Chapter 267: If She Has It, Then I Want It Too!
The Sea Forest.
Ancient shipwrecks and towering coral formations intertwined to form a vast underwater woodland.
The light filtering down through the roots of the Sunlight Tree Eve softened into strands of golden silk, gently drifting through this sacred resting place.
Ten years.
For ten long years, Shirahoshi had been imprisoned within the dark Hard-Shell Tower.
All she could do was listen to Megalo's descriptions and endlessly imagine this forest in her mind—the peaceful place where her mother slept.
Now, the walls confining her had finally collapsed.
The nightmare haunting her life was gone.
A simple yet immaculate gravestone stood quietly amidst coral "flowers" that would never wither.
Shirahoshi stopped before the grave.
Her enormous body slowly leaned forward.
Then, with unimaginable gentleness, she knelt down.
Her cheek nearly touched the cold ground as her long arms carefully wrapped around the base of the gravestone.
She did not burst into tears.
There was no hysterical sobbing.
Only a soft, trembling voice.
"Mother… I came to see you."
"I'm sorry for making you wait so long."
"I'm doing well now… really."
"Mother, Shirahoshi has grown up. I never forgot any of your teachings."
"From now on… I want to walk my own path."
"The future you dreamed of… a world where Fish-Men can live peacefully with everyone beneath the sunlight…"
"…that's my wish too."
"I'll keep trying. I'll never stop trying."
Her words were gentle, yet resolute.
A farewell to the past.
And a promise toward the future.
Not far behind her, the Straw Hat crew stood silently, respectfully keeping their distance.
As for Luffy—
he was sitting atop a giant barnacle-covered rock nearly a hundred meters away, swinging his legs while staring curiously at a school of glowing fish swimming overhead.
He looked completely detached from the solemn atmosphere.
Shirahoshi slowly turned around.
Her gaze crossed the crowd and landed precisely upon the straw-hatted figure in the distance.
Expectation shimmered clearly within her blue eyes.
Along with a trace of nervousness.
"Luffy-sama…"
She called softly.
Her voice sounded gentler than before.
"Could you… come here for a moment?"
Luffy turned around with a strand of seaweed still hanging from his mouth.
"I want… you to meet my mother too."
Shirahoshi clasped her hands tightly against her chest.
"I really want Mother to know… about your existence, Luffy-sama."
"Huh? Me?"
Luffy blinked and pointed at himself.
Then he looked toward the gravestone with rare hesitation.
"Isn't this supposed to be a family thing? I'm kinda an outsider…"
"Luffy-sama is NOT an outsider!"
Shirahoshi immediately protested.
A faint blush spread across her cheeks as she spoke urgently.
"I… I want to honor Mother together with you."
Lowering her head slightly, she softly urged him in an almost irresistible tone:
"Please come."
"…Alright, alright."
Luffy scratched the back of his head, hopped down from the rock, dusted off his pants, and walked toward her.
"Tch,"
Usopp stroked his chin while quietly muttering in amusement:
"Why do I suddenly feel like we're just background characters here?"
Even though he spoke softly, the words carried clearly through the quiet Sea Forest.
"Usopp…"
A low and dangerous voice suddenly rose behind him.
Flames crackled ominously.
"When you say something smart…"
Sanji appeared behind him with terrifying pressure radiating from his body.
The tip of his cigarette glowed bright red.
"…then say MORE OF IT, YOU DAMN LONG-NOSED GENIUS!!!"
"WAHHH!! Sorry, Sanji! I was kidding!!"
Usopp instantly hid behind Zoro in terror.
"Sanji-kun,"
Robin suddenly spoke with a graceful smile.
"If you truly wish to encounter romance and find true love someday…"
"…then I suggest staying as far away from our captain as possible."
"R-Robin-chwan! Don't say terrifying things so calmly!!"
Sanji's fiery rage immediately transformed into embarrassment and existential dread.
"It can't be helped."
Robin spread her hands helplessly, the knowing smile on her face deepening.
"After all, Luffy's 'charm' possesses a rather indiscriminate area-of-effect."
