyance:"Exactly! That's too much! Even if she was crying pitifully just now, she should stop by now!""Luffy belongs to us, why should she get to occupy that spot!""...No, I can't stand it anymore, I'm going to pull that woman away!"Uta rolled up her sleeves in a huff and was about to rush toward Luffy.Nami also snorted and followed, the two of them reaching a rare united front on this matter.Just as the two women were about to explode with murderous intent.A fair and slender arm blocked them elegantly and calmly.Nico Robin, holding a glass of red wine, appeared silently beside them.Her long black hair draped over her shoulders.On that face full of mature charm, there was always a calm smile that seemed to have seen through the world.In those deep-sea-like black eyes, there was an intellectual and inclusive "big sister" elegance.Robin's red lips parted slightly, her voice rich and intoxicating:"Please stay calm, Miss Navigator, and Uta.""Sister Robin! Don't stop us, that woman is taking things too far!"Uta protested in annoyance, trying to push Robin's arm away.Robin shook her head slightly and cast her deep gaze at the distant Luffy and Hiyori, a trace of pity showing in her eyes."Look at her hand."Robin gently swirled her wine glass, the red wine leaving a curve on the glass wall.Nami and Uta followed Robin's gaze.Under the flickering firelight, Hiyori's hand gripping the corner of Luffy's clothes was stiff and pale, even trembling slightly.Robin's voice was low and gentle, like it had the magic to soothe anxiety:"She just lost the last few retainers in this world who were willing to die for her.""Twenty years of endurance and suffering, only to pay such a tragic price just before the dawn!!""She didn't just lose her loved ones; she lost the spiritual pillar that supported her through the hardships in this desperate land.""...Right now, her heart is a ruin, and she can't find a place to land."Robin turned her head and looked at the two girls full of jealousy, a doting smile curling on her lips."This world is always full of danger and uncertainty!!""In this country riddled with holes, in this world that terrifies her, our usually carefree Captain is the only... real warmth she can feel right now."Robin's gaze was deep and inclusive,"Just treat it as lending her a shoulder to lean on!!""Once she wakes up, this sense of vulnerability will naturally improve!!""...We are the ones who are going to accompany the Captain to the very end; we should at least have this much magnanimity."After hearing Robin's words, the anger on Namiand Uta's faces subsided.They looked at Hiyori's miserable, shivering form in her sleep, and the sourness in their hearts was eventually replaced by sympathy and understanding.Nami let out a breath and unclenched her fists, turning her head to hide the softness in her eyes:"Really... Considering how pitiful she is, this young lady will be merciful this time and won't hold it against her.""But only for a little while! Once she wakes up, she must leave Luffy immediately!"Uta still muttered tsundere-ly, but the aggressive colorful notes around her had dissipated.Robin chuckled behind her hand and walked back to her seat elegantly with her wine glass....
Chapter 573: Wano Country: The Bonfire Banquet's Asura Field!Despite having just experienced a world-shaking war,The samurai of Wano Country and the Straw Hatcrew, stimulated by strong liquor and roasted meat, had already put the tragedy behind them.Drinking from large bowls and eating large chunks of meat, hearty laughter rose and fell.In the distance, Franky raised two bottles of iced cola, striking his signature pose."SUPER! What a youthful and energetic banquet!"Jinbe held a huge sake barrel, letting out a hearty laugh."Hahahaha! Everyone being able to sit here alive and drink is the greatest victory!"Brook stood on a high rock, playing his violin.The melodious and cheerful "Binks' Sake" floated over the ruins, making the samurai clap and praise in unison.However, at the very center of this noisy banquet,Luffy's posture appeared awkward and comical.To avoid waking the princess of a fallen kingdom who had just lost all her closest retainers, Luffycould only keep the left side of his body stiff.But he was Monkey D. Luffy.Even with only his right hand free to move, his eating speed didn't slow down at all.Luffy held a roasted Sea King leg with one hand.Opening his mouth wide, he quickly tore off the sizzling roasted meat and stuffed it messily into his mouth.His cheeks bulged like a hamster's, his mouth covered in shiny grease, and