Chapter 199: Luffy Searches for the BullfishLuffy, acting like a thief, poked his head out of the rainbow mist stealthily. After confirming Namiwasn't in the lounge, he crept out on tiptoe.He held a golden teapot tightly in his arms—one he had wheedled out of Mark—his face beaming with the smug joy of a successful plan."Aha! Nami's not here! Great!"He gleefully pulled the glittering teapot from his clothes, weighing it in his hand with pride."Awesome! If I trade this for cash, it should be enough for a super feast! Heehee!""Oh~? Where does our 'Banquet King' plan to make his fortune?"A voice like a demon's whisper, carrying a cold smile, drifted in from the doorway.The result was predictable. Our future Pirate Kingnot only received a solid "lesson of love," but the precious golden teapot and his already empty "small treasury" were both ruthlessly confiscated by Nami.Water 7, Central Street.Our pitiful, penniless Pirate King could now only tag along with the ship doctor, Chopper, who possessed "vast wealth.""Chopper~ buy me some Water-Water Candy! Thank you!"Luffy sported a freshly made, steaming lump on his head, with bruises still lingering around his eyes.Yet in his hand, he held something whose color and shape resembled a pig's gall bladder, licking it with great relish."It's fine!"Chopper puffed out his little chest, also licking a stick of Water-Water Candy, walking down the street with an air of importance."After all, I got a hundred thousand Berries in pocket money! With the rest, I can even buy some of the latest medical books!""I'm so jealous! A hundred thousand Berries!"Luffy's eyes instantly turned into Berry symbols."You can treat me to all-you-can-eat Water-Water Meat, right?""No way!"Chopper immediately clutched his small backpack warily."With your appetite, a hundred thousand Berrieswouldn't even come close!""Hahaha! That skewer looks good too!"Luffy wasn't discouraged at all, remaining optimistic.The two chatted idly as they wandered aimlessly through the bustling streets."Hey! Isn't that the Straw Hat boy?""It really is him!""Everyone, look! The city's hero is here!"A passerby's surprised shout instantly drew the attention of the entire street.People stopped in their tracks, greeting Luffywarmly with sincere smiles on their faces."Hello there, Banquet King!""Yesterday's banquet was amazing! Thank you so much!""Will there be more super feasts like that in the future?""Oh! Leave it to me!"Luffy turned around immediately, thrusting his rubber fist high into the air. A smile brighter than the sun blossomed on his face, completely forgetting the beating he just received for wasting money."Nami's lesson... you've completely forgotten it..."Chopper muttered under his breath, facepalming in exasperation.Before long, the enthusiastic crowd had surrounded Luffy several layers deep."But your eating style and dancing were truly the best!""King of the Banquet! How about it? Do you want to come to my house for dinner today?""Idiot! Today he should obviously come to my house!"The people grew more excited as they spoke, even starting to reach out and pull on Luffy's arms, trying to drag him to their own homes.Luffy's arms were stretched thin like noodles, yet he still wore a dazed, clueless expression.Just as this "human tug-of-war" reached its climax...A little girl, clutching a Bullfish-shaped piggy bank and a picture frame, struggled to crawl through the feet of the crowd."Straw Hat!"The little girl shouted with all her might at Luffy's back."Huh?"Luffy turned around blankly. This movement caused both groups pulling on him to fall to the ground, piling on top of each other."Please listen to my request! My Bull is missing!"The little girl held the picture frame high in front of Luffy.Inside was a happy photo of a family of three, including the little girl. Most striking was the elderly Bull in front of them, with a white beard and a beautiful blue dorsal fin."Please, help me find him!"The little girl squeezed her eyes shut, as if summoning all her courage, and pressed the photo frame tightly against Luffy's eyes."Isn't that Abi from the photo studio?""She... she's still looking...""It's been three days since the Gods of Waterpassed...""I heard her old Bull was over a hundred years old... As expected, it probably couldn't survive a natural disaster of that scale..."The surrounding residents whispered, their voices filled with sympathy and regret. Many let out helpless sighs."Stop talking nonsense!"The little girl named Abi snapped her head up, sternly refuting the surrounding chatter."Don't compare my Bluefin to your ordinary Bulls! My Bluefin definitely won't lose to the Gods of Water!"Her stubborn attitude sparked dissatisfaction among some residents."How can you talk like that, child!""Forget it, forget it. Abi's Bull might really be amazing, but... three days without coming home...""Sigh, Abi, don't trouble the Straw Hat