GarudaTranslation
patreon
[OP Marine Officer Luffy] Chapter 406- 410
🕑 Added 2025-02-26 01:00:03 +0000 UTCChapter 406: Encouragement and Tama’s Performance
Captain Connie from headquarters looked at Yuta, the oldest child, with a warm smile. He squatted down and gently ruffled the boy's hair.
“What’s this? Can’t wait to join the Marines already?” he chuckled. “Then you’d better study hard and stay fit.
As long as you’ve got good grades and a strong body, you’ll be able to enter the Marine Academy and become an excellent sailor.”
“Yeah! I’ll do my best!”
Yuta’s head bobbed up and down like a drum, his voice ringing with determination. It was like music to Connie’s ears.
Connie gave Yuta’s shoulder an encouraging pat before turning his attention to Tama.
“It’s been a while, Tama. You’re still as adorable as ever~”
Connie didn’t rush into business right away. Instead, he reached out and affectionately ruffled Tama’s neatly combed hair, turning it into a tousled mess.
But Tama didn’t mind. She smiled sweetly and called out, “Brother Connie!” in the softest, most innocent voice.
In that instant, every Marine present—including Connie—felt an imaginary arrow pierce their hearts. Her voice was so sweet it could melt bones.
The two female Marines in the group had hearts practically bursting with affection. They could hardly resist the urge to scoop Tama up into their arms and shower her with love.
But Connie, a seasoned Marine who had risen through the elite camp and followed Luffy for years, quickly snapped out of the cuteness overload. After coughing a few times to compose himself, he got down to business.
“Tama,” he said gently, “can you show me your abilities?
If you really are a Devil Fruit user, I can recommend you for the Marine Academy in the Flower Capital.
There, you’ll have professional teachers who can help you understand your powers and teach you how to control them properly.”
Connie’s tone was soft and kind, but Tama didn’t immediately agree. Instead, she pouted slightly, her voice tinged with frustration.
“But I don’t want to be a scholar. I want to be a Marine.”
Connie couldn’t help but chuckle at her response. He gave her nose a playful little tap and explained:
“Of course, you’ll be a Marine!
Once you enter the Marine Academy, you automatically become part of the Marine. And if you learn everything well and graduate with top marks, you’ll even have a chance to become a Marine officer.
Just like me—with a coat on your back~”
As he spoke, Connie lifted the edge of his justice coat with a grin, showing it off a little.
Then, turning to the rest of the children, he added:
“You all can do it too!
As long as you study hard, under the guidance of the senior members of the G66 branch—like Principal Luffy, Chief Instructor Yamato, Navigator Nami, and Secretary Kalifa—you’ll have the chance to apply for the Marine School.
And if you excel in your physical training, you can qualify too.
Once you’re in, you’ll officially be Marine soldiers, and after three years of study, you’ll graduate as full-fledged Marines!”
Hearing this, all the children, including Tama, leapt up with excitement.
Compared to the strict age requirement of waiting until they were 16 to enlist, the Marine Academy felt like a much easier and faster path. And they’d long admired Connie’s justice coat.
Determined to earn their own coats one day, the children vowed to study hard.
Even those who struggled academically decided they would train their bodies and strive to become excellent Marine officers as soon as possible.
But while the other children needed to study and train hard, Tama’s path was a little different.
As a Devil Fruit user, she could directly enter the Marine Academy to hone her abilities—assuming, of course, that she truly possessed such powers.
If she wasn’t a genuine ability user, no matter how cute she was, she’d still have to prove herself in school to qualify for the Marine Academy.
But once Tama realized she had the chance to become a Marine officer, she stopped hiding her powers.
Just like before, she reached up, pinched her cheek, and pulled out a small, sticky rice dumpling[Mochi].
The Marines immediately began whispering among themselves, curious and intrigued by her ability. Even Connie watched intently, trying to figure out what kind of Devil Fruit power this could be.
But despite his experience, he couldn’t quite guess the function of the ordinary-looking rice dumpling Tama handed him.
One thing was certain, though—this was undoubtedly the ability of a Devil Fruit.
Connie nodded toward Grandma and confirmed:
“Tama is definitely an ability user. I’d say her powers fall under the Paramecia class.”
Hearing this, Grandma felt a wave of relief wash over her. But as the reality of Tama’s abilities set in, she couldn’t help but feel a little reluctant to let her go.
