The warm family scene next to him caused Kizaru, lying on another hospital bed, to tear up. "I say, could you all consider my feelings just a little bit?" he muttered, trying to sound light-hearted. "Don't you think it's cruel to flaunt happiness next to an elderly man who's seriously injured with no one to take care of him?"
Hearing this familiar voice, Luffy glanced to his right in surprise. Although a gauze curtain blocked his view, he immediately recognized his uncle, Borsalino. Filled with joy, he turned and, with Ain and Hina's help, limped over to the other side, pushing the curtain aside.
Luffy's smile grew as he looked at his uncle, who lay covered in bandages. Kizaru had one arm and one leg in plaster, his head was wrapped in gauze, and he looked absolutely miserable. Despite the sympathy he felt, Luffy couldn't help but laugh.
"You're really something, Uncle. Weren't you the one running around at light speed before? Why are you lying in bed now?" he teased, chuckling.
Seeing Luffy's smirk, Kizaru didn't need words to guess what he was thinking. "Hey, hey! I'm still a Marine admiral, your senior, so take it easy on the jokes."
But Luffy couldn't hold back anymore, a genuine laugh escaping him. Embarrassed, he waved his cast-covered arm. "Sorry, sorry! I'll go laugh somewhere else if it'll make you feel better."
Grinning, he let Ain and Hina help him back to his bed, taking every opportunity to enjoy their company as he leaned on them.
Watching this, Kizaru felt a pang of loneliness. He mumbled, "If only I could blast him with a laser right now…"
Not far away, Hancock's voice called out, "Luffy, are you all right? Do you need anything?"
Hearing her voice, Kizaru couldn't hold it in anymore. He turned to press the call button on the bedside with his uninjured hand, calling out to the nurse, "Miss Nurse, could you please move me to another ward? I don't think I can bear this any longer!"
At first, Luffy thought Kizaru was joking. But when he saw him being wheeled away by nurses, he couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Oh, come on! You're taking it that seriously, Uncle?"
As Luffy settled back into his bed, covered in bandages, he playfully tried to pull Hancock closer, grinning like a schoolboy. Ain and Hina just rolled their eyes at him, exasperation visible on their faces.
Even with his many injuries, Luffy's recovery rate was nothing short of astounding. Despite having been almost completely broken when Hancock rescued him, after just three days and a hearty meal, he was up and moving.
After Kizaru's departure, Ain immediately called in a doctor for a detailed examination of Luffy. The results left the doctor speechless; he muttered about miracles and impossibilities. Incredibly, Luffy was discharged with a clean bill of health, thanks to the doctor's certificate.
Once discharged, Luffy didn't stay long at the G2 branch's accommodations. Instead, the girls insisted on escorting him back to Stormbreaker for proper recuperation.
In the ship's massage room, Luffy lay face down, sighing in relief as Olivia's hands worked expertly across his back. Her touch was gentle but firm, hitting just the right spots.
"Wow, Olivia, I didn't know you were this good at giving massages," he said contentedly, glancing back at her. "You should teach Ain and the others. It'd be nice to have a massage rotation."
Olivia, wearing a sheer veil, rolled her eyes and lightly smacked his back. "Always thinking about Ain, aren't you? If you don't learn some restraint, I'll be the only one here doing this."
Initially, Olivia had been a reserved person with a strong sense of personal space. But over time, her relationship with Luffy had broken down those walls. She found herself unexpectedly comfortable with him now, even enjoying the sense of closeness.
As her thoughts wandered, her hands slowed, her eyes becoming slightly unfocused. Luffy noticed the change in her touch, tilting his head in confusion. But all he could see was a faint outline against her white veil. He chuckled, settling back down to enjoy the moment.
Meanwhile, in the sauna room next door, Ain, Nami, Koala, and a few others were enjoying a rare moment of relaxation. Wrapped in soft towels, they lay back, letting the steam ease away the tension from their muscles. Sweat trickled down their necks and shoulders, winding over their bodies like tiny rivers. They let out sighs of contentment, savoring this peaceful break.
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