One Piece:I am King Luffy!

As Luffy soaked in the pool, his thoughts drifted back to the sensation of holding Sweetheart Queen's "slippery heart."

Though it had only been a brief moment, it left a lingering, strange feeling that he couldn't shake off.

He submerged his hand in the water, grasping at it as if to recreate the sensation, but, of course, there was nothing there.

"Damn it, stop thinking about that. I can't let desire compromise my resolve!"

Taking a deep breath, he clasped his hands together tightly, forming a focused grip to help redirect his thoughts. The slight pain in his fingers helped to clear his mind.

When he emerged, freshly dressed, it was time for dinner. Needless to say, there were no hugs involved.

"Big Bear King might be a Devil Fruit user as well," Bellemere said while eating.

"He's probably a close-combat type. Don't worry, Bellemere, I'll take him down," Luffy said confidently.

Big Bear King's wanted poster showed him as a towering male pirate, standing around four meters tall, with a massive build.

Luffy figured he'd need to target the guy's legs first, just like his previous battles with large foes. Even wielding his King Sword, he'd only be able to reach his chest by jumping.

Bellemere, growing accustomed to Luffy's astonishing strength, wondered if he really could pull it off. If he could, it would free Clockwork Island from its siege sooner.

"Tomorrow, I can swim to the shore from underwater," Luffy suggested.

That way, he could bypass the pirate cannon positions altogether.

Uta, watching him eat, couldn't help but think about the way his pants had reacted earlier. Sweetheart Queen's words echoed in her mind:

> "That boy on your ship seems very honest with his body, quite interested in a beautiful woman like me. Would you like me to give him some lessons?"

The woman had been bold—bold enough to display herself without shame. Shanks had always told Uta to protect her body, that such behavior was unacceptable. But it seemed the adults around them, especially the male pirates, were drawn to women like that. Uta had noticed that even some of the other pirates had reacted like Luffy.

What was it? Did that… part change when they saw women's bodies?

Uta's curiosity sparkled in her eyes.

She was more intrigued by what Luffy had done, especially since he seemed unaffected now. What had happened during the fight?

"Nami, Uta, what are you two thinking about? You've been stirring your rice for ages!" Bellemere said.

She noticed the girls, and even Nojiko, were lost in thought. It made Bellemere realize that Sweetheart Queen's impact might have affected the girls even more.

That shameless pirate woman—did she have no sense of shame? Don't make things harder for a single mother raising these girls!

Just thinking about Sweetheart Queen irritated Bellemere. What did she mean by calling her an "old woman"? Was that directed at her? That woman was infuriating!

Frustrated, Bellemere reminded herself to calm down. She'd need to address this with the kids eventually.

"Oops…"

The girls snapped out of it, quickly resuming their meal.

Later, while washing up, Luffy usually helped chop ribs or dice meat, but he was too exhausted tonight, so he went straight to his room to lie down.

By nine-thirty, it was time for bed.

Luffy was too tired to change into his sleepwear, so he just lay in his shorts.

The battleship rocked gently, anchored under the night sky.

Yet no one slept well that night.

Though exhausted, Luffy found himself wide awake, tossing and turning. It felt like his old insomnia from his past life, but he knew that Sweetheart Queen had triggered it. Her… soft heart had left a deep impression on him.

There was also a sense of guilt. Goddess… oh, goddess…

Gripping his blanket, he twisted it under his powerful hands.

The door creaked open. Naturally, it hadn't been locked, in case Tyson needed to wake him for an emergency.

But it wasn't Tyson who entered. Instead, an orange-haired head peeked through the door.

Nami slipped inside and closed the door behind her.

"What's up, Nami?" Luffy asked, awkwardly stopping his blanket twisting.

"I wanted to ask you something." Nami, in her white pajamas, stood at the edge of his bed. "Do you… really like that woman?"

"?"

Luffy looked at her in confusion. The only "woman" she could mean was either Bellemere or Sweetheart Queen.

"Um…"

As he tried to figure out an answer, Nami continued, "Bellemere said girls shouldn't act like that. But everyone seemed to like her…"

"…"

Indeed, the pirates on the ship had all reacted to that scene, each with the kind of expression that only men seemed to understand.

"Luffy, do you like that kind of woman?" Nami asked directly.

"…"

"Tell me, Luffy. I won't tell anyone." She put a finger to her lips in a shushing motion.

"This will be our secret."

Luffy thought honesty was best here.

"Well, I suppose I would like it. I mean, it's another woman revealing her body, a sort of… benefit, you know? But if it were someone I cared about doing it, then I wouldn't like it."

Luffy explained simply, as that was the truth.

"Hmm…"

Nami tilted her head in thought.

This thoughtful Nami was adorable… Luffy thought.

"It's like this: there's a difference between strangers and those close to you. Strangers can do as they like, but with someone I care about, I'd want them to keep it just for me."

"So, if I did something bold like that for others to see, it would upset you. But if it were just for you, you'd be happy?" Nami asked, piecing it together.

"That's a good way to put it, and yes, that's the gist of it."

"I get it now. You're a boy who likes, well… certain things. Unlike Uta, you're not one to share." Nami leaned in, her hand resting on his bed, her brown eyes gazing straight at his chest.

"Exactly! That's me!" Luffy declared confidently.

"Nami, you're an adorable and beautiful girl. I don't want to share that with anyone else. You're my navigator, remember? We've made a promise."

