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Code: CBA84
Ending: 10/08/25
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The sun bathed the warship in golden light as it sailed across the calm waters of the Grand Line, making its way toward West Blue. The waves gently rocked the ship, and the sounds of seagulls echoed in the sky.
On the main deck, a rather unusual sight was unfolding.
"Again."
Luffy's voice rang out, calm yet firm.
Standing a few feet away, Hina panted, her arms slightly sore, but her violet eyes burned with determination. She gritted her teeth, clenching her fists as she lunged forward again, her form elegant, her speed sharp.
BAM!
Her fist collided with Luffy's forearm—only for her attack to be completely nullified by the thick, black sheen of Armament Haki covering his skin.
Her attack had no impact or effect on him.
There was nothing.
Luffy stood there completely unfazed, his expression almost bored as he examined his nails.
"Too weak." He shook his head with a playful smirk. "Try harder, Hina."
Hina gritted her teeth, her frustration bubbling up.
"Tch! I am trying!"
She twisted her body and threw a rapid barrage of punches, aiming at different spots—his chest, his stomach, his shoulders.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
But each strike landed on his indestructible Haki-coated arms like she was punching a wall of iron.
Luffy yawned dramatically. "Hina, if you hit me like that, you'll just end up with bruised fists. You gotta put your will into it."
Hina's eyebrow twitched.
This brat.
His voice was mocking, but his eyes…
They were serious.
He was challenging her, pushing her limits.
She took a deep breath and adjusted her stance, narrowing her eyes at him.
"…Again."
Luffy grinned. "That's the spirit."
At dawn and dusk, Luffy made Hina sit cross-legged on the deck with her eyes closed.
At first, she complained, finding it ridiculous.
"I'm a fighter, Luffy, not a monk. What does this even do?"
Luffy chuckled, lounging beside her, watching the horizon. "Haki isn't just about strength. It's about control. If you don't have a strong mind, your Haki will never evolve. Observation Haki, especially, comes from your awareness and instincts."
Hina frowned but did as she was told. She sat still, listening to the sound of the ocean waves, the wind, the subtle movements of the ship.
At first, it felt pointless.
But slowly… she began to sense things.
The way the waves shifted before hitting the ship.
The way the sailors moved, each of them carrying different emotions.
The way Luffy, who was beside her, radiated confidence, like a giant unshakable pillar.
Her breathing became deeper, her mind calmer.
Maybe… this brat actually knew what he was talking about.
At noon, however, all hell broke loose.
Instead of just sparring normally, Luffy had a very unusual method.
He coated his entire body in Armament Haki, turning himself into a walking fortress, and told Hina to attack him nonstop.
At first, Hina was suspicious.
"Why are we doing this? You're just standing there and letting me hit you."
Luffy's grin widened, his deep eyes filled with amusement. "Because this is the best way for you to grow."
Hina crossed her arms, unimpressed. "Sounds like an excuse for you to be lazy."
Luffy chuckled and leaned closer, his voice dropping slightly, sending a small shiver down her spine.
"Nah… I have two very good reasons."
Hina raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Enlighten me, oh wise one."
Luffy smirked and held up one finger.
"First, you're a woman." His eyes roamed over her, a teasing glint in them. "And you're way too beautiful. I'd feel guilty if I actually hit you."
Hina froze for a second.
A rush of heat crept up her neck and face, her heart skipping a beat.
She quickly scowled, looking away. "Tch! What a lame excuse…"
But the fluttering warmth in her chest betrayed her words.
Damn him.
Luffy's grin widened knowingly, but he didn't push further.
Instead, he held up a second finger.
"Second, you're a Devil Fruit user." He shrugged. "If we fought normally, you'd instinctively use your powers to counter me. But for this training to work, you need to rely only on Haki."
Hina pursed her lips.
That… actually made sense.
She sighed, rolling her shoulders. "Fine, fine. I'll do it."
Luffy clapped his hands together. "That's the spirit! Now… hit me with all you got."
----
The sailors on the warship were not blind.
They observed the daily training between Luffy and Hina, but more than anything…
They noticed the weird, almost… seductive tension between them.
Every time Luffy would make a flirty remark, Hina would grumble, her face slightly red.
Every time Hina got too close while attacking, Luffy would smirk knowingly, as if enjoying her reaction.
It was like watching a game of cat and mouse—except neither wanted to admit who was the hunter and who was the prey.
The whispers started spreading.
"Oi, oi, don't you think the Commander and Rear Admiral Luffy are… you know… close?"
"Close? More like, if we weren't on a warship, something else would be happening."
"Hina's tough, but even she seems kinda…"
"Weak against his teasing?"
"Damn. Rear Admiral Luffy really doesn't hold back."
They watched as Hina charged at Luffy again, her brows furrowed in frustration.
Luffy dodged effortlessly, tilting his head just slightly—causing her punch to barely miss his face.
"Too slow, Hina~" He teased, his voice smooth.
Hina growled, stepping in closer—too close.
Luffy suddenly caught her wrist, twisting her momentum against her.
Before she knew it, she was off-balance—and with a sharp pull, she stumbled forward, nearly crashing into him.
Her hands landed on his chest.
His grinning face was just inches from hers.
The sailors watching almost dropped their jaws.
"OH MY GOD."
"DID HE JUST—"
Hina's face flushed, and she quickly pushed away, glaring.
"T-That doesn't count!"
Luffy chuckled. "No excuses, Hina. If this were a real fight, you'd be dead."
Hina clenched her fists, taking a deep breath.
"...Again."
Luffy smirked, rolling his shoulders.
"That's my girl."
The sailors almost choked on air.
"D-DID HE JUST—"
"…Call her his girl!?"
"I KNEW IT! THEY'RE FLIRTING!"
As the training continued, so did the tension.
It wasn't just about combat anymore. It was something else entirely.
And everyone on board knew it.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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