Chapter 237: The Invisible Man Reappears and Strong Reinforcements Arrive on the IslandInside the mansion, the spacious dining room was illuminated by a massive bronze chandelier.The chandelier was packed densely with white candles, their flames dancing and casting dim, flickering halos of light that draped the luxurious furnishings in a veil of antiquity.A long dining table covered with an exquisite blue velvet tablecloth sat in the center. Hogback sat at the head of the table, proudly displaying his hospitality to the shaken trio of cowards."Welcome! To my humble abode."Hogback opened his arms enthusiastically at first, then switched to a cautious, inquisitive tone, leaning forward slightly."However, looking at the way you all are, covered in dirt and shaken... exactly why did you come to this island?""It's a long story. First of all..." Nami had just started to speak when her gaze was drawn to Chopper, who was sitting opposite her, unable to contain his excitement.Chopper was standing on a strangely shaped chair with a backrest as tall as a tombstone, shaking his head and staring at Hogback with eyes full of wonder."Nami, you ask first. I'll ask him for advice properly in a bit!" Chopper interjected.Nami nodded. "We saw zombies in the forest and the graveyard! And... a weird-looking lion that could raise its eyebrows! Really! It was su—per—scary!"Nami turned to Hogback, trying hard to describe it, terror still lingering on her face."Zombies?" Hogback's reaction was unusually calm; he merely pushed up his small, round sunglasses."There were many other strange creatures too! By the way, we were invited by a gentleman named Hilton and came to this area by carriage." Usoppadded hurriedly, trying to make sense of the situation."Is that so... Were you attacked?" The corners of Hogback's mouth curled into an inscrutable arc."It is truly fortunate that you managed to escape from those things safely."He suddenly lowered his voice and leaned toward the dining table: "My answer is simple—it is precisely because I also don't know what those things are, and how many unknowns are hidden on this island, that I chose to live here!"Hearing this, Chopper was so excited that he leaned almost his entire upper body onto the table: "Does that mean, Doctor... you are studying zombies here?""Precisely!" Hogback slammed his hands onto the table and stood up, his voice filled with the passion of an orator."Indeed, when ordinary people hear 'zombie,' their first reaction is horror and evil. But what if we use terms like 'resurrection' or 'restoration of life'? Isn't that the ultimate dream that has run through human history?""Waaah—!!" Chopper's eyes were instantly filled with stars of admiration, his hands cupping his cheeks."Everyone has one or two... deceased loved ones they want to see again, want to bring back, right!"Hogback clenched his fists, seemingly completely immersed in the grand vision he had constructed. His voice gradually rose, echoing in the candlelit dining room."However, the realm of controlling life and death and interfering with souls has always been regarded as medicine that defies the divine path and violates taboos. It is not tolerated by the secular world!"He raised his head, and the candlelight happened to illuminate half of his face wearing sunglasses, making his expression appear somewhat mysterious at the boundary of light and shadow: "That is why I chose to quietly leave the turmoil of the mundane world and come to this isolated island to continue my great research!""Is, is that how it is?" Chopper was completely convinced. He mimicked Hogback, pressing his small hooves onto the table, and said in a voice trembling with excitement,"I think... if the Doctor's research is truly successful, many people in the world will surely regain their happiness!"He used his hooves to cup his blushing cheeks and said coyly: "I support you, Doctor!""How sensible of you!" Hogback responded immediately, making an exaggerated "OK" sign with his fingers, his voice full of praise. "Thank you, Dr. Chopper!""Eeeeh————!!" Chopper was so excited that he leaned backward and almost fell off the high chair.He quickly steadied himself and shyly covered his face with his hat. "Even if I'm praised by a great person like you..."Suddenly, he jerked his head up, grinned to reveal his white teeth, and his little butt wiggled uncontrollably. "I won't be happy about it, you bastard~!"After the commotion, Chopper quickly returned to his little fanboy mode, tremblingly pulling a clean sheet of paper from his small bag and respectfully handing it to Hogback, his voice shaking: "Ca, can you please... sign this?""Ah, of course! It's my honor!" Hogback readily took the paper and pen, scribbled a few times, fluidly wrote "To Dr. Chopper..." and signed his flamboyant signature."Aha——!!" Chopper stood on the chair again, wiggling his butt, his whole body seemingly bursting with golden stars, the radiance almost illuminating the entire dim dining room."Um... afterwards, may I visit your laboratory?" Chopper asked, seizing the moment, full of expectation.The smile on Hogback's face vanished instantly, replaced by a nearly vicious seriousness. He leaned his face close to Chopper, his voice low and harsh, carrying an unquestionable warning: "Absolutely—not! You must not peek into my laboratory! Do you understand?"Chopper was so frightened by this sudden change in expression that his face turned pale, a long strand of snot hanging from his nose, and he could only nod desperately.Just then, "Plop!" Sindry appeared without warning and "placed" the crystal-clear jelly directly onto the tablecloth. The jelly wobbled with a bouncy texture."Huh?" Hogback sat back in his seat, his mouth wide open in surprise, but his tone held little blame; instead, it sounded more like the helplessness one feels toward a willful child. "I say, Sindry... desserts like pudding should really be served on a plate to be proper, right?"Her response was Sindry's exquisite, expressionless face and a cold, mechanical voice: "Plates or whatever... it would be better if they all disappeared from the world.""Hehehehe..." Hogback let out an awkward laugh, fine beads of cold sweat seeping from his forehead, and hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "Ac, actually, I anticipated this, so I had already wiped this table spotless beforehand! Look, how clean it is!"He gestured with a "please eat" motion. "Come on, everyone, enjoy it without worry, don't be polite!""Then I won't be polite!" Chopper and Usoppresponded politely, their faces showing renewed anticipation for the food, and immediately buried their heads, eating the pudding off the table with slurping sounds.Nami witnessed this scene, not only losing her appetite but even feeling nauseous, and couldn't help but hold her forehead and retort: "...At least, you could use a spoon, right?""Slurp, slurp, slurp!" A chorus of slurping sounds rang out across the dining table, and even Hogbackhimself joined in this "bold" style of eating."So delicious! Sweet and smooth!" Chopper didn't forget to give a gourmet review."The bathwater is ready." Sindry appeared like a ghost again, her hollow gaze sweeping over the four people with pudding and dust still clinging to their faces and bodies. "You are too dirty. Go wash."But no one paid her any mind. Usopp unconsciously drew a sticky line on the smooth tablecloth with his pudding-covered nose. He tilted his head, his expression turning serious, and asked the key question: "By the way, Mister, before we arrived... has a'strange skeleton' been here?""S-skeleton?" Hogback seemed to have been pressed on a pause button; his long tongue, which had been reaching out to lick the jelly, was still hanging on the table, his voice slightly off-key."Ah, you know, the afro, tall and thin, wearing a suit, talks like 'Yohohoho'!" Usopp tried his best to imitate Brook's unique laugh and mannerisms."Although it sounds ridiculous, he really is a skeleton, and he can talk and walk... Have you seen him?" Nami also stared fixedly at Hogback and added.In Hogback's mind, the image of that skeleton in formal wear, holding a rapier flippantly against his neck, flashed instantly, along with the red light in the skeleton's eye sockets...Cold sweat immediately poured down from his forehead like a waterfall, dripping along his pointed nose onto the tablecloth, spreading into a small dark patch.But he forced himself to control his expression and voice, bracing himself to answer: "No... I haven't seen such a 'peculiar' guest.""Is that so?" Usopp tilted his head and blinked, seemingly accepting the answer. "Forget it then."Hogback's heart was already in turmoil: "They really were talking about that guy! This group of people actually knows that dangerous skeleton? No way... Could they be in the same crew?"After dinner, Nami insisted on dragging Chopperand Usopp along to "escort" her to the bathroom.Nami walked in front, holding an antique candle holder. The weak flame flickered in the long corridor filled with eerie portraits, stretching the three shadows into shifting, uncertain shapes.Usopp looked around tremblingly, always feeling that something might suddenly jump out from the shadows.Chopper was still a bit dazed, immersed in the lingering excitement of meeting his idol."Nami... it's just a bath, couldn't you have gone by yourself?" Usopp complained."Yeah... I still wanted to hear more about Dr. Hogback's achievements..." Chopper squinted, his tone drifting."Stop nagging! Just come with me!" Nami's tone was decisive, allowing no room for argument."Eeehhhh~~~~" The two dragged out a long, reluctant sound.A moment later, damp steam filled the bathroom.The old-fashioned showerhead sprinkled a fine, warm stream of water, and white steam rose up, providing a crucial mosaic for the person in the bath.The bath was quite spacious, but signs of age were evident—the gaps between the tiles were tinged with the dark green of moss.The swirling white mist, the dark green walls, and the dim, flickering light of the candle holder wove together a hazy and slightly eerie, tranquil scene.Outside the bathroom's heavy sliding door, which had opaque green glass, Usopp