Chapter 67 Rubber Arm Swept Away the Princess and Set SailChopper leaned closer worriedly. "Nami? Are you feeling unwell?"
Sanji exhaled a smoke ring, his face grave. "Nami-san must be grieving for Vivi. After all, she's a princess, a vast difference in status, destined not to continue adventuring with us. I understand that pain."
The atmosphere suddenly turned somber.
Suddenly, Nami abruptly raised her head, as if making a painful decision.
"I...I won't pursue it! For Vivi's sake, I'll swallow this!"
Everyone was stunned. "Huh?"
Nami clutched her chest, her face contorted with pain. "That's a billion Berries!!"
Everyone collapsed in disbelief.
(╯‵□)╯︵┻━┻!!
"So you're just worried about the money!!"
"Of course we can't take it! That's the country's life-saving money!"
"You're hopeless, you money-grubber!!"
"Ah! Usopp fell into the water!"
After a flurry of activity, the group finally pulled Usopp out of the water.
Nami looked at the frantic group with a puzzled expression: "Why are you all making that face? Didn't Luffy tell you about Vivi?"
"Tell him?" Everyone looked blank.
Just then, Cobra led Vivi, dressed in her finest attire, along with Koza and the others, to the dock.
The king bowed deeply to the Straw Hat crew, his waist bent at a ninety-degree angle.
"Really... thank you so much!"
Zoro raised an eyebrow: "Hey, old man, is that alright? You're a king, this is too undignified."
Cobra straightened up, his eyes clear: "True dignity is what you wear, and this outfit was preserved for me by Vice Admiral Luffy and everyone else."
"Putting aside my status as king, as a father, as a member of this land, this thank you is what I must say!"
Looking at Cobra's sincerity, a warm feeling welled up in everyone's hearts, and bright smiles appeared on their faces.
Just then, the Going Merry, docked at its berth, suddenly roared and started moving, departing from the port on its own.
Zoro and the others, still standing on the shore, were instantly dumbfounded.
"Hey! Luffy! What are you doing! The ship's gone!!"
Vivi took a step forward, tears welling in her eyes: "Luffy, I'm sorry, I..."
Before she could finish speaking, she saw Luffy, standing at the stern, sport his signature mischievous grin.
He turned to Cobra and shouted:
"Uncle, no need for thanks! After all..."
Luffy's arm suddenly stretched out infinitely like rubber, directly encircling Vivi's slender waist.
His other hand had already stretched out dozens of meters, firmly gripping the Going Merry's railing.
"After all, I've already taken this thank-you gift myself!!"
Zoro and the others looked at the rubber arm wrapped around their waists, a deeply ominous premonition rising in their hearts.
"Hey! Luffy! You wouldn't be thinking of..."
"Gum-Gum—!"
"I want to get on board too!!"
"No! This way of boarding will kill people!!"
"Whoosh—!"
Luffy's arm, like a powerful slingshot, pulled everyone on the shore, including the screaming Vivi, and shot them towards the Going Merry like cannonballs.
"Clang! Thud!"
A series of heavy thuds echoed on the deck, and everyone was thrown around, dizzy and disoriented.
Cobra on the shore was dumbfounded: "???"
Was that... a kidnapping?
Kidnapping a princess in front of the king?
Chopper screamed in terror: "Ah!! Usopp is still in the water!!!"
"That idiot!! Can't he fly? Why did he use such a suicidal landing method!!"
Nami and the others scrambled to their feet and gave Luffy a good beating.
"Ahaha, sorry, sorry, my hand slipped." Luffy, covered in bumps, apologized insincerely.
Vivi anxiously leaned against the railing: "Luffy! I... I can't leave!"
Luffy quickly covered her mouth, grinning, "Don't worry, I've already talked to my father-in-law... oops! I talked to the King. Just relax and come have some fun with us."
Nami stared at Luffy suspiciously: "When did you say that?"
Luffy awkwardly scratched his face, the scene of him groaning with his mouth full of meat at dinner last night flashing through his mind...
"Ugh... (I'm taking your daughter to become the Pirate King)..."
"Well, anyway, he definitely understood! Now we have our Marine identities as cover, so we can come back home anytime we miss it. Once I get my hands on Seastone technology and modify the Going Merry, the Calm Belt will be our backyard!"
Hearing this, Vivi's heart finally relaxed a little, but then she cried out in alarm: "But Karoo is still on shore!"
Everyone pointed in unison at the bow of the ship.
