Chapter 181 - 39

Chapter 39After some tugging and pulling, it turned into one bite for you and one bite for me.Nami and Uta had even developed a "lip friendship."Only after that did Nami realize she had been tricked; Uta had an ulterior motive all along.Taking advantage of their "lip friendship," Utaasked Nami, as the Navigator of this ship, which route they would choose after entering the Grand Line.In the pirate world, Reverse Mountain is the starting point of the Grand Line. Seven magnetic paths extend from Reverse Mountain. At the beginning, you can choose any one of them, but regardless of which island the magnetic force starts from, once chosen, it cannot be changed. You must follow the route from island to island, and eventually, all seven routes converge at the Sabaody Archipelago.There was definitely a reason for Uta to ask this.Nami was also certain that she wouldn't be boarding the ship, because Uta had mentioned during the banquet that she came to the East Blueto handle some business, but after finishing that business... she would surely catch up.If they chose different routes, they would only be able to meet at the Sabaody Archipelago.Once she figured this out, Nami realized it belatedly and cursed her for being cunning.Immediately after, Uta brought out her ultimate weapon against Nami.Ten million Berries!Consequently, Nami chose to compromise. They were already close to Reverse Mountain, and as the Navigator, she had naturally already studied the routes.Gradually, the sun had fully risen."Clatter."The wooden sword landed on Luffy's head. Zorolooked stern. "Block, block! Don't be stingy with using your sword. Are you planning to hide your sword in your crotch?""Hiss."Another sword strike followed."Thrust your sword at me! Thrust your sword at me!"Even if Zoro was hitting him with the back of the blade, it still hurt, alright?It was practically retaliatory training.Luffy winced in pain. Just then, Sanji arrived, and his eyes immediately lit up. "Is it time?""It's time. Come on."Sanji had no interest in sword training, but when it came to learning Haki, because of Zoro, he seemed extra motivated.Luffy would wake up at 12:30 and do physical training until 6:00 AM. After breakfast, until 9:00 AM, Zoro would get up to train him with the sword. And now, after Sanji finished tidying up the kitchen, Teacher Luffy would begin the lesson."No rush, no rush. Let Zoro go first."Luffy's fists cracked and popped, Haki coating them. His jet-black fist already smashed into Zoro's stomach. "Rubber Bullet!""Hey, you guy, this is intentional retaliation, isn't it!"Zoro's bile was almost knocked out of him. Luffygrinned and said:"Training, this is training! A moment ago you could call me Luffy, but now you should address me as Teacher!""Hey, Luffy, don't use all your punches on Zoro; I want some too."Sanji's inexplicable competitive desire against Zoroflared up again.It wasn't until around noon that Nami's voice rang out:"Everyone, there's an island ahead. We've reached Loguetown!"Chapter 47: Look Into My EyesLuffy was no longer as resistant to the idea of studying as he used to be.The main reason was the visible gains. Take Zoroand Sanji, for instance; they felt that Luffy's punches were getting more painful by the day.That is progress!The best way to deal with having been rained on is to tear up the umbrella and let your companions get rained on too.How great it is for everyone to improve together.Before, Luffy truly wouldn't have had such a thought.That's why they say learning is a good thing. Luffycould already wave goodbye to the idiot he used to be. Once a person learns to think, the state of having nothing in their brain changes, and a large amount of thoughts get stuffed in there.So, Luffy was now thinking about why the terms "Nika" and "Klabautermann" that appeared during the so-called special reward time had shown no trace until now.It was as if he had been given a bounced check, and when Luffy went to cash it, he couldn't even find the bank teller.As for Nika, there was still some clue.On the other hand, for Klabautermann, the literal meaning should be the spirit appearing on the going merry, right? So, during his daily morning exercise, Luffy even ran a lap around the going merry to look for this so-called Klabautermann.Several times, Luffy felt like someone was staring at him from behind, but when he turned around, he saw no one.He accidentally bumped right into Nami, who had just woken up.Just as Luffy was staring at Nami, she suddenly covered her mouth and ran away in an emotional state.How truly strange.Loguetown.This is the place where pirates gather before heading to the Grand Line.Everyone was quite looking forward to this place; this was the so-called starting point of dreams.Luffy and his crew landed here, and everyone had their own places they wanted to go.Zoro wanted to go buy two good swords. Luffycuriously asked him if he had any money on him? That one sentence made cold sweat break out on Zoro.Right, he seemed to have forgotten the most important thing."Zoro, come with me. If you're responsible for protecting my safety, I'll give you money," Usoppsaid, acting wealthy."If you waste my money, your life is over."Nami put on a smiling expression. "I expect to see the finished product, you know.""Hey, you didn't take out a usurious loan from Nami, did you?" Zoro tugged at Usopp and asked."Don't, don't worry! My life won't be over!" Usopp's legs were shaking a little.Sanji lit a cigarette. "It looks like there should be some good ingredients around here... and beautiful women!""As for me, I'm going to go see the Pirate King's execution platform!"