and Chopperleaned against the door with their hands behind their heads, boredly acting as "door gods.""I really want to take a peek..." Chopper closed his eyes and suddenly said with an "intoxicated" look."Huh?" Usopp was so startled he almost jumped up. "Are, are you serious?""Yeah, yeah, I really want to sneak a look at what Dr. Hogback's laboratory looks like inside!" Chopperopened his eyes and corrected him, full of anticipation."Phew..." Usopp let out a long sigh of relief, leaned back against the door, and wiped away cold sweat. "You scared me... I don't want to see the laboratory at all; just imagining what might be inside is terrifying enough."He raised his voice and shouted toward the inside of the door: "I say, Nami! Why must we guard the bathroom! If you're scared, why not just not take a bath!""How can you even say that!" Nami's voice came through the steam, filled with dissatisfaction. "Think about it, who dealt with all those zombies? I've had the most contact with the 'zombie particles' and dust in the air! Can you two show some hygiene!"She muttered to herself, "If only Mark were here, a single cleaning spell would take care of it...""It'll just get dirty again soon anyway!" "Exactly, exactly!" The two outside the door chimed in with weird tones."I'm leaving this place as soon as I finish my bath!" Nami's voice suddenly became clear and firm."Eeeh——!!" The two outside the door exclaimed in unison and turned around abruptly."Swish—" Usopp couldn't help but push the sliding door open a crack and squeezed his head in. "What are you talking about, you big idiot! It's pitch black outside, and there are zombie monsters everywhere!""Bang!" Before he could finish, a heavy oak washbasin hit his head with precision, knocking him sprawling onto the floor outside the door.Even in his daze, Usopp didn't forget to use his foot to hook the door shut again."Ooh..." Usopp rubbed the large bump that was rapidly swelling up, tears welling in his eyes.Chopper hurriedly leaned over and skillfully applied a cross-shaped adhesive bandage to his forehead."It's rare that they offered to take us in..." Usopp said with a crying tone, trying to reason. "You know how dangerous it is to go out at night! The forest, the graveyard... just thinking about it is scary!"He crossed his arms in a huff: "I don't care! Anyway, I'm absolutely not going anywhere tonight! When Luffy and the others realize we're missing, they'll definitely find their way here to pick us up! Waiting here is the safest!""That's what I think too!" Chopper immediately agreed, pressing close to Usopp. "Whether it's the forest or the graveyard, I never want to go back there! Absolutely not!"A "splash" of water entering the bath came from inside the bathroom.Nami slid into the warm bath, sighed comfortably, and pushed her wet long hair back.She began to explain her point of view unhurriedly, her voice carrying through the steam:"Idiots... do you think there is any fundamental difference between 'in the forest' and 'inside this house'?""What?" The two outside the door were stunned."You two, haven't you really observed this house?" Nami's voice carried a calmness that seemed to see through everything.Upon hearing this, Usopp and Choppersimultaneously recalled the various details after entering the house:Those eerie portraits in the hallway whose eyes seemed to follow people,the feeling that something was always watching from the shadows in the corners, the indescribable, strange aura seeping from the cracks of certain doors... cold sweat instantly soaked their backs."Eek—!!"The two shivered violently in unison and raised their hands in terror."That's right, if my intuition is correct..."Nami paused, lowering her voice further as if afraid of being heard by something,"The 'aura' in this house... I'm afraid this mansion is hiding zombies. Many of them.""Wh-where?"Usopp and Chopper looked around the empty hallway in terror."And the most suspicious thing is..." Nami's eyes sharpened in the steam, "Doctor Hogback himself. He is lying.""Lying?" The two said in unison, their hearts shrinking suddenly.Nami continued her analysis with clear logic:"That's right. Think about it. If he really has nothing to do with zombies and is just an ordinary researcher, how could he live safely on an island full of zombies?And build such a large-scale mansion? How is his safety guaranteed? The flickering in his eyes and his sudden change of expression when he mentioned the laboratory... it doesn't make sense at all!"Hearing this, Usopp and Chopper gasped, feeling a chill shoot straight from the soles of their feet to their scalps.Chopper was even more struck by lightning, his little face turning pale, his brain running frantically, yet he found it hard to accept this deduction:"D-Doctor Hogback... how could he do something like creating zombies... no, that can't be...""In any case, we cannot stay here long. At night, when they let their guard down, we will find a chance to leave!" Nami made the final decision.Just at this moment—"Roar—!" A low, inhuman beast roar echoed in the spacious bathroom without warning!"What a... smart and sharp woman." A strange and frivolous male voice followed immediately, as if whispering right in her ear."Who?" The hairs on Nami's body stood on end, her golden hair moved without wind, and tiny golden arcs of electricity instantly jumped at the tips of her hair.She sat up abruptly from the water, looking around vigilantly. Steam filled the air, blocking her vision, but she could feel that something was nearby!"Compared to that woman on your ship... I think I prefer your weak type."The voice was elusive, shifting left and right, carrying a disgusting tone of appraisal."Weak type?" Nami closed her eyes, suppressing her anger, but the corners of her mouth curled into a cold arc,"You say I'm... weak?""Ah... what perfect curves... be my bride!"The voice suddenly drew closer, as if it were right by Nami's neck!"Snap!" A translucent claw with animal fur suddenly stretched out from the steam and grabbed Nami's arm exposed above the water!Nami reacted extremely quickly, counter-grabbing, her five slender but strong fingers clamping onto that invisible wrist like iron pliers!She opened her eyes abruptly, a flash of lightning in her azure pupils, and accurately "looked" at the air beside her."Sorry..." Nami's voice was as cold as ice, "I have... zero, interest, in, 'beasts'!""100,000 Volts: Electric Eel!""Crackle—!!!!"With Nami as the center, dazzling golden lightning like an exploding electric net instantly filled the entire bathroom!The current raced wildly along the bathwater, the damp air, and the metal pipes, erupting with a deafening crackling roar!The steam was ionized, emitting an eerie blue-white light."Argh—! Damn it! Why are you all so strong?"The invisible attacker let out a cry of pain, and the hand gripping Nami instantly let go."Splash!" Water splashed everywhere, and it seemed like something fell out in a sorry state."Bang!" The bathroom door was kicked open by Usopp, "What's wrong, Nami? What happened?"Chopper and Usopp rushed into the bathroom, which was filled with the smell of ionized burning and residual electric arcs, looking around nervously.Usopp's gaze subconsciously swept across the bathtub, and he happened to see Nami, who hadn't fully covered herself due to standing up suddenly and releasing lightning..."Ah...!!" His mouth opened wide instantly, his pupils shook, his whole body was like petrified, and he couldn't say a word. His brain overloaded, and there were signs of a nosebleed about to gush out."Th-thank you very much for the hospitality!!"The next second, Usopp bowed ninety degrees at an astonishing speed, his voice loud and stiff, trying to cover up the "scenery" he had just seen and his inner turmoil with etiquette."There was someone here just now! But I couldn't see them!"Nami quickly shrank back into the water, with only her head exposed, and explained anxiously and angrily, her cheeks slightly flushed, not knowing if it was from anger or shyness.Hearing this, Chopper immediately switched to his heavy point, twitching his wet blue nose, carefully sniffing the smell in the air:"It's true! There's a strange smell! Mixed with... the aura of a beast and a human! And a burning smell!""Eh? Is that so? Where?" Usopp instantly entered combat mode, and despite the lingering blush on his face, he had quickly pulled out his slingshot, his sharp gaze scanning every corner of the bathroom."Patter!" On the floor, the undried water stains were stepped on, making a slight sound."Over there!" Chopper's animal instinct immediately pointed toward the direction of the bathroom window."Creak—" The window latch was pulled open by an invisible force."Don't think you can escape! Special Attack: Exploding Flame Star!"Usopp didn't hesitate, the slingshot already loaded with a special gunpowder projectile fired instantly! A scorching fireball trailing flames shot accurately toward the direction of the window!"Boom—!!!" A violent explosion occurred at the bathroom window! Flames soared into the sky, and not only the window, but even a small half of the wall was reduced to powder by this angry strike from Usopp! The night wind, carrying smoke and dust, poured into the bathroom."D-did, did it hit?" Chopper narrowed his eyes, searching in the smoke and dust."Hmm... it should have hit."Usopp nodded, looking at the big hole he had blown out and the pitch-black night sky outside, he belatedly scratched his head and said awkwardly,"Uh... this hole... how should I explain it to the owner of the house?"The entire castle was shaken by the sudden explosion, and dust from the walls fell down.This vibration was clearly transmitted to the dining room on the first floor. Hogback, who was still tasting red wine alone, shook his hand, and his wine glass almost slipped.Cold sweat instantly appeared on his forehead, and his face became ugly:"Could it be... that lecherous bastard again... Hey! Don't mess around!!"Below the mansion, in the dark courtyard.A figure staggered out of invisibility under the Moonlight and appeared—it was a strange man with a leopard's head and a human body.He was in a sorry