Chapter 179 - 37

Chapter 37When a person is down on their luck, even eating can make them choke.It was precisely because of that uneasy feeling that Nami couldn't eat her dinner, leading her to go up to the deck for some air, only to see the two of them on the mast."Are you two acting out some kind of scene?"Nami interrupted immediately, only realizing afterward why she had been so nervous.Until she saw Uta's expression, which looked as calm as if she were sitting securely on a fishing platform, Nami gave her past self a thumbs up. It was right to interrupt! Don't let them make any real progress.As long as she interrupted this time, wouldn't it be her home turf from now on? How could a big star like Uta come aboard to be a pirate? Besides, she seemed to have some connection with the World Government.It was precisely Uta's sudden arrival that made Nami sense a crisis.Being a girl herself, even with a critical eye, Namihad to admit that Uta was extremely beautiful.Whether it was her features, as delicate as a doll's, or the temperament honed on stage.By comparison, other than being truly confident and proud of her development in a certain area, Nami didn't seem to have any other particularly outstanding advantages?The most critical thing was the four words "childhood friend," which felt like a huge chasm.But!"Just because I met Luffy a little later, does that mean I'm certain to lose?""What a joke.""Even if you were first, so what? In the future, he will definitely be mine!"...Uta was also enjoying the banquet.The members of the Straw Hat.Gave her an inexplicably familiar feeling.It seemed not much different from the Red Hair Pirates of her childhood memories, filled with laughter and free adventure.At least it was completely different from those vicious pirates on this sea who wantonly burned, killed, and looted.They radiated a kind of pure enthusiasm and silliness?It was just like the kind of companions that idiot Luffy would attract.Because she was Luffy's friend, Uta was warmly received, and Sanji and Usopp chirped away like sparrows about some things he wanted to know.Fighting to protect what their comrades cherished, and then extending an invitation."Become my companion."Listening to this, Uta couldn't help but let the corners of her mouth rise. She seemed to see that little Luffy, while shouting about becoming the Pirate King, clumsily realizing their shared dream of traveling the world step by step.However, there were still vicious pirates on this ship.Uta's gaze paused when it landed on Nami.She was completely outmatched in that department!Just now in the air, she was almost hanging entirely on Luffy.That close physical contact made a certain realization increasingly clear to Uta.She and Luffy were no longer the two children who used to frolic squeezed into the same wooden barrel.Luffy's body had become broad and solid, the sense of security and strength transmitted from his chest.And that incredibly sweet blood...Uta learned that Nami's existence was saved by Luffy; wasn't it inevitable that the so-called "hero saves the beauty" plot would happen? When Utawas locked up in Elegia, besides music, only books gave her a little solace during her lonely time.Nami's appearance clearly showed that she viewed her as some kind of imaginary enemy.As expected, Uta still wanted to forcefully take Luffy to her own ship; that desire to make him belong solely to her grew stronger.Thinking this, even she didn't realize it herself.A somewhat sickly smile appeared on her face....The climax of the banquet was naturally the song "New Era" sung by Uta and Luffy.Originally, she thought the preparations were inadequate; there wasn't even a musician on the ship, so where would there be a stage? She hadn't expected that Uta, like Luffy, was a Devil Fruit User.uta uta no mi.Accompanied by the singing, colorful musical note energy, like dream bubbles, appeared visibly to the naked eye.These musical notes, which had the texture of the fruit, gently leaped and flickered on the deck, mast, and ship's sides; the entire ship seemed to have been given life and vibrated gently.The power of the uta uta no mi was not just as simple as singing. Even though Uta had not developed this ability deeply, she knew that her singing voice could have a significant effect on consciousness and emotions.Moreover, it wasn't just for human consciousness and emotions.Although Uta and Luffy hadn't seen each other for many years, the tacit understanding that remained in their bodies didn't seem like they had been separated for a long time at all.