One Piece: SSS-Rank Haki at Age Seventeen

Nami gently rested her head against Luffy's chest, listening to the steady, powerful rhythm of his heartbeat.

A warm, overflowing emotion silently spread through her heart, washing away the anxiety and unease that had lingered there for so long.

For a fleeting moment, she felt like a princess being carefully protected.

The bitterness of waiting for three whole months evaporated completely in the warmth of this reunion.

Not far away, Uta puffed her cheeks slightly as her gaze remained glued to the tightly embracing pair.

Her fingers unconsciously twirled a strand of hair while her lips pressed into a thin line.

"Hehe…"

A lazy chuckle came from behind the counter.

Shakky held a cigarette between her fingers as thin wisps of smoke curled upward. Her eyes sparkled with knowing amusement as her gaze shifted leisurely between Luffy and the two girls.

"Little Monkey really is something else."

"Even an old lady like me can't help getting curious."

"Just how many cute little boats has our popular little captain been sailing on?"

The remark was delivered lightly—

yet it landed like a stone tossed into still water.

Instantly, Nami felt the chest she was leaning against stiffen almost imperceptibly.

She slowly lifted her head from Luffy's embrace and met Uta's gaze as the singer turned toward them as well.

Then both pairs of eyes focused directly on Luffy.

The cheerful atmosphere froze instantly.

An invisible pressure descended like a mountain.

Under those stares, sweat visibly formed along Luffy's forehead while the back of his shirt darkened rapidly.

It felt as if he'd suddenly been thrown beneath the blazing heat of the Grand Line—

and into the frozen depths of Impel Down at the same time.

"Luffyyyy~"

Nami's voice rang out sweetly, softer and sweeter than the finest honey.

The upward lilt at the end was enough to send chills down anyone's spine.

But when that voice entered Luffy's ears, his instincts screamed danger.

The faint killing intent hidden beneath her sweetness made every hair on his body stand upright.

And just at that critical moment—

BANG!

The tavern door burst open and slammed against the wall.

"Everyone! Your great warrior of the sea, Captain Usopp, has returned from his incredible training! Are you ready for the surprise?!"

That unmistakably dramatic voice sounded like heavenly salvation to Luffy.

Everyone turned toward the entrance.

A tall silhouette stood against the light.

When the figure stepped closer, everyone froze in surprise.

The once lanky and somewhat scrawny Usopp had completely transformed.

His upper body was bare, revealing clearly defined muscles and a perfectly sculpted eight-pack.

His skin had been tanned a healthy bronze by the sun, and slung over his shoulder was an enormous slingshot that looked incredibly heavy.

Only his long nose and the familiar cleverness in his eyes made him instantly recognizable.

"USOPP!!!"

Luffy's eyes lit up brighter than ever.

He practically launched himself forward, instantly releasing Nami as he rushed toward the sniper.

"This is amazing! Your timing couldn't be better! C'mere—give me a hug!!!"

Before Nami, Uta, Shakky, and even the newly arrived Usopp could fully react—

Luffy had already wrapped Usopp in a crushing embrace before hooking an arm around his shoulder and starting some bizarre celebratory dance filled with pure relief.

The two bounced left and right across the center of the tavern like synchronized wind-up dolls.

"Uh…"

Uta blinked and finally recovered from the absurd "reunion dance."

Tilting her head slightly, she glanced back at Nami, curiosity still lingering in her eyes.

That question about "how many boats" continued scratching at her mind like a kitten's paw.

Meeting Uta's gaze, Nami sighed helplessly and spread her hands slightly.

Her lips parted in silent resignation.

Looking at the two idiots still dancing around—especially Luffy's unmistakably "saved by the bell" expression—

she couldn't stop the amused smile tugging at her lips.

That long-nosed guy really had shown up at the perfect time.

Forget it.

Nami brushed her fingers through her orange hair and withdrew her gaze.

Some questions, it seemed, would have to wait until the next time they were alone—

so she could "properly" interrogate him.

After all, deep down, they already vaguely understood certain truths.

And they were slowly beginning to accept them.

That rubber idiot's overly "expansive" heart…

and the sunlike warmth that naturally drew people toward him.

Meanwhile, the rest of the crew gradually made their way toward the tavern in small groups after finishing their own adventures around the island.

The setting sun dyed the sea golden while traces of daytime excitement still lingered in the air.

"So Number 7 still thinks he can act tough in front of Number 1?!"

Zoro leaned against the doorway with crossed arms, openly sneering at Sanji as he entered.

"Don't get cocky just because you somehow got here first!"

Veins bulged on Sanji's forehead as the cigarette between his fingers nearly snapped.

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't understand it.

He had clearly left earlier.

So how had this moss-headed idiot—who could get lost walking down a straight road—arrived before him?

