Chapter 62: 62: Towards the Clouds
The sincerity in Luffy's eyes struck deep into Hancock's heart. How could she put it into words? This man before her was irresistibly captivating, radiating a boundless light. Hancock resolved in her heart: no matter what happened, she would follow this man to the ends of the earth, never to betray, never to abandon him.
Luffy chuckled and asked, "What's wrong, Hancock? Why are you staring at me like that? Don't you believe me?"
Hancock's voice quivered with emotion. "Luffy…I believe you! I believe every word you say. If you say it's possible, then let's go—to the clouds, to where happiness and beauty await us."
Her eyes sparkled with a warm, blissful light. Luffy nodded, seeing in that moment just how adorable Hancock was. He couldn't wait to reach the clouds, to let the fire in his heart take flight.
"Alright!" he declared.
"What?" gasped the others, realizing that Luffy and their Empress were rising into the air. Their feet were lifting off the ground, slowly floating upward.
"What kind of power is this?" someone exclaimed in awe.
"No wonder he's the man everyone loves," said another. "He truly is almost unstoppable."
"Luffy-sama! How are you doing this? It's amazing! Floating in the air!"
"This isn't a Devil Fruit power," one of them noted. "We've been around him long enough to know his abilities inside out. This must be something else."
"Yes! This is what true love looks like. Long live Luffy-sama!"
Luffy laughed heartily, enjoying the moment. By then, he and Hancock were hundreds of meters high, and those on the ground looked like tiny ants. Feeling a rush of emotion, Hancock held tightly to Luffy, perhaps from fear of heights or the sudden, dizzying thrill of rising so high.
"How are you doing this?" she asked, her voice a mix of amazement and wonder. "I've never seen you use this kind of power before."
Luffy replied confidently, "Hancock, never forget, I'm Monkey D. Luffy. In this world, there's nothing I can't do. If I set my mind to it, there's no end to what I'm capable of."
His straightforward words answered every question. Yes, Hancock thought, her heart calm and full of trust. This was her man—Monkey D. Luffy, the undefeatable.
Luffy's laughter echoed as he savored the moment. In reality, he was using his control over air currents, manipulating them effortlessly. Floating in midair was simple, almost trivial. Reaching the clouds was nothing, he could even go beyond if he wished.
As they continued to rise, they finally reached a thick, massive cloud—a collection of condensed water vapor, stretching far and wide.
"This'll do!" Luffy declared. He felt that if he created a bit of friction here, it could spark lightning powerful enough to injure even a Marine admiral. But that was a thought for another time.
Hancock was speechless, gazing at their surroundings. "Luffy! We're really here! I can't believe it…it feels like a dream."
Yet worry flickered in her eyes. "Even if we made it up here, how are we going to stand on this cloud? It's made of water vapor, not something solid."
Her concern was valid. Anyone with basic knowledge knew that clouds were simply masses of condensed water, not stable enough to hold weight. They looked soft, like cotton, but they were nothing more than mist. The sight could deceive, but…
Luffy smiled and replied, "Hancock, do you know who you're holding onto right now? I'm Luffy!. If I say clouds can support us, then they will!"
With a focused thought, Luffy's Conqueror's Haki pulsed through the cloud. The massive white expanse trembled for a few seconds, and then, holding Hancock close, he stepped onto it.
"What?" Hancock gasped, her heart racing as she instinctively prepared for them to fall through. She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the fall.
But nothing happened. Instead, Hancock felt solid footing beneath her. She quickly opened her eyes, then froze in amazement.
"What?" she repeated, her voice quivering with shock. They were standing firmly on the cloud, solid as the ground below. No slipping, no sinking, just standing there as if it were solid earth.
"All right, Hancock," Luffy said with a smile. "Go ahead, give it a try."
He gently let her go, giving her a moment to feel the cloud beneath her feet.
Her expression immediately transformed into astonishment, her emotions spilling over. She was truly standing there, firmly and safely. It felt unreal, like a dream.
