Chapter 50: Harvest
Although the first half of the Grand Line is a terrifying sea that has buried countless rookie pirates, the people of the New World call it "Paradise."
Compared to the climate of the New World, the harsh weather of Paradise is only a minor issue. In addition, there is the gap in enemy strength. The New World is like a final gladiatorial arena for pirates—only true powerhouses can gain a foothold there.
Of course, if someone's luck is truly extraordinary, they can still thrive in the New World. Take Buggy, one of the future Yonkō, for example. With his absurd luck, he rose to the position of Yonkō by relying on the Cross Guild established by Crocodile. It is truly unbelievable.
But generally speaking, only the losers of the New World tuck their tails and flee miserably to Paradise, while the losers of Paradise retreat back to the Yon no Umi.
Therefore, when Jeka discovered that Ren was heading toward Paradise, he could not help shaking his head, and his pirates began mocking loudly.
"A Pirate Hunter is just a Pirate Hunter. He really can't make it into the big leagues!"
In truth, the one speaking was not particularly strong himself. They could not handle the environment of the New World at all, and even though they were now affiliated with the Rocks Pirates, death could come at any moment.
Whether facing the Marines, other pirates, or even their own crewmates within the Rocks Pirates, they could lose their lives. The Rocks Pirates were never united; friction and disputes among the executives were common.
The upper ranks exercised some restraint, but the lower-ranked ruffians did not. One moment they could be drinking and laughing together, and the next they could fall under a blade.
Even so, they had managed to survive in the New World until now. That alone was enough to make them arrogant and complacent.
"Men, set course for Paradise!"
…
When sailing at sea, time sometimes drags on endlessly, and at other times passes in a flash. Most days on the ocean are tedious and dull.
Taking advantage of this, Ren would occasionally train Molly and Yuriko. If others wished to join, he did not refuse.
The Night Fire Pirates' ship was not large. In fact, it was only slightly bigger than the Thousand Sunny, and it was not built from Treasure Tree Adam.
Treasure Tree Adam is extremely rare across the world. In most cases, it cannot be obtained even with money. Pirates sailing through the New World all wish for ships tougher than steel, so any rumor of Adam wood appearing on the black market attracts countless buyers.
It is a treasure with a price but no supply.
However, aside from Adam, there are many other sturdy and unique plants in this world. For example, the Sunlight Tree Eve possesses extraordinary properties.
It absorbs and transmits sunlight like a luminous pearl. Its trunk rises tens of thousands of meters, its roots extending 10,000 meters beneath the sea, while its massive branches form islands from condensed soil.
The sunlight from the surface is carried through its branches into the deep sea, allowing even the seabed 10,000 meters below to experience day and night. Ren believed that merfolk were not grotesque like deep-sea fish precisely because of the light transmitted by Eve.
Although the Night Fire Pirates' ship was not made of Adam, it was constructed from a special Grand Line plant harder than steel. Ordinary training would not damage it.
For certain exercises, Ren would freeze the sea behind the ship and have Molly and the others run across the ice alongside it.
Yuriko did not study martial arts, but after eating a Zoan-type Devil Fruit, her physique surpassed Molly's. However, she completely lacked combat skills.
The most prominent trait of a Zoan-type Devil Fruit is its enhancement of physical ability. Molly had only been training for a short time, so being outmatched was natural.
Still, this sparked her competitive spirit. Mother and daughter were both strong-willed and stubborn, to the point that they had begun competing with each other.
Yuriko, however, was more mature. After pushing Molly to a certain extent, she knew when to stop.
Although she felt that she and her daughter should repay Ren with everything they had for saving them from hell, she also felt heartache for Molly's relentless effort.
In truth, Ren would not send them onto the battlefield. Yuriko believed that diligently serving him or assisting with political affairs like Yukiko was how they could truly help.
Allowing women to wield such authority was something only a man like Ren would do. In this country, for most women, even reading was a luxury.
Even women of wealthy families rarely had the opportunity to study as she had. Yet Ren encouraged women to read, and even those who wished to learn martial arts were required to be literate first.
"Ren-sama, are we returning to Wano Kuni now?" Yuriko had just bathed, washing away her fatigue. Her long black hair draped over her shoulders, carrying a faint fragrance.
"Mm. We'll restock on a nearby island first, then return. Are you already eager to go back, Yuriko?" Ren planned to purchase items unavailable in Wano Kuni before heading back.
After all, Wano Kuni had been isolated for hundreds of years, and many aspects of daily life lagged behind the outside world. Everyday necessities, in particular, were significantly lacking.
Besides these, Ren intended to buy plant seeds. The crops in Kuri were too limited. Many fruits and vegetables common outside Wano did not exist there.
There were also plants suitable for cultivation on Winter Islands or in barren regions like Kibi, which would be useful in the future.
It had been nearly 2 months since they left Wano Kuni, most of that time spent sailing. Nevertheless, they had made considerable gains.
In addition to the Goro Goro no Mi and a Tori Tori no Mi obtained earlier, they also acquired 2 Paramecia-type Devil Fruits—the Sube Sube no Mi and the Bomu Bomu no Mi.
They also obtained a fast blade named Yubashiri.
That's right. Ren's journey had taken him across Reverse Mountain back to the East Blue. Unfortunately, he did not find the Mera Mera no Mi that would one day belong to Ace.
Now, they had crossed Reverse Mountain once more and returned to the Grand Line.
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