Chapter 18: Straw Hat Crew vs. Black Cat PiratesMark's voice suddenly rose, filled with undisguised mockery, exploding in the quiet manor living room:"A pirate's blood is filthy? Shameful? What a joke!"He took a step forward, his gaze scraping over the man like a knife."Those who hide like rats in a sewer to escape reality, who only know how to scheme and use any means necessary to achieve their goals—""Are their actions not considered filthy? Not shameful?"The moment his words landed, Mark's gaze locked onto the other man, saying word by word:"Don't you think I'm right, Butler Klahadore?""Or... should I call you Kuro, Captain of the Black Cat Pirates?"The living room instantly became so quiet that a pin drop could be heard. Usopp asked in disbelief:"Klahadore is Captain Kuro of the Black Cat Pirates? Then why is he doing all this?"Nami cut straight to the point: "Nothing more than eyeing Kaya's family fortune."Zoro joined in:"I've heard of this guy back at the Shimotsuki Dojo. He's cunning and extremely brutal—'Kuro of a Thousand Plans'!"Luffy said: "I thought there was a tiger in the manor, but it turns out the aura was coming from this guy."Kuro calmly took another pair of gold-rimmed glasses from his pocket and put them on slowly, but the gaze behind the lenses was as cold as ice:"I don't know what you're talking about."He deliberately slowed his pace, trying to maintain his composure. "As far as I know, the Captain of the Black Cat Pirates was caught long ago and publicly executed."He raised his hand and pointed at the door, his tone suddenly turning sharp, "Please leave the manor immediately. Suspicious intruders are not welcome here!""Don't be in such a hurry to kick us out."A playful smile curled at the corners of Mark's mouth as he slowly pulled two things from his pocket—A curled newspaper and a yellowed bounty poster. "Is this the 'executed Captain' you're talking about?"The portrait on the worn bounty poster was exactly the same as the Kuro before them. Next to the ferocious cat claw symbol, the name"Kuro" was clearly printed, along with a bounty of 16 million Berries.The news in the newspaper was even more striking—Captain Kuro of the Black Cat Pirates Executed, One Less Great Menace in the East Blue.The composure on Kuro's face cracked instantly, and his fingers gripping the glasses' frames tightened.He stared intently at the bounty poster, his Adam's apple bobbing twice as he forced himself to stay calm:"Are you saying a person who was publicly executed can come back to life? Don't be ridiculous, he just looks like me!"Mark waved his hand quickly: "No, no, no. The person executed in the newspaper really wasn't you. You had a subordinate impersonate you.""Your logic doesn't hold up. I'm not confident enough to find a subordinate willing to die for me," Kurocountered."Willing?"Mark looked at the part of the newspaper that said "Vice Captain and crew of the Black Cat Pirateshave disappeared," then changed the subject,"What if your subordinate was hypnotized?"He suddenly turned his head and shouted toward the corner,"Hey, have you eavesdropped enough? You've been hiding there for so long, it's time to come out, Hypnotist Jango!""I've been discovered? It seems I'm still such an eye-catcher!"A moment later, a figure moonwalked out from the corner; it was indeed Hypnotist Jango.He had come as agreed to discuss the next steps with Kuro. Hearing the argument in the manor, he had quietly hidden to observe, but he hadn't expected to have been exposed long ago.Now that he was called out, he could only reluctantly retreat to Kuro's side, his face solemn as he waited for orders, his hand unconsciously reaching for the hypnotism ring at his waist."If the information in the newspaper isn't wrong, this should be the Vice Captain of the Black Cat Pirates—""Hypnotist Jango, right? Your heart-shaped glasses are indeed eye-catching!" Mark said.Luffy immediately shouted excitedly: "So cool! Mark, I want to buy a pair of heart-shaped glasses just like those!"Jango laughed:"Yo! Yo! Straw Hat kid, you have good taste! But unfortunately, I'm afraid you won't have a future!"Mark glanced at Jango, then turned his gaze back to Kuro, the mockery in his voice deepening:"Faking your death to escape the Marines, lurking by Miss Kaya's side, and planning step-by-step to seize the family fortune—""What a well-designed play.""No... impossible... how can this be!"Kaya's face was pale, and she stepped back repeatedly, her gaze moving back and forth between Kuro and the bounty poster.She didn't want to believe that the usually gentle butler was actually the vicious pirate on the bounty poster,But the bounty in black and white and Jango's appearance were ruthlessly shattering her illusions.Mark pressed on: "Well, Captain Kuro? The evidence is conclusive. Are you going to keep making excuses?""Swoosh—"Before the words finished, Kuro suddenly moved!His figure lunged like a ghost, and thin blades slid out from his sleeves, instantly fitting over his fingers to become—"Cat Claws" stabbing straight at Mark's face. This strike was fast and fierce, carrying bone-chilling killing intent."Hmph!"Mark was already prepared; with a twist of his waist, he performed a graceful backflip and landed lightly, avoiding the fatal blow.He patted his clothes and raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Dropped the act? Not pretending anymore?"There was no longer any pretense on Kuro's face, only frantic malice remained in his eyes:"I really want to tear you to pieces!" he growled. "My plan was at its final step!I've already escaped the government's dogs and those damn pirate hunters. In these three years, I've gained the trust of the islanders!Every day, I exhausted my mind playing the role of a loyal butler, having to please that blonde brat in every way!"Kuro pushed his glasses. "As long as I made that blonde brat sign the inheritance transfer before killing her!The world would have become beautiful, and there would be one less bloodthirsty monster!It's all because of you!"He suddenly pointed his cat claws at Mark. "Why? Why did that bounty poster, which should have been revoked long ago, appear in your hands?""Who knows." Mark shrugged, his tone nonchalant. "Maybe Captain Morgan has a weird hobby of collecting bounty posters.""Since I've been exposed, then everything shall be destroyed."Kuro took a deep breath and turned to Jango, saying sternly, "Jango! Are all the brothers here?""They are all on standby on the outskirts of the island, Captain!" Jango replied immediately."Execute Plan B!"Kuro pushed his glasses, the lenses reflecting a cold light. "Leave no one alive, kill them all, and do it cleanly!""Understood!"Jango quickly pulled out a flare gun and pulled the trigger toward the sky."Whiz—Bang!"An orange flare exploded, turning into a ferocious black cat pattern in the sky, particularly eye-catching in the twilight."Oh no! It's a flare!"Nami's expression changed, and she gripped the three-section staff at her waist. "They're going for a desperate struggle? The ship... our ship..."Zoro drew the wado ichimonji from his waist, the blade reflecting his cold gaze:"This is for the best; it saves us the trouble of looking for them."Mark cracked his wrists: "It seems we've been completely underestimated, Luffy."Luffy nodded: "I know!""Silent Step!"Kuro tapped his foot lightly, and his figure instantly turned into an afterimage, vanishing from the spot.The next second, he appeared behind Usopp, killing intent clear in his eyes:"You hit me pretty hard earlier when you were beating me up, didn't you, Usopp!"The sharp finger blades whistled through the air, aimed straight for Usopp's heart."Watch out!"Kaya cried out in alarm and, without thinking, threw herself in front of Usopp, using her body to block the fatal strike."Don't even think about it!"Luffy, who was closest to Usopp, had already moved.A glint flashed in his eyes; his awakened Observation Haki allowed him to accurately capture the trajectory of Kuro's movements.He appeared in front of Usopp in an instant, "Armament Haki"!"Clang!"Fist and claws collided, making a crisp sound like clashing metal.Kuro only felt a massive force; the finger blades were actually blocked by force.Before he could react, Luffy's other foot had already kicked him in the face with a gust of wind."Bang!"Kuro was kicked flying like a broken sack, crashing into a distant flower stand, wood chips flying everywhere.Zoro looked at the black on Luffy's fist, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes:"Is this Armament Haki? To be able to withstand a blade with just physical strength?"Luffy flexed his fist and grinned:"It seems you really care about being hit by fists. In that case, I'll hit you a hundred times!"As soon as he finished speaking, his rapid fists struck out again.Kuro scrambled up and activated Silent Step again, his figure instantly disappearing.But this time, Luffy's Observation Haki firmly locked onto his figure.The moment Kuro's figure appeared on the left, Luffy's fist was already there!"Bang!" Another solid punch landed on his face, Kuro's glasses shattered again, the lenses flying in all directions.Luffy appeared beside him in an instant, his arm stretching back like a coiled spring:"Gum-Gum Bazooka!"The massive force sent Kuro flying again, crashing through the manor wall like a cannonball, flying toward the seaside."Captain!" Jango cried out and immediately chased after him."Quick, after them!" Luffy, Nami, Mark, Zoro, and even Usopp immediately followed.On the beach by the coast, Kuro struggled to get up, blood leaking from the corner of his mouth, on the verge of death.He looked at the pursuing Jango and gave a hoarse but unquestionable command: "Jango, hypnotize me!""This... Captain, this will overdraw your life!" Jango's expression changed drastically as he tried to dissuade him."Stop talking! This is an order!" Kuro roared.Jango gritted his teeth, pulled out the hypnotism ring from his waist, and spun it quickly in front of Kuro's eyes, muttering under his breath.The ring emitted an eerie glow, reflecting in Kuro's eyes."Roar—!"Kuro suddenly let out a roar that didn't sound human. His muscles swelled frantically, veins bulging like dragons, his eyes turned bloodshot, and his reason was completely replaced by beastly ferocity.His figure disappeared again, appearing behind Zorothe next second, his sharp finger blades clawing fiercely at Zoro's back."Rip!"Zoro's reaction was extremely fast, but he was still hit in the chest, leaving three deep bloodstains. The sharp pain made him grunt, and he quickly pulled his swords.Kuro didn't follow up unconsciously; his figure blurred and he lunged toward Nami."Don't you dare hurt her!" Zoro's gaze sharpened, and two swords instantly left their sheaths, "Two Sword Style: Tiger Hunt!"The crossing blade light carried a sharp wind, accurately blocking Kuro's attack. Amidst the flying sparks, Zoro shielded Nami behind him."This guy has lost his mind and completely turned into a killing machine!"AI Model: gemini-3.1-flash-liteMark said in a deep voice, "He only wants to kill everyone now!""Has his strength increased? That's perfect!"Luffy's eyes flared with fighting spirit, and he suddenly exerted force with his feet, surprisingly performing a high-speed movement similar to the Silent Step.