state, one arm unnaturally twisted and charred, obviously severely injured in the previous explosion and lightning, and his back was also charred."Cough, cough... damn it! That was close... almost died again!"He crawled painfully on the ground, struggling to crawl forward with his remaining arm, muttering curses,"This Clear-Clear Fruit... even a dog wouldn't eat it!"He struggled to crawl under a big tree, leaned against the trunk, gasping for air, looking toward the direction of the mansion's bathroom with lingering fear, his leopard face full of fear and unwillingness.On the thousand sunny, Sanji suddenly sneezed loudly without warning."Ah—choo!!""What's wrong? Did you catch a cold?" Mark, who was studying the spider web stuck to the ship's hull nearby, turned his head to ask."How is that possible!"Sanji rubbed his nose, instantly switching to his lovestruck wriggling state, heart-shaped eyes appearing,"It must be my beloved Miss Nami~~ thinking of me! Ah~~ these sweet waves of longing~~!"He wriggled his body to the ship's rail, looked at the landing point vaguely visible below, and jumped down without hesitation:"Hey! You guys down there! Stop dawdling! Miss Nami~~ Miss Robin~~ I'm coming~~!""Hey! Zoro! Mark! Hurry up! Why are you guys dawdling?"Luffy's impatient voice had already come up from below the ship; he was already impatient.Zoro crossed his arms, finally checked the thousand sunny firmly stuck by the strange spider web and Brook's broken ship nearby, and frowned slightly:"The skeleton's ship and our thousand sunny are both stuck fast and cannot move."He walked to the ship's rail and looked down,"And, the Mini Merry II that Usopp and the others took, I don't know when it drifted back, also stuck next to the net."Mark walked over, patted Zoro's shoulder, and pointed to the bottom of the thousand sunny hull:"Not only that. Look, there appeared a wooden plank road that looks very 'deliberate', leading straight to that huge entrance. It's almost like... the owner deliberately 'invited' us to go in."Zoro looked in the direction Mark pointed.I saw a wide wooden plank path extending clearly under the thousand sunny.Luffy was already carrying his "Ghost Capture Set" and walking excitedly at the front, with Sanji, Robin, and Merry following behind.At the end of the road was an exceptionally magnificent entrance: two stone pillars carved with hideous ghost reliefs stood tall, and on the stone slab spanning above, the name of this ship/island was written in exaggerated cursive English—"THRILLER BARK".Below the stone pillars was a huge, pitch-black door that had been violently destroyed, like the open mouth of a monster, and the deep darkness inside seemed to be able to swallow all light."I feel like I can see the ghosts inside waving at us..."Zoro twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing a cold, wild smirk,"This is obviously a trap, right?""What are you muttering about, Zoro! Hurry up and come down too! Just leave Ink Meteor to watch the ship!" Luffy waved his hand vigorously from below, urging him."So, why do we have to break into this place that you can tell is a trap at a glance?"Zoro crossed his arms, looking unhappy, but his feet had already started to move."What does it matter! Anyway, we're idle!" Luffypicked his nose, flicked away an unknown object, "Could it be... are you scared?""Bastard—!! Who are you saying is scared?" The veins on Zoro's forehead bulged, instantly ignited,"Fine! Since you said so, leave all the enemies to me! None of you are allowed to make a move!"He declared with Haki, his hand already on the hilt of his sword."Be a good boy and watch the house, protect the ship well."Mark finally rubbed Ink Meteor's big head as it leaned over, gave a word of instruction, then easily flipped over the ship's rail and jumped down."Forget it..."Zoro watched his partners already waiting below, helplessly scratched the back of his head, but a warlike light flashed in his eyes,"I hope the 'master' inside is a little bit strong. Don't make me too bored."He braced himself on the ship's rail and also jumped down cleanly."Too slow, Marimo!" Sanji puffed on his cigarette and glanced at him."Shut up, Curly-brow!" Zoro immediately retorted."Alright—!!" Luffy raised his arms high, a brilliant smile full of anticipation for adventure blooming on his face, and announced loudly, "Ghost IslandAdventure—Let's go!!"The figures of the group, along with Luffy's excited shouting, were gradually swallowed by that huge, dark entrance.Behind them, the thousand sunny stood quietly in the spider web, Ink Meteor's golden pupils watching the direction in which its master disappeared, let out a low growl, lay down on the deck, and entered a guard state.
Chapter 238: Luffy Catches a PetLuffy and his crew passed through the dilapidated gate, which resembled the throat of a giant beast, and stepped into a short, cold, stone-paved cave.The inner walls of the cave were slippery, and the sound of dripping water echoed within the confined space, adding to the oppressive atmosphere.However, the moment they stepped out of the cave, their view suddenly dropped—before them lay a steep stone staircase extending down into the deep darkness."Tch, why is there a downward staircase as soon as we come out?" Sanji walked on the slippery steps, clicking his tongue in impatience."That's just how the entrance is, no use thinking about it so much!" Luffy held the back of his head, as carefree as ever, and hopped as he walked down.It wasn't until his sandals stepped onto the peculiar "ground" at the bottom of the ravine that his expression changed slightly."Oh~! The bottom is paved with... nothing but bones!" He opened his eyes wide, scanning the layers of stark white skeletons beneath his feet with great interest, "Maybe there really are ghosts lurking about!"He quickly checked the landing net he had been carrying on his shoulder, grinned with extreme excitement, and then strode forward."Roar—!!" A low beastly roar exploded in the ravine like muffled thunder!That familiar figure appeared once again, blocking Luffy's path—it was the "three-headed hellhound" that had been sent flying by Nami's Thunder Dragon Fist.Its once majestic fur appeared somewhat charred and curled, and all three heads were injured, yet it was still baring its teeth, lowering its body, and letting out threatening growls, attempting to defend its territory."Roar, roar, roar—!!" Three blood-stained maws opened simultaneously, and saliva dripped down its charred teeth."Whoa!" Not only was Luffy not afraid, but he licked his lips, his eyes shining as if he had seen a novel toy."Eh~? It's Cerberus!" Sanji had a cigarette in his mouth, his expression as indifferent as if he were looking at a tiger in a cage at the zoo."Sigh, if you look closely... it's actually quite cute. If its fur hadn't been curled by electricity, it would probably be more majestic." Robin walked beside them, commenting in a calm tone, like an academic observation."Ink Meteor is still much cuter, and stronger and cooler too." Merry crossed her arms, looking the three-headed dog up and down, her little face full of pickiness, "However, these injuries on it... why do they feel a bit familiar?""No need to feel, it was definitely Nami." Markrevealed a knowing sneer, clenched his fist, and his knuckles made a "creak" sound, "Looks like we'll have to 'properly' ask it where it 'invited' our important Miss Nami.""Baring its teeth at us? Is this... a provocation?" Franky pinched his steel chin, analyzing the beast's intentions."Let's just cut it down." Zoro gently pushed his thumb, and the wado ichimonji at his waist unsheathed an inch, the cold light reflecting the sharp killing intent flashing in his eyes. To him, anything blocking his path should just be cut."Don't just start cutting! Zoro!" Luffy hurriedly stopped him. He tilted his head, stared at the three-headed dog, and suddenly blurted out, "I wonder how this guy's meat... tastes?"Having said that, Luffy actually stepped forward, imitated a dog's bark, and let out a "Woof!" at the ferocious three-headed dog."Whimper... whimper... hmph..." A scene that made everyone's jaws drop happened! The hellhound, which had just been aggressive and looked as if it wanted to devour people, had all three heads stiffen simultaneously, and its fierce gaze was instantly replaced by a mix of confusion, grievance, and instinctive fear.They lowered their heads in unison, the low growls in their throats turned into whimpers of weakness, their thick tails were tightly tucked between their hind legs, and their massive bodies began to tremble slightly, the "kingly aura" from just a moment ago completely vanished."Should I cut it now?" Zoro asked calmly again, his hand still resting on the hilt of his sword."Wait a second! Let me tame it!" Luffy excitedly extended his rubber arm, blocking Zoro."Tame it? Although it looks like a dog, this thing is clearly a legendary-level monster, right? Can it understand human speech?" Sanji shook his head, clearly not optimistic about Luffy's whimsical action."No, a dog is a dog!" Luffy was in high spirits and completely ignored the advice.He walked up to the three-headed dog that was trembling with its tail tucked, reached out a hand, and said in what he considered his friendliest tone: "Good boy~ good boy~, come on, shake!""Snap!" "Snap!" "Snap!" Responding to him were three dog heads biting down with lightning speed! One bit at Luffy's head, one at his shoulder, and the fox head bit at his ankle! The movements were perfectly synchronized."I knew it!" Mark, Sanji, and Zoro all raised their hands almost simultaneously, slapping their foreheads with a "smack," their movements perfectly synchronized, their faces filled with expressions of "as expected" and "this idiot is hopeless.""Good boy~ good boy~! Let me go easily!" Luffy's voice came out muffled from one of the dog's mouths.Surprisingly, even with his head held in the mouth, his rubber hand that wasn't being bitten was still trying to reach out, attempting to pet the dog's nose and continue his "friendly" taming work.The three-headed dog was also stunned. This texture in its mouth... something was wrong! Why was