Chapter 229: Crossing the Seas to Reunite!
In an instant, Sanji's eyes transformed into violently spinning hearts.
With a sharp whoosh, he slid across the deck on his knees until he stopped perfectly in front of Nami, the movement so smooth it looked rehearsed thousands of times before.
"Naaaami-swaaaan~~~!"
"Today, you are like a lily kissed by the morning dew beneath the rising sun… like a mermaid emerging from shimmering waves!"
"No—an angel! A radiant angel descended upon the mortal world itself!"
One hand pressed dramatically against his chest while the other extended as though presenting an invisible royal gown.
His upturned face overflowed with unrestrained admiration and reverence.
Nami paused for a moment at the familiar flood of exaggerated praise.
Then a soft smile spread across her face—a smile made even brighter by the careful effort she'd put into dressing up and the secret happiness lingering within her heart.
That smile rippled like sunlight across a spring lake.
"Good morning, Sanji."
Even her voice sounded lighter than usual.
She stood there before the Thousand Sunny's cabin entrance, bathed in the growing brilliance of the morning sun.
The hem of her white dress fluttered gently in the breeze.
Her orange hair glowed warmly beneath the sunlight, a few playful strands brushing against her smiling cheeks.
She looked as though she were shining.
Beautiful like a blooming rose, yet softened by a rare gentleness that made her radiance all the more breathtaking.
Sanji stared upward in complete silence, momentarily forgetting his endless poetry of praise.
Today's Nami-san…
Felt different somehow.
Of course, she had always been beautiful.
But right now, the light dancing in her eyes, the faint smile resting on her lips, and the relaxed happiness surrounding her entire presence gave her an almost devastating beauty.
Like a flower fully nourished by the night's dew, finally blooming completely beneath the morning sun.
"My unwavering chivalry must have finally melted Nami-san's heart!"
The tiny Sanji inside his imagination spun wildly while fireworks exploded behind him.
What he didn't know was that, inside a certain room the previous night, the princess he adored had shown someone else an irresistibly tender and intimate side of herself.
A softness.
A seductive vulnerability.
A complete trust and dependence reserved for only one person.
If Sanji ever witnessed even a fraction of that side of her, the loyal knight of love would probably shatter into ashes on the spot.
"Nami-san,"
He stood up and dusted off imaginary dirt from his knees.
"You look especially radiant today!"
"Would you allow me to prepare a special breakfast made with the freshest ingredients and your favorite orange flavors?"
Hearing that, Nami seemed to recall an extremely pleasant memory.
Instead of growing embarrassed, she laughed openly.
The smile blooming on her face became even brighter, her eyes overflowing with happiness and warmth.
"Thank you, Sanji!"
Her voice rang out crisply with genuine gratitude.
Yet her gaze had already unconsciously drifted past the blond cook.
Searching the deck for that certain rubber idiot who always made her heart race while simultaneously driving her crazy.
The expectation and sweetness hidden within her eyes resembled a little girl waiting to unwrap her most precious gift.
Then—
Her smile froze instantly.
What entered her vision looked like a battlefield ravaged by a hurricane.
Playing cards littered the lawn deck.
Chairs were overturned everywhere.
Luffy had stretched out his arms and was currently swinging Chopper around like a meteor hammer while Usopp clung to his back trying to choke him.
At some point, Zoro and Yamato had joined the chaos and were now wrestling against Luffy as well.
Franky struck bodybuilding poses while shouting dramatically.
Brook elegantly sipped tea while dodging Usopp's flying slipper.
Total chaos.
A clear vein mark slowly appeared on Nami's forehead.
Even the sea breeze seemed to freeze for a second.
Then—
A pressure more terrifying than a volcanic eruption exploded outward from the navigator.
"YOU ALL—"
Her voice was terrifyingly calm.
Which somehow made it even scarier.
"CLEAN THIS DECK IMMEDIATELY!! RIGHT NOW!!"
"OR EVERYONE'S ALLOWANCE THIS MONTH…"
"IS GETTING CUT COMPLETELY!!"
The previously chaotic trio instantly froze solid.
Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper stiffened in terror.
Even Law subconsciously straightened his posture, a mysterious chill running down his spine.
"Nami, we've already entered Alabasta waters."
Robin's gentle voice carried a faint trace of amusement.
She leaned casually against the second-floor railing with one elbow resting atop an open newspaper.
Her gaze drifted past Nami—currently yanking hard on Luffy's ear—and toward the distant horizon.
There, gradually emerging from the sea, stretched an endless expanse of gold.
A stark contrast against the deep blue ocean.
"AHH! We're finally here?!"
The moment Luffy heard that, his rubber body slipped effortlessly out of Nami's punishment grip.
With an excited shout, he bounced several times before landing atop the Sunny's lion figurehead.
One hand held down the brim of his Straw Hat as he narrowed his eyes toward the distance.
At the edge of the horizon, the endless desert stretched like a sleeping beast meeting the blue sea and sky, creating a magnificent and strange landscape.
Even from this far away, the heat seemed to rush toward them.
The air itself almost carried the scent of dry sand and palm trees.
In that instant—
A gentle yet determined face appeared vividly in Luffy's mind.
Long blue hair.
Clear eyes.
"Vivi…"
Luffy grinned widely, his eyes shining with pure excitement.
"We're finally gonna see each other again!!"
His words seemed to flip some invisible switch.
For a brief moment, the deck fell silent before filling with nostalgic emotion.
"Alabasta…"
Usopp leaned against the railing, his tone complicated.
"There really were a lot of things that happened there…"
"Yeah… with Vivi, and that smoke guy too…"
Chopper gazed toward the golden desert, memories reflecting in his wide eyes.
Zoro crossed his arms beside the mast.
He didn't say anything, but his eyes quietly lingered on the familiar land.
Sanji lit a cigarette, smoke partially hiding his expression.
"I wonder if the royal palace kitchen improved at all… This time, I'll definitely let Princess Vivi try my special desert cuisine."
Nami relaxed her posture as well, her eyes softening while she looked toward the kingdom filled with unforgettable memories.
Alabasta wasn't merely an adventure.
It was where the Straw Hats' bonds had deepened.
Where an entire country had remembered them forever.
"Alright!! Since we're here!!"
Luffy turned around and raised his arm decisively.
"Let's fly straight to Alubarna! After we say hi to Vivi, we'll head for the East Blue! Let's go!!"
Simple.
Direct.
Purely Luffy.
"Roger, Captain!!" Franky immediately rushed toward the controls.
"What a reckless order…" Nami sighed while smiling helplessly.
"Cola energy loaded! Flight Mode—ACTIVATE!!"
Franky slammed down the switch.
Massive cola-powered energy roared throughout the Thousand Sunny.
Brilliant blue light erupted from the ship's rear propulsion system.
In the next instant—
The entire ship broke free from the ocean's surface.
The bow lifted proudly skyward like a giant bird spreading its wings.
"WHOOAAAAA—!!"
The Thousand Sunny transformed into a dazzling blue streak shooting across the heavens.
Carrying the crew's laughter, hopes, and treasured memories—
It raced directly toward the heart of the desert kingdom…
The royal capital of Alubarna.
A long trail of clouds stretched across the sky behind them, like a joyful signal announcing an overdue reunion.
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