Chapter 180 - 38

Chapter 38"No way, no way, who are you trying to fool with only sleeping half an hour a day!"Uta sat up in bed abruptly.The young girl's thoughts were racing, and she couldn't fall asleep at all.Who knows what they are doing in the middle of the night.The going merry was indeed a bit too small compared to Uta's ship, but it was small yet fully equipped, having everything it needed. Besides the boys' room and the girls' room, the dining area was quite spacious.Luffy and Nami were there.Before returning to her room, Uta had inadvertently glanced into the dining area; Luffy really did seem to be writing diligently, completely focused.It was just like when Luffy had Gordon teach him songs before.Uta trusted Luffy, but she absolutely did not trust that busty woman.Who knows if she's harboring any malicious intentions.So, she subconsciously pushed open her door and walked out, heading toward the brightly lit place.Feeling like she was sneaking around doing something, Uta's heart was beating very fast.If they happen to come out and run into me now, what should I say?It's reasonable to be a bit picky about beds and not be able to sleep late at night, right?Uta's world was small; she once thought music was her entire world, because this ocean is vast, and no matter how close those people were in the past, once separated, they might never meet again.But then she met Luffy again.In that moment of crisis, seeing his face the first time she woke up, it was different from when they were children, yet it seemed nothing had changed. He invited her to board the ship and sing together, though in the end, it all seemed to be a misunderstanding that left her blushing and her heart racing.But why did she blush and why did her heart race?It felt like her small world had been filled up.Thinking of this, she seemed even more impatient to see him.At the doorway, she poked her head in to take a look.Uta's heartbeat skipped a beat.Nami.That busty, wicked Navigator was indeed up to no good!The orange-haired girl was sneaking around, looking left and right.The clock on the wall had just struck twelve. Luffysaid, "Thank you for your hard work, Nami," and then fell asleep instantly.His speed of falling asleep was as fast as ever.Nami was a bit dumbfounded; she stood up, originally intending to return to her room, but then remembered that Uta was in her room right now.That was her territory.Thinking of this, Nami glared fiercely at Luffy, and then... she couldn't look away.She didn't know why she felt a bit parched; it was all Luffy's fault for not giving her any time to drink water."Then it wouldn't be too much to drink some water, right!"Nami tucked a lock of hair from her forehead behind her ear and then slowly lowered her head.Seeming to sense something, she suddenly felt a gaze from mid-air and looked up.With a snap."As expected of a Devil Fruit User, you're fast."Nami gritted her teeth and lowered her voice."Likewise, you aren't slow to make your move either."Uta forced a fake smile, her hands interlaced with Nami's, and anyone who didn't know would think they were on good terms.In reality, both were exerting force, secretly straining.But their strength was evenly matched.One was a member of the coward group.The other was physically weaker without using her Devil Fruit.So, after struggling for a long time, both were panting, staring at each other, neither willing to concede.Finally, Uta spoke first, "Do you like Luffy?"Nami was choked.She hadn't expected Uta to be so direct. She had thought Uta would start with other topics to break the ice, then beat around the bush, but instead, the other party drew her sword and stabbed Namiright in the heart.Not like him?If she didn't like him, then what was she doing just now? Wasn't that creating something out of nothing and sneaking around...To say she liked him directly, that felt so shy.If it were just as partners, the atmosphere on this ocean is quite open, and it wouldn't be a big deal for partners to be careless with each other.But as someone she likes, it's different... those are two relationships, two different concepts.But, since the person is right in front of you, how could there be any reason to surrender without a fight!If she wants to fight head-on, then let's fight!You are just his mere childhood friend.So Nami raised her head and entered battle stance, "I do, do you have a problem with that?"Uta was silent for a moment, then said, "Then let's make a deal."A deal?Nami's brain crashed for a moment: "What deal?"Chapter 46: Pure