it so elastic, not at all like flesh and blood? And there was no smell of blood, but rather... a rubbery taste?"Ptooey!" "Ptooey!" "Ptooey!" All three heads disgustedly "spat" Luffy out, six eyes staring suspiciously at this rubber man who couldn't be bitten or torn, and tasted weird, their gazes filled with the confusion of questioning their dog lives."Hey! You can bite me, but what's with you being disgusted by rubber?" Luffy steadied himself, touched his Straw Hat, which was soaked in saliva, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he got, his rage suddenly flaring up, "Unforgivable! Gum-Gum—"He pulled his arm back, charging up with power: "—Gatling!!!""Ora ora ora ora ora—!!!" In an instant, countless rubber fist shadows poured down on the three-headed dog's massive body like a violent storm!The dull thuds of the punches sounded like beating drums, echoing densely through the ravine. The three-headed dog yelped as it was beaten, dodging left and right, but it couldn't avoid the all-encompassing barrage, and in the end, it could only curl up and take the hits with its body.Under Luffy's "friendly" physical taming, the hellhound finally deeply "realized" that the group in front of it was not to be trifled with, and completely gave up resistance."Come to think of it, its injuries... are indeed quite severe." Robin glanced over, "To be alive and still have the strength to block our path, to some extent, it can be considered a miracle of life.""Look closely, there's a fox head mixed in the middle." Sanji tilted his head and explained to Robin, "This guy is probably not a purely natural creature, but more like some kind of... stitched-together or modified product. It's a bit blurry in terms of biological classification.""Hehe! To encounter such a 'fun' mount as soon as we get in," Luffy proudly patted the middle dog head that was still relatively intact, leaped onto it, and sat cross-legged, "This island is really something to look forward to!"He commanded the three-headed dog to move forward slowly, clearly having already treated it as his new pet and mount."Your 'new mount' doesn't look very spirited." Robinwalked on the left side of the three-headed dog, looking at the three heads that were dejected, as if they had lost their dog lives, and said with a hint of teasing."It's all Sanji's fault!" Luffy immediately shifted the blame, affectionately stroking the charred fur of his mount, "He was too rough when he was 'asking questions' just now!""Hey! You idiot rubber! It was clearly you who beat it the hardest, alright?" Mark and Zoro said in unison, pointing at Luffy and roaring in complaint."Miss Nami~~! Miss Nami, where are you—?" Sanjiwent to the very front, cupped his hands around his mouth, and raised his voice to call out, the worry in his tone obvious."If only Chopper were here." Merry glanced at the dejected three-headed dog and sighed softly, "This guy has been 'gurgling' for a long time, but we can't understand a single useful piece of information; it took all those beatings for nothing.""Oh~! Look ahead, it looks like the exit of the forest!" Franky was the first to step onto the upward stone stairs and walk out of the ravine.He widened his eyes and looked around at the thick fog and the crisscrossing forest paths, stopping in his tracks, "Which path should we take? It's like a maze!""Straight ahead!!" Luffy, sitting on the back of the three-headed dog, announced excitedly without a second thought."Hey, Zoro, keep up, don't get lost." Mark turned back, glanced at the swordsman who was examining the surrounding paths and seemed to be deep in thought, and reminded him."I say you..." Zoro turned his face to the other side, pretending not to hear, but his feet honestly followed the main group, and he let out a disdainful snort, "Tch!"Entering the forest, the fog seemed to thicken, visibility was extremely low, and the twisted trees loomed in the mist like ghouls baring their fangs and brandishing their claws."Miss Nami~~~! If you can hear me, please answer~~~!" Sanji continued to call out persistently, his voice echoing in the silent forest; he would sometimes run to the front, sometimes turn to the side and rear, trying to cover a wider area."Tch!" He clicked his tongue in annoyance, "I really should have left that Marimo who gets lost on the ship to watch the house.""Huh? Is it my fault? You bastard cook!" Zoroimmediately turned around, clenched his fists, bared his teeth, and retorted."You directionless idiot!" Sanji retorted unceremoniously, snorted coldly, and continued to search forward."Want to fight? You perverted kappa!" Zoro's hand was already gripping the hilt of his sword, and it looked like an internal conflict was about to erupt."Shh—!" Luffy, sitting on the back of the three-headed dog, suddenly held up a finger, lowered his voice, and revealed an excited expression on his face as if he had discovered treasure, "Look over there!""Hmm?" The group followed the direction of his finger and looked through the slightly thinner fog.They saw a scene that could only be described as absurd unfolding in a small clearing in the forest ahead: a "Tree Man" with a humanoid face and octopus-like tentacle roots, with clear facial features on its trunk, was using its twisted branch-like arms to diligently pour wine for a... horse-like creature with a single horn!That "unicorn" was actually holding an exquisite glass cup with its front hooves.The two creatures, which obviously also belonged to the category of "stitched-together monsters," also noticed Luffy and his group at the same time.When they saw the majestic hellhound, which was currently dejectedly carrying a human wearing a Straw Hat, and the hellhound also bore fresh charred punch marks and a look of grievance, they were so shocked that they opened their mouths wide at the same time.The wine pot in the Tree Man's hand hung in mid-air, wine spilling all over the ground with a "whoosh"; the unicorn's wine glass also nearly fell to the ground."Ah... ah... ah—!" Luffy looked at this surreal scene, first shocked to the point of breaking into a cold sweat, pointing at the two monsters opposite, his mouth wide open, unable to say a complete sentence for a long time.The other companions were also somewhat surprised, but they were more intrigued by this comical scene."A... uncle who looks like a tree... and a unicorn... are drinking..." Luffy finally calmed down, describing the scene before him word by word, his eyes getting brighter and brighter.The next second! "Catch them!!!" Luffy grabbed the giant landing net he had been carrying on his shoulder, his rubber legs kicked off hard, and he shot out like a cannonball, his face brimming with excitement!"Wh-what?" "Help—!" The Tree Man and the unicorn were instantly scared out of their wits, turned on their heels, and fled madly in two different directions!The Tree Man ran extremely fast using its octopus-like tentacle roots, letting out miserable screams as it ran."Stop right there—!!" Luffy chased closely behind, gritting his teeth, holding the landing net aloft."Wait a second, you bas~tard!" Franky was also stirred up with a competitive spirit; he set his sights on the unicorn that was trying to dive into the bushes, and seeing that he couldn't catch up by running, he simply stopped, a wild grin spreading across his face."Strong Right · Capture Grapple—!" At the same time, Luffy also shouted: "Gum-Gum—Bug Net!""Swish!" "Whoosh—!" The tip of Franky's mechanical right arm shot out a chain with an iron hook, accurately wrapping around the unicorn's mouth and neck! And Luffy's extended arm, like a nimble snake, instantly wrapped around the fleeing Tree Man several times, binding it tightly!"Gotcha! Hehe!" Luffy held down the struggling Tree Man, his face full of "big harvest" pride."Super! Done!" Franky pinched the neck of the unicorn, which was being choked by the chain and kicking its hooves in vain, lifted it up, and proudly pushed up his sunglasses."Let me go!" The Tree Man began to beg for mercy with a crying tone, struggling in vain under Luffy's restraint. Luffy simply carried it horizontally, happily following the rhythm of its struggle, and started an eerie victory dance on the spot."Hey, Luffy," Zoro crossed his arms, looking at this scene with a speechless expression, "What on earth... do you want to do by catching these two things?""Let's get this straight," Sanji lowered his head to light a new cigarette, his tone full of disgust, "I won't make 'zombie cuisine' or 'monster cuisine.' They look unappetizing at first glance, and eating them might even give us diarrhea.""Could it be..." Robin looked at Luffy's sparkling eyes and excited smile, seeming to realize something, and pursed her lips into a knowing smile."Eh? No way!" Mark, Sanji, Zoro, and the others seemed to have guessed Luffy's plan, their faces showing expressions mixed with absurdity and "Not again?"Luffy put down the struggling Tree Man, stood in front of the two captured prisoners, and around his body, it seemed as if substantive little stars were popping up. He announced loudly in an incredibly enthusiastic and infectious voice: "Hey! You guys—come be pirates with me!!""What kind of joke is that, you idiot—!!!" Zoro and Sanji instantly exploded, veins popping on their foreheads, and they both roared and complained at Luffy's back, baring their sharp teeth!The thick fog of the forest seemed to ripple from this roar. And the invited Tree Man and unicorn were completely stunned, as if they had heard a proposal even more terrifying than "being put in the pot.
