Chapter 12: The Mysterious, Handsome, Stranger! Enter Ricardo!

The Straw Hat crew stepped into downtown Puertojoya, their eyes widening in awe at the breathtaking beauty surrounding them. The streets were lined with vibrant buildings painted in shades of pastel pinks, yellows, and blues, their intricate facades accentuating the whimsical architecture. Street lamps adorned with hanging flower baskets cast a warm, golden glow, even in daylight, giving the city an almost ethereal atmosphere. Above them, the branches of diamond sakura trees stretched out, shimmering as if sprinkled with stardust, their petals cascading like glitter in the breeze.

A bustling promenade ran along a crystal-clear river, where gondola-like boats with silk canopies carried couples serenaded by musicians. The air smelled sweet, a mix of blooming flowers, fresh bread, and a hint of sea salt. The distant sound of a street band playing a lively tune added a rhythm to the island's pulse.

"Wow," Nami breathed, her eyes wide as she adjusted her wide-brimmed hat. She wore a breezy crop top paired with a flowing linen skirt, the fabric fluttering with each step. "It's… beautiful."

Robin, dressed elegantly in a light sundress that complemented the tropical palette, smiled. "It's everything I imagined and more. The romance capital of the Grand Line indeed."

Sanji, clad in a casual white suit with a loosely tied cravat, practically swooned at the sight of Nami and Robin in their new attire but quickly composed himself. "Such a magnificent city deserves such magnificent company," he said, grinning ear to ear. "Ladies, I'll find us the finest cuisine in all of Puertojoya."

The group was interrupted as Hilo, wearing a chic off-the-shoulder blouse and a pleated skirt, turned to Chopper. "Doctor, if you're interested, I can show you the best places for medical supplies around here. Some of the herbs and remedies are unique to the island."

Chopper's eyes sparkled. "Really? That would be amazing! Thank you, Hilo!"

Josephine, in a tailored vest and trousers paired with a wide-brimmed sun hat, gestured toward Franky. "Franky, the shipwrights' district is this way. If you need parts or supplies for your ship, I'll take you there."

Franky grinned, tipping his starry sunglasses. "Super! Let's do it. Jinbe, you in?"

Jinbe, dressed in a floral-patterned kimono, nodded. "I'd like to see what they have to offer. Besides, it'll be good to make connections here."

Kyleigh, wearing a flowing maxi dress with delicate embroidery, turned to Nami and Robin. "If you're up for it, I can take you to the home of Yelena."

"Yelena?" Nami asked, raising a brow.

Robin chuckled softly. "The author of the book series I gave you, remember?"

"Oh!" Nami's eyes lit up with recognition.

Kyleigh smiled. "She's famous around these parts. If you want an autograph or anything, I'd be happy to take you to her residence."

Sanji's face fell as he realized all the women were dispersing without him. "But… my lovely ladies…" he muttered, shoulders slumping.

Randolph clapped a hand on Sanji's shoulder. "Cheer up, chef. I'll take you to the market if you're looking for local spices and food."

Sanji shook his head with exaggerated despair. "No thanks. I'll… find my own way." He immediately darted into the streets, chasing after a group of women passing by, hearts practically radiating from his eyes.

Brook, adjusting his top hat, suddenly perked up at the sound of music. Across the square, a small street band played a lively, rhythmic tune with instruments Brook had never seen before. "Yohoho! What's this? I've never heard this style of music before. It's enchanting!"

Randolph smiled. "That's Amourhythm. It's a style unique to Amour de Isle—romantic, upbeat, and soulful. It's the heartbeat of this city."

Brook's eyes—well, eye sockets—lit up. "Amourhythm! How wonderful! Is there more?"

Randolph chuckled. "Plenty. There's a club not far from here that has live bands playing 24/7. You'd love it."

Brook clasped Randolph's hands dramatically. "Please, take me there! I must experience it!"

Randolph laughed heartily. "Alright, alright. Follow me."

Before long, the rest of the group had paired off, leaving Usopp standing alone on the cobblestone street. He sighed, glancing around the bustling city. "Wait, why did you all leave without me?!"

