The night on the Going Merry gradually settled into quiet after the feast.
When you get absorbed in something, it's easy to forget everything else.
Luffy didn't have any particular bad habits. If a noticeable bulge kept appearing in his pants, people would think he was a pervert.
Especially after learning some medical knowledge, he understood it was bad for his health. Too much of it might even prevent him from becoming a real man in the future.
Becoming the Pirate King is the romance of being a man!
If he wasn't even a man anymore, would he have to compete for the title of "Pirate Empress"?
And so, he lost track of time.
Luffy's proficiency in a certain area was indeed rising rapidly. With no women on his mind, learning came naturally.
Nami, whose emotions were a tangled mess, just sat beside him, the book in her hands even upside down. Not that she needed it; she could recite the navigational knowledge Luffy needed with her eyes closed.
Nami pouted.
Well, a focused man was indeed more attractive in some ways. Remembering how Luffy had pulled her in right in front of Uta earlier, Nami couldn't help but feel a secret thrill.
Love singing?
Then sing all you want.
But Nami was still a bit angry.
Uta's sudden appearance had clearly put her on edge.
On the ship, the rumors about Nami and Luffy's relationship had gotten a bit out of hand... It was almost as if Nojiko had said something to them before they left Cocoyasi Village.
Under these circumstances, for Uta, a childhood friend, to suddenly appear, sing a duet with Luffy at the feast, and then add in her earlier provocation... it was a complete, multi-dimensional attack on Nami.
Don't I have any pride?
And the eye of the storm, Luffy himself, had his head buried solely in his books.
But could someone with Luffy's personality even begin to understand the complex dynamics here?
Thinking this, Nami couldn't help but sigh.
...
After the feast ended, the Going Merry returned to its usual tranquility.
Uta chatted with Zoro and the others for a while about Luffy before heading back to the girls' quarters.
Without Luffy, Uta obviously couldn't get back to her own ship.
Agreeing to stay was a bit of a reluctant choice, but Uta had her own considerations.
The girls' quarters.
It was clear that the person living here was a very organized girl. Charts were visible everywhere in the room. She really was a skilled navigator.
Lying on the bed, a pleasant citrus scent wafted to her nose.
"What is Luffy doing right now?"
"When did that idiot become so hardworking? Learning swordsmanship, navigation... and from what they said, sleeping only half an hour a day? If that's true, then what happened tonight wasn't just a spur-of-the-moment thing..."
"No, wait, who sleeps only half an hour a day?!"
Uta sat bolt upright in bed.
The young girl's thoughts were all over the place; sleep was utterly impossible.
Who knew what they were doing this late at night?
The Going Merry was indeed a bit small compared to Uta's ship, but though small, it had all the essentials. Besides the boys' and girls' rooms, the restaurant area was also spacious.
That's where Luffy and Nami were.
Before returning to her room, Uta had 'casually' glanced into the restaurant. Luffy really did seem to be writing furiously, completely focused.
Just like when he'd asked Gordon to teach him earlier.
Uta believed in Luffy, but she absolutely did not trust that busty woman.
Who knew what evil intentions she might harbor?
So, she unconsciously pushed the door open and headed towards the brightly lit area.
Feeling like she was doing something sneaky, Uta's heart raced.
If they came out and ran into her now, what should she say?
Having trouble sleeping in a strange bed was perfectly reasonable, right?
Uta's world was very small. She once thought music was her entire world, because this sea was so vast. No matter how close you were to someone, once you parted, you might never meet again.
But she had met Luffy again.
In that moment of crisis, waking up to see his face first thing. Different from childhood, yet somehow exactly the same. Then he invited her to sing with him on his ship. Even though it ended up being a misunderstanding that made her blush and her heart race...
But why did she blush? Why did her heart race?
It felt like her small world had suddenly become very full.
Thinking of this, she felt an even more urgent desire to see him.
At the doorway, she peeked inside.
Uta's heart skipped a beat.
Nami.
That truly "wicked" navigator was up to no good, just as expected!
The orange-haired girl was looking around furtively.
The clock in the corner just struck midnight. Luffy said, "Thanks for your hard work, Nami," and promptly fell asleep.
His sleeping speed was as fast as ever.
Nami felt both amused and exasperated. She stood up, intending to go back to her room, then remembered Uta was already there.
That was her territory.
Thinking this, Nami glared fiercely at the sleeping Luffy, then... found her gaze lingering.
She didn't know why, but her mouth felt dry. Blame Luffy for not even giving her time to drink water!
So, having a drink of water isn't too much to ask, is it?!
Nami brushed a strand of hair from her forehead behind her ear, then slowly leaned down.
As if sensing something, she suddenly felt a gaze on her mid-motion and looked up.
Snap.
"Quite impressive for a Devil Fruit user. You're fast," Nami said through gritted teeth, keeping her voice low.
"Likewise. You weren't planning on taking your time, were you?" Uta forced a fake smile, her hands clasping Nami's, fingers interlocked. An outsider might think they were close.
In reality, both were exerting force, trying to overpower the other.
But their strength was evenly matched.
One was a member of the "Cowardly Trio."
The other, without using her Devil Fruit powers, was physically weaker.
So, after a prolonged struggle, they both left panting, staring at each other with resentment.
Finally, Uta spoke first. "Do you like Luffy?"
Nami choked.
She hadn't expected Uta to be so direct. She thought Uta would start with some other topic, circle around, but instead, the other girl had drawn her sword and stabbed straight at Nami's heart.
'Do I not like him?'
What was she just doing then? That wasn't exactly innocent...
To outright say 'I like him' felt too embarrassing.
If it were just as nakama, the customs on the sea were quite open. Being bold and casual among crewmates was fine.
But as someone you like... that was a different relationship, a different concept entirely.
However, with the enemy at the gates, how could she surrender without a fight?!
If you want a direct confrontation, then bring it on!
You're just his childhood friend, that's all.
So, Nami lifted her chin, entering combat mode. "Yeah, I do. Got a problem with that?"
Uta was silent for a moment, then said, "Let's make a deal."
A deal?
Nami's brain short-circuited for a second. "What kind of deal?"
***
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