One Piece: Marine Luffy, Garp regrets it

Kalifa closed the storybook and nestled into Luffy's arms, rubbing her head against him like a contented kitten. Her reluctance to let go was evident, a rare softness beneath her usual sharp demeanor.

Koala, still adjusting to their new relationship, was more reserved. Her cheeks turned pink as she rested her head lightly on Luffy's shoulder, her shyness endearing.

Luffy stroked Kalifa's back, his touch gentle, as she clung to him. Looking at the two of them, he couldn't help but chuckle as he remembered the scene when he had walked in.

"I didn't expect you two, who were once enemies, to get along so well," he remarked with a grin. "You're even sticking together to read a book. Who would've thought?"

Kalifa lifted her head, her face—a flawless masterpiece of the Slip-Slip Fruit—forming an exaggerated pout. "Oh, stop bringing up the past, you idiot!" she retorted, sticking her tongue out at him.

"There's a saying," she continued with mock seriousness, "No fight, no acquaintance. Beating is love, scolding is love. Women's friendships are beyond your comprehension. Haven't you heard of that?"

Luffy rolled his eyes. "What nonsense are you talking about?" he grumbled, earning an amused smirk from Kalifa.

Koala chimed in, her voice soft but teasing. "Well, she's not entirely wrong. Maybe it was fate that we met in Water 7. And with you as the bridge between us, it's only natural we'd form a good relationship."

"So, it's all thanks to me, huh?" Luffy said smugly, puffing out his chest.

Both girls laughed before playfully biting his arms, acknowledging his claim with smiles.

After a few lighthearted jokes, Koala shifted positions. She leaned back, her simple white sundress catching the light as she kicked off her slippers. With a contented sigh, she found a comfortable spot on Luffy's lap, lying on her side and resting her head against his abdomen.

Kalifa, on the other hand, was dressed more provocatively. Her translucent white blouse clung to her frame, faintly revealing the purple lace of her bra beneath. Her ultra-short, form-fitting skirt emphasized her curves, and her legs were adorned with Luffy's favorite shiny black stockings, paired with delicate black sandals.

Luffy's eyes lingered for a moment, his thoughts turning mischievous. He felt an almost irresistible urge to take her feet in his hands and... well, explore.

Calm down, Luffy, he thought, recalling his earlier encounter with Hina. Self-control!

But his restraint didn't go unnoticed. Koala flicked his forehead lightly, snapping him out of his daze.

"Hiss—hey, careful!" Luffy teased, retaliating with a playful slap on her perky backside. "If you break something, you'll regret it yourself!"

Koala blushed furiously, burying her head into his abdomen with a muffled hum of protest. Luffy grinned, clearly enjoying her reaction.

Kalifa, ever the instigator, wrapped an arm around Luffy's neck and diverted his attention. "How was the meeting? What did the Fleet Admiral say?"

Interrupted, Luffy pulled her closer and began rubbing her smooth cheeks with both hands, playfully roughing her up until her breathing became uneven.

"Stingy man!" Kalifa huffed, glaring at him as she tried to catch her breath. Her cheeks now glowed with warmth from his teasing, and Luffy's smirk only deepened.

"You two are really something," he said, pulling Koala closer as well. "You're like sisters who can't live without each other."

Kalifa didn't respond with words. Instead, she pointed at her own cheek, inviting Luffy to continue the playful game with Koala. Luffy, catching her meaning, grinned and obliged, pulling Koala into the fun.

Ever since Kalifa had consumed the Slip-Slip Fruit, she had diligently studied its abilities. Using it, she had enhanced the appearance of nearly everyone on the ship. Their skin became smoother, imperfections like freckles and birthmarks vanished, and even the naturally flawless Hancock admitted that Kalifa's touch had made her a bit more radiant.

After both girls were thoroughly flustered from the cheek-rubbing antics, Luffy finally leaned back and answered Kalifa's earlier question.

"Tsk, you won't believe it," he began, his tone laced with disdain. "The government actually ordered the Fleet Admiral to release all the prisoners they captured."

"What?!" Koala sat up abruptly, her voice sharp. "The Marines fought the Beasts Pirates for so long, and now they're just letting them go? What was this—a glorified military exercise?"

Despite being a revolutionary, Koala couldn't suppress her frustration. Her ideals clashed sharply with the government's cold pragmatism.

Luffy patted her back soothingly. "It's not hard to figure out," he said bitterly. "The government hates pirates, sure, but they hate the idea of the Marines gaining too much power even more. They're afraid that if the Marines dominate the New World, it'll threaten their control."

Kalifa frowned, her sharp mind piecing things together. "So, they want the Marines and pirates to keep fighting each other… to maintain the balance of power?"

"Exactly," Luffy confirmed, his disgust evident. "To them, it's all a game. Pirates, Marines, civilians—we're just pawns. As long as their rule isn't threatened, they don't care who suffers. Pirates die, Marines die, even ordinary people—it's all the same to them."

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