"Damn dragon! How can there be a guy like that?!" Usopp shouted in anger.
"Whooooaaa! Nami-san has suffered so much! How could that damn dragon do this?!" Jango and Richie burst into tears.
Though honestly, seeing a lion cry like that was a bit too much!
Zoro said nothing. He simply flicked his sword, his murderous expression making his anger clear.
Carl only looked at Luffy—this was his decision to make.
Luffy stood up, walked over to Nami, and patted her shoulder. "Nami, let's go defeat that dragon!"
Tears welled up in Nami's eyes again. "Yeah! Let's defeat him! Please help me!"
"Of course!"
Everyone shouted in unison.
Carl wiped the corner of his eyes—his old eyes tended to get teary.
Once everyone calmed down, Carl handed a Devil Fruit to Nami. "Nami, this is the Smooth-Smooth Fruit, a Paramecia-type.
After eating it, your skin will become incredibly smooth, and you'll look even more beautiful.
More importantly, attacks will just slip off your body. Unless the enemy knows how to use Haki, you'll be immune to most damage.
Of course, you're our navigator. Even if you're not a fighter, we'll always protect you. Or, you could wait for a better fruit later—"
Before he could finish, Nami grabbed the fruit and took a bite without hesitation.
She swallowed the pulp, her cheeks slightly flushed. "I'm eating it! Not only does it make my skin smooth, but it can also save my life. I have to! Not being able to swim is no big deal. Besides, I want to fight alongside everyone!"
Hearing this, everyone smiled.
Right before their eyes, Nami's skin became incredibly smooth, and her beauty enhanced even more.
At this rate, Sanji wouldn't just get red-eyed—he'd probably spray a fountain of nosebleeds!
Carl chuckled and handed her a mirror. "See for yourself."
Nami looked and gasped in shock. "Ah! I can't believe I've become this beautiful! My skin is so smooth and soft! This fruit is amazing!"
Then, Carl pulled out a knife from somewhere.
With a quick motion, he slashed at Nami—but the blade simply slid off her skin, leaving no mark at all.
As soon as Carl approached, Nami punched him. "You scared me to death! Why did you suddenly pull out a knife?! If I hadn't reacted quickly and used my fruit ability to slip away, you could've cut me open!"
Carl just smiled. "See? You're immune to damage."
Everyone nodded in amazement.
There was no doubt—this ability would keep Nami safe, and as they ventured into the Grand Line, it would help protect their navigator.
Once the Devil Fruits were distributed, Carl gave a final summary:
"Usopp and Nami, spend the next few days getting familiar with your new abilities.
If you have any questions, come ask me.
And don't forget your daily breathing training.
Jango, Richie, don't be discouraged.
You'll find fruits that suit you in the future.
We have a Fruit Radar, so there's no need to worry.
For now, just focus on training and building up your physical strength.
Especially you, Jango—you already have good footwork from dancing.
The Marine technique Shave might be a perfect fit for you.
Next, I'll be focusing on training you, Richie. In the future, I'll find a Devil Fruit for you so you can speak.
Zoro has just awakened Observation Haki. He needs to focus on strengthening and refining it. For the time being, most of my training will go to him.
As for Luffy… just think about what I told you before. If you can't figure it out, don't stress—just enjoy the adventure!"
With that, Carl fell silent and turned to Luffy.
Luffy pressed down his straw hat and grinned. "Alright! Guys, we'll follow Teacher Carl's plan! Nami, set the course—our next stop is your hometown. I'll take down that dragon myself!"
"Ooohhh!!!"
Out on the vast sea, the Straw Hat Pirates' flag fluttered in the wind.
Above the ship, a red-faced, long-nosed, black-winged tengu circled in the sky, keeping watch over the waters in all directions.
At the ship's bow, Luffy sat cross-legged on the figurehead, gazing out at the sea with a content smile.
On the deck, Nami was busy practicing her new ability.
Jango kept stomping his feet, doing his best to learn Shave, one of the Marine Six Styles. If he could step on the ground dozens of times in an instant, he'd be able to pull it off.
Richie, meanwhile, was still fishing—who knew the struggles of this poor lion?
As for Zoro, he was locked in intense training.
Carl had pulled out a stack of Marine-standard swords from storage and was relentlessly attacking Zoro. In response, Zoro pushed his Observation Haki to its limit, trying to sense each incoming strike. Then, gathering all his strength, he swung his blade, aiming to cut through the Marine sword in Carl's hands.
According to Carl, once Zoro could truly feel the sword's breath and successfully slice through the blade, he would have officially stepped into the ranks of true swordsmen.
Zoro had been trained by Shimotsuki Koshiro as a child, but maybe he hadn't fully understood his lessons back then. Most of his training had been self-taught, and he had carved his own path forward.
Now, as Carl guided him, memories of Koshiro's teachings surfaced. It was as if he had suddenly found his direction, and with that clarity, he could fully commit to breaking through!
At that moment, Usopp collapsed onto the deck, panting.
"Luffy! Everyone! There's a small boat near the reef ahead, and there are two strange people on it!"
"Yosh! Let's get closer and check it out!"
Luffy was always drawn to anything unusual, so the mention of strange people immediately piqued his interest.
As the ship approached, a man in blue, wearing small sunglasses and sporting the word "SEA" tattooed on his face, jumped onto the deck and brandished his sword.
"Wake up, pirates! The great bounty hunter Johnny is here!"
The moment he finished speaking—smack!—Usopp slapped him onto the deck.
Unlike before, Usopp was no longer weak. After eating the Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit, his strength had skyrocketed. Compared to ordinary bounty hunters, he was on a completely different level.
"Huh? Johnny?" Zoro raised an eyebrow during his break from training.
"Brother Zoro?!"
Johnny was just as shocked. "Why is Brother Zoro on a pirate ship? Oh! I see! This must be your target!"
Zoro rolled his eyes. "No! I'm a pirate now. I'll probably have a bounty soon, so maybe I'll be your target someday."
Johnny waved his hands frantically. "Haha! No way! I'd never go after you, Brother Zoro!"
"By the way, where's Joseph?"
"Joseph… Brother Zoro, Joseph is dying!"
"Ah?"
When Joseph was carried onto the deck, even Zoro was a little shaken—he really looked miserable.
Nami leaned in for a closer look and sighed. "This is just scurvy. You've been sailing, and you don't even know that?"
Then she turned to Jango and Usopp. "Go get some limes and feed him!"
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