Luffy's rubber head was already stretched out1, his face split by a wide grin. "That's right! The direction that shakes the most is the most dangerous2! Hehehe, that sounds really interesting3!"
Luffy's enthusiasm immediately terrified Nami4. Usopp and Chopper also gathered together5. The timid trio had a bad feeling because, knowing Luffy's character, he would certainly choose the most perilous route6. They decided privately that they couldn't let Luffy look at the pointer, or he would lead everyone into the most dangerous place7.
At that moment, Luffy looked at Jinbe and asked with a smile, "Jinbe, come be my partner8! We fought together and had a banquet together, so we're already partners9!"
The Straw Hats couldn't help but roll their eyes at Luffy's logic10. According to him, even the Whitebeard Pirates, including Whitebeard himself, were partners of the Straw Hats since they had fought together at the Summit War and held a banquet afterwards11. Luffy's logic left people speechless12.
Jinbe raised a hand and politely refused. "Brother Luffy, I'm truly happy that you would invite me13. But I'm sorry, I'm still the captain of the Sun Pirates, and the Sun Pirates are currently under the banner of the Whitebeard Pirates14. If I joined you, I would be betraying Dad [Whitebeard]. You wouldn't welcome a betrayer, would you, Brother Luffy15?"
Luffy looked a little disappointed when he heard that. "Well, I can't poach Uncle Whitebeard either," he admitted16.
The Straw Hats were also disappointed. Jinbe was exceptionally strong. If they could recruit a former Warlord of the Sea, the crew's strength would definitely increase significantly17.
Seeing their regret, Jinbe quickly smiled and said, "Hahaha, Brother Luffy and everyone, you don't have to feel bad18. Even if we're not formal partners, we are still good friends19. If you ever need help, I am always ready to answer the call, and I won't hesitate for a moment20!"
"Hee hee hee, then it's a promise21!" Luffy couldn't force the issue.
Carl also regretted that Jinbe wouldn't join the Straw Hats, but there was nothing he could do22. Since Whitebeard was still alive and Ace was still a member, Jinbe—being a man of great benevolence—couldn't abandon the Whitebeard Pirates just like that23. Therefore, Jinbe wouldn't join the Straw Hats right now24.
However, Carl knew that if there was any major conflict in the future, all they had to do was call, and Jinbe would certainly come25. Even if he wasn't a formal partner, he was no different from one26. With Luffy's personality, he would definitely use such a loyal comrade whenever he got the chance; it was impossible for him to let such a valuable ally go easily27!
"Yoshi! Little ones, are you ready28? Raise the sails! Set sail! Our goal is the New World29!"
All the necessary materials and supplies had been prepared 30, and the crew was ready, just waiting for Luffy's order31. As the sails were raised, everyone felt a powerful longing for the New World32.
King Neptune, the three princes, and Shirahoshi all came to see them off33. Shirahoshi even cried, lying on the side of the ship with eyes full of reluctance. "Master Luffy, are you really leaving34?"
Luffy grinned and said, "Yup, we're going on an adventure35. Crybaby, you need to get rid of that habit in the future. When I come back next time, I'll take you to the forest on land36!"
"Really? Master Luffy wants to take me to see a forest on land37?"
"Of course. It's a promise! Pinky swear38!"
Shirahoshi immediately extended her huge little finger, and Luffy wrapped his rubber little finger around it39. The other crew members also stretched out their little fingers and touched Shirahoshi's huge finger, sealing the agreement40.
However, Shirahoshi then looked at Law and the others waiting on the submarine with an eager expression41. Law couldn't ignore that look. So, he took Bepo and the others up to the deck of the Thousand Sunny, stretched out his little finger, and made the same promise with Shirahoshi42.
This feeling was quite new for the Heart Pirates43. Pinky promises were typically only made by children, and this was the first time they had ever done this with anyone44. This was especially true for Law and Kaku. One had suffered a tragic childhood, and the other had been trained as a World Government agent since childhood45. How could they have had such an experience46? For a moment, both of them were lost in thought47.
"Yoshi! We're sailing48!" Luffy yelled, raising his fists in the air.
The Thousand Sunny and the submarine once again plunged into the sea, beginning their rapid ascent along the strong current49. Once they broke through the surface, they would officially reach the New World50!
But the $10,000$ meter deep seabed was not easily crossed51. Facing the deep darkness again, the Straw Hats, though not frightened, still couldn't quite get used to it52.
Luffy lay sullenly on the deck. "The little squid didn't come with us. He said he was going to look for his brother. Shouldn't he be our partner already53?"
Usopp tried to reason with him. "Luffy, the little squid is worried about his brother's safety. There's nothing we can do about that54."
"That's right, so I didn't stop him," Luffy replied. "But this is no fun. Sanji, I want meat55!"
The best way to relieve boredom was to eat meat56. Luffy's troubles came and went quickly57. After finishing a meat-filled meal, Luffy was revived with full energy and began to look forward to the New World adventure58.
The New World was the strongest ocean in the world59. Its chaotic magnetic fields, unpredictable currents, anomalous weather, and dangerous monsters—such as Sea Kings, island owners, and powerful pirates—posed a huge challenge to anyone just breaking in60.
But the Straw Hats had nothing to fear61! With the strongest ship, built from the legendary Adam Wood, and the crew's overwhelming strength, making their mark in the New World would not be difficult62. The real difficulty was that if Luffy wanted to become the Pirate King, he would have to face countless powerful enemies63. The older Four Emperors (Yonko) and the emerging Blackbeard Pirates wouldn't be easy to deal with64. Furthermore, there might be other monsters the Straw Hats knew nothing about65.
At that moment, Luffy noticed Usopp and Chopper sneaking around66. He walked over and found the two of them were actually deep-sea fishing67.
"Oh, deep-sea cuisine. That's a great idea, Usopp, Chopper," Luffy praised, which was rare for him68.
"Haha, yeah, we thought deep-sea food would be really good, too," Usopp and Chopper replied, feeling a little proud69.
Afterwards, the others, like Zoro, Sanji, Jango, and Xiao San, all came to join in the fun70.
Soon, a large fish took the bait71. Just as the big fish bit the hook, however, a bigger fish swallowed it, and then a super-sized fish swallowed the second one72. This nesting-doll effect repeated four times. The fishing line ended up connected to a giant, strange fish with eyes bigger than the Thousand Sunny73.
The strange fish immediately pulled Usopp forward74. Fortunately, Luffy and the others pulled Usopp back in time, but the Thousand Sunny suffered a disaster and was directly dragged away by the enormous fish75.
On the submarine, Law, Bepo, and the others couldn't help but feel a headache watching the situation unfold76. The Straw Hats causing trouble wasn't new, but Law thought he might get used to it; he just couldn't77. These guys made an uproar at every turn, which was highly irritating78.
The main problem was Carl. As a teacher, he didn't seem to care about anything other than training, simply allowing the Straw Hats to do whatever they wanted79.
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