Chapter 23

"Exactly, this little thing isn't even enough to pick my teeth." Labu agreed.

Although every sentence was shielding Pao-de-kuai, Pao-de-kuai grew more and more alarmed the more he listened.

Are you sure you won't make a move on me?

The group walked off chatting and laughing, leaving Sima Di and Robin falling behind.

"How is it? The atmosphere's not bad, right?" Sima Di said to Robin: "Rather than calling it a pirate crew, they're more like an adventure group, which is why I joined and became one of them. We're different from the people you've met before — we won't abandon you."

We won't abandon you!

That sentence struck Robin right in the heart, freezing her on the spot.

Really......

There won't be again?

But Robin immediately broke into a smile, hooked her arm around Sima Di's neck, brought her face close enough that they could feel the warmth of each other's breath, and pressed two big sandbags right against his chest.

"Little brother, are you flirting with me?"

Sima Di didn't know if he'd been flirting with her a moment ago, but right now Robin definitely was flirting with him!

So could Sima Di back down?

He immediately stepped forward half a pace — the warm, moist, soft touch even carried a hint of sweetness.

Robin's eyes went wide and she froze for an instant, then sprang back to put distance between them, staring at Sima Di in disbelief.

She clearly hadn't expected that the Sima Di she'd had wrapped around her finger before would dare to strike first?

Now Sima Di had turned the tables.

"What, is there a problem?" Sima Di said innocently: "You leaned in — wasn't that because you wanted to kiss me?"

What could Robin say?

She'd only meant to tease the little brother just now? But the teasing failed and she lost her first kiss instead?

After the initial panic passed,

Robin looked at Sima Di with growing interest, suddenly realizing — besides searching for the true historical texts to interpret history, she seemed to have found a new goal on this ship.

"That's right, that's exactly what I'm going to do."

Robin walked toward the Going Merry with a beaming smile, brushing past Sima Di's shoulder — the kind with actual physical contact.

As if deliberately teasing Sima Di.

Watching Robin's pear-shaped figure walk away, Sima Di smiled.

"Interesting."

"The sailing days ahead finally won't be so torturous."

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21. Innate Haki Awakens! Iron Fist Nami?

Going Merry, on deck.

Setting sail again, the first thing to confirm was the destination.

"Let's head straight to Alabasta!" Vivi said: "I have Alabasta's eternal pose, we can go directly!"

This suggestion startled Sima Di!

Go directly?

That won't do!

The two giants on Little Garden were one thing, but the little reindeer Chopper on Drum Island Kingdom was still waiting for them!

— Who could refuse the "Human-Human Fruit"?

Just as he was thinking about what to do,

Vivi suddenly cried out: "Oh no! The eternal pose was blown up by Mr. 5!"

"Eternal pose?" Nami cast a puzzled glance.

Vivi looked a bit dejected, but still explained: "It's a needle that fixes on the magnetic field of a certain island, used to quickly travel back and forth to a designated island."

"I see, that would indeed be much more convenient." Nami nodded.

Since the eternal pose was destroyed, they could only continue sailing step by step as before.

"It's alright, Princess Vivi. Although I haven't traveled it either, Whisky Peak and Alabasta are only separated by two or three islands, so it won't delay too long." Igaram offered comfort.

"The Utopia operation plan also requires gathering all the senior agents before launching. The summons was only issued when I left Alabasta, and that process also takes a month or two." Robin provided the intel.

That was what finally put Vivi somewhat at ease.

She then rallied her spirits and said: "It's alright! With everyone's help, it'll definitely be fine!"

"Then let's just follow the direction of the log pose." Nami said.

But she was interrupted by Robin.

"From what I know, the next stop, Little Garden, is an ancient island, and for some reason almost no ships have passed through it in recent years. Why not switch to a safer route?" Robin took out an eternal pose: "This one points to a safe island adjacent to Little Garden. We can go around it, but it'll take an extra half month."

This was actually one of the reasons Robin had come to Whisky Peak.

But Luffy said without hesitation: "No! I want to become the Pirate King through my own ability! Not through some shortcut!"

"An ancient island? Then there must be a lot of interesting scenery, right?" Sima Di was intrigued: "Running through primeval jungles, chasing dinosaurs or pterosaurs, and taking a few bites of dragon meat — isn't that fun?"

Ah, this......

"Not fun at all, okay!" Usopp's nose trembled into waves.

"I agree!" Nami refused.

However......

"Dinosaur meat? I've never cooked it before." Sanji immediately fawned: "Don't worry! Nami-san, Robin-chan, Princess Vivi, I promise I'll protect you all!"

"Perverted cook, the way you look now is exactly like the scumbag Lord Sima mentioned." Zoro said bluntly.

"So what? Lord Sima said, a simp who simps to the end will have everything!" Sanji retorted forcefully.

"Are you an idiot? The moment you hear 'simp,' you know it's not a good word."

"Bastard! You asking to die?!"

"Bring it on!"

"Bring it on!"

The two of them bickered as usual, escalating to a life-and-death level.

But everyone else was used to it.

Only Vivi worriedly said, "Shouldn't someone stop them? They seem to be getting serious."

"It's fine." Nami laughed. "Those two are both monsters. A few slashes and kicks won't kill them."

"Heh~ thanks for the compliment, Nami-san~" Sanji replied in a spare moment.

Immediately after, he got kicked right in the face by Zoro.

"Dare to lose focus while fighting me? Asking to die!"

The route was thus set, still following the direction of the Log Pose.

After all......

The island Robin provided would require a full week of detour, which was a bit counterproductive for them who were pressed for time now.

Seeing the matter was settled,

Nami could only quietly lean a little closer to Sima Di. If one had to say who was the most reliable on the ship, it would undoubtedly be Sima Di.

Seeing Nami's movement,

Sima Di also recalled his earlier plan and looked toward Crocus.

"Uncle, tell everyone about Haki too."

Speaking of this,

Crocus's gaze became rather strange, staring at Sima Di until he felt uncomfortable.

"When you fought Luffy just now, you turned your fist black — was that Armament Haki?" Crocus asked.

So that's what it was about!

Sima Di almost thought Crocus had issues with his sexual orientation......

"Mm, it was Armament Haki." Sima Di admitted openly.

In the experience just now,