In Luffy's mind, he classified beauties by levels:
D-Level Beauties: These women were at the lower end of his scale, though "low" was entirely relative. Even those he deemed D-level were comparable to the most sought-after girls back in his previous life, the ones who'd been campus queens.
C-Level Beauties: Now, C-level women were on par with the top stars of his old world—the actresses on the hottest shows, the movie idols who captured everyone's attention, the kinds of celebrities who were adored by millions. C-level beauties were already impossibly rare, maybe one in a million, with looks that would surpass nearly anyone else.
B-Level Beauties: For Luffy, this was an almost mythical tier, something almost nonexistent in the world he'd known before. These women represented a level of beauty that was closer to perfection—something he could scarcely imagine before coming to the One Piece world. Here, though, beauties at this level actually existed, like Lori, Aimee, and their friends. They were B-level, a league that didn't even exist in his past reality.
But just when he thought he'd figured out the world's ranking system, something happened that shook his entire system of beliefs.
The two women who had just walked into the room—Luffy was genuinely taken aback by them. They were in a league of their own, outshining even Aimee and the rest. They were without a doubt in the A-Level, or perhaps what he could call "big A."
Now, of course, Luffy had been aware that A-level beauties might exist in the One Piece world. He assumed they were as rare as Empress Hancock herself. After all, in his mind, only people like Boa Hancock, Nico Robin, and Nami could possibly reach that A-level threshold. Others he encountered could only hope to be high B-level, or perhaps borderline A if they were exceptionally stunning.
But the arrival of these two A-level beauties changed everything. Who would have thought that even Hancock's subordinates could reach such a high standard? This was a revelation that nearly overwhelmed him.
"Whoa…" he whispered to himself, utterly captivated. He couldn't help it; he was totally smitten, unable to look away. Any man in his place would have had his mind blown.
And now he began to wonder, if these two were already at A-level, what could Empress Hancock herself, or Robin, or Nami, truly be like in person? He had, of course, seen them countless times in the anime back in his past life.
But even with that, he knew there was a vast difference between watching them on screen and seeing them up close in real life. Being face-to-face with such stunning women, the kind he'd only ever dreamed of, was something altogether different. The screen couldn't capture the essence, the energy, and the overwhelming presence that they brought to life.
No, he realized now just how much he'd underestimated them. These two A-level women were impressive enough. But imagining Hancock, Nico Robin, and Nami in person? His excitement doubled at the thought.
Somehow, deep down, he sensed he would eventually meet all these legendary women. And it wouldn't just be any meeting—no, he had a feeling it would be memorable, unforgettable even.
He could already picture those encounters, certain they would lead to heart-throbbing, exhilarating experiences, maybe even love stories worthy of legend.
He couldn't know when or how it would all play out, but he knew one thing: those encounters were destined to happen.
Luffy was already thrilled, grinning from ear to ear as he anticipated how things might unfold. He couldn't contain himself, letting out a happy exclamation, "Oh yeah!" His laughter filled the room, loud and carefree, with no need to hide his excitement.
But just then, the two beautiful women who had walked in seemed less than pleased. They'd noticed Luffy's behavior and, more specifically, some very telling reactions that hadn't escaped their attention.
It didn't help that the other girls around Luffy seemed just a bit out of sorts, appearing flustered, embarrassed, or even a little disheveled, as if something less-than-elegant had just taken place.
The two new arrivals exchanged knowing glances, their expressions revealing that they were unimpressed. They wondered how this man, who supposedly held the Empress's favor, could be behaving in such a carefree, undignified way.
They were no fools and had seen enough to make their own judgments. Unlike Aimee and the other girls who, having rarely ventured off the island, had little exposure to the outside world, these two women were vastly experienced. They were Hancock's elite guards, her most trusted confidants who had fought alongside her on numerous campaigns.
If these two were ever assigned bounties, their worth would be somewhere in the hundred-million range—at least one to two hundred million berries each. They were not easily fooled, naive girls but seasoned fighters with keen awareness of their surroundings.