—It was obvious he had instantly grasped Kuro's technique just now.He appeared beside Kuro like a ghost, his fist coated in Armament Haki, slamming fiercely into Kuro's stomach."Pfft—" Kuro spat out a mouthful of blood, his body trembling violently, yet he still didn't fall. Instead, his ferocity grew, and he turned to claw at Luffy's throat.The two instantly tangled together, the sounds of fists and claws clashing ringing out incessantly.Under the influence of hypnosis, Kuro's speed and strength reached their peak,while Luffy, relying on his tenacious will and ever-changing fruit abilities, traded blows with him, not falling behind in the slightest.Just then, chaotic footsteps came from the other side of the beach.Jango had actually brought the entire Black Cat Pirates to the island!He had clearly slipped away during the interval while hypnotizing Kuro to rally his subordinates.Standing now amidst the group of pirates, he watched Luffy and Kuro fighting in the distance, a glimmer of malice flashing in his eyes—he had long known that Kuro would become an out-of-control killing machine after being hypnotized, and was waiting for Kuro to kill everyone so he could reap the benefits."Vice Captain! Look!"A pirate suddenly boarded their small boat and exclaimed, "There's treasure under the deck! Wow, so much! It's worth at least five million Berries!""Five million Berries?!"Jango's eyes lit up instantly, and he stared greedily at the boat, "Great! This all belongs to our Black Cat Pirates now!""That's my money!" Nami instantly bristled, whipping out her bo staff and preparing to charge, "Put that treasure down!""Don't be impulsive!"Mark grabbed her, saying irritably,"I told you to let me keep the treasure, but you insisted on hugging it to sleep at night! Are you happy now?""Mark!" Nami was anxious and angry, "Hurry up and teach them a lesson!""Don't order me around." Mark stared coldly at Jango, thinking to himself, how did this trash end up getting a government position later on!At this moment, the pirates of the Black Cat Pirateshad already rushed onto the beach, and Jango once again pulled out his hypnotic chakram, aiming it at the Nyaban Brothers.The hypnotized Nyaban Brothers had blood-red eyes and bulging muscles, their power exploding several times over, like two wild beasts ready to pounce."Brothers, kill them all for me!" Jango ordered loudly, pointing at the Straw Hat Crew and roaring."Finally, someone to sharpen my blades on!"Zoro ignored his injuries, licked his lips, drew his Three Sword Style, and charged toward the Nyaban Brothers first."Hypnotist! I'll come play with you!" Mark's figure flickered as he blocked Jango's path."Usopp, cover me!" Nami gripped her bo staff and charged at the ordinary pirates."O-okay... Captain Usopp!"Usopp pulled out his slingshot, thinking that this was his turf, that these pirates had come to kill everyone on the island, and thinking of Kaya—today, he would no longer be cowardly; he would risk his life to be a brave warrior for once."Watch my special move—Gunpowder Star!"A real battle officially kicked off on the surging coastline!The Nyaban Brothers Zoro faced were as fast as lightning under the influence of hypnosis, their claw blades flashing with cold light and emitting sharp whistles that tore through the air.The older brother lunged low from the left, his claw blades aiming straight for Zoro's lower body;while the younger brother leaped high, his claw blades slashing down like a waterfall, cutting off Zoro's retreat."Hmph, interesting."Zoro's eyes narrowed, his footwork shifted, and his body began to spin like a top.The three swords in his hands transformed into an impenetrable curtain of blades.The high-speed spinning wind of blades blocked all of the Nyaban Brothers' attacks."Clang, clang, clang!"The sound of claw blades colliding with the swords was as dense as rain, sparks flying everywhere.The Nyaban Brothers were knocked back repeatedly by the immense force of the wind of blades, but they still wouldn't give up, growling as they pounced again."Played enough." Zoro suddenly stopped spinning, crossing his three swords into a cross."Three Sword Style: Oni Giri!"Two fierce slashes of light poured out like a sudden rainstorm, instantly enveloping the Nyaban Brothers.As the light flashed, several fine wounds appeared on the Nyaban Brothers' bodies; their hypnotic state was forcibly broken, and their bodies went limp, collapsing onto the beach without breathing.Zoro sheathed his swords and stood, flicking the blood droplets off the blades, his gaze sweeping toward the other battlefields.The battle between Mark and Jango was full of eeriness.Jango held his hypnotic chakrams in both hands, one hand constantly waving in front of Mark's eyes, muttering:"Sleep... sleep... give up resistance..."The other hand controlled the chakram, using the sharp blade on it to sneak attack Mark!"These little tricks are useless against me."Mark's Observation Haki had long since captured Jango's movements clearly, and his figure flickered left and right like a ghost,always dodging just as the chakram was about to hit his eyes."Your hypnosis is nothing but a joke in the face of absolute strength."Mark suddenly accelerated, instantly closing the distance with Jango, and swept out with a fierce whip kick.Jango hurriedly leaned back to dodge, but Markseized the opportunity, slamming his elbow heavily into his chest."Urgh!"Jango groaned and flew backward, the hypnotic chakrams in his hands flying out of his grasp.Mark quickly followed up, stepping on his chest and pinning him firmly to the beach.He picked up the hypnotic chakram and waved it in front of Jango, "Let me try too."As he spoke, he waved it back and forth in front of Jango, chanting, "Sleep! Sleep!""Yo, still awake?"Mark punched Jango in the head, causing Jango's nose to bleed... then he continued waving, and continued punching,After a dozen times, Jango finally fell into a deep sleep."I told you, hypnosis or whatever is too simple."Over on Nami and Usopp's side, the battle against the ordinary pirates was also in full swing.Nami swung her bo staff, her movements as agile as a swallow, targeting the pirates' joints.One strike hit a pirate's wrist, forcing him to drop his weapon;another strike swept his knee, causing him to lose his balance and fall."Dare to touch my money, and you'll have to endure the wrath of the Cat Burglar!"She scolded while fighting, her eyes flashing with an absolute desire to protect her treasure.Usopp provided fire support from the rear,"Special Move: Gunpowder Star!""Special Move: Smoke Star!"Specially made pellets landed accurately among the pirate group, the exploding smoke interfering with their vision,and although the small explosions didn't have much lethality, they left them in a state of chaos."Hahaha, feel the power of Captain Usopp!"He shouted while quickly reloading pellets, occasionally using his slingshot to accurately hit pirates trying to sneak up on Nami.The two worked in perfect coordination, quickly clearing out most of the minions.In the center of the battlefield, the fight between Luffy and Kuro had reached a fever pitch.The hypnotized Kuro had completely lost his sanity, with nothing but the desire to kill remaining in his eyes.His Silent Step was fast to the extreme, leaving a series of afterimages on the beach, every swing of his claw blades carrying the sound of tearing flesh.Luffy's Observation Haki was running at full capacity, and every one of Kuro's movements was laid bare in his perception."Gum-Gum Gatling!"His fists bombarded out like a rainstorm, every punch coated in Armament Haki, slamming fiercely into Kuro."Bang, bang, bang!"The sounds of violent collisions rang out incessantly; Kuro was beaten until he spat blood repeatedly, yet he seemed to feel no pain, continuing to fight back frantically.His claw blades slashed Luffy's arm, leaving deep bloody marks, but Luffy didn't care at all!"Gum-Gum: Armament Haki Pistol!"Luffy suddenly stretched his arm back, then instantly snapped it forward, his fist carrying the sound of breaking the air, slamming into Kuro's chest like a cannonball fired from its chamber."Boom!"Kuro's body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily into a huge reef and shattering it into pieces.He struggled to crawl up, but found that his body had reached its limit; his muscles began to atrophy, the crimson in his eyes gradually fading,and finally, he collapsed powerlessly onto the beach, completely losing his life.The battle was finally over.The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the sea, sparkling.The coastline was a mess, with