"Heh, well, Nami's a greedy girl. Unless I've stolen every last Berry from you, I'm not leaving, Captain," Nami teased, her ears turning pink from the compliment.

"So… as long as I pay, Nami would do anything?"

With the barrier of Berries between them, Luffy found talking to Nami easier. He licked his dry lips, feeling a sudden urge.

"Well, Nami would think about it… as long as it doesn't upset Bellemere," Nami replied.

"Tonight… can I… hold you while I sleep?"

"Sure, Nami offers a hugging service."

Before she could say more, Luffy pulled her into his arms under the blanket.

She let out a small gasp as he held her close.

Absorb the energy of an anime heroine!

Sigh… bliss. What could be better than hugging such a sweet, anime-like creature?

Nami nestled against his neck, her nose brushing his warm skin. A comforting warmth spread over her, her sensitive skin enveloped in his heat.

In that moment, she felt a weight lift, as if nothing bad could happen as long as she stayed in his embrace.

"Is this uncomfortable?" Luffy noticed her wriggling.

"No… but holding me so tightly will cost extra," Nami whispered.

"You can deduct it yourself, but no sneaking extra," he replied.

"What if I do?" she asked, looking up.

"Then you'll have to pay me back."

"But I don't have money… Can I pay with myself?"

"Don't joke about that! I'll take you seriously!"

This was going more smoothly than he'd expected—maybe because Nami was so adorable?

In the dark, Nami held up her hand. Her hands, rough from helping Bellemere with chores, had calluses.

Compared to other girls who seemed as delicate as princesses, she felt herself shrinking back.

"Luffy, am I really… cute?" she asked softly.

Would he abandon her for a prettier girl if he met one?

No, she needed to save more money. If that day ever came, at least she'd have Berries to live on.

Luffy, too tired to say more, just held her hand, interlocking their fingers.

"Goodnight."

Her thoughts stilled, and she relaxed against him, resting her forehead on his chest.

Why did Luffy sleep without a shirt? Such a bad boy.

"Goodnight," she murmured, running her hand over his abs.

---

Bellemere suddenly woke up, furious, muttering under her breath. "That vile woman!"

She covered her face, breathing heavily as Sweetheart Queen's taunt echoed in her mind. An old woman? How unforgivable!

"I'm still young, alright? It's just the oranges staining my skin—nothing a little time won't fix!"

With a huff, she flopped back down, returning to sleep.

---

In her room, Uta clung to her blanket, her legs entwining it as she rolled around, pondering Sweetheart Queen's words.

And she couldn't stop thinking about the "tent" she'd seen.

The fact that boys could "transform" was fascinating.

What did it feel like? Did something happen with Luffy and that woman?

Why was he different after he returned to the ship?

Luffy, keeping secrets from her? Not happening. She'd make sure to be by his side in every fight from now on!

Finally, exhausted from her thoughts, she hugged her blanket tightly and fell asleep.

---

On Clockwork Island…

The pirates were also restless that night.

Big Bear King gnawed on a massive three-meter-long bone, growing impatient as his subordinate reported to him.

"Captain, we can't reach Sweetheart Queen's or Pig Jack's Den Den Mushi. Their lines are… dead."

The small pirate with the odd backpack relayed the news.

Usually, if one Den Den Mushi went silent, it wasn't a big deal. But both had gone dark, which meant the worst for their owners.

"They were only patrolling nearby waters… How could this happen? The enemy must still be close. Find him—I'll rip him apart!" Big Bear King roared, his giant, fur-covered arm flexing with metallic glints.

When his fist hit the ground, the earth trembled.

"My queen… Dammit, doesn't he know how rare a woman like that is? How could he do this?!"

He glanced down at his own pants.

"The traps on Clockwork Island are nothing. They really think those rusty old things can keep me out? They have two days to surrender. If they don't, I'll break my way in. A few deaths might be unfortunate, but I'm done waiting!"

---

Morning came, and Nami opened her eyes. Although she didn't want to leave the blanket's warmth, she didn't want to be caught sneaking out, either. If Nojiko or Uta saw her, she'd feel awkward.

She peeked through the door crack, and seeing no one, she tiptoed back to her room.

Then, pretending nothing had happened, she casually strolled out.

"Good morning, Nojiko. You're the first one up today?" she said, noticing her sister working in the kitchen.

"Yeah. Bellemere and Uta both slept in today," Nojiko replied.

Luffy, awakened when Nami got up, remained lying there, pressing his hand against the spot she'd slept, savoring the faint citrus scent.

His mind drifted to the upcoming battle with Big Bear King, piecing together his strategy. Only when the lingering citrus scent faded did he finally get up.

He and Uta stepped out of their rooms at the same time.

"Good morning, Uta."

"Good morning, Luffy," she replied with a small nod.

As Luffy headed toward the deck with his sword, Uta sniffed the air, a puzzled expression in her violet eyes.

Why did Luffy smell like… oranges?

Once he was out of sight, she pushed open his door.

Luffy's room was as tidy as always, n

eat and fresh.

She reached out to touch the bed, feeling a wide patch of warmth.

Had two people been lying here?

Maybe Nami was still adjusting to life on the ship?

She mused, smiling. Maybe her skin was just extra sensitive, allowing her to sense every detail…

-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there 

patreon.com/LegendaryTL

Thanks!