Hearing Lynn's words, Luffy couldn't help but retort, "No matter what, I have to beat that Arlong!"
Lynn rolled his eyes. "Fine, suit yourself. But we're stuck here for a few days. Now that the plan's settled, what should we do? Sleep?"
Nami, in a teasing mood, shot back, "It's still broad daylight. Sleep? Are you a pig?"
Lynn raised an eyebrow. "Who said we have to sleep? We could always make a baby."
"Puchi!" Zoro, who had been silent until now, spat out his wine, laughing.
Usopp looked at Lynn and Nami with wide eyes. Luffy, feigning ignorance, chimed in, "Make a human? That sounds fun. I want one too!"
"Bam! Bam!" Nami, cheeks flushed, smacked Lynn and then Luffy, glaring fiercely at Lynn. This guy…
Lynn, lying on the ground, grumbled to Luffy, "What do you want? Go eat your meat. Do you think a stinky rubber man like you can get involved in this stuff?"
Luffy muttered, "So stingy… If you don't want to play, don't. Hey, why don't we go outside and fight?"
"Fight?" Usopp blinked. "You guys really have too much energy."
Lynn's eyes lit up. Luffy always ruined his good mood—soon he'd use his Armament Haki to give him a good beating!
Zoro gulped nervously. "Hey Lynn, what bad idea are you cooking up now?"
Zoro thought the same; Lynn had tricked him enough times before.
Lynn quickly switched gears, smoothing his hair and smiling brightly. "I'm handsome and sunny, have a healthy mind, and I've broken the hearts of thousands of beautiful girls."
Usopp cut in, "Hey, hey! How can you brag better than me?"
Zoro smirked, "I think Lynn's more of a pervert."
Lynn glared at Usopp. "Usopp, you think your nose is too long? Want me to fix it for you?"
Usopp retorted, "You bastard, you want to fight?"
He grabbed Luffy's arm. "Come on!"
Lynn rolled his eyes. "Luffy, sure Usopp's nose is long, but it's a feature. Don't you want to invite him to join?"
Nami groaned, "Did you invite him just because his nose is special?"
Lynn grinned, "That way everyone's nose will look more… coordinated!"
"Hahaha…"
Everyone laughed. Usopp growled, "Lynn, bastard, I want a one-on-one fight!"
Soon, Usopp officially joined the Straw Hats. After all the noise, everyone scattered to do their own thing.
At the coast, Nami sat alone, staring at the endless meeting of sea and sky. Who knows what she was thinking—perhaps her hometown?
Lynn approached quietly. Seeing her distant gaze, he sat beside her. "What's wrong? Still worried about your village?"
Nami nodded. "I'm scared. I once called on pirate hunters and righteous people to save Kokosia, but they all failed against Arlong's Fishmen Pirates…"
Lynn stepped closer. "You've been exhausted all these years, haven't you?"
The salty sea breeze stirred, and Lynn's heart throbbed uncontrollably with youthful energy.
Nami shook her head. "I don't know how I survived. Maybe it was hope—believing I could save my people."
Lynn looked into her eyes. "Why do you sound so drained? Nami, you should have the energy of youth. You need to regain hope and stay optimistic. Life's hardships are inevitable, but isn't it better to face them with a smile?"
Silence fell.
In Lynn's eyes, Nami saw the same bright spirit she remembered from Bellemere—hopeful, positive, unyielding.
Nami blinked, dazed. She hadn't seen such a smile in years.
For a moment, she felt as if she'd forgotten what Bellemere had told her.
Eight years of numbness.
"Hey, hey…" Lynn shook her gently. "Are you okay?"
"Ah?" Nami flushed and quickly looked away, muttering, "Who do you think you are? Just a self-absorbed pirate. Stop lecturing me."
Only the waves and wind filled the quiet.
After a moment, Nami sighed, "Lynn, thank you… you reminded me of something important. I feel better now."
Lynn smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist.
Nami snapped, "Why do you always do this?"
Lynn replied seriously, "The wind is strong here; you might catch a cold."
Nami's face darkened. It was hot, and the wind was cool—catch a cold?
Suddenly, she turned with a sly smile. "If you want to hold me, that's 100,000 Bellies each time. You owe me a million in total!"
Lynn gasped, "You think I'm rich? I'm broke! But I'm right here—do whatever you want."
Nami stood, laughing. "Who needs you? I prefer money. Let's go—what are those noisy idiots up to?"
Lynn sighed as they walked back. "What fun is there with those noisy ghosts?"
Then, unexpectedly, Nami spun around and kissed Lynn on the cheek.
She smiled mischievously. "Are you satisfied now?"
Lynn perked up instantly but stammered, "Nami, you took advantage of me! No, I want to kiss you back—"
Suddenly, Nami's angry voice echoed from the coast: "Lynn, you bastard…"
-End Chapter-
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