fallen pirates, broken weapons, and scattered reef rocks everywhere.The members of the Straw Hat Crew, with the exception of Mark, all had some injuries, and everyone was leaning against the reefs, gasping for breath, but every face was filled with the joy of victory.Nami rushed to the small boat immediately, hugging her treasure tightly, the smile on her face brighter than the sunset:"Great... my money is safe!" She glanced out of the corner of her eye toward the Black Cat pirate ship."It won't be perfect until I collect some interest!"Usopp sat down on the beach, and although he was panting with exhaustion, he couldn't help but say proudly:"See that! This is the power of Captain Usopp! Back then, I..." He began his long adventure "story."Zoro leaned against the reef, simply bandaging the wound on his chest with a strip of cloth, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth.Mark walked over to Luffy and patted him on the shoulder:"Well done, Luffy."Luffy chuckled and scratched his head: "That goes without saying!"In the direction of the distant manor, Kaya and Merrywere looking anxiously toward the seaside.When she saw the figures of the Straw Hat Crewappear in the sunset, Kaya shed tears of excitement.Night fell, and the living room of Kaya's manor was lit by warm lights; the long table was filled with a sumptuous feast—sizzling roasted meat, bright and colorful fruit platters, fragrant thick soup,and fruit wine specially prepared by Merry, the air filled with the aroma of food and a relaxed atmosphere.Luffy sat cross-legged on the chair, the empty plates in front of him already stacked into a small mountain, his mouth stuffed with roasted meat,shouting indistinctly: "Delicious! The chef at Kaya's is amazing! Bring ten more plates!"Zoro held his wine glass, occasionally clinking it with Mark's, his gaze sweeping over the table full of delicacies, a rare relaxed expression on his face.Nami was carefully putting a silver fork into her arms, and when she looked up and met Kaya's gaze,she smiled embarrassedly, awkwardly picking up a piece of bread and tearing into it.
Chapter 19: Merry, Please Take Care of UsThe candlelight in the living room flickered, casting a warm glow on everyone's faces.Usopp stood on a chair, making the tablecloth tied temporarily around his shoulders rustle loudly.He gestured with his hands as if they were Cat Claws, vividly recounting his "great battle":"At that time, that guy Kuro's Cat Claws were only a finger's width away from the tip of my nose...!"Kaya sat on the velvet sofa opposite him, her eyes curving into smiles as she listened, her crescent-like eyes filled with gentle light as she lightly clapped her hands:"Usopp is truly amazing. No matter the process, being able to defeat a villain like Kuro is the bravest thing."She picked up her crystal juice glass and raised it toward the Straw Hat crew, genuine gratitude hidden in her eyes:"Thank you all so much. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I would still be in the dark, and might have even brought disaster to the whole village long ago...""Don't worry about it!" Luffy finally swallowed the mouthful of roast meat he had stuffed in his mouth, sauce still staining his chin."Besides, we already hated that guy! Right, Mark!"Mark put down his celadon wine cup: "Kuro is a powerful conspirator, yet he is also pathetic—""Despite being a pirate, he insists on despising pirates, betraying his comrades and slaughtering the innocent.""Looking at it this way," he glanced at Luffy, thinking to himself, "our idiot Captain actually seems much more reliable... right?"But out of the corner of his eye, he saw Luffy and Usopp competing to stick chopsticks in their noses, the two of them performing a strange dance with the crooked chopsticks, their actions so silly it was hard not to laugh.The words Mark was about to say immediately got stuck, and he silently swallowed them back, only twitching the corner of his mouth helplessly.Kaya was stunned for a moment, then smiled even more softly, gently clutching her skirt:"Luffy is indeed a good Captain. I used to think I was too weak, only staying in the manor, but this time... I feel like I've become a little bit braver."Just then, Steward Merry came over carrying a jar of green plum wine:"This is brewed from green plums in the back garden; it's sweet, sour, and refreshing. Thank you all for saving the village; Syrup Village will remember this kindness."Luffy picked up the cup and gulped it down, grimacing from the sourness but stubbornly insisting: "Delicious! Another bowl!"Zoro leaned against the back of his chair and raised his cup toward Mark. The two cups clinked softly,the crisp sound mingling with laughter echoing in the living room, as the fatigue from the day's battle dissolved into bubbles in the air.The banquet was more than halfway through, and the dishes on the table had been replaced round after round.Luffy's belly was bulging like a round ball, yet he was still slumped over the table,struggling with the last piece of pork belly, muttering "this piece is mine."At that moment, Steward Merry pushed in a stand covered with a deep purple velvet cloth.Kaya stood up, her face wearing a solemn yet gentle expression:"Everyone, I have a gift for you. It's a small token of appreciation from Syrup Village."She walked to the stand, took a deep breath, and slowly lifted a corner of the velvet cloth.The moment the cloth slipped off, the living room fell silent for a second—On the stand sat a Ship Model, about two arm-lengths long, its snow-white hull clean and shining.The bow was carved with a round sheep's head, its curved horns full of spirit, and the masts, railings, cabin windows, and even the keel at the bottom were clearly visible, as exquisite as a work of art."Wow—" Nami was the first to lean in, her eyes sparkling. "This ship is so beautiful! The sheep figurehead is so cute!"Kaya nodded with a smile and reached out to gently stroke the Ship Model's sheep head:"It's called the going merry. Although it's not as sturdy as a warship, its sailing power is stable and it's resistant to wind and waves.""It's been sitting in the shipyard for years with only occasional maintenance; it's a pity."She looked up at Luffy and the others, her eyes filled with sincere expectation:"I know you've been looking for a suitable ship.""The going merry might not be top-tier, but it's sturdy and reliable. If you don't mind, please take it with you.""Take it?"Luffy suddenly sprang up from the table, his chair sliding back with the force."You mean... we can use this ship?""It's not just the Ship Model," Steward Merry added with a smile. "The real ship is in the eastern shipyard, a hundred times larger than the model. I've been maintaining it regularly, and it's ready to sail at any time after a final check."Luffy picked up the Ship Model and spun around in joy, the mast nearly poking the chandelier above. He didn't care at all, raising the Ship Model and announcing:"Great! We finally have a decent ship! The going merry will be our partner from now on!""Can you really give it to us?"Nami leaned in to examine the Ship Model closely, her fingers tracing the cabin windows, becoming more satisfied the more she looked."The hull's load capacity looks good, and the sailing speed should be stable... Wow, is this the kitchen? There's even a workshop?""Of course."Kaya smiled, her eyes curving like crescents. "The going merry was born for the sea. Rather than letting it stay buried in the shipyard, it's better to have it carry brave people to see the distant ocean.""Merry, take some people to the shipyard first thing tomorrow morning. Check the rigging, anchor chains, and freshwater tanks carefully to ensure everything is perfect.""Don't worry, Miss."Mark looked at the Ship Model, his fingertips gently touching the sheep's head, thinking:"Merry? This time, I definitely won't let you stop at Water 7."Zoro also took a few more looks at the Ship Modeland nodded while stroking his chin:"That spot on top of the wheelhouse looks quite suitable for sunbathing."Luffy suddenly slapped the table and stood up with a thud:"We set off tomorrow! First, we'll see the real going merry, fill it with food, and then head for the Grand Line!""Forward—!"Usopp immediately followed the shout, raising his fist as the tablecloth cape on his shoulder rustled again.Nami rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curve up:"At least figure out where the Grand Line is first? But... having a ship really makes things a lot more convenient."Mark looked at the Moonlight outside the window, knowing in his heart:From this moment on, their adventure finally had a "home"—a home that could carry them through the wind and waves toward the unknown.As the banquet drew to a close, the Moonlightclimbed onto the window frames, casting long shadows on the floor.Luffy slumped in his chair, one hand over his round belly while the other reached for the last strawberry on the plate, muttering:"I'm full... so happy..."He suddenly sat up straight and looked at Usopp, who was staring blankly at the Ship Model:"Hey, Usopp."Usopp was startled and turned around abruptly: "Ah? What is it, Luffy?""Come out to sea with us!" Luffy said with a natural seriousness. "Come with me, and maybe your dad Yasopp will even be proud of you in the future!"Usopp was completely stunned, his mouth hanging open for a long time as his fingers nervously twisted the hem of his shirt:"C-Can I? I'm not as good at fighting as you all, I can't navigate, I only know how to brag...""Usopp, you're very strong!" Luffy interrupted him, grabbing his shoulders."A weakling wouldn't say something like 'I am the son of a pirate'!"Zoro leaned back in his chair and grinned:"This guy usually likes to talk big, but he's actually capable when it comes to a real fight. His long-range attacks are exactly what we're missing."Nami also nodded, handing him a pastry:"Having someone skilled at long-range will indeed save us