Chapter 330 - 127-138

Chapter 127 Brook, now only a skeleton, makes his appearance.Usopp was completely terrified, muttering all sorts of ghostly taboos, causing Chopper to scream repeatedly and Merry to cling tightly to Lake's head.

The ghost ship quickly passed the Sunny, and the image of a skull with an afro singing and drinking tea caught everyone's attention, making the crew's eyes widen in disbelief.

The ghost ship soon stopped beside the Sunny. An excited Luffy, unable to contain himself any longer, shouted that he wanted to go on adventures on that ship, but Sanji grabbed him.

Then they suggested drawing lots to decide who would go with Luffy. Lake thought for a moment and simply said he would go with Luffy, so there was no need to draw lots.

Drawing lots would have terrified the crew's cowards to tears, but since Lake was going with them, the crew had nothing to worry about.

And so, Lake and Luffy boarded the ghost ship. They immediately met the skull, and after a moment of silence, the skull spoke first, his tone unusually excited.

"Greetings! Oh ho ho ho~ I was so rude earlier, not greeting you when we met! It really startled me. I haven't seen a living person in ages! This place is full of ghost ships, it's terrifying! Please, come inside and have a seat!"

After saying all that, Luffy, with his incredibly slow reaction time, pointed at the other person and said, "Look at Lake! He can talk! The skull with the afro can talk!"

"Yes, yes~ I see him, but shouldn't we be asking about other important things now?" Lake said helplessly.

Luffy, however, seemed completely oblivious to what he was saying and stepped forward, saying, "Never mind that for now, hey~ skull, want to be my partner!"

"Sure!" Instantly!

Lake slapped his forehead and muttered helplessly, "My captain, this is going to make things difficult for me to explain to them. Oh well, let it be."

...

On the Sunny, Brook excitedly introduced himself, holding up his top hat: "Hello everyone! Greetings! I'm Brook, the skeleton who's dead! Nice to meet you!"

Everyone reacted with the same expression: "Are you kidding me?!"

Then everyone turned to look at Lake, their eyes filled with skepticism. No one expected that the most reliable person wouldn't stop Luffy's crazy behavior.

Lake felt utterly humiliated and could only change the subject, saying, "Wait! I know you all have a lot of questions. Let's eat, we can talk while we eat!"

Brook took the initiative and walked to the cabin door, saying, "Then everyone, let's go in and eat!"

Unsurprisingly, this was met with another roar from everyone: "Why is it up to you to decide?!"

Only Luffy grinned throughout, clearly quite fond of Brook's goofy personality; in some strange ways, the two got along very well.

Reluctantly, the group went into the cabin for their meal. A lavish spread filled the table, but most had no appetite, given the presence of a skeleton sitting there.

However, once they started eating, the skeleton was completely forgotten. After all, Sanji's cooking was a pleasure, and Brook was even able to converse with Luffy, whose mouth was stuffed full of food.

After a satisfying meal, the formal exchange began, and everyone finally learned what Brook really was: the Revive-Revive Fruit.

That's right, all illogical phenomena can be explained with Devil Fruits, and Brook is a perfect example. The Revive-Revive Fruit's power is to resurrect the dead.

Because of the Revive-Revive Fruit's power, after death, when his soul left the underworld to return to his body, he got lost in the Devil's Triangle for a year. When he finally found his body, it had become a skeleton, but his afro remained. From then on, he could only live as a skeleton.

After confirming Brook's identity, everyone relaxed a little, but this relaxation was only temporary, because the next second everyone was terrified again.

They tried to use a mirror to show Brook their appearance, but to their surprise, the mirror couldn't reflect him at all! And upon closer inspection, he didn't even have a shadow!

Instantly, everyone's hearts tightened again, except for Brook, who remained calm, explaining while drinking tea.

"Too much time has passed. My becoming a skeleton and losing my shadow are two completely different things... To be continued."

"Tell us now!"

"Actually, my shadow was stolen by a man a few years ago. Once a shadow is stolen, one can never live in sunlight again. I once witnessed someone whose shadow was stolen turn to ashes in the sunlight; it was terrifying!"

At this moment, Lake suddenly interjected, "A Devil Fruit."

Their companions turned to look at Lake, who explained calmly, "Only the Shadow-Shadow Fruit can do that, and the owner of the Shadow-Shadow Fruit..."

"The Seven Warlords of the Sea, Gecko Moria!" Robin interjected.

Because she had previously served under Crocodile, Robin had access to far more information than they did, and Moria's Shadow-Shadow Fruit wasn't exactly a secret.

Hearing that it was a Warlord of the Sea, the expressions of the other companions changed. At this moment, they understood why Brook's shadow had been stolen.

Brook was completely bewildered, as he was from a distant era and had no idea what the Seven Warlords of the Sea were, though he understood the part about Devil Fruits.

Then came Brook's poignant narration. Amidst the laughter, Lake sensed a deep sadness and loneliness. Yes, his companions had died one by one before his eyes.

Even after being resurrected by the Revive-Revive Fruit, his shadow was stolen, condemning him to be forever trapped in this mist-shrouded sea, year after year…

The intense loneliness forced Brook to maintain his optimism through this method, but in reality, his inner solitude was heavier than anyone else's.

After venting his emotions, Brook looked at Luffy and said, "You were the one who extended the invitation, and I was truly delighted… but I cannot accept."

Luffy immediately objected. One second he was smiling, the next he looked stunned and exclaimed, "Huh! Why?!"

Brook shook his head and explained, "Like I said, without a shadow, I can't leave this sea. Once I leave and the sunlight touches me, I vanish."

*Boom!*

Luffy slammed his fist on the table, stood up, and shouted, "We'll help you get your shadow back!"

Touched, Brook thanked them and said, "You are all truly kind people, but I can't let someone I just met put themselves in danger because of me."

Lake had been observing his companions. Perhaps his Observation Haki had improved again, but Lake felt he could now sense their emotions.

Sure enough, from the moment Brook began recounting his tragic life, his companions' perception of him had already changed. Now, Lake didn't need to worry about Brook joining the ship being affected by any subsequent events.

Chapter 128 Team Up to Explore Ghost Island, You Go to Hell First!Brook, not wanting to spoil the atmosphere, changed the subject, picking up his violin from his bag and saying, "Let me play a piece for everyone."

Upon learning that Brook was a musician, Luffy's eyes lit up again. He had only one thought in mind: he absolutely had to get Brook on board.

However, just as Brook was about to play, a ghost suddenly appeared on the ship, causing him to scream in terror.

The ghost peeked out from behind the Sunny, startling the crew. Lake thought the little thing was rather cute.

Brooke realized something and immediately ran frantically between the bow and stern to investigate. He then confirmed with Luffy that they had opened the bottle at sea.

Brook understood the situation: they were being watched. The Sunny was now within the range of the legendary Ghost Island, one of the Thriller Bark's most dangerous ships.

As the name suggests, this place was indeed a ship—a massive ship larger than the island itself. The owner of this ship was the man who stole Brook's shadow, the Shichibukai, Gecko Moria.

Brook, clutching his gear, exclaimed happily, "What a great day! Not only did I see living people, but I can also settle things!"

With that, Brook leaped to the bow of the ship and shouted, "You guys break down the wall behind us and get out of here! Don't drop anchor, or you'll get lost. I'm so glad to see you all. See you at sea sometime! Yo-ho-ho-ho!"

With that, Brook leaped onto the sea. As a Devil Fruit user, Brook ignored the ocean, his body incredibly light, allowing him to run across the water.

In the blink of an eye, he disappeared from everyone's sight. Nami had initially planned to bring up Brook's earlier suggestion of leaving, but seeing Luffy's eager expression, she knew it was too late.

This unexpected encounter evoked sympathy for Brook's plight among his crew. Adhering to the principle of helping whenever possible, the kind-hearted Straw Hat Pirates quickly made a decision.

They prepared to land, their target being Thriller Bark! Because the place was so vast, they certainly couldn't all travel together.

However, considering the group's diverse composition—some were timid, others directionally challenged—separating them would be extremely inconvenient. Reluctantly, Lake opted for the most convenient team-up.

He took Nami and Merry with him, primarily responsible for their safety. After all, Lake was the strongest, and his crew trusted him.

Then came the exploration team: Luffy, Franky, and Robin. Finally, the "Daredevil" team—Usopp, Chopper, and their trusted follower Zoro—joined them.

With the teams assigned, it was time for the exploration. Luffy's crew, full of enthusiasm, were the first to rush onto Thriller Bark, followed by the "Daredevil" team.

Because Zoro was setting off, Usopp, worried he might get lost, reluctantly followed with Chopper. After all, Zoro was now their only reliable carry.

Finally, only Lake and his crew remained on the ship. Merry, seeing her crew had all left, began urging Lake on. Lake, however, wore a chilling smile and said,

"Don't rush. Something dirty has gotten on the ship; we need to clean it up, don't you think?"

As he spoke, Lake glanced behind Nami. Nami, her brow furrowed, sensed something with her strong Observation Haki and turned to draw her weapon.

Just as he was about to do something, he gently patted Nami's shoulder to signal her to relax. The next second, Lake suddenly reached out and grabbed the spot next to Nami.

"Ah! Damn it! Let go, you bastard!"

Lake, who had previously held nothing, swung his hand and precisely grabbed a lion's head—uh… a very abstract-looking creature.

Absalom, a subordinate of Gecko Moria, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, one of the three oddities of Thriller Bark, commander of zombie soldiers and zombie generals.

A user of the Clear-Clear Fruit, the Invisible Man, capable of making himself invisible and causing anything that comes into contact with him to become invisible as well.

Absalom is a long-haired man with flamboyant clothing and a terrifying face. His body has been modified by Hogback; his nose, mouth, and jaw are those of a lion, and he often emits beastly roars.

