Chapter 19 Settling in Kaya's HouseBreakfast ended in a subtly tense atmosphere.
Kaya ate the bread Nami had given her, her cheeks still flushed, but her eyes were much more determined than before.
Kaya put down her cup, glanced at Luffy sitting at the head of the table, then at Nami, who seemed focused on her food but was actually listening intently, and mustered her courage to speak:
"Luffy, Nojiko-neechan, Nami-neechan, what...what are your plans for the future?"
Nami licked the jam off her fingers and spoke first: "Of course, we'll continue sailing! What's the point of staying in this little village?"
Nami glanced at the luxurious but empty villa and added, "Although it's quite comfortable to live here."
Nojiko didn't speak, only looked at Luffy.
Luffy swallowed the last bite of food before speaking, "We need to rest for a while."
Luffy looked at Kaya: "Your physical foundation is too weak; you need systematic training. Nami's navigation skills and physical abilities need strengthening, as does Nojiko's swordsmanship and herbal knowledge.
Going directly into the Grand Line in your current state would be a burden."
The word "burden" was stated bluntly, eliciting different expressions from the three girls.
Nami muttered somewhat resentfully, Nojiko nodded thoughtfully, while Kaya bit her lip, a hint of self-reproach and determination flashing in her eyes.
Luffy's gaze swept over the three: "So before we set off, you need to become stronger."
Because if Nami and the others improved their strength, he himself would also improve!
Kaya's eyes lit up, suddenly remembering something: "Then during training, you can stay here! This villa is large, more comfortable than a hotel, and... safer too."
After saying this, Kaya looked at Luffy with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.
Luffy answered almost without hesitation, "Then we'll stay here."
Nami immediately cheered, "Great! That saves us a lot on accommodation!"
His greedy nature was on full display.
Nojiko smiled and said to Kaya, "Then I'll trouble you, Kaya."
Kaya quickly shook her head, a happy blush rising on her face. "No trouble at all! It's usually just me and the maids here, very quiet. I'm so happy you can stay here."
Kaya was genuinely happy; this big house was finally going to have some lively life.
They moved in without hesitation.
Actually, the three of them didn't have much luggage, just some simple clothes and Nami's charts and tools.
Kaya enthusiastically arranged the rooms herself:
She gave Luffy the largest suite next to the master bedroom, originally used as a guest room, with windows facing the sea;
Nami chose a secondary bedroom with a spacious balcony overlooking the garden and the distant sea view;
Nojiko chose the room closest to Kaya's, so she could easily look after her.
Kaya herself stayed in her original master bedroom.
After settling in, Luffy gathered the three of them on the spacious lawn behind the villa.
The view here is expansive, and it's far from the main house, making it suitable for training.
"Training begins today."
Luffy's words were concise.
"Morning: Basic physical conditioning: running and basic strength training."
"In the morning, Nami will solidify her navigation and weather knowledge, and try her hand at meditative perception."
"In the afternoon, Nojiko will practice basic swordsmanship and learn about drug combinations and toxicity identification."
"In the evening, Kaya will study medical theory and undergo rehabilitation physical training."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the three girls with serious expressions. "Free time in the evening."
Nami wilted at the mention of strength training, muttering, "Do we really have to run? I'm a navigator…"
Luffy glanced at her. "If we encounter danger, the enemy won't let you go just because you're a navigator. If you can't run, I'll personally carry you."
The thought of being dragged along the beach by the back of the collar by Luffy sent a shiver down Nami's spine, and she immediately shut up.
Nojiko, on the other hand, had no objections, nodding. "I understand."
Kaya clenched her small fists, a determined blush rising on her pale face. "I'll do my best! Luffy."
The first day of training was brutal.
At dawn, just as day was breaking, Luffy woke the three of them and dragged them to the open space behind the villa to start running in circles.
Nami started panting after running a few hundred meters, complaining of exhaustion and trying to get out of it. Luffy, without a second thought, grabbed her by the back of her collar and made her run with him, calling it "weight training." Nami yelled in frustration, but there was nothing she could do.
Nojiko, with the best physical condition, gritted her teeth and persevered, but even she was drenched in sweat after a few laps.
Kaya struggled the most. Long-term illness had weakened her, and she turned pale after only a short distance. But she stubbornly persisted, supporting herself on her knees as she slowly walked, refusing to stop and rest.
Luffy didn't rush her, only appearing to help her up when she was about to collapse, then gesturing for her to continue.
In the morning, Luffy asked Nami to stare at a sea chart.
No, to feel the breath of the ocean, trying to capture the elusive Observation Haki.
Nami was initially completely clueless until Luffy simply said, "Remember how you felt when you sensed the emotions of those people in Arlong Park."
Nami seemed to understand something and gradually calmed down.
Luffy, meanwhile, was organizing the fragments of medical knowledge he had just acquired.
That afternoon, Nojiko found a well-maintained old katana in the villa's storage room. Under Luffy's guidance, she practiced the most basic slashing, cutting, thrusting, and parrying techniques.
Luffy's teaching method was simple and direct: he personally demonstrated the moves.
He easily deflected Nojiko's sword with a twig, pointing out every mistake in her technique and demanding she practice repeatedly until it became muscle memory.
Nojiko's arm ached and her hand was cracked, but she remained silent, her eyes growing brighter.
In the evening, it was Kaya's turn.
Luffy instilled in her some basic medical theories from his previous life, such as blood circulation, cell genetics, and the principles behind special diseases.
Kaya listened attentively, asking questions whenever she didn't understand, demonstrating an amazing memory and comprehension ability.
After the theory lesson came gentle rehabilitation training, mainly stretching exercises and simple breathing techniques, assisted and guided by Nojiko.
By the end of the day, the three girls were exhausted, practically falling apart, too weak even to speak at dinner.
But strangely, besides fatigue, there was something different in their eyes.
Nami was intrigued by the novelty of her vague Observation Haki, Nojiko by the fulfillment of mastering a new technique, and Kaya by the joy of sensing subtle changes in her body.
Luffy watched them wolf down the food Nojiko had prepared, without saying a word.
Night fell, and the villa fell silent.
Luffy took a shower in the master bedroom bathroom, emerging in a simple tank top and trousers, drying his hair with a towel.
Just as he reached the bedside, the door was gently pushed open.
Nami peeked in, her silk nightgown shimmering.
She closed the door behind her, leaning against it, water still dripping from her orange hair, her eyes unfocused yet stubborn.
Luffy stopped drying his hair and looked at her.
"I...I just came to see if you were asleep," Nami said softly, her fingers unconsciously twirling the ends of her hair.
Luffy put down the towel without speaking, simply extending his hand to her.
Nami bit her lip, took a step forward, and was pulled into Luffy's arms.
The cool steam and her sweet fragrance mingled instantly.
"Next time, just come in," Luffy's deep voice sounded above her head.
Nami buried her burning face in his shoulder and let out a barely audible hum.
...