"Just take it slow."
Meiser leisurely walked to the ship's side, admiring the underwater scenery as he said: "This way we can enjoy the view of the ocean too."
"That's true."
Usopp, now back to normal, nodded and then relaxed as he joined Meiser in appreciating the ocean scenery.
"That fish is really big," Usopp remarked.
"It probably tastes good too."
"That's for sur..."
Before Usopp could finish his sentence, he realized something was wrong.
That sounded like Luffy's voice!
"Watch me take it down with Gomu Gomu Gatling!" Luffy exclaimed excitedly.
"Then I'll slice up that other fish!" Zoro said excitedly, eyeing another deep-sea giant. "I bet it tastes pretty good too~"
"Alright!"
"Then let's compete..."
"Stop it!"
"Thump!!"
"Thump!!"
After punching both idiots to the ground, Usopp opened his shark-like mouth and roared: "You two idiots, did you even listen to what Nami said!"
"If you make too many holes, it'll be beyond saving!"
"That's right, you idiots!" Chopper also opened his shark-like mouth and yelled: "No more of that, or we'll beat you up!"
If the coating broke because of these two fools' actions... there would be nowhere to cry about it.
Seeing this, Luffy and Zoro looked somewhat helpless but didn't cause any more trouble.
Then, Luffy turned to Meiser and said: "Hey, Meiser, since Sanji's in no condition to cook right now, bring out the lunch boxes."
Before leaving Kuja Island, Meiser had bought a lot of food. Just thinking about the taste of that food made Luffy drool.
"Oh, right."
Meiser nodded as if remembering something, then took out a Sealing Scroll and retrieved all the food he had bought on Kuja Island.
"Try it," Meiser said. "This is specialty cuisine from the Island of Women."
"What?!"
Hearing Meiser's words, Sanji immediately perked up, then shakily got to his feet and shuffled toward Meiser like a zombie.
Meiser:
What's with this excited yet terrifying expression?
Shaking his head, Meiser took one portion of food and placed it in Sanji's hands, saying earnestly: "Here, try it."
"The Island of Women's cuisine..."
Looking at the food in his hands, Sanji's expression gradually became more and more excited.
Seeing this, Perona didn't hesitate to act.
"Negative Spirit!"
"Whoosh"
"I... I'm such an idiot..."
Watching Sanji get knocked down again, Meiser shook his head helplessly, then distributed the food to his crewmates.
"Ah! So delicious!" Chopper said happily. "I love this dessert!"
"Then eat more~" Meiser said with a laugh, ruffling the little one's head.
"Mm!"
Seeing the little one's reaction, Meiser smiled even more brightly.
Afterward, he took out the three Devil Fruits and placed them on a nearby table.
"Huh?"
Zoro, who had been drinking, paused in surprise and said, "Aren't those Devil Fruits?"
"You've seen them before?" Meiser asked, looking at Zoro in surprise.
"Though I haven't seen the real thing, I've seen pictures of similar ones," Zoro replied honestly.
During the two years of training with Hawkeye, he had seen some books in that building.
Among them was a drawing depicting Devil Fruits.
But he wasn't very interested, so he only glanced at it before moving on.
"I see," Meiser said, stroking his chin. "You must have seen the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia then."
"The Devil Fruit Encyclopedia..."
Zoro was somewhat surprised. So that thing Hawkeye had left on the table was the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia?
Why would he be looking at that?
Could it be... that this pure swordsman wanted to become a Devil Fruit Ability User?
That shouldn't be right. Given his personality, he shouldn't have developed any desire to eat a Devil Fruit.
After thinking for a moment, Zoro muttered to himself: 'He probably just happened to see it.'
With that thought, Zoro nodded to himself quietly.
"Where did you get these?" Franky asked curiously.
"Mary Geoise."
"Oh!"
Franky immediately showed an expression of sudden understanding and said, "From two years ago, right?"
"Yes."
