Chapter 173 - 31

Chapter 31Luffy muttered, as if trying to convince himself, or perhaps giving a reluctant answer, his face wearing an expression caught between awkwardness and bravado.He never expected that the superficial knowledge he was forced to cram—studying medical books, drawing human anatomy diagrams—just a few days ago by that damnable pirate king training plan would actually come in handy so soon.Though at the time, he thought those plans were utterly ridiculous.Now, at least, the descriptions of common disease symptoms and basic treatments were exceptionally clear in his mind."A high fever causing delirium... that's not a good sign..."Without much hesitation, Luffy directly removed Uta's clothes.The very first sentence in the medical book stated that in a doctor's eyes, there is no distinction between male and female.Luffy wasn't a doctor, but that didn't mean he couldn't use those words to comfort himself a little.Chapter 3: NikaWhew...Finally over. That was pure torture.How can being a doctor be more exhausting than being a chef?In comparison, Luffy felt being a craftsman might be considerably better than being an entertainer.Sweat dripping from his forehead, he glanced at Uta on the bed. She was now only wearing her underwear.After applying cold compresses and wiping her down, he had finally managed to lower Uta's body temperature. Her breathing became smoother, and her complexion looked much better."What does this mean? Don't think just because you made me save my friend, I'll be grateful to you."Luffy sat by Uta's bedside, muttering softly.Why did he say that?He glanced at the previous prompt from the pirate king training plan.According to the plan, it was time to learn knowledge from Nami. Then it detected a conflict with the upcoming event. Based on prioritizing important events, it decided to allocate time... to try and reach the next target as soon as possible.That target was Uta, who was still in a dangerous situation. Thankfully, he had come over.But what was the deeper meaning?Luffy absolutely refused to believe that this ghostly thing was being so kind.Earlier at the door, he had taken the ice and medicine chest from Gordon. To keep Nami and the others from worrying, Luffy had asked Gordon to pass on a message.Given Uta's condition, it was better for him, the temporary doctor, to stay by her side.[Prompt: Sensing an opportunity to awaken (Nika)'s consciousness. Entering special reward time, Stage 1. Please raise song proficiency to Lv1 beside the uta uta no mi user, Uta.]"Huh?!"Luffy's eyes widened. He knew things weren't that simple, but he never imagined they could get this complicated.What's the point of learning to sing and study music? Leave that to the musician on the ship in the future. Just sing along happily, no skill needed at all.Am I, the future Pirate King, supposed to become a professional musician and lead singer too?Then what's the point of having a musician?You're being unreasonable.Back when he first set out to sea, the first thing he wanted was a musician. After being starved into submission, he wanted a chef. Wanting something and wanting to *become* it are two completely different concepts!And what the heck is this 'Nika' thing anyway?But Luffy saw the words'special reward time'. Rewards should be good things.[Warning: Please strictly adhere to the plan...]In that dazed moment, Luffy looked down, and his expression instantly fell.No, no, no, the time hasn't come yet. It's because of what he did for Uta earlier...Luffy stood up, feeling a bit on the verge of a minor breakdown. Too many dazzling white images had flooded his mind recently, opening a door to a New World for him. Things definitely weren't like this before.But, after so many years apart, Uta really had changed a lot. The biggest change was probably her figure. Though some areas weren't as full as Nami's, they looked like they could be covered with one hand, not like Nami's which seemed to overflow...Wait, what am I thinking?Grandpa wasn't wrong. Women truly are like wolves, tigers, and leopards.He hurriedly went to find a book. Yet again, he was faced with something completely unfamiliar, having to systematically study it with no one to teach him, forced to plow through books on his own.Fortunately, he'd been through this before. Having experience made things go much faster....Uta was dreaming.The first nine years of her life were happy. Everyone in the Red Hair Pirates was her family. Her dream was to travel the whole world and, through her voice, build a new era of peace and happiness.Since the Red Hair Pirates were more like an adventure crew, constantly exploring, Uta also met the first friend in her life... and her last friend.Afterwards, she was abandoned by the Red Hair Pirates. Isolated from the world in Elegia, with only her teacher by her side, she was quite gloomy for a long time. It wasn't until her new song became a huge hit that she seemed to regain something.This return to the East Blue was in response to invitations from her fans.Her eyes fluttered open, groggy. She felt terrible yet comfortable. She must be in her own bed; the feeling was familiar."You're awake?" Luffy noticed the movement and turned to look at the somewhat disoriented Uta."Is there anywhere you still feel unwell?""N-no." Uta pushed the covers aside, feeling dizzy. A chill ran through her body. Peeking through half-opened eyes, she saw Luffy leaning closer. That familiar face made her mumble,"I'm cold."Uta's world was small.Back in the Red Hair Pirates, she was the only child.In Elegia, there was