His voice echoed into the open air, but there was no response. Usopp groaned, slumping in defeat. "Figures. I always get left behind…"

Suddenly, something—or someone—tackled him from behind. Usopp yelped, spinning around to see Luffy grinning ear to ear.

"Usopp! Let's go explore!" Luffy exclaimed, his signature straw hat perched jauntily on his head. He had changed into a bright yellow Hawaiian shirt, blue shorts, a red sash, and sandals, looking completely at home in the tropical setting.

"Luffy! When did you—wait, you're actually dressed for the weather?" Usopp blinked in shock.

Luffy laughed, grabbing Usopp by the arm. "Come on! There's so much to see!"

"W-wait! I didn't even agree yet!" Usopp stammered as Luffy dragged him off into the colorful streets of Puertojoya.

…

Nami and Robin walked beside Kyleigh through the lively streets of Puertojoya, the air buzzing with music, laughter, and the hum of daily life. Their sandals clicked against the polished cobblestones, which sparkled faintly, almost like they were inlaid with fragments of precious stones.

As they strolled, they couldn't help but notice the way people stopped to glance at them. Men, women, and even children paused mid-step, their gazes lingering as if mesmerized.

Nami frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. "What are they all staring at?"

Kyleigh giggled lightly, her voice full of amusement. "You two, of course! Puertojoya has a special affinity for beauty, and they're simply admiring you both. It's like they're witnessing walking works of art."

Nami swallowed uncomfortably, her cheeks flushing pink. "Can I just tell them to look somewhere else? It's a little… much."

Kyleigh shook her head, her smile reassuring. "Don't worry. The people who live here are very respectful. They won't approach you or make any moves unless they feel it's wanted. It's very safe here. Admiration from afar is part of the culture."

Robin chuckled softly at Nami's discomfort but then slowed her pace, her gaze catching on a towering statue in the distance. It was a beautiful stone depiction of a woman standing on a cliff overlooking the town. Her figure was regal yet relaxed, her hair flowing behind her like a cascade of waves. In one hand, she held a crown made of intertwined flowers, while the other rested on the hilt of a sword sheathed at her side.

"Who's that?" Robin asked, nodding toward the statue.

Kyleigh followed her gaze and smiled warmly. "Oh, that's Rosea. She's the founder of Puertojoya."

Robin raised a brow, intrigued. "What's her story?"

Kyleigh's expression softened as she began to recount the tale. "About 800 years ago, Rosea was the captain of a pirate crew, a legendary one at that. Her ambition was to conquer the Grand Line and claim its treasures. But when they reached this island, they were captivated by the beauty of the diamond sakura trees. They stopped here, thinking it would only be for a short time, but something about this place touched their hearts. Rosea and her crew decided to stay, planting roots and building what would become the 'kingdom' of Puertojoya."

"Wait," Nami interjected, "you call yourselves a kingdom, but I'm guessing you're not affiliated with the World Government, are you?"

Kyleigh shook her head. "No, we're not. That's part of what makes Puertojoya so unique. While Rosea became the island's first queen, she rejected the World Government's authority. Instead, she ruled as an officiant, someone who guided the island rather than governed it. To this day, we've remained independent. That's why you'll see so many pirates here. We welcome most of them—those who are peaceful, at least. Of course, there have been times when certain crews have caused trouble, and in those cases, we've had no choice but to call in the Marines. But that's rare. Most pirates who come here are just looking for a place to rest and recharge before continuing their journeys."

Robin tilted her head, studying the statue again. "So she married members of her crew?"

Kyleigh nodded with a playful smirk. "She did. In fact, she married a few of them—apparently, they were a very close-knit group. Her philosophy was that love and companionship were the strongest treasures anyone could have, stronger than any gold or jewel. That philosophy became the foundation of this island."

Nami's expression softened as she listened, her gaze drifting to the statue. "She sounds incredible. Building a place like this… it's inspiring."

"She truly was," Kyleigh agreed. "And even now, her legacy lives on in every corner of Puertojoya. This island thrives because of her ideals—love, freedom, and the celebration of beauty in all its forms."

Robin smiled, a hint of admiration in her eyes. "It's rare to find a place so untouched by the chaos of the outside world. It's almost like stepping into a dream."

