Chapter 431 - 270

Chapter 271: Jinbe Officially Boards the Ship!On the wide grassy deck of the thousand sunny."Hahahaha! Everyone, from this day forward, this old man is an official member of the Thousand Sunny!"Jinbe landed firmly on the soft turf. He straightened his broad back, his gaze sweeping over every crewmate on deck, his face filled with genuine joy and a sense of belonging. He cupped his hands solemnly:"From now on, please... take care of me!""Jinbe! You're finally on board—!"Luffy, like a koala, happily swung directly onto Jinbe's thick shoulder."Boss Jinbe!"Usopp cheered, raising his fist excitedly."With a former Shichibukai joining us, I don't know why, but I suddenly feel an overwhelming sense of security!""That's only natural."Trafalgar Law shouldered his demon sword 'kikoku' and analyzed calmly, though a slight smile of approval touched his lips."Jinbe's addition almost completely compensates for our crew's weakness in pure naval combat."He rapidly assessed the current Straw Hat crew in his mind:Excluding Luffy, the 'over-the-limit monster' who cannot be measured by common standards.Air combat maneuverability belongs to Sanji, ground frontal assault belongs to Zoro and Yamato, and deep-sea and large-scale water combat now has Jinbe presiding. Tactical control and special support are handled by himself, not to mention Uta's terrifying Devil Fruit ability, which can be called'strategic grade'.Functionally, there is the world's top NavigatorNami, the genius shipwright Franky, the divine doctor Chopper, the archaeologist Robin, the sniper Usopp, and the musician Brook... The configuration is luxurious and perfect.'Perhaps...' Law thought to himself, 'the current straw hat Captain's crew truly possesses the qualifications and strength to replace the Red Hair Pirates and become the 'Iron Wall Pirate Crew' of the new generation.'"I heard about it!"Nami clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling with anticipation."Jinbe's helmsmanship is first-class! With you here, I'll be much more at ease navigating harsh seas in the future!""Super—!"Franky struck his classic pose, his steel arms colliding excitedly."The helmsman who can bring out the true ultimate potential of this'Ship of Dreams' has finally appeared! I can't wait to see how fast the Thousand Sunny can sail under your command!""Then—"Luffy jumped down from Jinbe's shoulder, raised both arms high, and grinned, revealing his signature brilliant smile that announced the start of a celebration:"Let's have a feast—!!! To celebrate Jinbe officially joining us—!""Luffy!"Nami immediately put her hands on her hips and shot him a look, though the smile in her eyes couldn't be hidden."I think you're just greedy again and looking for an excuse to start a banquet!""Hahaha! You found me out!"Luffy wasn't embarrassed; instead, he laughed even more happily. He turned and shouted toward the ship's cabin:"Sanji—!! Prepare the banquet!! Make it the biggest and most lavish one!!""Got it, you noisy idiot Captain!!"Sanji's reply came from the direction of the kitchen, followed by an even crisper symphony of pots and pans."Yohohoho~ A banquet to celebrate a new crewmate? It makes my bones feel light with anticipation!"Brook drew his violin, and cheerful notes leaped out."Banquet! Banquet!!"Chopper and Usopp were already jumping around happily."It seems everyone is already immersed in joy."A soft voice carried a hint of a smile.The wooden door on the second floor of the cabin was gently pushed open, and Robin's figure gracefully stepped onto the sun-drenched grassy deck.She stood in the bright halo, her entire person seemingly coated in a soft radiance, bright and graceful.Her raven-black, waterfall-like hair fell smoothly over her shoulders, brushed by the slightly salty sea breeze on the deck, with a few strands floating lightly, outlining elegant curves.The morning light danced on her hair tips, as beautiful as a dewy black rose quietly blooming at dawn.Today, she had changed out of her usual long dress, wearing a well-fitted set of dark green trousers and top, professional yet retaining softness, with a thin belt around her waist accentuating her graceful curves.A pair of exquisite rimless glasses perched on her nose added a touch of elegance and scholarly air to her intellectual temperament.Perhaps nourished by her first experience of intimacy, her already snow-white and delicate skin now exuded a lustrous sheen, like fine mutton-fat jade, so soft it seemed ready to break at a touch.Between the corners of her eyes and the arches of her brows, that faint, subtle charm, having shed the greenness of youth, made her entire being radiate a dazzling, moving brilliance from the inside out.The cheerful noise on the deck paused for a fleeting moment when she appeared.Everyone's gaze was involuntarily drawn to her, and then they all showed expressions of astonishment, to varying degrees.They had seen the elegant and composed Robin, the calm and wise Robin, the gently smiling Robin...But they seemed never to have seen Robin like this moment, as if lit up from the bottom of her heart by the sun and some ineffable happiness, so