Chapter 119: A Leisurely Day (In Progress)
Currently, he only has seven companions, two fewer than Luna.
Good heavens, the opposing side already formed a ten-person team; he was far behind!
Luffy was completely struck by the news, and it was no wonder he was flustered.
He should know that Luna started sailing as a pirate later than him! Yet, her fame and influence were higher than his, a fact evident from the bounty on her wanted poster.
But at the same time, whether it was his personal strength or the strength of his companions, he was far behind, which was a significant blow to Luffy.
"Um, hello everyone." Although Luffy looked a little down, Sana still stepped forward and greeted the Straw Hat Pirates. Through their previous conversations, she knew that many members of the Straw Hat Pirates, who were much weaker than the Pink Hat Pirates, were friends and family with their crew. Since they were friends, she naturally treated them with the best demeanor and attitude.
"Hello." The entire Straw Hat Pirates greeted her, but Luffy still looked listless. It seemed the blow was indeed significant, and he looked as if he were missing only a rain cloud hovering over his head.
"Hehe, Luffy, I just got a little lucky, and don't worry, I'm not interested in Raftel or becoming the Pirate King."
Seeing Luffy like this, Luna couldn't help but exclaim. Being able to suppress the protagonist everywhere made her feel incredibly good.
Fortunately, Luffy was a good person, unlike some insignificant scoundrel, or else Luna would definitely have eliminated him.
"Ah, then what is your dream?" Luffy asked curiously. Even his previous dejected mood had improved significantly. Naturally, since Luna had said she was not a strong opponent for the title, he was quite happy.
But even if she were, Luffy would welcome anyone; he would not fear any challenge or difficulty.
But at the same time, the entire Straw Hat Pirates, including him, were very curious about Luna's dream.
"Me? I have quite a few dreams and goals, but the biggest one is to become the Queen of this world, the new ruler, and change this terrible world."
Luna stated her dream directly.
The Straw Hat Pirates were stunned, never expecting Luna's dream to be so massive and grand.
Next, the other members of the Pink Hat Pirates also talked about their dreams, and the Straw Hat Pirates did the same.
After encouraging and supporting each other, everyone immediately walked into Water Seven together to play and have fun...
Meanwhile, on the other side of Water Seven, Franky showed Shiro an empty factory belonging to the Galley-La Company. Shiro was very satisfied after seeing it and immediately decided to take that location.
She immediately took out a large pile of materials from inside her storage ring, which instantly startled Franky.
"Ah ah ah, what's going on? Where did you get so many materials? And many of them are top-tier materials. Wait a minute, how come there are some metal materials I've never seen before?"
Franky was one of the foremost Shipwrights in the Pirate World, which meant he was very familiar with many materials in the Pirate World, whether wood or iron. But when he saw the top-tier alloy materials from the Ultraman World, he was immediately puzzled. What was going on? How could he not recognize this metal?
Nonsense, how could a person from the Pirate World recognize metal materials from the Ultraman World, which was countless times stronger than the Pirate World?
Of course, Shiro wouldn't admit the truth. She could only say that this was an alloy she had developed herself, and all the weapons and equipment on her body were forged from this metal.
Luna had completely handed over the twenty thousand tons of metal materials obtained last time to Shiro and Deya—a variety of materials. However, what Shiro was currently taking out was indeed only the metal used to forge the Galactron series.
"Oh my gosh, this alloy metal is amazing! It has incredible toughness and hardness. Several times when I saw the armor and weapons on you, I felt they were extraordinary. You truly are a powerful Scientist."
After personally examining the Galactron alloy, Franky spoke with excitement and enthusiasm, even looking at Shiro with a hint of admiration in his heart.
"Wait a moment, everyone. I already forged the equipment last night and put it inside the ring. Now I need to forge the gear and weapons first."
Shiro smiled, then turned and spoke to the Bei Group.
The seven girls of the Bei Group nodded in understanding.
"Put it inside the ring? What do you mean by that? Oh, right, you still haven't told me how you took out such a large pile of materials?"
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Chapter 120 Franky was completely bewildered now
Franky was completely bewildered now. He felt like his brain was about to smoke, forcing him to ask again, full of doubt.
"This is a spatial storage ring that I developed by studying spatial forces..."
Shiro was willing to explain it to him, so she immediately displayed the ring worn on her finger and introduced its related abilities to Franky.
"My heavens, you are too strong! To actually be able to develop such a great invention—even the rumored Vegapunk hasn't researched spatial forces, right? No, I estimate he doesn't even have the ability to touch upon this area. You are truly powerful, both in your scientific research ability and your personal strength."