Connie studied the dumpling for a long moment, but he still couldn’t figure out its purpose. Finally, he gave up and decided to ask Tama directly.
“Tama, can you tell me what your ability does?
Or… what’s the effect of this dumpling? Can I eat it?”
Tama nodded seriously, standing as straight as a little soldier being questioned by her superior.
“It’s edible,” she said matter-of-factly. “But it won’t fill your stomach.”
Without further explanation, she reached up and pulled another dumpling from her cheek.
Her eyes scanned the orphanage courtyard, and suddenly they lit up as she spotted a target.
It was a black-and-white puppy lying lazily in the sun.
Aiming carefully, Tama swung her arm and tossed the dumpling toward the puppy. It landed right in front of its nose.
Connie and the other Marines watched the scene curiously, eager to see what would happen next.
Chapter 407: Animal Control and Connie’s Delight
The soft thud of the dumpling hitting the ground startled the sleeping puppy from its nap.
The little dog stood up and gave its body a lazy shake. It blinked sleepily, finally noticing the strange object that had disturbed its rest.
Curious, the puppy sniffed the small dumpling on the ground. Sensing no danger, it didn’t hesitate—its tiny mouth opened, and it gobbled up the dumpling in one swift bite.
Everyone watching held their breath, craning their necks to see what would happen next.
But… nothing happened.
The puppy let out a lazy yawn, stretched its body, and promptly flopped back down, resuming its nap as if nothing unusual had occurred.
(|||)???
All the Marines exchanged confused glances, question marks practically floating above their heads.
“Is that it? Nothing happened?” one of them whispered, puzzled.
Even Connie frowned, scratching his head. Just as he was about to turn to Tama for an explanation, Tama suddenly shouted:
“Dog! Come here!”
Instantly, the puppy’s ears perked up. It sprang to its feet, tail wagging, and sprinted toward Tama without hesitation.
Before it could reach her, Tama raised her hand and made a sharp, commanding gesture.
“Stop! Sit!”
The puppy skidded to a halt right in front of Tama, sat down obediently, and stuck out its tongue, panting happily.
With a sweet giggle, Tama began giving the puppy more commands. She had it perform tricks like shaking hands, rolling over, spinning in circles, and even scratching on command—complex behaviors that typically required weeks of training.
The Marines stared in stunned silence, their confusion slowly giving way to understanding.
Connie, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, finally voiced what everyone was thinking.
“Is this… animal control?”
Tama beamed proudly, stroking the puppy’s head as she looked up at Connie.
“Yup! As long as animals eat my dumplings, they become my friends.”
“Friends, huh…” Connie muttered, raising an eyebrow.
That doesn’t look like friendship to me, he thought. It’s more like complete mind control.
Too bad she can only control animals. If she could control people, we could have Tama take over one of the Four Emperors. Now, that would be interesting…
But just as that thought crossed his mind, another, far more exciting idea struck him.
Wait… If animals are affected… then Sea Kings are animals too, right?
If Tama can feed her dumplings to the Sea Kings…
The possibilities raced through Connie’s mind, and once the idea took hold, he couldn’t shake it. The thought of controlling the monstrous Sea Kings was almost too incredible to imagine.
If she can really do it… Forget the Four Emperors. Even if Pirate King Roger were resurrected, our G66 branch could take him on!
His heart pounded with excitement at the potential.
Quickly, Connie composed himself and turned back to Tama, his eyes gleaming with hope.
“Tama,” he asked, trying to keep his voice calm, “have you ever tried controlling fish or shrimp in the river with your dumplings?
Does your ability work on aquatic animals too?”
Tama tilted her head in thought for a moment before nodding seriously.
“Yup! One time, I fell asleep by the stream outside the village. When I woke up, I fed my dumplings to the fish.”
Her innocent words sent a jolt through Connie.
“It’s different from dogs, though,” she continued. “Dogs stay my friends for a whole month. But with fish, we can only be friends for three days.”
“It actually works…”
Connie was floored. If she could control regular fish, there was a high chance her ability would work on Sea Kings as well.
Even with the three-day limit, this was a game-changer.
No one had ever heard of someone controlling those ferocious, monstrous creatures. But Tama—this three-year-old girl—might be the first.
And who knows? Maybe, as Tama grew and her Devil Fruit powers evolved, she could extend the duration or even gain permanent control.
Always think positively, Connie told himself.
With this in mind, Connie could barely contain his excitement as he turned to Tama’s grandmother.
