"Ding, system detecting..."
"Ding, the host's Devil Fruit ability is not awakened, but due to the special nature of the Devil Fruit ability, it possesses the ability to temporarily awaken."
"Note: Using nika form has certain side effects."
"1. Reduced lifespan."
"2. Short duration."
"3. Half a minute of rigidity after use, followed by a state of absolute weakness."
"4. Will affect one's psychology."
""This, so, is there a way to avoid it?!""
Luffy swallowed, realizing he hadn't awakened yet. No wonder it cost him his life and was short-lived. It didn't seem like a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit at all.
"After awakening, side effects disappear!!"
""Alright!""
Luffy was still very satisfied; at least he had a trump card.
""However,""
Luffy frowned, ""What's with the Random Upgrade Card!!""
"Reward for defeating Shichibukai Blackbeard!"
Luffy fell silent, ""Why didn't you tell me then?!""
"All rights of interpretation belong to the system!"
Luffy: ???
...""Alright, use the [Random Upgrade Card]!""
Luffy gritted his teeth.
"Ding, in use..."
"Upgrade target: Soru → Teleportation"
"Teleportation: Within the range covered by Observation Haki, use a very small amount of stamina to achieve large-scale spatial displacement."
Luffy was stunned, how much?!
His Observation Haki range, in extreme cases, could be close to a thousand miles!!!
...At the same time,
An island near Amazon Lily.
The Heart Pirates and Jinbe sat on the ground,
""I wonder how Luffy is? Has he woken up yet?!""
Jinbe's bandaged face was filled with worry.
Since Whitebeard's death, his territories had suffered devastating blows.
As a region protected by Whitebeard, and also a sacred land coveted by humans, Fish-Man Island was also suffering invasions from pirates and Fishman traffickers.
Not long ago, Neptune had expressed the situation of Fish-Man Island to him, which could be described as... extremely urgent!!!
But before Luffy woke up, no matter how urgent it was, he could only wait.
""—Alas, it's clearly a paradise for all men, why? Why don't they let us in?!""
Penguin of the Heart Pirates was both helpless and annoyed, having come with great joy, only to be stuck in the deep mountains playing with crickets.
""—Ah, I hate it! Why? Why can Straw Hat enter Amazon Lily?!""
Envious tears streamed down Shachi's cheeks,
""I wonder if there are any female bears inside??""
Bepo looked expectantly at Amazon Lily.
""Of course not!""
""Paradise is for men, humans, understand?!""
Penguin and Shachi shattered Bepo's illusion.
Trafalgar Law, the Captain, sat on the ground, leaning against a large tree, his cursed sword Kikoku resting in his arms... his eyes closed, lost in thought.
""—Jinbe!!""
Suddenly, a loud voice came from the sky.
Jinbe looked up,
—Thump
Luffy plunged straight onto Jinbe's round belly, smiling,
""Long time no see, Jinbe!!""
""—Luffy!!""
Jinbe was pinned beneath Luffy but wasn't angry; instead, he showed a simple, honest smile.
""Hahaha, Jinbe, you're so fun!!""
Luffy got off Jinbe and patted his round belly again.
""The Four Emperors, Straw Hat?!""
Penguin and Shachi trembled all over, their eyes filled with fear.
Even if Luffy looked harmless, the resounding title of the Four Emperors had already spread across the seas!!
At the same time, Law also opened his eyes, his expression complex.
Undoubtedly, he was gambling... gambling his life on Luffy's attitude!
""Oh?! It's Tra-guy!!""
Luffy flashed in front of Law, patted his shoulder, ""Thank you!!""
That smiling face was pressed close to Law's,
""Don't be so cold-faced! Tra-guy, cheer up... just like me!!""
Luffy stretched and pulled his cheeks, making a very amusing gesture.
""Puhahaha, what kind of Four Emperors is this?!""
Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin immediately burst into laughter, rolling on the ground.
And Law was a bit unable to maintain his composure... Was this the fool who came out of that gully?!
Helplessly, Law forced a very awkward smile.
""You're also very interesting, Tra-guy! Do you want to join us?!""
