Chapter 95Nika looked at the alluring alcohol, struggling internally, until the craving for alcohol finally overwhelmed his poor self-esteem."Backflip it is, but it's a deal, once I finish, you give it to Nika to drink!"Why was Luffy so bored?After everyone woke up, they were busy with their own tasks, preparing for the upcoming departure.Zoro found a secluded courtyard to continue digesting the "Steel-Cutting" experience gained from the duel with Mr. 1. He said that the sparring training with Luffy was indeed effective, but the top priority was to stabilize his current realm. He wanted to maintain that state for a long time, to be able to see the enemy's weaknesses within his breath.Chopper was surrounded by the palace medical staff, as it was carefully summarizing its experience in treating everyone during this battle.A senior medic nearby watched Chopper's skillful techniques and composed attitude with stars in its eyes, unable to stop praising it:"Doctor Chopper is truly amazing!""This treatment method is simply unheard of!""Please, you must accept my bow!""Even if you say that, I won't be happy, you jerk!"Chopper felt awkward being praised and squirmed on the ground, but its hands didn't stop organizing the herbs. It even kindly pushed a cup of freshly brewed herbal tea, suitable for refreshing the mind, toward the chatty medic.The old medic paused, then revealed a knowing, kindly smile, took a sip of the tea, and continued his three-sentence praise routine.Sanji and Usopp went out early in the morning to replenish supplies.Upon returning, they ran into a squad of Marines at the palace gate. The squad leader was seriously negotiating with the Alabasta Kingdom Guard adjutant, the Zoan Dog-Dog Fruit, Model: Jackal user, the jackal-man Chaka."Adjutant Chaka, we have received reliable intelligence that pirates have infiltrated the palace. For the safety of Alabasta, please allow us to enter and search!" the Marine squad leader said righteously.Chaka crossed his arms, looking impatient. His jackal-like ears twitched, and he said stiffly: "Where is the evidence? You say there are pirates, so there are pirates? Our Alabasta has just gone through a major war and is waiting to be rebuilt; we don't have time to play these guessing games with you Marines! If you can't produce solid evidence, don't affect the city's appearance here."The Marine squad leader was speechless. Their intelligence source was indeed a bit vague, mainly inferred from Colonel Smoker's intuition and the area where the Straw Hat Crew last disappeared.Just then, Sanji and Usopp walked past them as if no one was there, carrying bags of ingredients and tools.Usopp even waved at the grim-faced Chaka in a good mood: "Yo, hard work, Mr. Chaka!"Chaka's expressionless face instantly switched to a smile, responding warmly: "You've worked hard too."Marine squad leader: "..."He pointed at Sanji and Usopp's backs, his finger trembling, "They, they are?"Chaka yawned, revealing sharp teeth: "They are honored guests of our palace, responsible for purchasing some of the ingredients for our post-war victory banquet. Is there a problem? Or are you Marines going to manage what we feed our guests too?"The Marine squad leader was silenced and could only watch helplessly as Sanji and Usoppswaggered into the palace gate.He felt those two looked very familiar.Like the Straw Hat Crew?But Chaka's attitude made him doubt himself. Though, honestly, this guy really is a dog, right? Changing his face so fast.On the other side, Nami had a fruitful harvest.To show his gratitude, King Cobra opened up a large number of books and navigation logs in the palace library to Nami.Nami was very interested in all of this.Only by constantly learning and improving could she give better instructions during the upcoming voyage.Nami hugged these books and walked into the courtyard, where she saw Luffy teasing Nika, and walked over."Luffy, do you know what's wrong with Vivi?" Namiasked: "I saw her this morning, her eyes were red, like she had been crying for a long time. Did something happen?""It's probably because she's leaving and feels sad about saying goodbye to her family and friends."Luffy stopped his boring standoff with Nika and casually placed the wine flask aside. Nikaimmediately pounced on it and hugged it tightly.This guy... Luffy's mouth twitched.He really became a drunkard."Leaving? Eh?"Nami's beautiful eyes widened instantly, and she realized, her voice raising an octave, "Vivi is going to set sail with us? Really?"She had already prepared her farewell lines in her heart. Although reluctant, she also respected Vivi's responsibility as a princess.Luffy's eyes drifted, he nodded, and added: "Yeah, and Vivi's bounty is even higher than mine, 500 million Berries."In the morning, Vivi had said everything that should and shouldn't have been said."Five, 500 million Berries?!"Nami's eyes instantly turned into shiny Berry symbols ($$), and her breathing quickened.She rushed to Vivi, who had just walked out of the room with slightly red eyes, at teleportation speed. She grabbed her shoulders with both hands and blurted out excitedly: "Vivi. Can I take you to exchange for money?!"Luffy: "???"Nami was just joking, but she was obviously very happy that Vivi could leave with them.There could finally be a normal person on the ship!Although this normal person might compete with her for things, Nami was still quite confident in herself.Vivi was actually a bit embarrassed."My bounty is so high, I'll definitely cause you a lot of trouble. People targeting our pirate crew will probably increase.""Don't worry!"Nami pulled Luffy, who had just walked over, to her side, and confidently pinched his face, saying:"With this guy here, Luffy is a man who can defeat the Shichibukai now. And, after making such a big scene this time, maybe his bounty will skyrocket!"As she spoke, she stopped.She looked at the two of them as if she felt something.It seemed like something was wrong?Chapter 130 Merry: Do I have a "married couple" look with Luffy?Nami suddenly noticed that the atmosphere between Vivi and Luffy seemed a bit subtle. The way