“Grandma,” he announced happily, “I’m proud to say that Tama is officially accepted into the Marine Academy!”
The moment those words left his mouth, Tama and the other children erupted in cheers. It was as if they’d won a great victory.
The Marines who had followed Connie to the orphanage smiled warmly at the joyful scene. They reached into their bags and pulled out the gifts they’d brought, distributing them to the children.
The children squealed with delight, their happiness multiplying as they received the surprise presents. They quickly grabbed the Marines’ hands, dragging them back into the orphanage to play.
Tama was immediately surrounded by several older kids, hailed as a hero.
She was about to join the Marine, and to her friends, she had already become the pride of the orphanage.
Connie didn’t follow the children inside. Instead, he turned to Grandma, offering her a reassuring smile.
“Don’t worry,” he said gently. “We’ll take good care of Tama.”
Then, stepping aside, he pulled out his Den Den Mushi and dialed his superiors. This news was too important to wait.
After a few rings, the line connected.
A cold, tired female voice came through the receiver, laced with irritation.
“This is Ain. What’s going on?”
Hearing Ain’s voice, Connie immediately straightened up, his tone becoming more formal. But he couldn’t completely hide the excitement bubbling beneath his words.
“Big sis, it’s me, Connie. You’ll never guess what I found!”
There was a long, heavy silence on the other end of the line. Then Ain spoke again, her voice low and dangerous.
“Because of a certain idiot, I’m already losing my mind over this recruitment.
If you’re calling to joke around, I swear I’ll come over there and crack your skull open right now.”
Connie gulped, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Ain was usually gentle, but when she got mad…
He quickly abandoned any playful tone.
“Ah—no, no jokes! I promise! I’ve got serious news. You’re going to want to hear this,” he stammered, shifting into a full report mode.
Chapter 408: I Declare Tama the New Poseidon! Who Agrees and Who Disagrees?!
Grandma knew that enrolling Tama in the Marine Academy would not only help her fulfill her dream but also open up countless opportunities for her future.
“Report” Connie spoke into the Den Den Mushi, his tone formal and serious. “I’ve found a child in the orphanage at Amigasa Village who is suspected of being a Paramecia Fruit ability user.
This child’s abilities are special. I believe she has great potential for future development. I wanted to report this to you immediately.”
There was a brief pause on the other end, followed by a cold snort from Ain.
“We actually found someone with devil fruit abilities? Looks like we’ve gotten lucky.”
Though surprised for a moment, Ain quickly regained her composure, her professionalism shining through.
“Very well, Captain. Tell me her name and describe her abilities.
I’ll issue an invitation for her to report to the Marine Academy in the Flower Capital.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Connie proceeded to give a concise report on Tama’s situation. He made sure to highlight his speculations regarding Tama’s ability, especially her potential to control Sea Kings.
When Ain heard that, her usual calm demeanor shifted. She finally became serious.
“From your description, this does sound like a powerful fruit.
Here’s what we’ll do, Connie. You’ll personally escort Tama to the Flower Capital.
I’ll also assign you the responsibility of selecting this batch of new recruits.”
Connie’s heart leapt with excitement.
“Yes, ma’am! I guarantee I’ll complete the task!”
Accepting the mission with enthusiasm, Connie promised to safely deliver Tama to the Flower Capital.
After that, Ain asked for a status on Amigasa Village. Once assured that everything was in order, she ended the call.
Connie put away the Den Den Mushi, his fists clenched in excitement.
Tama really is my lucky star! he thought. Thanks to her, I’ve been entrusted with selecting new recruits!
With this opportunity, once he brought the new recruits back and trained them properly, his squad would undoubtedly shine in the next branch competition.
Feeling on top of the world, Connie made his way back to Grandma to deliver the news.
“I’ll personally escort Tama to the Flower Capital tomorrow,” he told her with a reassuring smile.
Hearing that Tama would be leaving so soon, Grandma felt a bittersweet mix of happiness and sadness.
After all, they had lived together for over half a year, and her bond with each of the children ran deep. The thought of parting so suddenly weighed heavily on her heart.
But Connie reassured her repeatedly, promising that Tama would be well taken care of. He explained that Tama could return home every six months and could call anytime she wanted.
Knowing she shouldn’t stand in the way of Tama’s dreams, Grandma nodded, her voice gentle but firm.
