Although the group didn't fully understand Luffy's intentions, they had no choice but to nod and follow his orders. Questions could wait.
Nami, however, couldn't help but recall Luffy's display of power at the G2 branch. The image of him using his magnetic abilities to manipulate an entire island resurfaced in her mind. A knowing smirk crossed her face as she made a guess about his next move.
Before she could voice her thoughts, Luffy interrupted, "Alright, stop guessing and get to work."
He turned to address the officers. "Ain, Tina, Kujaku, Koala—lead your teams and patrol the Flower Capital. Mansherry, you're with me. I'll need you to oversee medical care. Kalifa, contact the World Government and tell them if they want a seastone factory, they'll have to build it themselves—and pay for it. Also, inform them that the seastone produced here isn't free. They'll need to negotiate the price with me."
The officers exchanged glances, nodded, and dispersed to carry out their tasks.
As the others left the room, the atmosphere quieted. Only Nami remained, inspecting a beautifully crafted golden plate of Wano Country's design. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she turned the artifact over in her hands, admiring its craftsmanship.
"Nami," Luffy said, breaking the silence. "Where are Hancock and the others? I haven't seen them around."
Without looking up, Nami replied, "They're probably still on Stormbreaker. I heard they're planning to dock it in the river outside the city. They'll be here soon."
Her focus returned to the golden plate, and a mischievous grin spread across her face. "Hey, Luffy, I heard Wano Country is called the 'Golden Country.' Are there really a lot of gold mines here? Think we could, you know, take some?"
Luffy rolled his eyes. "Seriously? That's your first question?" With a flick of his hand, he used his magnetic powers to pull the plate from her grasp. He examined the artifact thoughtfully before answering, "We can mine gold, but none of it is going into your personal stash. I've got plans for it."
Nami pouted, crossing her arms in mock defiance. "Stingy," she muttered under her breath.
Luffy ignored her sulking and stood up. "Come on. Let's take a walk through the castle."
The two strolled through the opulent halls of the Shogun's Castle. As the residence of Wano's ruling family for generations, the castle exuded extravagance. Every corner was adorned with intricate decorations, priceless antiques, and luxurious furnishings.
"This place is something else," Luffy mused as he gazed around. "We'll make this the new base for the G66 branch. It'll need some renovations, though. I'm not a fan of sitting on my knees to do paperwork."
Nami, ever the opportunist, let her eyes wander over the treasures lining the walls. Silently, she estimated their value, already imagining how much gold and Bailey they could fetch. Her mind buzzed with possibilities.
As they reached a window overlooking the Flower Capital, Luffy paused to admire the bustling streets below. The city seemed vibrant, alive with the sounds of daily life. He sighed, a rare note of melancholy creeping into his voice.
"In one month, I'll be 14 years old," he said softly. "Fourteen years old, running an entire base, and conquering a country. Most people would call that remarkable. But it's still not enough—not for what we're trying to achieve."
Nami tore her gaze away from the treasures and studied Luffy's expression. With a warm smile, she approached him and linked her arm through his. "What are you talking about?" she teased. "You sound like some old man reminiscing about his glory days. You've got plenty of time, Luffy. You're just getting started."
Her tone turned playful as she added, "And don't forget—once I get my hands on pure gold, we'll have all the time in the world. Even if you're the biggest idiot on the Grand Line, you'll reach your goals eventually."
Luffy chuckled, her humor breaking through his pensive mood. "Is that supposed to be comforting? Because it doesn't sound like it."
Reaching out, he ruffled Nami's hair, thoroughly messing up her neatly styled orange locks. She yelped in protest, swatting at his hand.
As they bantered, Luffy suddenly noticed a change in perspective. Glancing down, he realized just how much taller he was than Nami. At around 150 cm, she barely reached his chest.
"Nami," he said, his tone mock-serious.
"Hmm?" she replied, still fixing her hair.
"You... should probably start drinking more milk or something," he said with a sly grin. "Otherwise, when we're older, I might feel guilty about being a lolicon."
Nami froze, her eyes narrowing as his words sank in. "What did you just say?" she hissed.
Luffy's grin widened as he gestured to their height difference. "I mean, look at you. You're tiny. If we're ever... you know, together, people might think—"
Before he could finish, Nami's foot connected with his shin. Hard.
"Bakayaro!" she shouted, jabbing a finger at his chest. "How many times do I have to tell you? I'm still growing!"
Crossing her arms, she huffed and added, "When I'm 18, I'll surprise you—and everyone else! My height, my figure, everything! You'll eat your words!"
Luffy smirked, unfazed by her outburst. "I don't doubt your... figure," he said, glancing pointedly at her chest. "But your height? That's another story."
He leaned back, folding his arms. "Even if you hit 1.7 meters, you'd still be little for someone who's 3 meters tall with... you know." He gestured vaguely, leaving the implication hanging.
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