Meiser nodded, then pointed at the three Devil Fruits and said, "You three should consider it - whether you want to take a gamble."
"What do you mean?" Franky asked, confused.
What did he mean by taking a gamble?
"Because I don't know what abilities these three Devil Fruits have," Meiser said, spreading his hands. "They're not even listed in the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia."
"So this is what you mean by taking a gamble..."
"Yes."
Hearing this, Franky fell silent for a moment, then pointed at himself, Zoro, and Sanji and said, "So these three Devil Fruits are meant for us three?"
"Correct."
Meiser nodded and said, "That's why I'm asking if you want to take a gamble."
Though they didn't know what abilities these three fruits possessed, if they could gamble and get a powerful ability... then their strength would become even greater!
"I'll pass," Franky said, shaking his head.
"You're worried about not being able to go underwater to repair the pirate ship, right?" Meiser said. "Don't worry, I have a technique that can solve that problem."
"Even if you eat a Devil Fruit, I can help you enter the sea."
"So there's such a technique?"
Franky first showed a somewhat surprised expression, then shook his head again and said, "Then I still won't eat it."
Meiser: ???
Wait, if the problem is solved, why won't you eat it?
Seeing Meiser looking at him with a puzzled expression, Franky explained: "What if when I need to repair the ship, you're not by my side?"
"Would I just not repair it then?"
Hearing this, Meiser was rendered completely speechless.
Yes, he couldn't possibly be by Franky's side all the time.
If the ship suddenly needed repairs at this moment... Franky might really be at a loss.
Thinking this, Meiser nodded in understanding.
Seeing that Meiser understood his meaning, Franky broke into a smile and continued, "Also, as a shipwright, how could I become a landlubber?"
"So I won't eat it."
He didn't care what Paulie and the others thought, but he absolutely could not become a landlubber!!
"Alright, I understand."
Meiser nodded, then turned his gaze to Zoro and Sanji.
"I'm a pure swordsman, so I can't possibly eat a Devil Fruit," Zoro said calmly. "Besides, not everyone on this ship can become landlubbers."
What if someone fell into the sea?
Yes, Meiser was a ninja and could rescue people in time.
But just as Franky said, what if Meiser wasn't around at that moment?
So he absolutely wouldn't eat it!
Meiser felt somewhat helpless but still nodded understandingly.
Then, he turned his gaze to Sanji.
"If it's not the Invisibility Fruit, then forget it," Sanji shook his head. "I won't eat it."
His dream was to eat the Invisibility Fruit, but since these weren't the Invisibility Fruit, he'd pass.
Perona: ???
Was this bastard the same type of person as Absalom?
Thinking this, Perona's eyes once again showed disgust.
Nami's reaction was even more direct.
"THWACK!!!"
After punching Sanji to the ground, Nami roared with shark-like teeth: "What the hell are you trying to do, you bastard?!"
After all this time, this guy still hadn't given up on the Invisibility Fruit... Did he want to die?!
"I... I want to enter the women's bath—Negative Spirit!"
"Ugh..." Sanji trembled again, speaking with complete despair: "I... I'm simply scum..."
Chopper: !!
"Hey, what are you two doing?!" Chopper looked at the two women in shock. "Sanji is a patient who lost too much blood!"
"He's still on an IV drip!"
Aren't they afraid they might kill Sanji?
"Don't worry, he won't die," Nami said disdainfully. "I know my limits."
Though disgusted, she still controlled her strength.
After all, he was her crewmate, and she couldn't actually kill him.
Perona indicated that her ghosts would only bring spiritual blows to Sanji and wouldn't actually harm him physically.
Hearing their explanations, Chopper opened his mouth but didn't know what to say.
Was this really okay?
"This guy really has no fear of death," Usopp muttered.
Meiser smiled at this and said, "So... you three have decided not to eat these three Devil Fruits?"
"Not eating."
Franky said, "I know you want to help improve our strength, but Devil Fruits aren't the only way."