satisfied swallowing sounds came from his throat from time to time.Near a broken wall not far away, Yamato sat quietly with her hands around her knees.Her ice-blue long hair was very eye-catching in the firelight, and her white open-chested kimono highlighted her wild beauty.Yamato stared unblinkingly at Luffy's side profile.Seeing Luffy's clumsy way of deliberately softening his movements to avoid waking Hiyori, Yamato's heart pounded violently in her chest."Luffy!"Yamato couldn't help but call out, her voice carrying a gentleness she hadn't noticed herself.Luffy turned his head, his mouth still stuffed with meat."Munch munch... Yamato, what's wrong? Not enough meat?"Luffy asked indistinctly, his right hand generously offering the roasted leg toward Yamato.Yamato's cheeks turned slightly red, and she shook her head."No, I'm full. You... isn't your left arm sore? Do you want me to help you move her to the side to rest?"Yamato pointed to Hiyori leaning on Luffy's shoulder.Luffy glanced at Hiyori on his shoulder and frowned."A little! But she was crying so hard just now, she seemed really scared. Forget it, I'll just wait for her to wake up on her own."After Luffy finished speaking, he turned back to deal with the roasted meat in his hand.Yamato looked at Luffy's guileless appearance, and the smile at the corner of her mouth became even brighter....But this heartwarming scene, in the eyes of the two girls on the other side of the grass, was no different from adding fuel to the fire.*Snap!*"Just how long is that woman going to pretend to be asleep!"Nami gritted her teeth, complaining viciously in a low voice."Luffy too! He's usually so thoughtless, how did he become so considerate now! He's actually letting another woman lean so close!""Exactly! It's just too much!"Uta stood with her hands on her slender waist, stomping her feet in anger."I'm Luffy's childhood friend who grew up with him! What right does that vixen have to hog him for so long!"Uta turned her head to look at Nami."Nami! We can't endure this anymore! Let's go pull that woman away, okay?!""...Luffy belongs to everyone!"Nami nodded in deep agreement....Just as everyone's gaze was gathered on Luffy,A breeze carrying a strange floral fragrance quietly brushed across the noisy square.*Click-clack!*Accompanied by the crisp sound of high-heeled sandals, an eye-catching figure, holding a glass of pink fruit wine, slowly walked out from the shadows of the crowd.Vinsmoke Reiju.This female assassin known as "Poison Pink" had pretty pink shoulder-length hair and signature curly eyebrows.She was wearing that tight miniskirt Raid Suit, with a translucent cloak swaying gently behind her.Those long, slender legs wrapped in white knee-high boots exuded the fatal sexiness of a mature woman with every step.A slightly mischievous smile curled at the corner of Reiju's mouth."What a powerful and cute man."Reiju whispered softly in her heart.A hunter-like determination flashed in her seductive eyes as she walked straight through the crowd and stood in front of Luffy.Luffy was trying hard to swallow a large mouthful of roasted meat.He smelled a fragrance and looked up.Seeing Reiju standing there, Luffy blinked his large eyes and held up the half-eaten bone in his hand."Munch munch... Oh, it's Reiju. Are you hungry too? Want some meat?"Luffy greeted her without any guard.Seeing Luffy's silly appearance, the smile in Reiju's eyes grew even more intense.She didn't speak, casually placing the glass of fruit wine on a nearby wooden barrel.Then, in the next second that caught everyone off guard,Reiju slightly bent her slender, snake-like waist.Luffy's chewing froze, his mouth slightly open, his face full of confusion.The next second.Reiju tilted her head slightly, closed her eyes, and without hesitation, pressed her warm red lips firmly onto Luffy's!The "home-stealing" action was decisive and direct!"Mmph... smack!"The soft sensation, accompanied by the unique and charming fragrance of Poison Pink, filled Luffy's senses.Luffy's large eyes widened until they were perfectly round.His whole body seemed petrified, and his brain completely shut down.Reiju's actions didn't retreat in the slightest.She took her first kiss, which she had kept for over twenty years, and on these ruins, she proactively offered it to this straw hat boy who had changed the world's structure.The surrounding air completely froze at this moment.The deafening noise of the banquet came to an abrupt halt.Carrot, who was closest, was holding a large Carrot in both hands, about to take a bite!!Seeing this scene, her fluffy rabbit ears stood straight up.