breathtakingly beautiful and dazzlingly bright.Especially the smile she showed at this moment, warm and bright, as if capable of dispelling all gloom."Sister Robin!"Nami was the first to snap back to reality, a sweet smile blossoming on her face as she hurried to meet her.She affectionately held Robin's arm, while subtly lowering her voice, speaking at a volume only the two of them could hear with concern:"Is your body... really okay? If you still feel uncomfortable anywhere, you must tell me immediately, and I'll have Chopper give you a thorough check-up!"She paused, a flicker of understanding and the consideration of a fellow 'insider' flashing in her eyes, her voice dropping even lower:"Also, I specifically instructed Sanji to brew you some nourishing tonic soup. It's being kept warm in the kitchen, so remember to drink it later."She deeply understood the 'inhuman' stamina and 'lack of restraint' of that rubber idiot Luffy in 'certain aspects,' and the 'indestructible body' she had personally experienced was no joke.The facts were just as she expected: her gentle and indulgent Captain's good older sister had indeed not 'escaped unscathed.'Look, she hadn't even shown her face much since boarding, surely exhausted and catching up on sleep, only now recovering some vitality.Feeling Nami's undisguised concern and the tacit understanding between sisters, Robin's heart warmed.She gently patted Nami's hand in return, the black eyes behind her lenses curving into gentle crescents:"Nami, thank you so much. You are always so thoughtful and considerate."She tilted her head slightly, leaning close to Nami's ear, and added in an equally soft voice, with a hint of teasing laughter:"If Nami-chan were a boy... you would definitely become a very gentle and reliable perfect lover that all girls would find irresistible.""Sister Robin—!"Nami's face instantly flushed red, and she playfully pushed her lightly, but her eyes were full of laughter.The two beautiful ladies looked at each other and smiled. Sunlight spilled over them, adding another warm and bright touch to this ship filled with dreams and bonds.The cheerful banquet became even warmer and more touching because of this silent understanding and care.— — — — — — — — — —Meanwhile, in the New World, Sphinx Island!The White Whale's main ship, which once symbolized 'the strongest,' was long gone, but the will had been rekindled from the ruins under the leadership of the new Captain.The core executives of the former Whitebeard Pirates were now gathered in a temporarily constructed council hall, the atmosphere heavy and tense.In the main seat was the Captain, 'Fire Emperor' Gol D. Ace.The once flamboyant flame youth now carried a seriousness and resolve far beyond his years in his brow, the heavy crown of his father's legacy and the expectations of his comrades resting on his shoulders.His flames were still fierce, but he now understood restraint and control.Beside him was his second-in-command and ship doctor, 'Phoenix' Marco, always bearing a slightly weary but still reliable gaze.Below them sat the 2nd Division Captain'Diamond' Jozu, the 3rd Division Captain 'Flower Sword' Vista, and several other main Captains who had survived the brutal baptism of the Marineford War.Since the end of that world-shaking war, the Whitebeard Pirates' situation had been precarious.The fall of the'Strongest Man in the World' not only meant the disappearance of their protective umbrella but also brought internal disintegration and external encirclement by wolves.Over half of the affiliated pirate crews chose to break away and establish themselves independently.Countless forces in the New World that smelled blood cast greedy eyes upon the vast legacy and territory left by Whitebeard, among which the rapidly rising Blackbeard Pirates were the most rampant, encroaching and pressing forward step by step.Currently, in the perception of many pirates and forces in the New World, the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates led by 'Fire Emperor' Ace, and the Blackbeard Pirates led by 'Blackbeard' Marshall D. Teach, had become the strongest two poles beneath the Four Emperors!The president of the World Economic Journal, Morgans, even to gain attention, jokingly referred to Ace as the 'Fifth Emperor' and Teach as the'Sixth Emperor' in the newspaper.Although this was not officially recognized by the World Government, merely becoming idle chatter for some big shots in Holy Land Mary Geoise,It was undeniable that the strength of these two forces was enough to shake the structure of the New World."Damn Teach—!!!"Jozu slammed his massive hand heavily onto the thick wooden table, causing a dull, heavy sound. The fierce rage burned in his bell-like eyes."That ungrateful traitor! Not only did he cause Father's death, but now he dares to take advantage of the situation to seize our islands, and now he arrogantly sends a challenge?! This is simply too much!"He suddenly stood up, his voice shaking dust down from the rafters:"If you ask me, we should gather all our strength right now, march straight over, and completely wipe out these bastards!!""Calm