One Piece: Absolute Domination; Reborn as Luffy

Chapter 61: 61: The Empress's Dream



"Luffy-sama!"

"Be careful! Don't let yourself get cut!" Aimee shouted, her voice full of concern. She wasn't the only one holding her breath; everyone around was tense, even Boa Hancock. It was as if a string had tightened in each of their minds, their hearts racing with worry. After all, the man they loved was none other than Monkey D. Luffy.

But Luffy moved with ease, skillfully dodging the swordswoman's blade, seemingly by the narrowest of margins, though he'd avoided it entirely. To the untrained eye, it almost seemed as if he hadn't moved at all, just gliding past her attacks.

"What?" the swordswoman exclaimed, stunned. She had encountered this skill before. The first time she met Luffy in the cabin, she'd been so enraged that she tried to cut him down, only to watch her every strike miss by a hair's breadth. And now, here it was happening again—Luffy dodging her blade as if it were second nature.

"Ah!" she cried, lunging once more, but Luffy continued to dodge. It almost looked like he was letting her blade glide by, as if it were simply grazing him.

Luffy chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "Not bad!" he said, laughing. "You could be a bit faster, though. It feels like a massage—a strong one!"

Hearing this, the swordswoman's cheeks flushed a deep red. No matter what, this was her dream, and she was determined to take it seriously. She tightened her grip on her sword and picked up the pace, her strikes coming at him in a flurry, faster and sharper than before. After all the training and guidance she'd received, her skills were leagues beyond what they had been before. By bounty standards, she'd be valued at four hundred million berries by now.

Yet, despite her improved speed and skill, Luffy, with his Haki and agility, dodged effortlessly. Every movement he made was precise, narrowly dodging her strikes like a practiced dance.

He laughed again. "Your sword skills might be better than your other moves," he teased. "Feels great—keep going."

With a swift flick of his wrist, he deflected her sword with a sharp smack. The impact sent a numbing shock up her arm, making her entire hand feel momentarily paralyzed.

"What?" She broke into a cold sweat, trying to react, but it was too late. Luffy's quick move had caused her to lose her grip, and the sword slipped from her hand.

"Ah!" she gasped, stumbling back, her sense of danger heightened as she retreated, her head lowered in defense. But before she knew it, Luffy had closed the distance, pointing his sword directly at her forehead, unwavering and precise.

"Suppose," Luffy said calmly, "this were a real fight. You'd be dead by now."

She knew he was right. The difference in their power was undeniable. She was at a level worth four hundred million, and yet, Luffy had played with her effortlessly. The realization was humbling—and awe-inspiring.

Thankfully, it was only a sparring match. Thankfully, this was Luffy. He was the man she loved, the man they all adored, the one who would protect them all.

The swordswoman broke into a smile, bright and innocent like a young girl's. She looked at him with pure admiration, and a fresh, sincere joy lit up her expression, making her even more radiant.

"Huh?" Luffy paused, his own smile fading into surprise. Her beauty struck him in that moment, but it was more than that. It was the purity in her smile.

"What?" he murmured, almost to himself. "I didn't realize how adorable you could be."

He couldn't believe it. He'd known her for so long, had shared so much with her, yet this side of her felt like a revelation, a newfound sweetness that made his heart skip.

The swordswoman remained still, the warmth in her gaze unwavering. Luffy slowly lowered his sword, letting his sword energy dissipate, replacing the intensity with a gentle warmth. He reached out and, with a soft smile, gifted his beloved a small but heartfelt gesture of affection.

Several minutes later, the swordswoman knelt in gratitude, overflowing with joy. She was the second, after Boa Hancock, to "claim victory." Her excitement was boundless. Luffy laughed heartily and asked, "What are your dreams?"

