They fought for a hundred years over that kind of reason?
A giant's thought process was truly unique.
Zoro was more concerned with the move Luffy used earlier. "Hey, Luffy, was that last move something you learned from the giants?"
"Hakkoku? Yeah," Luffy said. "What do you think? Pretty cool, right? That move's power can be increased even more."
He had only compressed once and hadn't even wrapped it in Busoshoku Haki. Zoro tightened his grip on his sword, fighting spirit burning in his eyes. "Seems I can't slack off either." The gap seemed to have widened a bit more, which filled him with motivation to train.
At that moment, Dorry and Brogy started arguing again, this time over who should host Luffy and the others, their saviors.
"Of course they should come to my camp! I have the best dinosaur meat there!" Dorry shouted.
"Nonsense! My camp is closer, and I have my treasured liquor!" Brogy retorted.
Just as the two were about to start another argument, Nami quickly suggested, "How about you settle it with rock-paper-scissors?"
If they really started arguing, they could fight for a hundred years over a single question.
The two giants paused, then thought it was a good idea. They extended their huge fists.
"Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!"
In the end, Dorry won. He laughed heartily. "Why do you always like to play rock?"
"Damn it! You and your little tricks!" Brogy grumbled, looking a bit dejected.
Then, Nami pulled out the Log Pose, a worried look on her face. "Luffy, I have some bad news. This island's magnetic field is storing very slowly. According to my calculations, it might take a year to fill up."
"A year?"
Luffy said, "That long?"
Luffy wasn't the type to sit still. He hadn't even been sailing for six months, and now he had to stay here for a year?
"No, no, absolutely not! A year is way too long. My adventure has only just begun!"
"In that case, would you like to reconsider my suggestion?" Robin walked over gracefully, resting a hand on her chin, a mysterious smile on her face. "Since you're in such a hurry, Mr. Luffy, how about using my Log Pose? Its magnetic field is already stored and points directly to the next island, Alabasta."
"Great! Nami, use Robin's Log Pose!" Luffy said immediately.
"Hey! This woman is still an enemy! Don't let her fool you!" Nami protested.
"It's fine," Luffy said. "Robin told us all the enemy's weaknesses just now."
"That could be exactly how she's trying to fool you!" Nami gritted her teeth, grabbing Luffy by his shirt collar and shaking him.
"I think Robin doesn't have bad intentions," Merry raised her small hand, stating her opinion.
"Well... alright then."
"Hey! Why does it work when Merry says it?"
"Are you as cute as Merry? Hmph!" That's what she said, but Nami still kept a vigilant eye on Robin. She wouldn't let her guard down around this woman. Not in any aspect.
Another feast was about to begin.
Luffy had Zoro bring out all the alcohol from the ship, as thanks to Dorry and Brogy for showing them a duel worthy of a warrior's honor.
Zoro looked pained, as he was the main drinker on the ship, and the alcohol was essentially all his. But he still contributed it all.
Barrels of alcohol were brought out.
Freshly roasted dinosaur meat was placed on the grill, slathered with rich sauce.
Soul juice, pour it on~
"Just eat, who could possibly out-eat you?" Nami couldn't help pinching Luffy's belly.
"Being able to eat is a blessing. Of course, I'll eat as much as I can."
Luffy ignored Nami's little hand.
Right now, wrestling with his divided attention was challenging enough.
Having to develop his Devil Fruit abilities while eating and feasting—do you know how difficult that is?
Even if Nami's hand were somewhere else, he probably wouldn't react.
"Honestly, Merry, don't learn his bad habits." Nami looked at Merry beside her.
Merry looked up, her mouth greasy, which wasn't very convincing.
"Nami, you eat too."
Luffy casually took a sausage and stuffed it into Nami's mouth.
Nami: "???"
She was both exasperated and amused. I think you're really hungry, but I... Nami noticed Robin watching from not far away. A hint of pride flashed in her eyes. She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and slowly, deliberately took bite after bite.
What are you looking at?
Want some?
Just as Luffy was still feeding Nami and Merry was letting out soft, happy murmurs, Sanji walked over.
Sanji, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, held out a Den Den Mushi that was going Buru Buru Buru. "Hey, Luffy, found something interesting. Dug it out of that candle bastard's wreckage. It's been ringing non-stop. Could it be their accomplice?"
"A Den Den Mushi?"
Nami's attention was also drawn. She smoothed her hair, the blush not completely gone from her face. "Be careful. It might be a Baroque Works contact."
Nearby, Robin's eyes flickered, as if she wanted to say something, but it was too late.
A Den Den Mushi? Who would be calling now? Luffy's curiosity was always one step ahead. After a moment's thought, he directly took the Den Den Mushi from Sanji's hand and pressed the answer button.
Buru Buru Buru Buru... Click.
The Den Den Mushi's appearance instantly changed, morphing into a figure wearing a leather hat, a cigar in the corner of its mouth, with a brooding expression. Even the scar under its left eye was vividly replicated.
A low, somewhat impatient male voice came through. "Mr. 3, report. Have you dealt with the targets on Little Garden? Why haven't you made contact for so long?"
"Oh, you mean that candle guy with a '3' on his head? I already knocked him flying."
There was a brief silence on the other end, as if caught off guard by the blunt reply.
Then, the voice became even colder, carrying a hint of scrutiny. "Who is this?"
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy. Who are you?"
Luffy gave his name as always and returned the question.
"Sir Crocodile," Robin explained quietly.
Hearing it was Crocodile on the other end, Vivi couldn't suppress her anger. She rushed up to the Den Den Mushi.
"Crocodile! Why are you plotting to overthrow my country? Why are you dragging Alabasta into war?!"
"Nefertari Vivi?"
Crocodile's voice on the other end held a trace of clear surprise. "And Miss All Sunday? Why are you together?"
Robin, whose name was mentioned, stepped forward lightly, a smile on her face. She addressed the Den Den Mushi calmly. "How unfortunate, Mr. Crocodile. As you can see, I am currently a prisoner of this Straw Hat Luffy, for the time being."
Her tone was light, but there wasn't the slightest bit of self-awareness of being a prisoner.
The atmosphere on this pirate crew was much better than she had imagined, and it was also just her nature.
***
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