down, Jozu."Ace, in the main seat, spoke. His voice was not loud, but carried an unquestionable majesty.Having experienced loss, escape, the resolve to inherit, and regrouping, he had long shed his former impulsive rashness, replaced by the prudence and demeanor of a true leader in his expression."I have fought Teach before,"Ace's eyes sharpened, as if piercing through time and space to see that insidious and cunning 'comrade' again."He is treacherous, stops at nothing to achieve his goals, and his strength is unfathomable.""More importantly, he would never do anything without absolute certainty.""There must be a conspiracy behind this challenge. We must... consider carefully and act only after planning.""Ace is right."Marco took up the conversation, his face bearing his usual calmness. He pulled out a thick document from his coat and spread it on the table.The paper was densely covered with alarming intelligence."This is the latest intelligence I managed to acquire recently, using all our remaining intelligence network, even paying a considerable price.""Regarding the Blackbeard Pirates... their core combat strength far exceeds our previous estimates."Marco's voice was low as his finger traced the list."The number of confirmed Devil Fruit users among their core members... has reached an astonishing thirty or more."He paused, turning to the next page, which listed the information of the main cadres of the Blackbeard Pirates:"This is the list of their currently confirmed main cadres:· Captain of Ship No. 1: Jesus Burgess. Innately monstrous strength, a master of hand-to-hand combat, no confirmed Fruit ability yet.· Captain of Ship No. 2: Shiliew of the Rain. Former Head Jailer of Impel Down, a top-tier swordsman, confirmed to have eaten the Paramecia type - Clear-Clear Fruit.· Captain of Ship No. 3: Van Auger. Ultra-long-range sniper, suspected to have eaten the Teleportation Fruit that allows spatial movement.·..."The list went down, and every name represented a formidable fighting strength and a troublesome Devil Fruit ability."Hiss—"A wave of suppressed gasps and low murmurs instantly filled the council hall.Even the battle-hardened Captains had extremely solemn expressions now.They had, to varying degrees, looked down upon the Blackbeard Pirates before, believing them to be just a ragtag group that rose by betrayal and sneak attacks, and scoffed at the so-called'Sixth Emperor' title.This detailed intelligence now, like an icy tide, thoroughly awakened them... The enemy had grown into a behemoth capable of swallowing them whole!All eyes involuntarily turned toward Ace in the main seat, filled with hope and trust.During this period, Ace, with his responsibility, growth, and increasingly powerful strength, had long won the sincere allegiance and trust of everyone."A swordsman, huh...""Flower Sword" Vista's eyes suddenly burst with fervent fighting spirit, his fingers unconsciously stroking the hilts of the dual swords at his waist."This former Head Jailer 'Shiliew of the Rain'... leave him to me! As for that bastard Teach, naturally, that's for you, Ace, and Marco...""No, Vista."Ace slowly shook his head, interrupting Vista's surging fighting spirit. His gaze was calm and clear, pointing out the key issue:"You forgot... Marco and I are both Devil Fruitusers."His gaze swept over the other Captains who were ability users present, finally settling on Teach's name in the intelligence report, his tone heavy:"And that guy Teach possesses the Dark-Dark Fruit... which has the terrifying characteristic of suppressing or even nullifying the abilities of other Devil Fruits.""In a direct confrontation, this is extremely disadvantageous for me, Marco, and our other ability-user comrades."He looked at Vista, with a hint of apology, but more so with an unchangeable tactical arrangement:"So, I'm sorry. This time, I might need you and Marco to swap opponents. You, being a top swordsman who doesn't rely on Devil Fruitabilities, will face Teach.And Marco's Phoenix ability has stronger healing and mobility, making him better suited to fight Shiliew of the Rain and handle other sudden situations!!"Vista was stunned for a moment, but then the fervor in his eyes did not extinguish; instead, it transformed into a deeper, steadier resolution.He laughed magnanimously and patted the swords at his waist:"I see, I understand! As long as I can personally avenge Thatch and clear out the traitors for Father, it doesn't matter whose head I cut off! Let's do it!""Good!"Ace stood up, his eyes burning as he swept over every comrade present. The fervor and confidence belonging to the 'Fire Emperor' rose again."For victory, to protect Father's will and our home—""Cheers!!""Cheers—!!"Steadfast vows and the determination to win echoed across this island, which carried the flames of hope and revenge, accompanied by the sound of clashing wine cups.A new storm was about to collide between the White and Black Beards.PS: Next up is the Black and Whitebeard Piratesspecial event—The Decisive Battle!!The author has decided to release them all together, there will be 7 chapters!!At midnight on January 16th, precisely on time!!