Of course, he had no idea that Zoro had hitched a ride on Mihawk's "speedboat."

"Sorry about that, Number 7~"

Zoro deliberately dragged out his words, his face showing absolutely zero sincerity.

"Damn mosshead!"

Sanji immediately raised a leg to kick him, fury practically bursting from his suit like flames.

But at that exact moment—

a steady hand rested lightly on his shoulder.

It felt like thunder exploded inside his mind.

Scenes from his hellish training instantly resurfaced:

Blood.

Sweat.

Tearing pain.

And those calm yet unfathomably terrifying eyes.

The murderous aura boiling around Sanji abruptly halted, as though freezing seawater had been dumped over his head.

He inhaled deeply and slowly exhaled smoke.

In an instant, his emotions settled.

"Hahahaha! You guys are still the same as always!"

Luffy suddenly popped up from nowhere and stretched his rubber arms around both of their necks, pulling their heads together.

"Luffy!"

The sharpness in Zoro's expression immediately softened as he broke into a genuine grin.

"Damn, it's really been a long time!"

Then he glanced sideways at Sanji, whose body still seemed to tremble faintly, and instantly returned to provoking him.

"What's wrong, love-cook? You getting weak?"

Surprisingly, Sanji didn't explode in anger this time.

He merely shot Zoro a quiet glare before turning his eyes toward Luffy, who had already run over to the window excitedly peering outside.

His voice carried the weight of hard-earned understanding.

"Unless you wrap him head-to-toe in Seastone like a mummy…"

"I honestly can't think of any way to beat this guy anymore."

"Tch."

Zoro clicked his tongue but didn't argue.

The arm clutching his swords tightened slightly as a similar seriousness flashed deep within his eyes.

At the tavern entrance bathed in sunset light, warm illumination spilled from the windows and stretched long shadows across the ground.

"Luffy… it's been a while."

Robin's voice was as gentle as moonlight.

Standing at the edge of the glow, her waist-length black hair made her fair skin appear even more radiant.

The faint smile on her lips still carried that same mature elegance and composure as always.

When it came to grace, Nico Robin had always mastered it perfectly.

"Mhm!"

Luffy reacted instantly.

The moment she finished speaking, he flashed forward and wrapped a rubber arm firmly yet gently around Robin's slender waist, pulling her into his embrace.

When it came to relationships—

he no longer dared to be careless.

Warmth spread through the fabric between them.

Robin froze slightly before her eyes softened.

She didn't resist.

Instead, she leaned her cheek lightly against his shoulder and breathed in the familiar scent of sunlight and sea breeze surrounding him.

After a moment, she gently patted his back before calmly stepping away.

…As expected of the older sister type.

Luffy grinned brightly.

She was always so gentle.

So composed.

Even overwhelming emotions were carefully and gracefully handled by her.

Nearby—

"Tch."

Zoro crossed his arms and glanced sideways.

"I thought a certain cook would be bawling his eyes out."

Sanji kept his cigarette hanging from his lips, unexpectedly calm.

Flicking ash away, he forced a casual tone.

"This is nothing… I already figured this would happen."

But before he could finish speaking, memories surged back into his mind.

Those days and nights on Amazon Lily.

That hellish training ruled by overwhelming romantic tension and brutal beatings.

He instinctively clutched his chest as his voice suddenly shot upward.

"I-I'm not jealous at all!!!"

The weak excuse sounded especially pathetic amidst the tavern's lively noise.

Zoro snorted with laughter, too lazy to point out Sanji's slightly reddened ears.

"Luffy——!"

A familiar shout rippled through the tavern like a stone tossed into water.

The entire bar instantly exploded with excitement.

Even the dim lights seemed to brighten several shades as the sweet warmth of reunion filled the air.

A tiny figure squeezed through the doorway.

Chopper stood on tiptoe while eagerly licking a pink treat larger than his own head.

The moment his big round eyes spotted Luffy, they instantly curved into crescents.

CLANG!

Immediately afterward came the sharp sound of metal hitting the floor as Franky burst dramatically through the entrance in an exaggerated pose, one arm raised high.

"SUPER——!! Seeing the captain again is seriously moving!!"

From the corner, elegant violin music began to play.

Brook, dressed in a stylish tailored suit, bowed slightly as his bony fingers glided across the strings.

"Yohohoho~ Though I have no eyes to cry with, this joyful reunion is enough to make my very soul sing!"

Tilting his skull toward Luffy, he added:

"Luffy-san, would you like to see my new outfit? …Ah, although I don't actually have eyes to look with! Yohohohoho!"

The small tavern filled with laughter, music, shouting, and familiar faces until it overflowed with warmth and life.

At long last—

the final missing piece had returned to its place.

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