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Chapter 272 - Chapter 272: Distributing Gifts, Olivia's Strange Thoughts

Luffy scratched his head in confusion, glancing around at the peculiar expressions everyone was giving him.

"What's with you all?" he wondered aloud, though his curiosity quickly faded. With his characteristic energy, he turned his attention back to the task at hand—distributing the gifts he'd painstakingly selected.

"Hancock, this one's for you! I found it especially for you. I think you'll like it," he said with a wide grin, holding out a small, elegant mirror from the pile of Vegapunk's ingenious inventions.

Intrigued, Hancock accepted the mirror and examined it. The intricate craftsmanship caught her eye, and she tilted the mirror toward herself. As her reflection stared back, a flicker of curiosity surfaced in her mind. Before she could voice her questions, the mirror emitted a soft beep.

"Ding! Found a beautiful lady! Scanning… rating out of 10… Result: 10!"

The sudden voice startled Hancock, but what came next hooked her attention entirely.

"Congratulations! You are the first user to achieve a perfect score since the creation of this Magic Mirror. You are the most beautiful woman in the world!"

Her eyes widened briefly, but the compliment instantly melted away her surprise.

"Oh, it talks!" Hancock exclaimed, her voice tinged with delight.

Her lips curled into a smug smile. "Heh, even a mirror knows beauty when it sees it. You've got good taste, Magic Mirror! I graciously accept this gift, Luffy."

Seeing Hancock cradle the mirror with an almost possessive glee, Luffy's grin widened. He had chosen well.

"Ain, your turn!" he called out, motioning her forward.

Ain, however, didn't seem entirely pleased to be called second. Pouting slightly, she still approached obediently, her curiosity piqued.

Luffy reached out and gently took her hand, sliding a silver ring adorned with a vibrant blue diamond onto her finger.

"We've known each other for so long, but I never got around to giving you a ring," he said, his voice unusually soft. "Though I didn't buy this one, it's a small token of how much I appreciate you. It's not just beautiful, either—press the stone if you're in danger. It will activate a bubble shield strong enough to deflect most attacks."

Ain stared at the ring in awe. Her cheeks flushed ever so slightly, and a warm sense of sweetness filled her heart. She tilted her chin up with feigned nonchalance and nodded.

"Thank you, Luffy. I'll treasure it," she said, stepping aside with deliberate calmness. Yet, the subtle way she kept touching the ring betrayed her excitement.

The other girls couldn't help but exchange envious glances. Kujaku, ever the joker, nudged Ain teasingly.

"It's always you, isn't it, Ain? Luffy spoils you the most out of all of us," Kujaku teased, her tone playful but edged with envy.

"Hmph," Ain huffed, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Don't be ridiculous. Luffy loves all of us equally."

Despite her words, Ain's flushed cheeks hinted at her pleasure. Kujaku's laughter only grew louder until Luffy called her name, redirecting the attention.

For each of the women, Luffy had prepared a thoughtful gift. Hina received sleek sunglasses that combined functionality and style. They not only provided enhanced vision but also offered a temporary X-ray function.

Nami, on the other hand, was given a sophisticated telescope. It could automatically calculate distances, analyze geological conditions, and provide weather predictions—a perfect tool for her dream of mapping the world.

When Kujaku saw her gift—a retractable whip that crackled with electricity—her eyes lit up with mischief. With a wicked grin, she tested it out, the whip sparking as it snapped through the air. She was already itching to try it on someone.

Kalifa's present was both practical and stylish: a steel pen that could write automatically, coupled with a lightweight vest that could withstand water, fire, and even bullets.

Though Kalifa was delighted, the snug fit of the vest made her frown slightly. "It's a bit tight," she muttered, making a mental note to ask Olivia to adjust it.

Gion's playful personality earned her a gift of pure entertainment—a handheld game console, loaded with Vegapunk's custom-made games. She quickly became engrossed in a game called Marines vs. Pirates, her competitive spirit flaring as she battled through the levels.

Lastly, Olivia—the ship's resident scientist—was entrusted with all the remaining gadgets. Holding an automatically heated towel, Olivia's mind buzzed with ideas.

"Hmm… why limit this to towels? If I integrate this heating feature into a staff, the possibilities could be endless!"

Her musings earned her a collective sigh from the group.

"Well, that's Olivia for you," Luffy chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Just don't let Vegapunk know you're repurposing his inventions."

As the gifting frenzy wound down, only Koala remained giftless. Luffy scanned the room, noting Yamato's conspicuous absence.

Reaching into his bag, Luffy retrieved one last item—the most important gift of all.

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