Despite Luffy saying "let's go," their departure couldn't happen right away.
As captain, there were responsibilities he had to take care of before moving forward.
"You guys go to the port and wait for me there. I'll join you later," he said firmly.
"Understood," Nami replied with a serious yet concerned look. "But don't take too long."
Momonga didn't seem to care about the city's commotion. He exchanged a few formal words with Iceburg and left, followed by his subordinates.
Luffy set his teacup down and stood up.
"I'll be out for a while. Mayor Iceburg, I'm counting on you to take care of the ship."
"You can trust me. My company doesn't make a habit of playing with its reputation," she replied with a confident, soft smile.
Seeing Luffy preparing to leave, Iceburg quickly moved to accompany him to the exit.
"About Nico Robin..." he said, pausing for a moment.
Luffy stepped closer and whispered something in his ear. Iceburg raised his eyebrows, surprised, but simply nodded. Luffy patted the mayor's shoulder and smiled:
"Take care. If everything goes well, I'll be back in a month."
The mayor remained still, watching him go with a serious expression.
Side by side, Luffy walked with Nami and Robin through the streets of Water 7. The afternoon sun filtered through the rooftops, reflecting off puddles and casting a golden glow on their faces.
"I'm attending the Shichibukai meeting. You two should stay here for now," he said bluntly.
Nami stopped walking. Her gaze met Luffy's, direct and vulnerable.
"Is it going to be dangerous?" she asked in a low voice, almost a whisper.
Luffy hesitated, then replied:
"Not for me... but for you, it might be."
He turned his eyes to Robin. The memory of the Aokiji incident was still fresh. Robin's dark past, her connection to the World Government, and the threat of CP9 were real dangers.
She sensed the weight in his eyes and gave him a gentle smile.
"Luffy, you don't need to protect me so much. I've been running for years. I know how to disappear when needed."
"I know," he replied, a mix of relief and admiration in his tone.
For a moment, Nami just watched him. She stepped closer and grabbed his arm.
"But don't think we'll just sit around waiting. You're our captain, but that doesn't mean we'll stay idle while you carry everything on your back."
Luffy looked at her, his expression softening. He leaned in slightly and rested his forehead against hers—a quiet, intimate gesture.
"I'll be back soon, Nami."
Robin looked away, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. But there was something else in her eyes—a silent spark, as if something new had awakened inside her. Something that defied logic or experience.
Luffy then began organizing his plan.
"Bentham is still around. With his Devil Fruit ability, he can pose as Robin."
"And what about me?" Robin asked.
"Disguise," Luffy replied.
"Nothing you haven't done before."
Robin nodded calmly. Disguises were her trade.
"Hm... sounds like a solid plan," Nami said, crossing her arms. Her eyes sparkled.
"But still, be careful, idiot."
"I always am, even if it doesn't look like it," Luffy answered with a half-smile.
"Liar," she replied, giggling softly.
Luffy gave them one last look. Saying goodbye was hard, but necessary.
"The modifications to the Ark Maxim will still take time. Train hard in the meantime."
With a brief nod, he activated his Observation Haki and quickly sensed the presence of Chopper, Usopp, and the others on the main street. After thinking for a moment, he decided to head straight for the southern coast.
Upon arriving at the beach, Luffy opened the adventure shop and began searching for the most urgent items.
He was looking for two things.
First: a Blank Fruit—a safety net in case Whitebeard's Shock Fruit became available.
Second: Rokushiki Fruits—a valuable investment for his crew.
With the help of Chopper's physical enhancement water, his crewmates could use those fruits to gain new combat techniques. The stronger they got, the more points he earned.
Luck was on his side.
Among the listed items, he found a Haki Fruit—useful to level up his Observation Haki. He bought it on the spot.
[Adventure Points -200]
After that, he tried his luck a few more times on the shop's random rotation.
After seven attempts, he didn't find the Blank Fruit, but the outcome wasn't bad.
He managed to buy two boxes of Rokushiki Fruits and three individual ones.
A total of fifteen Rokushiki Fruits.
[Total cost: 2300 Adventure Points]
[Remaining Points: 7825 → 4005]
Luffy frowned at the cost of the next try.
1280 points for a new chance.
He sighed.
"Not worth it. Better save for now."
He closed the shop and looked toward the horizon, where the sea met the sky.
