Chapter 23: Unexpected Invitation!

Nami, displaying her usual confidence, smirked and propped herself up on one elbow. "Well, Usopp, looks like you stumbled upon something interesting. But next time you do this, it will cost you 50,000 Belly!"

Zoro, though slightly caught off guard, simply shrugged and reached for his discarded shirt. "If you're not here to tell anything important, then get out of here, long nose. We have better things to do than entertain you."

Luffy, his eyes wide with surprise, blinked a few times before bursting into laughter. "Wow! This is so funny! I didn't expect to see this! Shisisisisi" He continued to chuckle uncontrollably, finding the whole situation incredibly amusing.

Usopp, finally finding his voice, sputtered incoherently. "I...uh...I didn't mean to...I'll just...leave you guys to it!" He quickly turned around, face flushed, blood running from his nose and rushed out of the room, closing the gate behind him.

Nami, Zoro, and Luffy exchanged glances and burst into laughter, their initial surprise fading away. They found humour in the unexpected interruption, their bond as a crew allowing them to handle even the most awkward situations with lightheartedness. Plus, Luffy was already planning on inviting Ussop to his crew so no harm done. Nami and Zoro already knew Luffy was going to invite Ussop and Kaya to become a part of their crew so they also didn't mind it much.

To their surprise, the gate swung open once again, and Usopp poked his head inside the room. "Sorry for the interruption again, but dinner is ready," he said, his voice filled with an apologetic tone. "Please get dressed and join us in the dining hall."

Nami, Zoro, and Luffy exchanged amused glances, still recovering from the earlier shock. Nami let out a small chuckle and shook her head. "Usopp, you have impeccable timing. Alright, we'll be there soon. Thanks for letting us know."

Zoro smirked and added, "Just make sure to knock next time, you know?"

Luffy, his appetite reawakened, nodded eagerly. "Yeah, let's go eat!"

As they made their way to the dining room, Zoro couldn't help but bring up the topic they had discussed earlier. "I gotta admit, Luffy, I felt something different when we were training with Nami."

Luffy's curiosity was piqued. "Oh yeah? What was it like?"

Zoro grinned. "It was intense, like a surge of energy flowing through my body. I can't wait to see how much stronger I've become because of it."

Luffy chuckled. "Looks like my powers are starting to pay off for you too."

Nami chimed in, feeling the effects herself. "I have to say, I feel stronger too. It's incredible to think that after spending time with Luffy, I can even hold my ground against a well-built guy in a wrestling match."

"Shishishishishi," Luffy chuckled hearing that. Maybe by the time they reach the grand line, Nami would become strong enough to fight ten men or more men on the basis of strength alone. If she starts to train physically, her power would improve at a much greater rate too.

Their discussion showcased the remarkable potential of Luffy's unique abilities and how they were positively impacting their physical prowess.

When they entered the dining hall, Merry, the ship's butler, warmly welcomed them. The table was beautifully set, with an array of delicious dishes prepared by the maids and other servants. Merry gestured for them to take their seats, inviting them to indulge in the feast before them. The aroma of the food filled the air, enticing their taste buds and making their mouths water. Excitement filled the room as they eagerly settled down, ready to savour the delightful meal that awaited them.

Kaya, seated beside Usopp, couldn't help but be amazed by Luffy's voracious appetite. She watched in astonishment as he devoured one dish after another, his enthusiasm for food unmatched. Luffy's eyes gleamed with excitement, his hunger seemingly insatiable as he enjoyed the flavours and textures of each delicacy. Kaya couldn't hide her surprise at his seemingly endless capacity to eat, marvelling at his ability to consume such a vast amount of food without hesitation. She exchanged a bewildered glance with Usopp, both of them impressed and amused by Luffy's remarkable appetite.

"Please excuse Luffy's lack of table manners," Nami apologized, noticing the wild and voracious way Luffy devoured his food. She glanced over at Usopp and Zoro, who also displayed a casual approach to table etiquette, albeit not to the same extreme as Luffy.

"Please don't worry about it," Kaya reassured Nami with a smile. "I understand that everyone has their own unique appetites. In fact, I find myself a bit envious of Mr Luffy's ability to enjoy such a wide variety of dishes. Due to my weak physique and slower metabolism, I've always been limited to just a single plate of food."

In fact, Kaya became ill due to the emotional and physical toll of losing both her parents. The shock and grief she experiences deeply affect her health, leading to her illness. Her illness is a result of the stress and sadness she carries, which weakens her immune system and overall well-being and her appetite as well.

She glanced over at Luffy, who seemed to be savouring every bite without a care in the world. Kaya couldn't help but admire his unrestrained enthusiasm for indulging in the culinary delights before him. It was a stark contrast to her own restrained eating habits.

"But it's quite fascinating to witness the sheer enjoyment he derives from his meals. It's as if he's experiencing each flavour as if it were his first time," Kaya continued a hint of admiration in her voice. "In a way, I suppose his boundless appetite reminds us to fully appreciate the pleasures of food. It's a quality I find rather endearing."

"Kaya, say do you want to improve your physique? I might have a way." Luffy suddenly asked her after hearing her talk about her weak physique.

"What? Really? What is it Luffy?" Ussop asked even before Kaya could reply. The same thing happened with Merry, "Is it really true, Mr Luffy? If so please say it. I would be forever grateful."

Kaya was also looking at Luffy with a hopeful gaze.

"I will only tell if you join my crew and agree to come with me to the Grand Line," Luffy once again surprised them with an invitation to Kaya to join his crew.

"What?!" Merry and Usopp screamed in shock and surprise.

"I'm sorry, it's a secret that I can only reveal to my crew members when they agree to join me. But you will definitely get better and stronger than you are now in no time. Kaya, if you agree-"

"I agree," Kaya spoke immediately, not knowing exactly why she agreed to Luffy's invitation. Maybe it was because she wanted to see and experience the vast world outside her home island, and Luffy's invitation provided her with the perfect opportunity. Listening to all those wonderful tales about the world from Usopp's mouth had always fascinated her, even if she knew most of it was likely exaggerated or made up.

"You do? That's great. Welcome to the Straw Hat Pirates, Kaya. You won't regret it," Luffy smiled as did Kaya.

"Chouttomatte!(Wait a second)" Ussop stood up, shouting at the top of his lungs.