He also possesses the skin of an elephant, the wild strength of a bear and a gorilla combined, and weighs over 300kg. This guy is the real monster.

Compared to ordinary people, he is indeed monster-level, but he's facing Lake. Elephant skin? Bear strength? Don't be ridiculous.

Lake's single-handed strength is enough to prevent this guy from breaking free. He tries to break free by gripping Lake's arm tightly with both hands, but no matter how much he struggles, Lake's hand is like an iron clamp, firmly holding his head.

"Absalom, one of Gecko Moria's subordinates, right? Tsk tsk tsk~ The Clear-Clear Fruit, huh? What a troublesome ability," Lake said mockingly.

The dim-witted Absalom, completely oblivious to the meaning behind Lake's words, excitedly shouted, "That's right! Now you know who I am! Let me go if you don't want to die! Lord Moria... Ah!"

Before he could finish speaking, Absalom screamed again, this time because Lake had increased the pressure on his hands. The immense force caused Absalom to scream instantly.

Lake looked at Absalom in his hands and said softly, "Perfect, I'll use you for a little experiment. If it succeeds, the Devil Fruit problem will be solved."

With that, Lake opened a door behind Absalom and tossed him inside. Absalom, finally freed from his restraints, had no time to rejoice.

Endless darkness and the fear of death began to descend upon him. The process was too cruel, and considering the child was present, Lake certainly wouldn't allow him to act directly.

The thought of this guy taking advantage in the original storyline infuriated Lake, so his death sentence was already sealed from the start.

Nami stepped forward and hugged Lake's arm, asking, "Where is that person?"

Lake calmly replied, "He went to hell to be judged."

Merry also leaned in, asking curiously, "He went to hell because he was a bad person, right?"

Lake picked up little Merry and placed her on his shoulder, replying, "Merry is so smart! No wonder she's a magical ship spirit!"

"Hehe~" Mary covered her face shyly, leaning on Lake's shoulder and giggling. Nami, seeing this, looked at Lake helplessly and said,

"You're spoiling Mary rotten. So what are we going to do now? Should we go find the treasure first?"

Lake closed his eyes, his ultra-wide-range Observation Haki covering the entire Ghost Island. The massive, terrifying three-ship sailing vessel was instantly enveloped by Lake's Observation Haki.

He now had everyone's location under his control. After a brief observation, Lake said, "Looks like everything's alright. Let's go find the treasure!"

Chapter 129 Negative Ghost, Princess PeronaThe expedition team, leading the way, had already ventured deep into the island, encountering zombies, ghosts, and Cerberus along the way.

However, no one in the team was afraid. Luffy found it amusing, Robin's peculiar aesthetic fascinated them, and Franky was a different story.

Why would a psychopath be afraid of zombies? So the expedition team forged ahead fearlessly, with nothing able to stop them. Meanwhile, the cowardly team wasn't faring so well.

Usopp and Chopper, who had been cautiously advancing, were separated due to Sanji and Zoro's argument along the way. Chopper and Zoro were taken to Hawkbag's mansion.

Upon hearing Hawkbag's name, Chopper immediately became a fanboy, as Hawkbag was hailed as a genius surgeon who had miraculously saved many patients with his surgeries.

Every doctor knew this name, but the truth was that this guy was a completely incompetent doctor who believed money was more important than saving lives.

Meanwhile, Sanji and Usopp were led to a garden that connected to a huge mansion, presumably Moria's residence.

Moria had already received intelligence when Lake and the others appeared; he had received government intelligence even before their arrival.

It stated that the Straw Hat crew was about to arrive in the Magical Triangle, and Moria was to cooperate with the government to eliminate them completely. However, at that time, Moria only expressed disdain.

Because the Straw Hat crew's latest bounties hadn't been released yet, Moria, who had always stayed within his own little world, simply considered them a bunch of overhyped brats.

But when the latest bounties were revealed, Moria no longer dared to underestimate them. He knew all too well what a 1.5 billion bounty meant.

The bounty for a Yonko's subordinate, someone with the strength of a Yonko's vice commander, wouldn't be given to some overhyped brat, which proved that what he had seen in the newspapers was all true.

Moreover, given the government's track record, they'd only be hiding more. Now that they'd actually appeared, Moria was already in a state of panic. The first piece of intelligence he'd received had left him utterly despondent.

Absalom was suspected of being dead. Moria angrily slammed his fist into a chair, cursing, "Idiot! I told him not to provoke that guy!"

But getting angry was useless now. Moria thought of the other two and quickly notified his men to bring Hawkbag and Perona to him.

The zombie henchman immediately set off to deliver the message, but Moria didn't know that his underlings weren't exactly sane. The shadow within the zombie delivering the intelligence still retained its original habits.

Halfway there, the guy suddenly said he was going fishing, completely forgetting everything else and running off to the lake to fish alone. Thus, the two officers received no message.

Meanwhile, Chopper and a reluctant Zoro had met the so-called genius surgeon, Hawkbag. At first, he gave them a very warm welcome.

She also exchanged medical insights with Chopper, but gradually Chopper noticed something was wrong. The so-called "plate girl" Cindy, Hawkbag treated her differently.

As the investigation deepened, Chopper finally saw through the guy's true colors. His mass production of zombies and his desecration of the dead utterly disappointed Chopper.

Zoro, who had been holding back for so long, could finally unleash his power. The hordes of zombies were no match for him, and Chopper ended up handling Hawkbag himself.

To be honest, few of Moria's men were truly formidable, which is why Lake wasn't worried about his crew at all.

As for Usopp and Sanji, the zombies swarming into the garden posed no real threat, but since they were immortal, their numbers only increased.

The two were forced to retreat into the mansion. The grounds were teeming with terrifying zombies; Usopp jumped with fright at every step, while a frustrated Sanji cleared away every obstacle in his path with brute force.

Until they encountered the ghost from the Sunny, which they had seen before, they weren't wary of it.

Unexpectedly, the ghost attacked them directly, passing right through their bodies to their astonishment.

The next second.

"I'm not even as good as a mackerel, I might as well just die already!" Sanji collapsed to his knees, his despair visibly palpable.

The Negative Ghost, an attack once capable of wiping out the entire Straw Hat crew, had one person completely immune to it, and that person happened to be right next to Sanji.

"Hehehehehe~ I didn't expect anyone to actually stand up to my Negative Ghost attack."

Perona, with pink twin tails, a crown, and a burgundy umbrella, appeared. Although she didn't know why Usopp wasn't affected by the Negative Ghost.

However, seeing Usopp's terrified expression, and based on her observations along the way, Perona knew that the main fighting force of these two was the man in the black suit.

With the Negative Ghost's influence, she had already dealt with this main force; the long-nosed man before her seemed to know there was nothing to worry about.

Usopp swallowed hard, took several steps back, and raised his crucifix, shouting at Perona, "You...you...what are you! Ghost Girl!"

Perona reveled in her enemy's frightened expression, floating up to Usopp and mockingly saying, "Ghost~ That's right~ I am a ghost~ And I can explode~"

"Ghost Bomb!"

The instant she finished speaking, Perona launched an attack. The little ghost lunged at Usopp, who, though terrified, was on edge.

Suddenly, Usopp's body became incredibly flexible, like a piece of paper, dodging Perona's ghost attack with movements no human could manage.

Before she could react, Usopp fired two finger guns, detonating the ghost he had just dodged—a series of fluid movements.

Perona was completely stunned. She hadn't expected this long-nosed man to be so capable, but Perona had absolute confidence and wasn't afraid at all.

Just as they were about to continue their attack, Sanji suddenly recovered. Upon seeing Perona, Sanji's eyes instantly turned into hearts as he clung to her like a lovesick fanboy.

Startled, Perona quickly swatted away several negative spirits. Sanji once again collapsed to his knees, looking like a dead fish. Perona patted her chest and said,

"I've had enough! What kind of people are they?! I need to get rid of them quickly and go back to Kumashi!"

Chapter 130: The Three Eccentrics Annihilated, the Mad Moria"Lord Moria! Lord Moria! Something terrible has happened!"

"What is it! Speak quickly!"

"Ho... Dr. Hawkbag has been killed!"

"What! Didn't I already tell him to come with Perona?!"

"Huh? This... I didn't hear about this?"

"That damned bastard!"

...

The enraged Moria wasn't going to sit idly by. More than the safety of the other two, Moria was most worried about Perona's safety. Moria went alone to a secluded room.

At the deepest part of the room, a peculiar device stood upright. Inside the device, dark figures darted about wildly. Moria stared at the device, speaking in a frenzied manner.

"Since you won't give me a way out, then let's die together! Straw Hat crew or the government, after today I'll show you how terrifying I am!"

Back to Usopp, because Perona was in spirit form, all of Usopp's attacks missed, and he realized he couldn't attack her in this state.

So, facing Perona's onslaught, he could only keep dodging. Perona, watching Usopp flee everywhere, tirelessly launched her attacks.

"Mini-Ghost - Ghost Bomb!"

Perona miniaturized countless spirits, creating a series of explosions with a flick of her finger. Usopp scrambled and dodged through the blasts.

While seemingly fleeing in panic, Usopp was actually inching closer to Perona's real body. With his extraordinary observational skills, Usopp had already pinpointed her location.

The fact that Perona had been deliberately observing and avoiding any impact on the room with its ornate doorway behind her since her appearance indicated that something was definitely inside.

Using the aftershock of the explosion, Usopp took to the air, shattering the lock on the ornate door with a single shot, and then rolled inside.

Perona's expression changed drastically upon seeing this, and she quickly gave chase, but it was too late. Her true form was already sitting on the bed inside the room.

Usopp, with a victorious air, held the Destroyer and aimed it at her. Perona was about to struggle a little more when, in the next second...

