—[Detected acceptance of Monkey D. Luffy's invitation. You are now a member of the Straw Hat Pirates.]—
—[Faction Fortune (Apex Gold) faction updated to: Pirate Faction.]—
—[Traits from Straw Hat Pirate members can now be equipped. Currently available target: Straw Hat Captain, Monkey D. Luffy.]—
—[Available Traits for Equipping: Superhuman Physique (Deep Purple), Sun God (Apex Gold), Gomu-Gomu Fruit [Disguise] (Deep Purple). Equip?]—
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After Rowen confirmed his acceptance of Luffy's invitation, the notification screen, visible only to him, appeared.
Very user-friendly—the Strongest Trait System displayed the three equippable Traits from Luffy, each with an "Equip Now" option next to it.
The Powerful Connections (Special) Trait couldn't be equipped, as it stemmed from Luffy's unique background and relationships. However, as Luffy's comrade, Rowen would still benefit indirectly from it, so it didn't really matter.
Rowen thought for a moment, then mentally selected 'Yes' for Superhuman Physique (Deep Purple) and Sun God (Apex Gold).
He chose not to equip the Gomu-Gomu Fruit [Disguise] (Deep Purple).
Before awakening into the Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Model: Nika, the standard Gomu-Gomu Fruit was just average among Paramecia types.
To draw out significant power from it required developing techniques like Gear Second, Third, and Fourth.
And based on information from the original story, using those Gears consumed the user's lifespan. For Rowen, who could simply plunder the abilities of others as Traits, the trade-off wasn't worth it.
Later, once Luffy awakened and gained Nika's power, Rowen could just equip the Nika ability directly.
That ridiculously broken Nika-exclusive power of imagination—that was the true strength of the fruit.
After Rowen made his selections, two new Traits appeared on his status.
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Rowen Traits: Navigation (White), Beast Strength (Blue), Conqueror's Haki (Pale Gold), Faction Fortune (Apex Gold);
Superhuman Physique (Deep Purple) (Equipping...): [||.....]
Sun God (Apex Gold) (Equipping...): [|......]
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Simple and clear. However, compared to direct plundering, the progress bars for equipping were definitely slow.
The Superhuman Physique (Deep Purple) was okay; after a short while, the bar had visibly moved, at least slightly.
But the Sun God (Apex Gold)? That progress bar hadn't budged at all—at least, not noticeably to Rowen's eyes.
Well, it made sense. It was an Apex Gold Trait, after all. Equipping it completely would surely take a long time.
Fortunately, Rowen had now joined the Straw Hat crew. He had plenty of time to let the equipping process run. He wasn't in a rush.
Being able to equip them at all was infinitely better than just staring helplessly at Luffy's powerful Traits, unable to plunder them at his current level.
Sooner or later, these Traits would belong to Rowen anyway.
He could test things out later, see if there were ways to speed up the equipping process.
"Alright! Let's set sail! First, we need to find a boat. Mine got swallowed by that giant whirlpool," Luffy said, adjusting his straw hat with a grin.
Having found his first crewmate, Luffy was in an excellent mood.
"If we find a boat, I actually know some basic navigation," Rowen replied with a smile.
This was precisely why Rowen had bothered plundering Koby's Navigation (White) Trait.
Rowen hadn't forgotten that in the original story, before Nami joined as their navigator, Luffy basically just drifted aimlessly.
And in the story, it was Koby the clown who used his basic navigation skills to guide Luffy to find Zoro.
Now that Rowen had dealt with Koby, he naturally needed to take that Trait to temporarily fill the role of the Straw Hat Pirates' navigator.
"You're a navigator too?! That's great! It's really great that I got you on the crew, Rowen!" Luffy exclaimed, genuinely surprised and happy.
"It's just basic navigation, really. I wouldn't call myself a proper navigator. It's fine for sailing in calm waters like the Four Blues, but my skills aren't good enough for the Grand Line—Luffy, you want to become King of the Pirates, right? You definitely have to go to the Grand Line," Rowen said with a smile.
"Of course! You have to conquer the Grand Line to become King of the Pirates! I promised someone," Luffy declared, holding his straw hat in his hand, his eyes filled with reminiscence.
Rowen knew Luffy was referring to his promise with the Emperor, Red-Haired Shanks.
"In that case, finding a navigator who can handle the Grand Line is absolutely necessary," Rowen stated, the image of a certain beautiful woman he'd danced with not long ago flashing through his mind.
"Shishishi! Crewmates and stuff, of course I'll find more! I'll definitely find them!" Luffy plopped his straw hat back on his head, laughing optimistically.
CRASH!
Just then, a figure crashed through the deck ceiling from above, landing heavily right in front of Rowen and Luffy with the force of a wild boar.
"So you're the brats causin' trouble for my crew, huh?!"
A monstrously ugly creature, barely resembling a human, wielding a giant iron mace, snarled, revealing a cavernous mouth.
Above the shattered hole in the deck, numerous pirate grunts peered down.
"Doesn't look like 'Pirate Hunter' Zoro," Alvida sneered after scanning Luffy and Rowen, her grotesque mouth twisting into a vicious grin.
"Zoro?" Luffy looked puzzled.
"Koby! You useless waste of space! Are you still alive down there?!" Alvida bellowed down at the motionless Koby lying nearby. Getting no response, Her boar-like face contorted with annoyance.
She didn't care if Koby was alive or dead; she was furious that she wasn't hearing his usual fawning praises.
"Who's this rude old lady?" Luffy asked curiously, pointing directly at Alvida.
"!!!" The Alvida Pirate crew members on the deck above froze in terror, too scared to speak.
"Hahaha! That's 'Iron Mace' Alvida. She has a bounty of 5 million Beri," Rowen couldn't help but chuckle at Luffy's bluntness.
"Read Traits."
He then focused on Alvida.
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Alvida Traits: Iron Mace Wielder (Blue), Super Thick Skin (Blue).
Iron Mace Wielder (Blue): Can effortlessly wield an incredibly heavy iron mace that ordinary people cannot lift.
Super Thick Skin (Blue): Even falling from a ten-story building, the owner's fat, thicker than a wild boar's hide, allows them to emerge unharmed.
————
Seeing Alvida's Traits, Rowen couldn't suppress the smirk forming on his lips.
'Super Thick Skin'. Yep, pretty accurate description.
Luffy's comment, combined with Rowen's laughter, was the ultimate insult in Alvida's eyes.
"DIE! Both of you damn brats!" Alvida roared, raising her massive iron mace to crush Rowen and Luffy.
WHOOSH!
Using his Beast Strength, Rowen pushed off the floor powerfully. He and Luffy leaped up through the hole Alvida had just made, landing smoothly on the main deck.
"My name's not 'damn brat'! It's Monkey D. Luffy! I'm a pirate! Nice to meet you!" Luffy announced with a grin.
"Who cares what a little brat like you is called!" Alvida charged up after them.
"What a scary old lady," Luffy commented with a sigh.
"BRAT!" Alvida's eyes were completely bloodshot with rage now.
Her pirate grunts knew this was their cue to act. If they didn't, an enraged Alvida would surely bash their heads in with her mace later.
With battle cries, they swarmed towards Luffy and Rowen, intending to overwhelm them with numbers.
"Hey! Ganging up on us isn't fair!" Luffy shouted, preparing to fight back using his Gomu-Gomu abilities.
"Leave this to me."
Rowen reached out, stopping Luffy.
A dark, crimson-black light suddenly flared within his eyes.
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