a lot of trouble. Plus, you're good at tinkering with things and have strong hands-on skills, so the daily maintenance of the going merrywill be up to you..."Mark walked over, gently patted Usopp's shoulder, and handed over a scroll of paper:"This is for you. It's the data on the Buggy Balls from Buggy's treasure vault, gunpowder that can even injure Luffy. Good luck, I have high hopes for you."In his heart, Mark was actually screaming: "Usoppmust come aboard! If Luffy keeps pestering me to play, I'm going to go crazy; only he can keep up with Luffy!""Buggy Ball?"Usopp's eyes brightened bit by bit, like a spark being lit.Tears welled up without warning, large drops splashing onto his shirt. He quickly wiped his face with his sleeve, but new tears kept falling."I want to..." He sniffled, his voice tearful yet firm."I've wanted to become a pirate like my father for a long time! I want everyone to know that Usopp isn't just a coward who only knows how to brag!"He suddenly straightened his chest, tears still hanging on his face:"From today on, I, Usopp, officially join the Straw Hat Pirates!"He paused, then added stubbornly, "For now... for now, it's still Captain Usopp!""Hahaha! The Captain is obviously me, you idiot!" Luffy laughed uproariously.He threw an arm around Usopp's shoulder, nearly choking him.Kaya sat nearby, gently wiping the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, her voice carrying a hint of a sob but full of encouragement:"Usopp, you must become a great pirate. Remember... you said you would come back and tell me a hundred adventure stories.""I will!"Usopp nodded vigorously, tears and smiles mixed on his face."When I become a brave Warrior of the Sea, I'll return with the most wonderful stories in the world!""Then, I'll stand on the highest hill in the village and tell them to everyone!"Moonlight streamed through the window, casting the shadow of the Ship Model on the floor like a vessel sailing into the distance.In the direction of the harbor, the real going merrylay quietly on the water, its sheep figurehead bathed in Moonlight, seemingly swaying gently as it waited for dawn to carry the dream-chasing youths out to sea.AI Model: gemini-3.1-flash-liteThe next day, the Straw Hat followed Merry the steward to the entrance of the shipyard, and everyone subconsciously held their breath—The going merry was moored there quietly, its snow-white hull shining in the morning light, looking even more impressive than the model, with a sheep-headed bow that was both endearing and majestic."Wow—!"Luffy charged across the gangplank like a cannonball, and the moment his feet touched the deck, he jumped three times in excitement, making the wooden planks go "thump, thump."He hugged the neck of the sheep-head sculpture and rubbed against it vigorously, as if acting spoiled with an old friend:"So big! It's so much bigger than the model! This sheep head is so cool! From now on, this will be my special seat! Please take care of me, Merry!"Nami stepped onto the deck right after him, the professional gleam in her eyes impossible to hide:"The curvature of the hull is reasonable, and the waterline is designed to be stable; it's very suitable for the currents of the East Blue."She walked quickly to the cabin entrance, pushed the door open, and her eyes lit up,"The storage hold is big enough, and the fresh water tank capacity is not bad either... The kitchen even has a ventilation opening; it's much more complete than I imagined!"She turned back to look at Merry the steward, her tone full of sincerity, "This ship has been maintained so well, it's like it was just launched.""Miss Navigator, this triangular-sailed ship really tests a navigator's skills," Merry the steward said with a smile, standing on the shore."Leave it to me! I'm very strong when it comes to navigation!" Nami lifted her chin, already mentally calculating the route.Zoro walked onto the ship slowly with his hands in his pockets, his gaze sweeping across the deck before finally landing on the platform atop the wheelhouse, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his mouth:"Hmm, it's definitely suitable for sunbathing." As he said this, he lifted his foot and headed toward the ladder, intending to claim the "viewing spot" first.When Usopp stepped onto the deck, his footsteps were lighter than anyone else's, as if he were afraid of disturbing a treasure.He suddenly straightened his back and announced: "From today on, the maintenance of the going merryis left to me!"Mark was the last to board. He cast his Observation Haki over the entire ship and activated his trash removal ability. The going merry instantly looked brand new, and even the bloodstains on Zoro's bandages were gone."Whoa! So clean! The floor is even reflecting light!"Luffy said this and rolled onto the deck. When he rolled next to Usopp, he hooked his arm around his shoulder, "Mark! Mark! You're so convenient!"Zoro, on the platform, looked down and glanced at his bandages, unable to help but laugh—this guy's ability was actually quite useful."Wow, that's great! We don't even need to hire a cleaner; we can save a huge expense!"Nami's eyes lit up as she leaned over to Mark, "Markreally is convenient!""My ability can only keep the going merry clean; I can't fix it if it's damaged," Mark explained."In the future, during our adventures, we'll need to find a professional shipwright."Just then, Luffy poked his head out from the cabin, holding an empty wooden barrel in his hand:"A shipwright? I got it! By the way, can this be used as a bathtub? It must be comfortable to take a bath while sailing!""That's for storing drinking water!" Nami reached out and knocked him on the head, "You idiot.""Alright, alright, I can't wait, let's set sail!"Luffy suddenly jumped to the helm and gave it a hard turn, causing the hull to sway slightly, which scared Usopp into rushing to check the anchor chain."Raise the sails! We're going to the Grand Line!"Amidst the waving farewells of Merry the steward and Kaya, the going merry slowly sailed away from the shipyard.The figures on the shore grew smaller and smaller. Usopp stood at the stern and waved vigorously until the silhouette of Syrup Village disappeared into the horizon, only then did he turn around with red-rimmed eyes:"I will definitely come back!""Stop being sentimental for now!" Nami tapped his back with the nautical chart, "Come over and help look at the route; Luffy has already turned the helm into a toy!"The deck immediately fell into chaos:Luffy spun the helm like a windmill, and Zoro was shaken so hard on top of the wheelhouse that he almost rolled off.Usopp was frantically adjusting the sail ropes, while Mark leaned against the railing watching this chaotic yet vibrant scene, smiling helplessly—this was how they were supposed to be."You come help too!" Nami turned her head and shouted at him."Coming!" Mark replied with a smile, walking over quickly to take the sail ropes.By the afternoon, the wind and waves had calmed down. Luffy suddenly slapped his thigh, dug out a roll of white cloth and a charcoal pencil from the cabin, and ran excitedly to the center of the deck:"Right! We don't have a pirate flag yet!""A pirate flag?" Usopp leaned in, his eyes bright, "I know! That's the one with the skull drawn on it! It has to be imposing!""I'll draw it!" Luffy snatched the charcoal pencil, dipped it into some juice he had accidentally spilled, and crouched on the deck, scribbling away.He drew with extreme seriousness, his tongue sticking out. The charcoal pencil dragged out crooked lines, making the skull look like a frog with puffed-out cheeks.Usopp stood on tiptoe and watched for a long time, unable to help but whisper: "Luffy... this skull... looks like a frog...""It's not a frog! It's Haki!"Luffy tried hard to draw the skull's teeth sharp, then suddenly stopped, his eyes lighting up,"Right! It needs to wear a Straw Hat!" He drew a huge, crooked Straw Hat on top of the skull, almost covering the entire skull.Nami sighed, holding her forehead: "Since when do skulls on pirate flags wear Straw Hats? People will laugh at us, right?""The Straw Hat is the symbol of our pirate crew!" Luffy held up the finished flag and ran toward the mast, "Mark! Help me hang it up!"Mark took the flag and looked at it, saying meaningfully: "You draw very well, don't draw again next time.""Right!" Luffy thought he was being complimented and stood proudly with his hands on his hips.Zoro poked his head out from the top of the wheelhouse, glanced at the flag, and retorted:"Is this supposed to make the opponent die laughing before the fight even starts? How can the flag of the future Pirate King be so sloppy?"Usopp brought over a chair to stand on, putting on an annoying pose:"Back when I traveled the world, I would draw hundreds of them every place I went! I am a drawing genius; one painting could sell for one hundred million... no, one billion Berries! Worship me!"Although this guy loved to brag, his drawing skills were actually quite good, but the pirate flag he drew had an exaggerated long nose next to the skull, clearly drawn in his own image."This is you, isn't it!" Luffy glared at him, "Draw me a Straw Hat pirate flag!"After messing around for half a day, when the flag with the Straw Hat-wearing skull was finally hung on the mast, the sea breeze blew, and the flag unfurled with a "whoosh."Luffy stood at the bow, opening his arms to the wind and laughing: "Look! This is the symbol of our Straw Hat pirate crew!"He cleared his throat, his voice loud enough to carry across the sea: "Sniper Usopp, Navigator Nami, Swordsman Zoro, Logistics Mark... in the future, we'll also have a musician, a shipwright, a chef...""Today, the Straw Hat pirate crew is officially established! Partners, let's have a banquet!"At dusk, the aroma of grilled meat filled the deck. Luffy and Usopp dug out two long chopsticks, competing to see who could balance the chopsticks on their noses and spin them more steadily.Luffy