*Clatter!*The Carrot in her hand dropped directly, rolling into the nearby bonfire.Zoro, not far away, was tilting his head back to gulp down strong liquor; his peripheral vision caught those lips pressed together, and he forcefully spat out all the wine he had just drunk!!"Pfft—!"He clutched his chest and coughed frantically, tears almost coming out:"Cough, cough, cough! What is that idiot doing!"Sanji, who was just scattering love toward Pudding, turned his head to see his noble elder sister forcibly kissing his own Captain...He clutched his head and let out a despairing scream, falling straight backward: "IM-POS-SI-BLE!"Seeing Sanji fall, Pudding hurriedly caught his head, shouting incoherently:"Sanji-san! What's wrong, Sanji-san!"Chopper was so scared that the cotton candy in his mouth fell to the ground, and he ran toward Sanjiin a panic:"A doctor! Quickly call a doctor!""...Ah, I am the doctor!"However, this wasn't even the most terrifying reaction.The real explosion came from the two girls who were already at the critical point of jealousy.Boom!A bolt from the blue!Nami stood up abruptly, her originally fair face now flushed bright red.The clima-tact appeared in her hand.Above the sky, a mass of pitch-black, violently rolling thunderclouds shrouded the square."You pink-haired vixen!!!"Nami let out a violent roar that pierced the clouds."What on earth are you doing to my Captain!!!"Nami's clima-tact pointed straight at Reiju, and thick bolts of lightning were frantically brewing within the pitch-black thunderclouds.Uta went straight into a berserk state.Substantial fire of rage erupted from her eyes."Unforgivable! Absolutely unforgivable!"Uta gritted her teeth and swung her hands outward.Hundreds of colorful, materialized musical notes quickly combined in mid-air, turning into razor-sharp colored spears, their tips all locked onto Reiju's back."Let go of Luffy right now! Or I'll blast you to pieces!!!"Facing these two volcano-erupting girls, Reijufinally slowly released her hands holding Luffy's cheeks.Her red lips parted slightly, creating an ambiguous distance.Reiju stood up straight and stuck out her pink little tongue, lightly licking her red lips.She turned around, completely ignoring the thunderclouds overhead and those musical Note Spears locked onto her.Reiju stood with one hand on her slender waist, a mischievous smile unique to a mature older sister appearing on her face."Oh my, such a big temper, you two little sisters."Reiju's voice was sweet but provocative:"Weren't you two discussing things quite enthusiastically just now? But what's the use of just talking without acting?""As a mature woman, when I see something I like, I'll take action directly without hesitation."Reiju's gaze swept contemptuously over Nami and Uta,"If you only know how to stand by and sulk, all the good things will be snatched away.""You... what did you say?!"Nami and Uta were trembling with rage at this blatant declaration of war.Their rationality completely collapsed, and both raised their weapons at the same time."I'm going to strike you dead with lightning, you shameless woman!" Nami roared."Die! Note Spears!" Uta screamed.A world-shaking Asura Field brawl was about to unfold by the bonfire.And at the center of this chaos,Luffy still maintained his posture with his mouth slightly open.He sat there dumbstruck, holding half a bone, his brain clearly still trying to reboot.Robin, sitting on a lounge chair, watched this hilarious mess.She picked up a wine glass and took a light sip of red wine.Robin covered her mouth and let out a pleasant, soft laugh."It seems tonight's banquet will be even more lively than the war."Robin whispered softly, her eyes filled with a doting smile.
Chapter 574: Wano Country - The Princess's Confession!At the ruins of the Flower Capital plaza, the bonfire was burning down to its embers.The chaotic brawl triggered by Reiju's sudden attack finally ended abruptly amidst Luffy's heartless snoring.Most of the samurai lay drunk among the ruins.Their faces bore the serenity of survivors, and snores rose and fell one after another.Sanji stood with one hand in his pocket, glancing at Luffy who was sprawled out in a pile of meat, and exhaled a smoke ring helplessly."He really is a worrisome Idiot Captain."Pudding ran over carrying a tray: "Sanji-san! The hangover soup you wanted is ready!"Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were full of admiration.Sanji's eyes immediately turned into hearts."Oh! My dear Pudding-chan, you truly are the most beautiful angel in these ruins!"Zoro leaned against a rock with his eyes closed: "Shut up, Perverted Cook.""Do you want to fight, Mosshead?!""Back to the ship!"Nami rubbed her temples and issued the Navigator's command.The farce just now had left her physically and mentally exhausted.Franky and Jinbe, one on each side, hoisted the dreaming, lip-smacking Luffy and strode toward the thousand sunny anchored at the coast.Uta walked beside Nami, puffing out her cheeks and still whispering insults about that pink-haired woman.Kozuki Hiyori followed at the end of the group.Her emerald-green long hair swayed slightly in the night breeze.Back on the thousand sunny, everyone returned to their rooms, and the deck soon regained its tranquility.The waves gently lapped against the hull, creating a rhythmic sound.Hiyori stood by the ship's railing.The night breeze, carrying the saltiness of the sea, blew against her face.She looked down toward the Flower Capital.Her father and mother were buried there.So were Denjiro, Kawamatsu, Shutenmaru... those loyal retainers who were cruelly murdered by the White-clothed Demons to cover her retreat.Tears uncontrollably welled up in her eyes once again.In the vast Wano Country, she was now the only one left.Kaido was defeated, and dawn had come to this land, but that sense of loneliness surrounded her like cold seawater.She turned her head and looked toward the Captain's quarters on the second floor.Luffy was resting there.She wanted to be near him, to feel the warmth of his body.On the battlefield today, he had transformed into pure white lightning, breaking the twenty-year darkness over Wano like a god.At the banquet just now, other women could kiss him without restraint, and loudly fight over him out of jealousy.Hiyori felt a strong sense of loss.Reason and her reserve as a princess kept her from taking a step forward."Can't sleep, Princess?"A gentle, intellectual voice came from the cabin doorway behind her.Hiyori was startled, quickly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and turned around.Nico Robin, wearing a deep purple silk nightgown, walked out gracefully holding two glasses of red wine.The slit in the nightgown revealed her long, fair legs.Robin had a smile on her face."Robin-san."Hiyori lowered her head slightly, her voice thick with a nasal tone.Robin stepped forward and handed a glass of red wine to Hiyori."The night breeze at sea is very cold. Drinking some wine will warm up your body."Hiyori hesitated for a moment before reaching out to take the goblet.Robin leaned against the railing, lightly swirling the red liquid in her glass."Are you missing the retainers who sacrificed themselves for you, or are you thinking about that trouble-making Captain?"Robin's question cut straight to the heart of Hiyori's thoughts.Hiyori's fingers trembled, causing ripples to spread through the wine."I..."Hiyori bit her lower lip and finally dropped her facade."I'm very scared, Robin-san."Hiyori's voice began to shake."For twenty years, I lived solely on hatred and the protection of my retainers.""I played the role of an oiran, acting deceptively by Orochi's side.""I spent every single day in constant fear.""Now, Orochi is dead and Kaido is defeated.""But the people who protected me are gone too."Hiyori looked up, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion."I don't know how to live from here on. Though the country has seen the dawn, my heart feels terrifyingly empty."Robin listened quietly.She didn't offer immediate comfort but instead took a sip of the wine.The crimson liquid stained her lips."I can understand how you feel."Robin's gaze grew deep.It was as if she were looking through the night to see her past self from long ago.She saw Ohara burning in a sea of fire."I was once like you, losing all my family and my hometown.""I spent twenty years fleeing through the darkness, hunted by the entire world.""No one was willing to accept me; everyone was just using me.""That kind of despair, not knowing where tomorrow would be every single day, is more terrifying than death."Hiyori looked at Robin in surprise.She hadn't expected that this older sister, who always maintained a calm smile, had such a tragic past."Then... how did you get through it?"Hiyori couldn't help but ask.Robin turned her head, her gaze landing on the Captain's quarters on the second floor.A gentle curve formed at the corner of her mouth."Because I met an unreasonable idiot."Robin spoke softly."He didn't care how dangerous I was, or what kind of crimes I