A ridiculously large duck, wearing sunglasses, stood side-by-side with Robin, enjoying the sea breeze.
"That guy betrayed us last night and hasn't disembarked."
Vivi: "..."
Luffy laughed heartily, waving his hand: "Men! Set sail! Let's wreak havoc in the New World!"
"Okay!!"
"Quack quack!!"
Under the setting sun, the group unwrapped the bandages from their wrists, raising their arms high to reveal the "X" mark representing their oath of brotherhood.
Meanwhile, in the receding harbor...
Icarum watched the departing ship, asking worriedly, "Your Majesty, are we really just letting the princess go like this?"
Cobra smiled and turned, his back slightly hunched, yet he appeared remarkably relaxed.
"There's nothing wrong with it. Vivi has carried too much for this country. While my old bones can still move, let me clean up the mess. Let her fly; that vast ocean is hers."
…
Several days later, on a naval warship.
Smoker, shirtless, with two cigars dangling from his lips, was enjoying afternoon tea.
Tashigi rushed over, carrying a stack of documents: "Captain Smoker! Aren't you really going to hunt down Vice Admiral Luffy? This is the latest newspaper!"
She handed him a newspaper with a front-page headline full of Luffy's picture.
"Hmph, a Vice Admiral? Even that green-haired swordsman has become a captain?"
Smoker glanced at the newspaper, casually tossing it on the table; his expression was obscured by the swirling smoke.
"But for these lawless bastards, this might be the perfect disguise."
"This kid not only took over Baroque Works, but according to intelligence, he also used some kind of devastating weapon to level Whiskey Mountain. Now those old fogies at the World Government are definitely keeping an eye on him."
"If it weren't for Fleet Admiral Sengoku protecting him, he would be in Impel Down by now. We're too weak right now; getting caught up in this level of turmoil would only result in our annihilation."
Tashigi bit her lip, her hand gripping the hilt of her sword tightly, her face filled with resentment.
"Resentful? Then get stronger."
Smoker exhaled a puff of smoke. "Like that bastard Crocodile said, on this sea, the weak don't even have the right to choose how they die."
"One day, I will stand before Luffy, not as a subordinate, but as an opponent who can stand shoulder to shoulder with him… or an ally!"
With that, Smoker clenched his fist tightly.
Windmill Town, Banquet Bar.
"Hey!! Big news! Big news!"
"Luffy's on the front page again!"
"Really?! Let me see!"
"My God! 'The hero who exposed the Seven Warlords' conspiracy and saved Alabasta,' the Marine Headquarters' newly promoted Vice Admiral—Monkey D. Luffy?!"
"Vice Admiral?! Isn't that on par with Garp?!"
"This is giving our Windmill Town Mayor so much face! All drinks are free tonight! Let's celebrate!"
The village chief's hand holding the newspaper was trembling, and his dentures almost fell out from laughing.
The bandit Dadan, looking at Luffy's carefree demeanor in the newspaper, had tears welling up in her eyes: "That brat... he actually became a high-ranking Marine, just as that old bastard Garp expected! Have we raised a Marine hero?"
Her henchman immediately flattered her: "Absolutely! Boss, from now on we're the Marine Vice Admiral's family! Who dares mess with us?"
"Shut up! You bunch of idiots! Luffy's a Marine Vice Admiral now, we're just bandits! Keep a low profile from now on, don't embarrass little Luffy!"
"Yes, Boss!"
Somewhere in the Grand Line.
On a pirate ship flying the skull and crossbones flag.
Eustace Kid stared at the newspaper, veins throbbing on his forehead, then casually tore the paper to shreds.
"A 17-year-old vice admiral? Is the Navy out of talent?! Are you kidding me?!"
"If I met this kind of guy who got in through connections, I'd crush him into scrap metal! If all vice admirals were this good, I'd have conquered the New World by now!"
Kira, wearing a mask, approached, his voice low and menacing: "Kid, we've taken the village ahead. Time to set off."
Kid snorted, sparks flying from his body: "Let's go! It's time to let this sea know who the true ruler is! News about these little brats is just annoying!"
"Boss is awesome!!"
Behind them lay a village engulfed in flames, littered with corpses.
In another part of the sea, on a large, makeshift raft.
Blackbeard Marshall D. Teach, clutching a cherry pie, laughed heartily while reading the newspaper.
"Hahaha! Crocodile actually fell?!"