[Warning, punishment countdown...]As soon as the words left his mouth, Luffy couldn't help but shiver.Although they say time is like water in a sponge—you can always squeeze some out—sometimes Luffy had no way to force things against the plan.He had forced it a few times, and except for one time that might be called successful, the rest of the time he almost exploded.Therefore, while he said he was going to the execution platform, he was still holding a book in his hand.It was one that Usopp had been reading recently.[On the Distant and Near Tactics of Snipers]Luffy didn't have much interest in being a sniper, but he had no choice! Either read the navigation log Nami gave him, or read the one Usopp chose. He had read enough recently and was getting tired of it, so changing flavors wasn't bad either.The result was...[Mental power severely overdrawn. Your willpower has increased. Observation Hakiproficiency +1.]Luffy looked like he had been drained of his essence by a succubus.Torture, it was actually an even greater torture.Luffy took a look; his Observation Haki proficiency had directly increased by 25 points.[Lv0 — Proficiency 95/100]There was hope, sure, but this was something Luffy had traded his life for.But he wouldn't give up!Just as he was about to leave.Nami grabbed Luffy's arm. "Luffy, did you forget an important thing?""Hmm? What thing?""What you promised me earlier: to accompany me shopping.""Ah, when?"He didn't know why, but Luffy was becoming increasingly aware of that fresh scent on Nami.Whenever she got close, there would be a pleasant smell, though he didn't know where it came from.Nami tapped Luffy on the head."Besides, you don't even know where that place is, and you're still holding a book."Nami leaned in front of Luffy, their faces only half a fist's distance apart:"Although you're not a hopeless direction-blind idiot like Zoro, your level of stupidity isn't much different. Who knows, you might cause some trouble somewhere in a moment."It had to be said that Nami understood Luffy quite well in this regard.After agreeing on a meeting place with Zoro and the others, Usopp followed the direction-blind Zoro, while Nami took Luffy.Loguetown was a very lively place; vendors coming and going could be seen everywhere.In some corners, there were even pirates selling items from the Grand Line.Luffy kept his eyes straight ahead, focused solely on his book.He had originally thought he could multitask, but facts proved he had overestimated himself a bit.You have to know that the moment he got distracted, a warning would come. At such times, how could he have time to look at the road? Not falling down was definitely because Luffy's body's core strength was strong enough.With great difficulty, he squeezed out a little time to look up, and then he bumped straight into Nami.A pleasant fragrance wafted over.Luffy was stunned, then slowly looked up."What on earth is wrong with you... have you gone crazy from reading?"Nami changed the subject, reaching out to tug at his cheek."I have a disease where I'll die if I don't read."Luffy looked at Nami with a helpless expression."...Forget it, I'll let you off easy."With Luffy like this, he couldn't even walk properly, so Nami reached out and linked her arm with his, the little cat burglar's eyes narrowing in triumph."So heavy."Luffy said subconsciously."Hey, do you know how many girls and guys would envy this?"Nami hugged his arm indignantly and said, "Can't you, you Rubber idiot, have any other thoughts in that brain of yours?""Uh..."The time Luffy had squeezed out had passed, and everything in his brain was once again occupied by messy theories."No, reading medical books and navigation logs is one thing, but how can you even find this kind of book interesting?"Nami didn't even know how to roast him for a moment."Look into my eyes and tell me, am I less attractive than these things?""There's no way to compare," Luffy said honestly."How can you say that so naturally?"Nami was furious.As the two were tugging and pulling over there, they didn't notice a giant, sneaky lion, Richie, and the beast tamer, Mohji, following behind them."Go tell Captain Buggy, the target has been found!"