One Piece: SSS-Rank Haki at Age Seventeen

Golden sunlight filtered through the thin gauze curtains draped over the windows, scattering into soft patches of light across the large bed in the center of the room.

The warmth of the morning glow was the first thing to awaken the girl with red-and-white hair.

Uta's long eyelashes fluttered gently as her amethyst-like eyes slowly opened.

The first thing she saw through the haze of sleep was the face resting only inches away.

Luffy was still fast asleep.

The morning light traced the sharp lines of his jaw, while his thick lashes cast faint shadows beneath his eyes.

His breathing was slow and steady, carrying the warm scent unique to a young man as it brushed softly against Uta's bangs.

She didn't move.

She simply gazed at him quietly.

Her violet eyes reflected nothing but his sleeping figure as the corners of her lips unconsciously curved upward into an incredibly gentle smile.

Her signature red-and-white hair lay scattered messily between them like silk.

Several strands had mischievously drifted onto Luffy's nose, rising and falling lightly with each breath he took.

A faint fragrance lingered in the air around her.

Fresh and sweet—like strawberries mixed with soap and the pure, lively feeling carried within her singing voice.

Luffy smacked his lips unconsciously in his sleep, as though dreaming about food.

The arm wrapped around her tightened slightly.

His relaxed but powerful muscles instinctively held the warm softness in his embrace as he rubbed his chin lightly against the top of her head, letting out a content murmur before sinking even deeper into sleep.

Time itself seemed to slow in that peaceful moment.

As though even the morning refused to disturb them.

"MEAT!! I'm hungry! !"

The long dining table was practically buried beneath roasted meat, seafood, and tropical fruit.

Luffy grabbed an enormous drumstick and stuffed it straight into his mouth.

"EH—?!!"

"What?! Rayleigh, Sanji, Yamato, and Law all left already?!"

Luffy swallowed his food in shock, eyes wide with disbelief.

"Even Sanji left?! Why?! Aren't there tons of pretty Kuja girls here?!"

In Luffy's mind, Amazon Lily should've been paradise for Sanji.

He had absolutely no idea how "heavenly" and "agonizing" the past few months had been for the cook.

Although Sanji had been granted permission to stay on the island, Amazon Lily's strict laws still heavily restricted his interactions with women.

Most beauties remained forever out of reach.

And watching Luffy naturally growing closer to both Uta and Boa Hancock every single day had dealt constant emotional damage to the poor lovestruck gentleman.

But ultimately, the true reason Sanji departed before dawn was a far stronger obsession.

"That damned moss-head…"

The night before leaving, Sanji stood alone atop a seaside rock with a cigarette hanging from his lips.

The sea breeze rustled his blond hair, but it couldn't extinguish the flames burning in his eyes.

"There's no way I'm arriving later than that idiot swordsman…"

"This has gone beyond food or romance. It's a matter of principle now!"

In his mind, he had already imagined it countless times—

Zoro standing there with his swords, mocking him with utter disdain:

"So you got distracted by women and showed up late, huh? Idiot curly-brow."

That mental image alone was enough to make Sanji's competitive spirit boil.

No matter how beautiful Amazon Lily was, it couldn't stop him from racing toward this "battle between men."

"Luffy."

Uta gently touched his hand, pulling him from his thoughts.

"Everyone's probably heading out with their own feelings and expectations… eager to reunite again."

"We should get going too, right?"

Luffy snapped back to reality instantly.

His usual carefree grin spread across his face once more as he shoved the last chunk of meat into his mouth.

"Yeah! You're right!"

"We'll see everyone soon anyway!"

"Let's go! To the Sabaody Archipelago!"

At the opposite end of the long dining table, Boa Hancock rested her cheek lazily against one hand like a magnificent empress reclining upon a throne.

Her glossy black hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall.

A few loose strands framed her flawless face, making her pale skin appear even more radiant.

Her eyes shimmered like autumn water, naturally seductive with every glance.

Her crimson lips were full and alluring, like fine wine tempting others to taste them.

She wore a custom-made dark purple slit dress that perfectly emphasized her breathtaking figure.

Her slender waist only heightened the dangerous elegance she carried.

And beneath the high slit of her dress, her long flawless legs appeared and disappeared enticingly as she crossed them lazily.

Her stunning beauty.

Her mature charm.

Her regal bearing refined through hardship and status.

All of it blended perfectly into a nearly lethal allure.

The kind of beauty capable of making any weak-willed man lose himself instantly.

And yet—

At this very moment, the Pirate Empress's eyes and thoughts remained focused entirely on one rubber boy.

"Uta really is adorable," Hancock said softly, her voice carrying its usual lazy elegance and seductive charm.

"Even I feel a little inferior beside you."

Uta smiled calmly in return.

"That's not true at all."

"You're recognized as the most beautiful woman in the world, Hancock."

"I've heard countless famous figures and powerful men are completely captivated by you."

"How could I possibly compare?"

Hancock lifted a brow slightly.

Rather than displeasure, a deep smile appeared on her face.

"I'm hardly comparable to you either, Uta."

Her tone shifted subtly, carrying faint teasing underneath.

"You and Luffy have known each other since childhood. You're childhood friends with such a deep bond…"

"I imagine you practically treat him like a younger brother by now?"

The two women exchanged smiles and polite words with perfect grace.

Yet standing nearby, Luffy suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

The invisible tension in the air seemed to grow stronger with every gentle compliment.

'This is bad…'

Sweat formed at his temples.

This peaceful-looking atmosphere felt far scarier than fighting a powerful enemy.

Then suddenly—

Uta wrapped her arms naturally around Luffy's.

She raised her head with a bright smile and looked directly at Hancock.

"My relationship with Luffy isn't something as simple as 'siblings,' you know."

"Hehe…"

Hancock laughed softly, unsurprised.

She elegantly brushed a strand of hair behind her ear before turning her gaze back toward Luffy.

Her eyes rippled gently like spring water.

"But Luffy personally promised to become my husband."

Her voice lowered softly.

Each word perfectly clear.

"Isn't that right… my dear husband?"

The moment those words fell, Uta's gaze also shifted toward Luffy.

Her beautiful eyes still carried a smile—

But there was unmistakable scrutiny behind it.

Luffy twitched visibly.

Even more sweat poured down his forehead.

The situation he feared most had finally arrived.

"Uh… well…"

He coughed awkwardly and looked away.

"Shouldn't we get going already? Rayleigh and the others are waiting at the meeting point!"

The instant he finished blurting out the poorly disguised excuse—

CRACKLE!

Lightning suddenly flashed across his body.

With a sharp burst of electricity, Luffy vanished from the room, leaving only fading sparks behind.

Both Hancock and Uta froze briefly.

Then, at the exact same moment—

They burst into laughter.

The invisible tension in the room softened considerably.

"Come on, Uta," Hancock said as she rose gracefully to her feet and extended a hand toward her.

"Mm."

Uta smiled brightly and accepted her arm.

The two women exchanged a glance.

Then walked side by side toward the exit like close sisters.

Both of them understood perfectly well—

Most of what had just happened had simply been teasing aimed at the hopelessly oblivious idiot who somehow attracted women everywhere he went.

Of course, there had also been genuine probing and rivalry.

But they both knew something even more important:

If things truly spiraled out of control, the one suffering most would only be Luffy himself.

And truly intelligent, caring women would never deliberately make the man they loved miserable.

Before long, the distinctive Kuja ship departed Amazon Lily.

Carrying them across the sparkling blue sea toward the place where their companions awaited.

The ocean breeze brushed gently across their faces.

Bringing with it endless blue horizons—

And the beginning of a shared new journey.

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