98: Chapter 97: Uninhabited Island, First Encounter with Kuzan, and Barbecue with Admiral AokijiThe Straw Hat Adventure Group left Long Chain Island and continued their journey to the Water City.
Usopp asked with some doubt:
"Luffy, you were interrupted by the sudden appearance of Smoker when you said you were going to Water City.Isn't Water City the holy land of sea craftsmen?Our Merry is clearly not damaged at all, so why do we have to go to Water City?"
Luffy raised his eyebrows:
"Hehe, our Golden Merry is indeed not damaged at all, but once we arrive at the Water City, Merry can undergo a comprehensive upgrade.
The Water City is full of skilled craftsmen, and they can help us maintain the ship.Our Golden Merry will accompany us to the end of the world!"
Meili showed a longing look:
"Big upgrade!Maintenance!"
Luffy patted Merry's head and continued:
"Besides, we're not heading to Water City just to upgrade the Merry.The most important thing is to find an interesting shipwright to join us!
I can be sure that in the Water City, we will definitely have unexpected gains!"
Usopp understood clearly:
"I see!I'm really looking forward to our new crew member!"
When Luffy heard this, the corners of his mouth curled up, thinking that that guy and you now might be able to find common hobbies, which is really exciting!
The Golden Merry once again experienced a day and night of sea voyage.The days of traveling were boring and tedious, and they could only rest and move around on the ship.
Not far away, an uninhabited island can be seen ahead.
"There's an island!Why don't we get off the boat and take a look!"
Weiwei suggested.
Luffy's mind moved, and he nodded:
"Okay!Let's stay here for a while!"
After anchoring the Merry in the harbor of an uninhabited island, the Straw Hat Pirates once again set foot on solid land.
The island where we temporarily anchored was not big.Before going ashore, I used my Observation Haki to sense around and found nothing unusual.It was also an island with few people.
This uninhabited island was filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, and the climate was also very pleasant.After discussion, everyone unanimously decided to forage for food on the island, hold a bonfire party, and fully experience the romance of adventure.
Not long after, everyone returned from hunting.Chopper and Sanji checked together and found that no one had brought back any poisonous creatures, so they officially set up a bonfire and started barbecuing.
Sanji cooked many of the ingredients, and soon the extremely sumptuous meal was completed.The meal was so delicious that everyone couldn't help but praise Sanji's amazing cooking skills.
Just as the Straw Hat Pirates were sitting around the campfire, eating barbecue and singing songs, a lazy voice came from a distance:
"Oh my, the aroma has spread so far.You all seem to be enjoying your meal so much, could you please let me join you?"
A middle-aged man in a blue and white suit and an eye patch waved and approached as if taking a walk from a distance.
"My name is Kuzan.I was taking a nap on this island this afternoon when I suddenly smelled something delicious and came over to take a look.You guys are really in a good mood, having a barbecue right here!I hope I didn't disturb you."
Kuzan yawned lazily.
Luffy also smiled when he heard the voice:
"Don't bother.Of course, you can have some meat too!"
Kuzan didn't expect that the Straw Hat Luffy in front of him would be so familiar.He subconsciously took the skewers and sat on the ground to eat:
"Mmm, what a rare delicacy!You have a pretty good chef, Straw Hat!"
Robin was so nervous that he was on high alert, always on guard against the middle-aged man's sudden attack.
Luffy smiled and patted Robin on the back, comforting her:
"Don't be nervous, Mr.Kuzan has no hostility."
The other companions also noticed Robin's loss of composure and came to comfort him.
"It's no problem.Even if he really does attack us, we won't be afraid at all."
Zoro was drinking some wine on the side.
Kuzan took in the entire scene:
"Oh my, it seems Miss Robin has finally found her home."
Luffy laughed:
"That's right!Mr.Kuzan is really in a good mood.Even a great admiral of the navy would skip work and go out to do some fishing."
"Sea.Admiral!"
Chopper and Vivi, who realized it later, opened their mouths in surprise.
"Don't worry!General Kuzan has no hostility towards us."
Luffy continued grilling the skewers, passing the fragrant skewers to everyone before continuing:
"If there's anything, let's talk about it after we've had enough to eat and drink!There's no need to rush."
