"Umm, maybe I should go wait outside," Luffy said, feeling a bit guilty.
"W-well, I think we're pretty much done here," Nami stammered, as if poked by a hedgehog, and abruptly stood up. "I'll... I'll just come out in a minute."
Nami almost recoiled, snatching her hand back, and fled back behind the curtain. She hastily pulled off the white lace outfit.
The shopkeeper was still basking in the joy of an impending big sale. When Nami, face still flushed, emerged wearing her own clothes again, the shopkeeper warmly approached her.
In her mind, the realisation from moments ago struck Nami's heart like an electric shock, making it beat uncontrollably; the thump-thump-thump was clearly audible.
As someone who had been through it all, the shopkeeper had a good idea of what had happened between the two youngsters inside.
Stuck together like glue, dry wood meeting flames.
With the "props" added into the mix, the blush on Nami's face told the experienced shopkeeper everything.
They must have gone through quite the storm.
But they sure could hold back—not a single sound was heard.
And this Straw Hat kid, what a show-off! Still holding a book, pretending to read at a time like this.
Could the book be some advanced material? Did it contain some special "moves" he was studying so intently, forgetting to eat or sleep?
"Miss, how was it? Decided which ones you'd like?" the shopkeeper asked, rubbing her hands together.
Nami tried hard to maintain her composure, though the blush hadn't fully faded from her face.
She pretended to scrutinize the clothes hanging on the rack again seriously, then waved a hand very nonchalantly. "Hmm, I feel like they're all missing something; nothing really suits my taste! Thank you, ma'am!"
Without waiting for the shopkeeper's reaction, she grabbed Luffy—who was still trying to use "knowledge" to suppress certain urges—by the arm and pulled him out of the store.
"Huh?! Wait... miss?"
The shopkeeper stood rooted to the spot, her smile instantly collapsing.
Did I just get... used for free?
Stumbling, Luffy was dragged out of the clothing store by Nami, looking bewildered.
The cool sea breeze hit his face, finally easing that unbearable restless heat a little.
"Nami, not buying any?"
From Luffy's perspective, all those outfits looked great on Nami. Her figure was naturally like a clothes hanger.
Nami suddenly stopped walking.
"Luffy?"
"Yeah?"
"What? Which one did you want to see me in?"
...
Luffy suddenly grasped Nami's hand.
"Mm, you—"
Nami was startled, clearly very surprised by Luffy's reaction.
She was the aggressively forward type, but in terms of results, she was the kind who crumbled at high speed.
"We're being watched."
The area outside the clothing store was empty. The expression on Luffy's face changed sharply. Observation Haki could sense emotional changes, and there were quite a few people here radiating hostility towards him.
"Pirates or Marines?" Hearing this, Nami gripped Luffy's hand tighter, but her heart slowly calmed down.
"Don't know. But I can handle them quickly," Luffy said. "Stay behind me. I'll take out the ones with guns first."
Guns and cannons weren't much of a threat to him; he could bounce them away. But for Nami, it was different.
[Warning, punishment countdown...]
At all times, now?!
Luffy's hands itched. He wasn't a traditional battle maniac, but he never hesitated when a fight was on.
But this would put Nami in danger.
His resolve to protect his nakama was unshakable.
And the scenes he'd shared with Nami recently floated into his mind.
Even someone as dense as him should be able to sense that kind of feeling now.
For the first time, a thought that could be called one of "life's three great illusions" appeared in Luffy's mind.
'Does Nami... like me?'
[Warning...]
No matter what, letting a nakama get hurt was absolutely unforgivable.
Luffy took a deep breath.
When it came to willpower, he was second to none. Once he decided something, even endless alarms couldn't stop him.
Luffy sometimes didn't push himself too hard—unless his nakama were in danger.
"Picking a fight with me, I can let that slide with a little pinch. But if you hurt my nakama because of it..."
Luffy clenched his fists, his whole body tensing, ready.
[Special circumstance detected. Displaying the bearing of a Pirate King. Conqueror's Haki proficiency +1]
[Adjusting plan behaviour...]
[Swapping scheduled activities: 'Study with Nami' time exchanged for 'Pirate Combat Practical Training'.]
[Reward: Tenfold Conqueror's Haki proficiency gain.]
"Wait."
Luffy was stunned for a second, then realised: this "tenfold proficiency"... wouldn't that be 1x10?!
Whatever. Rewards were better than none.
The most important thing was, he could cut loose and go all out!
A grin spread across Luffy's face. "Nami, hold on tight."
Hold on tight to what?
Nami let out a surprised yelp as she found herself scooped up. Her arms instinctively wrapped around Luffy's neck.
Then, he leapt into the air.
"What's going on?!"
"Where'd Straw Hat go?"
"H-he's flying!"
The several dozen people surrounding the clothing store rushed out. Leading them was Mohji, riding the giant lion Richie. The group stared, mouths agape, at Luffy leaping high into the sky.
Mohji had just been starting his countdown—three, two, one... then pounce!
Why did Luffy suddenly pick Nami up? Had they been discovered?
How?
Nami clung to Luffy and said, "They're from Buggy's crew."
Luffy looked puzzled.
Nami then mentioned the split-apart red-nosed guy, and Luffy immediately understood.
"Oh, the losers."
Mohji's face fell instantly. Being easily wiped out by the Straw Hats, even their Captain Buggy being sent flying to who-knows-where with one punch... that was the truth.
But you can't just say that right to our faces! It hurts a pirate's pride!
Mohji, furious and embarrassed, shouted, "Straw Hat kid! Surrender now! I'll take you to Captain Buggy so he can execute you in front of the whole world!"
Before the words finished, Luffy swung his arm. Steam erupted from his body as he entered Gear Second. Moving as if by instant transmission, he kicked one after another. Several pirates holding guns didn't even react before they were sent flying with screams.
Mohji was shocked. "What's going on?! Why is he so fast now?!"
He wasn't like this not long ago!
He didn't know that if given a year, Luffy could probably turn the Marineford War upside down. When it came to growth speed, Luffy had no equal.
"Hey, you mentioned an execution platform earlier, right? Take me there."
In the blink of an eye, only Mohji was left standing.
Nami took the opportunity to snatch a pistol and stood behind Luffy.
***
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