Walking through the endless desert for hours could drive anyone crazy.
The heat was unbearable, but what made it worse was the monotony—just sand, stretching endlessly in every direction.
The early excitement of adventure had long faded into pure torture, especially for Luffy.
"Vivi, how much longer?" Luffy groaned dramatically, leaning on an imaginary cane like an old man. "I'm gonna die from the heat!"
Sandy rolled his eyes. "Luffy, if you keep whining like that, you'll drag everyone down with you. Here's an idea—empty your brain and just… zone out."
A moment later, Sanji blinked. "Sandy, it actually works!"
Of course it did. It was the same method Sandy used in boring classes back home—the teacher's words turning into a lullaby.
Before long, they finally stumbled upon a village. Everyone's spirits soared.
"What? No news of Blackbeard here?"
Ace frowned after talking to the locals. Apparently, the latest sighting of Blackbeard Teach was west of here. He'd gone the wrong way entirely.
Nami asked, "Ace, are you still coming with us?"
Luffy leaned forward eagerly. "Ace, are you sure you don't wanna join my crew? Come on, reconsider!"
Sandy snorted. "Luffy, are you seriously asking that? He can flatten you without even using his abilities. Don't embarrass yourself."
Ace smiled faintly and handed Luffy a piece of his Vivre Card. "Let's meet again at the peak of the pirate world."
"Yeah!" Luffy grinned. "Ace, see you at the top!"
After Ace left, Sandy turned to the crew. "We'll split up here. Nami and I will find Crocodile. You guys head straight to Alubarna. Be careful—those Billion Elders are already mixed into the kingdom."
Sanji's jaw dropped. "Nami, why are you going with him?!"
He stormed up to Sandy and pointed a finger in his face. "Listen, you pervert. If you dare lay a hand on Nami, I'll kill you."
Sandy raised a brow and glanced at Nami. "Sanji, relax. I'm a gentleman."
Everyone twitched at his words… because his arm was already casually wrapped around Nami's waist.
Sanji let out a beast-like roar. "BASTARD! TAKE YOUR HAND OFF HER OR I'LL KICK YOU TO DEATH!"
Sandy ignored him, still grinning, and headed out with Nami toward the City of Dreams—Rainbase.
After walking for a while, Sandy asked, "Nami, are you tired? I'm telling you, we should've gotten a camel back there."
Nami gave him a look. "Didn't we find a camel halfway here? But no—you had to kill it with one slash. Why would I buy another one when you'll just turn it into dinner again?"
Could Sandy be blamed for that? The camel was acting all cocky. So he roasted it for Luffy and the others. Problem solved.
Nami walked silently for a bit before finally blurting out what she'd been holding in. "Sandy… why do I feel like you've been distant since we left Little Garden?"
Cough, cough. People change, don't they? They'd been together day and night, had a certain relationship going on, and Sandy had been doing a lot of thinking.
He slipped an arm around her waist and said softly, "I was afraid I'd hurt you. But then I figured it out."
Nami blinked. "Figured what out?"
Sandy grinned. "That my Nami is smart, strong, and not that easy to hurt."
Nami's face flushed. "Who—who's yours?! Shameless!"
Sandy chuckled. "Nami, I want a kiss."
"We're walking," she muttered, pushing him away. "Stay away from me."
That night, the desert wind carried a soft fragrance through the air. A small bee buzzed around a lone flower, working diligently in the cool moonlight. Life, in all its simplicity, felt strangely peaceful.
Nami closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and let the breeze brush against her face. It was quiet. It was beautiful.
The night passed gently.
When morning came, Nami woke to find herself resting on Sandy's arm. Remembering the night before, she glared at him and snapped, "Sandy, get up! We need to get to Rainbase!"
"Huh?" Sandy mumbled sleepily. "What time is it? Let me sleep a little longer…"
As Nami stood up, she stumbled, nearly falling into him. She caught herself, then barked, "Hurry up! Crocodile's still out there ruining Vivi's country!"
Sandy got to his feet, still smirking. "Alright, alright. But are you okay? I told you not to push yourself."
Her cheeks turned red. She pinched his arm hard. He raised an eyebrow. "Fine then. I'll carry you."
Nami turned even redder. "You're the one who wants to carry me—not the other way around. And hey—watch it!"
"How much longer to Rainbase?" he asked.
"By tonight," she replied.
"Still a whole day?" Sandy sighed dramatically.
Nami narrowed her eyes. "What? Annoyed walking with me?"
Sandy ignored the jab and, from the pheromone system, bought the instrumental track for Zhu Bajie Carries His Wife.
🎵 Weird comical music begins playing.
Nami, on Sandy's back, frowned. "What is this music? It sounds weird."
Sandy laughed. "Kind of funny, right?"
"Funny?!" she sputtered. "Turn it off!"
"I like it. It makes the walk more cheerful."
Nami huffed but gave up. "Fine. But I have a question. Answer me honestly."
Sandy slowed his pace. "Shoot."
She hesitated, then softly asked, "Do you… like me?"
Sandy didn't hesitate. "Yeah. If I didn't, do you think I'd have been so close to you last night?"
Nami bit his ear and snapped, "That's not what I meant, idiot!"
Sandy laughed. "Alright, alright. Honestly… yeah. You've got a bad temper, love money, and you're violent—but your figure's amazing."
Her face went pitch red. "PUT ME DOWN! I don't want you carrying me anymore!"
"Nope," Sandy said shamelessly. "As long as I can carry you, I will."
Her heart fluttered at his straightforward confession. She didn't say anything else, just leaned against his back. Then, with a mischievous grin, she whispered, "Giddy up… giddy up."
Sandy twitched. "You damn woman, get off me!"
The desert wind carried their bickering into the endless sands.
…
Author's Note:
The fanfic One Piece: My Flirtatious System Adventure is first half completed.
The entire story has been uploaded on Patreon as a dedicated collection:
📚 One Piece (Chapters 1–362)
Carefully organized into multiple posts, with several chapters per post for smooth and easy binge reading.
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you all for your continuous support and love for this journey 💙