He could rely on technology to enhance his abilities, Zoro could reach the peak through swordsmanship alone, and Sanji could display tremendous power with just his long legs. So whether they ate Devil Fruits or not made no difference to them.
Seeing that all three crewmates felt this way, Meiser shook his head helplessly and said, "Alright then."
Since they were all so insistent, Meiser stopped pressing the matter.
He then activated the Shadow Clone Technique.
Poof
White smoke quickly dissipated, revealing an identical clone standing beside Meiser.
"Is this your clone?" Perona asked curiously, stepping forward to pinch the clone's arm. "No wonder I saw two of you earlier."
Recalling events from two years ago, a hint of helplessness flashed in Perona's eyes. Who would have thought this guy could create clones?
"Exactly, this is my clone ability," Meiser nodded.
He then glanced at the clone, signaling it to begin. Without wasting words, the clone picked up the three Devil Fruits and tucked them into its clothing.
After completing this task, the clone activated Ninjutsu: Swimming Fish Dance, coating its body with a slippery, filmy layer.
"Is this the ninjutsu you mentioned?" Nami asked curiously, leaning in to touch it. "It's so slick."
"More or less," Meiser replied.
With that, he gestured for the clone to deliver the Devil Fruits to Shakky as soon as possible. The clone didn't hesitate—whooshing away and vanishing from sight in the blink of an eye.
Zoro: ???
"So fast?!" Zoro exclaimed in shock.
That swimming speed might even surpass the Fish-Man race... How terrifying!
Hearing this, Meiser smirked and said, "Underwater, my speed is far more exaggerated than you can imagine."
Using Water Release: Water Instantaneous Body Technique, his underwater mobility was akin to teleportation!
Zoro fell silent for a moment, then eyed Meister suspiciously. "You're sure you don't have any Fish-Man blood in you?"
"Of course not," Meiser retorted, rolling his eyes. "I'm fully human."
There wasn't a single trace of Fish-Man characteristics on him!
Listening to Meiser's words, Zoro grew quiet again, eventually expressing admiration. "Ninjutsu really is incredible."
It seemed to him like Meiser was capable of anything.
"Ninjutsu is far more powerful than you think," Meiser laughed.
This was just the beginning.
"Where are you planning to send those three Devil Fruits?" Franky asked curiously.
"To Shakky, of course," Meiser replied. "If she handles it, they'll sell for a higher price."
If these three Devil Fruits made it to auction... the transaction could potentially exceed one billion Berries!
So entrusting her with the sale was the best option.
"But how will you get the money?"
"Ah, no rush," Meiser waved dismissively. "I currently have thirty billion Berries on hand, so there's no need to collect the payment immediately."
Whenever they needed it, they could just have Shakky send someone to deliver the funds.
"Wait, hold on!" Sanji suddenly looked up, staring at Meiser in astonishment. "Did I just hear something unbelievable?"
"Me too..." Zoro gazed blankly at Meiser. Had he just said... thirty billion?
Meanwhile, Frankiy stared at Meiser in shock, recalling what Meiser had mentioned earlier about the origins of the three Devil Fruits.
Could it be... that he seized thirty billion from Mary Geoise?
"You heard correctly." Meiser crossed his arms, grinning as he looked at the three of them. "I do indeed have around thirty billion Berries on hand."
Gulp
All three swallowed simultaneously, their eyes filled with disbelief.
Meiser had actually managed to steal this much money... Did this mean their Straw Hat Pirates would never have to worry about funds again?
At this thought, all three grew visibly excited.
This man was truly the financial god of their Straw Hat Pirates!
Noticing their reactions, Meiser gave them a thumbs-up. "This haul was particularly bountiful."
"Bountiful is an understatement..."
They hadn't even heard of such amounts, let alone dared to imagine them!
But Meiser had...
Amazing!
"By the way," Usopp suddenly remembered something, "Meiser, you stole so much from the Celestial Dragons... Won't they track you down?"
