Luffy, how can you become the Pirate King if you don't work hard!

That smile bloomed in the moonlight, carrying an almost eerie charm and composure, as if illuminating the entire night.

"Miss Nami, Luffy has been sailing at sea these past few days, and I'm so grateful for your care."

Why does he sound like a family member speaking?

Nami bit her lower lip, forcing a smile that looked alright.

"Not at all, taking care of the captain is a navigator's duty. I will take good care of Luffy in the future as well."

Uta narrowed his eyes. What was this woman talking about? Was a navigator's duty to take care of the captain? Nonsense!

She even claimed that she would take good care of him in the future.

Do they even respect me?

How long have you known Luffy?

“Yes, taking care of an idiot really takes patience and time. Speaking of which, I’ve known Luffy for many years, I never thought we’d meet again in the East Blue,” Uta said.

Bonds are like wine; the longer they age, the sweeter and more delicious they become. Do you understand the value of childhood sweethearts?

Nami felt a surge of anger rising within her, especially the phrase "we've known each other for many years," which seemed to mock her status as a newcomer.

Uta said those things on purpose!

She unconsciously clenched her hands into small fists.

Uta's familiarity with Luffy in her words made her extremely uncomfortable.

"Encounters are always full of surprises, Miss Uta. What matters is the present and the future, isn't it?"

Nami retorted sharply, "I think Miss Uta probably has her own adventures to do, and she really should take the time to catch up with Luffy."

Otherwise, there won't be enough time!

Are you getting on board? Go ahead and get on if you dare!

Uta, his lifeline held hostage, glared at Nami with gritted teeth.

The balance of power shifts easily.

The two sides clashed in a flash, exchanging sharp words, making it difficult to determine a winner.

......

The banquet began soon afterward.

When Nami heard that Luffy was going to sing with Uta later, her mind went into a mess.

Sing?!

This is completely outside her area of ​​expertise!

She excels at sailing, stealing, fighting, and accounting...

But singing?

She felt that her ordinary humming was acceptable.

But upon hearing Uta's humming, she instantly realized that the two were not even in the same league.

Usopp then remembered Uta's identity; she seemed to be a super popular star recently, with many people all over the world liking her songs.

Uta admitted it with a smile.

Watching Luffy and Uta discussing animatedly with their heads down, as if entering a world only the two of them could understand, Nami was gripped by an unprecedented sense of powerlessness.

Nami secretly clenched her free hand, her teeth unconsciously biting the straw of her drink.

Her gaze was fixed on Luffy, her cheeks puffed up slightly with frustration and resentment.

Why would someone naturally harbor hostility towards Uta? Wars between women don't start out of nowhere.

Is her relationship with Luffy really just that of captain and navigator? So much has happened; Nami has been seen naked by Luffy countless times, and there are even marks he left on her lower lip...

Is that heartless, rubber-headed jerk and that dazzling songstress really just childhood sweethearts?

Even if they were childhood friends, Nami didn't believe that Luffy and Uta played a game of biting lips when they were little.

Nami was in a state of utter confusion.

Why didn't I feel this way before?

It's highly likely because he lacks a sense of crisis. Luffy's only female contact is her, so he's sitting back and not worried about anyone.

It is different now.

Suddenly, a childhood friend appears out of nowhere, and their relationship is so close.

Actually, Nami had felt uneasy ever since Luffy flew headlong toward the ship flying the World Government flag that afternoon, saying that his friends were there.

It seems that something extremely precious is about to be forcibly taken away by a suddenly appearing, powerful opponent.

It can only be said that a woman's sixth sense does indeed exist.

Chapter 44: Learning knowledge so late at night?

When people are down on their luck, they can even choke while eating.

It was because of that feeling of unease that Nami couldn't eat dinner and chose to go to the deck to get some fresh air, which is how she saw the two of them on the mast.

Are you guys staging some kind of sitcom?

Nami immediately interrupted her, only then realizing why she had been so nervous.

When Nami saw Utana's seemingly unperturbed expression, she gave herself a thumbs up for what she had done not long ago: she should have interrupted! Prevented them from making any real progress.

If this interruption happens, won't it all be her show from now on? How could a big star like Uta become a pirate on a ship, especially since she seems to have connections with the World Government?

It was Uta's sudden arrival that made Nami realize the danger.

Even as a fellow girl, Nami had to admit that Uta was extremely beautiful, despite her critical eye.

Whether it's her delicate, doll-like features or the poise she's cultivated on stage.

In comparison, aside from her undeniably impressive figure in a certain area, Nami doesn't seem to have any particularly outstanding advantages.

The most crucial point is the phrase "childhood sweethearts," which acts like a huge chasm.

but!

Just because I met Luffy a little later, does that mean I'm destined to lose?

Are you kidding me?

So what if you went first? You'll be mine eventually!

.....

Uta was also enjoying the banquet.

Members of the Straw Hat Pirates.

It gave her a strange sense of familiarity.

It seems not much different from the Red-Haired Pirates that I remembered from my childhood, a crew full of laughter and free adventure.

At least they are completely different from the vicious and ruthless pirates who wantonly burn, kill, and plunder on this sea.

They exuded a pure enthusiasm and naiveté.

It's just like the crew that silly Luffy would attract.

Because he was Luffy's friend, Uta received a warm welcome, and Sanji and Usopp chattered away like sparrows, telling him about things he wanted to know.

Fight to protect what your fellow countrymen cherish, and then extend an invitation.

Become my partner.

As Uta listened, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up, as if she could see that little Luffy shouting that he would become the Pirate King, while clumsily taking one step at a time to realize their shared dream of traveling around the world.

However, there were still vicious pirates on this ship.

Uta's gaze lingered on Nami for a moment before pausing.

In that respect, they are completely outmatched!

Just now in the air, she was almost entirely hanging on Luffy.

That close physical contact made a certain aspect of Uta's consciousness become increasingly clear.

She and Luffy are no longer the two little kids who used to frolic in the same barrel.

Luffy's body became broad and strong, radiating a sense of security and power from his chest.

And that incredibly sweet blood...

Uta learns that Nami was saved by Luffy, so a classic hero-saves-the-damsel-in-distress scenario is inevitable, right? When Uta was imprisoned in Eregia, besides music, only books offered her some solace during her lonely times.

Nami's expression clearly indicated that she regarded her as some kind of imaginary enemy.

As expected, Uta still wanted to forcefully bring Luffy onto her ship, and her desire to make him her own grew stronger.

She was thinking this without even realizing it herself.

A somewhat unhealthy smile appeared on his face.

......

The highlight of the banquet was naturally Uta and Luffy singing "New Generation".

I thought we were poorly prepared, there wasn't even a musician on the ship, let alone a stage. But I didn't expect that Uta, like Luffy, is a Devil Fruit user.

Song Fruit.

Accompanied by the singing, colorful musical notes, like dreamy bubbles, appeared visible to the naked eye.

These notes, imbued with the texture of fruit, danced and shimmered gently on the deck, mast, and gunwale, making the entire ship vibrate slightly as if it had been given life.

The power of the Song-Song Fruit is not just about singing. Even though Uta has not fully developed this ability, she knows that her singing can have a significant effect on consciousness and emotions.

Moreover, it's not just about human consciousness and emotions.