Kyleigh gestured ahead. "Come on, I'll show you something even more incredible. Yelena's home isn't far from here, and it's surrounded by some of the most breathtaking sights on the island."

As they continued walking, the statue of Rosea seemed to stand watch over them, a silent reminder of the island's romantic and resilient spirit.

…

Chopper's wide eyes sparkled as he marveled at the shop filled with medical supplies. Shelves were packed with glass jars holding strange powders, vibrant herbs tied in neat bundles, and vials of liquids in every imaginable color. He eagerly hopped from shelf to shelf, his small hoofed hands carefully picking up items to inspect.

As he paused in front of a particularly striking pink vial, curiosity got the better of him. "What's this?" he asked, holding it up to Hilo. The sunlight streaming through the shop window made the liquid inside shimmer like a precious gem.

Hilo smiled warmly, her expression gentle. "That's sakura serum," she explained. "It's made from the sap of the diamond sakura trees. Those trees don't just produce breathtaking jewels; their sap is refined into what many call a near-universal healing elixir. It's not perfect, but it's as close as nature can get."

Chopper's jaw practically dropped. "An elixir that can heal almost anything?! That's incredible! Dr. Hiriluk always said sakura trees could heal the world—of course, he was right!"

Hilo nodded, her fingers tracing the edge of the wooden counter as she spoke. "Because of that sap, you won't find many doctors practicing inland here. Most train to become ship doctors, working on crews or passenger liners. There's a huge demand for doctors on the water, especially with all the honeymoon and party cruises leaving from Puertojoya."

Chopper tilted his head, intrigued. "Honeymoon and party cruises? Is that a big thing here?"

"Oh, absolutely," Hilo said with a soft chuckle. "This island is a destination for romance and celebration. Couples from all over the Grand Line come here to get married, celebrate anniversaries, or just bask in the island's beauty. It's a dream job for a ship doctor—or at least, that's what I thought when I got hired for my first post."

Her smile wavered, and she let out a deep sigh, her gaze growing distant. "That was the passenger ship that got lost in the Devil's Diamond. My first job as an official ship doctor… and it couldn't have gone more wrong."

Chopper's ears perked up at the shift in her tone, and he looked at her with concern. "But you did your best, didn't you?"

"I did," Hilo admitted softly. "But it was terrifying. Losing our way, running out of supplies, trying to keep everyone calm and healthy—it felt like nothing I'd trained for was enough. I thought I was going to fail all of them."

She turned to Chopper, her eyes glistening with gratitude. "That's why I'm so thankful to you and your crew. If it weren't for you, I don't think any of us would've made it back. You saved us, Chopper."

Chopper's cheeks flushed as he waved his hooves in front of him, trying to brush off her praise. "D-Don't go saying stuff like that, you silly! Oh, you think I'd appreciate it or something!" His voice wavered with embarrassment, but a small smile betrayed his pride.

Hilo laughed softly, charmed by his flustered reaction. "Well, you were a big part of it, and I won't forget it. I think I'll take a break here on the island before heading back to sea. I've earned that much."

Chopper smiled back, his chest swelling with pride. "You definitely have! And if you ever need advice or anything, let me know. I'm always happy to help another doctor!"

Hilo grinned. "I might just take you up on that, Chopper. You're a lot more experienced than you let on."

Chopper puffed up his chest, his face glowing red. "Of course! I'm a doctor! It's my job to help people!"

As Chopper and Hilo laughed, a figure standing at the back of the shop stiffened. He had been casually inspecting a shelf of rare medical herbs, but the sound of Chopper's voice made him freeze. His sharp, calculating eyes narrowed slightly as he turned his head toward the source of the familiar voice.

"I know that voice…" he murmured, his deep tone carrying a faint edge of disbelief. Slowly, the man turned, his long black coat shifting with the movement.

Chopper's ears perked up as he caught sight of the figure. His wide eyes lit up. "Law?!" he exclaimed.

Trafalgar Law folded his arms across his chest, an unreadable expression on his face. "I wasn't expecting to run into you all again so soon," he said, his voice as calm and collected as ever.