Bang!

Just as she was about to make a move, Usopp suddenly fired a shot that pierced through the wall above Perona's head, confirming the situation.

If Perona hadn't been oblivious, the next bullet would have accurately hit her head. Thinking of that scene, Perona immediately shouted that she surrendered—perhaps she was overthinking it.

She immediately started wailing on the spot, completely bewildering Usopp. However, to ensure she wouldn't obstruct them again, Usopp ruthlessly dealt with her.

After reverting Perona to her original form, he swiftly knocked her unconscious and tied her up. Then, he took the listless Sanji and left.

With this, Moria's three top lieutenants were all wiped out. Luffy's expeditionary force hadn't even encountered a decent enemy yet, but there was no need to worry.

In a desperate gamble, Moria decides to go down in history today! As Moria releases all the shadows from his device in the room, the rampage on Ghost Island is about to begin.

Meanwhile, Brook, who had already landed, is fighting a zombie possessing his own shadow. After enjoying a brief moment of peace with Lake and the others, Brook decides to fight to the death.

However, reality proves he's no match. The zombie possessing his shadow was, in life, the man known as the Dragon Slayer Swordsman, Ryuma.

After a few exchanges, Brook has many broken bones and is completely outmatched. But just as he's about to despair, Brook is astonished to find his shadow has returned!

Kneeling on the ground, Brook stares in amazement at his shadow, then jumps up in surprise. But before he can even celebrate, a terrifying sword aura suddenly appears.

In the blink of an eye, it's in front of Brook. Such speed and power are completely overwhelming for Brook. For the first time since his rebirth, a series of flashbacks occur in Brook's mind.

"Is it over just like that...? Mr. Luffy, thank you for allowing me to enjoy such a wonderful time in the final moments of my life. I will forever remember it, even though I have no brain... I'm sorry, I can't keep our promise... Laboon..."

Boom!

After a huge roar, a green-haired man stood before Brook, wielding the Third Generation Demon Slayer Sword. Clearly, he had blocked the attack.

"To encounter such an opponent in a place like this, Chopper, take him away first, don't disturb my battle."

Brook was still seemingly waking from a dream, only reacting excitedly when Chopper transformed into his muscular form and lifted him up.

"Doctor? Swordsman? Why are you here! Didn't you leave! Was I just rescued?"

Chopper immediately used Healing Palm Technique to heal Brook after taking him aside. Even a skeleton didn't hinder Chopper's performance.

Although still a little scared, his companions had already accepted him when Brook advised them to leave, so Chopper was able to focus on healing him.

Brook's injuries healed quickly, and his shattered skull was mostly restored. After thanking Chopper, Brook prepared to fight Zoro.

Chopper quickly stopped him, calling out, "Zoro doesn't like others interfering in his fights. Don't worry, Zoro is incredibly strong! He won't lose."

Hearing Chopper's words, Brook could only silently retreat. He remembered how he hadn't been a match for that zombie before, and now that his shadow had returned...

However, the fact that this zombie could still move meant it had another shadow within it, and Brook could sense that the power of that sword strike had increased several levels.

Given such a difference in strength, he knew he couldn't help by intervening; he could only watch silently. Zoro, on the other hand, wore a constant smile.

"With swordsmanship like that, you must be someone important. State your name!"

"Hehehe~ It's been so many years since I've heard those words. So I'm already a dead man? Well then, remember this well, kid: I am Ryuma, the Dragon Slayer Swordsman!"

"Dragon Slayer Swordsman! I see. Although I can't fight you while you're alive, I'm still lucky today."

"Hearing my name doesn't evoke fear, but rather excitement, hahaha~ Interesting kid. But why are you carrying three swords?"

"I'm a Three-Sword Style user!"

"Three-Sword Style? Is this some kind of acrobatic performance? Well, someone who could withstand my attack just now can't be weak. Let me witness the strength of a new generation of swordsmen, kid."

"Then you'd better watch carefully, it will definitely leave a deep impression on you! I will make my name resound throughout heaven! Roronoa Zoro, here we go!"

Chapter 131 Bold and Decisive Actions, Gambler LakeWith his companions active for so long, Lake has already reaped a bountiful harvest. Here's a list of what he's gained:

Exclusive Treasures: Killing Intent Wave, Space Ring Seal Released, Time Ring (Sealed)

Devil Fruits: Paramecia-type Heat-Heat Fruit (Weakened Version), Paramecia-type Kilogram Fruit (Weakened Version), Zoan-type Dog-Dog Fruit (Dachshund Mode) (Weakened Version), Zoan-type Bird-Bird Fruit (Falcon Mode) (Basic Version)

Companion Exclusives: Decepticon Core Technology Energy, Skull Emperor - Sword Release, Historical Phantom, Exclusive Separation Scroll *1

System Function: Ability Synthesis Core

In short, the exclusive treasures gained the special ability Killing Intent Wave, effectively strengthening Lake's somewhat weak Conqueror's Haki—essentially a Conqueror's Haki mutation.

Then, the Space Ring's seal was completely released, not only making space infinite but also granting Lake direct control over a portion of spatial abilities.

The best proof is that his Door-Door Fruit, which already possesses some spatial abilities, has been directly enhanced, and his character panel now includes a spatial power ability.

Also, he's acquired another ring. Like the Space Ring, the Time Ring was initially sealed, but even in its sealed state, it's no simple device.

Activating it can pause time for one second. While the combat level in this world is devastating, even in a battle between experts, a mere 0.1 seconds can change the course of a fight.

So, one second is quite appropriate. Of course, with the Space Ring as a prerequisite, Lake is now very much looking forward to seeing what the Time Ring will look like after it's unsealed.

Then there are the Devil Fruits: two weakened versions and one basic version. All are just materials and don't need much introduction. The partner-exclusive ones were added by Lake himself.

Because when these things appeared, Lake already knew who they were for. He can't even imagine how overpowered the Straw Hat crew will become after his modifications.

Finally, it's worth mentioning the new system function. Similar to the previous Devil Fruit fusion, it adds a new function that allows Lake to fuse other abilities.

Unlike Devil Fruit fusion, this fusion has a degree of randomness; the combination of two elements creates entirely new properties, which may be good or bad.

Perhaps a gambler's whim, Lake first opened his interface to observe, then began drastically modifying himself, finally presenting the results.

Name: Lake

Age: 19

Weapon: Tensa Zangetsu

Physical Talents: Divine Vision, Spatial Power, Healing Body (fusion of Yin Healing Destruction and Self-Healing Physique)

Special Abilities: Naming Magic, Scorching Sun (fusion of Solar Magic and Tenfold Kaioken)

Mastered Abilities: Free-flowing Swordsmanship, Six Paths of the Navy (fusion of Navy Six Styles and Fish-Man Karate)

Mastered Haki: Observation Haki - Mental Net (Advanced - Emotional Perception), Armament Haki (Advanced - Ryuo), Conqueror's Haki (Intermediate - Killing Intent Pulse)

Devil Fruits: Chop-Chop Fruit (Enhanced Version), Door-Door Fruit (Enhanced Version), Silence-Silence Fruit (Enhanced Version), Rumble-Rumble Fruit (Enhanced Version), Wind-Wind Fruit (Enhanced Version)

The panel has become much simpler. First of all, in terms of weapons, Ebony and Ivory are really useless to Lake, and as he gets more and more Devil Fruit abilities, they will be even less useful.

This time, I used the exclusive separation scroll to retrieve it, which I'll give to Usopp. He's more suited to this than Lake is now. Then there's the fusion with the gambling dog.

The Healing God Body effect is pretty good; Yin Healing Annihilation has become a fully automatic version, and Wolverine's self-healing ability is still there, so it can be considered a successful fusion.

However, the later parts are quite outrageous. The Scorching Sun state has been drastically changed; Solar Magic has gone from passive to active. In short...

The method to activate Kaioken is to actively activate Solar Magic at its peak state. The amplification aspect has been significantly improved; previously, Kaioken only increased combat power, but now it's a hundredfold increase in all aspects.

Now, Lake can confidently shout, "Above and below the heavens, I alone reign supreme!" when activating the Scorching Sun state.

Finally, there's the rather comical fusion of the Navy Six Powers and Fish-Man Karate. The name Navy Six Powers is already strange, but what's even more outrageous is...

The techniques from the two series were merged into this name, but aside from the somewhat comical name, the abilities were perfectly combined, resulting in a significant power boost.

Finally, regarding the Devil Fruit, after fusing the materials obtained this time with those copied using Hollow Vision, the Chop-Chop Fruit, which had been rotting in the warehouse, was finally fully utilized by Lake.

In the process of deciding, Lake abandoned the Instant Kill Fruit, as he always felt uneasy about fruits he didn't understand, so he invested everything in the Chop-Chop Fruit.

With the enhanced Chop-Chop Fruit born, Lake now possessed nothing that was not up to par; this trip could only be described as incredibly fruitful.

However, things weren't over yet. Lake had noticed Moria's earlier actions, but he didn't know what Moria was planning.

But after seeing Brook's shadow return and the shadow released from Moria's room enter Ryuma's body, he understood: this guy was really preparing for something big.

All the other shadows were released, but none entered the corpse of Oars, the demon that Lake had been focusing on. It seemed Moria didn't have a suitable shadow for Oars.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths to get Luffy's shadow. But now the situation was completely out of control, so Moria naturally wouldn't bother with getting Luffy's shadow anymore.

To Lake's surprise, Moria actually chose to actively control it—that's right, using his own shadow combined with active manipulation to revive Oars. It has to be said, Moria does have something.

Boom!

A sudden loud crash followed, and the mansion collapsed, revealing the revived Oars. Usopp, along with a slightly emo Sanji, was "luckily" closest to Oars.

