Chapter 261: Let Them… Wait a Little Longer!
The miraculous light of the Sunlight Tree Eve, which pierced through 10,000 meters of deep sea to bring brightness and warmth to Fish-Man Island, gradually began to fade like the receding tide.
Glowing shell lamps and luminous jellyfish slowly lit up across the island, signaling the arrival of Fish-Man Island's peaceful night.
With Hody Jones and his elite forces defeated—and without the support of the Energy Steroids—the New Fish-Man Pirates quickly collapsed beneath the counterattack led by the Ryugu Kingdom army and the three princes. The remaining rebels were either captured or scattered in retreat.
The violent storm cloud that had loomed over Fish-Man Island finally seemed to disperse along with the fading daylight.
At the same time, the Straw Hat crew members who had spread throughout the island to suppress the riots gradually completed their tasks and returned toward the center of Ryugu Palace.
"Beautiful Mermaid Princess—your knight has arrived!!!"
Before the man himself appeared, his voice echoed through the hall first.
A golden whirlwind spun dramatically into the palace chamber.
Sanji performed an absurdly flashy spinning slide before dropping to one knee, somehow producing a gorgeous deep-sea rose from nowhere.
His eyes had already transformed into beating hearts as he gazed passionately toward the enormous pink-haired mermaid in the distance.
"Please accept my—eh?"
His poetic declaration came to a screeching halt.
Because he clearly saw the legendary beauty he had dreamed about—
Princess Shirahoshi—
Currently leaning down affectionately, rubbing her delicate cheek against Luffy's face with complete intimacy and trust.
Her huge blue eyes sparkled with joy and dependence.
Meanwhile, Luffy grinned carelessly, clearly enjoying himself.
Sanji instantly petrified.
The rose slipped from his fingers and fell to the floor with a lonely plop.
"Sanji-san really has endless energy, huh? He worked the hardest during the battle and still isn't tired at all! Yohohoho~"
Brook walked in gracefully with his cane, though slightly out of breath, only to spot Sanji's frozen figure.
"Hm? Did something just shatter? Was it glass?"
Usopp looked around suspiciously while cleaning out his ears.
"Idiot cook… lovestruck curly-brow…"
Zoro slowly wandered in with his three swords at his waist. Seeing Sanji's devastated state, his mouth twitched violently in disgust.
"What an embarrassing idiot."
"Luffy—!"
A distinctly displeased female voice rang out.
Nami stood with her hands on her hips, her orange hair practically flaring with irritation as she glared at Luffy, who was still comfortably sitting in Shirahoshi's palm.
"How long are you planning to stay in the princess's hands? Get down already!"
Seriously…
You already have me—a beautiful, capable, reliable woman who's traveled with you this whole time—and the second I look away, you're already cozying up to another girl?!
Nami's internal alarm bells went off instantly.
A strange irritation bubbled up inside her.
"Haha, guess you're right. This is kinda inconvenient."
Luffy's Observation Haki instantly picked up the dangerous undertone hidden beneath Nami's smile. His survival instincts kicked in immediately.
Grinning sheepishly, he patted Shirahoshi's finger.
"Shirahoshi, put me down for now."
"Oooh…"
Shirahoshi puffed out her cheeks unhappily, her huge blue eyes full of reluctance.
Still, she carefully and gently lowered Luffy back onto the floor.
"Oh right, I forgot to introduce you."
Once steady on his feet, Luffy casually grabbed Nami's hand and grinned toward Shirahoshi.
"This is Nami—our navigator! She's the best! Without her, we wouldn't be able to go anywhere!"
The tension in Nami's expression instantly melted away upon hearing such a simple yet sincere compliment.
The tiny bit of irritation she'd been holding onto disappeared completely, replaced by a warm sweetness in her chest.
Hmph. At least this rubber idiot knows what matters.
"Nami-onee-sama…"
Shirahoshi lowered her head curiously and looked at Nami before smiling brightly.
"You're so beautiful!"
"You too, Princess Shirahoshi. You're absolutely gorgeous."
Nami laughed softly, slightly embarrassed by the straightforward praise.
Looking at the giant yet innocent mermaid princess now, she found herself liking Shirahoshi more and more.