spun too fast, and the chopsticks fell to the ground with a "clatter." He immediately pounced to snatch Usopp's, and the two rolled into a ball, almost knocking over the seafood soup Mark had made."You two idiots!" Mark grabbed a ladle and knocked both their heads, but Luffy snatched the ladle away and, imitating him, "disciplined" Usopp, making Usopp laugh incessantly.Zoro leaned against the ship's railing, holding a bottle of sake. While drinking and resting with his eyes closed, his ears didn't miss the activity on the deck, and a faint smile played at the corners of his mouth.He suddenly opened his eyes, accurately caught a piece of grilled meat thrown by Luffy, stuffed it into his mouth, chewed, and mumbled, "Not bad."Mark was busy in the kitchen, wiping the sweat from his forehead, and couldn't help but sigh:"It would be great if Sanji were here. I love eating delicious food, but I don't like cooking!"The setting sun dyed the sea orange-red, the ripples sparkling like scattered gold dust. The going merry, like a leaf, carried a boatload of laughter as it sailed toward the deepening twilight."Hey, Mark!" Luffy, his mouth stuffed with grilled meat, leaned over incoherently, his greasy hands grabbing the corner of his clothes,"Can we catch a really big fish tomorrow? I want to try sashimi!""It depends on luck," Mark closed his logbook and said with a smile, "But with your luck, you might even catch a Sea King.""A Sea King! Yay!"Luffy immediately cheered and ran off to announce this "great plan" to Usopp.The two discussed what to use as bait and finally unanimously decided to use Zoro's sake as the "secret weapon."Upon hearing this, Zoro silently pulled his sake bottle closer to his chest, his eyes showing the helplessness of "these two idiots are definitely doing this on purpose."Mark looked up at the flag on the mast. In the sunset glow, the Straw Hat-wearing skull seemed to be smiling too.He knew there were countless storms ahead, but at this moment, surrounded by the noise of his partners, food, and the sea breeze, his heart felt only peace.This was their adventure, the story of the Straw Hatpirate crew and the going merry that had just begun.
Chapter 20: The Exclusive Weapon AppearsThe sails of the going merry bulged slightly, carrying the small ship of dreams as it sailed unhurriedly across the boundless sea.On the deck, Mark and Zoro sat opposite each other.In his hands, he held a rather thick-looking booklet; the cover had no extra decorations, only a few simple words written on it—"Haki Cultivation Essentials."This booklet was a labor of love that Mark had compiled by combining the theoretical knowledge provided by the system with information he had subtly pried from Garp.For Zoro, who hungered to grow stronger, it was nothing less than a priceless treasure."Haki, simply put, is divided into three categories."Mark's voice wasn't loud, but it was clear and powerful, carrying an unquestionable seriousness."Armament Haki, Observation Haki, and the one-in-a-million Haoshoku."Zoro's gaze was as sharp as a blade, staring intently at the words in the booklet, occasionally looking up at Mark, afraid to miss a single detail."Armament Haki is the hardening of one's own 'Qi', attaching it to the body or a weapon.""It can enhance both defense and attack power, and more importantly, it allows one to touch the physical bodies of Logia fruit users.""The key to cultivation lies in 'refinement' and 'coverage', starting from a part of the body and gradually expanding to the whole body, and then to the weapon..."He explained in detail the bottlenecks one might encounter during Armament Haki cultivation, such as the sluggish feeling during initial hardening,how to increase density through constant striking and taking hits, and even shared some of the tempering techniques hidden behind Garp's "Fist of Love" from back in the day."Observation Haki, on the other hand, is perception."Mark changed the subject. "Perceiving the surrounding presence, emotions, and movements, and even predicting the opponent's attacks.""After advancing, the range will expand greatly, and you can even read fragments of others' thoughts."He looked at Zoro. "You have been with swords for years, so your intuition for danger is naturally sharp; this is your advantage.""To cultivate Observation Haki, you must learn to 'empty' yourself, discard distracting thoughts, and let your perception spread out like a drop of water merging into the ocean..."Zoro nodded silently, committing these points to memory one by one, his mind already beginning to recall past combat experiences, trying to link theory with practice.His brow furrowed at times, clearly digesting those profound concepts, and then smoothed out for a moment as if he had gained some insight.This level of focus made him look like a completely different person from his usual lazy and somewhat directionally challenged self.Just as the two were immersed in the world of Haki, a slightly hoarse but ecstatic voice suddenly exploded from the cabin, instantly shattering the peace on deck:"I did it! Luffy! Mark! I succeeded—!"Before the voice had even faded, a figure burst through the cabin door with a "bang" and stumbled onto the deck.Everyone looked toward the source of the sound and saw that the newcomer was none other than Usopp.However, his appearance at this moment was truly wretched—His originally fluffy hair was scorched black and curled, and his face, neck, and even his exposed arms were covered in black soot, looking like he had just crawled out of a chimney.His clothes were even more tattered, with scorched marks remaining in many places, emitting a faint smell of sulfur.This appearance instantly attracted the attention of everyone on the ship.Mark and Zoro stopped their conversation, and Luffycuriously leaned over.Even Nami, who was organizing things in the cabin, came out upon hearing the noise, crossing her arms and looking at him with great interest."Usopp, what on earth are you doing?" Namiwrinkled her nose, smelling the pungent odor.Usopp didn't care about his disheveled state at all; he was flushed with excitement, even though the red was mostly hidden by the soot.He carefully spread his palm, and in the center lay a small pinch of black, coal-like powder that emitted a strong smell.Mark raised an eyebrow slightly, leaned in to look, and asked in confusion, "This is?"Luffy's curiosity was even greater; he put his nose directly to Usopp's palm.He took a hard sniff, then suddenly stepped back, sticking out his tongue exaggeratedly. "Pah! Smells terrible! That's the smell of gunpowder!""Exactly!"Usopp slapped his thigh hard, his face beaming with pride."This is the special gunpowder for the Buggy Ballthat I researched based on the data you gave me, Mark! Pretty impressive, right?"He lifted his chin proudly. "I just used a tiny bit, about the size of a fingernail, for a test..."He pointed at his own wretched state. "See? It turned me into this, and all my clothes are ruined!"Looking at Usopp's blackened appearance, Marksmiled helplessly.He reached out his hand, palm facing Usopp, and a gentle energy was quietly released.The soot and stains on Usopp's body quickly dissipated as if they had met their nemesis, revealing his original skin color.However, his tattered clothes remained ruined, and a few slight burn marks on his face and arms wouldn't fade for a while."Thank you, Mark!"Usopp said gratefully, feeling the cleanliness, then immediately resumed his proud look, completely ignoring his shredded clothes."I dare say that bullets made with this gunpowder will definitely have power comparable to a cannon! Amazing, right?""Whoa! That's so cool, Usopp!" Luffy's eyes instantly lit up, and he shouted excitedly."Let's try it! Let's try it!""Just watch me!"Flattered by Luffy's praise, Usopp became even more carried away.He carefully pulled a small black bead, only about the size of a finger, from his shirt and held it up in front of everyone:"This is what I rushed to make using that special gunpowder; I only have this one for now!"He pointed to a cluster of reefs standing out of the sea not far away. "Do you see those reefs? Watch closely!"Usopp skillfully took out his slingshot and placed the black gunpowder pellet firmly on the elastic band.He took a deep breath, his eyes instantly becoming focused and sharp; drawing the bow and aiming was done in one smooth motion.As his gaze narrowed, his fingers suddenly let go!"Whew—"The black gunpowder pellet whistled through the air like a bolt of black lightning, accurately striking the reefs."BOOM—!!!"A deafening roar suddenly erupted! A massive burst of fire instantly rose from the reef's location, followed by billowing thick smoke.The powerful shockwave, like an invisible giant hand, slammed into the going merry's sails, causing the canvas to flap violently and the ship to shake slightly.Usopp stood at the edge of the deck with his hands on his hips, facing the oncoming breeze (and perhaps the smell of gunpowder), laughing triumphantly:"See that? That's my true power! Hmph, since I was rushed, I feel like the power could be increased by several more levels!""Whoa—!"Luffy's mouth hung open as he let out a sincere exclamation. "Is that Buggy's secret weapon? Thinking back to Orange Town, it really was a close call!"Zoro also showed a rare look of surprise. He looked toward the reefs; the thick smoke hadn't dispersed yet, but he could vaguely see that a chunk of the reef seemed to be missing.He whispered, "That power... is indeed not to be underestimated."Nami also put away her playful look, her eyes solemn as she watched the mess, silently estimating the destructive power and... potential value of this thing.Mark was also somewhat surprised. Originally, he just thought the Buggy Ball was very powerful, as a single shell could destroy a town.So he had conveniently given the basic theoretical data to Usopp, who was quite interested in mechanics and explosions.He hadn't expected