Chapter 141: Luffy: Help Me, Nami! I've Been Poisoned!
Luffy's explanation was vague and all over the place, but just clear enough to understand.
Zoro's eyes widened. "A contract quest that makes your fists stronger?"
It sounded more like he ate a poisoned fruit and got brain damage.
"Idiot Luffy, I was the one who saved you from that cage. So this fruit counts as your rescue fee—mine now."
Nami picked up the fruit but didn't trigger anything.
It seemed only non-players could activate the contract fruit. Just as she suspected, this was the Samsara Game's new method for recruiting players.
If she brought it to the auction house, it would definitely fetch a high price—
That was Nami's plan.
No one in the Pirate World could refuse this fruit.
Or rather, no one could resist becoming a Samsara player.
Once they understood what the Samsara Game really meant—whether noble, commoner, pirate, or Marine—they would be unable to resist.
"That's what happened."
Luffy raised his fist and swung it toward Zoro.
Zoro quickly raised his scabbard to block the blow. The reinforced sheath, purchased at great expense, was shattered by the impact of Luffy's fist, revealing the sharp blade inside.
"Idiot! Be careful!"
"And you're paying for that scabbard! I bought it with bounty money!"
His block pulled on the fresh wound, causing Zoro to wince in pain.
He wasn't just worried about himself—
He was also concerned for his idiot captain's hand.
Inside the scabbard was a named blade passed down by his master, Koshiro: Wado Ichimonji, a Great Grade blade. A misstep could sever Luffy's entire arm.
But when Zoro looked up, he was stunned.
"What the hell…"
Luffy's fist, wrapped in fist energy, had clashed with the sword's edge. Not only had it not been cut—it wasn't even scratched.
Luffy scratched his head. "This is the power that popped into my brain. From the contract quest…"
Zoro said nothing.
He could swear, when Luffy fought against Marine Captain Morgan, he hadn't shown any ability like this.
Even though Luffy didn't take serious damage, he had been grazed by Morgan's axe.
And that thing was nowhere near as sharp as Zoro's swords.
So… it was real?
It was unbelievable, but this sea was full of miracles.
Zoro picked up the broken pieces of his scabbard with a pained expression.
His goal was the path of the sword—to become the world's greatest swordsman. This miraculous contract fruit was amazing, but he wasn't interested.
Nami's eyes gleamed mischievously. "Hey, green-haired guy. Want to buy this contract fruit?"
She had considered it.
Most auction houses were backed by nobles or powerful pirates. Selling regular treasure there was fine.
But if she tried to sell a contract fruit, she'd likely trigger their darker instincts—kill her and take it.
So why go through all that when she had a potential buyer right here?
"No thanks."
Zoro rejected her immediately, rummaging through crates for something to temporarily fix his sheath.
Nami smiled slyly. "The contract fruit doesn't just grant skills like Luffy's. There are also swordsman abilities, even countless famous blades."
Behind the screen,
Fang Yi's face twitched. He hadn't expected Nami to start helping him promote sales. She really never missed a business opportunity, that little thief cat.
"Swordsman abilities? Famous blades?"
Zoro whipped around, even pausing what he was doing.
His usually calm face betrayed clear interest.
If he had a better grasp of Nami's nature, he'd know never to show what he wanted.
"Yup."
Nami handed him the fruit. "Go on, take it."
Zoro accepted it hesitantly. Two seconds later, the information about the Samsara Game appeared in his mind.
Under normal circumstances,
he would've dismissed it like Buggy—assumed it was some sick joke.
But Luffy's skill reward after completing the contract quest proved it was real.
Zoro was caught between doubt and belief.
Nami, seeing his hesitation, pushed him further. "I'm a player in the Samsara Game. I guarantee the contract fruit is real."
As she spoke,
a creature appeared, coiled around her arm. It shimmered with silver light, had horns, small wings, and looked like a glowing electric eel rubbing affectionately against her face.
[Magitech Construct: Electro-Eel].
An alchemical construct she crafted after changing class to magitechnologist, spending a huge amount of reward points to create it—a fusion of alchemy and magic.
It had powerful light-element attacks and was central to the magitechnologist class. Many high-level skills required constructs like this to activate.
This was the power of the Samsara Game.
Zoro stared at Nami's strange ability, so different from Luffy's. He began to believe.
"I don't have money," he admitted.
Being a bounty hunter sounded glamorous,
but in truth, it didn't pay much. What little he earned went to maintaining his swords and buying good booze.
Nami's eyes gleamed greedily as they fell on his sword. "Then why not pay with that blade?"
She'd been a thief for years—she knew treasure.
And that blade at his hip was worth a fortune.
"Absolutely not."
Zoro's expression turned ice-cold. "No one touches this blade."
It wasn't just a weapon. It was a vow he had to fulfill.
"Then too bad. I guess I'll just sell it at an auction."
Nami feigned disappointment but shot a glance at Luffy. "But, if you two help me beat that clown Buggy and let me take the treasure—
I could give this contract fruit to you as payment."
"Sure!"
Luffy agreed instantly.
Zoro was floored. "You moron! She's using us! Buggy's a Devil Fruit user too, and I'm injured. You seriously think you can take him alone?"
Luffy picked his nose nonchalantly. "Well, I could tell… Zoro, you really want that fruit."
Getting what your crew wants—that's what a captain should do.
He said it as naturally as eating or drinking.
Zoro and Nami both froze.
Nami placed the contract fruit on the table, her expression complicated. "You… you really don't act like a pirate."
"Of course not!"
Luffy grinned wide. "I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!"
His voice rang out with conviction.
Zoro smacked him on the head. "You idiot! Buggy's men could hear you!"
But he couldn't hide the faint smile on his face.
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