Chapter 239: The Cowardly Trio vs. The Portrait ZombiesThe "adventures" of the Straw Hat in the forest were causing quite a commotion; it was destined to be a noisy night.Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Hogback's mansion, deep in the forest swallowed by thick fog and darkness, another conversation was unfolding in the silence."Hey, Absalom... I know you're here."Dr. Hogback's distinct, shrill voice echoed eerily among the gnarled, intertwined ancient trees."Snap!"Not far ahead, the clear sound of a dead branch being accidentally snapped underfoot rang out."That was close... really close..."A tall, burly, sharply-defined shadow slowly emerged from behind a giant tree.He clutched his empty right shoulder, which was left with only a charred stump, his voice a mixture of pain, lingering fear, and a hint of twisted excitement,"I almost lost my life in that bathroom. She's truly worthy of being the bride I've chosen; she's so fiery... I like her even more!""You'd better put aside those boring thoughts."Hogback pushed up his round sunglasses, the lenses reflecting cold light in the faint Moonlight, "That woman—you can't handle her. Neither she nor her companions are pushovers.""Hmph, she won't escape my..."Absalom instinctively tried to make a fist, only to suddenly realize that his palm and half his arm had been obliterated in that explosion and lightning, so he had to stop sheepishly,"...Anyway, Hogback, I'm counting on you for this arm. This time, give me something sturdier, preferably... something insulated!""You make it sound so easy."Hogback's voice suddenly rose, becoming shrill,"Do you think top-tier materials are mushrooms that grow in the ground, just waiting to be picked? You want strength, and insulation... you sure have a lot of demands!""I know, I know!"Absalom hurriedly waved his hand, and although the wound made him wince, his tone carried a hint of pleading,"Anyway, I'm counting on you, Doctor!"Although he was strong, he knew that on this island, he could not afford to offend this genius surgeon who held the power over his body's "repairs.""You're such a nuisance..."Hogback shook his head helplessly.Just then—"Ara, ara, ara~~"A translucent, pure white, cute ghost, dragging a long tail, floated weightlessly through the tree trunk and landed on Hogback's slightly rounded shoulder.The ghost had cartoonish large eyes and pink phantom twin tails."The 'Straw Hat' that Lord Moriah instructed us to focus on..."From within the ghost came a girl's voice, sweet yet with a hint of ethereal quality that matched its appearance,"Just a moment ago, they landed on the island, Hogback."The ghost spun lightly, reciting the heart-stopping numbers in a cheerful tone:"Their Captain and that Vice Captain alone have a combined bounty of over 1.2 billion Berries! Ara, ara, ara~""Perona, you make it sound so easy."Absalom's beastly pupils contracted slightly, cold sweat seeping from his forehead, and he retorted with lingering fear,"Those guys are terrifyingly strong! I just went to 'test' them, and I almost ended up 'dead'!""Ara, ara, ara~! No matter how many billions the bounty is,"The white ghost—Perona's ghost avatar—waved its phantom little hands, floating and spinning around without a care,"In front of my 'Negative Hollow,' no matter how impressive those guys are, they'll have to kneel and repent!""Hmm..."A cold glint flashed in Hogback's eyes, "With your ability to help, we aren't without a chance. Those high-quality bodies... are precious research materials and combat power."He looked up sharply, his gaze sweeping over Absalom and the ghost Perona, his tone becoming gloomy and stern:"In that case, both of you better be on high alert! Put all your energy and skills into 'capturing the prey'! Especially you, Absalom, stop causing unnecessary trouble!"Hogback turned toward the depths of the dark forest, which seemed to lead to endless darkness and the unknown. He pushed up his sunglasses, a cold and greedy arc curling at the corner of his mouth:"It seems... we're going to have a 'big job' tonight."Inside the mansion, Nami, Chopper, and Usopp, who had just finished bathing, were standing at the corner of the stairs leading to the main hall, looking at each other.The only candle holder in Nami's hand emitted a faint, flickering light, barely illuminating their pale and vigilant faces. She raised the candle holder, the orange light sweeping across the pitch-black staircase below, and then checking the corridor they had just walked through."Usopp, Chopper..."Nami's voice was very low, exceptionally clear in the silence."Wh-what's wrong, Nami?"Chopper pressed against her calf and asked, looking up.Nami didn't answer immediately, but used the candlelight to confirm the scene below the stairs again, then slowly said,"That... is the hall where we just ate, right?"Usopp shrank his neck, cautiously sticking out half his body to peer down the stairs.The hall, which should have been brightly lit with Hogback and Sindry present, was now pitch black, terrifyingly silent, with only a few wisps of bleak Moonlight filtering through the high windows, casting blurry, distorted patches of light onto the magnificent carpet."Eh? Wh-why..."Usopp's voice couldn't help but start trembling, filled with thick terror,"The room... is pitch black! Where did the doctor and the others go?""As I thought..."Chopper also stopped in his tracks, his blue nose twitching nervously, "There is no scent of them.""Let's go, let's go down and see."Nami took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, shielding the candle holder in front of her, and took the lead down the stairs.Usopp and Chopper exchanged a look; although they were scared, they had no choice but to bite the bullet and follow.Standing in the center of the vast, dark, cold hall, the three felt as if they were surrounded by an invisible silence. The candlelight could only illuminate a very small circle; the expensive furniture and portraits on the walls around them were hidden in thick shadows, as if they had turned into lurking monsters."Mi-Miss Sindry...?"Usopp called out in a low voice, his voice sounding weak and powerless in the huge space."Do-Doctor? Dr. Hogback, where are you?"Chopper's voice was slightly louder, but it also revealed obvious unease."We... we've finished our bath."Nami raised her voice to say this, but her voice went from strong to weak, eventually dissipating into the silence without receiving any response. Only deathly silence.And the strange Moonlight filtering through the stained glass windows, distorted by the fog, coldly shone on the stiff faces of the figures in the portraits on the walls, making their eyes seem to come alive in the darkness, silently staring at the three uninvited guests."Um..."Usopp looked at this hair-raising atmosphere, his teeth starting to chatter uncontrollably."Do-Doctor...?"Chopper's call also became smaller and smaller, a drop of cold sweat sliding down his forehead."Fu, fu, fu—!"Just then, the huge bronze chandelier above their heads, without warning, lit up one by one on its own! Dozens of candles ignited with dim yellow flames simultaneously, suddenly illuminating the entire hall!"Eh—!!!"The sudden light did not bring a sense of security, but instead gave the three a huge fright, their hearts almost jumping out of their throats."The two of them... have already gone to rest."A familiar voice came from above their heads.Usopp looked up, instantly furious, his fear diluted a bit:"Ah! It's you! Hilton! You damn bat!"Seeing that purple-gray bat-like creature—Hilton—hanging leisurely upside down on the magnificent crystal chandelier bracket with its hooked hind limbs, swaying slightly with the candlelight.Usopp stepped forward, pointing at it and cursing:"You bastard! Back in the forest just now, you actually left us in that ghost graveyard full of zombies! You almost got us torn to pieces!""J-just now?"Because Hilton was hanging upside down, cold sweat dripped along its hairline, landing on the clean dining table below, making a slight "drip" sound,"I... I went to 'relieve myself' with the carriage horses, so... I left for a little while...""You're just making up lies!"Nami put her hands on her hips, anger burning in her eyes,"You and the monsters on this island are in cahoots, right! That carriage was also a trap!""Don-don't say it like that..."Hilton released its claws, flapped its wings, and glided lightly down onto the railing at the corner of the stairs. It turned slowly, making a respectful gesture toward the left corridor to the three,"This way, please, honorable guests. Let me take you to comfortable bedrooms to rest.""You still want to 'lead the way'?"Usopp snorted with a weird sound through his nose, mocking,"Do you think I've lost my mind? That I'd still believe you?""You have completely lost our trust."Nami was full of disdain, hugging her arms tightly, her tone resolute,"I'm afraid the road you're pointing to isn't to the bedroom at all, but to the entrance of real hell, right? As it happens, we've finished our bath, so we'll just take our leave now!""Sigh!"Chopper, however, had all his fur standing on end, his little face full of unwillingness and pleading,"Wait a minute, Nami! I-I haven't talked to Dr. Hogback yet! Let me talk to him again, even just to ask about his research!"Hilton pursed its lips, standing on the railing looking at a loss, as if it didn't know how to deal with these divided opinions."Hehehe... you've been abandoned, Hilton."Just then, a strange, low, and magnetic female voice rang out in the hall without warning, its source impossible to pin down."Who? Who's speaking?"Chopper and the others immediately tensed up, standing back-to-back and scanning their surroundings, while the candlelight cast their panicked shadows onto the walls and ceiling, flickering incessantly."Leave me alone!"Hilton glanced behind him, somewhat annoyed—it was a wall covered in portraits."I'll safely take them to the bedroom, so there's no need for you to run your mouth!""Forget it, Hilton."The female voice rang out again, and this time, the source was clear—it was the life-sized portrait of a woman on the wall behind Hilton!The woman in the painting had long black hair draped over her shoulders, slender eyes, and a delicate but gloomy face, with several distinct stitch marks on her skin.At this moment, her mouth on the canvas was opening and closing, making sound!Chopper's eyes went wide, and he blinked hard several times, suspecting he was hallucinating, standing frozen in place."W-w-why..." His teeth began to chatter.Nami's terrified gaze was locked onto that eerie portrait, her lips slightly parted, but she couldn't form a complete syllable: "The... the painting...""Sp-sp-spoke!!" Usopp used all his strength, trembling as he