only her teacher, Gordon.She had no peers around her, no friends. It was lonely.When was the happiest time of her life? Back in that small village in the East Blue, when Shanksand the others were still there, and when Luffywas there too...When people are sick, they want to rely on someone, especially in front of someone they don't guard their heart against. Uta didn't realize her voice right now was almost like an ordinary girl's behave in a spoiled manner (coquettish whining)."Of course you're cold. Hurry up and cover yourself with the blanket." Luffy's mind was currently a complete mess. Reading those books on singing techniques and vocal skills was like deciphering ancient scriptures."Hmm?" Uta didn't seem to understand. Her body had already leaned over, pressing against Luffy. It felt like hugging a warm stove, and she clung even tighter, refusing to let go.Her cheek rubbed against Luffy's chest like a little kitten."So comfortable..." Uta murmured, her eyes half-closed, her dazed appearance quite adorable.Has your brain been fried by the fever?Luffy really wanted to say that, but seeing Utarubbing her face all over him and making unintelligible cooing sounds, he swallowed the words.Uta clung to him like some kind of sticky cotton candy, impossible to shake off.[Warning...]The thoughtful expression that had just appeared on Luffy's face instantly turned into one of utter defeat. He hurriedly grabbed that music score book to look at.Even the dirtiest curses only flashed through his mind.The scene resembled a helpless owner who had to work even while their affectionate kitten was in heat."Luffy?!"She didn't know how much time had passed, but Uta finally regained full consciousness. She stared blankly at Luffy, then looked at her own hands, which were somehow wrapped around his neck.Such an intimate pose!"You... I..." Uta hastily pulled back, grabbing the nearby blanket to wrap around herself. "What happened?!"Her memory was still stuck at the moment she had just seen Luffy.Feeling terribly exposed, Uta also noticed her various belongings scattered nearby.Her favorite headphones, her feathered wings, and the black bowtie and white short skirt she had worn today...Anyone who didn't know better would think some fierce (intense) battle had taken place."You should be thanking me properly. Otherwise, your brain might have gotten fried."Luffy reached out, brushed aside Uta's bangs, and pressed his forehead against hers to check. "Not bad. At least the fever's down.""Y-you did all this?"Having roughly figured out what happened, Utafelt relieved internally, but her face flushed with embarrassment as she stared at him. "Y-you... you're a pervert!""Hey, I saved you.""Then why did you take off all my clothes?!" Utashouted.The girl (young girl)'s voice was full of coquettish(a coquettish tone).Chapter 37: Whose Childhood Friend Is This Again?"In a doctor's eyes, there's no distinction between male and female. Don't you know that?" Luffy said this with a slight lack of Confidence (confidence).That's what they say, but he wasn't a professional doctor!"A doctor... you?" Uta looked at Luffy with deep suspicion."What, are you embarrassed? It's not like you haven't seen me before. When we were kids, you'd squeeze into my futon and drag me to the hot springs."Who's embarrassed?!Uta was momentarily speechless.Besides, how could childhood compare to now?Just looking down, she could tell things had grown a size larger.Luffy was about to speak when the warning sound came one after another."I'm busy. You rest first."Busy with what?Uta craned her neck to look. Seeing the book Luffywas flipping through, her expression instantly turned strange."Luffy, can an idiot like you even understand this stuff?" Uta asked, full of doubt."What's with that Preconceived notions (fixed impression)? We haven't seen each other for so many years. How could I still be an idiot?" Luffypuffed out his chest, quite confidence (confident). How did this feel? Not bad at all.In the past, when she said things like that, he couldn't even retort."...I don't believe it."Uta gave a light humph.She really couldn't picture it. Back in their childhood, she had been victorious over Luffy in every aspect. And now he claimed he was the one who cured her illness?And he was studying books on his own while she rested? Music theory books? Can you even understand what you're looking at?Uta was more inclined to believe Luffy was deliberately trying to get her attention.Just like how little boys always mess around with Messy (random) things to show off to little girls to get their attention. Thinking of it that way perfectly matched Luffy's personality.The corner of her mouth lifted slightly. For some reason, she felt a secret delight inside.So Luffy has reached that age too."What are you thinking about? Your fever's down. During the body temperature drop period(defervescence period), you need to dress properly and take your medicine."Luffy stretched his arm and handed the water and medicine to Uta. "By the way, Uta, are you a Devil Fruit User too?""How did you know?"Uta was taken aback. She accepted the water and drank it. She had eaten the Devil Fruit after parting ways with Luffy. Seeming to remember something, she frowned and asked, "Did Shanks tell you?""No. Shanks only left me this hat."Luffy noticed Uta's gaze lingering on his hat. He took it off, stretched his arm, and placed it on her head. "When Shanks and the others came back, they said you left the ship to pursue your dream. We promised to go together, you Untrustworthy guy (unreliable person)."