Usopp was so frightened he almost fainted. Fortunately, Sanji recovered and quickly grabbed Usopp, retreating. However, Oars's massive hand was already swinging towards them.

Seeing this, Sanji immediately retaliated in mid-air, blue flames instantly engulfing his entire body, the flames beneath his feet shining like a dazzling star in the night.

"Diable Jambe - Fried Assorted Platter!"

Boom!

The powerful attack collided with Oars's massive arms, and Moria, controlled from inside Oars's stomach, directly felt the power of the opponent's attack.

The fact that the gigantic Oars took a step back was the best proof of this. Moria shouted angrily, "Damn Straw Hat crew! Why is this kind of guy here? My plan! It's all over! Ah!"

Although Sanji managed to withstand the attack, he clearly felt the power of this behemoth. He spotted Luffy and the others in the air and immediately took Usopp to join them.

Chapter 132 Captain John Appears, Ryoma's EntrustmentUpon seeing Oz appear, Lake had Nami take Merry to rejoin his crew. He had originally planned to use the opportunity to check if Kuma was still on the island.

However, he hadn't expected to encounter such a formidable opponent. The zombie that suddenly appeared before Lake made him frown; he hadn't even noticed its presence.

The zombie was tall and thin, wrapped in bandages, wearing a former pirate captain's coat, with a long sword at his waist and a wine bottle in his hand.

Lake sized up the figure and said, "This guy… Captain John?"

Hearing Lake's words, the zombie suddenly burst into laughter, "Hiccup! Hahahaha! These brats actually know who Captain John is! Are they my admirers?"

Lake scoffed, "Heh~ Just a piece of trash killed by his own men. I've certainly heard his infamous reputation."

Lake, always quick to hit the nail on the head, silenced the previously laughing Captain John with a grim expression.

"What do you know? You're just a brat who hasn't even grown his first hair! Tch~ I don't know what went wrong with Moria that he released my shadow, but it's been a long time since I felt this way. Kid, are you strong?"

"If nothing unexpected happens, I should be stronger than you, this half-dead guy."

"Hiccup! Hahahaha! How arrogant! Then let me test your mettle!"

The moment he finished speaking, Captain John unleashed a terrifying burst of Conqueror's Haki, surprising Lake. He had initially thought this guy was probably just a background character since he hadn't been introduced much.

But it turned out he actually had some skill. Lake, naturally, wasn't going to be outdone, releasing his Conqueror's Haki, amplified by his killing intent. The two energies collided.

Bolts of lightning struck from the sky, cracking the surrounding ground. Captain John chuckled, "Not bad, kid. You've killed quite a few with that Conqueror's Haki, haven't you?"

Lake didn't respond. The amplified Conqueror's Haki was indeed easily misinterpreted, but another reason was that Lake was struggling to defend himself.

As expected, his intermediate Conqueror's Haki was holding him back. Against this old monster from the past, Lake's Conqueror's Haki was completely inadequate, while Captain John appeared completely relaxed.

After taking a sip of wine, Captain John's Conqueror's Haki intensified, instantly dissipating Lake's. Helpless, Lake could only retreat; this was the first time he had been defeated in a direct confrontation.

Actually, if Lake had directly activated his Divine Vision, this situation wouldn't have occurred. However, having just improved himself and finally encountering such an old monster, this was a different story.

Lake also wanted to see his current strength. He unleashed his full power, hovering in the air, surrounded by wind and lightning.

Captain John grinned menacingly and shouted, "You've got something! Come on, kid, I haven't felt this good in ages!"

The scene shifts to Zoro versus Ryuma—

Initially, their exchanges were merely probing attacks, but even so, Brook sensed an unprecedented gap in skill.

"One-Sword Style: Dragon's Roar!"

"Three-Sword Style: Tiger Hunt!"

Clang!

The two collided and staggered back. Zoro immediately launched another attack, while Ryuma coldly snorted and switched from defense to offense.

"Three-Sword Style: Gyūki - Brave Claw!"

"One-Sword Style: Dragon Claw!"

Clang!

Boom!

The massive roar of the impact shattered the ground. The two were forced back again, creating distance. Brook and Chopper retreated even further to watch.

Through the smoke, Zoro suddenly turned and swung his sword to block.

Clang!

As expected, the attack arrived instantly. Ryuma smiled and said, "Not bad reaction, but your swordsmanship is still lacking."

Zorro wasn't angered by his words. Instead, he laughed excitedly, "Finally, I've met a swordsman I can fight. I'll show you my inadequate swordsmanship!"

Clang!

With that, Zoro sent Ryuma flying with a single blow. His aura instantly changed; his gaze became incredibly sharp, and a whirlwind seemed to surround him.

Seeing this, Ryuma exclaimed, "Oh~ So it's intent? Young swordsman, I take back my previous dismissive words. To have mastered your own intent at such a young age, your swordsmanship is truly impressive."

Zoro, however, wouldn't hold back because of the praise. After assuming a fighting stance, Zoro locked his gaze on Ryuma and said, "There's no need for polite words during a battle."

Ryoma smiled knowingly, then raised his sword, its blade radiating an unusual aura, and said, "That's right! I overstepped my bounds. Let's fight!"

"Three-Sword Style: Forward Slash - Steel Flash!"

"One-Sword Style: Flying Dragon Rising from the Ground!"

The two moved simultaneously, each step carrying terrifying sword energy. In an instant, a natural barrier formed in the space where they clashed.

Visible sword energy crisscrossed within the space. A passing little zombie, curious, tried to get a closer look, only to have its head ripped off before it could even react.

Brook, watching the battle, was speechless with astonishment, while Chopper looked on the other side with worry, more concerned for his companions' safety than for Zoro.

Chopper had naturally noticed the giant monster when it appeared, but if he went to help, what if Zoro, without anyone to guide him, got injured after the battle and couldn't find him?

After agonizing for a while, Chopper finally remembered Brook, who was standing there lost in thought. He immediately patted Brook on the shoulder and told him his concerns. Brook immediately patted his chest and said it was no problem.

Finally free of worries, Chopper ran towards his companions, following the scent of their battle. After watching Chopper leave, Brook sighed, "What a group that cares so much about their comrades! I wonder if I can join them after I fulfill my promise."

"One-Sword Style: Dragon Soaring Sky Strike!"

"Three-Sword Style: Gale Breath Slash!"

Clang!

Sizzle! Sizzle...

"Beautiful!" After the attack, Ryuma turned his back to Zoro and uttered this word of praise.

Zorro sheathed his sword and said, "I really wish I could fight you alive in your time."

Ryuma turned and tossed the sword in his hand to Zoro. His body then began to burn, and he said, "You will be a better master. This sword is entrusted to you. Shusui, the Black Sword, one of the 21 Great Grade Swords. I believe you will not disgrace its name!"

Zoro caught the sword and nodded emphatically, replying, "A fine sword, I accept!"

"Hahahaha! To be able to have such a satisfying duel even after death, truly impressive!"

After uttering his final boast, Ryuma's form finally began to dissipate. After his form vanished, the black shadow did not flee but disappeared completely along with Ryuma.

Chapter 133 Straw Hat Crew VS Moriah Oz"Shadow Armor!" Moria's voice emanated from Oars' body.

Instantly, Oars was draped in a layer of black armor by shadow, making him even more imposing and domineering than before.

However, he was now facing the Straw Hat crew. Luffy, unleashing his full power, was completely unfazed, leaping in front of Oars and extending his arm.

"Gear Third! Gum-Gum Giant Elephant Gun!"

Bang!

The massive fist covered in Armament Haki collided with Oars' fist, the immense force creating a gust of wind. Nami, who had come to support, transformed in the process.

Using the power of the Cyclone Element, she raised the Staff of the Great Elementalist, and gusts of air rose from beneath her companions' feet, putting everyone into aerial combat mode.

Sanji, the main force, struck first. Contacting Nami's Cyclone, he accelerated again with Moonwalk, rushing to the top of Oars' head and shouting.

"Look up! You sluggish behemoth!"

Whether it was Moria's manipulation or Oars' instinct, upon hearing Sanji's voice, Oars immediately raised his massive head.

Sanji was already prepared, his entire body writhing in eerie blue flames, his iron-like legs poised to strike. He spun through the air.

"Diable Jambe - Crushing Blow!"

Bang!

"Ugh..."

Sanji's kick instantly shattered Oars's face, forcing his massive body to his knees. Sanji used the momentum to leap away, creating distance.

Robin seized the opportunity, making a hand gesture and chanting, "Hundred Flowers Bloom - Great Tree!"

Instantly, numerous arms appeared beneath Oars's feet, forming two gigantic arms that grabbed his small legs. But that wasn't all; Robin finished him off with a spell.

"Lie down!"

With those words, Robin instantly dispelled her powers, but Oars's enormous body began to fall uncontrollably to the ground.

Moria, inside Oars, roared in fury, "Damn the Straw Hat crew! Oars' body isn't agile enough; he can only deepen his control over shadows!"

After Oars fell, the others cheered, preparing to launch a furious attack. However, unexpectedly, the shadow armor on Oars' body suddenly changed shape.

"Horned Blade Shadow!"

The voice came from Oars' mouth. Suddenly, a shadow transformed into a spear, attacking in all directions. Seeing this, his companions immediately retreated.

Nami also immediately came to everyone's aid, waving her Great Elemental Staff and shouting.

"Wind Cyclone - Elemental Barrier!"

A gust of wind swept past the companions, and a visible wind barrier appeared on each of them. Usopp, seeing the protection, immediately looked confident.

The Destroyer was raised in the air, locking onto Oars' head. The awakened Destroyer was about to unleash its power, aiming and charging.

Bang!

A gunshot rang out, and the devastating bullet, surrounded by red and black lightning, pierced Oars' head like a shooting star. Anyone else would have been instantly killed by that shot.