finished Nami's sentence."Hehe..."The woman in the painting let out a low chuckle, her slender eyes seeming to roll, glancing toward them.She even extended a tongue made of paint beyond the boundaries of the canvas, licking lips that were also depicted in oil paint!"These people... have already sensed something is wrong. Perhaps, before they actually escape..." The voice of the woman in the painting suddenly turned cold and greedy.Suddenly!"Whoosh—!"The woman's neck in the painting suddenly stretched forward, and that delicate, stitched-up head actually broke through the plane of the canvas, "drilling" its way out of the oil painting! It was like a venomous snake emerging from its nest!This extremely terrifying, defying-all-logic scene left the three of them scared out of their wits, almost petrified!Their trembling fingers pointed at the woman's head hanging in mid-air, connected by a long "painted neck," their mouths opening and closing in vain, but paralyzed by extreme fear, unable to make a sound, only gulping down air."Scared? How cute~~"The woman's "neck" stood upright in the air like a cobra, swaying from side to side, savoring their fear."Simply too cute!" She suddenly lowered her head, her voice turning sweet yet dangerous, "That's why I must..."Before she could finish!She thrust her head forward, and her entire upper body shot out from the frame!The formerly static oil-painted dress unfurled in the air, and a pair of pale, sharp-nailed hands reached straight for Chopper, who was closest to the painting!"Keep you here—! Little ones!""Ah—!!!"Extreme fear temporarily stripped them of their ability to act. Chopper only had time to let out a short scream before he was firmly grabbed by those cold, stiff hands!"Chopper!!"Although Nami was terrified, seeing her friend in danger, her protective instinct instantly overcame her fear. She lunged forward desperately, grabbing Chopper's two hind hooves with both hands, struggling against the strength of the zombie from the painting, trying to pull Chopper back."Good, Nami! Go for it! Use electricity! Use lightning to shock her!"Usopp was dancing around in panic on the sidelines, cheering loudly, but was too afraid to step forward."Why don't you come over and help! Idiot!"Nami gritted her teeth and retorted; it wasn't that she didn't want to use electricity, but the lightning would conduct through Chopper, who was in contact with the zombie, and she was afraid of hurting him!However, before Usopp could react, another decorative painting on the wall behind him, a boar's head specimen embedded in an ornate frame, also "came to life"!The boar's head in the wooden frame rolled its glass eyes, revealing an extremely human-like smirk, and its specimen hooves actually reached out of the frame, grabbed the two ceremonial longswords that had been decoratively crossed beneath the frame, and hurled them toward Usopp's back!Usopp inexplicably felt the hair on his back stand on end, a chill shooting straight to his scalp! At the critical moment, relying on the intuition honed from long adventures, he lunged to the side!"Shing! Shing!" The two longswords flew past his body, embedding themselves deep into the thick white bear-skin rug where he had been standing, the blades still vibrating and humming."Ehh—!!!" Usopp was so shocked his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, scrambling to safety."Hehehe..." The boar's head specimen painting let out a muffled laugh, with a clear number "298" on its head."The 'Captain' of this room is me, Lord Pucchichak! Hahaha! None of you are escaping this room!""Nami! Did you see that? The specimen on the wall, it spoke!!" Usopp screamed at Nami, who was still struggling with the female zombie from the painting."It's clearly a specimen! How could it...""Ehh—!!!" Suddenly, the huge white bear-skin rug they were standing on arched up violently!The edges of the rug "curled up," standing like a real beast, revealing the pattern of sharp claws and teeth drawn underneath, which now seemed to have taken on a physical presence!In the center of the rug, where the bear head pattern had been, it actually "opened" its eyes, baring a mouth full of sharp teeth, and let out a roar:"Who is it? Who stuck a sword in my butt? Was it you? Brat!!"The bear-skin rug turned its head, squinting one eye, and fiercely "stared" at Usopp, who had just poked his head out from behind a sofa."Ah—!!! Nami! You were absolutely right!!" Usoppclutched his head, staggering left and right on the undulating, wave-like rug, barely able to stand,"This building really is full of zombies!! Even the rug is one!!""Ah!" Usopp slipped, and was about to fall off the violently heaving "rug wave" and into that gaping maw.In his panic, his peripheral vision caught sight of the huge candelabra in the center of the room!His survival instinct exploded; he mustered all his strength for a leap, his hands narrowly grabbing the ornate metal stand of the candelabra, hanging in mid-air like a monkey.Once his shock subsided slightly, Usopp looked down at the roaring bear-skin rug, then at the several thick candles he was holding—which he'd grabbed from the candelabra—and an idea suddenly popped into his head.He scrambled up using his hands and feet to a relatively stable position at the top of the candelabra, then without hesitation, pulled off all the burning and unlit candles, clutching them in his arms."Take this! You're just a rug bear! I, the great Usopp, am not afraid of you!"He gathered his courage and threw a burning candle with all his might at the bear-skin rug below!"Plop!" The candle hit the rug, rolled a few times, and the flame immediately licked onto the dry fabric fibers."Ah! Oh no! It's fire! It's candles!" The bear-skin rug let out a terrified shriek, its flat body frantically patting its chest in an attempt to extinguish the flames, "Ah! Hot! It burns! So hot!""Ah! It's fire! So scary!!" The other zombie portraits on the wall also "came to life" one after another, letting out terrified screams as the characters in the paintings clutched their heads and swayed."Quick, put it out!""Oh no! That long-nose climbed onto the candelabra!""Knock him down!"Usopp stood atop the high candelabra, holding a bunch of candles of various lengths in his arms, as if he possessed a powerful magical artifact.Looking at the various zombie "decorations" below, which were in chaos and clearly terrified of the fire, his courage swelled significantly."Come on! You monsters and demons! I, the great Usopp, have already figured out your weakness!"Usopp lit the candles in his hands one by one, then, like throwing bombs, hurled them at the paintings on the wall, the three-dimensional specimens, and the bear-skin rug that was scurrying around trying to put out the fire!"Go to hell, all of you! Take this! Take this! Take this!!"The burning candles traced orange-red arcs through the air, landing on tapestries, beside wooden furniture, and near piles of books... Immediately, smoke began to rise, and several small flames "whooshed" up, spreading rapidly!The light in the hall flickered wildly, thick smoke rose everywhere, and mixed with the terrified screams of the zombies, the scene was in total chaos!The female zombie in the painting holding Chopperwas also startled by the flying flames and thick smoke, and her grip involuntarily loosened."Ah! It's fire! Get away from it! I hate fire the most!" She screamed, trying to pull her head back into the painting, but unwilling to let go of Chopper, she became flustered."Nice work, Usopp!" Nami felt the opponent's grip loosen, seized the opportunity to exert force, and pulled Chopper completely free, shielding him behind her.She hadn't dared to use her power earlier for fear of hurting Chopper, but now she had no such reservations.Her long orange hair stirred without wind, tiny golden sparks of electricity dancing at the tips, and lightning flickered in Nami's azure eyes.She slowly straightened up, unhooked the clima-tact from her waist, and with a "click," it assembled, its cold metal tip pointing toward the chaotic hall, her voice devoid of any remaining fear, leaving only the icy sternness of someone thoroughly enraged:"Have you had enough... you bunch of spooky trash?""The navigator... is really angry."
Chapter 240: Ryuma and Perona AppearAn angry Nami, her orange hair fluttering slightly from static electricity, with fine, dazzling golden thunder flowing around her body, the crackling arcs of electricity illuminating her like a thunder god descended to earth.Her eyes were cold as she locked onto the woman still trying to drag Chopper into the painting. Raising her fingertip, highly compressed lightning condensed into a point of blinding white light."Lightning Spear.""Zzzzt—!"A searing white beam of lightning, condensed like a needle and moving so fast only an afterimage remained, shot out from her fingertip. It instantly pierced the air and struck with precision right into the center of the female zombie's forehead in the painting!"Ah—!"The woman let out a short, sharp scream. Her raised head froze, a charred little hole appearing on her forehead with wisps of smoke rising from its edges. The malice and greed in her eyes were instantly replaced by emptiness and shock.This fierce, precise, and powerful strike instantly intimidated all the restless zombies in the room!Whether it was the portraits on the wall, the three-dimensional specimens, or the bear rug, all of them seemed to have been hit with a mute button, staring in terror at the orange-haired girl whose fingertips still crackled with electric sparks.After a brief silence, Chopper and Usopp also snapped back to reality."Nice work, Nami!"Chopper immediately switched to his Arm Point human-beast form, clenching his little hooves, his eyes turning sharp."That's right! Let me show you the power of the great Usopp!"Usopp also mustered his courage, quickly pulling back his slingshot and loading a special Gunpowder Star. He and Chopper stood on either side of Namito protect her; although his legs were still shaking a bit, his aura was already different.The next few minutes became a one-sided "cleanup" time.Under the threat and precise strikes