The jealousy from earlier had completely vanished.
Nearby—
Usopp and Brook dramatically recounted their "heroic battle" against the troublemakers of Fish-Man District.
Franky and Pappag somehow launched into an intense cross-dimensional discussion about machinery and fashion.
Chopper was surrounded by the Left Minister and Right Minister like a beloved mascot while they enthusiastically questioned him about medicine.
…
As true night settled across Fish-Man Island, even more food and alcohol were brought out, and cheerful music once again filled Ryugu Palace.
The next morning, deep within Ryugu Palace.
Warm steam drifted lazily out from the partially opened bathroom shell-door, carrying the refreshing scent of seaweed soap.
Nami stepped out barefoot onto the smooth coral floor.
She casually dried herself with a soft towel as crystal-clear droplets rolled down her flawless skin.
Afterward, she slipped into a loose pink yukata. The silky fabric gently traced the curves of her graceful figure.
Standing before a pearl-inlaid mirror, her reflection looked breathtakingly pure.
Her cheeks, flushed lightly from the bath, glowed with a healthy rosy warmth. Beneath delicate brows rested clear eyes as beautiful as the sea itself, paired with a refined nose and soft lips resembling dew-covered flower petals.
Her damp orange hair cascaded freely over her shoulders and back like flowing gold, tiny droplets still clinging to the strands and adding a touch of lazy sensuality.
Turning slightly, her gaze landed on the massive shell bed in the center of the room.
Luffy lay sprawled across it without a care in the world, his straw hat tossed to the side as he slept soundly.
The rhythmic sound of his snoring made it abundantly clear he had no intention of waking up anytime soon.
Nami sighed softly and walked over before leaning down beside the bed.
"Luffy, wake up already."
Her voice sounded gentler than usual, still carrying a faint huskiness from just waking up.
"King Neptune is holding a speech and celebration for the whole island because of us. You're the main guest today—you can't be late."
"A speech? That sounds boring…"
Luffy mumbled sleepily without even opening his eyes.
He simply rolled over instinctively, burying his face deeper into the pillow.
Nami laughed helplessly and pushed him again with slightly more force.
"Stop sleeping already. Everyone's waiting for you! You're the 'hero' who saved Ryugu Palace…"
"Even if you don't really care about the title."
As she leaned closer, trying to drag her lazy captain out of bed—
Luffy suddenly moved.
Without opening his eyes, his arm stretched backward like elastic and wrapped perfectly around Nami's slender waist.
"Ah!"
Caught completely off guard, Nami lost her balance and fell straight into the soft bed and Luffy's embrace.
Before she could react, his fingers had already hooked the loosely tied sash around her yukata.
With a light tug—
The pink sash slipped free effortlessly.
The already loose yukata instantly lost its support and slid gently down her smooth skin, gathering around her waist and exposing her pale shoulders, elegant collarbone, and large stretches of snowy-white skin.
"L-Luffy, you…!"
Nami's embarrassed protest caught in her throat.
She could feel the heat of his body through the thin fabric, carrying an unmistakable possessiveness.
"Luffy… stop messing around…"
She instinctively struggled weakly, her hands pressing against his chest.
But her resistance lacked any real strength.
The lingering warmth from her bath, the laziness of the morning, and Luffy's familiar scent quickly melted away her remaining defenses.
"The speech… is about to start…"
She tried to argue with what little rationality remained, but her voice had already softened unconsciously.
"And I just… finished bathing…"
Tilting her flushed face upward, her eyes shimmered with nervous anticipation and watery embarrassment.
This vulnerable, alluring side of Nami—so completely different from her usual clever confidence—was enough to ignite something dangerous.
Luffy finally opened his eyes.
The black pupils that usually shone with adventure and recklessness now seemed deep as the night sea itself, clearly reflecting her shy expression.
"What's the problem?"
He lowered his head, warm breath brushing against her ear as he spoke in a low, husky voice.
"Let them… wait a little longer."
The moment the words fell, he gave her no further chance to protest or escape.
With gentle but undeniable force, he pressed her softly against the bed beneath him, his body covering the dazzling morning beauty wrapped in warmth and white silk.
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