they looked at each other...How to put it, a bit evasive, and a bit of an indescribable meaning.Vivi's cheeks flushed, her eyes darting away, while Luffy scratched his face, looking at the sky and the ground, just not at Nami.Nami narrowed her eyes, her suspicious gaze scanning back and forth between Luffy and Vivi's faces. Her keen intuition made her smell something unusual: "Wait, did you two happen to do something behind my back that I don't know about?"Vivi's face turned red instantly, and she waved her hands quickly, her voice tinged with an imperceptible panic: "Ho, how could that be? Nami, you're overthinking it!"She even subconsciously used the money temptation tactic, trying to divert Nami's attention."I remembered, I have 500,000 Berries of private money saved up, I'll give it all to you, just consider it my joining fee!"If it were normal times, Nami would definitely have had her eyes shining and accepted it immediately.But at this moment, she resisted the desire for money, her gaze still wandering between the two, obviously not so easy to fool.Just then, Luffy spotted Igaram walking over from the end of the corridor, ready to call them to the banquet."Yo, Igaram. Is the banquet ready?" Luffy shouted loudly: "Everyone, the banquet is about to start."The distraction tactic was useful at any time. His shout successfully attracted everyone's attention.Chopper, Usopp, Sanji, Zoro, and even Nikaholding the wine flask and Merry floating in the air looked over."It's a banquet!""Finally get to eat.""Waited a long time.""Please follow me, everyone."Igaram smiled slightly and led everyone toward the banquet hall, "There are many things to deal with after the war, plus the Marines, sorry the banquet is only starting now."Luffy didn't care, "As long as there's food, it's fine.""Speaking of which, we saw the Marines outside." Sanji interjected: "We need to plan ahead.""We'll set sail as soon as we finish eating!" Luffydidn't want to experience any more messy special missions.Arriving at the magnificent banquet hall, Luffyimmediately saw a woman directing servants to set the table.Her figure and hairstyle were very similar to Igaram's, only she was wearing a maid's uniform."Is this Igaram's twin sister?" Luffy's mouth opened wide.Nika, holding the wine flask, commented on the side: "What kind of strange family combination is this? A husband-and-wife team of guard and maid?"Igaram hurriedly explained with some embarrassment: "Straw Hat, this is my wife, Terracotta, and she is also the head of our palace chefs. Her cooking is excellent."Terracotta smiled and said: "With my 20 years of experience as a palace chef, I guarantee I won't let you guests down!"Vivi also smiled and explained: "This isn't twins, this is a 'married couple look'. It's said that people who love each other and live together for a long time will have their faces, temperaments, and even behaviors become more and more similar.""Married couple look?"Merry, sitting on Luffy's shoulder, tilted its little head, its pure big eyes full of curiosity. It looked at Terracotta and Igaram, then turned to look at Luffyand Nami next to her, and suddenly said innocently: "Then do I and Luffy look like that?"Before Luffy could speak, Nami's face turned red first. She jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, reached out, and pulled Luffy's elastic cheeks hard, asking angrily: "What kind of messy things have you been teaching Merry?!"Merry watched Nami pulling Luffy's face, blinked its big eyes, and couldn't help but add: "I don't know why, but it feels like Nami and Luffy are becoming more and more alike now too."Pfft.This sentence was like a precise arrow, instantly hitting Vivi, who was drinking water nearby.She choked directly, her face turning as red as an apple, coughing violently. Images flashed uncontrollably in her mind, and she instantly lost her combat power, her eyes starting to drift."Cough, cough. The banquet has started, everyone, let's take our seats!" Vivi hurriedly changed the subject.Soon, well-trained maids and waiters lined up, balancing huge trays filled with delicacies on their heads, and entered the banquet hall like flowing water, gracefully and efficiently filling the long dining table with a dazzling array of food.Golden crispy roasted whole lamb, fragrant giant Sea Kings meat steaks, colorful fruit desserts, and local desert-style dishes.There was everything, making people drool.As the head chef, Terracotta was also secretly observing her opponents.Soon she discovered that the strongest combatants at the table were not the tall men, but the seemingly harmless, brightly smiling Straw HatCaptain Luffy, and the ship spirit Merry, who was as cute as a doll on his shoulder!The stomachs of these two little guys seemed to be connected to another dimension, and their eating speed was like a storm sweeping away the clouds.Ten minutes later.The only ones left on the table with strong appetites and combat power were indeed Luffyand Merry.The two even started to compete amicably to see who could eat faster, and the empty plates piled in front of them were increasing at a visible speed."Luffy, this roasted lizard leg is delicious!""Ooh! Merry wants that honey cake too!""No problem, it's all mine. Oh no, it's ours!"Watching this terrifying scene of eating, even the knowledgeable Terracotta couldn't help but wipe the sweat from her forehead.To be honest, she was a little overwhelmed.After eating and drinking, Luffy and his group were preparing to set sail.Although protected by the Alabasta royal family, the Marines' blockade on the periphery was real. Through the royal intelligence network, they knew their group was definitely being closely monitored.Merry raised its little hand and said confidently:"Don't worry everyone, I've already hidden the going merry in a very safe place in advance."Merry had done all this before coming to meet up with Luffy and the others.It promised that as long as everyone reached the ship, no matter how many Marine fleets there were, it could lead everyone to break out!So, under the cover of night, the Straw Hat Crewdecided to set off.
