🌟 HEAR YE, HEAR YE, BRAVE SOULS! 🌟✨
☀️🌴 Summer Sale is Live Now on Patreon! 🛍️🔥
Discount: 25%
Code: 03B5E
***********************************
The air between them sizzled with tension as Luffy and Gion clashed again.
Clang-!
Sparks erupted as their swords met in a powerful collision. The force sent a shockwave through the training field, scattering dust and leaves.
Gion gritted her teeth, her muscles straining as she pressed forward. "Tch… You're playing with me, aren't you?"
Luffy smirked, tilting his head slightly as he effortlessly deflected her blade. "Who, me? Would I do that?"
Shing-!
Gion's sword sliced through the air, a blur of lethal precision, her grip firm, her stance solid. She was fast—faster than most men in the Marines, and yet, she hit nothing.
Luffy was already gone, vanishing from his spot.
Her eyes widened, instincts flaring as she tried to find his shadow.
"Behind you."
Only to hear his voice behind her. His voice was a low whisper, tickling her ear like an intimate secret.
A sharp shiver crawled up her spine.
She reacted instantly, pivoting on her heel, her sword whipping around in a deadly arc. Only to meet air. Her blade cut through nothing.
Luffy had already moved away.
Her heartbeat thundered as she snapped her head up.
There he was—a few feet away, standing as if this were all a mere game to him. His dark piercing eyes glowed with amusement, his body relaxed, hands resting on his sword as if he had all the time in the world.
He tilted his head slightly, lips curling into a smirk. "Come on, Gion. You're supposed to be an Admiral candidate."
He winked at her. "Is that all you got?"
Bastard!
Gion gritted her teeth, her breath coming out in sharp, controlled exhales.
He was playing with her.
And she knew it.
His movements were too effortless, his dodges too smooth, his counters too light. He wasn't fighting at full strength—not even close.
And the worst part?
He was enjoying it.
Enjoying watching her struggle.
Enjoying watching her push herself to her limits.
Enjoying… her.
And that infuriated her.
Her blade flashed, now coated in jet-black Armament Haki, the sheer presence of her willpower cracking the ground beneath her.
If he wanted to play then she would make him fight for real.
She lunged forward, her sword singing as it sliced through the air.
Luffy's smirk only widened. "That's more like it."
Their blades collided in a powerful clash.
Clang-!
A shockwave exploded from the impact, sending dust and debris flying in all directions.
Gion pressed forward, gritting her teeth as she channeled all her strength into overpowering him.
Luffy, however, stood firm, completely unfazed, holding his sword with one hand.
She growled. "Stop toying with me!"
Luffy let out a low chuckle, the sound infuriatingly arrogant. "Why? I like watching you struggle."
Damn him!
Her Haki flared, and she twisted her wrist, aiming to break his defense.
But Luffy's body shifted at the last moment, his movements so fluid, so effortlessly smooth, that her attack slid past him like water over stone.
And then he disappeared again.
Gion barely had time to react before she felt it. The ghost of his breath against her skin.
"Too slow."
Her pupils dilated.
He was right behind her again.
She swung her sword in a wide arc—but he was already gone, already putting distance between themselves.
Their swords collided again, sending waves of force through the battlefield. The sheer power of their strikes cracked the ground beneath them.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Luffy moved fluidly, weaving through her strikes with almost lazy precision.
"You know…" Luffy began, casually sidestepping an attack. "You're really beautiful when you're serious, Gion."
Gion almost stumbled.
"W-What!?"
Luffy's smirk widened as he dodged another strike. "I said you're beautiful. And strong. I love strong women, you know?"
Gion bit the inside of her cheek, trying desperately to ignore the heat spreading through her body.
"T-This is a fight, Luffy! Focus!" She snapped, her heart hammering.
"Oh, I am." He chuckled, effortlessly blocking her sword with a single hand. "Just appreciating my opponent at the same time."
His nerve...
Her pulse raced as his words sank in. She wanted to ignore him. She needed to. But her ears betrayed her, hanging onto every single word.