this guy to actually research it and even miniaturize it into a bullet. He stroked his chin and thought:"If I were to take one of those, I'd definitely end up black and blue...""Nami, let's get closer to see the specific damage!" Usopp said excitedly. "I need to adjust the powder amount based on the actual results!"The going merry slowly turned and headed toward the reefs.Just as the ship was still some distance from the reefs, Mark's brow furrowed slightly; his Observation Haki had quietly expanded, and he sensed some unusual presences."Wait," Mark said, "there's someone behind the reefs.""Eh? Someone?" Usopp was stunned, and then his expression changed slightly. "Then just now...""Let's go check it out!" Luffy had already rushed to the bow, looking anxious.As the ship got closer, a faint and painful cry for help came intermittently: "Help... help..."Zoro listened intently, and his brow also furrowed. "That voice... sounds a bit familiar."As the going merry rounded a large reef, the sight before them stunned everyone. Two men were lying on the sand behind the reef.One man, with a'Sea' character tattoo on his face and wearing a bandana, was leaning weakly against the reef; his injuries didn't look too serious.The other man, however, was in much worse shape, covered in blood and breathing feebly, looking quite terrifying."Johnny? Joseph?" Zoro cried out in surprise when he saw their faces. "Quick, save them!"Everyone scrambled to lift Johnny and Joseph onto the deck of the going merry.After briefly treating Johnny's superficial wounds, he slowly woke up. Seeing Zoro as soon as he opened his eyes, he stared wide-eyed in disbelief:"Big Bro Zoro?...Wait... a pirate flag... You... why are you on a pirate ship?"Zoro gave a bitter smile. "It's a long story. How are you guys? What exactly happened?"Johnny struggled to sit up and looked at the unconscious and still-bleeding Joseph, anxiety showing on his face:"Big Bro Zoro, please save Joseph! He's caught a strange disease!""A strange disease?" Everyone was shocked to hear this."We were sailing along just fine," Johnny explained hurriedly, "when he suddenly started bleeding all over, and it wouldn't stop no matter how we bandaged it.""We were going to hide from the sun behind that reef, but then... then an explosion suddenly happened..."Everyone followed his gaze to the reefs and then looked at the embarrassed Usopp, instantly understanding what had happened.Usopp scratched his head, his face turning red and white as he stammered:"Well... the explosion... might... might have been my doing... I'm really sorry!"Johnny was stunned for a moment, then waved his hand:"Forget it, I'm not hurt that badly..." He then changed his tone, speaking half-jokingly,"But, just pay me a few hundred thousand Berries as a gesture of apology."AI Model: gemini-3.1-flash-lite"Why don't you just die!" Usopp instantly bristled, shouting in exasperation."Haha, just kidding!"Johnny smiled, then said with an earnest expression, "But, please, I beg you, you must save my partner!"At this moment, Nami stepped forward. She first lifted Joseph's eyelids, then pulled on his tongue. After examining him, she stood up, crossed her arms, and said with some helplessness:"I'm telling you, you guys really have zero common sense about sailing!"She cleared her throat and explained:"This guy didn't catch some strange disease; he has scurvy! It's caused by a lack of fresh vegetables and fruits during long voyages, leading to a Vitamin C deficiency!""Vitamin C?" Luffy and Usopp were both blank-faced.Mark heard this and nodded, agreeing with Nami's assessment. "I have oranges in my space!"Without waiting for a response from the others, Mark reached out his hand, his mind focused, and a basket of bright yellow oranges appeared out of thin air in his palm, the fragrance of fruit filling the air."I didn't want a guy like Luffy to cause this kind of thing due to a lack of common sense, so I've always kept plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits prepared!"As he spoke, he picked up an orange, skillfully peeled it, and squeezed the fresh, sweet orange juice into Joseph's mouth bit by bit.Then, he handed a whole orange to Johnny: "You eat some to replenish yourself too. After that, give Joseph orange juice every day; he should recover in about a week. Alright, let's carry him into the room to rest first."After finishing, he used his cleaning ability on Johnny and the unconscious Joseph, cleaning the bloodstains and sand from their bodies."We must keep the ship clean and hygienic."Seeing a hint of color return to Joseph's pale face, Johnny breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly thanked everyone.Zoro watched this scene and said in a deep voice:"It seems that when sailing the seas, even without encountering dangers or enemies, the voyage itself is full of crises."Nami nodded in deep agreement:"On our ship, we must have a professional who can solve these dietary and health issues.""A cook!"Luffy's eyes lit up, and he immediately shouted, "We need to find a cook!"After settling Joseph, Johnny walked out of the room and happened to hear the group's conversation, chiming in:"Speaking of cooks, I actually know a good place!""Oh? Where, where?" Luffy immediately leaned in, face full of anticipation."The sea restaurant Baratie!" Johnny said."The sea restaurant Baratie?" Luffy's eyes widened even more. He smacked his lips, saying with a nostalgic look,"I've eaten the food there before! Mark brought it to me, it was super delicious! I really want to eat it again!"Mark smiled and said: "Then let's go and take a look. Perhaps we can find a suitable cook there to become our partner. Plus, it's also near the entrance to the Grand Line."Johnny added: "That's right, if we keep sailing straight from here, we can reach the Baratie!""Alright!"Luffy waved his hand vigorously and shouted with great energy, "Everyone, full speed ahead! Target: the sea restaurant Baratie, let's go find a cook!""Oh—!"The going merry raised its sails once again and accelerated toward the new destination.The next day, there was no wind, so the going merrystopped on the surface of the sea.Zoro, as usual, sat cross-legged in a corner of the deck, eyes tightly closed, breathing long and rhythmic.He was meditating, trying hard to mobilize the "Qi" in his body, following the method Mark had explained yesterday, attempting to feel and control that mysterious power; he was clearly training hard in Haki.The sunlight plated a golden halo over him, his expression solemn, like a focused samurai statue.On the other side of the deck, Luffy and Usopp were happily fishing with their rods.Nami stood by the helm on the second floor, observing the changes in the clouds in the sky, judging the weather and calculating when the wind would come so they could set sail, her expression focused and serious, ensuring the going merry could sail accurately to its destination.As for Mark, he was currently standing alone on the deck at the bow, gazing at the boundless sea in the distance, his eyes somewhat unfocused, as if he were daydreaming.But in reality, his consciousness was immersed in the system panel in his mind.[Host: Mark][Energy Value: 12570][Physique Points: 1100][Fruit Ability]Trash Control / Trash Decomposition / Trash Synthesis[Personal Ability]Baji Quan (Advanced) / Armament Haki (Beginner) / Observation Haki (Intermediate) / Conqueror's Haki(Awakened)Damaged Fruit Restoration (100%) (Note: This fruit ability was synthesized by the system fusing various energies and is limited to the host's personal use. The fruit possesses devouring capabilities with no side effects, has not been recorded by this world, and can be named by the host.)[Synthesizable Items]Black Iron — tyrant iron (contains Armament Haki, extremely sturdy, can be manipulated using Observation Haki)Mark's consciousness swept over the panel, finally resting on the "Damaged Fruit Restoration (100%)" entry, feeling deeply emotional."This damn fruit, it took a whole year to restore, and it used up all the Energy Value I had saved, but it's finally fixed."He looked at the description of the restored fruit ability and pondered for a moment:"Since it devours all things and originates from the legend of the 'Taotie,' and the Taotie looks like both a lion and a sheep, just like Merry. Then let's call it... Devil Fruit — Sheep-Sheep Fruit. Mythical Zoan — Taotie Form!"Almost the instant he finished naming it, the system's prompt sounded in his mind:[Naming successful. The fruit is beginning final modification based on the host's characteristics... Modification complete.][Detected that the host currently has no exclusive weapon. Do you wish to consume 10,000 Black Iron units to generate an exclusive weapon for the host that matches the current fruit ability and physique?]"Yes."Mark chose to confirm without hesitation. He truly needed a handy weapon now to better utilize his abilities.[Exclusive weapon synthesizing... Synthesis successful.][Given that the host is a Trash-Trash Fruit user, the system has tailor-made an exclusive weapon for the host — a vacuum cleaner.]"...A vacuum cleaner?" Mark's mouth twitched, a bit suspicious that he had misheard.The next second, a weapon that was completely pitch-black and quite strangely shaped appeared in his hand.This weapon really did look like a vacuum cleaner—the front end was a flat, wide suction nozzle, glinting with cold metallic light; the middle was connected by a steel pipe made of black tyrant iron, extremely sturdy;"Isn't this just a damn vacuum cleaner!!!"The tail end was a section of hose that appeared soft but was actually exceptionally tough. Strangely, the end of the hose seemed to connect directly into the air, with no visible container for storing trash.Mark gripped this "vacuum cleaner" and immediately felt a strange connection, as if it were naturally a part of his own body.With a slight thought, a powerful suction force came from the nozzle; the magnitude and range of the suction could be controlled by him at will.He could even feel that within the main body made of tyrant iron, there was a trace of Armament Hakifluctuation, faintly echoing with his own Haki."As expected... is a cleaner's weapon a vacuum cleaner?"Mark complained with a wry smile, but he had to admit that this weapon was indeed very compatible with his abilities.Whether it was controlling trash, decomposing trash, synthesizing trash, or even the newly acquired devouring ability, this vacuum cleaner seemed to be a perfect fit.