“I understand. Tama will be of great help to you. I’ll go pack her things and make sure she’s ready.”
Connie smiled and nodded, not refusing the offer.
Tama will likely stay in the Flower Capital for quite some time, he thought. She’ll need to pack properly and say her goodbyes to everyone.
With that, Connie turned and stepped into the orphanage to share the good news with the other children.
Meanwhile, after hanging up the phone, Ain wasted no time in informing Luffy of the discovery.
When the call came through, Luffy was at the Marine School outside the base, surrounded by eager students from all across Wano and beyond.
In truth, the school hadn’t officially welcomed its first full batch of students yet. But Luffy had high hopes for the institution.
He envisioned it as the future talent cultivation center for the Marines.
The requirements for admission were intentionally strict. Just as Connie had explained earlier, only the best students from various schools had the chance to study at the prestigious academy in the Flower Capital.
Much like the headquarters' Marine School, the academy in the Flower Capital was divided into two main departments:
Theoretical Subjects: These were complex and further subdivided into areas like navigation, staff operations, intelligence reconnaissance, and tactical analysis.
Practical Subjects: This department focused on physical prowess, recruiting students with exceptional strength and athletic ability.
Of course, students weren’t confined to just one path.
As long as they had the talent and interest, they could attend theoretical classes during the day and engage in physical training at night. After three years of study, they could even apply for advanced courses to further enhance their knowledge.
Beyond this, the school had few restrictions.
As long as a student was exceptional, they could apply—regardless of age. Even those in their 20s or 30s could enroll in rapid improvement classes designed to hone their skills quickly.
Luffy had even reserved a certain number of student spots for each unit, allowing commanders to recommend talented Marines under their leadership to study advanced techniques like Haki and the Six Powers.
Back to the present—after Ain reported the news, Luffy immediately knew who she was talking about.
Tama, or as she was known in full, Kurozumi Tama.
Even in Luffy’s eyes, Tama’s ability was undeniably powerful.
In the original timeline, she had the power to control users of artificial Zoan-type Devil Fruit user. Luffy, remembering the manga, had once been terrified that Tama might tame Kaido himself.
But Oda, the creator of their world, seemed to realize that allowing such a thing would break the story completely.
Kaido was deliberately kept from meeting Tama, and Teacher Kaido narrowly escaped total humiliation.
Moreover, in the original story, Tama never demonstrated the ability to control real Zoan-type Devil Fruit users. It remained unclear whether her power could affect them.
But now, hearing Connie’s report that Tama could control fish—even Luffy hadn’t seen that coming.
My goodness… Luffy thought, his eyes widening. If her ability can control Sea Kings, what’s the point of Shirahoshi?
A grin spread across his face as the thought solidified in his mind.
“I declare Tama the new Poseidon! Who agrees, and who dares to disagree?!”
Chapter 409: Luffy: Do Your Best, Mr. Yamato!
Even while training, Yamato maintained a touch of femininity. She wore a light blue off-shoulder printed top paired with beige shorts, her usual style blending strength and grace.
“Alright, let me know when the child arrives. I want to meet her in person.”
After giving his instructions to Ain, Luffy hung up the Den Den Mushi.
Nearby, Yamato, who had been practicing with her kanabo mace, immediately stopped when she saw Luffy put down the receiver. She trotted over excitedly.
As she moved, something about her presence stirred an indescribable feeling in Luffy, making him slightly dizzy.
After more than half a year of Luffy’s persistent scolding, Yamato had finally come to terms with her identity as a woman. At this point, Luffy no longer forced her to change her style of dress, but Yamato had already grown accustomed to a mix of bold and practical attire.
She wore sky-blue, open-toed, thick-heeled sandals that complemented her look. But what stood out most was the Marine coat draped over her shoulders—a gradient of white to blue that matched her hair perfectly.
As Luffy and Ain were speaking, Yamato had been eavesdropping from a distance, her curiosity piqued.
Now that the conversation was over, she rushed over impatiently.
Despite being half a head taller than Luffy, that didn’t stop her from throwing her arms around him and acting playfully.
“Hey, Luffy! Are new students coming? How many? What do you need me to do?”
Luffy, nearly suffocated under the pressure of her enthusiastic hug, shoved her away in exasperation.
“Why are you in such a hurry? It’s just a three-year-old child.
Even if she comes, she won’t be able to train with you.”
“Ehh~? Why does it have to be like that?” Yamato whined, her face falling as she suddenly became dejected.
