Kujaku only grinned wider at Kalifa's flustered reaction, nodding in mock agreement. "Oh yes, and you've experienced every one of my 'perverted' ways, haven't you?"
Kalifa's face flushed as she nervously adjusted her glasses. She turned her head away, attempting to hide her embarrassment. "Stop saying such nonsense! I haven't done any of those… those things you're talking about."
Kujaku leaned closer, whispering mischievously in her ear, "Is that so? You know what they say—liars get punished. You sure you don't want to reconsider?"
"No way! I mean it! I didn't!" Kalifa insisted, her tone betraying a hint of panic.
Nami, watching their playful banter, glanced between them with a suspicious look. If she remembered correctly, there had been a time when Kalifa was detained by Kujaku and Olivia. Considering the personalities of those two, there was a good chance something… unusual had happened. She quickly shook her head, trying to block out the mental images, and nudged Kujaku with her elbow.
"Enough already! Go knock on the door and call them out," she whispered, nodding toward the door.
Kujaku sighed dramatically, flicking Nami on the forehead with her finger. "Little brat, do you think I'm an idiot? Barging in on Luffy now would be like asking for a death sentence."
She gestured toward the door, adding with a smirk, "And I bet Luffy already knows we're outside. If we go in now, you'll be the first to get a spanking."
Nami flinched, instinctively covering her backside. "He… he knows we're here? Then why hasn't he come out to chase us away?"
Kujaku and Kalifa exchanged knowing glances, then burst into laughter.
"Haha, seems you still don't understand," Kujaku said, giving Nami an amused look.
Nami tilted her head in confusion, her expression puzzled. "Understand what?"
Though she had a good grasp of things between men and women, she couldn't quite keep up with Kujaku and Kalifa's experience and slyness. Kujaku and Kalifa, deciding to keep Nami in suspense, each took her by an arm and pulled her closer to the door.
Kujaku pointed to the room, a smirk on her face. "Just listen. They're even more enthusiastic now, aren't they?"
Nami's eyes widened, her face turning red with realization. "Oh!"
10 AM, Port Terminal
At the port terminal, Luffy finally arrived, standing next to Garp, Aokiji, and Kizaru. He straightened his clothes, trying to look as presentable as possible despite his obvious lateness. Behind him, his crew lined up neatly, with only Hina's face showing a faint hint of redness.
Kizaru, eyeing Luffy from behind his sunglasses, smacked his lips, shaking his head. Aokiji let out a sigh, glancing toward the sky, wondering if it was time he found a girlfriend himself.
As for Garp, he tried to keep a stern expression, though his heart swelled with pride. My grandson, he thought, practically glowing. So young and already building his own legacy! Maybe I'll be surrounded by a bunch of little grandchildren calling me 'Great-Grandpa' before too long.
Lost in this daydream, Garp grinned to himself, even letting out a slight snore as he imagined his retirement surrounded by a troop of adorable kids.
Meanwhile, Luffy, catching the odd looks from his seniors, felt a bit uncomfortable. He adjusted his arm, which was in a sling, and shifted his weight on his crutches, lifting his right leg, which was still in plaster. Though he had mostly recovered, he wanted to ensure the Fleet Admiral could see the "sacrifices" he'd made for the Marine. He had even convinced Hancock to bandage her forehead and dust her face with powder to appear pale and injured, adding to the effect.
As for whether they were overdoing it, Luffy had no worries. After all, standing next to him were two people taking "injury embellishment" to the next level.
"Uncle Kuzan, Uncle Borsalino, don't you think you're exaggerating a bit?" he asked, smirking.
Aokiji, completely wrapped in bandages, looked up with a casual shrug. Meanwhile, Kizaru, sitting in a wheelchair with both legs in plaster despite only injuring one, sighed melodramatically.
"Uncle Kuzan, what did you do to end up in so many bandages? And Uncle Borsalino, I clearly remember you only hurt one leg. Why are both in casts, and why a wheelchair?" Luffy's tone was half-amused, half-exasperated. "If anyone deserves sympathy here, it's me! If you're going to act hurt, at least keep it believable!"
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