But for a behemoth like Oars, it was merely a mosquito bite. But is awakened destruction truly only this? Of course not.

Usopp's lips curled into a smile as he softly murmured, "Ultimate Move: Destruction Laser!"

Boom!

The instant the words left his lips, a laser beam large enough to cover Oz's entire head shot out along the trajectory of the bullet, followed by a terrifying burst of light.

All his companions stared wide-eyed in astonishment, for Oz's head had vanished! His entire head had dissipated under Usopp's attack.

Even Moria, inside Oz, was dumbfounded. Although Oz was merely a zombie under his control, without a head, even with a shadow within him, he couldn't fully unleash his power.

"Hooray! The great Usopp has defeated the giant monster! Rejoice!"

"Amazing! Usopp!"

"Hehe~ See? I usually just keep a low profile, otherwise you wouldn't have a chance to fight! Hahahaha!"

Franky, who hadn't participated at all, looked at little Merry on his shoulder and sighed helplessly, "Sigh! Even I, the super-powerful one, didn't get a chance to participate, I can only watch the kids here!"

The innocent Merry tilted her head in confusion and said to Franky, "Don't be sad, Franky, your brother Lake has gone to find a magical treasure, you'll soon become super powerful!"

"Waaah! I'm so touched! Merry, you're such an angel!"

Robin had been observing the headless Oars lying motionless on the ground, feeling something was off. A woman's intuition is sometimes that accurate.

The headless Oars actually stood up, instantly entering Xingtian Mode. Moria lay on Oars' stomach, the shadow behind him controlling Oars like a joystick.

Finally seeing the culprit, Luffy's crew immediately switched into battle mode. Activating Gear Second, Luffy attacked instantly, appearing before Moria in the blink of an eye.

But Moria wasn't about to let him get away so easily. His face contorted with rage, his eyes bloodshot, he roared,

"Shadow Bat - Tear!"

Before Luffy could react, a giant shadow bat suddenly appeared before him, its jaws snapping open to tear at him. At the critical moment, Franky intervened.

"Franky Cannon!"

Boom!

The attack had little effect, but it gave Luffy a chance to catch his breath. Luffy, now able to escape, laughed, "Thanks, Franky!"

Moria's attack, though slightly blocked, wasn't over. He manipulated the headless Oars, leaping high into the air and unleashing a barrage of shadows, shouting...

"Shadow Binding!"

In an instant, a multitude of dark shadows trapped their companions. Oars, like a human cannonball, plummeted from the sky at full speed, intending to crush them all into a pulp.

The sheer size of Oars and the impact of his fall from such a height caused their companions to furrow their brows. They had to take this attack seriously.

Just in time, Chopper arrived to provide backup. Seeing the scene, Chopper assumed his companions were cornered and immediately bit into a red Rumble Ball.

"Roar!"

The sudden roar made their companions turn to look. They saw Chopper frantically rushing towards them, transforming his body.

Thump!

Finally, just before Oars hit the ground, Chopper transformed into his Perfect Shukaku form, his legs sinking completely into the ground to catch the falling Oars. Moria, inside Oars's stomach, saw Chopper and his eyes lit up as he shouted.

"Hehehe! There's actually such a creature! If I can get my hands on this corpse, my zombie empire will be invincible!"

This shows he hadn't yet realized the gravity of the situation. Chopper threw Oars directly at Moria's mansion, and the once magnificent mansion was reduced to ruins in the next second.

Chapter 134 Lake vs. Captain John: A Cross-Era ShowdownLuffy's eyes lit up as he shouted, "Chopper! That's so cool!"

Sanji immediately asked Chopper if he still had any self-awareness, as it would be troublesome if another out-of-control monster as huge as Oars appeared at this moment.

"Don't worry! I can control this power now! Chopper Mask has arrived!" The giant Shukaku spoke, uttering Chopper's soft, cute voice.

The stark contrast made everyone feel inexplicably uncomfortable, but with Chopper joining the fray, the battle became much easier, and the two sides quickly began their second round of combat.

Back to Lake's side, he had already exchanged blows with Captain John. His probing attacks hadn't revealed anything about his opponent; Captain John remained a drunkard.

This greatly annoyed Lake. He finally understood just how infuriating John's usual contemptuous attitude towards others in battle had been! Lake, wielding Tensa Zangetsu, charged forward.

Captain John calmly dodged Lake's attack, then retaliated by smashing a bottle at Lake. Even with such an attack, Lake didn't dare to be careless, using his mind to control a bolt of lightning to shatter the bottle.

A large amount of liquor scattered in the air, and Lake immediately felt a strong sense of danger. He activated his spatial power and shouted,

"Spatial Jump!"

*Sizzle!*

The space around Lake seemed to have shifted, instantly creating distance between him and John. However, in the spot where they had just been, John swung his sword.

It was as if the air itself had been sliced ​​open by this sword strike; a flowing aura of dominance enveloped Captain John's longsword. Seeing this, Lake's brows furrowed even more deeply.

Before Lake could even make the first move, Captain John suddenly drew a gun from his waist with his free left hand, firing without even aiming.

Bang!

Seeing the bullet lock onto him so precisely, Lake opened a door in front of him, the bullet disappearing directly into it.

The next second, over a dozen doors suddenly opened around Captain John, each releasing a bullet he had just fired.

Captain John, still unfazed, brandished his curved sword and shouted, "Are you a magician? Think these petty tricks will work on me?"

Boom!

The instant his words left his lips, Captain John swung his sword, exploding all the bullets. A deafening roar and billowing smoke completely engulfed the area.

Through the smoke, Lake's Observation Haki relentlessly locked onto Captain John, but even so, the opponent's speed made him feel ashamed. In the blink of an eye, the sense of danger returned.

Captain John appeared before Lake, scimitar raised. "Wine or bullets?"

Lake was completely bewildered, not understanding what the guy meant by this sudden change of heart. Captain John pulled a bottle of wine from somewhere, and the instant the bottle shattered, a gunshot rang out.

Bang!

Instantly, a sea of ​​fire erupted, leaving no place to stand. Captain John, engulfed in flames, looked up nonchalantly and said,

"You managed to dodge that? You're getting more and more interesting, kid."

In mid-air, Lake, with lightning leaping beneath his feet and massive wind wings behind him, proved he had pushed his speed to the limit. Looking at the sea of ​​fire below, Lake was somewhat bewildered.

However, being constantly suppressed had given Lake a rough idea of ​​Captain John's strength. Now it was his turn to counterattack. In mid-air, Lake raised his jet-black Zanpakuto and chanted.

"Crescent Moon Slash - Shattered into Five Elements!"

With a single swing, the blue crescent-shaped sword energy instantly split into countless smaller sword energies, raining down on Captain John with overwhelming force.

Captain John, amidst the sea of ​​fire, laughed and took a swig of wine. As he swung his right-hand scimitar, he spat out a mouthful of strong liquor, shouting with laughter.

"Wine and Sword - Burning Heaven!"

Whoosh!

The massive sword energy that pierced the sky was covered in a layer of flames. In an instant, the entire sky was engulfed in flames, as if a rain of fire was falling from the sky.

This scene made Lake think to himself again, "Even a dog wouldn't eat the Flame-Flame Fruit!"

Despite his thoughts, the massive fiery sword aura was hurtling towards him. After a moment's thought, Lake assumed a fighting stance and chanted,

"One-Sword Style: Six Paths Cross!"

Clang!

Using the power of the Chop-Chop Fruit once more, the massive fiery sword aura instantly shattered into several pieces, flying into the sky. Lake was quite satisfied with his enhanced version of the Chop-Chop Fruit.

Captain John, still engulfed in flames, charged straight at Lake in mid-air, and Lake met him head-on.

Clang!

Blades clashed, and both launched even fiercer attacks. Most of Captain John's techniques were related to alcohol, whether swordsmanship or marksmanship.

When combined with alcohol, they transformed into terrifyingly powerful fire techniques. Coupled with his strong three types of Haki, he was a formidable opponent for Lake.

Lake's mastery of wind and lightning powers was becoming increasingly refined, and he was also trying to familiarize himself with his new abilities during the battle. He combined the Door-Door Fruit with spatial abilities, aiming for surprise attacks.

The Chop-Chop Fruit doubled the power of Lake's attacks, but because Captain John was in zombie form, he felt no pain and couldn't die.

Furthermore, Lake's solar magic was no longer passive; although he rarely saw the sun on Ghost Island, he didn't know whether it was day or night.

In short, Lake was feeling exhausted, so he decided to end the battle quickly. Captain John, clearly sensing Lake's intention, spoke up.

"Kid, if you were born in my time, you could definitely stand up to that guy. You might even be able to do things he couldn't."

"Too bad, I don't have that kind of ambition. I just want to live a peaceful life with the people I care about."

"Tch! Pirates having such pointless thoughts? You seem a lot like Newgate, kid! Hahaha! Speaking of which, that guy should still be alive, right?"

"Yeah, Whitebeard, the strongest man in the world, one of the Emperors of the Grand Line."

"The strongest in the world? That guy really did pretty well. I really miss those days, even though there wasn't a single normal person on board, hahaha!"

"I miss those times. There was plenty of time after you died. Now it's all over."

"Tch! Got a lesson from a brat? Well said! I'm a dead man anyway, there's nothing left to remember me by in this world. Come on, kid, let's see if you can send me on my way!"

"As you wish, feel the power of the new generation of pirates, John! Blazing Sun! Burn it up!"

"Wow, this power is blinding... Hehehe~ It's really scary. This time, no need for alcohol, let's use guns and swords together! This is exhilarating!"

Chapter 135 Seeing Captain John off, and the conversation with Uncle BearFully powered, Lake descended like a god of war; the mere sight of him exuding an oppressive aura was suffocating. John, seeing Lake's imposing presence, fearlessly charged forward.