"Brothers! Our chance has come! The gears of fate have begun to turn!"
Laffitte twirled his cane, his face pale, and asked, "Captain, what do you mean?"
Blackbeard pointed to the newspaper article about the removal of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, his eyes gleaming with ambition.
"The position of the Seven Warlords of the Sea is vacant! This is the springboard for our Blackbeard Pirates to ascend to the world stage!"
Sniper Van Augur adjusted his monocle. "You don't intend to become a government lackey, do you?"
"Zehahaha! Of course not!" Blackbeard devoured a cherry pie. "I didn't become a Shichibukai to be a dog!"
"Only by obtaining that title will I be qualified to enter that place and gather the most ferocious crew in the world!"
Then, he revealed his insane plan—to use his Shichibukai status to infiltrate Impel Down, the deep-sea prison, and break it out.
The crew members listened in stunned silence, then their faces broke into bloodthirsty, excited laughter.
"However, if we want those arrogant guys at the World Government to take us seriously, we'll need a decent pledge of allegiance!" Blackbeard grinned sinisterly.
"I'm going to give them a gift they can't refuse!"
"What gift?"
Blackbeard spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice like that of a demon from hell:
"The posthumous son of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger—Fire Fist Ace! Or this newly emerged Monkey D. Luffy!"
...
On the Going Merry.
The sun shone brightly, and a gentle sea breeze blew.
"Hey, Robin—"
Luffy lay sprawled on the deck like a dried-out salted fish, calling out weakly.
"Hey! Luffy! Robin-chan has been massaging you for ages! Even a Devil Fruit user gets tired, you know?!"
Sanji rushed out of the galley carrying carefully prepared drinks and desserts, his eyes sparkling with hearts.
"Robin-neechan, this is a special heart-shaped black tea made just for you~"
"Thank you." Robin smiled and took it, continuing to flip through her travelogue.
"Hey—cook—" Usopp and Chopper mimicked Luffy, wriggling on the deck like two caterpillars.
Sanji's expression instantly changed, his forehead veins bulging.
(╬￣皿￣)!
"Go get it yourself! There's leftovers in the kitchen!"
"Different treatment!"
"Perverted cook!"
The two stormed into the kitchen, cursing.
At that moment, the little girl Goldenweek was holding a drawing board, her eyes fixed on the drink in Luffy's hand.
Luffy: "..."
"Fine, fine, I give up."
Luffy helplessly stretched out his arm, casually grabbing a bottle of chilled juice from the kitchen and handing it to the little girl.
"You're even lazier than me! Who's the captain here, me or you?"
Goldenweek unceremoniously took the juice, a look of contentment on her face like a kitten having its chin scratched.
Luffy sighed, focusing his attention on the system interface visible only to him.
Killing Crocodile this time was pure luck.
[Congratulations, Host, for achieving 100% Gaara template restoration!]
[Template time limit expired, rewards being calculated...]
[Item obtained: Mazo (Unbound)]
[Description: This is a gourd inhabited by the guardian spirit Sand Gravel. Binding it will automatically provide absolute defense.]
[Achievement obtained: First kill of a Shichibukai! Achievement Point Shop section unlocked!]
[Achievement Points obtained: 10,000]
[Title obtained: Famous Throughout the Seas (Equipment effect: Allies' Admiration +1, Enemy's Intelligence -1)]
Luffy almost burst out laughing when he saw the new title.
A mind-reducing aura?! This is a legendary skill exclusive to the protagonist!
The people in the One Piece world already have rather peculiar thought processes; if their intelligence were to drop further, wouldn't they just be feeding kills to their opponents in future fights?
He happily donned the title, only to find that the little loli Golden Week beside him had surprisingly offered him a croquette.
The effect was immediate!
Luffy opened his collection section, looking at the dazzling array of cards.
He already had enough achievement points to exchange for many powerful skills, but what he wanted most was the person sealed within the card.
The woman who sacrificed herself and disappeared to allow him to achieve 100% restoration.
He clicked on Lelouch's card, his gaze locking onto the "Contractor C.C." section.
Exchange Price: 5000 Achievement Points.
Although it was outrageously expensive, he didn't hesitate at all and clicked "Exchange."
"Come back, witch."
A dazzling golden light exploded on the deck.
A woman with long, grass-green hair and a languid, mysterious aura appeared out of thin air before Luffy.
"Whoa! A ghost!!"
Usopp, who had just come out of the kitchen, was so startled that he dropped his pizza.