With his hands in his pockets and the wind tousling his straw hat, he murmured:
"Just one more month…"
---
South Coast, Water 7
Zoro was punching the wax wall created by Galdino with clenched fists. His hands were wrapped in torn, blood-stained bandages, and his gaze was focused like a beast about to break its chains.
When Luffy approached, the sound of blows stopped. Zoro and Mr. 3 turned at once.
"You're back early, Luffy," Zoro said, wiping sweat with his forearm. "How'd it go with the ship?"
"I left the ship construction part to Nami," Luffy replied with a half-smile. Then he tossed a small leather pouch to him. "Take this. Give it to Chopper later."
Zoro opened the sack and widened his eyes at the fifteen Rokushiki fruits inside.
"What the hell is all this...?"
"Rokushiki Fruits. With them, everyone will be able to train in Rokushiki. We'll need every ounce of strength we can get," Luffy said firmly. "Oh, and there's going to be a Shichibukai meeting. I've been summoned."
Zoro frowned, connecting the dots with surprising speed. "...You're going to try to save Ace, aren't you?"
Luffy raised an eyebrow. "Huh… since when did you get that smart?"
Zoro snorted and crossed his arms. "I saw the news. Public execution. And you running off, full of plans. Not that hard to figure out."
"Good. Just don't forget to keep training your Haki. When I get back, I want to see progress in Armament… or I'll have to teach you myself. And trust me, my method ain't gentle."
Zoro gave a faint smirk. "I'm looking forward to it."
On the horizon, a Marine warship approached, cutting through the waves with authority. At the bow, Momonga shouted:
"We are ready, Straw Hat Luffy! Departure is imminent!"
Luffy turned around. "Zoro, inform the others. As vice-captain, you're in charge while I'm gone."
Zoro gave a silent nod, watching his captain walk away.
In the next moment, as if channeling all his strength and conviction into one final move, Zoro struck the wax wall one last time.
BANG!
A deep crack spread across the impact point.
Galdino muttered, impressed, "Zoro… that wall wasn't weak, was it?"
Zoro replied with a fierce grin, "No. I just got stronger."
---
Warship – Private Room
As one of the invited Shichibukai, Luffy was given the largest cabin on the ship. He threw himself on the couch and pulled the Haki Fruit from his pocket. Without hesitation, he took a bite.
[Observation Haki: Lv4 → Lv5]
His sensory world expanded. Sharper hearing, clearer presence. And above all, a glimpse of the future—still brief, but real.
"I did it…" he murmured. His Conqueror's Haki had also risen, reaching an advanced stage. Another milestone surpassed.
"It's still not enough. If I want to reach the top… I'll have to go further. Maybe Chopper can synthesize something from this… Like with the Rokushiki Fruits."
Luffy pondered the possibilities—turning Haki energy into an enhancement liquid, just like they had with the Six Powers. It was risky, but worth the attempt.
A soft sound interrupted his thoughts.
Knock-knock.
The door creaked open, revealing Momonga. Behind him, a marine pushed in a food cart.
Luffy instinctively activated his Haki… and got a glimpse.
'It'll take six to seven days to reach Amazon Lily. I didn't know if you were hungry, so I brought food.'
Seconds later, Momonga spoke, just as predicted:
"It will take six to seven days to reach Amazon Lily. I didn't know if you were hungry, so I had lunch brought in."
Luffy just smiled. "Thanks."
The marine unpacked the dishes and drinks, carefully setting everything on the table. There was meat, seasoned rice, and even a bottle of white wine.
Luffy leaned back, relaxing—but never letting his guard down. Even on that ship, even as a Shichibukai… he knew the World Government's eyes were always watching.
"Ace… wait for me."
---
Water 7 – Straw Hat Pirates' Temporary Base
"He's gone," Zoro said, resting his sword on his shoulder as he watched the warship disappear on the horizon.
Nami, who had arrived just as the warship departed, crossed her arms, her expression stern. "I thought he'd properly consult us before leaving."
"He trusted us," Robin commented with a slight smile, eyes closed as if in meditation. "Now it's our turn to live up to it."
Chopper came running over with the Rokushiki Fruits in his arms. "Zoro, are these for me?"
"Yes. Luffy wants everyone stronger when he returns."
Nami sighed, looking up at the sky. "Luffy… come back in one piece."
---
(End of Chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."