[(Song) Proficiency +100!][(Song) Proficiency +100!][(Song) Level increased to lv2!][Completed joint performance with Uta, a Devil Fruit User, Phase Two mission complete!][(Nika) Consciousness awakening level: 100%!][Nika recognition level: 1%][Obtained initial favor (recognition) from Klabautermann Merry]...A white aura flashed across his body and vanished. Scenes flashed through Luffy's mind: a white figure laughing incessantly, singing and dancing with various races around a huge stone tablet."Is that guy Nika?"With a smile on his face while holding a banquet, why did it feel like a sense of déjà vu of being silly?Luffy felt this way only because he hadn't had much time to show this expression recently; the [pirate king training plan] had everything arranged clearly for him.But that kind of power really made Luffy's heart surge; the whole world turned into rubber, and the power was strong enough to throw a terrifying figure like a giant into mid-air."If I could get this power, does it mean I am one step closer to the Pirate King?"That would also mean he could escape the control of this plan faster.[Special reward time ended.][Automatically adjusting follow-up based on physical condition, daily training task check in progress. Today's time is severely substandard; please make up for it immediately.]"Can you not take even the slightest loss?"Luffy was speechless. He thought this was a hard-earned special reward time; shouldn't this be counted separately?It was just like when the price had clearly been agreed upon, but then you insisted that this was a separate price.[Please choose from the following options.][Perform physical and swordsmanship training with Zoro]Luffy looked at Zoro, who was drinking happily."If I find him now, he'll take his sword and kill me."Next, undoubtedly, were Usopp and Sanji; looking at how they were enjoying the banquet, they wouldn't be willing either.[Countdown, thirty seconds.][Warning...]It seemed only Nami and Uta were left.He had already troubled Uta earlier; she must be tired after singing all night.Then there was no choice."Uta, can you sleep in the girls' room tonight?""Eh, I guess that's okay."Nami's eyes drifted, smiling somewhat reluctantly. She was currently using the girls' room; did Luffynot ask her for permission at all? Was there still a place for her on this ship?"Nami, I'm counting on you tonight!"Luffy grabbed Nami's hand, his face full of urgency.Nami was stunned for a moment, feeling as if her pale world was gradually regaining color."W-what do you mean?""I want to study knowledge with you!"Late at night, are you really studying knowledge together and not... positions?Chapter 45: You sure move fastThe night on the going merry gradually fell into silence after the banquet.After entering a state of focus, it's easy to forget other things.Luffy had no special hobbies; if a large bulge appeared in his crotch from time to time, he would be considered a pervert.Especially after learning medical knowledge, he understood that such things were not good for the body, and if he did it too often, he might not be able to become a real man in the future.Becoming the Pirate King is a man's romance!If he wasn't even a man, was he going to compete with someone for the title of Pirate Empress?So he forgot about the time.Luffy's proficiency in a certain area was indeed skyrocketing; with no women in his heart, his learning was naturally divine.Nami, whose mood was a mess because of this, just sat next to him. The book in her hand was upside down; actually, she didn't need to read. She could recite the navigational knowledge Luffyneeded with her eyes closed.Nami pouted.That said, a serious man is indeed more attractive in some aspects. Thinking of how Luffy had pulled her in front of Uta just now, Nami couldn't help but feel a little secretly pleased."Like singing?""Then sing a little more."But Nami was still a little angry.Obviously, the suddenly appearing Uta had made her feel a bit stressed.Now on the ship, the relationship between Namiand Luffy was rumored a bit outrageously... It was as if before leaving Cocoyasi Village, Nojiko had said something to them.In this situation, the sudden appearance of Uta, a childhood friend, who also sang with Luffy at the banquet, plus Uta's previous provocation, was completely a dimensionality-reduction strike against Nami."Don't I need to save face?"As a result, Luffy, the center of the storm, was only focused on studying.But with Luffy's personality, could he figure out the complex relationships here?Thinking of this, Nami couldn't help but sigh....After the banquet came to an end, the going merryreturned to its usual calm.Uta chatted with Zoro and the others for a while about Luffy, then returned to the girls' dormitory.If Luffy wasn't there, Uta obviously had no way to go back alone.Agreeing to stay was a bit of a helpless move; Utaalso had her own considerations.Girls' dormitory.It was clear that the person living here was a very organized girl; the room was filled with clearly visible nautical charts everywhere. She was indeed an excellent Navigator.Lying on the ship, the pleasant scent of tangerines drifted to the tip of her nose."What is Luffy doing now?""Since when did this idiot become so hardworking? Studying swordsmanship, studying navigation... I heard them say he only sleeps half an hour a day? If that's the case, what happened tonight doesn't seem like a whim..."