"Invitation from Monkey D. Luffy accepted.
You are now a member of the Straw Hat Pirates."
"Factional Fate [Ultra Gold] has been updated — Current alignment: Pirate Faction."
"Eligible traits detected from Captain Monkey D. Luffy.
Select traits to load:
—Superhuman Physique [Deep Purple]
—Sun God [Ultra Gold]
—Gum-Gum Fruit [Disguised] [Deep Purple]
Load now?"
A translucent panel appeared in Lu En's vision — only visible to him.
The Strongest Trait System once again showed off its terrifying flexibility, offering a clean interface with selectable traits, each with a one-tap "Load" option.
As expected, Powerful Connections [Special] was locked — a non-transferable trait bound to Luffy's unique lineage and relationships.
Still, as a crew member, Lu En could still enjoy its indirect benefits, so he didn't mind.
After a moment's thought, he selected:
—Superhuman Physique [Deep Purple]
—Sun God [Ultra Gold]
But as for the Gum-Gum Fruit [Disguised] [Deep Purple], he left it alone.
Why?
Because the fruit's true identity — Mythical Zoan: Human-Human Fruit, Model Nika [Ultra Gold] — had yet to awaken. In its current state, it was still a standard Paramecia fruit, requiring intensive training and transformations like Gear Second and Gear Third to unlock its true potential.
Those transformations were powerful… but also consumed lifespan.
For someone like Lu En, who could steal and grow traits, risking his life to squeeze power from an unawakened fruit wasn't worth it.
Once Luffy awakened Nika, he'd simply load that power directly.
That was the true strength of the fruit — not rubber, but imagination. Limitless, chaotic, reality-defying imagination.
With his selections confirmed, Lu En's updated trait list appeared:
—Trait (Lu En): Basic Navigation [White]
—Trait: Beast Strength [Blue]
—Trait: Conqueror's Haki [Light Gold]
—Trait: Factional Fate [Ultra Gold]
—Loaded Trait: Superhuman Physique [Deep Purple] (Loading...)
—Loaded Trait: Sun God [Ultra Gold] (Loading...)
The display was clean, but not without its limitations.
Compared to direct trait theft, loading was much slower.
Superhuman Physique's progress bar inched forward bit by bit.
Sun God?
Completely still.
But that was expected. After all, it was an Ultra Gold trait — a true divine-class power. Loading it would take time.
Luckily, Lu En was now part of the Straw Hat Pirates. Time was on his side.
As long as the bar moved — even slowly — he had nothing to fear.
Those traits were as good as his.
All in due time.
He'd even experiment later to find ways to speed up the process.
"Alright! Let's head out!" Luffy clapped his hands, looking skyward. "We need to find a ship. Mine got swallowed up by that whirlpool."
He adjusted his straw hat with a grin. With his first crewmate by his side, his spirits were soaring.
"If we find one, I can help navigate — at least a little." Lu En smiled.
That's why he'd taken Koby's Basic Navigation trait.
In the original timeline, Luffy drifted aimlessly until Nami joined. Even when searching for Zoro, it was Koby who pointed the way.
Now that Koby was… out of commission, Lu En had claimed the trait for himself.
He'd be the Straw Hats' temporary navigator — for now.
"You can navigate too?! That's amazing!" Luffy's eyes sparkled. "Man, having you aboard was the best idea ever!"
"It's just basic knowledge," Lu En said modestly. "I can guide us through calm seas. But if we want to reach the Grand Line… we'll need someone far better."
"You bet!" Luffy nodded with conviction. "If I'm gonna be Pirate King, I have to conquer the Grand Line! I promised someone."
He removed his straw hat and stared at it, eyes soft with memory.
Lu En already knew who that promise was for: Red-Haired Shanks.
"Well then," Lu En said, "we're going to need a real navigator."
As he spoke, an image flashed through his mind — a familiar figure with bright orange hair and clever eyes.
Nami.
"She'll show up," Luffy said cheerfully. "I'm sure I'll find good people."
BOOM!
Suddenly, the deck above shattered like glass.
A grotesque figure the size of a wild boar crashed through, landing before them with a bone-shaking THUD.
Massive. Hulking. Swinging a giant iron club.
Iron Club Alvida.
Dozens of pirate lackeys peered down from the hole above, blades drawn.
"Well, well…" Alvida sneered, her face twisted with mockery. "Not Roronoa Zoro, huh? Just two little brats."
"Zoro?" Luffy blinked, unfamiliar with the name.
Alvida's eyes landed on the unconscious Koby nearby.
"Koby! You useless worm! Still breathing?!"
She shouted twice, but got no response.
She didn't care if he lived or died — she was just annoyed that no one was praising her.
Luffy, ever blunt, pointed at her and asked, "Who's this rude old lady?"
Silence.
Even the pirates above froze in terror.
Did this kid just—
"PFFT—" Lu En couldn't help himself. "That's Iron Club Alvida. Bounty: Five million Berries."
He grinned. Luffy's honesty combined with her face? Hilarious.
"Access Traits."
He focused on her.
—Trait (Alvida): Iron Club [Blue], Super Boar Bulk [Blue]
Iron Club [Blue]: Capable of swinging a weapon far too heavy for ordinary humans.
Super Boar Bulk [Blue]: Ridiculously thick fat provides natural shock resistance. Can survive ten-story falls unscathed.
Fitting. Painfully fitting.
Lu En couldn't stop the smirk tugging at his lips.
But to Alvida, the smirk — and Luffy's comment — were unforgivable.
"DIE, YOU BRATS!!"
Alvida roared and swung her massive club with a rage-fueled howl.
SWOOSH!
Lu En stomped the floor and shot upward, grabbing Luffy. Together, they soared through the hole she'd created and landed on the upper deck.
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy," Luffy said with a grin. "Nice to meet you. I'm a pirate."
"WHO CARES WHAT YOU'RE CALLED, YOU LITTLE PUNK?!"
Alvida charged up after them, fuming.
"She's so angry," Luffy muttered, tilting his head. "What a scary old lady."
"YOU—!!" Alvida's eyes turned bloodshot.
The pirate lackeys got the message loud and clear: help now, or be beaten later.
They swarmed toward Lu En and Luffy, screaming war cries.
"Man, that's so unfair! All of them against just us?" Luffy cracked his knuckles, ready to fight.
But before he could spring into action—
"Let me handle it."
Lu En stepped forward and extended a hand.
His eyes lit up — glowing red and black.
A storm of pressure pulsed from his body.
The King had spoken.
Author's Note:
The fire of Conqueror's Haki burns next chapter! If you're enjoying the ride, don't forget to bookmark, vote, and drop a comment — your support makes everything possible!