Zoro's expression darkened as he traced a finger over the scar running diagonally across his chest.
Kuina, too, rested a hand on her stomach, where a faint scar remained from their battle with the world's strongest swordsman.
"That bastard was something else," Zoro admitted begrudgingly. "Even after all the training, I still couldn't lay a solid hit on him."
Kuina smirked. "But he acknowledged us, didn't he? Said we had potential."
Luffy snorted. "Yeah, and then he sent you flying into the ocean and knocked Zoro unconscious with ease."
Kuina huffed, tossing her hair back. "Still counts."
Zoro chuckled before his expression turned serious. "And you? Fighting Admirals, taking down notorious pirates… You're making waves, Luffy. Even the Yonko are paying attention now."
Luffy's smirk widened. "Good. Let them watch. When I finally leave this place, I want the whole world to know my name."
Kuina rolled her eyes. "You already made sure of that, 'Divine Fist.' I swear, you and your grandpa are the biggest menaces in the Marines."
Luffy laughed, stretching again. "Yeah, yeah. But I'm getting bored. We need to find another strong opponent soon, or I might start challenging my granpa again."
Kuina and Zoro exchanged glances before shaking their heads.
"You really don't value your life, do you?" Zoro muttered.
Kuina just giggled. "Troublemaker."
----
The calm of the open sea was interrupted by the shrill Bulu! Bulu! of a Den Den Mushi.
Luffy, reclining lazily in his chair with his feet propped up on the railing of the warship, let out an annoyed sigh. The sea breeze tousled his dark hair as he closed his eyes, pretending he hadn't heard it.
"Ignore it," He mumbled. "Nobody's home."
The Marine sailors on board exchanged awkward glances, hesitating for a moment. But duty was duty. One of them stepped forward, gulped, and picked up the receiver.
"Marine Headquarters. This is an urgent call for Rear Admiral Monkey D. Luffy!" The voice on the other end declared.
The sailor visibly stiffened. He turned toward Luffy, his face filled with hesitation. "Sir… it's from HQ."
Luffy groaned, dragging a hand down his face. His patience was already wearing thin. "Did I, or did I not, order you all to never answer calls from Headquarters?"
The sailor stiffened further, sweating. "Y-You did, sir, but—"
"And what was the backup plan?" Luffy asked, cracking open one eye.
"...Say that you're not here…?" the sailor admitted weakly.
"Exactly," Luffy deadpanned.
The rest of the crew wisely avoided eye contact, pretending to be absorbed in other duties.
Luffy sighed, already feeling the headache forming.
"Fine, give me that," He grumbled, snatching the receiver. He put it to his ear and lazily spoke, "Yeah, yeah, what now?"
On the other side of the line, a deep, authoritative voice answered.
"Luffy! This is Sengoku!"
Luffy closed his eyes, fighting the urge to just hang up. "Yeah, I got that much. What do you want, old man?"
"I have an assignment for you. You are to go to Amazon Lily and pick up Warlord Boa Hancock."
The casual boredom in Luffy's expression immediately turned into an exasperated scowl. "Nope."
Sengoku's voice sharpened. "This is a direct order, Luffy! All Warlords have been summoned, and Hancock specifically requested you to pick her up."
Luffy arched a brow. "Me?"
He repeated. That was… interesting. "She really asked for me?"
"That's right," Sengoku confirmed.
From the background, a familiar boisterous laughter erupted.
"HYAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Luffy, ya brat! Seems like Hancock's taken a liking to ya!"
Luffy stiffened. "Oh, hell no—Gramps! What the hell are you doing there?"
Garp's voice was filled with amusement as he shouted into the receiver, "Oi, oi, don't be shy now! Everyone's curious! Just what kinda relationship do you have with the most beautiful woman in the world, huh?"
In the background, other Marines were murmuring excitedly.
"No way! Hancock actually called for Rear Admiral Luffy personally?"
"Why him?!"
"Does he really have a thing going on with her?"
"Damn, I'm so jealous…!"
Luffy smirked, deciding to mess with them.
"Well, of course. Hancock's my girlfriend, didn't you know?" He said smoothly, leaning back in his chair with a lazy grin. "She's gonna be your's daughter-in-law soon."
There was a moment of stunned silence on the other end before the loud sound of Garp's deafening laughter erupted.
"HYAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"
"GOOD! GOOD! I KNEW IT! YA DAMN BRAT, THAT'S HOW A MONKEY D. SHOULD BE!"
Luffy could practically hear the veins popping on Sengoku's forehead. "LUFFY, YOU DAMN BRAT, STOP SPREADING NONSENSE!"
"Relax, relax, I was just kidding," Luffy chuckled.
But Garp wasn't done.
"Oi, oi, but ya know… ya do have a chance, Luffy! Why not cultivate those feelings, huh? Ain't no one in Marineford who doesn't know about your little way with women, eh?"
The snickers and murmurs from Marine Headquarters only grew louder.
"Now that he mentions it… Rear Admiral Luffy is kinda famous for attracting women…"
"Gion-senpai's been really close to him lately too, hasn't she?"
"Wait… don't forget about Kuina! And our proud Hina-senpai too! And there is that junior Ain who has been hanging around him a lot!"
Luffy massaged his temples. "Alright, I've heard enough. I'm hanging up before I get any dumber from listening to you idiots."
"Oi, wait—!"
CLICK!
Luffy set the receiver down with a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose.
His crew, still trying to hold in their laughter, were watching him in amusement.
"Looks like you have to go to Amazon Lily," Kuina teased, stepping up beside him. Her blue eyes gleamed with mischief.
Luffy gave her a sideways glance. "Yeah, yeah, rub it in, will ya?"
"Hey, I'm just saying," She smirked, folding her arms under her chest. "The infamous Snake Empress personally asked for you. What did you do to her back then, hmm?"
Luffy flashed a sly grin. "Hah! Haven't I already told you that?"
Kuina huffed, but there was an odd look in her eyes as she watched him.
Luffy stretched, cracking his neck. "Well, guess there's no helping it. Time to go meet the most beautiful woman in the world, huh?"
Kuina rolled her eyes, but there was a faint pout on her lips. "Just don't get too charmed, Divine Fist. You already have enough trouble with women as it is."
Luffy laughed. "Can't make any promises, sweetheart."
And with that, he set sail toward Amazon Lily—completely unaware that his next encounter with Boa Hancock would be far more intense than he had ever anticipated.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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