A fleet of six ships from the Straw Hat Fleet sailed toward Elegia.
Sunny, activity room.
Today it was Nami's turn to cook. Aside from her, who was busy in the kitchen, everyone else was gathered there, sitting on the sofas lined up on both sides.
Nami, Robin, Vivi, Kaya, Perona (in her spirit form), and the three CP9 agents.
"So that's how it is… Uta is so pitiful. She's been alone on that island for ten years…"
After hearing Luffy's story, all the girls sympathized with Uta.
A young girl who dreamed of becoming a singer had once arrived at the capital of music, full of joy.
But while focusing on her mysterious score, she was tempted to sing the ancient notes, and the ancient demon of song reappeared in the world.
It destroyed everything, and the entire music capital was reduced to ruins—finally stopped only by the Red-Haired Pirates.
So that Uta wouldn't have to bear the crushing pressure, Shanks decided to take all the blame and abandoned her on Elegia.
In the blink of an eye, ten years passed.
"So that's how it is."
Luffy was left speechless when he saw the tearful expressions on the girls' faces.
Their empathy was overwhelming.
The one crying the hardest was Perona—despite being a spirit body—sobbing into a tissue and saying:
"That red-haired bastard really left his daughter alone on that island… It must have been so hard for Uta to survive until now."
Robin rested her chin on her hand, frowning. "Why didn't he take his daughter with him?"
"That's a question only Shanks can answer."
Luffy spread his hands helplessly. He wasn't the red-haired man—how could he know?
The air was thick with sorrow, and Luffy had no choice but to pull out a deck of cards.
"There's still a long journey to Elegia. Don't dwell on that problem—let's play some games instead."
At the mention of games, Perona immediately stopped crying and wanted to bolt straight over.
"Hold it."
He stopped her on the spot. "It's poker, something suitable for everyone. No punishment games—just to lighten the mood."
Perona looked skeptical.
Nami lit up with excitement. "A game? Let's go! I'll never lose~!"
"No betting," Luffy said flatly. "You're just thinking about cheating everyone out of their money, aren't you?"
Robin chuckled. "That would be boring."
"True. Then how about this—the loser takes off one piece of clothing each round."
Luffy thought for a moment, then smirked. "That's way more exciting than gambling. Anyway, you're all girls, so don't be shy!"
"Luffy~~!" Nami rolled up her sleeves, grinning broadly. "Alright then, no cheating! Cheating is for brats, and if you do, I'll do everyone's laundry for a whole month!"
"Don't worry, I won't cheat! Let's start. I'll deal first, and we'll go clockwise. Whoever loses all their clothes is out, and the final winner gets to be the 'king.'"
"Huh? Sounds fun~" Vivi also looked intrigued.
Robin laughed quietly but said nothing.
Kaya blushed and kept silent.
In the end, everyone nodded in agreement.
Half an hour later.
Luffy stepped out onto the deck in only shorts, scratching the back of his head.
It didn't make sense. How were these women all so lucky?
No one cheated, but he was still the first one eliminated.
If not for Nami and Vivi showing him pity, he'd have lost even his shorts by now.
He had to win next time!
He had lost too much already. He couldn't let himself be looked down on by that group of women!
"Luffy!"
Suddenly, Sanji's voice called from another ship not far away.
"What's wrong with you? Put some more clothes on!"
Luffy: "…"
Losing that game really hurt his dignity as captain. He forced himself to look calm.
"It's hot, Sanji. This is a realm you can't reach yet."
With that, he leapt in one bound onto the Merry, leaving the Sunny behind.
"Hot? The air temperature is around twenty degrees…" Sanji looked up at the sky, completely confused.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, he spotted a News Coo flying across the sky.
Plop. With a splat, a newspaper and a blob of bird droppings fell.
Sanji nearly exploded when the droppings missed his head by mere inches, yelling up at the bird:
"I'll kill you, you damn bird! You almost hit my head!"
"Shishishi."
Luffy, in a good mood, crouched down to pick up the newspaper from the deck, opened it, and froze in shock.
"What is it?" Usopp ran over, peeking at it—then froze as well.
"Some big news?" Sanji leaned in, and he too was stunned.
Soon, more people crowded around.
All of them stared blankly at the headline.
"Marine Hero Garp leaves the Navy!?"
"A new force at sea?! The Neo Marines? A shocking decision from Garp and Zephyr!"
"The truth of Sabaody Archipelago—Straw Hat Luffy kills three Celestial Dragons!"
The news was explosive.
The Celestial Dragon incident didn't matter much—it was something Luffy had done himself.
But the fact that Garp had left the Marines and formed the Neo Marines with Zephyr left everyone, Luffy included, deeply shaken.
"Luffy, your grandfather…" Zoro said in shock. "The name Garp is a symbol of the Navy. I never expected your grandfather to leave."
"I was surprised too."
After a brief shock, Luffy composed himself.
As for why things had turned out that way, he could more or less guess.
---
Sunny
Nami and the other girls were celebrating the fall of the "Great Demon" Luffy.
"Honestly, he's getting worse. Thinking up pervy stuff like that in broad daylight!"
"Hehe, Nami, you can win once—but can you keep winning?"
Robin couldn't hold back a laugh. She didn't mind this kind of thing, in fact, she rather enjoyed it—it was a rare chance to bully Luffy.
That was true.
Nami sighed helplessly.
Just then, a purupuru~ purupuru sound rang out.
"Luffy's den-den mushi?"
Nami pulled a transponder snail button out of the jacket Luffy had discarded, staring at it in surprise.
After hesitating a little, she still chose to answer.
"Luffy, it's me—your grandpa."
A cheerful voice came from the other end.
Grandpa? Grandpa Garp!?
Nami stiffened in shock, her whole body suddenly tense.
"Uh… this is Nami."
"Huh? Nami?"
---
(End of Chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."