Although the money was substantial, it came with risks. If those guys managed to trace it back and discover Meiser was still alive... things could get complicated.
"Don't worry," Meiser reassured. "Shakky is a professional. There won't be any issues."
"That's a relief..." Usopp sighed.
"Don't celebrate too soon," Nami interjected. "The World Government will eventually find out Meiser is alive. So... before that happens, we need to strengthen ourselves as much as possible!"
"Understood!" everyone nodded in agreement.
They were well aware of what the World Government would do upon discovering Meiser, so they'd train even harder to improve their abilities!
Observing their determined responses, Meiser nodded to himself.
Pressure breeds motivation... So everyone, strive to grow stronger!
"Then I'll work on developing my ability," Usopp declared, preparing to step aside and study his Devil Fruit power.
But before he could move, Nami stopped him.
"What's wrong?"
"We're in the deep sea right now, so it's better not to do anything unnecessary," Nami cautioned.
If he accidentally used his ability and burst the bubble... they'd have nowhere to even cry about it.
This was one reason she hadn't used her own power since entering the ocean.
Usopp paused, then grasped her meaning.
"Alright, I understand."
To avoid accidents, it was best to stay cautious.
"Speaking of which..." Zoro glanced at Nami. "I remember seeing some white clouds floating around you when we were on the surface?"
"Yes, that's right."
Nami nodded. "I ate the Logia type Cloud-Cloud Fruit, so my body can emit white clouds."
As she spoke, she conjured a small puff of white cloud in her palm for Zoro to see, clarifying how it worked.
Watching her retract the cloud, Zoro remarked, "So you've become a Devil Fruit user too."
"Of course," Nami affirmed. "Meiser brought back Devil Fruits for me as well."
Hearing this, Zoro fell silent for a moment, his expression turning thoughtful.
Meiser has really gone to great lengths to enhance their strength.
It must be said that Meiser's approach is correct.
Although the three of them don't need to eat Devil Fruits, Usopp and Nami still do!
Especially Nami—with this Cloud-Cloud Fruit, her ability to survive has become even stronger!
Well done, Meiser!
As if understanding the meaning in Zoro's gaze, Meiser smiled and nodded at him.
Then, Meiser looked at Nami and said, "Your ability should grant you the power of flight, so... make sure to develop it well."
"Understood," Nami nodded.
Being able to fly into the air meant gaining an additional survival skill, which was a good thing for her.
Meiser smiled and then turned his gaze to Luffy, asking, "Luffy, what are you scheming now?"
This guy had been standing by the ship's side, staring at the various fish in the sea, and no one knew what he was thinking.
Upon hearing Meiser's words, Usopp's expression immediately changed.
He rushed to Luffy's side and said, "You're not allowed to use Gomu-Gomu Gatling on the bubbles, got it!"
"And you, you're not allowed to slash them either!"
Zoro:
What did it have to do with him? He hadn't even said a word.
Feeling utterly speechless, Zoro chose to ignore the guy.
Usopp didn't mind and instead focused his attention back on Luffy, waiting for his response.
"I don't want to attack the bubbles," Luffy said.
"Then what do you want to do?"
"I was just thinking if we could find a Sea Beast to pull the ship," Luffy replied.
After seeing how Meiser could use his ability to control Sea Kings, the idea had crossed Luffy's mind.
If they could catch a Sea Beast to pull their ship... they might reach Fish-Man Island faster.
"Using a Sea Beast to pull the ship would indeed speed things up, but there's also a chance other Sea Beasts might target us," Nami said. "At the same time... we might crash into the seabed!"
Hearing Nami's words, Usopp's face immediately paled.
He then earnestly pleaded, "For our safety, give it up, Luffy."
Even though they had only descended a few thousand meters over such a long time and it was slow, at least it was safe!
But unfortunately, Luffy didn't take their words to heart and instead gave them a big grin.
Nami:
Usopp:
They both had a bad feeling about this.
That idiot probably planned to act recklessly again.