was burdened with.""He even declared war on the entire World Government for my sake.""He dragged me out of a dark hell by sheer force."Robin withdrew her gaze and looked at Hiyori."That man has a kind of magic that can forcibly bring others toward the light.""Aren't you also deeply attracted by that magic right now?"Hiyori's cheeks were instantly stained with a blush, and she looked down in a panic."I... I'm not... I'm just very grateful for Luffy-sama's kindness.""Is it just gratitude?"Robin let out a soft laugh."If it were just gratitude, your eyes wouldn't have looked so lost when Reiju kissed him at the banquet tonight."Hiyori's secret was completely exposed, leaving her overwhelmed with shame.She hated her own weakness and her own denseness."Hiyori, listen to me."Robin set down her wine glass and reached out to hold Hiyori's slightly cool hands."The world of pirates is free, but it's also full of variables.""We won't stay in Wano for long; this ship is destined to sail toward further seas.""Luffy is a man who yearns for freedom; he won't be held back by the throne of any country.""If you like him, if you crave the warmth he provides, then go and grab him."Robin's voice was gentle, yet it carried an unquestionable power."Don't let your status as a princess bind you.""In this broken world, finding a man to whom you are willing to entrust everything is a rare miracle."Hiyori's eyes widened slightly.Robin's words were like a bolt of lightning, clearing the fog in her heart."But... but I..."Hiyori was still hesitating."I am the princess of Wano, I must...""So what if you're a princess?"Robin interrupted her."Before being a princess, you are first and foremost a woman.""A weak woman who has just lost everything and desperately needs comfort."Robin used her fingertips to gently tuck a strand of Hiyori's long hair that had fallen by her cheek."Go.""Go and demand the warmth you desire from him.""Be a little more proactive.""Our Captain might be a dense block of wood in this regard, but he will never push away a girl who sincerely throws herself into his arms."Robin let go and picked up her wine glass.She turned to walk toward her own room."Don't leave yourself with any regrets, Hiyori."Hiyori was left alone on the deck once again.But this time, her heart was no longer confused.Robin's words echoed continuously in her mind.[Before being a princess, you are first and foremost a woman!!]Hiyori took a deep breath, tilted her head back, and drained the wine in her glass.The amber liquid slid down her throat, bringing a surge of burning courage.She turned and walked quickly into the guest cabins on the lower deck of the thousand sunny....The guest cabin bathroom.Warm water washed over her jade-white skin.Steam filled the small space.She carefully washed away the dirt and bloodstains from her body.Every inch of her skin flushed an alluring pink under the effect of the hot water....Half an hour later.Hiyori stood before the full-length mirror in the guest cabin.From her bundle, she took out a long-treasured emerald-colored silk yukata.The fabric was extremely thin and soft.The silky material clung to her exquisite and translucent figure.The neckline was slightly open, revealing a large area of snowy skin and charming collarbones.Her washed emerald hair hung smoothly down her back, still carrying a bit of damp mist.She didn't wear any makeup.Her bare face showed a flush from the bath.That natural beauty, like a lotus rising from clear water, combined with her current look of being pitiable, was enough to drive any man crazy.Hiyori looked at herself in the mirror.She covered her burning cheeks with both hands.Her heart was beating so hard it felt like it would jump out of her chest.She had never dressed so thinly before a man."I can do this."She encouraged herself in her heart.Once a woman of the Kozuki Clan set her sights on a goal, she would not retreat.Hiyori pushed open the cabin door.The corridor was silent, save for the occasional faint creak of the floorboards.She stepped onto the wooden floor barefoot, without making a sound.One step, two steps, three steps...She followed the stairs up to the second floor.The door to the Captain's quarters was right before her.Hiyori stopped outside the door.Her breathing was extremely rapid.Her chest rose and fell slightly.She reached out her trembling right hand and placed it on the metal door handle.At this moment, worries, status, and reserve were all cast to the back of her mind."Creak—"The door to the Captain's quarters was gently pushed open.The lights were