[Detected high compatibility between the exclusive weapon and the host's fruit ability. Do you wish to fuse them? (Note: This weapon can only be used by the host. After fusion, it will be completely integrated with the host's aura, making it easier to control.)]"Fuse."Mark did not hesitate. Since it was an exclusive weapon that only he could use, fusion was undoubtedly the best choice.Following Mark's command, the vacuum cleaner in his hand turned into a beam of black light and merged into his arm, disappearing.On the system panel, the entry for "Devil FruitMythical Zoan · Sheep-Sheep Fruit — Taotie Form" disappeared, replaced by a "Fusion Progress" bar, with the numbers jumping rapidly.Soon, the progress bar finished.Mark thought about it, and the weapon reappeared in his hand—but its appearance had completely changed.The original vacuum head had turned into a ferocious lion's head, with sheep horns growing on it, their tips glinting with cold light, and faint black mist lingering around it.The open lion's maw, with fangs exposed, seemed capable of devouring everything; this was clearly evolved from the original suction nozzle.The tyrant iron steel pipe in the middle remained pitch black, but it now had some protrusions resembling muscle textures, and the hose at the tail had turned into a lion's tail, with the tip covered in sharp black steel needles, gleaming with a dangerous luster."Prison Dragon Staff, I can't wait to get into a fight."Mark couldn't help but admire it. The entire weapon was full of wildness and dominance; the eeriness of the sheep head and the ferocity of the lion's mouth combined to emit a heart-palpitating aura.He tried swinging it, the weight was just right, the steel pipe held steady as a rock in his hand, and the needles on the tail could swing flexibly. Since it was an exclusive weapon, it needed a resounding name—I have the surname Mo, so you should follow my surname too. This power is comparable to a meteorite; anyone hit by it will fall! "Ink Meteor."[Detected that the host has obtained the exclusive upgradeable weapon Ink Meteor, reward: Bagua Staff Technique (Proficient)]Instantly, a large amount of knowledge about the Bagua Staff Technique flooded into Mark's mind—basic staff-holding postures, footwork transitions, offensive and defensive techniques, and even variations on how to utilize the weapon's characteristics, all were incomparably clear, as if he had practiced for many years.Mark clenched his fist, feeling the power flowing within him and the clear staff technique knowledge in his mind, a smile appearing on his face.With this Taotie Form ability, plus this dominant weapon and the proficient Bagua Staff Technique. "Now, I shouldn't be dragging everyone down anymore."At this moment, the wind blew over! Looking at the billowing sails, it was time to set sail!Stopped🔊 Browser
Chapter 21: Returning to Baratie Once MoreThe sea breeze pushed broken wood chips and barrel fragments toward the Baratie sea restaurant.A lifeboat that could only hold five or six people tossed in the mess, as two surviving Marines struggled to pull their comrades from the water.Lying in the stern was a man with a middle-parted hairstyle, his iron gauntlets glinting coldly, looking like a tough character—it was Fullbody."Lieutenant Fullbody! Wake up!"A Marine knelt beside him, shaking his shoulder. "How is Lieutenant Fullbody? Hey! Medic, come quickly..."The man in iron gauntlets' eyelashes flickered, but he didn't open his eyes. His face was swollen like a pig's head, and the wound on his forehead was still seeping blood.The source of this chaos could be traced back to ten minutes ago.At that time, the sea was still relatively calm. Usoppstood at the bow, gesticulating wildly as he bragged about dreaming of Sea Kings that could swallow a warship last night.Luffy lay sprawled on the deck with a blade of grass in his mouth, staring at clouds that looked like large meat bones and swallowing his saliva."Look over there!" Nami suddenly pointed to the starboard side, her brow slightly furrowed.Everyone looked over to see a blue warship cutting through the waves, unhurriedly pulling alongside the going merry.On the bridge stood an arrogant young Marine, Fullbody, with a beautiful woman in his arms.His gaze swept over the going merry like a hawk, finally landing on the Straw Hat pirate flag."Where did this stray pirate ship come from?"Fullbody sneered and turned to the Marine beside him. "This flag is unfamiliar. Who is the Captain?"Before the words could even settle, Luffy sprang up and leaned over the railing to shout at the other side:"Me! I'm Captain Luffy! Our pirate crew was just formed the day before yesterday!""And me, too!" Usopp hurried over, patting his chest proudly. "I drew this flag!"The mockery on Fullbody's face deepened.He turned and took two steps, his leather shoes clicking on the warship's deck, and pointed a finger at the Marines."So it's just some brats playing house. They're an eyesore. Sink them."He pointed his thumb at the deck while saying the word "sink," not even glancing at the Straw Hat Crew as if it were a trivial matter. He was really laying on the bravado."Yes, sir!" The Marines immediately sprang into action, and the cannon muzzles slowly turned toward the going merry."Ready—Fire!"Pitch-black cannonballs trailed white smoke as they flew toward the going merry. Zoro's blade was already out of its sheath, a cold light flashing in the sun.Usopp ducked behind the railing, his slingshot already pulled taut, steel balls aimed at the Marines opposite them.Nami gripped the helm with a sharp gaze, and the going merry suddenly veered to an angle to better handle the explosive impact of the cannonballs."Luffy, what's the call?" Mark stood at the very front, his long hair fluttering in the sea breeze.Luffy didn't panic at all, instead grinning widely. "Since they've fired at us, let's go wild!"He took a deep breath, and his belly puffed up into a round ball—it was the "Gum-Gum Balloon"!The cannonball slammed heavily into his inflated belly. Before anyone could react, Luffy suddenly tightened his abdomen, and the cannonball zipped back, flying precisely toward where Fullbody was standing."Boom—!"The sound of an explosion erupted on the warship. In the smoke, Fullbody crawled out from the debris looking disheveled, his hair singed black and half his face covered in soot.He was both shocked and enraged, pointing at the going merry and roaring:"How dare you... How dare you resist the Marine! We have the World Government behind us! Destroy them!"Before he could finish, Zoro had already stepped onto the railing and jumped over. He only drew two swords, his figure weaving through the Marines. Every flash of his blade was followed by a chorus of wails.In a short time, all the Marines on the warship's deck were knocked down, and not a single one could get back up. The few who tried to hide were accurately hit by Usopp's steel balls, howling in pain.Mark glanced at the fallen Marines and curled his lip. "These small fry are far too weak."At that moment, Luffy spotted Fullbody and launched a "Rocket Jump" to finish him with a headbutt.Unexpectedly, Fullbody didn't pay attention as he backed up, stepped on an empty wine bottle that had rolled over, and slipped with a "thud," actually managing to dodge the strike."Oh no! This is bad!"Luffy was in trouble—He missed his target and couldn't stop his momentum, flying like a cannonball toward the distant Baratie.This was immediately followed by a series of crashing sounds, mixed with the crisp sound of shattering glass.Mark helplessly put his hand to his forehead."That idiot Captain... I don't know how much we'll have to pay in damages this time." He turned and shouted to the others."Finish up quickly! Luffy has caused trouble, let's go check on him. The owner of this shop is not someone to be trifled with."With that, Mark also joined the fray, flashing to Fullbody's side and swinging a series of Wild punches at him."Acting like a big shot, are you! Being so arrogant! Still want to show off? Still showing off?"He didn't stop until Fullbody was barely breathing.In less than ten minutes, the Marines had completely lost their ability to resist. Even the warship was used by Usopp as a test subject for "Buggy Ball special gunpowder," blowing it into pieces that slowly sank into the sea.Mark looked at the floating debris and muttered, "Breaking it into pieces like this is bad for the environment."He closed his eyes, and his Observation Hakiinstantly enveloped the entire area. The warship wreckage and metal fragments were drawn together as if by invisible hands, then vanished into thin air."Mm, 60 constitution points added, not bad." Marknodded with satisfaction when his gaze suddenly caught a figure—That person, wearing a headband, had taken advantage of the chaos to climb onto the deck of the Baratie. It was Gin, who was supposed to be escorted by Fullbody in the anime. "So he's here. Once the warship was destroyed, it allowed him to escape."Nami walked to Mark's side and looked at the lifeboat carrying Fullbody and the surviving Marines, saying worriedly:"What if these Marines go back and report us?""Don't worry." Mark smiled dismissively. "With that small boat and so many people crammed in, it'll take them a week just to row to the nearest island. Let them be. Let's clean up and head to the Baratie."Inside the Baratie restaurant, Luffy was