Luffy started with zero frames, extending an invitation!!
—Ah!!!
Law was completely stunned.
Had the threshold for a Four Emperors crew become so low? One must know that the Straw Hat Pirates only had a scattered few members,
And they recruited people so casually?!
...It must be admitted, Law was tempted.
Burdened by deep-seated revenge, he had only one lifelong wish: to end Doflamingo.
In this world, very few people had the ability and the courage to eliminate him, and the Four Emperors were one of them.
Law took a deep breath, trying his best to suppress his emotions.
""I, I have an enemy, he—!""
""Then, I'll help you take him down!!""
At this moment, a clear voice rang out.
""Hmm?!""
Law stiffly raised his head, his gaze blank.
Under the bright, warm sunlight, there was a handsome, black-haired young man with his hands in his pockets, smiling at him.
He wore a white T-shirt, and there was not even a trace of hesitation in his ethereal eyes.
Law gradually broke into a smile.
Before his eyes... everything suddenly became clear!!
The bright sunlight, the cool sea breeze; for the first time, he felt the taste of freedom and freshness.
""—Hahahaha!!""
He laughed unrestrainedly.
""Then, welcome to the crew, Tra-guy!!""
The sunlight hit Luffy's face, which held a casual smile, giving people an inexplicable sense of trust and security.
""Then, please take care of me, Captain!!""
At this moment, Jinbe, who was nearby, felt an indescribable shock and bewilderment.
Inviting someone to join the crew on their first meeting.
Didn't he fear betrayal?
One must know that on this sea, countless pirates pursued fame and fortune, and betrayal was as common as daily meals.
Therefore, very few people dared to be so reckless!!
""Jinbe, what are you looking at! My dear helmsman!!""
Luffy darted in front of Jinbe again, staring at him.
""This old man,... wait, what did you say? What helmsman!!""
Jinbe was startled; what was this, forced buying and selling?!
""Jinbe, I've already decided, you must become my crewmate!!""
Unlike the tone he used with Law, he was very domineering when facing Jinbe.
Jinbe looked up blankly, momentarily unable to react.
The young man before him had sword-like brows and star-like eyes, his gaze distant and profound, as if hiding a starry sky, yet at this moment, a chilling glint flickered within them, like a beast choosing its prey.
""If you don't agree, hehehe...!""
Luffy leaned slightly closer to Jinbe, twisting his neck and cracking his knuckles, making snapping sounds.
He could get Jinbe to join the crew and complete the mission... it was perfect!!!
Luffy felt he was a genius.
""—Alas, this old man agrees!!""
Jinbe sighed, looking earnestly at Luffy, ""But this old man needs the Straw Hat Pirates' flag to protect Fish-Man Island!!""
""Ah, really,""
Luffy scratched his short black hair,
""That doesn't matter, but—"
Jinbe, you really don't play by the rules!
If you act like this, my mission... [Ding, detected that former Shichibukai Jinbe submitted to the host's might.]
"[Mission completion: 3/7]"
"[Reward: Random Upgrade Card X1]"
Uh, System, you don't play by the rules either!!
It makes me look so dumb!!
Luffy was brainstorming when, at that moment,
—Grumble!
Luffy suddenly clutched his stomach, laughing awkwardly,
""I'm hungry!!!""
""Luffy-sama, I brought you lunch!""
Hancock tilted her peerlessly beautiful face, her red lips slightly parted, stars twinkling in her eyes, bold and unrestrained!
""So beautiful, she's like a fairy!""
Penguin and Shachi gazed at Hancock with infatuation, then instantly turned to stone.
Law and Jinbe turned their heads with difficulty, "The world's most beautiful woman's" charm was truly irresistible!!
However, they soon witnessed a scene that shattered their worldview.
Luffy plunged into the pile of food, a large bone-in meat in his left hand, a large watermelon in his right, stuffing them wildly into his mouth, as if a hungry ghost had been reincarnated.
The world's most beautiful woman stood beside him, but Luffy didn't even spare her a glance, concentrating solely on eating.
Law and Jinbe both gave a thumbs-up,
As expected of a Four Emperors, truly a role model for us all!