Originally, she’d been thrilled when Luffy appointed her as the Chief Instructor of the Marine Academy. But ever since the academy was established, it hadn’t welcomed any serious students.
As the chief instructor, Yamato’s only role had been training the Marines stationed in the Flower Capital and teaching them how to harness their Haki.
But these guys were too stiff. They followed her instructions to the letter, leaving no room for the kind of fun and excitement Yamato craved in a teaching environment.
Back when she was a student, she’d constantly challenged her teachers, King and Queen. That kind of rebellious interaction had been exhilarating.
Later, using her not-so-brilliant little brain, Yamato came to a conclusion.
It must be an age thing, she thought. The people I’ve been teaching are all adults. They’re definitely not as lively and easy to handle as kids.
So, after this realization, Yamato started pestering Luffy every few days, begging him to recruit students as soon as possible.
But back then, Wano Country had only just stabilized. The citizens across the regions were still settling down, and most children didn’t even know how to read, let alone qualify for military training.
How could Luffy recruit students under those circumstances?
It wasn’t until today, with the recruitment process underway, that Luffy finally felt the time was right. He began reaching out to schools across the country, asking them to recommend students for admission.
“Alright, alright,” Luffy said, trying to calm Yamato down. “I’ve asked Kalifa to sort through the lists sent in by the schools.
This time, at least 3,400 children will be recruited. Even if only a portion of them enter the practical courses, you’ll still have around 1,200 energetic, hormone-fueled kids to handle.
When the time comes, don’t come crying to me, begging for mercy.”
“Hey, how could that happen?” Yamato grinned, pointing proudly at herself with her thumb. “Don’t underestimate me. I took care of Jack the Drought when he was a kid!”
Luffy didn’t believe a word of it.
Sure, Yamato and Jack were technically the same age, but if he recalled correctly, Jack was a few months older.
Plus, Yamato had been a crybaby when she was younger—a poor little thing always getting into trouble. The credibility of her claim was practically zero.
Of course, despite his doubts, Luffy knew how to offer the necessary encouragement.
He hooked a finger, motioning for Yamato to lean down. Once she was at his level, he patted her shoulder with a sly grin.
“Do a good job. Those kids are the future of the Marines.”
“I’m entrusting my future to you, Teacher Yamato.”
The words “Teacher Yamato” struck a chord deep in Yamato’s heart.
Her eyes sparkled with pride. She immediately stood at attention, saluted with perfect form, and declared excitedly:
“Just leave it to me! I won’t let you down!”
Without another word, she waved goodbye and dashed off, her kanabo mace swinging at her side. Who knew what kind of chaos she was planning?
Yamato looked like an overjoyed deer, bounding away until she disappeared from sight.
Luffy, amused by her enthusiasm, turned and walked away with his hands clasped behind his back, a satisfied smile on his face.
Yamato may be a little foolish sometimes, he thought, but her strength is beyond question.
Not only had she mastered all three forms of Haki, but she’d also learned the Six Powers over the past six months. She’d even developed her own unique techniques.
Among Luffy’s subordinates, aside from special cases like Gion and Hancock—who also mastered all three types of Haki—few could compete with Yamato.
But as for who was stronger, that was harder to say.
Yamato’s strength came from her natural talents and the powerful physique she inherited from Kaido, combined with the abilities of her Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit.
In terms of raw physical combat, Hancock wouldn’t be able to match her.
But Hancock was no fool. She’d never engage in a straightforward brawl if she could avoid it.
With her Mero Mero no Mi (Love-Love Fruit), as long as her opponent had even the slightest desire in their heart, she could easily incapacitate them without lifting a finger.
Of course, Luffy saw no need to force them into a contest of strength.
After all, they were both his trusted wings.
And in the end, it didn’t matter who was stronger—what mattered was that they were his.
Chapter 410: Robin: Can't You?
After entering the base, Luffy whistled cheerfully as he made his way to the fourth floor.
Along the way, he exchanged smiles and greetings with the Marines he passed, his mood lifted by the news of successful recruitment.
He was just thinking about finding Kalifa to ask about the status of the new student recruits when an all-too-familiar voice cut through the air, making Luffy’s already good mood even better.
“You seem to be in high spirits.
Is it because the recruitment is going smoothly… or has some little lover managed to win your heart again?”
Luffy chuckled, turning toward the source of the voice.