of Nami's lightning, the assistance of Chopper's brute strength, and the coordination of Usopp's various interfering ammunition, these "zombie decorations" in the mansion hall, which had originally been baring their fangs and brandishing claws, quickly realized the reality. They let out whimpers of terror and scrambled to shrink back into their picture frames, returning to the static state of specimens. Even that bear-skin rug tried hard to flatten itself out, pretending to be just an ordinary rug.The hall returned to silence, with only the lingering smoke from a few extinguished small flames remaining."Nami..." Chopper deactivated his enhanced form and trotted to Nami's side. He looked up, his big eyes sparkling with excitement and pleading, "Anyway, since things are already like this... why don't we... why don't we go check out Doctor Hogback's laboratory? We might be able to find clues about the zombies and his research!""Sigh..." Nami looked at Chopper's expectant gaze, glanced at the messy hall, and sighed helplessly.She walked over to the "playing dead" bear-skin rug—it was currently trying its best to shrink into the smallest ball possible, its edges still trembling slightly.Nami crouched down, the tip of her index finger once again crackling with a dangerous spark of lightning, and gently pressed it against the forehead of the charred rug."Hey, big guy, stop pretending." Nami's voice was calm but carried an unquestionable sense of oppression, "You only have one chance to answer. Treasure it."At this moment, Nami had completely shed her fear of the unknown existence of "zombies." The keenness, boldness, and toughness of a navigator of the Straw Hat Pirates when provoked were fully displayed.The bear rug playing dead felt the destructive energy so close that it could turn it into ashes, and it could no longer keep up the act. It suddenly "opened" its eyes, its voice filled with a crying tone: "Don't, don't be impulsive! Your Majesty! I'll talk! I'll tell you everything! Whatever you ask, I'll answer! Please don't shock me!""Very good." Nami stood up, but one foot remained firmly planted on the bear rug's head. She looked down at it with a disdainful gaze, "Speak, where is that unspeakable laboratory of Hogback's?""It's, it's...""I command you as Captain—do not speak! You traitor! Have you forgotten the consequences of disobeying the master's orders?"The pig-head specimen painting on the wall—Number 298, Puchi Chuck—suddenly "came to life" again, its face gloomy, and it shouted sternly."Oh~?" Nami slowly raised her head, her gaze like lightning shooting towards the pig-head specimen on the wall. She twirled her index finger gently, the lightning crackling, "Stubborn pig head... it seems you know even more!""Y-Your Majesty! I, I...""Zzzzt—!" Nami didn't give it a chance to hesitate at all. With a slight movement of her fingertip, a thin bolt of lightning whipped towards the pig-head specimen on the wall!"Ah—!" Puchi Chuck let out a miserable scream, then fell off the wall with a "clatter" and landed on the floor.Nami then walked over unhurriedly, raised her foot, and stepped on the pig's face, her voice cold: "I don't like you talking above my head. Now, you tell me.""Whew..." Seeing this, the bear rug felt a lingering fear and continued to lie there playing dead.On the other side, Usopp tried pushing the heavy, ornate main door of the hall, only to find it wouldn't budge. "Nami, the door seems to be locked from the outside, or there's some mechanism! Should we force it open?""Forget it." Nami shook her head, her gaze still fixed on the pig painting under her foot, "In case we accidentally blow up that 'laboratory' Chopper has been longing for, a certain reindeer will be crying again.""I wouldn't!" Chopper retorted, blushing, but the anticipation in his eyes grew stronger.Nami gathered a fist-sized, crackling ball of lightning again and slowly moved it closer to the pig-head frame she was stepping on: "Don't waste time. If you don't want to turn into ashes, tell me everything you know about this house and the secrets of the laboratory.""I, I'll talk! The fireplace! The fireplace in the middle! That's the secret passage to the laboratory below!"Under the threat of the lightning ball, the pig-head Puchi Chuck confessed quickly."Anything else?" Nami and Chopper exchanged a glance.Chopper immediately trotted over and pushed hard against the bricks inside the fireplace. "Click... creak—!" A slight sound of a mechanism turning rang out, and the stone wall inside the fireplace, which had seemed solid, slowly flipped to one side, revealing a horizontally extending, pitch-black opening behind it!"Nami! There really is a passage!" Chopper shouted back, pleasantly surprised."Very good." Nami nodded, the lightning ball inching closer to the pig painting, "What else? Who is your boss? Don't tell me it's Hogback; he doesn't have the ability or the guts to control such a large island and so many... 'things'."The pig-head Puchi Chuck shrank its neck in terror and spat out a name in a dry voice: "Gekko Moriah...""Gekko Moriah?" Nami frowned slightly, searching her memory for the name, but it didn't seem familiar, "I've never heard of him.""Eh—?! You've never heard of Gekko Moriah?" The other zombie paintings on the wall couldn't help but poke their heads out again, exclaiming in collective disbelief."Is he a very famous person?" Usopp scratched his head."Young man!" The long-haired female zombie painting, whose forehead had been pierced but hadn't "died completely" yet, spoke weakly, "If you haven't heard of Moriah... you must have heard of the 'Seven Warlords of the Sea', right?""Eh?!" This time, Nami, Chopper, and Usopp were truly shocked."Could Moriah be on the same level as that sand-playing Crocodile from Alabasta...?" Chopper was a bit unsure."That makes sense..." Nami nodded thoughtfully, putting away the lightning ball and releasing her foot from the frame, "Only a guy of that level could possess such a vast and eerie 'territory' and do these things."She turned and walked toward the secret passage in the fireplace, her tone returning to her usual shrewd and decisive self, "Whatever with the Seven Warlords or Eight Warlords, Luffy and Mark are around anyway. The priority is to go to that laboratory first and see if there's anything... valuable.""Eh?" Chopper's eyes widened, "Aren't we going to explore the mysteries of the zombies?""While we're at it, getting some 'emotional damages,' 'fright compensation,' and 'labor fees' is perfectly reasonable, right?" Nami shrugged, her eyes seemingly turning into Berries symbols in the dim light, "After all the fear we've been through on this trip, we need to have something to show for it."Chopper and Usopp recalled everything since boarding the Mini Merry II: encountering the ghost ship, falling into the bone trench, being chased by zombies, riding the ghost carriage, and being attacked by the zombies in the house. They agreed deeply and nodded in unison: "Reasonable! Very reasonable!"The three of them didn't delay any longer. Namiheld a candlestick and walked in front, and they crawled into the secret passage behind the fireplace one by one.The passage was cold and damp, a horizontal stone corridor. There were also some portraits hanging on the walls, but the zombies inside seemed to have been scared out of their wits by the carnage in the hall and Nami's lightning methods. They only dared to peek half an eye out from the edge of the frames, stealing terrified glances at the three of them, not daring to breathe.At the end of the corridor was a heavy wooden door. Nami pushed it tentatively; it wasn't locked and swung inward with a "creak."The scene behind the door, however, left them stunned.It was completely different from the "horror laboratory" they had imagined, filled with operating tables, glass jars soaking organs, and emitting pungent odors. The room was spacious and bright, but it didn't have any research equipment inside.Instead, the walls were covered with dense layers of photos! The subject of the photos, without exception, was a beautiful woman with short hair.She had a sweet smile and an elegant temperament, whether shining brightly on stage or being quiet and gentle in her daily life. The photos, large and small, recorded every moment of her life."Are... are these photos?" Usopp let out a sigh of relief, his tense nerves relaxing slightly, "As long as it's not zombies... but this atmosphere is so strange.""Isn't this that girl?" Nami frowned, walked closer to the wall, and carefully examined a close-up photo, "The maid who hates plates... Sindry?""What's going on with this room?" Chopper looked around, full of confusion, "It doesn't seem like a laboratory... did that zombie pig head lie?"The Sindry in the photos had a bright smile and clear eyes, with no signs of stitching on her face or body, completely different from the expressionless, stiff-moving maid with stitches on her face in the mansion."Looking closely, she really is a beautiful woman..." Nami looked at the photos, somewhat lost in thought."Could this... just be her own room?" Usopp looked around and offered a guess."Probably not." Nami immediately retorted. As a woman, she instinctively felt something was wrong, "Who would plaster their own room with so many photos of themselves? Especially in this... almost exhibition-like way. And, if it were her room, how could there be no traces of her personal life? Only photos.""And," Chopper added from a doctor's professional perspective, "The maid Sindry has obvious stitching marks on her body and face, but there are none at all in these photos. These must be her... photos from the past. What on earth happened to her?"Nami walked to a desk in the center of the room, where a large, thick book, similar to a scrapbook, was lying. She carefully began to flip through it."This is..." Nami flipped to a certain page, and her movements stopped.She summarized the contents above in a low voice: "She seems to be... a very famous stage actress.""Swish—" She flipped through a few more pages."Look, guys, this is almost entirely filled with reports and reviews about her!"Nami pointed to the pages, which