boy. You're a child of Water 7; you must have heard the legend of the 'Land of Farewell'?""Shut up! I won't believe a legend that no one has ever seen with their own eyes!"Abi retorted indignantly, then solemnly handed the Bullfish piggy bank to Luffy."Because... I dreamed that Bluefin was calling out to me for help!"Her eyes were incredibly determined."Here! Don't you pirates love treasure most? This is all my savings! It's all yours! Just as long as you help me find him!""Is this for me? You're such a good person!"Luffy's eyes lit up instantly, and he reached out to grab it.Abi suddenly pulled the piggy bank back, emphasizing her point."I'll only give it to you after you find Bluefin!""Just leave it, Straw Hat. If you get caught up in the legend of the 'Land of Farewell'...""Exactly, just forget about it..."The residents tried their best to dissuade him."Everyone, shut up—!"Abi let out a deafening roar, showing an aura that somewhat resembled Nami's."S-So scary!"Chopper was so frightened that he pulled his neck into his fur.Luffy looked at the gentle old Bull in the photo, then gazed down into Abi's eyes—eyes that were brimming with tears yet filled with stubbornness and hope."I don't really understand what's going on,"Luffy reached up and pressed down on his Straw Hat, his mouth curling into a confident grin as he extended his right hand to Abi."But it's true that a pirate will never let treasure right in front of them slip away!""Really?"Abi looked up, a spark of hope reigniting in her eyes."Yeah! That's right!"Luffy nodded vigorously."Slap!"The little girl's small hand firmly grasped Luffy's large, rough hand."Contract established!""My name is Abi!""I'm Luffy."After introducing himself, Luffy pointed to the little reindeer beside him."This is Chopper, our doctor! He can talk to animals.""H-Hello... Nice to meet you."Chopper said softly, feeling a bit shy."Ahhh!!! The raccoon dog spoke!!"Abi was so startled she fell onto her bottom, pointing at Chopper and exclaiming."Hahaha!"Luffy doubled over with laughter."I'm not a raccoon dog! I'm a reindeer! Look closely, I have antlers!" Chopper stomped his feet in anger, explaining through gritted teeth.A moment later, the three of them were riding a rented Bull, beginning to wander through the crisscrossing waterways of Water 7."By the way, Abi, what exactly are we looking for again?"Luffy suddenly turned his head and asked with a look of pure innocence."Have you not been listening to a single word I've said this entire time?"Abi roared into Luffy's ear in frustration."You'll get used to it..." Chopper sighed helplessly from the side, long since accustomed to this."Sigh! We're looking for my Bull, Bluefin! Look at the photo!"Abi shoved the photo in front of Luffy's face again, pointing at the special Bull on it."Look at its dorsal fin, it's blue!""Bluefin means blue fin! That's easy to understand! Leave it to me!"Realization dawned on Luffy. He yanked the reins, and the Bull beneath them shot forward like an arrow."Ahhh!! Slow down!!"Chopper and Abi's screams instantly echoed through the waterway.In the end, Luffy steered the Bull, crashing through everything until he stopped the small boat on the edge of a giant fountain at the highest point of Water 7!The boat teetered precariously on the narrow edge."W-Why was the first scouting point chosen to be a place like this!"Looking down at the houses that appeared as tiny as toy blocks, Abi burst into tears of fear."Hehe, isn't this the best spot to check the whole city?"Luffy leaned out, enthusiastically taking in the panoramic view of the city below."So high! So scary!!" Chopper lay flat on the bow, tears streaming down his face."I regret this! Let me down! I want to go back to the city!!"Abi gripped the gunwale tightly, closing her eyes and not daring to look."Don't be in such a rush!"Luffy paid no mind to his companions' terror. His sharp gaze scanned the streets and quickly caught a familiar figure—a Marimo walking down the street with two children."Hey—! Zoro!!"Luffy stood up excitedly, waving his arms vigorously at the distant speck.Because his movements were so large, the small boat began to rock violently from side to side."Idiot! There's no way he can hear you from this far!""Stop rocking, Luffy! The boat's going to flip!!"Just as Chopper's warning left his mouth, the Bull beneath them lost its balance and plunged straight down from the high edge of the fountain!"Ahhhhh—!!!""Splash!!"The Bull and the boat crashed heavily into another fountain pool on the first level, sending up a massive spray of water.Relying on his flexibility as a rubber man, Luffylanded nimbly on the fountain's edge."Whew! That was close!""You're the one who's dangerous!!"Still shaken, Abi's teeth chattered as she roared at Luffy."Reflect on your actions, you bastard!"Chopper also waved his little hooves in anger."Hahaha, I know, I know!"Luffy laughed