Under Usopp's leadership, the Buggy Pirates and the Barto Club made a full tour through the entire "Abdominal World."
The more they saw, the more they were left utterly shocked by the Straw Hat crew's methods!
Now that Usopp's universal insect program had become increasingly versatile, almost all basic labor in the Abdominal World had been completely replaced by insects.
Along their route, they saw countless multi-limbed insects flying through the air, carrying supplies.
On the ground, other insects toiled ceaselessly—planting, watering, harvesting, digging, logging, breeding…
Everything was performed by insects of every shape and size, forming a bizarrely efficient kind of full automation.
As for the Drum Kingdom soldiers imprisoned together with Wapol…
They had been forced by Red and Usopp to study materials science, specializing in how to use Wapol's Devil Fruit power to create advanced materials.
A human brain is limitless—especially once Red had imbued them with Pokémon power.
Though time was short, and these rough soldiers who once only knew how to shoot guns had just begun learning the basics, they were, after all, from a nation of medicine—possessing a faint trace of academic aptitude.
And with Chopper's custom-made brain-stimulating tonic brewed from mutant plants, it wouldn't take long before they reached competent levels.
Finally, at the end of the tour, Usopp led everyone into the most dangerous region of the entire Abdominal World—the Ammunition Manufacturing and Storage Zone.
What they saw next stunned even Mr. 3 of the Buggy Pirates.
"Mr. 5!? Miss Valentine!?"
"What are you two doing here!?"
"Eh!?"
The bomb man, Gem, now wearing a white lab coat and scholar's spectacles, pulled off his sunglasses in disbelief, staring forward with wide eyes.
His assistant, Mikita, made the same startled motion.
Her curvy hips—outlined sharply by the lab coat—twitched upward, parasol tipping back as she struck a perfectly dramatic, lolita-flavored pose of shock.
"Mr. 3!? You're here too!?"
Old coworkers meeting again—both sides froze with equally awkward expressions.
After a round of introductions from Mr. 5, Mr. 3 finally realized what had happened to Baroque Works during his absence.
Who could've imagined that after so many twists and turns, he—having joined the Buggy Pirates—would end up back alongside his old colleagues again, now as coworkers under a new banner.
"This is the Straw Hat crew's ammunition production plant!?"
Donning thick anti-static protective suits, Buggy and the others followed Mr. 5 into the heavily guarded military workshop under his command.
The moment they entered, they felt the temperature drop by more than ten degrees.
All around, swarms of cold-resistant insects carefully carried sealed containers through the frosty air.
"This is Factory No. 1 of the Usopp Works," Mr. 5 explained. "It's mainly responsible for firearms research."
"At present, we're mass-producing the micro-sized Usoppgy Bombs—personally improved by Master Usopp—and pairing them with Gale Bugs that self-detonate."
"Just two of these can level an entire street!"
"And we currently have two thousand of them in storage!"
"If they all went off at once, they could obliterate a city in an instant!"
"Zeh-gehhhh!!!"
"That's insane! So this is the Straw Hat crew's real power!"
"It's terrifyingly secure!"
The pirates erupted in excited cheers.
For men used to relying on a single ship as their headquarters, it was almost impossible to imagine a pirate crew that had industrialized warfare to such an extent.
"Doesn't this mean they're even stronger than the legendary Pluton!?"
Buggy clicked his tongue in awe, a strange pride rising within him.
After all, he already knew where the Usoppgy Bomb originated.
This flourishing age was, indeed, his wish come true!!!
For the next hour, Buggy and the others toured the various workshops for hot weapons under Mr. 5's guidance.
Most of these weapons weren't even meant for humans.
Yes—
Spurred on by his crewmates, Usopp's pursuit of power had long surpassed reliance on Pokémon energy, sniping, gadgets, plants, insects, and ammunition.
After inventing the self-detonating Gale Bugs, he suddenly realized—
His power alone had limits!
Even if his sniping range already exceeded five kilometers, and his ammunition could force Zoro and Sanji to take him seriously…
There would always be enemies beyond his reach, always defenses he couldn't pierce.
Reality wasn't a game—there was no guaranteed "-1 HP" effect.
With limited strength and materials, the insects Usopp could create still couldn't breach even Zoro or Sanji's defenses—let alone stronger monsters roaming the seas.
But instead of despairing when vertical improvement became too hard, Usopp chose a different path.
Unlike Luffy or Zoro, who could fight armies single-handed,
Usopp's ambition was simple—
To make himself into an army!
Let the mighty duel each other—Luffy could handle that!
He was the support unit!
And a true support's mission was to clear every obstacle in the captain's path!
So what could fit that role better than a massive, fully armed, all-terrain army of insects?
Usopp, with his unique ability to command and breed insects, had an innate advantage in this field.
Once he realized it, he immediately asked Chopper for an aphrodisiac formula compatible with most insect species, then used Grass-type energy to grow the required ingredients.
Now…
In a secluded corner of the Abdominal World, a swarm of special insects worked tirelessly—day and night—breeding new generations.
That was the one island Buggy's group hadn't visited.
Because the entire island—
Had turned into a gigantic hive.
A normal person would vomit at a single glance.
It was grotesque beyond belief.
Even Red avoided it whenever possible.
Only Usopp could move through it freely now.
Every time he came back from there, the grin on his face sent chills down the crew's spines.