were plastered with clippings from various newspapers and magazines, all without exception praising this talented actress."A stage actress?" Usopp spread his hands, even more confused, "But this has nothing to do with the cold, plate-smashing maid we saw in the mansion... not even a little bit! Does it say anything about her being kicked out by her fiancé or working as a maid?"Nami frowned, skimming the text quickly: "Judging by these reports, she came from a good background, received an elite education, and shone on stage from a young age... It's hard to imagine she would have the kind of down-and-out experience Hogbackmentioned—'hating plates' or being cast out by her fiancé."Her fingers trembled slightly as she continued to turn the pages, searching for potential clues.Suddenly, she froze, her pupils slightly constricted, and the fingers gripping the edge of the page trembled."What's wrong, Nami?" Chopper noticed the drastic change in her expression and quickly asked.Nami's voice carried a hint of imperceptible trembling as she slowly read aloud a bolded headline on the clipping: "...Ten years ago, due to an accidental failure of stage equipment... fell from a great height... unfortunately... died.""Ehhh~~~!" Chopper and Usopp drew out the sound, jumping back a step in unison, their hands splayed, mouths open wide enough to fit an egg, their faces filled with extreme horror!"W-w-w-what are you saying?" Usopp waved his arms in a panic, incoherent, "Isn't she... living perfectly fine... in the mansion? She even served us pudding!""I-if the report is true..." Chopper clutched his head, feeling his medical knowledge and worldview collapsing, biting his teeth in fear, "T-then that means... she was 'brought back to life'?""Huh?" Nami and Usopp snapped their heads around, looking at Chopper in terror."That means..." Usopp's voice began to shake."That means the zombies and monsters we've seen on this island..." Chopper's voice trembled with disbelief, "...are very likely the products of 'resurrection'!""Clatter!" Nami lost her grip, and the heavy scrapbook slid from her hands, landing hard on the table."How could this happen... things are getting more and more ridiculous!" Usopp said while instinctively backing away, "First the skeleton whose shadow was stolen, then the floating ghosts, then the moving zombies, and now 'resurrected people'...""Thud!" His back hit a heavy-looking wooden chest leaning against the wall, "Ouch!" Usopp tripped over the chest and landed on his butt."What are you doing? You scared me!" Nami was jolted back to her senses by the noise and turned to glare at Usopp.Immediately, her gaze was drawn to the antique wooden chest. The chest shimmered with a brilliant light."Hey! Usopp, that!" Nami's voice suddenly rose! Her eyes changed instantly; her azure pupils were replaced by shimmering Berries symbols "$ $"!She cupped her face, her body twisting involuntarily, her voice syrupy sweet: "Isn't~ this~ a~ treasure~ chest~?""That transition was way too fast!!!" Choppercouldn't help but retort."Usopp! Hurry! Hurry and open that chest!" Namiurged in a sweet, expectant, and commanding tone."O-oh~!" Usopp, still sitting on the floor, replied somewhat blankly and crawled over to the chest. He took a deep breath, filled with a mix of anticipation and unease, and slammed open the lid—"Boom—!!!" A giant zombie with a blue afro, clown makeup, a long tongue, and sharp claws on its hands sprang out of the chest! It let out a weird, cackling laugh in a gloomy, raspy voice: "The~ trea~sure~ isn't~ here~!""Ah————!!!" The sudden shock made the three of them lose their wits instantly. The previous reasoning, shock, and anticipation for the treasure chest were all thrown to the winds, leaving only the most instinctive fear!They let out a glass-shattering scream in unison, turned around, and sprinted out of the room at top speed, tearing down another corridor!A moment later, in a long stone corridor. "Haa... haa..." The three of them leaned against the walls, panting, and finally stopped.Usopp was the first to catch his breath, rubbing the back of his head and muttering to himself in a daze: "Come to think of it... why did we run? Wasn't that just a 'resurrected person'?""That's because you two are cowards!" Nami, having caught her breath, immediately put her hands on her hips and pointed an accusing finger, huffing, "Why were you screaming like that?! You made me run too!"She paused, then quickly switched gears: "But didn't that chest zombie say? 'The treasure isn't here'... that means the treasure is somewhere else? We need to go find that'somewhere else'!"Just after Nami and the others left the corridor— "Clack, clack, clack..." A clear, rhythmic sound of wooden clogs echoed from afar, approaching in the empty, silent stone gallery. The sound was unhurried, yet carried an inexplicable sense of oppression."Oh my, oh my, it's the bodyguard!" The zombie portraits on the walls poked their heads out again, their tone even more respectful than before, tinged with fear, "It seems... some rude little mice have invaded."A figure slowly stepped out from the shadows at the end of the corridor. He wore traditional Japanese hakama with a white haori over it and wooden clogs on his feet. His face was a skull wrapped in withered skin, clearly a mummy, and he carried a long sword with a beautifully curved blade at his waist."It's~ fine~" He raised his bony hand and pressed it gently against the hilt of his sword. His skeletal mouth opened and closed, emitting a low laugh with a strange rhythm, "Yohohoho... I'll go catch them now.""Yo~ho~ho~ho~..." The eerie laughter echoed through the corridor, and accompanied by the sound of wooden clogs, it gradually moved in the direction Nami and the others had left.On the other side of the forest, Luffy and his group were still trekking leisurely through the thick fog."That's why I'm saying, stop trying to recruit every weird thing you find as a crewmate!" Sanji, with a cigarette in his mouth, looked sideways at Luffy, who was sitting on the back of the three-headed dog, and began his "lecture," "We already have a raccoon-dog and a robot on the ship... that's rowdy enough!""Hey! I'm not a robot! I'm a cyborg! A Super cyborg! You idiot!" A vein popped on Franky's forehead, and he immediately retorted loudly."I'm a reindeer! Not a raccoon-dog! You jerk!" A voice imitating Chopper's tone and mannerisms suddenly cut in. Mark spread his hands, perfectly mimicking the little reindeer's aggrieved and bristling demeanor, "If Chopper were here, he'd definitely yell at you like that.""Pfft—hahaha! It's just like him! It's so alike, Mark!" Luffy clutched his stomach, laughing so hard on the three-headed dog's back that he nearly fell off, "I didn't know you had this talent! Quick, quick, imitate Zoro!""Hey! Idiot Captain, are you even listening to me?" More veins popped on Sanji's forehead, "And you, Franky! With that hunk of iron you're wearing, can you even be considered 'human' anymore?""Idiot! My essence is obviously human!" Frankypointed his thumb forcefully at himself, his spit nearly spraying onto Sanji's face."Your essence should be 'pervert'!" Sanji roared, correcting him."Eh?" Franky paused for a second, then actually showed a slightly shy expression, rubbing the back of his head, "Well... if that's how you see it... I guess that's not wrong!""Oh~! I wasn't complimenting you!" Sanji fanned the air in front of him with a look of disgust."What~ will happen~ next~!" Luffy completely ignored the argument, expressing his anticipation in a sing-song tone, his body swaying to the rhythm, "I'm~ so~ excited~~!""Hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm~~ la-la-la~~" He simply started tapping out a beat on the three-headed dog's broad back, bobbing his head as he hummed an improvised, tuneless song, while the three-headed dog walked along listlessly with its three heads hanging low."The treant and unicorn from earlier had them too." Robin, who had been observing quietly, suddenly spoke in a calm voice."Have what?" Zoro, holding his swords, walked alongside her and glanced at the lethargic three-headed dog upon hearing this.Merry answered first, gently tapping an inconspicuous spot under the neck of the fox head in the middle of the three-headed dog: "I know it's bandages and stitches..." Her finger slid to the side of the dog head's neck, "...and a number.""As expected of Merry, very smart!" Robin smiled and gave Merry a thumbs up! Zoro indeed saw the number "82".He looked toward the dim forest path ahead, his gaze sharpening: "There really is. So, does that mean someone is 'managing' or, shall we say, 'marking' them?" Robin also looked into the depths of the fog, her tone certain: "Yes, that's it.""Depressed~ depressed~ depressed~~" A shrill, ethereal, little girl's voice with an eerie childlike quality rang out without warning above the forest path ahead, as if humming some strange nursery rhyme."Huh?... Sounds like there's some noise!" Luffystopped humming, pricked up his ears, looked up, and peered curiously at the area above, which was obscured by the dense canopy."Depressed~ depressed~ depressed~~" The voice grew clearer and more cheerful, approaching rapidly."Ehh!" Mark suddenly shrank his neck, slowing his pace imperceptibly to fall to the back of the group, a strange expression mixing vigilance and "this is going to be good" on his face. He remembered now—this conceptual-level troublesome Devil Fruit ability..."Depressed! Depressed! Depressed!" Accompanied by the increasingly cheerful humming, a white, semi-transparent ghost, about a meter in diameter and resembling an oversized weather doll, drifted lightly out of the canopy of an old tree ahead! It had a big round head, a tiny body, a simple smiley face drawn on it, and a short tail. As it hummed, it performed cute spins in the air, floating right in front of Luffy."It appeared—!!!" Luffy's eyes instantly went round, his eyeballs bulging out exaggeratedly, his jaw hanging down onto the three-headed dog's back, revealing his serrated teeth. Pointing at the white ghost in front of him, he shouted in a voice filled with amazement and excitement: "It's a ghost