heartlessly.Afterward, the three of them steered the still-shaken Bull toward the shopping district on Central Street.Just as they passed under an old stone arch bridge, they heard familiar voices."Robin, what do you think of this one?"It was Nami's voice."It really suits your skin tone, Miss Nami."Robin replied elegantly.Luffy immediately stood up and waved frantically toward the source of the voices, causing Chopperand Abi to clutch the reins for dear life, fearing he would flip the boat again."I told you not to move around, idiot!"Abi shouted again.Robin, who was about to follow Nami into a nearby shop, was drawn by the commotion and glanced over."My, my... isn't it our Mr. Captain and Mr. Doctor?"A gentle smile appeared on Robin's face.A moment later, after listening to Abi's tearful explanation, Robin took the photo frame and studied the old Bull in the picture."Are you looking for this Bullfish named Bluefin? Let me try."Robin handed the frame back to Abi and then elegantly crossed her arms over her chest."Hundred Flower Bloom: Vision Sharing."In an instant, countless arms sprouted from the walls of surrounding buildings, bridge piers, and even passing boats. In the center of each palm, a lifelike eye opened!This horrifying scene didn't just make Abi's hair stand on end; screams erupted throughout the entire commercial district!Couples on dates jumped into the water in terror, fishermen dropped their rods, and vendors knocked over their goods...Anyone who saw countless eyes suddenly sprouting from the walls and ground, staring at them, would be scared out of their wits.A moment later, Robin retracted her ability and shook her head slightly."Regrettably, I haven't found any trace of it within my field of vision.""I see... Thanks anyway, Robin! Let's go, Abi!"Luffy picked up Abi, who still hadn't recovered from the shock, and hopped back onto the Bull."If only Mark were here!"Chopper reminded him."That's right!"Luffy clapped his hands, nearly flipping the boat again."Mark's Observation Haki has a huge range! Every time Zoro got lost before, he was always the first to find him!""See ya, Robin!""Good luck to you all."Robin smiled and waved goodbye.Luffy steered the Bull toward the lounge."That... that scared the life out of me..."Only after they were some distance away from the commercial district did Abi pat her chest and speak, her heart still pounding."Hehe! But thanks to Robin, at least we know he's not near the shipyard. Isn't that good?"Luffy's way of thinking was always so optimistic."Um... I have a question I'm curious about,"Chopper spoke up timidly."What exactly is this 'Land of Farewell' that everyone keeps talking about?"Abi's face instantly darkened, and she spoke in a chilling tone, as if telling a ghost story.AI Model: gemini-3.1-flash-lite"Legend has it... when a Yagara Bull senses its death is near, it will quietly leave its owner and head alone to a strange place to end its life in peace... That place is known as the 'Land of Farewell'!"She suddenly lowered her voice, creating a chilling atmosphere."But, if anyone... accidentally sees the Land of Farewell...""Wh-what happens if you see it...?"Chopper's fur stood on end, and cold sweat streamed down his face."If you see it... the Yagara Bull's soul will take you with it to that world, and you'll never return!""Ahhhh! That's terrifying! Luffy! Let's stop looking!"Chopper was so scared that he grabbed onto Luffy's clothes, trembling violently."Hahaha, I'm just kidding! It's all superstition to scare little kids!"Seeing Chopper's reaction, Apis burst into laughter as if her prank had been a success.Along the way, Luffy and the others asked everyone they met.While passing by the Franky House, Chopperseemed to hear something."Hey! Luffy! It says it has seen Grandpa Bluefin!"Chopper waved excitedly at Luffy and Apis."What?"Luffy and Apis immediately said goodbye to the Franky Family and rushed to Chopper's side.They stood on the shore, listening to a young Yagara Bull in the water "mooing" at Chopper, with Chopper acting as the translator."It says that on the night the Gods of Waterdescended, it heard a very old, very gentle voice in the water saying: 'Don't worry, I'm coming to save you now.'"Chopper translated earnestly."It says that was definitely Grandpa Bluefin's voice!""That's amazing! You can really understand what the Yagara Bulls say! Thank you, little raccoon dog!"Apis gave Chopper a big hug in excitement.Chopper's face turned bright red, and he started acting shy."I told you... I'm a reindeer! Not a raccoon dog!""Haha, is that so! Then it looks like we don't need to find Mark. Let's search carefully around here!"Luffy put his hands on his hips and made his decision."Oh—!"Chopper and Apis raised their hands in unison.Apis looked at the happy families on the river riding their own Yagara Bulls and couldn't help but recall the memories of the days she spent with Bluefin.Those