"Um...didn't that woman disappear?!"
Sanji caught the pizza with lightning speed and kicked Usopp away: "Idiot! That was Luffy's magic! It's a goddess descending!"
Chopper, trembling behind Zoro, asked in fear: "Who is she?"
Luffy gave a thumbs up, beaming with pride: "That's the Empress!"
"Thump!"
Nami's iron fist slammed into Luffy's head with a whooshing sound, instantly raising a large bump.
"Stop talking nonsense!!"
Nami turned around angrily, looked at C.C., and puffed out her chest: "Welcome back, C.C.."
C.C. smiled and nodded, completely unconcerned by Nami's little gesture. She walked up to Luffy and hooked his chin with her finger.
"Looks like you really succeeded, my accomplice."
"Of course." Luffy rubbed his head and handed her the [Mazo] gourd he had just obtained.
"Now that you don't have the Code, your body is just an ordinary person. This is for self-defense."
C.C. didn't stand on ceremony, biting her finger and dripping a drop of blood onto the gourd.
A miraculous scene occurred: the giant gourd instantly collapsed, turning into countless golden grains of sand, which coalesced behind her into a comfortable sand lounge chair.
C.C. gracefully reclined on it, her posture elegant to the extreme.
"Luffy, Luffy! My pizza is ready!" Sanji spun around like a top, delivering the food.
C.C. took the pizza, took a bite, and squinted her eyes in satisfaction.
This scene, seen by Robin, was shrouded in mystery.
"Creating a person out of thin air, manipulating sand... just who is Luffy?"
Zoro found a shady corner to lie down, his hands behind his head: "Don't think about it, just treat him like a god. There aren't many normal people on this ship anyway."
At this moment, Luffy looked at the new template refreshed by the system, his expression becoming somewhat strange.
[New template loaded!]
[Host: Monkey D. Luffy]
[Current Template: MasterChef - Liu Maoxing!]
[Special Title: Master Chef (When worn, food prepared has a 100% glow rate and a 100% increase in deliciousness)]
[Equipment: The legendary seven-piece kitchen set (Eternal Spirit Blade, Dragon-Turning Pot, Demon Saint Bronze Utensils...)]
Luffy stared at the kitchen knife that had suddenly appeared in his hand, lost in thought.
Would he have to cook his enemies a glowing fried rice before every fight, making them so delicious they'd faint and their clothes would burst off?
"Um... Nami, are you hungry? I'll make you a bowl of noodles?"
Nami looked at him suspiciously: "You can cook? Don't blow up the kitchen!"
Luffy chuckled and raised the Eternal Spirit Blade.
"Watch closely! Today I'll show you the mysterious power of Chinese cuisine!"
[Talented Abilities: Super Taste Sense (Tongue acts like a precision instrument, instantly analyzing the composition of any food that enters the mouth), Taste Memory (Brain acts like a hard drive, perfectly replaying tastes no matter how many years have passed), Unfettered Imagination (Brain thinking reaches the heavens, able to conceive unconventional and fantastical recipes), Taste Imagery Deduction (Constructs a virtual kitchen in the mind, simulating and combining various flavors to predict the success rate of new dishes.)]
[Special Attributes: Amazing Effect 1: Comes with the same BGM and holy light as the anime "Cooking Master Boy," and a golden light will always shoot into the sky when the dish is completed. Amazing Effect 2: Holographic projection of food reviews; the diner's inner thoughts after tasting the food will be directly projected into the air.]
[Character Reset Countdown: 6 days 23 hours 59 minutes]
[Character Accuracy: 50%]
Luffy stylishly flicked his bangs, striking what he considered an incredibly cool pose.
"Do you really have to force me to reveal my hidden master status as a top-tier chef?"
Nami, who was standing nearby, couldn't stand it anymore. Her face scrunched up, her eyes filled with utter contempt, "Just keep pretending."
Luffy's lips curled into a wild smile, his expression like a grotesque dragon king descending to earth, radiating an aura of "I'm about to show off!"
"Thump, thump, thump!"
Luffy suddenly waved his hand in the air, and with a strange ripple, seven uniquely shaped, gleaming kitchen utensils instantly appeared on the deck.
Sanji, who had been about to unleash his sarcastic remarks on Luffy after he announced he was going to cook, was instantly captivated by the utensils, unable to look away.
His sixth sense, as a top chef, went into overdrive, his intuition screaming in his mind: These things are definitely not ordinary!