Chapter 386: The Cat Burglar's Jealousy

The celebratory banquet at Zou was still in full swing.

The massive bonfire in the center of the plaza illuminated the night sky in a fiery red.

The cheerful drumbeats of the Mink Tribe, accompanied by singing, echoed long and loud over the ruins of the entire city.

The rowdy sounds of eating meat in huge bites and drinking wine from large bowls highlighted the intensity of this victory celebration.

Under the cover of the hazy night, Tatsuya took Nami and Robin by the hand and quietly slipped away from the noisy central area.

The three of them strolled along a hidden forest path until they reached a quiet viewing platform on a giant tree at the edge of the Whale Forest.

The elevation here was extremely high and the view was expansive, completely removed from the clamor and heat waves of the bonfire below.

All around, there was only the cold, silver moonlight pouring down like water, and the cool night breeze that rustled as it brushed through the giant canopy.

The atmosphere, which had just been boiling with excitement, became quiet and beautiful the moment they stepped into this place.

As soon as they stood still, before Tatsuya could even begin to appreciate the beautiful night scenery, Nami turned around.

This beautiful Navigator crossed her arms, lifted her fair chin slightly, and gazed at Tatsuya with a mischievous smile in her moist, lively eyes.

She poked Tatsuya’s solid chest in annoyance and drawled with a playful, enigmatic smile:

“Vice Captain, how did it feel to be surrounded by so many furry little girls back at the camp?”

“Were you enjoying yourself so much that you almost forgot your own name?”

Facing Nami’s sudden “interrogation,” Robin, who was standing to the side, leaned elegantly against the wooden railing at the edge of the viewing platform and joined in with a smile:

“Indeed, I saw everything quite clearly just now.”

“Several young fox ladies had their tails wrapped intimately around the Vice Captain’s waist.”

“That furry sensation must have felt very comfortable, right?”

Robin generously covered her red lips with her jade-like hand and let out a soft laugh, her deep eyes sparkling with teasing mischief:

“If the Vice Captain really can’t bear to part with that tenderness, it’s not too late to turn back now.”

Facing the “pincer attack” from the two women, Tatsuya remained calm and composed.

He stepped forward and pulled them both into his broad embrace.

Tatsuya lowered his head, brought his cheek close to their ears, and whispered softly:

“It didn’t actually feel like anything special.”

“Because in my eyes, my two wives are the most charming and elegant women in this world.”

“As for anyone else, I have absolutely no interest.”

Hearing these blunt, intense words of affection, Nami’s face, which she had originally intended to keep stern, instantly crumbled, and the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but curl upward.

She struggled symbolically in Tatsuya’s arms for a moment, then gave up the resistance and docilely rested her cheek against his warm chest.

Robin also took the opportunity to snuggle against Tatsuya’s shoulder.

Looking at the two delicate and alluring women in his arms, the smile in Tatsuya’s eyes deepened.

The word “serious” naturally didn’t exist when it came to him.

Under the quiet moonlight, Tatsuya’s long, slender hands were not idle either.

His hands skillfully navigated through the gaps in their clothing, working both sides at once.

Such proficiency caused the breathing of Nami and Robin in his arms to become increasingly rapid.

However, at this perfect moment.

The special communication snail shell he kept close to his body suddenly transmitted a slight vibration and an unusual warmth.

Tatsuya’s movements came to an abrupt halt.

Because he knew better than anyone that this was a call from Shirahoshi, far away in the deep sea.

If he took out the shell to answer it, the perfect atmosphere he had just built would absolutely collapse instantly, turning into a disastrous scene of total failure.

Tatsuya’s eyes flickered almost imperceptibly.

Under the somewhat curious gaze of the two women, he naturally stroked their silky hair:

“You two wait here for a moment.”

“You haven’t eaten yet, right? I’ll go get some fruit wine and snacks to tide you over.”

Tatsuya hooked his mouth into a mischievous smirk and lowered his voice to add:

“After all, we still have a very intense battle ahead in the long night, so we need to replenish our energy.”

Hearing this explicit hint, Nami and Robin were not shy, but looked at him with playful, knowing smiles.

They didn’t have the slightest suspicion, nodded in agreement, and watched as Tatsuya turned and left.

Tatsuya turned around and walked quickly into the shadow of the dense, dark canopy behind the viewing platform.

