The silence in the chamber had become fragile, almost delicate. Every flicker of the lantern seemed to echo like a heartbeat. Hiyori sat stiffly, her hands folded neatly over her lap to hide their trembling. Her eyes were vivid pools of turquoise as they kept darting toward Luffy despite her best efforts to look composed.
And of course, he noticed, but he didn't point it out, finding it cute.
Her nervousness was transparent by the way her lashes fluttered, the way her lips parted slightly when he spoke.
It wasn't just fear or uncertainty. There was curiosity, interest, and perhaps something she herself couldn't yet name.
Luffy's smile widened faintly, calm and unhurried, as he leaned forward, his elbows resting lightly on his knees. His voice came out soft, almost disarmingly so, like a gentle breeze brushing across still water.
"You seem nervous, Princess~," He said quietly, his tone teasing but not mocking. "I can understand that. We don't know each other very well yet, after all."
Hiyori blinked, caught off guard. A soft blush crept up her neck, and she hurriedly looked down.
"I-I'm not nervous…" She muttered, though her trembling fingers betrayed her words.
Luffy chuckled lightly, the sound deep and smooth, echoing softly in the confined room.
"You don't need to hide it," He continued. "This whole situation is sudden for you. But I'm not here to threaten you, Princess. If anything, I have a clear reason for wanting to help you and Wano to be free from Kaido."
Denjiro, who had been silent till now, crossed his arms, his brow furrowing.
"A clear reason? What do you mean by that?"
Luffy didn't answer immediately. He tilted his head slightly, his gaze shifting toward the paper walls where faint cheers from outside could still be heard. Then his eyes returned to them. His gaze was sharp yet warm, a rare combination that seemed to demand attention.
"I don't have much connection with Wano myself," He said slowly, "but… two of my closest friends do."
That single sentence caught both of them off guard.
Denjiro's brows rose in curiosity, and Hiyori tilted her head slightly, her long hair brushing against her shoulders as her eyes flickered with curiosity.
"Two of your friends?" She asked softly, her voice melodic yet cautious. "Who are they?"
Luffy smiled faintly, his eyes gleaming with something unreadable, something between nostalgia and pride.
"You've seen them already," He said. "The swordsman with green hair, and the woman with dark blue hair... the one who moves like wind and cuts things swiftly and gracefully."
Hiyori blinked in surprise, trying to recall them.
"Ah… you mean the man who fought Denjiro in the capital? And the woman who cut down Orochi's heads so easily?"
Denjiro, too, seemed to recall their battles, his curiosity deepening.
"What about them?" He asked.
Luffy leaned back slightly, crossing his arms as his smile turned faintly amused, almost mysterious.
"Do you happen to know their family names?"
Hiyori blinked and slowly shook her head. "No… I don't."
"Nor do I," Denjiro admitted. "You might as well tell us instead of speaking in riddles."
Luffy chuckled, his gaze gleaming mischievously for a brief moment before his tone turned solemn and respectful.
"They both carry the blood of Wano's greatest legend," He said softly, his words carrying the weight of revelation. "They're descendants of the Sword God himself, Shimotsuki Ryuma."
The room fell silent, and for a moment, neither Denjiro nor Hiyori breathed.
The name hung in the air like thunder.
The Sword God Ryuma, the dragon slayer, the protector of Wano's honor, a name revered for centuries.
To even claim descent from him was no small matter.
Hiyori's eyes widened, her lips parting slightly as she whispered, almost in disbelief, "That… can't be…"
But Luffy's calm gaze didn't waver.
"It's true," He said simply. "The woman's name is Shimotsuki Kuina, and she is the granddaughter of Shimotsuki Kouzaburou, the man who once left this country and forged one of its greatest blades. And the green-haired swordsman…"
His voice softened, his tone carrying faint amusement and deep pride.
"His name is Roronoa Zoro. His surname is different, but only because his grandmother, Shimotsuki Furiko, married outside Wano. He's her grandson… the blood of Ryuma flows in his veins too."
Denjiro's jaw tightened, disbelief warring with realization as he recalled the boy's skill, his effortless ferocity, the pure instinct in his swordplay.
'No wonder… no wonder he felt so familiar… that aura… it was Shimotsuki's family.'
Hiyori covered her mouth with trembling hands. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest as the truth sank in.
"Descendants of Ryuma… both of them…" She murmured in awe. "To think… the heroes who helped us… carry his bloodline…"
Denjiro exhaled deeply, the tension in his shoulders melting into astonishment.
"I see now why they fought like that," He said quietly. "That explains everything…"
Luffy smiled softly, his eyes closing for a brief moment before reopening with calm determination.
"I know," He said, "that Wano looks down on those who once left its borders, that they're called traitors, deserters, exiles. But… maybe it's time to see things differently."
His voice dropped lower, gentler, filled with sincerity. His eyes locked onto Hiyori's, steady, unflinching, yet oddly warm.
"So, Princess… When you think about my offer… I hope you'll see it in that same light."
A heavy silence followed.
Hiyori's eyes shimmered, her heart torn between gratitude and awe. For the first time since Orochi's death, she felt something she hadn't felt in years.
It was hope.
The young man before her wasn't just a stranger or an outsider. He was connected to Wano through destiny itself.
And though she didn't yet know what his condition was, a part of her already wanted to accept it.
Hiyori sat there for a long moment, her delicate fingers tightening over her knees. Her heart beat faster than she wished it would, but her gaze never left the man sitting across from her.
Luffy looked far too relaxed for someone who had just turned a nation upside down. His posture was easy, casual even, but his eyes, those sharp, electric golden eyes, carried the stillness of someone who could decide life and death with a word.
Finally, Hiyori exhaled and lifted her chin slightly, gathering her courage.
"I believe you," She said quietly, her voice trembling but firm. "But before I accept your offer… I want to know that in return for your protection, what is it that you expect from us?"
Her tone was measured, cautious, but graceful, befitting her royal upbringing.
Denjiro's expression softened for a brief moment. He folded his arms, nodding approvingly at her question.
'That's it,' He thought proudly. 'She's acting like a true princess now.'
Luffy's lips curved into a faint smile. A small chuckle escaped his mouth. It was low, smooth, and almost teasing, as if he had been waiting for her to ask.
"That's a good question," He said softly. "And I'll be honest with you, Princess. I don't want much from you."
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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