warm memories flooded her mind, and before she knew it, tears blurred her eyes."Huh? What's this?"Luffy's voice interrupted her thoughts.He pulled a small piece of blue fabric with a unique woven pattern out of the water."Let me see!"Apis wiped her tears and leaned in to take a closer look.At that sight, she instantly trembled with excitement, but was immediately overcome by an even deeper concern."It's... it's Bluefin's scarf! I knitted it for him myself because I was afraid he'd get cold in his old age!"Apis held the wet piece of fabric, her voice choked with sobs, and tears began to well up in her eyes again."Did it drift from that direction?"Luffy pointed toward the upstream direction."The entrance to the underground waterway?"Chopper looked in the direction Luffy pointed and saw that the entrance to the waterway, which originally had iron bars, had been smashed open by something, leaving behind a pitch-black hole that seemed capable of swallowing everything."It's right here!"Apis found another piece of blue fabric of the same material on a rock near the water cave.Luffy and the others didn't hesitate; they steered their Yagara Bull and resolutely entered the dark underground waterway.The inside of the waterway was dim, with only a little light filtering in from cracks in the ceiling, barely illuminating the scene inside.Huge stone pillars, broken walls, and stone roads submerged underwater... one could faintly make out the outline of what had once been a town, but the rising water levels over the years had submerged the former city, creating the underwater spectacle seen today.Luffy and the others shouted "Bluefin" loudly in the spacious waterway, their voices traveling far through the network of caves, echoing hollowly.Due to the lack of light, they didn't notice in time and suddenly plummeted down a steep slope along with their Yagara Bull, first crashing into a round structure that looked like a roof, then bouncing off and landing in a shallow puddle.This height was nothing to Apis, but for Luffy and Chopper, who were Devil Fruit users, any water deeper than their ankles meant extreme danger!"Ahhhh! It's water!""This is bad! We're doomed! We're going to drown!"The two of them thrashed around in the small puddle, splashing water everywhere, their faces filled with the terror of facing their natural enemy.Apis wiped her splashed face and looked at the two clowns speechlessly."Are you two... idiots?"Hearing Apis's words, Luffy and Chopper stopped and looked blankly beneath them."Huh? This water..."Luffy tentatively stepped on it and found the water level was only ankle-deep.He looked at the surrounding areas, which were also shallow, and at the Yagara Bull that couldn't be ridden for the moment because it had fallen in."In that case, we can't ride the Yagara Bull forward!""It looks like there's no water ahead."Apis had already spotted a dry entrance to a passageway ahead."Anyway, let's go ahead and take a look!"Luffy turned back and gave an order to the shaken Yagara Bull."You wait here for us!"Under the Yagara Bull's stunned gaze, Luffy, Chopper, and Apis walked deep into the dark passageway, stumbling as they went.They explored the ruins of the submerged underground city for a while, but there was dead silence all around.Suddenly, a beam of soft green light, seemingly imbued with the essence of life, shone down from the deep darkness ahead, appearing exceptionally striking in the dim environment."What... is that light?"Luffy widened his eyes and pointed toward the green light.Apis followed Luffy's gaze. The green light shimmered in her eyes, instantly overlapping with a scene from the depths of her memory!"That's it! It's exactly the same as the scene in my dream!"Apis could no longer suppress her excitement, and regardless of the danger, she took off running toward the green light."Hey! Wait for us...!"Luffy and Chopper immediately followed.However, just as they approached the source of the green light, the ground beneath them suddenly gave way!"Splash!"The three of them fell into a body of water together.This body of water shimmered with a strange green light, as if it were a light source itself.For Luffy and Chopper, falling into deep water was a death sentence; the two instantly lost strength in their limbs and rolled their eyes back.Apis discovered in horror that this green water seemed to have no buoyancy; a powerful force pulled her downward, and a suffocating sensation quickly deprived her of consciousness, causing her to pass out as well...I don't know how much time passed, but Apis slowly regained consciousness.She looked at her hands blankly and wiggled her fingers."I... I'm not dead?"She sat up abruptly, immediately remembering Luffyand Chopper. She turned her head and saw them lying on the shore not far away, seemingly washed up by the current."Luffy! Little raccoon dog! Are you okay? Wake up!"Apis hurriedly