Chopper grinned. "Yeah! We took a detour into the Devil's Diamond and had some castaways we needed to drop off here!"

Law's golden eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. "Why doesn't it surprise me that you decided to enter the Devil's Diamond?" He sighed, shaking his head. "Only the Straw Hats would willingly sail into one of the most dangerous parts of the Grand Line like it's a Sunday stroll."

Hilo, who had been standing quietly beside Chopper, suddenly gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. Her face flushed with excitement as she pointed at Law. "Y-You're Trafalgar Law! You used to be a Warlord of the Sea!"

Law arched a brow at the outburst, clearly unimpressed by the sudden attention. "That's me," he replied flatly, his tone nonchalant.

Hilo's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Can I have your autograph? You're famous among doctors all over the Grand Line!"

Chopper's head whipped toward her, his expression a mix of shock and indignation. "Wait, I'm a doctor too! You didn't ask for my autograph!"

Hilo waved her hand dismissively at Chopper. "Of course you're amazing, Chopper, but Trafalgar Law is a legend! He's known for performing miracles in surgery and saving entire islands!"

Law sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he looked away. "I'm not in the business of signing autographs."

"Oh, please!" Hilo pleaded, practically bouncing on her toes. "Just one! It would mean so much to me!"

Chopper crossed his arms and pouted. "I still think I'm the cooler doctor here."

Law glanced at Chopper, his lips twitching slightly as if suppressing a smirk. "Cooler, huh? You've definitely got the personality for it, I'll give you that," he said, his tone laced with sarcasm.

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!" Chopper exclaimed, flustered.

Law's faint smirk broke through, though he quickly turned back to Hilo. "Fine. One autograph," he muttered, clearly uncomfortable but relenting under Hilo's hopeful gaze.

Hilo practically squealed as she fumbled to find something for him to sign. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! You have no idea how inspiring you are to so many of us!"

Law glanced at Chopper as he scribbled his signature onto a piece of parchment. "So… are the rest of your crew here too?"

Chopper nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! They're out exploring Puertojoya. We just got here, but everyone's already splitting up to see the sights."

Law handed the parchment back to Hilo, who cradled it like it was a priceless artifact. "Figures," he muttered. "Well, I'm not staying here long. Just stopped to stock up on supplies before heading back out."

"Are you working on something big?" Chopper asked, his curiosity sparkling in his wide eyes.

Law's gaze darkened, his expression unreadable as he offered a noncommittal shrug. "Something like that," he muttered. His tone, though calm, carried a weight that made the room feel heavier. "Anyway, try not to cause too much trouble while you're here. I'd rather not get caught in the fallout if the locals panic over the presence of the new Emperor of the Sea and decide to call in the Marines."

Chopper tilted his head, frowning in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Law's golden eyes narrowed slightly as he regarded Chopper. After a moment, he let out a low sigh, shaking his head. "Good seeing you, Chopper," he said, his voice quieter but firm. "But remember this—I'm not your ally anymore. We're all after the same goal. When we leave this island, don't forget that."

Chopper's ears drooped slightly at the words, but before he could respond, Law turned sharply, his long coat sweeping dramatically behind him as he strode toward the door. Without another word, he pushed it open and disappeared into the streets, leaving a lingering tension in the air.

Chopper stood frozen, the weight of Law's words settling heavily on his small frame. His hooves clenched at his sides, and his brow furrowed deeply. "Not our ally anymore…" he murmured under his breath, the phrase repeating in his mind like an ominous drumbeat. Despite the unsettling revelation, a flicker of determination lit his expression.

Hilo, however, seemed entirely unfazed by the tension in the air.

Clutching her autographed parchment tightly to her chest, her eyes sparkled with excitement. "He's so cool!" she gushed, practically swooning.

Chopper spun around, puffing up his chest and pouting indignantly. "I'm cool too! I'm not just some pet, you know!"

Hilo blinked, startled by his outburst, before breaking into a giggle. "Of course you are, Dr. Chopper! You're the coolest reindeer I've ever met!"

Chopper's cheeks turned bright red as he waved his hooves dismissively. "D-don't say stuff like that! It's not like I wanted you to notice or anything, you dummy!"