Her heart thumped violently, and her grip on her sword tightened.
Luffy chuckled. "Aw, are you getting flustered, Vice Admiral?"
Gion growled, her face burning. "You little—!"
"Let's make a bet."
She froze. "A bet?"
Luffy nodded, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Winner gets to ask for anything."
Gion narrowed her eyes. "Anything?"
Luffy nodded. "Anything."
She hesitated for a second before smirking. "Fine. I'll make you train seriously for once when I win."
Hehe... anything. Does that mean, I can ask for anything from him? It's really interesting...
Luffy grinned. "And if I win…"
He paused, letting the moment stretch, letting her anticipation build. Then, with a teasing lilt, he finished his sentence.
"I get a kiss."
Gion's sword slipped. She almost tripped over herself, catching her footing just in time. "W-WHAT!?"
Luffy just smiled. "You heard me."
Her face exploded in red. "ABSOLUTELY NOT!"
"Why not?" Luffy shrugged. "You said anything, didn't you?"
"T-That's not—!"
"What's wrong, Gion?" His eyes sparkled playfully. "Not confident in your strength?"
That hit a nerve.
Gion's pride flared. She couldn't back down now. Not without proving him right.
She inhaled sharply. "Fine. But don't blame me when you lose."
Luffy's grin sharpened. "That's the spirit."
And then, the battle exploded.
BOOM!
Luffy's Haki surged, his strength multiplied, and his swordplay became razor-sharp.
Gion's breath hitched.
Damn it.
He had been holding back more than she thought.
The moment she agreed, he had switched gears completely.
She gritted her teeth. "You sneaky little—!"
Clang-!
She barely blocked his next strike, her arms trembling from the sheer force.
Luffy's playfulness didn't fade—but now, there was an undeniable dominance to his attacks.
"You're good, Gion," He murmured, pushing her back step by step. "But I'm better."
She hated that he was right. She hated that she was losing ground. But more than anything.
She hated how thrilling this was.
Her heart was pounding for all the wrong reasons.
Luffy vanished, and only his voice reached her ear.
"Too slow."
She barely caught sight of his dark eyes before her sword was knocked away.
Slash!
THUD!
Gion staggered back, panting, sweat dripping down her brow.
Luffy stood before her, completely untouched.
"Looks like I win."
Gion clenched her fists, taking a deep breath before exhaling. "Damn it… Fine. You won. Congratulations."
She turned to leave, to escape the place as quickly as possible.
"Hold on."
Luffy's voice stopped her cold.
She swallowed. "What?"
His grin widened as he spoke teasingly. "You're not leaving without paying up, Gion."
Her stomach twisted.
She forced herself to stand tall.
Fine.
She'd just get it over with.
With a deep breath, she leaned in and gave a soft peck on his cheek.
Luffy blinked for a moment before he smirked.
"What are you, a little girl?"
Before she could react, he grabbed her shirt, yanked her forward, and crashed his lips against hers.
Gion's mind went blank. Her breath hitched, her entire body melting into the sudden, dominant kiss.
His hand slid to her hips, pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss, leaving her with no escape.
Her legs almost gave out.
When he finally pulled away, Luffy just chuckled, licking his lips.
"Now that's a real kiss."
And with that, he walked away.
But Gion... she just stood there, frozen in her spot.
She was in a daze, her body still trembling.
She touched her lips, her heart pounding so hard she thought she might collapse.
Kuina, watching from the sidelines, shook her head, smirking.
"Oh, she's hooked."
She knew that Gion had fallen... just like her. And she would come back for more.. again.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
🚨 Want to read chapters before anyone else? Head over to Patreon for early access and exclusive perks!
📖 If you're enjoying the stories and want to help keep them coming, your support means everything. Join us and stay ahead!
👉 Patreon: patreon.com/Myth_Valley
☕ Or support directly: buymeacoffee.com/myth_valley
Let's keep the adventure alive! 🔥📚✨