If not for the impending war, Red would've ordered him to stop and get a full psychological evaluation.
Technology's power could be intoxicating… even maddening.
"Didn't expect to meet you here, Admiral Fujitora."
Elsewhere, after imprisoning a Celestial Dragon in a temporary cell, Red appeared in an office inside the Abdominal World, smiling at the man calmly sipping hot tea.
"You… know me?"
Fujitora tilted his head slightly, curious at Red's words.
Red's eyes, however, shifted toward the uneasy figure standing behind him—Koby.
As Alvida's dowry gift, Koby had been transferred to Bartolomeo's crew, but had become nearly invisible there.
No one even noticed when he left.
"Of course I do," Red said lightly, pulling his gaze back.
Though he wondered deeply why Koby was with Fujitora, now wasn't the time to ask.
He sat opposite the admiral, eyes gentle.
From Buggy's report, it seemed this future Marine Admiral was open to cooperation.
The question was—how far that cooperation could go.
If we could bring Fujitora aboard the Straw Hat crew—or even the Grand Fleet…
That would be a dream come true.
Red's thoughts flickered rapidly.
Meanwhile, Fujitora extended his Observation Haki, carefully sensing the man across from him.
Buggy had always described Red as "mysterious" and "miraculous," yet never gave details.
And yet—
Through Haki, Fujitora sensed nothing extraordinary.
Despite the boost from six Gym Badges, Red's base stats were roughly equal to an ordinary hundred-million-Beli pirate.
Strong, yes—but nowhere near Admiral level.
For someone of that caliber to challenge the World Government's authority—it was like a child taunting an adult simply because he held a secret.
One slap, and the adult could end the game.
Fujitora frowned slightly.
Just as he was about to speak, Red said suddenly,
"Admiral, I heard you've taken young Koby as your disciple?"
"You don't need to worry. I'll explain things to Bartolomeo's group."
"Oh, right. We didn't prepare anything for our first meeting."
"How about this—I'll gift Koby a Devil Fruit as your meeting present. What do you say?"
"..."
"..."
Both men froze.
Even Koby looked up in disbelief.
Then, Red reached into the air—
A Hyperspace Hole opened before them.
When he withdrew his hand, he held a Devil Fruit covered in strange patterns—
The Paramecia-type Smooth-Smooth Fruit, nearly spoiled from sitting too long in the Going Merry's storage.
Amusingly enough—
This was the same Devil Fruit that Nami had personally "picked up" from Koby back in Loguetown.
Koby: ???
Seeing it again, a stabbing ache hit Koby's forehead as a tingle of electricity rushed through his body.
"N-No way, this is too precious!"
Though it felt strangely familiar, he waved his hands frantically in refusal.
But Red simply shoved it into his palms.
"There's no such thing as 'too precious.' It's a gift for Admiral Fujitora's sake, so it should have weight."
"Don't you agree, Admiral?"
"…"
"…That's quite the show of sincerity."
Now Fujitora finally understood why Buggy kept calling this man "miraculous."
Who in the world gave out Devil Fruits as first-meeting gifts!?
Was he wealthier than the Celestial Dragons!?
Still, after a brief silence, Fujitora said,
"It seems you've done your homework, Mr. Red."
"But such an extravagant gift—I must decline. The best Devil Fruit is one suited to its user."
He had followed only out of curiosity, and until he knew Red's true purpose for kidnapping a Celestial Dragon, he wouldn't get involved.
But Red chuckled softly.
"No need to refuse so quickly, Admiral."
He pushed the fruit closer toward Koby and continued,
"This is the Smooth-Smooth Fruit. It allows the user's body to become frictionless—bullets and blades alike simply slide off."
"For a close-combat fighter, it's an incredible ability."
"In essence—it's a fruit that controls friction itself!"
"I'm sure a man like you, Admiral, who commands the power of gravity, understands how terrifying that can become if developed properly."
"And besides…"
Red's eyes shifted toward Koby.
"Koby isn't quite ready for battle yet, is he?"
"Perhaps this Fruit could give him the confidence he needs to find his footing."
"A new era is coming, and Koby's time is running short."
Indeed, the Smooth-Smooth Fruit was powerful.
But it was poorly suited to the Straw Hat crew's existing non-users.
Letting it rot in storage would be a waste.
Once Nami sensed through their mental link that Red could use it to win over a powerful ally, she readily agreed.
If Fujitora allowed Koby to accept it, that alone meant he was leaning toward their side.
And by that logic, the fruit still technically belonged to the Straw Hats—no losses either way!
"Friction…"
Fujitora murmured, intrigued.
After a brief silence, he didn't refuse again.
Though not a physicist, even he could grasp the immense potential of mastering friction itself.
Lifting his head slightly, the blind Admiral faced Red squarely, as though they were looking each other in the eye.
"Tell me, Mr. Red…"
"Why did you kidnap a Celestial Dragon?"
"You know full well how great a disaster that invites."
"Haha—then please, Admiral, have another cup of tea and listen. I'll explain everything in due time."
Red's lips curved upward.
Now that Fujitora hadn't rejected the gift, he began calmly recounting the entire plan.
If this war gained the support of an Admiral-level powerhouse—
Then even on enemy territory, the Straw Hats would still have a fighting chance!
All they'd have to watch out for… was the World Government and the Celestial Dragons' hidden forces.
(End of Chapter)