Hilo laughed even harder, her earlier tension completely gone, while Chopper huffed, secretly pleased despite his flustered demeanor.

…

The bustling market buzzed with life, colorful stalls overflowing with exotic fruits, handcrafted trinkets, and an assortment of foods that filled the air with tantalizing aromas. Luffy's eyes sparkled as he zeroed in on a nearby food stand piled high with skewered meats, grilled seafood, and steaming bread rolls.

"Whoa! That smells amazing!" Luffy exclaimed, grabbing a skewer without hesitation and chomping down.

"Luffy!" Usopp smacked him on the back of the head, making him nearly choke. "You have to pay for that! We can't just go around spending money we don't have! Remember, we all owe Nami 50,000 berries, and the longer we take to pay it off, the more interest she'll add!"

Luffy blinked, mouth still full. "I owe Nami money? Since when?"

Usopp threw his hands up, exasperated. "Since you decided to cause a bunch of problems for her! Do you even listen when she's yelling at you?"

Before Luffy could reply, the man behind the food stand let out a hearty laugh. "Don't worry about it, kid. It's on the house!"

Luffy's face lit up like the sun. "Really?! Thanks, old man!"

The vendor grinned, wiping his hands on his apron. "Of course. I recognize you from your wanted poster. Monkey D. Luffy, Emperor of the Sea. I've got no business picking a fight with a man who's got a three billion berry bounty on his head!"

Usopp stiffened. "Uh, y-yeah, that's right! You'd better be careful! This guy's the real deal!" He puffed up his chest, pretending to share in Luffy's intimidating reputation.

The three of them chatted for a bit, with the vendor regaling them with tales of the island's history and unique customs. But before long, Luffy's attention wandered, his eyes locking onto something unusual in the distance.

A massive bull-like creature ambled through the market, its muscular body hauling a heavy cart stacked high with goods. Its sleek, glistening hide shimmered faintly in the sunlight, and its horns curved elegantly like polished ivory.

"Whoa! What's that?!" Luffy asked, pointing excitedly.

The vendor glanced over and smiled. "Ah, that's a Gran Toro. We use the males to haul goods around the island—they're incredibly strong and hardworking. And the females? They're prized for producing Puertojoya's famous pink milk. You won't find anything like it anywhere else in the world."

"So cool!" Luffy and Usopp said in unison, their faces mirroring each other's awe.

Then, without warning, Luffy's grin widened mischievously. "I'm gonna ride it!"

"Wait, Luffy—no!" Usopp shouted, already sensing disaster.

The vendor's eyes widened. "Kid, you can't just—!"

But it was too late. Luffy had already leapt onto the Gran Toro's back, landing squarely between its horns.

"Woohoo!" Luffy cheered, raising his fists triumphantly.

The Gran Toro, startled by the sudden weight and noise, let out a deep, rumbling bellow and began to buck wildly. Stalls toppled as the creature thrashed, sending crates of fruit and goods flying in all directions.

"Luffy, get off it!" Usopp screamed, chasing after them.

The Gran Toro suddenly bolted, charging through the market and leaving a trail of chaos in its wake.

"Come back here, you idiot!" Usopp yelled, his voice drowned out by the panicked shouts of vendors scrambling to save their wares.

Meanwhile, Luffy clung tightly to the creature's back, laughing uncontrollably. "This is awesome!"

…

Nami clutched her autographed book tightly to her chest, trying to keep pace with Kyleigh and Robin as they walked through the bustling street.

"Wow, Yelena was so cool!" Nami said, her cheeks still flushed with excitement. "She even gave me a copy of her next unpublished book in the series!"

Robin glanced at her with a knowing smile. "I think she was more interested in us than in promoting her book. She became quite enthralled once she realized who we were."

Kyleigh giggled. "You Straw Hats have quite the reputation. Everyone in the world knows who you are!"

"Well," Nami began, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, "now that I have my book, can we go shopping? I'm dying to get my hands on some new clothes!"

"Sure! The market's just down this way," Kyleigh replied, motioning forward.

As they turned the corner, screams and the sound of hurried footsteps filled the air.

"What the—?" Nami said, stopping abruptly.

"What's going on?" Robin asked, her voice calm but sharp with curiosity.