Kuzan also showed a strange look when he heard this and scratched his head:
"Oh my, I've been seen right through!This is so scary, everyone.Should I say you're all confident or just plain ignorant and fearless?"
Luffy's mouth curled up:
"Mr.Kuzan, please eat first!We all probably know why you're here, so we'll talk after we finish eating.Oh, and remember to help clean up as well."
Kuzan was also helpless when he heard this:
"Well.that's fine.After all, I owe you a favor."
Nami also covered her mouth when she saw this:
"Luffy can actually be so talkative in front of the admiral, and he's not panicking at all, not at all out of position!"
The Straw Hat Pirates and the Navy Admiral Aokiji ate and drank happily, and cleaned up at the end.
Kuzan pulled at his eye patch and dusted off his suit.
"Well, should we get to the point?"
Luffy:
"Well, General Aokiji, you say!"
Kuzan said seriously:
"Straw Hat Adventurers, you should be very clear about Robin's identity, right?Even so, do you still want to keep her by your side?
Robin is O'Hara's orphan, wanted by the World Government and considered a "Devil's Child." Every group or organization she joined since she was a child has never ended well.
Robin gritted his teeth and persisted behind him, trembling all over:
"That's not true!I'm not."
Luffy waved his hand:
"Of course not.Robin, having lived through life as a wanderer since childhood, has experienced the ups and downs of life.No one considers her a companion, so naturally, Robin never considers anyone else a companion either.
She has always been wandering around, lonely and helpless, so naturally she wouldn't consider any place as her home!"
Kuzan raised his eyebrows when he heard this:
"So what you're saying is that now that Robin has joined your Straw Hat Adventure Group, he considers you [family]?"
Luffy smiled slightly and brought Robin, who was being comforted by Nami and Vivi, forward.
"Mr.Kuzan, if you want to know the answer, it would be better for Robin to answer it himself."
Robin faced the Admiral Aokiji with tears in her eyes:
"Yes!Admiral Aokiji, I am no longer alone, and it is not easy for ordinary people in this world!
I am truly lucky to have my mother, my people, Mr.Sauro, and you!Without your companionship and love, I would not be here!"
Kuzan was slightly moved:
"Stop talking nonsense.I didn't help you at all.
It seems you've truly found your place.So I won't say much.
Ah la la, I never thought that the timid little girl has grown into such a beautiful lady now."
Robin suddenly bowed to the admiral:
"Yes!Thanks to you too."
Kuzan's face was a little bit overwhelmed, so he had to change the subject:
"Luffy, do you know that if you accept her, every step you take will be extremely difficult, and countless people will come to stop you every step of the way."
Zoro stretched out his arms and said:
"General Kuzan, I didn't expect you to.Never mind, I won't comment on your thoughts.
We are aware of this, but do you think our captain cares about it?"
Luffy pressed his straw hat:
"When the enemy comes, we will fight him; when the water comes, we will block it with earth.When friends come, we have fine wine; when enemies come, we naturally have hunting rifles!"
Kuzan was silent for a long time after hearing this, and then continued:
"So, do you really have the confidence to face everything?"
Kuzan unleashed the might of an admiral on the Straw Hat Pirates.
Luffy smiled, showing his signature smile:
"General Aokiji, do you think we have it?"
After Luffy finished speaking, he released the earth-shaking Conqueror's Haki, and then Zoro and Sanji also released the Conqueror's Haki.
All the members of the Straw Hat Pirates instantly had their fists covered with pitch-black armament Haki.
Zoro held the scabbard, ready to draw the sword at any time, and the armed color domineering energy flowed through the blade.
Sanji also activated the ability of his fruit, his whole body was engulfed in flames, and he let out a cry that resounded through the sky.
Nami was surrounded by thunder and the weather stick was raised.
Usopp silently loaded his sniper rifle.
Ajin exuded a strong aura of arrogance and had already put on his brass knuckles.
Chopper roared, quickly grew huge, and his whole body was shining.
Robin also had a solemn expression, with flower petals flowing between his arms.
Weiwei also quickly gathered the blizzard around her, as if facing a great enemy.
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