not on in the room; only the cool Moonlight spilled in through the porthole.Luffy was sitting cross-legged on the bed, shirtless.The lines of his firm muscles were exceptionally clear under the Moonlight.He was holding that straw hat, which he valued as much as his life, looking down at it.Hearing the sound of the door opening, Luffylooked up."Hiyori?"Luffy looked at the person at the door in surprise.Hiyori didn't say anything.She walked into the room and closed the door behind her.Luffy blinked."What's wrong? Are you hungry?""There should be some roast meat Sanji left in the kitchen..."Before Luffy could finish, Hiyori had already walked quickly to the bedside.She threw herself into Luffy's arms without hesitation.Luffy was stunned.He could clearly feel that the delicate body in his arms was trembling violently.The fragrance of someone who had just bathed, accompanied by the slippery touch of the silk yukata, instantly filled his senses."Hiyori, you..."Luffy was about to reach out and push her away."Don't push me away!"She used both arms to tightly embrace Luffy's waist.She pressed her cheek firmly against Luffy's solid chest."I beg of you, Luffy-sama, don't push me away."Hiyori looked up, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears.Under the Moonlight, her face, capable of toppling nations, appeared so mournful and moving."I have nothing left."Hiyori sobbed."Wano is open, and my mission is over.""But I have lost all my family, and all the people who were willing to protect me."Luffy looked at her.He didn't say anything, just letting Hiyori hold him.Hiyori released one hand and slowly stroked Luffy's chest.The firm sensation from her fingertips made her feel incredibly at ease."You didn't just save Wano; you completely saved my soul."Hiyori's voice was extremely gentle."I don't want to be some princess."Hiyori bit her red lips."I just want to be an ordinary woman.""A woman who belongs to you."Luffy's heart skipped a beat.With his beast-like intuition, he clearly felt the emotions burning like fire within Hiyori.Hiyori closed her eyes.She stood slightly on her tiptoes, proactively leaning toward Luffy.Her hands fumbled somewhat clumsily.The already thin emerald silk yukata, under her movements, slowly slid down her fair shoulders.Under the Moonlight, her unreserved vulnerability and beauty were completely revealed before this most dazzling king of the sea....
Chapter 575: Wano Country · Luffy & Hiyori!*Rustle—*The thin, emerald-colored silk yukata slipped down without any resistance.It slid along her graceful, delicate body, slowly piling up at her exquisite and smooth ankles.Outside the window, the cold Moonlight slanted into the Captain's quarters.The Moonlight draped itself unreservedly over Kozuki Hiyori, coating her in a holy yet fragile silver halo.Standing before Luffy at this moment was no longer the Princess who bore the heavy burden of reclaiming her country.Nor was she the oiran, Komurasaki, who had dealt with Orochi with false smiles and pretense.She was merely a fragile woman who had just suffered the immense pain of losing her loved ones and desperately craved salvation.The night wind blew into the room through the half-closed window, bringing a hint of chill.Hiyori's exquisite and translucent body trembled slightly and uncontrollably in the breeze.*Thump— Thump—*In the quiet space, only the sound of their heartbeats echoed faintly.Hiyori could even clearly hear the beat of her own heart, which felt like it was about to jump out of her chest.Her hands were awkwardly clasped in front of her, not knowing where to put them.On that devastatingly beautiful face, a shy blush spread all the way from her cheeks to her long, graceful swan-like neck.She closed her eyes, with tear stains still remaining at the corners from being dried by the wind on the deck earlier.The faces of Denjiro, Kawamatsu, and Shutenmaruflashed through her mind one by one.That sense of loneliness, as if everything had been hollowed out, made her impatient to grab hold of this blazing light before her.*Thump!