"If you stay too close to him…"
"…beautiful women tend to stop noticing anyone else."
The moment she finished speaking—
Brook and Franky both nodded thoughtfully.
Meanwhile, Nami and Uta crossed their arms and looked toward Luffy and Shirahoshi with puffed cheeks before huffing and looking away.
Night fell across Fish-Man Island like thick ink, wrapping the banquet hall in warm golden light.
The sizzling aroma of roasted Sea King meat mixed with the sweet scent of fruit wine throughout the massive coral palace.
Beautiful mermaids danced gracefully through the hall, their shimmering tails and flowing skirts drawing endless cheers from the crowd.
Leaving the noisy banquet behind, Luffy carried a gigantic plate piled with food and wandered into a quieter coral corridor.
A huge piece of meat still hung from his mouth as he mumbled:
"Mmgh… Robin, you wanted me?"
Robin leaned lazily against a beautifully carved coral railing.
The sea current drifting through the hallway gently lifted the hem of her pale moon-white dress, accentuating her elegant figure.
Her long black hair flowed behind her like silk, making her snowy skin appear even more radiant.
When she looked toward him, light shimmered softly within her eyes.
Mature.
Elegant.
Beautiful beyond words.
"Luffy, you came."
Her voice was cool and soothing.
"What's up?"
Luffy walked over casually.
Robin brushed aside a strand of hair and slowly stepped closer.
Warm breath carrying a faint scent of ink and sea herbs brushed gently across his ear.
"Luffy… there's something I want to tell you."
"I already heard from Sanji about what happened after we all fainted."
"The gigantic Sea Kings…"
"…were most likely summoned by Shirahoshi."
Her voice lowered meaningfully.
"In other words…"
"Shirahoshi may very well be one of the Three Ancient Weapons."
"Oh, that?"
Luffy grinned.
Without hesitation, he wrapped an arm around her slender waist.
Her comforting fragrance instantly filled his senses.
"I already know!"
Robin's body trembled almost imperceptibly.
Then she suddenly laughed softly, beautiful enough to outshine the glowing lights around them.
"So I worried for nothing?"
"How could that be? I'm still glad Robin told me!"
As he spoke, Luffy lowered his head and kissed her soft lips without warning.
"Mmh…"
Robin's eyelashes trembled gently.
Not only did she not resist—
she rose onto her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck, responding warmly to the kiss.
After a long while, they finally separated.
Luffy smacked his lips with lingering satisfaction.
Robin could only shake her head helplessly, though her eyes remained full of affection.
After all—
this was the man she cherished most.
She had always willingly indulged him.
The quiet corridor once again filled only with the gentle sound of sea currents brushing against coral.
Then Robin suddenly looked into his eyes.
Her voice carried a subtle trace of probing curiosity.
"Luffy…"
"You and Nami have already…?"
"Uh… well…"
Luffy's eyes darted around guiltily.
But under Robin's clear blue-black gaze, he eventually gave up and admitted honestly:
"Yeah… Nami and I really did…"
"I'm not blaming you."
Robin smiled softly.
Her beautiful arms gently wrapped around his neck as she rested against his chest.
Her clear eyes reflected his face completely.
"Nami truly is a wonderful girl."
Then—
the warmth in her eyes suddenly deepened into something far more intense.
"But…"
Robin slowly raised her head.
Her nose brushed softly against his chin.
And in a low, seductive voice filled with undeniable determination, she whispered:
"If she has it…"
"Then I want it too."
Her warm breath teased his ear once more.
"Will you take me?"
"Mhm."
A smile appeared in Luffy's eyes.
The next moment, he suddenly lifted Robin into his arms.
Crackling arcs of lightning flashed around them.
Golden-purple light tore through the quiet corridor.
In an instant—
their figures vanished into a streak of lightning.
Only the empty food tray remained behind, gently swaying atop the railing.
At the same time—
a luxurious private room that had been dark moments earlier suddenly glowed warmly with soft light.
Before long—
a faint, delicate sound slowly echoed through the room.
Soft.
Breathless.
Sweet enough to make one's heart tremble.
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