"I don't know!" Kyleigh replied, her eyes darting around. She looked ahead and gasped, pointing. "It's a Gran Toro! Something must've made it mad!"

Robin squinted, her sharp eyes narrowing at the thrashing beast. Her expression shifted to one of disbelief. "Is Luffy on top of it?"

"WHAT?!" Nami's voice shot up an octave, her face instantly darkening in frustration.

The Gran Toro barreled toward them, with Luffy waving one arm wildly in the air and gripping its horn with the other. His wide grin spread across his face.

"Hey, Nami! Hey, Robin! Look! I'm gonna have this guy join our crew!"

"LIKE HELL YOU WILL!" Nami screamed, shaking her fist in fury.

Kyleigh grabbed Nami's arm, panic in her voice. "Get out of the way! He's coming right for us!"

The three women joined the fleeing crowd, weaving through the chaos. But in her haste, Nami tripped, falling hard onto the cobblestone street.

"Nami!" Kyleigh called, turning back.

Nami looked up, her eyes widening as the Gran Toro thundered closer. Her heart pounded as the massive beast loomed over her, its hooves shaking the ground.

"Luffy, stop that bull!" Robin shouted, her voice cutting through the noise.

"Huh?" Luffy blinked, momentarily confused as he turned to look down.

Before the Gran Toro could reach her, a cloaked figure stepped into its path, moving with calculated calm. He held a vivid red cloth in his hand, swishing it gracefully through the air like a seasoned matador.

The beast froze mid-charge, its wild eyes locked on the cloth. With a few subtle movements, the man coaxed the creature to calm, guiding it to a stop. Luffy, caught off guard, was bucked off the bull's back, landing in a heap on the street.

Nami sat on the ground, her breaths ragged as she stared up at the cloaked figure. He turned to face her, lowering his hood to reveal curly black hair, warm black eyes, tanned skin, and a smile that radiated effortless charm.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his deep voice gentle yet commanding.

For a moment, Nami could only stare, her cheeks flushing as she took in his striking features. He's so handsome! she thought, her heart racing.

As if on cue, the man blushed faintly, his gaze locking with hers. The noise of the crowd faded into the background as the two of them sat there, caught in a moment of silent connection.

He extended his hand, his smile widening slightly.

"Uh, yeah! I think I'm fine!" Nami stammered, a nervous laugh escaping her as she reached for his hand. His touch was firm yet gentle, and her cheeks reddened further.

Kyleigh, standing beside Robin, froze in shock, her hand flying to her mouth. "That's… That's Prince Ricardo!"

"Prince?" Robin repeated, her sharp eyes widening in surprise.

As if on cue, the townspeople around them dropped to their knees, bowing deeply. Robin followed suit, inclining her head respectfully.

Nami, however, remained oblivious to the crowd, her focus solely on Ricardo, who hadn't taken his eyes off her.

Ricardo glanced down, noticing something trampled beneath the dust and chaos. "Was that yours?" he asked softly, his eyes meeting Nami's briefly before darting to the ground.

"Huh?" Nami blinked in confusion before following his gaze. Her eyes widened in horror as she recognized the object. "My book!" she gasped. The freshly autographed copy of Yelena's unpublished manuscript lay on the ground, its once-pristine cover torn and smeared with dirt, the pages crumpled and torn.

Ricardo bent down to retrieve it, carefully lifting the ruined book. "I'm so sorry," he said, his voice genuinely apologetic as he handed it back to her.

Nami's hands trembled as she took it. "It's ruined…" she whispered, her heart sinking.

"Thank god that bull stopped," Usopp's voice suddenly cut through the tension as he appeared, jogging toward them with the vendor from earlier in tow.

Robin turned to him, raising a brow. "Hey, Usopp."

"Hey," Usopp replied, catching his breath. "Uh, you guys wouldn't happen to see Luffy, would you—"

"I'm right here!" came a familiar voice.

A pile of broken crates erupted, and Luffy popped out, dusting himself off and grinning ear to ear. "Whew! That was a rush!"

"Luffy…" Nami growled, her hands clenching into fists.