*Luffy's gaze swept over Hiyori without the slightest hesitation.From her snow-white shoulders, which were trembling slightly due to tension, to her slender waist that could be held in one hand, and then to her straight, long legs.His breathing began to grow heavy.The terrifying blood and qi belonging to the awakened Nika Fruit user rolled and roared inside his body like lava.In the next second, Luffy stood up.His tall and upright body instantly blocked the Moonlight from the window, enveloping Hiyorientirely within his shadow.His left hand cupped the back of Hiyori's head, which was covered in loose, emerald-colored hair.His right hand dominantly pulled her fragile waist, pressing her forcefully into his embrace!"Mmm..."She only felt a sense of vertigo.Her entire person was now pressed tightly against Luffy's broad chest, which radiated an astonishing amount of heat.Luffy's body temperature was frighteningly high, almost like an erupting volcano.The moment Hiyori's cool skin came into contact with this scalding heat, she couldn't help but let out a comfortable sigh.Before she could fully regain her senses, Luffy's aggressive and fanatical lips took the initiative.He lowered his head without hesitation, firmly sealing her two red lips, which were as delicate as jelly."Uh..."Hiyori's eyes instantly widened.Luffy's kiss was dominant and wild, carrying an absolute sense of conquest that brooked no refusal.Hiyori was deprived of all breath by this extremely passionate deep kiss.Her mind instantly went blank.The strength in her body seemed to be drained away in an instant; her legs went soft, and she almost collapsed.If it weren't for Luffy's powerful arms holding her waist tightly, she wouldn't have been able to stand at all.Her hands weakly climbed up Luffy's shoulders.Her fingertips touched the hard muscles and crisscrossing scars on his back.Every scar was a medal left behind by this man for the sake of this sea and to protect his companions.Feeling these scars, a strong sense of emotion and heartache welled up in Hiyori's heart.She no longer struggled, but instead obediently closed her eyes and clumsily tried to respond to this dominant kiss.After a long time, Luffy pulled back slightly, still wanting more.He released Hiyori's lips, which had already turned slightly red from the suction....Luffy lowered his head, his forehead resting against Hiyori's."Is this the resolve of the Princess of Wano Country?"Luffy's voice carried a suppressed restraint."You have to learn to breathe when kissing, idiot."Hiyori panted heavily, her watery, beautiful eyes looking at the man before her in a daze.She had originally thought Luffy was a single-celled organism when it came to emotions.She hadn't expected that once this man tore off his mask, he would actually exude an aggressiveness that was impossible to resist.That sense of effortless control actually made Hiyori's heart, which had been hanging in mid-air, feel completely at ease."Lord Luffy..."Hiyori weakly gripped Luffy's shoulders, tears sliding down silently once again."I don't understand anything... I'm so scared...""I have no country, no vassals... If you don't want me either, I really don't know how I'll go on living..."She broke into sobs, unreservedly laying bare the most fragile side of her heart before this man.Looking at Hiyori's pitiful appearance, Luffy's gaze became softer than ever before, yet it was also mixed with a man's most primal protective instinct."Don't talk nonsense."Luffy's large hand slid slowly down Hiyori's smooth skin."Since you delivered yourself to me, from now on, you're mine."Luffy's tone was firm, and every word carried weight."With me here, no one on this sea will ever make you cry again."The moment the words fell, Luffy's arms suddenly exerted force."Ah!"Hiyori let out a startled cry, her body instantly becoming airborne.She was picked up by Luffy in a princess carry.He took a few steps to the bedside.*Thud!*Luffy gently placed her on the soft, large bed.Immediately after, like a beast that had locked onto its territory, his tall body lowered its center of gravity.His hands braced on either side of her head, completely confining her under his protection."Hiyori, prepare yourself."Luffy looked down from above at the woman who was like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered."Once I start, I won't stop easily."Hiyori lay under the shroud of Luffy's massive shadow.Instead of feeling fear, she proactively reached out her jade-like arms and wrapped them around Luffy's neck."Please... teach me to your heart's content... Lord Luffy...""As you wish."Luffy lowered his head and kissed her again.This kiss was even more passionate and deeper than before.Luffy's hands were no longer still...How could she have ever experienced this level of stimulation?In just a few minutes, her psychological defenses completely collapsed under Luffy's aggressive assault.Shyness made her close her eyes tightly, not daring to look at Luffy's flame-filled gaze.The temperature in the room began to climb sharply.The blood and qi