Chapter 39 - She Regrets It

Luffy marveled at the feel of it all—a pure, satisfying sense of accomplishment. Standing before him were the two most stunning women among the group, their grace and beauty unmatched, far surpassing the others.

"Hehehe, sometimes the world just has a way of working out," Luffy chuckled, feeling thoroughly pleased. He turned to them with a grin. "You two… pick out an outfit to wear."

With that, he signaled to Aimee to bring a variety of clothing options, each one colorful and stylish, giving them a fun, abundant selection. The swordswoman, at first taken aback, quickly broke into a smile—a soft, radiant expression that left Luffy momentarily stunned. Her beauty, already remarkable, seemed to intensify with that small smile, like a wave of allure washing over her.

"Whoa…" Luffy murmured, genuinely amazed. Beauty wasn't a static thing; it was like a living essence, shifting and changing with mood and expression. A single, unexpected smile could elevate someone's charm to another level entirely, and her smile had done just that, reaching a rare kind of grace.

"You," Luffy said, mesmerized, "are truly something else. Stunning, really." He handed her a sleek purple yoga outfit, his voice filled with confident certainty. "This'll be perfect for you. You have the legs for it, and your proportions are incredible. Trust me—it'll be perfect on you."

The subtle influence of his Conqueror's Haki lent a quiet weight to his words, and the swordswoman nodded thoughtfully. "I haven't even tried it on," she admitted, "but somehow, I already believe you. I can practically picture it." Without further hesitation, she reached for the outfit.

She turned to head toward a back room to change, but Luffy's voice stopped her. "No need for that. Here's just fine—everyone's casual around here. Isn't that right?"

His words, straightforward and logical, seemed to carry a matter-of-fact wisdom that was hard to argue with. The swordswoman paused, then broke into a smile and said, "You're right, Luffy-sama! This is just perfect here."

She began changing right there, and Luffy watched, nodding approvingly as she slipped into the outfit. He couldn't help but admire the effortless elegance of her form. "Not bad," he said. "Your graceful figure is… honestly impressive. I find it hard to resist."

Off to the side, the archer was watching all this unfold, feeling a strange, lingering unease but not entirely sure why.

But somehow, after hearing those words, the archer seemed to agree as well.

"That pink outfit would be perfect for you," Luffy remarked, nodding toward her. "Go ahead, try it on."

She quickly replied, "Right away, Luffy-sama! Just give me a moment!" Her enthusiasm made Luffy grin in satisfaction. At this moment, the strength of his Conqueror's Haki was at a peak he hadn't reached before. Even with a mere boost, its power and impact had multiplied, amplifying his influence effortlessly.

"Hahaha!" Luffy laughed, appreciating the moment. "Why am I laughing so much?" He shook his head with a carefree smile. "Guess there's nothing wrong with laughing more. Being cheerful is a good thing." With that thought, he burst into another hearty laugh, letting the energy lift him.

Then, his eyes widened as he took in the sight of the two women now dressed in their new outfits. Their beauty seemed to radiate, effortlessly surpassing expectations. "Whoa!" Luffy could hardly believe it. Unable to resist, he stepped closer, prompting the swordswoman and archer to look at him in alarm.

"Luffy-sama!" they exclaimed, their voices edged with surprise. "What are you doing?"

"Training, of course!" Luffy responded. "Didn't I already mention? We're all training together. I can't just show preference to some and leave others out!" He spoke with clarity, a straightforwardness that they couldn't deny, though they still seemed a bit bashful. After all, the nature of Luffy's training was… unusual.

Sensing their hesitation, Luffy challenged, "What's wrong? You haven't even given it a shot, and you're dismissing it?" Without waiting, he moved forward, initiating his unconventional training. At first, they resisted slightly, but as he continued, there was an undeniable energy in the room, an almost magnetic pull.

The swordswoman broke into a light giggle. "Luffy-sama! I was so wrong," she said with a playful smile. "Please, slow down just a bit and let me speak!"

Luffy nodded, pausing briefly. "Alright, go on. I'm curious to hear what's on your mind and what changed."

She looked at him with a genuine smile and confessed, "Luffy-sama, I realize now how shallow I was to ever doubt you or your training." Her voice softened, a touch of remorse in her expression, like a gentle, apologetic smile from someone who knew she'd misjudged. The scene held a warmth that was hard not to appreciate.

"Now," she continued, "I know you're right. Your way of training… it's actually enjoyable. I owe everyone an apology," she added, addressing the others. "My dear sisters, I was wrong to judge you or laugh at Luffy-sama's methods. Please forgive me for my narrow-mindedness." Her words rang with sincerity, filled with a heartfelt regret that resonated with the others.

Luffy nodded, immediately forgiving her. "There's no harm done! Recognizing your mistake means it's never too late. You're a good person, without a doubt."

A smile spread across her face as she looked at him, a faint blush touching her cheeks. "Luffy-sama, please… let me join in on the training more from now on! I'll do my best to make you proud."

"Well then, if you're ready to commit, let's not waste any more time! Training waits for no one!" He reached out to her and turned to the archer, who quickly stepped forward, eager and slightly flustered.

"Yes!" Luffy nodded approvingly. Energy renewed, he jumped right back into the training. The whole cabin seemed to fill with their focused efforts, encouraging cheers rising from the other women.

"Your stance is off!" someone called out.

"Stay focused—you're not giving it your all!" another added. "What's with that expression? You look like you're smiling and crying at the same time!"

Laughter echoed through the cabin, creating a lively and harmonious atmosphere.

"Hahaha!" Luffy's laughter boomed over the lively chatter. "Focus, everyone! Give it your best! Training is serious business, and we need to put in the effort!"

The others cheered, their voices rising in unison.

"Luffy-sama, we're with you!"

"We're training hard!"

"We're loyal to you!"

"You are the truth!"

The words of admiration filled the cabin, creating a scene bursting with unity and resolve.

~----------------------------------------------------------

T/N:

Access 30 chapters in advance on my Patreon: p@treon.com/dreamer20 (Replace @ with 'a')