Franky was completely shocked at this moment, standing dumbfounded, because Shiro's scientific research ability was even stronger than he had imagined, far surpassing the impression of her strength he held from when she destroyed the Buster Call yesterday.
Next, Shiro took out many pieces of equipment used for forging gear and weapons. With Franky's help, they were all powered up. The factory could connect to power, but the electricity provided here was still insufficient, far below Shiro's estimate, so she took out a self-made hydro-powered generator to serve as the power source.
However, this hydro-powered generator—which, in Shiro's eyes, couldn't even make it into the top ten of the engines she had developed—once again astonished Franky. He couldn't help but go up and touch it, examining its structure and principles.
Shiro worked on forging the Galactron gear nearby. When she was about halfway done, she took out the pre-prepared Galactron Monster Girls culture medium and the corresponding cultivation tanks.
After powering them up.
Under Franky's astonished gaze, the Bei Group all walked inside. In the seven different cultivation tanks, under the influence of special drugs, they quickly fell into a deep sleep, their entire bodies submerged in nutrient fluid.
After finishing this, Shiro continued forging the gear, with Franky helping out.
Meanwhile, in the town of Water Seven, the Straw Hat Pirates and the Pink Hat Pirates had already started either acting alone, splitting into pairs, or moving in trios.
The relaxing day belonging to the two great crews thus began, but at the same time, the entire sea trembled once more...
This was naturally because Morgans had finally finished writing his report last night—a newspaper he was satisfied with—and had rushed the printing.
This morning, large numbers of Newspaper Seagulls flew out across the entire world.
Everything the Pink Hat Pirates did yesterday, another resounding achievement, instantly became known across the entire sea, regardless of the faction—whether ordinary residents, powerful individuals, pirates, or regular Marines.
"The Marines' Attempt Backfires, Leading to a Huge Mistake: The Buster Call Nearly Destroys Enies Lobby."
"The Pink Hat Pirates Suddenly Appear, Intercept the Buster Call Fleet, and Utterly Annihilate It; Five Vice Admirals Captured, Tens of Thousands of Marines Killed."
"The Straw Hat Pirates Cause Chaos at Enies Lobby; The Pink Hat Pirates Arrive and Reach an Agreement with the Straw Hat Pirates, Who Then Depart."
"Enies Lobby CP9 Director Spandam Killed by Pink Hat Pirates Captain Luna, Followed by Another Massacre of All Marines and World Government Personnel on Enies Lobby."
"A Admiral Arrives in Anger; Aokiji Faces the Pink Hat Pirates Once More, But Is Easily Defeated by Luna, Who Displays Superb Haki Abilities and Devil Fruit Ability."
The headlines written by Morgans sounded exaggerated but were grounded in reality. Coupled with the content below, everyone on the sea who saw the report understood exactly what had happened yesterday.
For a time, the entire sea was immensely shaken, and everyone was extremely shocked and disbelieving.
Weren't the Pink Hat Pirates too bold and reckless? This was the first time the Buster Call, representing the authority of the World Government and the Marines, had been annihilated. Moreover, Enies Lobby, one of the three major institutions, was also destroyed, and important officials were killed.
Of course, in their eyes, the most important point was that Admiral Aokiji had once again been defeated by the Pink Hat Pirates, and this time, he lost directly to Luna. Counting Akainu previously, the Marines now had two Admirals defeated by Luna.
Many factions across the sea had different reactions.
First were the Four Emperors: Whitebeard Edward Newgate, Kaido the Beast, Big Mom Charlotte Linlin, and Red-Haired Shanks.
They were also very surprised by the achievements the Pink Hat Pirates made yesterday. Just like the reason for Sengoku and the others' anger, the Marines and the World Government suffered heavy casualties this time.
But there was also another point that made all of them become cautious and serious.
That was the strength Luna displayed, especially the photo in the newspaper. They could tell that Luna's Conquerors Haki Infusion was no weaker than theirs, and even in terms of Armament Haki, she was significantly stronger than some of them, especially since Luna simultaneously displayed Armament Haki: Ryuo, which possesses internal destruction and long-range attack effects.
It must be known that among them, regarding Armament Haki, they had either mastered one type, or although they had mastered both types, using them simultaneously was still somewhat difficult.
Not to mention that Luna could actually use Armament Haki: Ryuo and Conquerors Haki Infusion simultaneously. This point made them even more apprehensive. Coupled with Luna's own Devil Fruit Ability, once they understood what the void was, they also felt it was an unsolvable ability.
Through this newspaper, they had to admit that Luna completely possessed strength comparable to theirs, and in some aspects, she had even surpassed them.