in Luffy's body surged, and his astonishing body temperature almost ignited the surrounding air.Sweat slid from his forehead and dripped onto Hiyori's snow-white skin, as scalding as a brand."So hot..."Hiyori murmured unconsciously, her legs rubbing restlessly against the soft sheets.She bit her lower lip hard, her hands tightly clutching the white sheets beneath her.She nodded heavily."Please... please hold me tight..."This sentence completely snapped Luffy's final line of rational defense."Ho-oh!"Hiyori let out a sharp yet somewhat liberated cry.The massive difference in constitution showed an unparalleled sense of pressure at this moment.Luffy's aura completely enveloped her.That sense of absolute safety and protection filled the void in her heart from the past twenty years.*Dong da— Dong da— Dong da—!*That strange heartbeat, like the Drums of Liberation, actually began to echo in Luffy's chest uncontrollably under his state of extreme excitement.Along with this strange heartbeat, Luffy's stamina seemed to enter an endless abyss mode.A large amount of white steam erupted from his pores.The entire bed was enveloped in a hazy and scorching mist.Hiyori's vision had become completely blurred.Time seemed to lose its meaning in this Captain's quarters.Ten minutes!Twenty minutes!Half an hour!!For Luffy's monstrous physique, which could fight a Great Battle against the Four Emperors for days and nights, this didn't even count as a warm-up.However, for Kozuki Hiyori, a weak woman with no strength to even truss a chicken, this short half-hour had completely drained the last bit of stamina from her fragile body.After the continuous sensory overload and extreme emotional release."Lord... Luffy..."Hiyori's arms, which had been tightly wrapped around Luffy's neck, suddenly slid down limply, as if they had lost all strength.Her eyes were glazed, and a crystal tear of happiness hung at the corner of her eye.Her long green hair, wet with sweat, was stuck to her crimson cheeks.Her breathing became weak and steady.This most noble Princess of Wano Country, after completely shedding the burden in her heart and entrusting herself fully,Because she could not withstand the violent stamina and blood-qi flush of the Sun God, she magnificently... completely fainted....Luffy, who was just about to enter the next stage, felt like he had been hit by a pause button.He stiffly braced his arms on either side of Hiyori's body, looking down from above at the unconscious, beautiful woman beneath him."Hey... Hiyori?"Luffy blinked his eyes.He reached out his scalding hand and gently patted Hiyori's blushing cheek."Hiyori? Are you okay? Hey, wake up, I'm not full yet!"There was no response.Hiyori let out a light snore, sleeping incredibly soundly and sweetly.This was the most peaceful night's sleep she had had in twenty years."Are... are you kidding me..."Luffy's mouth hung open slightly, and his expression was instantly filled with extreme speechlessness and conflict."The difference in constitution is too big... she couldn't even last half an hour."He sat down on the edge of the bed in defeat, clutching his short black hair tightly and roaring helplessly in his heart."It seems I'll have to make her exercise more often!"Luffy tried to use deep breaths to suppress the manic heat within his body.But the white steam emanating from his body surface only grew thicker.Once the terrifying blood and qi after the Nikaawakening were fully mobilized, they were not so easily calmed.Right now, he was like a hungry wolf that had just taken a bite of top-tier roast meat, only to have the plate suddenly taken away.His heart was full of restlessness with nowhere to vent.Luffy even began to seriously consider whether he should just jump into the cold sea outside to cool down.But it would be too embarrassing if he accidentally drowned.Just as Luffy was scratching his head in anxiety.Outside the door.On the wooden floor of the corridor, the sound of leisurely high heels suddenly approached.*Clack... clack... clack...*The footsteps were light and rhythmic, as if stepping on one's heartstrings.Finally, the footsteps stopped outside the door of the Captain's quarters.Immediately after.*Creak—*The wooden door, which was supposed to be locked, was actually pushed open silently from the outside.The cold Moonlight spilled in along the corridor, lengthening a graceful and voluptuous silhouette.The cool night wind dispersed some of the scorching mist in the room.Luffy suddenly looked up, his bloodshot eyes clearly seeing the person who had arrived....Stopped🔊