"Don't worry, I'm here," Meiser reassured them.
Hearing Meiser's words, the two blinked and gradually relaxed.
That's right, Meiser was here.
Even if that idiot Luffy used a Sea Beast to pull them forward, nothing unexpected would happen.
With that thought, the two completely calmed down and turned to go about their own business.
"This state of Sanji's isn't sustainable," Brook said, sitting on the floor and looking at the unconscious Sanji. "Chopper, is there any way to cure him?"
Chopper, upon hearing this, replied with a troubled expression, "I've never encountered a situation like this before. I'm not sure what treatment to use for Sanji."
He had never seen this kind of illness before.
So even when it came to prescribing medicine, he had no idea what kind of medicine he should give Sanji.
"Then for Sanji..."
After glancing at the somewhat worried Brook and thinking for a moment, Chopper said, "Then let's use photos with less stimulation for his rehabilitation therapy."
That way, Sanji should be able to recover gradually."
"That seems to be the only option," Brook nodded in agreement.
He couldn't think of any other method to treat Sanji.
"I don't think that's right."
Meiser, who had moved closer, stared at Sanji lying on the ground and said, "Slowly stimulating him might indeed help him recover, but it's too slow."
"Too slow?"
Chopper was taken aback for a moment, then frowned and said, "It might be a bit slow, but I can't think of any other way."
They couldn't just stand by and do nothing while Sanji was in this state.
"No, there is another way," Meiser said with a smirk.
"Oh?!"
Hearing Meiser's words, Chopper's eyes immediately lit up.
Although he didn't know what Meiser had in mind, if Meiser thought it would work, then it probably would!
With that thought, he looked at Meiser expectantly and asked, "What's the method?"
"Before that, I need to ask a question," Meiser said.
"What question?"
"Do you still have enough blood bags?" Meiser asked. "If this idiot loses too much blood again, can he still be saved?"
Hearing Meiser's words, Chopper instinctively felt something was off, but he still answered honestly.
"No problem," Chopper nodded. "We have enough blood bags for one more use."
After saying this, Chopper looked at Meiser with confusion and continued, "What exactly are you planning to do?"
"Of course, we'll use more intense stimuli to jolt him awake," Meiser said cheerfully. "That should solve the problem in one go."
Chopper: ???
"Hey!"
Chopper stared at Meiser in disbelief and said, "Isn't that just reckless?"
"What if Sanji can't handle the shock and bursts a blood vessel?"
At that point, it might not just be a nosebleed problem...
Sanji could die from it!
"That is indeed a possibility," Meiser nodded. "But isn't Perona here?"
"If we find that he really can't handle it, we can just have Perona step in and force him to calm down."
Chopper:
Hearing Meiser's words, Chopper was rendered speechless.
But upon careful thought... this method didn't seem entirely unreasonable?
"This is indeed a viable approach," Brook said seriously. "Although there is a certain degree of risk, if it can fully restore Sanji, this level of risk is nothing."
"Besides, with two skilled doctors like you here, Sanji won't die."
"Skilled doctors..."
Chopper, praised by Brook, immediately began wriggling with joy, his expression turning very pleased.
"You jerk, I'm not happy at all, you bastard!"
Meiser:
You clearly look extremely happy!
A moment later, Chopper returned to normal and began to ponder.
After thinking for a while, Chopper looked up at Meiser and said, "Are you sure this method will work?"
"I can't guarantee it 100%," Meiser shrugged. "But it's still a method, isn't it?"
"At the very least, it's better than letting Sanji keep having nosebleeds."
If Chopper's blood bags ran out and Sanji lost too much blood again... Sanji would truly be in mortal danger!
Chopper understood Meiser's meaning, so after a brief consideration, he agreed with Meiser's idea.
Although this treatment method was somewhat absurd, the illness Sanji had contracted was even more absurd!
So... let's do it!
Meiser nodded, then turned to Perona who had remained silent and said, "You must have heard what we just discussed. I'll leave this to you, Perona."