It was hard to imagine that this was merely a 17-year-old Little girl.
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Chapter 121: The Navy's Lack of Confidence
But to say they were afraid of Luna? Heh, how could that be possible?
The Four Emperors are all untamed and supremely confident in their strength; otherwise, how could they all possess their own Haoshoku, and how could they dominate a territory in the New World?
They are all veteran Four Emperors, including Shanks, who has been one for almost ten years. If Luna truly brought her Pink Hat Pirates into the New World, they wouldn't mind having a confrontation.
Whitebeard, Kaido, and Big Mom essentially shared this thought. However, at the same time, after reading the newspaper, they all had an indescribable feeling, a sense of familiarity, though they couldn't quite recall what it was immediately.
Shanks was different. He was much younger compared to the other three Four Emperors and had not experienced that era at all. But simultaneously, even Shanks frowned.
He was dedicated to stabilizing peace in the sea and maintaining the current situation, but he realized that Luna's actions were like a sharp long saber, cutting an opening in the peaceful situation that had been maintained for so many years.
This was not what he wanted to see. Of course, all the Four Emperors, including him, also knew one more thing.
That was, in a few days, the Marines and the Pink Hat Pirates would clash again.
They were also somewhat anticipating what the outcome of this battle would be... Dressrosa Kingdom.
"Fufufufufu, what a group of crazy women. As expected, they cannot be treated merely as a bunch of young girls and rookies."
Doflamingo, sitting in the main seat of the palace, laughed, his eyes behind his sunglasses filled with malice and playfulness.
But at the same time, deep down, he felt a heightened sense of caution and fear.
Because, just as he said, the Pink Hat Pirates absolutely could not be underestimated. At least now, Doflamingo had mentally labeled them as untouchable.
To be honest, he had originally taken the initiative to seek them out, making a trip to Jaya Island after leaving Marineford. The first reason was naturally because he knew the Pink Hat Pirates were active in that area, and the second was to discipline a few disobedient dogs under his command.
But he ultimately missed them. It is likely that even Doflamingo himself was unaware of the existence of Skypiea.
After all, those who truly knew about it were extremely few; even the Marines and the World Government had next to no understanding of Skypiea.
The reason he wanted to find them was that he believed Shiro of the Pink Hat Pirates possessed super research capabilities and technological weapon development skills.
As a weapons dealer, he really did not want to miss this business opportunity, but after missing them, he could only reluctantly choose to return.
Back to the New World.
"Fufufu, the Marines might be serious this time. I truly anticipate the result."
Doflamingo laughed wildly. Like the Four Emperors, he was also highly anticipating this battle, especially wanting to see Shiro's performance and how powerful the equipment and weapons she was wearing in the photo actually were.
As for how he could see this, it was naturally because, as a fellow Underground Emperor, he had some connection with Morgans.
He had asked that guy, and that guy actually planned to conduct a live broadcast report three days later. Didn't that prove that the entire sea would be able to watch the battle between the Pink Hat Pirates and the Marines?
Therefore, he was naturally very much looking forward to it.
At this time, the other Shichibukai, aside from the already expelled Crocodile, even the previously uninterested Kuma and Jinbe, had become intrigued by this.
This was all due to the influence brought by the Pink Hat Pirates' current increase in strength and great fame, forcing them to pay attention.
Moriah's territory was near Water Seven, and the Straw Hat Pirates heading there next was the best proof of that.
This dead fatty was now somewhat looking forward to it, believing the Pink Hat Pirates' next stop would be here. He was very confident in himself, as it was his territory after all.
Of course, in his eyes, the premise was that they could first pass the Marine hurdle. He needed the bodies and shadows of strong individuals to create zombies.
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Chapter 122 The Pirate Empress Boa Hancock was already paying high attention to the Pink Hat Pirates
The Pirate Empress Boa Hancock was already paying high attention to the Pink Hat Pirates, and coupled with her dislike for the Marines, she was extremely concerned about what would happen next and the outcome of the battle three days later.
Finally, there was Mihawk. If Doflamingo was anticipating Shiro, then Mihawk was anticipating Kuina's performance.
He already had some anticipation for the young man he met in the East Blue, but now there was another female swordsman, and one with even stronger swordsmanship. Mihawk was highly anticipating her performance and the result of the battle three days later, wondering if she could excite him enough to pay a personal visit and challenge her to a duel.
Meanwhile, Blackbeard, who also saw the newspaper, breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness he hadn't clashed with the Pink Hat Pirates back on Jaya Island, or he would certainly have faced disaster, if not death, then at least losing a layer of skin.
