Chapter 455 - 294

Chapter 295: Artificial Azure Dragon Fruit!After Zephyr and Kuzan left one after another, only the Straw Hat crew and the remnants of the banquet remained on the ice field.Luffy was still a bit depressed after being rejected repeatedly, scratching his head while staring blankly at the sea.Suddenly, as if remembering something crucial, he slapped his forehead hard, making a loud sound."Ah! That's right!"Everyone was startled by him and looked over."The laboratory! Underneath that SAD Factory!"Luffy's eyes sparkled, even more excited than when he saw meat."That Artificial Devil Fruit!!"Luffy couldn't wait any longer and launched himself toward the laboratory entrance with a'swoosh'."Hey! Luffy! Wait!"Nami shouted, but it was too late."Honestly, that idiot Captain."Zoro shouldered his sword, "Let's go, before he causes more trouble."The members of the Straw Hat crew looked at each other and had no choice but to follow.Monet, still bound by Sea Stone chains, watched the direction Luffy disappeared with a complex look in her eyes; eventually, Sanji motioned for Franky to take custody of her for the time being.Underground · SAD Factory Ruins"Wow! It's been smashed to pieces!"Luffy hopped through the ruins, his rubber body allowing him to clear obstacles easily.His goal was clear... the central console area, or anywhere that looked like it'stored important things'.His Observation Haki spread out slightly, capturing the lingering 'presence' in the air.Soon, he stopped in front of a relatively intact alloy wall.There was a built-in safe in the wall, the door already violently distorted and half-open. Luffyleaned in curiously and reached inside to rummage!His hand touched a cold, strangely elastic spherical object.It was a fruit similar in shape to a normal Devil Fruit, but slightly smaller in size.Its skin was blue and appeared to have overlapping scales, just like a dragon's skin, with a signature Devil Fruit spiral pattern at the bottom, while the exterior of the scales was light blue."Tsk tsk! Who would have thought this normal-looking artificial Azure Dragon would actually be pink!!"Luffy smiled slightly, as if thinking of something!!The others who arrived later also saw this fruit."This... this is... a Devil Fruit?!" Usopp's jaw nearly dropped."This must be an artificial Devil Fruit!"Law stepped forward and observed it closely."The genetic sequence is unstable, and the expression has deviated, causing the form and color to differ significantly from the original.""Vegapunk really is a remarkable scientist!!""Vegapunk?"Uta tilted her head; she had an impression of that name, seemingly a very impressive scientist."Whatever!"Luffy held the Pink Dragon Fruit high and grinned widely."Hahaha! What a find! Even if the color is weird, it's still a dragon!"He hopped and jumped happily with the fruit, already starting to fantasize about a companion eating it and turning into a giant pink dragon, then carrying him through the sky!!Nami facepalmed: "I just feel like this fruit is unreliable..."Sanji exhaled a puff of smoke:"The color is quite suitable for ladies..."He subconsciously glanced at Robin and Nami, earning a roll of the eyes from Nami.Zoro looked indifferent: "Anyway, the rubber idiot is already weird enough, a few more tricks won't make a difference."Luffy thought for a moment, shook his head, and carefully tucked the fruit into his system space."I'll keep it for now! Maybe it'll be useful later! I'll see who eats it then! Either way, it can't go to waste!"He treated this fruit, which might contain powerful strength, just like a slightly special apple.This thick-skinned style made even Law's mouth twitch again... When the first rays of complete sunlight thoroughly dispersed the eternal toxic fog and cold smoke above Punk Hazard, the sunny was fully prepared for departure.Franky inspected the ship, Usopp and Chopperreplenished some potentially useful supplies, and Sanji used the remaining ingredients to prepare enough hearty bento for several days of sailing.Monet was moved to a temporary confinement room on the ship.Law stood on the bow deck, the morning breeze blowing the brim of his fluffy spotted hat.He looked at the island silhouettes gradually becoming clear on the distant horizon, marking the direction of the next leg of their journey. He took a deep breath, turned, and faced the Straw Hat crew who were playing, tidying up, or simply sunbathing on the deck.His gaze finally fell on Luffy, who was being pulled by Uta to try a new song, looking reluctant but not refusing."Straw Hat-ya."Law's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.Luffy stopped what he was doing and looked over. The others also stopped their tasks.Law's expression was his usual coldness, but deep in his eyes, a flame suppressed for over a decade was slowly burning."The matter of Punk Hazard has come to an end. Next... it's time to go to Dressrosa."His tone was calm, yet carried an unquestionable determination:"There is someone there I must defeat, and a past I must settle."The deck went quiet for a moment.The grin on Luffy's face slowly faded, replaced by a rare steadiness belonging to a Captain.He walked up to Law, his eyes under the straw hatlooking directly at him.Luffy answered without a hint of hesitation,"We agreed. I'll help you send Doflamingo flying, right, Torao?"Law looked at him, and a few seconds later, the corner of his mouth seemed to quirk up extremely slightly, almost imperceptibly."Great! Finally going to a new island for an adventure!"Luffy instantly regained his vitality, cheering with both arms raised high."Dressrosa! I heard there's lots of good food and fun things there! And a Corrida Colosseum? Can we fight?""Luffy! The point is to help Torao defeat the enemy!" Nami couldn't help but remind him."I know, I know! Defeat Doflamingo, then have a banquet to celebrate!" Luffy planned as if it were a matter of course.Zoro held his sword: "A Shichibukai, huh... I hope he's not too weak~"Sanji lit a cigarette: "I hope there are beautiful ladies in need of help~"Uta's eyes sparkled: "Dressrosa! I remember it's a famous land of music and dance! I'm so looking forward to it!"Chopper and Usopp held onto each other, both nervous and excited: "A new adventure!"Robin smiled, her eyes carrying an insight that saw through everything.Jinbe steadily held the helm. Franky had already struck a'super' departure POSE.Brook began playing a spirited variation of 'Binks' Sake'."Well then—"Luffy jumped onto the head of the sunny's lion figurehead, one hand pressing down his straw hatand the other pointing toward the sun-drenched sea ahead, shouting with all his might:"Setting sail—!! Destination, Dressrosa!!!"A new chapter, under the sun, officially begins.(Punk Hazard Arc — End)