Chapter 31: Favor
Crocus was quite enthusiastic and hospitable. He was also amazed by the girls' beauty and strength.
He invited Luffy and his crew to the lighthouse, clearly thrilled by the meeting.
The lighthouse was spacious, with all the necessary facilities — a kitchen, dining room, bath, and even a library.
It was obviously furnished personally by Crocus decades ago, as the decorations looked a little old.
Luffy was sitting on the ground, surrounded by his squad of girls, who were leisurely clad in silk gowns, bras and shorts, or short kimonos that displayed their sexy bodies to the fullest — something that women in this world didn't seem to find strange, but rather normal.
Sanju was even polite enough to bring the scared Miss Wednesday along, claiming she had "discovered her inner beauty," according to her own statement.
While eating snacks and drinking tea, Crocus was quite talkative.
"Straw Hat boy, the Grand Line is a sea completely different from the East Blue. If you have no preparation, it's hard to near impossible to sail these waters. This sea is beyond logic, and only under certain circumstances and conditions can you sail safely…"
Nami looked curious and disdainful at the same time, clearly not fully believing his claim — after all, her sailing skill was very high.
"Old man, what do you mean by 'near impossible to sail'? And why would there be conditions? Isn't it just bad weather? I can navigate in any weather… don't underestimate me."
Unfortunately, her knowledge was shallow. Luffy had never bothered to explain these things before, and even Haki was something the girls had discovered and developed on their own.
"Pfft…"
A jarring sneer slipped out as the blue-haired girl hurriedly covered her mouth, though her eyes couldn't hide their raw contempt.
It was as if she was looking at some country bumpkin — but after sneaking a glance at the lounging Luffy, she quickly changed her expression and sat obediently.
The other girls looked at Nami with interest, smirking at her irritation.
"Ugly girl, what are you laughing at?" Nami snapped.
Miss Wednesday's face turned green.
"Ug… Ugly?!"
Crocus coughed, interrupting the spat.
"I'm not belittling your sailing ability, but the Grand Line operates under a completely different navigation system…"
He hurriedly explained the seven routes, magnetic fields, the Log Pose, and the wildly ever-changing weather.
Nami's expression was priceless.
The other girls glared at her.
Yasha swallowed nervously.
"Nami, are you planning to get us killed?! What's with that shocked face? You looked so confident just now — I thought you mastered your craft, but you're as clueless as us?!"
Nami blushed in shame and weakly retorted:
"I won't. Even without this, I'm confident…"
Nojiko rolled her eyes.
"Didn't you say you'd ask about Grand Line weather back in Loguetown? You actually forgot because you were shopping…"
Nami shook her head flusteredly.
"I did not! It's just… Luffy got into trouble earlier, and I didn't have time…"
From the side, Luffy whispered:
"So now it's my fault…"
Nami deflated, sinking to the ground like jelly.
"I know, I'm wrong… I'm sorry…"
Zala tsked in helplessness, and the others forgave her reluctantly.
Miss Wednesday looked on in satisfaction — she was quite vengeful.
How dare she call me ugly? I'm in disguise, okay? I'm beautiful…
Crocus stood and left briefly, returning with a Log Pose in hand.
"This is the Log Pose I mentioned…"
It was a specialized type of compass.
Nami shot to her feet and rushed to Crocus, bombarding him with questions — what to watch out for, what to beware of, what to do if certain things happened.
She looked genuinely remorseful and eager to learn.
Since sailing was impossible for now, the girls went off to do their own things.
Kaya explored the library and happily found many advanced, rare medical and health books.
Zala and Kuina returned to the ship to spar.
Sanju brought ingredients from the ship, planning to use the lighthouse kitchen to prepare a meal of gratitude — and a banquet.
Nojiko stood by Nami, watching her focus with a warm smile on her lips.
Yasha tinkered with her rifle and metal parts, clearly working on a new version.
Only Luffy and Miss Wednesday, who looked like a nervous squirrel, remained in place.
The air turned awkward — at least for her. Luffy wasn't bothered in the slightest.
He turned toward her, giving her a deep look that both scared and mesmerized her. She flushed, turning away, heart racing with a mix of fear and excitement.
Then Luffy suddenly asked, his tone sending shivers through her body:
"So, what's a princess of your caliber doing in a place like this, playing the villain? Hit puberty and get rebellious?"
Miss Wednesday's face turned pale.
"I'm not… I'm Miss Wednesday from Baroque Works…"
Unfortunately for her, Crocus spoke up in surprise:
"Straw Hat boy, how did you know her true identity?"
Luffy chuckled.
"My Haki is special, I guess…"
Crocus seemed to recall something, nodding in sudden realization.
"As expected… you also have it."
Luffy nodded casually. Observation Haki was a broad ability — reading minds, perceiving time, brainwashing, hearing the voice of all things, reading memories, foresight…
Miss Wednesday looked at Crocus in shock.
"You actually know my identity too?!"
From the side, Luffy added mockingly:
"Aren't you Miss Wednesday from Baroque Works? I almost believed you… so you lied to me? Naughty girls need to be punished."
Her face went even paler, then flushed. Her body broke out in a cold sweat from fear — but her girlish curiosity made her wonder what "punishment" he meant.
No… this old man knew from the start?!
She felt socially dead.
Crocus chuckled at her ever-changing expressions.
He bowed his head to Luffy.
"Straw Hat boy, help me send this girl home. I'll owe you a favor."
Luffy raised an eyebrow.
"You have ties to her royal family?"
Miss Wednesday also looked surprised — she didn't seem to know the old man.
Crocus blushed slightly and waved his hands.
"Something from the past…"
Luffy felt a chill down his spine. No way… did he and Cobra…? Didn't expect you to be so open-minded, forward-thinking old man.
New Earth Needs You...
Crocus turned to the blue-haired girl.
"Vivi-chan, follow this young man from now on. As long as he's beside you, nothing will happen to you."
Vivi looked at him in shock, too stunned to reply.
Luffy muttered under his breath:
"What a scheming old man…"
Crocus chuckled happily.
"I owe you a big one!"
Luffy tsked.
"Fine. I'll take her home and deal with the problem along the way."
Crocus sighed in amazement.
"You people with this perverted Haki… nothing escapes your eyes."
Hours later, Sanju had prepared a delicious banquet.
Crocus and Vivi, tasting Sanju's cooking for the first time, ate like starving ghosts. It was too delicious.
Crocus swore that even in his old pirate crew, he had never eaten food this good — and their chef had been top-notch.
As the banquet continued, a sudden tremor shook the ground, followed by a pained roar.
"Rooooaaar!!! Dbuuf!!!"
Crocus's expression changed. He jumped to his feet and ran toward the seaside.
"Laboon!!"
Seeing his face, Vivi felt a wave of shame and guilt. It was clear Crocus had a deep bond with the island whale.
Luffy stood slowly, followed by the curious girls. He patted Vivi's lowered head and chuckled.
"Stop overthinking. Nothing happened — and even if it did, who'd dare point a finger at her highness the princess?"
Vivi blushed at his touch.
What's with this man? So smooth… well, he's surrounded by girls, so of course he's a player. Don't fall for it… but… he's so warm.
Her guilt faded, replaced by girlish flutters.
Nami tsked in disdain.
"Wasn't she just pretending to be guilty?"
Nojiko poked her cheek.
"Nami, stop being so petty."
Kaya took Luffy's right hand and dragged him along, a little jealous.
The others chuckled and followed — leaving behind a daydreaming Vivi.