Every unspoken dream emerged then, some quirky, some even bizarre. They'd kept them quiet before, perhaps out of embarrassment, but now, they seized the opportunity. And Luffy, true to his word, set about fulfilling them all. It was the mark of a king, and Luffy understood this deeply—his Conqueror's Haki wasn't just raw power; it carried the essence of a ruler's purpose, the embodiment of a king's unyielding spirit. This kingly mentality accelerated his mastery over his Haki.

In a short time, Luffy made sure everyone's dreams were achieved, each woman beaming with satisfaction. Finally, it was Boa Hancock's turn. The crowd turned their gaze to her, brimming with anticipation. After all, she was their empress; her dream was sure to be impressive.

Luffy looked at her and said, "Hancock, it's your turn. Don't you have a dream?" The question was simple but deliberate, meant to stir her. Who doesn't have dreams? In every world, every person, from the humblest citizen to the grandest ruler, holds a dream in their heart.

Aimee urged her, "Your Majesty, don't be shy! Luffy-sama will make it happen. Look at what he's done for all of us; he makes each dream come true perfectly."

"Yes!" chimed in Lori. "We're so curious about your dream, Your Majesty."

Even the swordswoman added, "Luffy-sama wouldn't let his beloved be disappointed."

With everyone's encouragement, Hancock hesitated but then finally nodded. Her eyes shone with a fiery intensity that was directed at the man she loved. Luffy set his cup down and gave her a gentle nod, signaling her to share her wish.

"My dream…" Hancock began, her voice steady as she pointed upward.

Everyone looked to where she was pointing, but all they saw were clouds drifting across the sky.

Luffy chuckled. "What's that? Do you want to touch the clouds?" He teased, but Hancock's expression remained serious as she replied, "My dream is… to reach the clouds."

Luffy blinked, taken aback. Clouds? What did that mean? Hancock continued, "I want to be up there, in the clouds, with you, sharing the most beautiful moment."

The meaning was clear to him now, and the others understood too. Applause erupted as they all admired her for her bold dream.

Hancock went on, "Luffy…I know going up to the clouds is impossible. They're so high, so far out of reach. Even if we got there, we couldn't stay, could we? Clouds don't hold anyone; they're just mist."

A soft sigh escaped her lips. "Luffy, I know my dream isn't possible. Just speaking it aloud is enough for me. Feeling your presence—that's enough."

Everyone could see that Hancock was satisfied in her heart. Loving Luffy made everything feel complete, no matter how impossible her dream was. They nodded, moved by her affection.

One of the women reassured her, "Your Majesty, even if we can't stand on clouds, Luffy-sama will surely give you the best gift someday. Don't worry."

Another chimed in, "Yes, Your Majesty! I'm a weather expert. Clouds are just vapor; they can't hold a person. But Luffy-sama can still give you something special."

A third added, "Or how about this? There are islands in the sky! Sky Islands do exist. One day, Luffy-sama can take you there. It'd be just as romantic and unforgettable!"

Everyone offered comforting words, and Hancock's heart felt warm. For a few precious moments, it was as if her dream had already come true. She leaned against Luffy, feeling as if she were already on the clouds, drifting in a blissful dream, safe and full of love.

But Luffy just grinned and said, "The clouds, huh? That's doable. It's not that hard; I can make it happen." He looked at her seriously, his eyes gleaming with determination. "If that's your dream, Hancock, then I'll do it. I'll take you to the clouds."

Those around them were stunned.

"What?"

"He can actually do it?"

"Luffy-sama never ceases to amaze!"

Cheers broke out, some of the women shouting phrases they'd picked up from Luffy himself. "Luffy-sama is incredible!" they cried. "Luffy-sama is unbeatable!"

Others chanted, "Show us, Luffy-sama! Let us witness your power! Show us how you'll reach the clouds!"

But Hancock's voice broke through the excitement. "Luffy…you don't have to comfort me like this. Don't worry; my dream doesn't have to come true."

Luffy laughed and shook his head. "Hancock, don't be silly. I'm not just trying to make you feel better. I wouldn't say it if I didn't believe I could. Trust me, I've got this."

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

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