ComradeshipThe next day, the sun was bright.A faint light appeared on the horizon."Leaving just like that, you're really carefree."Luffy withdrew his gaze from the distance; Uta had gotten up very early.Of course, not as early as him; having only slept for half an hour, Luffy had climbed up amidst warnings.Last night.Half past twelve at night.Only half an hour had passed since he had just fallen asleep.It was simply insane!Most importantly, his body had actually gotten used to this biological clock.When Luffy opened his eyes, he saw Nami and Utaarguing about something, and in his groggy state, he seemed to hear them saying something."How long have you been at it?""You do it more often!""It was clearly agreed that I'd go first, you jerk.""You untrustworthy person, I even paid."The two were arguing until they were blushing, and when Luffy shouted, it scared them into jumping up and hugging each other.Luffy even asked at the time how they had become so close.As a result, the two held hands and said, "Don't worry about things between girls," and then left Luffy behind to return to their room.A few hours later, when Uta got up, Luffy was still doing his morning training.Uta said her goodbyes; she had other important business to handle in the East Blue, so she wouldn't stay any longer. Thus, Luffy sent her back to her ship, promising to meet again later.Thoughts returned.Time returned to the present.On the deck, Zoro indulged in being a teacher. Although he felt Luffy wasn't suited for sword practice because he was a jerk to begin with, since the Captain had brought it up, Zoro was still willing to teach.[Physical energy has been compressed and trained, your body strength has increased, Armament Haki proficiency +1][Sword Dao experience points +3]"Hey, take it seriously, keep your stance steady..."Zoro kicked Luffy's heel, calling it sword stance.Luffy grimaced; he suspected Zoro was taking revenge for him helping him practice Armament Haki."The most important thing for a swordsman is to be focused...""I acknowledge you on this point...""But another important thing is to master the basics, like thrusting, slashing, blocking..."What a dull and boring training.As the saying goes, atmosphere is contagious.At first, it was fine having only Zoro as the training fanatic on the ship, and everyone didn't pay much attention.But after Luffy took the lead in grinding, things started to get a bit out of hand.Usopp said he wanted to become a brave warrior of the sea, so he joined the training between the two, but when he heard Zoro was going to swing his sword a thousand times, Usopp ran away on the spot."I, I'd better continue being part of the support duo... right, right, Nami?" Usopp desperately wanted to seek an ally; only Nami was on the same level as him on the ship.Nami had just gotten up, holding a cup of fragrant, milky tea. Hearing this, she simply said, "Oh.""What's wrong with you?"Usopp was curious."Nothing... by the way, didn't you say there was a weapon that would suit me?" Nami asked."Yeah, I'm very familiar with weapons. There's a weapon called a clima-tact, but it requires quite a lot of materials to prepare."Simply put, it needs money.However, the supplies needed for the voyage now would cost a large sum of money, and the one hundred million Berries Nami had saved were basically left for the villagers of Cocoyasi Village."Usopp, we're about to arrive at Loguetown. We should be able to buy quite a lot of supplies there. See if this money is enough."Nami took out a stack of Berries.This time, it was Usopp who was surprised, "Nami, are you okay?"Usopp felt like the world was collapsing; being able to pry money out of Nami's pocket?"Well, because it's not really my money...""Could it be that Uta gave it to you?"Everyone on the ship was broke; who else could give Nami money?It must be Uta, right.Could there be some kind of sexual transaction involved?Usopp's eyes lit up; he seemed to smell the scent of big gossip.The money was indeed given by Uta.There really had been a deal between the two last night. A forced melon doesn't have much water, but it quenches thirst.The situation last night was that if they didn't force it, neither of them would have water to drink.Nami was actually the one who wasn't in a hurry because she had plenty of time. Why would she make a deal with Uta?But Uta had said clearly, "If you're not coming, then get lost and let me do it."Nami had already spoken the words; how could she just walk away and let Uta watch from the side? Wouldn't that make her an incompetent wife