The first rays of dawn crept through the cracks in Dadan's mountain hideout, painting the dusty wooden floor in soft gold. Luffy lay sprawled across his futon like a starfish that had lost a fight with gravity. His mouth hung wide open, a thin string of drool stretching from the corner of his lips to the floor, glistening in the early light. A soft, rhythmic snore rumbled out of him—grrrk… shhh… grrrk… shhh—the kind of sound that could scare off wild boars.

Then—

The notification exploded in his skull like a cannon going off inside a barrel. Luffy jolted upright so fast his head smacked the low ceiling beam.

"Gah—! What the—?!"

He rubbed the fresh bump, blinking blearily at the glowing blue window hovering an inch from his nose.

Luffy stared at it for a second, then grinned sleepily, scratching the wild mess of black hair on his head.

"Hehe… okay, okay, box. I'm getting up."

He rolled off the messy futon, stretched his rubbery arms until they nearly touched the opposite wall, and shuffled outside. The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and distant sea salt. At the little pond behind the hideout, Luffy crouched down, scooped handfuls of icy water, and splashed it over his face. Droplets flew everywhere as he shook his head like a wet dog. Brushing his teeth? Nah. That could wait till next Saturday. Or the one after. Who had time for that when there was meat to eat and seas to conquer?

His stomach growled loud enough to echo off the trees.

"Food time!"

He bounded back inside, sandals slapping against the floorboards.

"Dadan! Hey, old woman! Feed me!"

Dadan was awake—doozing—slumped at the low table with a cigarette hanging from her lips and a scowl that could curdle milk. A few of her mountain bandits were scattered around, munching on breakfast. She didn't even look up.

"You damn brat, you think this is a damn inn? Get your own breakfast!"

But even as she barked, her hand moved on autopilot. She shoved a wooden plate piled high with grilled meat, rice, and some side dish toward him. Luffy's eyes lit up like stars.

"Shishishi! Thanks, old hag!"

He attacked the plate like it had personally insulted him. In under thirty seconds, it was gone—bones licked clean, sauce smeared across his cheeks. He slammed the empty plate down and grinned.

"Give me more! I'm setting sail tomorrow, youy know? Gotta stock up!"

Dadan's cigarette nearly fell out of her mouth. She finally looked at him, eyes narrowing.

"Tomorrow? Finally some relief? You little—fine, whatever! But I ain't your damn maid! Go hunt your own damn food if you're in such a hurry to leave!"

She crossed her arms, turning her face away with a huff. But as Luffy laughed and bolted out the door, yelling "See ya later, then!" over his shoulder, Dadan's shoulders sagged just a little. The bandits exchanged glances, but she waved them off with a growl.

"Shut up, all of you."

She stared at the empty doorway for a long moment, the cigarette burning down between her fingers. That idiot… alone out there on the sea. What the hell is he gonna eat? Who's gonna make sure he doesn't get himself killed by bigshot? She chewed her lip, then muttered under her breath, "Why would I care about that stupid brat anyway…" But even as she said it, her mind was already turning over ideas—maybe a big send-off feast tonight? Something with extra meat. Just to shut him up. Yeah. That was all.

Luffy, meanwhile, was already halfway down the mountain path, arms stretched to swing from branches like a happy monkey. The wind felt good. The system's little alert still buzzed faintly in the back of his head, but he pushed it aside. Village first. Makino's bar always had the best snacks.

He burst through the door of Partys Bar with his usual energy, the bell jingling wildly.

"Makino! Morning! Got any—huh?"

The place was empty. Tables wiped clean, chairs stacked, no sign of the familiar warm smile behind the counter. Luffy tilted his head, scratching his cheek.

"Odd… she's usually here by now."

He stepped back outside, squinting in the sunlight. Makino's little house was just a short walk away, tucked behind the bar with a tiny garden out front. The door was unlocked—typical Foosha Village, where nobody locked anything. Luffy pushed it open without a second thought.

"Makino? You in here?"

No answer. But the house wasn't empty. From the back hallway came the soft, rhythmic sound of water splashing. The bathroom door was slightly ajar, steam curling out like inviting fingers.

Luffy's stomach did a little flip—not from hunger this time. A new window popped up right in front of his eyes, bright and insistent.

He blinked. "Peek? Hehe… that sounds kinda fun."

The bathroom wall didn't quite meet the roof—there was a good foot of open space up top, perfect for a curious rubber boy. Luffy grinned, stretched his neck like taffy, and silently lifted his head up until he could peer down into the steamy room.

There she was.

Makino stood in the wooden tub, completely naked, her back to him at first. Water cascaded down her skin in glistening rivulets, tracing the gentle curve of her waist, the soft swell of her hips, the way her mid-sized breasts sat high and full on her chest. Her skin was flushed pink from the heat, droplets clinging to her collarbones and the faint trail of hair leading down between her thighs. She hummed softly to herself, running a soapy hand along her arm, completely unaware.

Luffy's eyes went wide. "Whoa…"

Another notification chimed, softer this time.

His grin turned mischievous. "Steal her… panties? Alright, box. You're on."

While Makino turned to rinse her hair, eyes closed under the stream of water, Luffy extended one rubber arm like a sneaky snake. It slithered down along the wall, silent as a shadow, and snatched the plain white panties folded neatly on the stool by the tub. He yanked them back up and out of sight in a heartbeat.

Luffy blinked at the new window, then shrugged. "Cool. Wonder what that does…"

He brought the stolen panties up to his face, still warm from her body. The system helpfully added:

"Huh? Smell 'em? Why would I—"

But curiosity won. He pressed the fabric to his nose and inhaled.

Makino's scent hit him like a wave—strong, a little musky, with a faint sweetness underneath that made his brain feel fuzzy. Different flavor… kinda like… braised meat? But better. He sniffed again, longer this time, a goofy smile spreading across his face. "Shishishi… weird. But not bad."

Down below, Makino finished her bath. She stepped out of the tub, water dripping from her curves, and reached for the towel. She dried herself slowly, humming, then wrapped it around her body and turned to the stool.

Her hand froze.

The panties were gone.

She blinked, looked left, looked right. "What…?"

Then her eyes traveled up—and locked onto Luffy's grinning face peeking down from the gap in the wall like some mischievous gremlin.

Makino's entire face exploded into crimson. She let out a high-pitched scream that could've woken the whole village.

"Luffy! You little pervert! What are you doing there?!"

She slapped her hands over her face first, then quickly adjusted—one arm across her chest to hide her breasts, the other clutching the towel tighter around her waist. Water still beaded on her skin, making her look even more flustered.

"Give me back my panties right now, you idiot!"

Luffy just laughed, dangling the stolen underwear from one stretched finger like a trophy.

"Hehe… caught me! But the box said it was a quest! They're kinda nice, Makino. Smell good too!"

Makino's mouth opened and closed, mortified. "The… the what?! Luffy, get down from there this instant! And don't you dare—!"

She looked ready to throw the soap at him. Or maybe faint. Or both.

Luffy tilted his head, still grinning ear to ear, completely unbothered.

"Shishishi… you're all red. Cute."