"Mhm."
Perona nodded, then cast a disdainful glance at Sanji and said, "Don't worry, I won't let this idiot die."
Having received Perona's confirmation, Meiser said nothing more.
He then approached Sanji, looking down at him as he asked, "You heard what I said, right? Are you mentally prepared?"
Upon hearing this, Sanji nodded without hesitation. "Bring it on!"
Staying in this condition was truly no solution, so he was willing to give it a try.
Seeing this, Meiser nodded and immediately cast a Kaleidoscope Sharingan level illusion on Sanji.
"Illusion Art: Teaching Technique!"
"Buzz—"
The next moment, Sanji felt the world before his eyes transform.
"Huh?"
As Sanji surveyed his surroundings, confusion surfaced in his eyes.
Where... is this?
Why was he here?
Oh... right, Meiser had used an illusion technique on him.
So this must be the world of illusions?
With that realization, Sanji calmed down and prepared to see what Meiser wanted to show him.
But when he clearly saw the scene in the distance, a nosebleed instantly gushed out.
At that moment, only one thought crossed his mind:
Meiser, from today onward, you are my brother from another mother and father!
Back in reality, Chopper stared at Sanji in horror and exclaimed, "Hey, Sanji's nose is bleeding again!"
This time it happened without any warning—it just erupted!
Was he going to die?!
Watching Sanji gushing blood from his nose, Chopper was utterly stunned.
Brook: "..."
Just what in the world did Sanji experience inside that illusion?
Seeing the blissful expression on Sanji's face, Brook was rendered completely speechless.
Ignoring their reactions, Meiser quickly said, "Now, Perona!"
"Negative Spirit!"
"Buzz—"
"I... I'm nothing but scum..."A deeply negative Sanji successfully snapped out of his previous state, and his nosebleed stopped."
After a moment of silence, Sanji suddenly looked up at Meiser and said, "Brother, do it again!"
Meiser: "???"
Did it work or not?
Faced with Sanji's intensely expectant gaze, Meiser was left utterly speechless.
"Hey, Sanji, stop joking around!" Chopper cried out anxiously. "You could die!"
"It's fine, Chopper!"
Sanji grabbed Chopper's hand and said, "I think this treatment is very effective!"
"Look, I can look at them now without getting a nosebleed!"
As he spoke, Sanji glanced toward Nami and the others who were watching from nearby, demonstrating the results of the treatment to Chopper.
"It's actually true..."
Seeing Sanji only showing a slight change in expression, Chopper immediately revealed a surprised look and said, "This method really works..."
Although Sanji had indeed suffered a nosebleed earlier, the therapeutic effect was quite good.
"It seems this method is indeed effective," Nami spoke up. "Let's continue trying then."
Though she didn't know what Meiser had shown Sanji, if it could make this idiot recover, they might as well continue. Seeing Nami say this, Chopper thought for a moment and agreed.
"Then let's continue," Chopper nodded.
After speaking, he glanced at Perona and said, "But we still need you to keep a close watch."
"Don't worry," Perona said. "This time I won't give him the chance to bleed too much."
Last time she hadn't expected him to start bleeding so quickly.
But this time... she wouldn't give him that opportunity!
Hearing this, Chopper nodded, then turned his gaze to Meiser.
Seeing this, Meiser grinned and cast another Illusion Technique on Sanji.
"Bzzz... Hehehe..."
Brook:
Watching Sanji suddenly become blissful, Brook fell silent for a moment before turning to Meiser and asking, "What exactly did you show him?"
"Nothing much," Meiser said calmly. "Just let him have a pleasant dream."
It's just that the dream was more realistic than expected.
"A pleasant dream, huh..."
Seeing Sanji lying there unable to stop giggling, Brook was utterly speechless.
"Not good, Sanji's going to have another nosebleed!!"
"Negative Spirit!!"
"I... I'm simply scum..."
Brook:
So what exactly did Sanji see?