"Oh! Nami!" Luffy's carefree expression shifted to concern as he rushed toward her. "You're safe! Thank goodness! I don't know what caused that Taurus thing to stop, but I'm glad it did!"

Nami's face turned a deep shade of red, but not from embarrassment. "What were you thinking?!" she yelled, holding up the ruined book for emphasis. "You destroyed my book!"

Luffy froze, his eyes darting to the book and then back to her. "Huh? Oh…"

"And my outfit!" Nami continued, gesturing at her dirtied and torn skirt. "This was new, Luffy! NEW!"

Before Luffy could even attempt to respond, Ricardo spoke up with a faint smile, directing his words at him. "Careful. Didn't anyone warn you that the Gran Toros are not to be ridden?"

Luffy blinked, clearly confused. He turned to Nami and pointed at Ricardo. "Who's this guy?"

Gasps rippled through the crowd as the townspeople, who had been quietly watching from the sidelines, reacted in disbelief.

"That's Straw Hat Luffy! And he's just talking to Prince Ricardo like he's some random guy!" one person whispered.

Another chimed in, "Did Straw Hat call that girl Nami? They're the Straw Hat Pirates!"

"What are they doing here? Aren't they dangerous?"

Kyleigh, sensing the rising tension, suddenly dropped to her knees in front of Ricardo. "Your Highness! The blame is all mine. You see—"

"Kyleigh?" Ricardo interrupted, his eyes widening in recognition. Before she could say another word, he pulled her into a tight hug. "You're all right! Thank goodness! We heard your ship went down in the Devil's Diamond. But every rescue ship we sent after you crashed! How did you make it back?"

Kyleigh smiled, her voice soft with emotion. "It was Luffy and his crew. They saved us and brought us home."

Ricardo's gaze shifted back to Luffy, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Is that true?"

Luffy scratched the back of his head, grinning wide. "Yeah, we couldn't just leave them there!"

Ricardo's expression softened further, his eyes reflecting genuine warmth. "Thank you. I owe you a great debt, Straw Hat Luffy. Kyleigh and Randolph are invaluable journalists here in Puertojoya. Their return is cause for celebration!"

The murmurs of the crowd quieted at Ricardo's words, their skepticism melting into admiration. Even Nami's anger seemed to dissipate as she watched his heartfelt response.

But Luffy, ever the carefree soul, simply shrugged. "Nah, don't worry about it. That's just what we do! But I guess if you want to repay us, I like meat!"

Ricardo chuckled, his tone light but sincere. "Very well, in two days, we'll hold a celebratory banquet for the return of those lost at sea aboard the Gran Corazón! And for their rescuers—Straw Hat Luffy and his crew!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, their applause ringing through the street. Nami, still holding her ruined book, glanced at Luffy and smiled softly. But as soon as their eyes met, she quickly averted her gaze, her expression dimming as she looked down at the ground.

"Nami, was it?" Ricardo asked, his voice gentle.

Nami's head shot back up at the sound of her name. "Y-yes?"

"Allow me the honor of taking care of you. I'd like to purchase you a new wardrobe, and that book—you mentioned it was the unpublished one in the Heart Del Mar series, if I'm not mistaken?" Ricardo's gaze softened as he continued, "I shall gift you my personal copy."

"Oh no, there's no need!" Nami protested, shaking her head. "It wasn't your fault this happened, it was my idiot captain's."

Ricardo's expression remained firm as he extended his hand toward her. "Nonsense! This is my kingdom, and everything within it is my responsibility. Besides, it would be my honor to walk the streets with such a breathtaking woman on my arm."

Nami's cheeks flushed, and she smiled, her heart fluttering slightly as she reached for his hand. "It would be my pleasure."

As Nami took his hand, Ricardo quickly turned a shade of red, his eyes glinting with a mix of admiration and bashfulness. Luffy, however, watched the exchange with a frown, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Luffy," Usopp said, tugging on his arm, "Come on, let's go wrangle up that Gran Toro thing. It's the least we can do after all the trouble you caused for that vendor."

Robin, who had been quietly watching the interaction, couldn't help but smirk. As Luffy was being dragged off by Usopp, she turned to Kyleigh, her voice playful. "Wow, what an interesting first day."