"Gun and Sword - Final Chapter!"

This attack lacked flames, seemingly an ordinary strike, but the visible spatial distortion along John's path to Lake proved its extraordinary nature.

Lake remained emotionless, slowly raising and lowering his hand, chanting:

"Holy Sword - Escanor!"

*Sizzle!*

What appeared to be a mere slight movement resulted in Captain John losing half his body. The attack vanished without a trace, leaving Captain John, still alive, lying on the ground.

His empty eyes revealed no emotion. Suddenly, Lake tossed him a bottle of wine. John, now with only one hand, caught it, immediately sniffed it, and then chuckled.

"What kind of wine is this?"

"Salt lake wine from the North Sea, consider it a farewell drink."

"Salt... hiccup! Hahaha! What a fine farewell drink! Glug~ glug~ glug... Ah! I can't taste it, but it still tastes awful! Hahaha!"

Captain John's body slumped down with his final laugh, and like Ryoma, the shadow of its original owner vanished completely along with the corpse.

Lake let out a long breath. Now was not the time for him to rest. During his battle with Captain John, he had already sensed someone else appearing on the island.

If all goes as expected, it should be Bear. Lake needed to prepare his plan. His companions weren't yet at a level where they could make a name for themselves worldwide; Bear would be a good motivation.

In a corner of the island, a tall man sat quietly on a rock reading a book. He wasn't surprised by Lake's sudden appearance.

TransmigrationBook Club

"Yo~ Nice to meet you~"

"Original Sin Lake, bounty 1.5 billion, the legendary leader of the new generation of pirates, the most ferocious pirate in a century."

"Ahaha... I didn't know I had so many titles. Since you know me so well, it would be impolite of me to pretend anymore, cough cough~

Bartholomew Kuma, known as the 'Tyrant,' one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, from the South Blue, former king of the Sorbet Kingdom. Former bounty 296 million Berries.

He is a 'Paw-Paw Man' who ate the Paw-Paw Fruit. Rumors say he was once a ruthless and domineering pirate. However, that's just a facade.

His true identity is a cadre of the Revolutionary Army, his main goal being to control the technological power of the Navy's genius scientist Vegapunk. Am I right?"

...

Silence. After listening to Lake's words, Kuma fell silent. Lake scratched his head awkwardly; he didn't want to make the atmosphere so serious all of a sudden.

After a moment of silence, Bear finally spoke, "You're truly remarkable; Dragon wasn't exaggerating."

Lake breathed a sigh of relief and replied with a smile, "You're too kind~ Actually, I've always wanted to meet you, Uncle Bear. You don't mind me calling you that, do you?"

Bear paused for a moment, then nodded. Lake, acting as if they were old friends, sat down next to Bear and said, "Actually, I know why you came here this time..."

"Government orders: eliminate the entire Straw Hat crew. There can be no more vacancies in the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Protect Gecko Moria… Organization orders: ensure the Straw Hat crew's safe departure and rescue the person whose shadow was stolen by Moria."

Before Lake could speak, Kuma had already explained his mission. Lake shook his head helplessly.

"Being an undercover agent is so difficult, isn't it? More than that, Uncle Kuma, there's something I'm very concerned about. Are you really willing to be completely transformed like this? It's completely meaningless."

After a moment of silence, Kuma replied, "From the moment the leader assigned me this mission, I already knew the outcome. It's all for a brighter future."

"Bullshit!" Lake jumped up angrily and shouted.

Kuma didn't understand why Lake's emotions were fluctuating so drastically. They had only just met, and Lake's dissatisfaction went far beyond this.

Before his transmigration, Kuma was a character Lake greatly admired, but his final fate was truly infuriating. Such a gentle person was forcibly eliminated simply because his Devil Fruit power was too overpowered.

Now that Lake was here, he would absolutely not allow such a thing to happen again. Calming down, Lake took a deep breath and said,

"I'll talk to Dragon when I have the chance. Uncle Kuma, I hope you won't undergo any more modifications. With your abilities, as long as you're not completely modified, recovering should be easy, right?"

Kuma's gaze remained fixed on Lake. Only after Lake finished speaking did he ask, "Why? You seem very concerned about my situation."

Lake thought for a moment, then smiled brightly and replied, "Maybe it's because I feel we get along well… Okay, Moria's about to collapse. I need Uncle Kuma's help with the next two. We'll do this…"

While Lake and Kuma were discussing this, their companions, including the headless Oars, had already left the scene. They were now facing Moria, who had transformed into a giant from the Shadow Gathering Ground.

Luffy, as the main attacker, unleashed his giant-like fists and kicks in Gear Third to directly confront Moria. Sanji served as the second main attacker, seizing opportunities during Luffy's engagement with Moria.

They launched powerful attacks at top speed. (What? You're asking about Chopper? Sorry, Chopper's transformation wasn't sustainable due to it being his first time actively transforming.)

When Oars left the scene, Chopper also left, now under Franky's protection. The remaining crew members mainly provided support, with Nami and Robin offering excellent assistance.

Assists, buffs, and rescues… with their excellent teamwork, Luffy and Sanji were able to fight to their hearts' content. Finally, there was the crucial sniper, Usopp.

He only needed to make one move, and once he did, it had to be to end the battle immediately—that was his duty. His previous devastating laser attack had already left Usopp's hands trembling uncontrollably.

So, he was now adjusting his condition while waiting for an opportunity. As the battle intensified, both his crew and Moria began to show signs of exhaustion.

Just then, Zoro, led by Brook, finally arrived at the battlefield. As soon as he arrived, Zoro charged straight at the giant Moria with his sword in hand.

Brook finally breathed a sigh of relief. After witnessing Zoro's terrible sense of direction, he finally understood why Chopper had looked so conflicted.

"Three-Sword Style: Enchanting Demon: Sleepless Night: Demon Slayer!"

*Sizzle!*

Zorro's attack, the moment he joined the fray, created a perfect opportunity for his crew. Luffy and Sanji immediately followed up with a full-force attack.

"Diable Jambe: Hell BBQ!"

"Gear Third! Gum-Gum Giant Bazooka!"

Chapter 136 Another Shichibukai, Bartholomew Kuma Makes His Debut"Now! Behold my move, the Ultimate Annihilation Gun!"

Bang!

A bullet covered in black Haki, wreathed in red flame patterns, was launched with a powerful impact, flying straight towards Moria's massive head.

"Ah!"

The immense power caused Moria to scream in agony, his body shrinking continuously, and the shadows he had previously devoured began to scatter and fly outwards.

Moria quickly covered his mouth, but it was too late. Luffy, who should have been exhausted, did a sit-up and stood up, striking his classic pose and shouting.

"Enter second gear!"

Red steam billowed from his body as Luffy re-entered Gear Second, charging straight at Moria at full speed, locking onto him mid-air.

"Gum-Gum Jet Fire Fist!"

Boom!

The final blow left Moria utterly powerless, his eyes rolling back as his shadow slipped from his body.

His enormous body instantly returned to its original size. The battle was over. Moria lay unconscious on the ground, and Thriller Bark was bathed in light.

All those whose shadows had been stolen by Moria emerged from the dark forest, thanking their benefactor profusely and basking in the long-awaited sunshine.

Everyone was overjoyed, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Nami, sitting on the ruins, looked around and asked, "Where's Rek?"

Usopp, sprawled on the ground, weakly replied, "Haven't seen him. He's probably run into some troublesome guy."

Then, Usopp stood up and clapped his hands, saying, "But now that Moria's down, all the enemies on this island should be gone, right? Lake should be here soon."

Sanji, standing nearby, suddenly realized something and said, "So, does that mean we helped that bastard out of his way? He got what he deserved!"

Luffy jumped up excitedly, shouting, "That's right! That's right! Lake's always been the one saving us; now it's our turn to save him!"

Zoro helplessly held down the excited Luffy, saying, "What's all this nonsense? Can't your thinking get any weirder?"

Suddenly, a discordant voice reached everyone's ears.

"I see. It's too late, isn't it? My ominous premonition came true."

"It seems so."

"We finally decided on Crocodile's successor. Another vacancy would be disastrous. Is he even breathing?"

"I don't know."

"As long as he's alive, hopefully he can continue as a Shichibukai for now after he recovers. We'll deal with this later.

With so many being killed, the Shichibukai's prestige is almost gone. This matter absolutely cannot be allowed to leak out. Issue a special government mission now.

Including the Straw Hat crew, eliminate everyone on the island! Understand?"

"A piece of cake."

Such a shocking conversation was delivered so casually. The people, just freed from Moria's imprisonment and enjoying a brief respite from the sun, received news of their impending annihilation?

They quickly recognized the man in the crowd: the Shichibukai, the Tyrant Kuma! The devastating news plunged everyone's hearts into despair.

This was unbearable for anyone. Panic quickly spread through the crowd, and the crew members were all in poor condition. However, one man stepped forward.

Zoro let out a long breath, drew his Shusui sword, and walked to the front of the crowd, saying,

"You all step back! I'll handle him."

The crew members were all nearly exhausted from the battle against Moria. Zoro, although he had also fought a major battle, was currently in his best condition.

So no one stopped Zoro. A tense atmosphere began to spread in the air. Suddenly,

*Pop!*

Like the sound of a bubble bursting, Kuma's figure vanished abruptly, reappearing in the crowd. Was it speed? No! It wasn't about speed at all.

It was practically teleportation! Even with the power of Rek's Wind and Lightning buff at full speed, Zoro could barely sense the movement, but Kuma's movement was completely imperceptible!

Kuma's appearance in the crowd instantly enraged the already desperate group. Shouting, they charged forward, swords in hand. However, Kuma simply removed his glove and casually slapped it down.

Boom!