After confirming that there was no one around, he quickly pulled the heating snail shell from his pocket and pressed it to his ear to connect.

As soon as the connection was made, the familiar, incredibly delicate voice of Princess Shirahoshi immediately came through:

“Lord Tatsuya!”

On the other end of the line, Shirahoshi excitedly told Tatsuya that the entire Ryugu Palace had already seen the latest headlines.

They had learned the shocking news that Lord Luffy and Lord Tatsuya had defeated the Four Emperors Big Mom on the sea and successfully ascended to become the “Fifth Emperor.”

Now, all the citizens of Fish-Man Island were cheering and celebrating for them in the plaza.

However, this excitement did not last long.

Immediately after, Shirahoshi’s voice became filled with self-blame and grievance:

“I’m sorry, Lord Tatsuya… Shirahoshi is really too stupid.”

“I thought that once the peripheral fleets that came to intercept you retreated, you would be safe, so I let my Sea King friends go back first.”

“I had no idea that the terrifying Big Mom would rush over there herself…”

“I wasn’t able to help you when you were in the most danger and needed help the most…”

Listening to the sobbing coming from the shell, Tatsuya softened his voice and whispered gently to comfort the sensitive Mermaid Princess.

He used the gentlest tone to tell Shirahoshi that she didn’t need to blame herself at all, and that she had done a great job.

If she hadn’t cleared those troublesome peripheral obstacles in advance and disrupted the enemy’s encirclement, the thousand sunny would never have been able to break through the siege so smoothly.

Tatsuya even praised her without reservation, saying that she was his best helpmate in this battle and an irreplaceable existence.

Tatsuya’s sweet talk always had an immediate and miraculous effect.

Sure enough, upon hearing this praise, Shirahoshi on the other end of the shell immediately stopped crying.

She shyly touched her long pink hair, and her huge, beautiful fish tail swayed happily in the clear seawater, creating ripples:

“Lord Tatsuya just knows how to make me happy…”

“Since Lord Luffy has now become a Sea Emperor who shakes the ocean.”

“You… your business over there should be done for a while, right? When will you come back to see Shirahoshi?”

Listening to the slightly rapid breathing from Shirahoshi on the other end of the shell due to shyness, as well as that soft, sweet tone unique to the Mermaid Princess.

Tatsuya couldn’t help but recall that wonderful and magical experience in that spacious princess room.

His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he gave his promise in a low voice:

“Sorry, Shirahoshi, I can’t go back right now.”

“Our next target is Wano Country,”

“But don’t worry, once I finish dealing with matters in Wano Country, I will definitely come back to Fish-Man Island to see you first thing.”

“During this time, you must take good care of yourself, Shirahoshi.”

The other end of the shell was silent for a moment, and then came Shirahoshi’s reply, which, although unable to hide her disappointment, was still very obedient and sensible, urging Tatsuya to be sure to stay safe.

Tatsuya smiled and put away the shell.

In order not to let Nami and Robin, who were waiting on the viewing platform, get suspicious, he dared not delay too long.

He hurriedly used the “Body Flicker Technique,” his figure turning into an afterimage, and instantly arrived at the edge of the banquet venue at the foot of the mountain.

He quickly selected some exquisite food with excellent taste and a few bottles of sweet, low-alcohol fruit wine from the sumptuous dining tables.

Then he used the Body Flicker Technique again and hurried back in the direction of the giant tree viewing platform.

…

Meanwhile, in the deep sea ten thousand meters below the ocean surface.

The huge and beautiful Princess Shirahoshi sat quietly on her soft, spacious seashell bed.

She stretched out her fair, huge hands and carefully placed the communication shell, which had ended the call, into the deep cleavage on her chest.

She pouted her rosy lips slightly and muttered a complaint in a low voice:

“Geez, Lord Tatsuya is always so busy; he hung up in such a hurry before I could even finish speaking.”

Along with this mutter, Shirahoshi’s originally clear, azure eyes suddenly dimmed uncontrollably in the dim deep-sea light.

She lowered her head, looking at her beautiful fish tail, her voice filled with a hint of loss and resentment:

“What a pity…”

“I had even specifically asked Madam Shyarly for advice and learned several new, interesting poses just to welcome Lord Tatsuya.”

“Now it seems they won’t be used for the time being…”