“Haha, both, both!” he admitted with a grin. “But what makes me happiest is running into our beautiful and sexy Miss Robin here.
Are you back to rest for a few days? After more than half a year of exploring the New World, I’d say you’ve seen almost everything by now.”
Robin, who was lounging by a window, gazing out at the scenery, brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear and turned to face him with a smile.
“This is all thanks to Miss Violet’s help,” she replied smoothly. “If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have been able to locate so many rare historical sites so easily.”
For the past six months, Robin had been traveling around the New World aboard the Stormbreaker, accompanied by Violet.
While Violet’s main mission was to search for the elusive Giant Lantern Fish, their journey often led them to various islands, giving Robin ample opportunity to study historical materials left behind by ancient civilizations.
Occasionally, with the help of Violet’s Giro Giro no Mi (Glare-Glare Fruit) abilities, they would discover hidden ruins and secret caves. They unearthed rare antiques, ancient documents, and even stumbled upon treasures—gold, silver, and once, a Devil Fruit.
Every time Luffy spoke with Robin, he found it both relaxing and intellectually stimulating.
She had a knack for conversation, knowing exactly how to engage without overstepping, always considering his feelings and thoughts.
But Robin wasn’t just all serious intellect. She had a mischievous side too, often slipping in unexpected jokes, making her seem approachable and far from the stern archaeologist people imagined.
Yet, despite her playful demeanor, Robin kept her true thoughts hidden deep beneath the surface, rarely letting anyone see the vulnerabilities she carried inside.
But for some reason, with Luffy, things were different.
Their rapport was natural and effortless, and Robin didn’t feel the need to hide. In fact, she had even picked up some of Nami and Koala’s playful tendencies.
Every now and then, when she was alone with Luffy, she’d act coy, her rare displays of affection creating a sharp, delightful contrast to her usual calm demeanor—something that always struck a chord with Luffy.
Of course, those moments were rare. What Luffy experienced most with Robin was her sharp wit and her tendency to hit him with biting remarks at the most unexpected times.
“It’s such a shame that Violet still wants to keep her distance from Miss Nico Robin for a while.”
Robin’s voice dripped with playful sarcasm. “But she seems eager to come back and get close to you again.
I really don’t understand what’s so special about you that makes her miss you so much.”
She claimed not to understand, but her eyes said otherwise.
Robin’s gaze shifted downward, locking onto Luffy’s lower half with a look that could melt steel.
Her fiery stare seemed intent on peeling him apart, examining every inch of his body structure.
Even someone as confident as Luffy couldn’t help but shudder under that intense scrutiny. He instinctively bent slightly, trying to shield himself from the invasive look.
Is this woman being a pervert? he thought. No normal woman stares at a man’s—well, there—like that!
“Hey!” Luffy warned in a low voice, pretending to be angry. “If you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to take you to the small room.”
Whether the warning worked or not, Robin finally lifted her gaze to meet his eyes.
For a moment, they stared at each other in silence. Half a minute passed, tension thick in the air.
Just as Luffy was about to speak again, Robin suddenly turned on her heel and walked away.
Luffy blinked, his mind going blank as he watched her retreating figure.
Wait… what? he thought, confused. She stopped me halfway, teased me, and then just left?
You’ve made me, a Vice Admiral and base commander, look like a fool!
Luffy stood there for a moment, trying to process what had just happened. But then, Robin’s voice floated back to him from down the hall.
“Let’s go.”
“Where to?” Luffy asked automatically, still caught off guard.
Robin glanced over her shoulder, her lips curling into a seductive smile.
“Isn’t this the small room you mentioned? Don’t you want to? Or… can’t you?”
!!!
“Oi, Robin! Are you serious?! I was just joking!” Luffy’s heart raced, suddenly thrown into turmoil.
He and Robin had always shared a friendly, flirty dynamic, but they’d never crossed the line before.
Why is she being so bold all of a sudden? And why is she the one taking the initiative?!
But what stung the most wasn’t the invitation—it was the challenge.
Did she just imply I’m incapable?
Oh, hell no.
The reason the more than ten women in my harem get along so harmoniously is all thanks to my excellent marksmanship!
Even those as strong as Hancock and Yamato, with their overwhelming power and fierce personalities, had been putty in his hands when the time came.
And now, Robin—who hadn’t even tried anything before—dared to challenge him like this?
Does she think I’ll let that slide?!
Can Luffy tolerate this?!!