A cute bear paw print appeared on one person's chest, followed by the same mark on the chests of everyone behind him, accompanied by a powerful impact and a sound like an explosion.

This single blow brought the berserk group back to their senses. However, Kuma didn't continue attacking; instead, it teleported back to Zoro.

"Zoro, the Pirate Hunter, let's start with you."

"I couldn't be happier."

"Your evaluation is very high. The most ferocious pirate crew, the pirate kings of the new era, the Straw Hat crew, surpassing all the Supernovas."

"So our reputation has grown that much. Thank you for telling us, but I won't hold back."

"One-Sword Style: Steel-Cutting Flash!"

*Poof*

Fast, accurate, and ruthless, an attack capable of easily piercing steel missed its first target. Kuma merely opened his palm to block, and upon contact with the fleshy ball on Kuma's hand...

Zoro's attack completely vanished, as if he hadn't exerted any force at all. The power was directly absorbed, and before Zoro could react, Kuma unleashed the impact again.

*Poof!*

Such a cute sound, yet such terrifying power. One strike instantly and severely injured Zoro, the terrifying impact sending him flying backward.

Brook managed to jump up and catch him. Even Zoro was badly injured by the attack, and the crew finally realized the gravity of the situation.

Nami had been praying for Lake to appear ever since Kuma appeared, and her prayers finally came true. However, Lake's arrival was a devastating blow to her crew.

"Stop!"

A familiar voice rang out, and everyone looked over in surprise, only to see a Lake they had never seen before, his clothes tattered and his body covered in bloody wounds.

The most terrifying thing was a horrific scar running from top to bottom over his left eye. Such a gruesome injury would have killed anyone, and his companions were completely stunned.

Nami collapsed to the ground, pale-faced and clutching her mouth. Her companions cried out in astonishment for Lake, the usually so powerful man.

Even when facing a Marine Admiral, he had never suffered such a severe injury. What had happened to cause him to fall like this? What terrifying enemies still lurked on this island?

Chapter 137 Mimicking a Super Saiyan, Luffy Out of ControlKuma's gaze fell on Lake, and the next second...

*Pop*

A crisp sound rang out, and Kuma instantly appeared behind Lake. Lake, seemingly caught off guard but unable to keep up due to his injuries, glared at Kuma with a ferocious expression.

Then, to the astonishment and despair of his crew, Lake vanished. With a casual wave of Kuma's hand, Lake's aura completely disappeared, as if he had evaporated into thin air.

This devastating blow caused Nami to faint. His crew members were all stunned and incredulous; the scene before them was truly unbelievable.

Luffy, who had been completely dumbfounded, was now experiencing a powerful mental shock. Anger and resentment surged through his innocent heart, and his eyes instantly became bloodshot.

His black pupils quickly disappeared, and his body began to change. A red and gold aura swirled around Luffy.

"Ah!!!"

With a scream that echoed throughout the entire island, Luffy completely lost his mind at that moment. His hair stood on end, turning purplish-black, and his entire body was engulfed in golden flames.

A voice, somewhat dissatisfied, muttered from a distance, "Just a Super Saiyan mimicry? Not quite satisfied, but that's all we can do for now, otherwise it'll get out of control."

"Luffy!" his companions exclaimed in unison.

Luffy's sudden change astonished everyone. Usopp suddenly realized something and shouted, "This is! This is the transformation Lake mentioned before!"

"Transformation? That Super...I remember it increases strength a hundredfold, but Luffy looks a bit strange?" Sanji immediately replied.

The heavily injured Zoro struggled to his feet, his face serious. "Be careful! Luffy's gone out of control, it's from that stimulation..."

Luffy in his Super Saiyan mimicry form didn't immediately lose control. Instead, he locked his gaze directly onto Kuma, and in the blink of an eye...

Bang!

Luffy's body suddenly vanished, accompanied by a muffled thud. Kuma's massive body was sent flying, the force of which was dozens of times greater.

Kuma's towering body slammed to the ground mid-air, his feet firmly planted on the earth. His usually calm expression turned to surprise.

As a member of both the Revolutionary Army and the Government Pirates, Kuma's intelligence gathering was undoubtedly sharp; he knew Luffy's capabilities.

"Speed, strength...it really is a hundredfold increase..." Kuma muttered to himself.

Before he could react, Luffy was already in front of him again. Kuma immediately swung his hand to strike, but the result was unexpected.

*Smack!*

Luffy had actually grabbed Kuma's arm. For the first time, the mighty tyrant Kuma felt a sense of existential crisis.

*Bang!*

The same scene played out again. Another punch, completely invisible to the naked eye, sent Kuma flying once more. He was always the one sending others flying; today, he finally experienced the feeling of taking flight.

This time, Luffy didn't give Kuma a chance to land. While still in mid-air, Luffy reappeared, ready to strike again, but this time, Lake intervened.

Lake suddenly appeared between Kuma and Luffy, instantly enveloping Luffy's fist, and then his expression changed in a second.

"Hiss~ Your strength's a bit off, kid. It really is a matter of individual constitution... But you should wake up!"

As he spoke, a red six-pointed star appeared in Lake's eyes, and the next moment, golden flames began to emanate from his body—the Super Saiyan clone was successfully replicated.

Lake's current state was no less intense than under the scorching sun; the aura emanating from him was suffocating. With a flick of his wrist, he directly restrained Luffy.

"Lake?!" His companions' voices rang out at this moment.

Lake locked Luffy in a rear-naked choke, smiling slightly embarrassedly, and said, "Ahaha~ What a coincidence, are you all alright?"

Now everyone finally understood what had happened. They'd been tricked. Zoro, whether from injury or anger, had fainted on the spot.

"Unconscious!" Robin's voice reached Lake's ears, but her target was Luffy.

Originally, Robin hesitated to use her curse on Luffy due to the difference in their strength, but in Luffy's irrational state, the curse was like hypnosis.

Hypnosis was inevitable; Luffy was powerless against it and fell asleep instantly. Now that the most troublesome situation was resolved, it was time for judgment.

Even Kuma sensed the tense atmosphere and silently retreated to a small rock to read. Lake, watching the approaching crowd, swallowed hard and said,

"Let me say one last thing! Don't hit my face! Ah! Don't hit...my face!"

After a series of inappropriate domestic violence incidents, Lake lay on the ground, his face unrecognizable, looking as if he were "dead."

His companions had vented their anger, and Nami commanded Lake, "Come here and explain!"

Hearing this, Lake, who was half-dead a second ago, instantly revived, quickly appearing before Nami, head bowed, and began to explain the whole story.

After learning the truth, his companions didn't blame Lake, only warning him never to do it again. Lake swore an oath without hesitation.

Seeing the commotion subside, Kuma stepped forward and said to Lake, "Well, I've done what you asked me to do. I'm going back now."

Lake nodded, then suddenly remembered something. He casually blew Moria out of the ruins and placed him in front of Moria, saying,

"He's in your hands now. At least Moria's life is saved. I believe the government won't make things difficult for you. With me here, they shouldn't think it's unreasonable."

Kuma looked at Moria on the ground and said, "Okay, thank you."

*Pop*

With a crisp sound, Moria walked away first, followed by Kuma silently leaving alone. Now only Lake and his companions remained in the ruins. Kuma hadn't really attacked the group from before.

A single large-area AOE attack knocked everyone unconscious; it was just a matter of lifting a finger for him. His companions were also exhausted.

Exhausted from both battle and mental strain, everyone just wanted to rest. So, Lake had Melly release the Proverb.

A massive golden ship suddenly appeared on the ruins. The companions boarded the ship one by one and went to their rooms to rest until the next day.

The blinding sunrise woke many people, and Lake had already called his companions ahead of time. Proverbs was still too conspicuous, even though this group consisted of people persecuted by Moria.

However, there were bound to be some with ulterior motives, and Lake didn't want to deal with them alone later, so it was best to avoid trouble.

Chapter 138 Brook Joins the Team, Heading to the Next Stop"Hey~ Brook! Be my crewmate!"

This was the phrase Luffy said most often to Brook after waking up. During the subsequent party, Luffy became completely enamored with this singing skeleton.

He insisted on having him on board, but Brook never gave a direct answer because he deeply remembered their past promise.

Lake, carrying a plate of small cakes, wobbled over to the two of them, casually mentioning it.

"Huh? Where's the headache medicine I got from Uncle Crocus? Luffy! Did you eat it like a snack?!"

Luffy quickly covered his mouth, mumbling something unintelligible. This was actually Luffy's instinctive reaction; the mention of stealing food always triggered this reaction.

However, at that moment, Brook, who was playing the piano, heard a familiar name: Crocus. To confirm, Brook turned to Lake and said...

"Mr. Lake? The Crocus you mentioned earlier, is he the lighthouse keeper at Twin Peaks?"

Just then, Sanji, who was passing by with a dish, joined the conversation, replying, "Oh, that old man who pretends to be scary."

However, Luffy, who has face blindness, had no memory of their conversation. At this moment, Usopp interjected, "It's that old man who looks a lot like a sunflower."

Instantly, Luffy remembered and shouted, "Oh, it's Old Man Sunflower! Brook, do you know him?"

Brook nodded and began to reminisce. When he mentioned Laboon, his crewmates' eyes lit up, as if two newly acquainted people had suddenly discovered that their old friend was the same person.

An excited Luffy immediately recounted their previous encounter with Laboon. Brook, after hearing it, was moved to tears, learning that Laboon hadn't forgotten them.

Brook burst into tears, whether from excitement or guilt, it was unclear. But after so many years, he had finally learned of Laboon's whereabouts. Overwhelmed with emotion, Brook shouted.

"It's so good to be alive!"

Then came the exhilarating performance, Brook thought to himself as he played.