As the two assessed the situation, their expressions grew hard, reflecting a silent anger. Luffy, of course, picked up on the change in their emotions almost immediately. "What's this?" he thought, genuinely surprised.
But as he examined them closer, he quickly grasped their level and importance. They were no ordinary subordinates; they were high-ranking members of Hancock's inner circle, loyal confidants who stood at her side. In an instant, Luffy understood.
Not that it really mattered. He smiled a little, chuckling softly to himself before stepping closer. "Ladies," he said warmly, "might I have the pleasure of knowing your names?"
One was carrying a bow, the other a large sword. A marksman and a swordswoman—clearly, they were exceptionally skilled in their respective fields, formidable enough to have been entrusted with such key positions. Luffy's observation told him all he needed to know about their abilities, yet he seemed unfazed.
The archer spoke up first, her voice crisp and icy. "We are guards of the Empress. We serve her directly." Her tone was stern, bordering on cold, and her gaze revealed a barely contained disapproval. Luffy merely nodded, offering no response. He knew they were bound to have some resentment after witnessing the current scene, but he didn't mind. After all, he had been having a bit too much fun, he had to admit.
He could also tell that these two women were naturally proud and carried themselves with a certain aloofness. That wasn't unusual for people of their standing.
"Hmm," Luffy nodded again, as if considering. Then he added, "You two are here with the food shipment, I take it?"
"Yes," one of them replied curtly.
"Then why not stay for the evening?" Luffy said, gesturing to the others in the room. "It's getting late, so you might as well join us for a feast. We'll make a night of it."
It was a simple, direct offer, given in a casual tone. But the two women didn't seem impressed. In fact, they barely reacted, still maintaining their cold expressions. Luffy let out a small sigh. This might be harder than he thought.
Then, the swordswoman stepped forward, her focus on Aimee. "You!" she said sharply. "What are you wearing? And…" She glanced around the room, her expression hardening as she took in the sight of the others. "What exactly has been going on here?"
Turning to Lori, she added, "When we entered, I noticed you practicing… movements. And, quite honestly, they were rather improper. Almost embarrassing, I would say. It left me feeling uncomfortable, seeing such a lack of decorum." She turned her gaze to the other women, her disapproval unmistakable. "All of you, really. Also," she said, her voice cool, "who is that asleep over there? It seems some… activities may have tired them out." She didn't elaborate, but the implication was clear.
Aimee looked as though she wanted to explain. Lori opened her mouth, perhaps to defend herself. But Luffy raised a hand, stopping them.
"Training," he said simply. "We were training, you see."
That single word held weight, spoken with the kind of authority that made it sound like an indisputable truth, as though it were the simplest and most obvious explanation in the world. Yet, the two newcomers didn't seem convinced.
The swordswoman narrowed her gaze at Luffy, clearly unconvinced. She knew who Luffy was: a guest, personally invited by the Empress, a man she held in high regard. And from her position as one of Hancock's confidants, she knew that the Empress had shown unusual kindness toward Luffy, even a kind of admiration. It was possible there were even feelings involved. So, she and her companion refrained from saying anything too openly hostile. However, Luffy's behavior had, without a doubt, crossed a line. They found it hard to hide their disdain.
"Training?" The swordswoman echoed skeptically, her tone sharp. "Luffy, the Empress considers you a good man, a noble man. She values you highly… but perhaps she was mistaken."
She looked him dead in the eye. "Luffy, while Aimee and the others may be inexperienced, they don't know any better. You've clearly taken advantage of their innocence, bending them to your whims, controlling them as you please. But…" She lifted her chin, her voice defiant. "We are not naive girls, easily manipulated."
Her words held nothing back, confronting him directly and unapologetically.
Luffy laughed heartily, nodding in appreciation. "Hmm!" He chuckled. "You're strong-willed. I like that." He continued, "You're a good girl, and I respect that spirit of yours. You both have some real personality, don't you? That makes things more interesting." He shrugged, smiling.
"Well, no worries. Since we're training, you two are welcome to join us if you're so inclined. Why don't you come and join the fun, hmm? Let's see what you've got."
With that, he extended his invitation, his gaze challenging but light-hearted.
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T/N:
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