Others across the sea also had varying reactions, but without a doubt, they were all rendered speechless by the astonishing military achievements produced by the Pink Hat Pirates, completely engulfed in shock... Marineford.
At this moment, Sengoku, sitting at his desk, held the newspaper, veins throbbing on his face and hands, constantly suppressing his rage.
Finally, he couldn't help but curse.
"That bastard, Morgans!"
Sengoku's tone was filled with both fury and sorrow, because he clearly knew that with these events being reported, the Marines' influence and deterrent power across the sea had genuinely dropped significantly, like half the water in a pot suddenly boiling away.
Many citizens across the sea would lose all faith in them, while conversely, pirates and villains would become even more rampant and reckless.
"Those hateful brats," Akainu, sitting nearby, said, grinding his teeth fiercely. Justice had been trampled, and he absolutely could not tolerate such wickedness.
Of course, since he wouldn't be facing Luna, he didn't believe he couldn't defeat the other girls.
"It is indeed a bit excessive. I also hope my abilities will be effective against her then," said the somewhat lecherous-looking Kizaru, sitting beside him, filing his nails while speaking with some seriousness.
With the Marines suffering such massive losses, even he had to become rigorous and serious.
Suddenly, the door opened, and Garp and Tsuru walked in.
"How are the preparations?" Sengoku asked with anticipation, hoping to hear some good news.
"The 2 billion Berries are ready, and the government side has handed over the completely insane Spandine to us. The people and items they demanded are all prepared."
"Borsalino is ready, but Sengoku, let me be frank: those girls inflict too much damage on ordinary Marines. This time, I only brought 500 elite Marine Soldiers, including two students I took under my wing."
Tsuru and Garp spoke one after the other. Hearing their words, Sengoku frowned slightly but agreed. Indeed, facing the elite-focused Pink Hat Pirates, and considering the battle location was not their home turf, the Marines were going all out this time, but only in terms of high-end combat power. It was better to bring as few Marine Soldiers as possible, as their effectiveness was truly limited.
"That will suffice. With Garp leading the team, plus the rescued Kuzan and five Vice Admirals—one Four Emperors Level combatant and four Admiral Level combatants—we might not only be able to fight but even secure a small victory."
Sengoku sighed in relief, adding that Marine Soldiers could still use long-range artillery attacks, and coupled with the five Vice Admirals, that was another advantage.
Seeing his expression, although she didn't want to interrupt, Tsuru still spoke up.
"Sengoku, have you considered one issue? If Luna and the others withhold food and medical treatment from Kuzan and the others these few days, those six men will be completely unable to exert effective combat power when we retrieve them."
Hearing this, Sengoku, Garp, and the two Admirals, Akainu and Kizaru, were startled. That's right, they almost forgot that step.
"If that's the case, even if we rescue Kuzan and the others, they will need time to regain their strength and recover from their injuries. Who knows what might happen then."
Tsuru sighed, clearly not feeling very optimistic about this battle. She and Sengoku couldn't go because they had to remain at Marineford; at least two Admiral Level combatants needed to stay behind.
Sengoku was a Four Emperors Level combatant, and she was considered a quasi-Admiral Level combatant—that was just enough.
"We'll see what happens then," Sengoku said, taking a deep breath.
The Marines, subtly, despite the battle being three days away, had already significantly lowered their enthusiasm for victory.
Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Army also received the related reports. Dragon was also somewhat surprised. If the Revolutionary Army weren't currently facing a critical period, he would want to make a trip to Water Seven to meet the Pink Hat Pirates properly...
At this moment, on the Pink Hat Pirates' pirate ship, in a room that had been cleared out, Kuzan and the five Vice Admirals finally woke up in a daze.
But when they saw themselves locked inside a cage, with Sea Stone handcuffs on their wrists, they instantly sobered up completely.
The pain in their bodies and the hunger caused by their growling stomachs made them extremely uncomfortable, stripping them of the ability to escape. They knew very well that in their current state—let alone the Sea Stone handcuffs—they couldn't even break free from ordinary iron shackles.
The six men immediately became disheartened.
"How did you all lose?" Kuzan asked, looking at the five Vice Admirals beside him.
"Mr. Kuzan, it was like this." Onigumo, Momonga, and the others recounted the events in detail. The five of them explained together, as they had acted separately this time, dealing with different situations, so naturally, they had to explain collectively.
Kuzan was also incredibly shocked after listening, and simultaneously very worried, because the Marines had still vastly underestimated the Pink Hat Pirates' overall combat strength and the power of each individual member.
"Mr. Kuzan, what about you? How were you defeated?"