"Laboon~ If you've waited 50 years over there, could you wait another year or two? I have the ambition of a pirate! I will definitely keep my promise and meet you again face to face!"

After thinking it over, Brook looked up at Luffy and said, "Um, can I still join you guys?"

Luffy answered without hesitation, "Sure!"

As expected, every beginning has its end. He joined so casually and easily, but this time the situation was completely different.

Surprised as he was, his crewmates welcomed him warmly, lifting Brook up and cheering, "Long live the musician!"

The banquet immediately became even more lively. Brook suddenly pulled a dusty wanted poster from his skull and introduced himself.

"Yohohoho~ Let me reintroduce myself! I'm sorry for the late introduction, I'm Brook, the one who's dead and only bones remain! Bounty 33 million Berries, Nose Song Brook."

"Acting captain of the Rumbar Pirates, musician and swordsman, from today onwards, I entrust my life to Captain Luffy of the Straw Hat Pirates. To avoid being a burden to everyone, I will do my utmost, even at the cost of my life!"

His sense of ceremony was far superior to Lake's. After another toast, the banquet continued, lasting until the third day after the break.

Brook bid farewell at the Rumbar Pirates' gravestone, which Franky and Usopp had helped build, and officially boarded the Sunny. The crew was ready to set off for their next destination.

Among those rescued was a woman named Lola. They obtained a lot of information from her, as she had previously been to the New World. Lola mentioned that her mother was a pirate.

Lake's expression was quite interesting. Lola's reluctance to reveal this was probably to protect them; her mother was no ordinary person.

Before parting, Lola gave Nami a Vivre Card (a card representing her mother), telling her that if she encountered any trouble later, she could ask her mother for help.

Lake's expression twisted again. Noticing this, Luffy suddenly remembered something and took out the Vivre Card Ace had given him. However, Luffy froze when he saw the card.

The originally palm-sized piece of paper had been burned down to only a third of its original size. Lola, seeing this, explained the reason for the Vivre Card's condition.

This meant the Vivre Card's owner was in bad shape. Luffy was visibly worried after hearing this, but ultimately decided not to interfere with Ace's adventure and continue on his way.

Lake didn't say a word from beginning to end because Sabaody Archipelago was a must-go location for the grand performance to come—a place with many big names and actors, perfect for the opening ceremony.

After the captain made his decision, the Sunny set sail again. Once the ship was stable, Lake, as usual, called his crew to distribute the treasures. Franky and Brook were both thrilled.

Usopp was also overjoyed; he hadn't expected to get one. Usopp had been very interested in Lake's twin pistols, but they had become less frequently used by Lake.

Usopp had been thinking about asking Lake about the two guns the other day, but unexpectedly, Lake had given them to him directly today—a pleasant surprise.

Lake planned to give Robin her share separately that evening. Of course, as punishment for the beating he had received earlier, Lake would definitely get his revenge.

After receiving the treasure, Franky felt as if ten Vegapunks had been stuffed into his brain. This was the first time Franky had felt so technologically inept.

After much agonizing reflection, Franky decided to retreat into seclusion for training, refusing to see anyone and locking himself in his workshop, with only Sanji bringing him cola every day.

Brook, on the other hand, was completely different. He was captivated by this mysterious and unknown power, which directly merged with his sword.

Brook had even demonstrated it in front of everyone beforehand, and Lake couldn't help but give him a thumbs up and shout it out when he saw it.

"Damn, that's awesome!"

These past few nights, the girls' room on the Sunny has been like a battlefield. The noise is so loud that the soundproof barrier can barely hold it in. There's no way around it; Robin might misuse her powers in moments of extreme excitement.

Lake used a treasure linked to history to lure Robin, which is why Robin has been acting so recklessly these past few days; Nami is always the first to surrender.

She was even disheartened by the subsequent battles, realizing that Robin could defeat her even with Lake's initial attack. After those days, Nami resolved to train harder to improve her physical fitness. Who would have thought the reason was this?

Chapter 139 reiterates the arrival at the Sabaody Archipelago."Wind, come on, jet!"

Lake: "Hey, Franky! Don't suddenly speed up! I finally fell asleep and you woke me up again!"

Luffy: "Charge! Sunny!"

Usopp: "I'm telling you, you've been a bit too lazy lately, Lake."

Chopper: "Yeah, yeah! Lake's always sleeping, so lazy!"

Merry: "So lazy!"

Lake: "Huh? What right do you bunch of idle guys have to say that to me?!"

Nami: "Don't yell at Merry!"

Brook: "Yo-ho-ho-ho~ Only Miss Nami can keep Lake in check."

Sanji: "Dinner's ready!"

Zoro: "You guys are so noisy!"

Sanji: "What? No food for you, you idiot swordsman?"

Zoro: "Huh? Say that again, you bastard with curly eyebrows!"

Robin: "Ara~ Seafood today~"

Luffy: "Seafood feast!"

Usopp: "Ah! Hurry! Luffy's gone! If we're any later, there won't be any food!"

...

A day on the Sunny is always this joyful. They haven't experienced anything major since leaving Thriller Bark, and they're getting closer to their next goal.

Seeing the Red Line again proves they're halfway there. Another memorable moment. Lake suddenly remembers their declaration before entering the Grand Line.

There were only a few of them then, but now everyone was together. They could do it again under the witness of the Red Line, and the crew agreed to Lake's suggestion.

It was still a bucket, but this time there were many more people. Everyone put their feet on it and began to declare their commitment.

Luffy: "I will become the Pirate King!"

Zoro: "I will become the world's greatest swordsman!"

Sanji: "I will find All Blue!"

Nami: "I will draw a world map!"

Robin: "I will find the truth of all history!"

Chopper: "I will become the greatest doctor!"

Merry: "I will always be with everyone!"

Usopp: "I will become the world's greatest sniper!"

Franky: "I will become the greatest shipwright!"

Brook: "I will fulfill my promise to Laboon!"

Lake: "I will protect all your dreams until the very end!"

Finally, everyone stomped on the bucket, and under the witness of the Red Line, the bond between the crew grew even stronger.

Later, on their way to the Sabaody Archipelago, they inadvertently rescued Camie, a mermaid who had been swallowed by a Sea King. Finally, they met the real mermaid Sanji, who, along with Brook, was suffering from severe blood loss.

Fortunately, Camie, like Luffy, is somewhat oblivious and didn't mistake the two for monsters. Camie then received a distress call from her good friend Hachi.

This name and the voice coming from the Den Den Mushi (snail phone) intrigued Nami, and her friends, who had become Camie's companions, set off to rescue Hachi.

The enemy was a group called the Flying Fish Knights, led by a man named Duval. For some reason, everyone had a strange feeling when they saw Duval.

An inexplicable feeling, until the simple-minded Luffy blurted out, "Oh, so it's Sanji!"

Everyone suddenly realized what was happening, and Sanji went berserk, unleashing a "Restore My Beauty Kick" on the spot, successfully transforming Duval into a handsome young man.

This caused Duval and his crew to instantly submit, easily rescuing Camie's friend. When they saw Hachi, Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Usopp all fell silent.

Because this guy named Hachi was the octopus swordsman from Arlong Park, the group that had taken over Nami's hometown, the one Zoro defeated in one move.

Uh…

For a moment, the crew even wondered if they shouldn't have saved him. Usopp quietly told the rest of the crew what was going on, warning everyone to be careful.

Nami's position on the ship was unquestionable; she was the undisputed leader. With Lake's connection, it was safe to say that a single word from Nami could obliterate Hachi.

This somewhat awkward atmosphere continued until Hachi started making takoyaki, to thank Luffy and the others for saving him.

Hachi, having showcased his special skill—hidden-recipe takoyaki—deliciously drew praise from Sanji, instantly turning the crew into gluttons, forgetting everything else.

Then, out of the blue, Hachi asked, "Um... Nami, what do you think of the taste?"

"!"

Everyone, engrossed in their meal, froze, cold sweat pouring down their faces, too afraid to move. Lake stood silently beside Nami.

Nami silently sampled the food before smiling and saying, "Mmm, very delicious."

Instantly, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, assuming Lake was just putting on airs. In reality, Lake was just like his crew, only his special status prevented him from joining them.

Now that Nami had finally spoken, he too breathed a sigh of relief, gently hugging her and asking, "Are you alright?"

Nami leaned against Lake's chest, gently shaking her head, and said, "I'm fine. It's all in the past. Besides, Hachi didn't do anything to me back then; on the contrary, he was the one who took the best care of me."

"That's good," Lake said, ruffling Nami's hair.

Now everyone could finally get along normally, eating and playing as usual, and enjoying some happy time together. Afterwards, they all went aboard the Sunny for tea.

Kemi explained the situation of this area and how to get to Fish-Man Island. To reach the New World, they only had one route.

That was Fish-Man Island, 10,000 meters underwater. As for how to get down there, they needed to go to the Sabaody Archipelago to have their ship coated—something completely unknown to everyone.

So having a local was really helpful. The Sunny continued its journey, and soon they arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago.

Seeing the enormous trees and vines everywhere, and the countless bubbles, they knew they were in the Sabaody Archipelago—its most distinctive feature.

The roots of the Yarchiman mangrove trees secrete a special natural resin through respiration. This resin expands with the air, forming bubbles that fill the entire Sabaody Archipelago.

Here, there was no need to worry about the Log Pose being replaced, because the Sabaody Archipelago is essentially composed of trees and is not an island.

The entire island is composed of 79 numbered trees, each representing a town and facilities. This archipelago of 79 islands is known as the "Sabaody Archipelago."

The Sabaody Archipelago is clearly divided into areas, based on the numbers on the trees. It's also worth mentioning that the Marine Headquarters is nearby.

Before landing, Hachi specifically emphasized something very important: no matter what happens, never provoke the World Nobles here—the Celestial Dragons!