One Piece: Marine Luffy, Garp regrets it

"Well, it feels really good. No wonder you like it so much," Robin commented as she stroked Yamato's tail.

Before Luffy could respond, Yamato's wolf tail began swishing back and forth like a fan, clearly enjoying the attention.

"Right, right?" Yamato agreed enthusiastically. "Sometimes I even like to sleep with my tail wrapped in my arms."

Robin glanced at Yamato, who seemed completely content being treated like a pet, and suppressed a smile. She pursed her lips slightly and continued her gentle stroking. Such an opportunity was rare—she'd better appreciate it while she could.

"Hmm~" Yamato hummed contentedly under the caress of both Robin's and Luffy's hands. She stretched out comfortably on the sofa, her eyes half-closed in bliss.

The pleasure was mutual—both the one touching and the one being touched were thoroughly enjoying the experience.

Soon, the three women who had just finished their Den Den Mushi calls returned and playfully snatched Mansherry away from Luffy. They quickly established their own space and began taking turns petting the fairy princess's tail.

It wasn't until Kalifa called for help from the kitchen that Hina and Koala finally released the poor little princess. But Mansherry's reprieve was short-lived—Hancock, typically so aloof and dignified, had discovered she quite enjoyed the sensation of the soft tail. After having Mansherry reduce herself to the size of an ordinary child, Hancock kept the princess cradled in her arms, refusing to let go.

The group chatted amicably in this peaceful atmosphere. Occasionally, when an interesting topic arose, the three women working in the kitchen would pop their heads out to join the conversation.

The wonderful atmosphere became even livelier when Gion, Violet, Kujaku, and Alpha returned from their shopping trip. Now all family members who were free to attend the gathering had arrived.

"Hey, where are Ain and Nami?" Luffy asked as he helped set the dining table, having lost his tail-stroking privileges when Yamato wandered off. "Besides Via, they're the only two who haven't come."

Hina emerged from the kitchen carrying a large platter of sashimi, which she carefully placed on the table before answering.

"Those two took a team out on the Stormbreaker," she explained. "There have been more pirates attacking Onigashima recently. If we don't clear the sea routes, merchants won't dare to make their deliveries."

Hancock, who was placing plates around the table for everyone, snorted dismissively.

"Except for the Four Emperors, anyone who dares to cause trouble in our waters is simply an idiot," she said with characteristic disdain. Despite her haughty tone, she couldn't hide her concern as she continued, "But those two are being reckless. Even if they didn't bring me along, they should have at least taken Yamato, or you and Kalifa with them."

Hancock lowered her voice slightly. "The headquarters is already saying that the G-66 branch chief deliberately prevents his subordinates from advancing. They claim that even such capable officers can only serve under your command."

Hina rolled her eyes in annoyance. "You make it sound so simple," she countered. "Yamato is now the chief instructor at the academy with a group of cadets to train. Kalifa and I need to remain at the base while Luffy handles official business. Before Vice Admiral Gion arrived, you were our strongest fighter besides Luffy. None of us can leave our posts as we please."

Luffy, standing nearby, suddenly stiffened. He'd always had the impression that he was relatively idle compared to the others.

"Don't worry about them," Hina continued, setting down another dish. "They have Cook, Binz, Zoro,Sanji, Usopp, and others with them this time. With that team, they have nothing to fear from ordinary pirate groups. This mission is mainly to give our newer recruits battle experience."

"Hmph, I suppose that's acceptable," Hancock conceded, though her tone remained unimpressed. "But their team composition is merely adequate."

Though her words were cold, everyone knew that in her heart, Hancock had come to regard all members of the G-66 branch as her comrades—she simply refused to express it openly.

Luffy seized the opportunity to change the subject. "By the way, Cook and the others still have relatively low ranks. If they capture some notable pirates during this mission, I should petition Fleet Admiral Sengoku to promote them."

"It's long overdue!" Kujaku exclaimed, emerging from the kitchen with more dishes. "Did you know that people at headquarters have a special nickname for us? I heard it from a friend a few days ago."

Luffy, Hina, and Hancock looked over curiously, shaking their heads.

After placing the dishes on the table, Kujaku put her hands on her hips and sighed. "They're calling us 'the freak branch' because we keep eliminating pirates with bounties in the tens or even hundreds of millions. Whenever our battle reports come in, headquarters personnel just shake their heads. Those dangerous enemies that give headquarters such trouble is routinely handled by our squads where most of them have long not been promoted even with so many contribution!"

She threw up her hands in exasperation. "This year's Marine Academy graduates, upon hearing the name of the G-66 branch, all refused assignment here!"

Luffy listened to Kujaku's report with growing disbelief. By the time she finished, he felt utterly incredulous.

"The promotion of Marine officers isn't even decided by me," he protested. "Are those people at headquarters insane? Why blame me instead of the Fleet admirals?"

Kujaku shrugged helplessly. "There are also rumors circulating that you and Fleet Admiral Sengoku don't get along, and that he's deliberately holding you back. That's another reason why no one wants to be assigned to G-66 anymore."

Luffy's expression darkened. "You've got to be kidding me!"

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Marvel x Star Wars: Avengers in the Clone Wars

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