currently being lectured by Zeff, who was pulling on his ear.The glass on the restaurant's second floor was shattered everywhere, and several tables were knocked over—all evidence of the trouble Luffy had just caused."You brat, you're going to work in my shop for a year to pay for the damages!" Zeff glared, his mustache twitching with anger."No way!" Luffy shook his head like a rattle."You brat, you sure answered that quickly!" Zeff's eyebrows knitted into a knot.Luffy thought about it and tried to bargain. "One week? Three weeks?""Not enough!" Zeff huffed and glared. "You'll be a chore boy for a year, and not a day less!""No!"Luffy stiffened his neck. "I endured ten years just to become a pirate, I'm not staying here!"The next scene was shocking—the future Pirate King was actually wearing an apron and washing dishes in the Baratie kitchen.Unfortunately, he really wasn't cut out for this job. Every dish he washed shattered in his hands.The "clatter, clatter" of breaking dishes rose and fell until the chefs finally had to kick Luffy out.Luffy rubbed his sore head and was about to look for food when he saw a scene in a corner of the restaurant:Sanji was holding a plate of fried rice and handing it to Gin, whose stomach was growling loudly. Hadn't this guy just been kicked out for having no money?"Eat up," Sanji's voice was very calm.Gin pursed his lips. Although he was trembling with hunger, he still said stubbornly, "No matter how desperate I am, I won't eat food handed out in contempt!""In my place, anyone with an empty stomach is a guest."Sanji had a cigarette in his mouth and blew out a smoke ring, a hint of hard-to-detect tenderness hidden in his eyes."On this heartless sea, who knows if tomorrow or an accident will come first? I know better than anyone what it's like to have no food or water... Only by surviving can you see hope."Gin looked at Sanji, his eyes slowly turning red. He took the fried rice and could no longer hold back, sobbing as he wolfed it down, his voice muffled:"This is... this is the best thing I've ever eaten..."Luffy's eyes lit up as he watched from the second floor, and he suddenly slapped his thigh."I've found a great cook!"With that, he flipped over the railing and landed beside Sanji, saying straightforwardly:"I'm a pirate and I need a cook. Join my ship!"Sanji took a puff of his cigarette and said indifferently while blowing smoke rings:"You're a pirate? I'd advise you not to get any ideas about this ship—that old man was once a famous pirate.""Oh? That old man is a pirate!" Luffy's eyes shone even brighter."Plenty of pirates come here, including some tough guys who come for the reputation. Over time, they've scared off all the waiters." Sanji flicked his cigarette ash."No wonder that old man wants me to work for a year." Luffy scratched his head and stared at Sanjiagain."You're a good cook, join us!""I refuse," Sanji said flatly."And I refuse your refusal!" Luffy stiffened his neck with a stubborn look.Sanji glanced at him and said in a low voice, "I have my own reasons that I can't talk about."Gin had finished the fried rice and bowed deeply to Sanji."Sanji, thank you for saving my life!" He then turned to Luffy."You're still young. Don't rush into the Grand Line, take your time. This is just my advice; whether you listen is up to you."Just then, Zeff appeared on the second-floor balcony. Gin quickly said, "I'm sorry, Sanji, you're going to get scolded!"Sanji tossed the dishes into the sea with a "splash." "Now there's no evidence, is there?"Gin kowtowed to Sanji while crying and hurried away in a small boat."Sanji! And you, chore boy! Get back to work!" Zeffroared.As a result, Luffy ended up being more of a hindrance in the kitchen again.He came out carrying a freshly made dish, sneaked a few bites, and looked up to see Zoro, Mark, Usopp, and Nami sitting at a table.Zoro saw him first and raised an eyebrow, teasing him on purpose:"Yo, I heard someone is going to be working here for a year? Should we change our pirate flag to say 'Baratie Branch'?""You guys are too much!"Luffy jumped in anger. "You're actually... eating so much good food behind my back!"He secretly picked his nose and flicked a booger into the water glass in front of Zoro.Zoro pretended not to see and slowly picked up the glass as if to drink.Luffy watched with wide eyes, waiting for the show.Unexpectedly, Zoro suddenly reached out and pulled Luffy toward him, pressing his head down and pouring the drink into his mouth."Pfft—" Nami couldn't help but laugh out loud, Usopp laughed so hard he pounded the table, and even Mark curled his lip in a smile.The commotion caught Sanji's attention. He looked over, saw Luffy coughing on the floor, and then scanned the table—were these his companions?When his gaze fell on Mark, he froze for a moment and then recognized him.Sanji handed the red wine in his hand to a nearby guest and said casually, "Pour it yourself," then walked quickly to Mark."Mark, you're here.""Yo, Sanji." Mark smiled. "Haven't seen you in two years, you've grown handsome.""You joined this Straw Hat kid's pirate crew too?" Sanji raised an eyebrow."That's right." Mark pointed to the people around him. "These are my companions—the sniper Usopp, the swordsman Zoro... and this is the navi—"Before he could finish, he was interrupted by Sanji. He pulled out a red rose from nowhere and knelt on one knee.He struck a deeply affectionate pose toward Nami, his tone so sappy it could make your skin crawl:"Ah, the sea thanks us for today's encounter! Ah, love! As long as I can walk with you, whether as a pirate or a demon, I am prepared!""Your beauty is like the most brilliant star on the sea, but between us, there is destined to be an impassable obstacle...""The obstacle you're talking about is probably me!"Zeff's voice suddenly boomed. He glared at Sanji, then turned to Mark."Mark kid, are you here to take this brat out to sea?""That's right! Long time no see, Old Man. How's your health?" Mark said with a wave."I'm being driven crazy by this bastard," Zeff replied to Mark while staring at Sanji."Sanji, this is a good opportunity. Go be a pirate with them!""I don't need a cook like you on my ship who gives handouts to anyone with an empty stomach and loses his head whenever he sees a beautiful woman!""I'm staying here as a cook until the day you die," Sanji said stubbornly."Want me to die? Wait another hundred years!" Zeffsnorted and turned back into the kitchen.Sanji stood up and said to the Straw Hat Crew, "Since you're Mark's companions, this meal is on the house.""You've got good eyes," Zoro said vaguely with chopsticks in his mouth.Sanji finally noticed Zoro, frowned, looked him up and down, and said with disdain:"Who is this Marimo? Am I familiar with you?""You want to fight, you love-struck cook?" Zoroimmediately glared back."Alright, alright, don't fight." Mark quickly separated the two."Hey, Mark." Luffy suddenly leaned over and pointed at Sanji. "The amazing cook you mentioned is him, right? Just as I thought..."Before he could finish, Sanji grabbed him by the collar."What are you still standing there for, you idiot? Go wash the dishes and pay off your debt!"Night on the going merry brought a cool sea breeze.Nami stood alone by the railing looking out at the sea, her back showing an indescribable loneliness.Mark walked over and asked softly, "What's wrong, our Navigator miss?"Nami turned around and shook her head."It's nothing." But the pain in her eyes couldn't be hidden; it was like water-soaked cotton, heavy and sinking.Mark said, "It's because of the bounty poster in your pocket, right?"Nami suddenly froze on the spot, her eyes wide.Without waiting for her to reply, Mark continued on his own:"Haki—you've probably heard me talking to Zoroabout it these past few days, so you should have an idea, right?""Luffy and I have both awakened Observation Haki. Two days ago, when Johnny pulled out a bunch of bounty posters and they fell on the floor,""You stared at one of them, and the killing intent in your eyes almost overflowed.""Luffy wanted to ask you about it then, but I stopped him." He paused and looked at Nami. "Do you know why?"Nami's voice trembled. "Was it... because you wanted me to say it myself?""When we're hungry, we need a cook to make food; when we encounter enemies, we need a combatant like Zoro; when the ship is broken, we need a mechanic; and when we don't know how to navigate, we need a navigator like you—""That's what companions are for; needing each other and helping each other."Mark's voice was soft, yet it carried strength. "So, Nami, do you need us?"These words were like breaking through the final barrier.Nami suddenly collapsed onto the deck, tears falling as she cried out:"Luffy... everyone... please help me!""Did you hear that, everyone?" Mark called out loudly.Footsteps came from below deck as Luffy, Zoro, and Usopp walked up.Luffy's Straw Hat was pulled down low, hiding his expression, but with every step he took, the surrounding air seemed to tremble slightly—Mark thought to himself: This guy already has the prototype of Conqueror's Haki. Zoro and Usoppfollowed behind with grim expressions.Luffy walked to Nami's side, took off his most cherished Straw Hat, and gently placed it on her head.Nami looked at him with tearful eyes; she knew what this Straw Hat meant to Luffy."This is my most cherished Straw Hat, and it's the symbol of our Straw Hat Pirates."Luffy's voice was very steady."You keep it. Take it as a promise—until the day I blow the Arlong Pirates away, keep it for me."Nami stood up and hugged Luffy tightly, crying even harder:"Thank you, Luffy... thank you, everyone!"She sniffled and wiped away her tears. "Right now, I'm still useful to Arlong, so he won't do anything to the villagers for the time being.""The top priority is to invite Sanji onto the ship—""Just look at Joseph to see how important a cook is." She smiled, and her smile tonight was exceptionally sweet. "I can wait a bit longer."Ratio