"Luffy!" she exclaimed, breathless with awe. "How…how did you do this?"
"Aren't clouds just water vapor?" Hancock murmured, in awe. "Yet somehow…it feels like cotton beneath my feet. I can't believe it. Luffy, I… I truly love you. You can do anything!"
Luffy grinned. "Hancock, these things are nothing. In this world, there's nothing I can't do."
His words were simple, yet filled with a charm that made Hancock's heart race. For some reason, in that instant, the man before her seemed to grow even more handsome, his allure overwhelming. She was captivated, completely swept away. Letting go of all restraint, she surrendered to the beauty of the moment, sharing a heartfelt kiss.
Meanwhile, Luffy hadn't been exaggerating. For him, such feats were trivial. His mastery of Conqueror's Haki had reached a level where he could do nearly anything he set his mind to.
Controlling the molecular structure of a cloud, transforming water vapor into a soft, cotton-like substance, was easy. It was a matter of manipulating the microscopic world—a task he could perform without much thought.
A few moments later, Hancock began to dance, twirling gracefully on the cloud's surface, light as a butterfly. She hummed a tune, her voice carrying through the mist. Luffy watched, feeling as though she shone with a radiant light that wrapped him in its warmth.
It was a sight that made him laugh, savoring every second. Life was meant to be celebrated, and this was one of those rare, perfect moments.
Seizing the moment, he leapt forward with a mischievous grin. "Hancock," he called out, "let's see how your squatting dance practice is coming along! Stop getting lost in other dances, and work on your squats!"
With a playful swoop, he held her firmly. Hancock responded with a smile. "I've practiced the dance you taught me over 400 times, and when I'm in a good mood, I can go even faster. Watch this!"
Without needing any props, Hancock performed the dance, leaving Luffy stunned.
"What?" he muttered, eyes widening. "Hancock, your speed… it's incredible! Almost like a particle collider!"
"Particle collider?" Hancock asked, confused.
Luffy waved a hand dismissively. "It's high-tech stuff for studying particles, but don't worry about it. What matters is your speed—it's perfect, truly unmatched."
His words were simple but heartfelt, filled with admiration. Then, stepping closer, he said, "No more pretending to have equipment. Doing that could hurt your spine."
He helped her stand, guiding her movements with a gentle, attentive care. Hancock looked at him with eyes brimming with emotion.
"You're so wonderful," she whispered. "This world is a better place with you in it. I can't imagine… if you ever left… how I'd face life alone."
At that moment, overwhelmed by happiness and fulfillment, a strange worry crept into Hancock's heart. Yet Luffy laughed and reassured her.
"Hancock, it's nothing. I'll resolve everything soon. Then, maybe I'll marry a few more wives to keep you company. That way, we'll all be happy together, forever without worry or sadness. What do you think?"
Tears sparkled in Hancock's eyes as she spoke, her voice trembling. "You are truly the best. I will always love you."
Before she could finish, Luffy playfully cut her off. "Hancock, that's enough of the sentimentality. Just enjoy this moment. It's not that complicated."
On the ground below, people gazed up, watching the cloud floating high above. Though they couldn't see what was happening, they could imagine the happiness unfolding up there.
"Our Empress is so lucky," Aimee commented, cheeks flushed as if she'd had too much to drink.
Another woman sighed. "Relax. We're all lucky, aren't we? Luffy-sama cares for each of us. The Empress is his official wife, after all. She deserves the best."
The sentiment was met with nods of agreement.
"That's right! The Empress is truly his favorite. No need for us to compare. We're blessed enough as it is."
"Exactly! We should be grateful. Think about it—there are billions of women in this world, yet we're the ones who get to share in Luffy-sama's care. It's unforgettable, truly intoxicating."
~-------------------------
Support Me:
Buy me a Coffee: ko-fi .com/ dreamer20
Patreon Advance Chapters: patreon .com / dreamer20