The Going Merry continued its journey toward Alabasta.
"Oh, amazing!!"
"Gulp—so Pan Jinlian and Ximen Qing are those kinds of people!"
"You two idiots, keep it down!"
In the corner of the ship's deck, Sandy, Usopp, and Sanji huddled together, completely absorbed in the books Sandy had bought from the [pheromone system].
Usopp and Sanji couldn't stop gasping in shock as they read.
Sandy, on the other hand, was calm—he already knew what Jin Pingmei was about.
Elsewhere, Chopper was lying on the deck, relaxing in the sea breeze while Zoro lifted a barbell that weighed several thousand pounds.
The little reindeer looked absolutely blissful.
Meanwhile, Nami and Vivi stood at the railing on the second deck, watching the trio curiously.
Vivi said softly, "This time, I really should thank Sandy for his guidance back then. Without him, I don't think I'd have become a proper princess like he said."
Nami smirked, secretly glancing at Sandy—who looked like an idiot squatting there—and rolled her eyes.
"He's all talk. Anyway, you're feeling better now, right?"
Vivi smiled. "Yes. Once I figured things out and set a clear goal, I stopped feeling anxious or afraid. I'm really lucky to have met all of you."
Nami chuckled. "Why are you being so sentimental now? Anyway, what are those idiots doing? What's got them so excited? Should we go check?"
Vivi hesitated for a moment, her cheeks flushing slightly at the mention of Sandy, but she eventually nodded.
"Alright, let's go. We still have some time before reaching Alabasta—it's boring just standing here."
While the two girls chatted, Luffy was already bored out of his mind. He couldn't sit still to read even if his life depended on it.
After wandering around for a while, he ended up back with Sandy and the others.
"Stop reading and come play with me! I'm bored!" Luffy complained.
Usopp shoved him away. "Go play by yourself, Captain! Don't bother us while we're reading!"
When Usopp ignored him, Luffy grabbed Sanji's pant leg. "Sanji, I'm hungry! Make me something to eat!"
"Bear with it," Sanji muttered without looking up. "I'm really into this part right now."
Luffy pouted. "No! I want to eat now!"
Sanji sighed. "Didn't you just eat?"
Before he could finish, Luffy tugged too hard—Sanji's pants slipped down.
Vivi and Nami immediately turned away with a squeak.
"What the hell are you guys doing?" Nami demanded.
"Don't talk, we're reading," Usopp replied automatically, completely absorbed in the book.
Sandy quickly snapped out of it and shoved the "precious" book back into the [pheromone system].
"Sandy!" Sanji and Usopp glared at him.
"It's nothing!" Sandy said quickly, forcing a grin. "We were just… playing a little game."
Vivi frowned. "Nami and I clearly saw you guys reading."
Nami crossed her arms. "Yeah, are you hiding something from us?"
Luffy grinned. "They're reading a book called Jin Pingmei."
"Ah! Luffy, you idiot!!" Usopp and Sanji yelled.
Sandy covered their mouths and laughed awkwardly. "It's nothing! We were reading Jin Pingmei just now."
He stuffed a chicken leg into Luffy's mouth to shut him up, then smiled at the girls.
"That book's about a little fish and a cat. We men enjoy it, but you ladies wouldn't like it."
He gave Usopp and Sanji a sharp glare. Those two morons! Their shocked faces were only making it worse!
Trying to change the topic, Sandy said, "Oh right, you both look really nice today. How long till we reach Alabasta anyway? I'm getting tired of drifting around!"
Nami squinted at him. "Don't change the subject! Sanji, is what he said true?"
Sanji gulped. "Y-yeah… yeah, what Sandy said is true."
Hopeless. Absolutely hopeless.
Nami extended her hand. "Then let us see the book. Maybe we'll like the story of the little fish and the cat, right, Vivi?"
Vivi laughed awkwardly. "R-right…"
Sandy grinned shamelessly. "No way! But I do have skincare products for you. They'll keep you young forever!"
"Stay young forever?!" everyone exclaimed.
Luffy and Usopp's eyes sparkled. "Sandy, give us some too!"
Sandy facepalmed. "It's cosmetics for women! Why the hell would you two need that?"
Usopp pouted. "But it keeps you young, right?"
Sandy handed a jar of "Da Da Bao" cream to Nami and Vivi, smirking.
"Can't I brag a little? If I don't hype it up, who'll think my stuff's worth it? Foolish humans."
"What did you just say?!"
"I said you're foolish!"
Cough! Just a second ago they were acting like brothers, now they were fighting again.
When the chaos settled, Luffy scratched his head. "I was just trying to stop the fight. Why'd you guys hit me?"
The three of them looked at each other silently.
Then, in perfect agreement, they nodded.
Beating Luffy was definitely the right call.
Later, Sanji clasped his hands together, blushing slightly.
"Sandy… can I borrow that book tonight? I promise I'll give you the best food tomorrow."
Seriously—was that even something a normal person would say?
Sandy sighed, turning to leave, but Sanji followed him shamelessly.
Finally, Sandy gave in and said, "Fine, but this is my treasured book. If you lose it or dirty it, I'll shave your head bald!"
Sanji grinned. "Deal! I'll return it in perfect condition tomorrow!"
Usopp jumped up. "What about me?!"
Sandy sighed. "You can read it the day after tomorrow, alright?"
Luffy leaned in. "I wanna see it too!"
The three of them immediately kicked him away.
Let Luffy read that kind of book? Not a chance.