ran over and shook them vigorously."Cough, cough...!"Luffy coughed a few times and spat out some water, proving that the near-drowning wasn't a hallucination."Thank goodness! You're okay!""Where... is this place again?"Luffy shook the water off his head and looked around at the strange environment blankly.Apis also began to observe the surroundings carefully.This didn't seem to be the same underground waterway as before; the light was softer, and the air was filled with a tranquil and mysterious atmosphere.Her gaze was quickly drawn to a small pond surrounded by natural rocks not far away, and she couldn't look away."This is it..."Apis murmured, her voice so soft as if she were afraid of disturbing something."Huh? What is this?"Luffy didn't understand."Bluefin... he is here. This environment... is exactly the same as what I saw in my dream."Apis's voice trembled slightly."How can it be such a coincidence...?"Chopper also stood up and looked in the direction Apis pointed, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart."Could this... be... the 'Land of Farewell'?"He backed away, frightened by his own guess."Impossible! Don't talk nonsense! That's all superstition!"Apis squeezed her eyes shut and clenched her fists, refuting loudly as if that could dispel the unease in her heart."It sounds like... like Bluefin is already dead...""But... Ah!!"Luffy suddenly pointed behind Apis, his mouth wide open, too surprised to speak.Apis seemed to sense something; she turned around stiffly and slowly.There, in the soft green halo, Bluefin's familiar and aged figure slowly emerged like a phantom.He looked at Apis, a gentle and loving smile on his face, just as it had always been."Ah! Thank goodness! Bluefin! I finally found you!"Apis instantly forgot all her unease and ran happily toward the figure."Come here, let's go home together!"However, Bluefin's old face lowered, revealing a bitter and apologetic expression.His mouth opened and closed, as if silently saying something."Chopper."Luffy looked at Chopper with a rare serious expression."Yeah..."Chopper nodded; he had understood the silent words."He says..."Chopper's voice was choked with sobs."'I'm sorry... thank you for taking care of me all this time...'""Why are you apologizing!" Apis shouted, puzzled.Bluefin's figure continued to "speak.""'Now... I can leave with peace of mind... Goodbye, my dear child...'""No—!!!"Apis let out a heart-rending cry and rushed toward Bluefin's phantom!Luffy's rubber arm instantly stretched out, trying to grab Bluefin, but his hand passed straight through the figure, as if going through a void of light—it wasn't a physical entity!Bluefin's figure became fainter and fainter in the green light, finally turning into countless shimmering specks of light, like fireflies on a summer night, slowly dissipating into the air as if they had never existed...Seeing this final farewell, Apis couldn't hold on any longer; she collapsed to the ground and sobbed uncontrollably.Just then, a faint and tender "moo" sound came, accompanying the crying.Following the sound, they found a small bundle carefully wrapped in the familiar blue scarf in a crevice of a rock.Opening it, they found a newborn, shivering little Yagara Bull inside."It seems... you are the child Bluefin wanted to save in the end..."Apis carefully cradled the fragile little life in her arms.Chopper immediately stepped forward to check on it."Hmm... It's a good thing it was wrapped in this thick scarf, otherwise it would have died of hypothermia in a place like this..."The afterglow of the sunset, like warm amber, bathed the rebuilding Water 7.Luffy, Chopper, and Apis had returned to land, and the rescued little Yagara Bull was nestled in Apis's arms.Apis once again solemnly handed the heavy Yagara Bull piggy bank to Luffy."Here you go, the promised reward.""No need."Luffy shook his head, a rare occurrence, his face devoid of his usual playful grin."Because... I didn't fulfill the promise to find and bring back Bluefin.""No, thank you, Luffy."Apis looked up; although her eyes were still red and swollen, a relieved and sincere smile appeared on her face."Because of you, I had the chance... to say a final goodbye to Bluefin.""I am very happy. And, Bluefin's final wish, to save this child... was also realized through you.""I see..."Luffy scratched his head."Then..."He stepped forward, but instead of taking the piggy bank, he gently pushed it back into Apis's arms."It needs to eat more so it can grow up quickly! Hehe!"Luffy flashed his signature, sun-like, bright, and innocent smile.All words of gratitude were concentrated in Apis's clear eyes, which shimmered with tears and smiles. She hugged the piggy bank and the little Yagara Bull in her arms tightly, nodding vigorously, again and again, at Luffy and Chopper.A warmth and promise that transcended the separation of life were quietly passed on under the sunset.
