In this world, even though kneeling is a significant gesture, it seemed to be a common occurrence.
Franky was a bit startled by Luffy's question. He looked up at the Straw Hat captain, their eyes meeting, and a strange understanding passed between them.
"Franky, so what's the real reason?" Luffy asked.
Franky took a deep breath. "I really like everyone in the Straw Hat Pirates. Not to mention you saved my life, Luffy, but just cheering for a real man like Zephyr, or having a party with all of you, it felt great! I really like you guys.
I want to join you so badly! But...I have a secret that the World Government would definitely come after, so I don't want to bring trouble to any of you."
"Is that why Grandma Kokoro came here to recommend you on her own?" Franky's crew asked.
"Grandma Kokoro did that? What a nosy old lady!" Franky exclaimed.
"So, what's the big secret?" Luffy asked.
Franky hesitated, then sighed. "It's the blueprints for the Ancient Weapon Pluton. People say that Pluton can destroy an entire island with a single shot. Its power is terrifying, and the World Government has always wanted it."
The Straw Hat crew didn't seem very impressed by this revelation.
It should have been terrifying to hear that a single cannonball could destroy an island, yet everyone was calm.
"So it can destroy an island, huh?" Zoro said, raising an eyebrow. "Sounds powerful, but that's it? Why would so many people want it?"
"Yeah," Tashigi chimed in. "Before, Crocodile was trying to get his hands on Pluton in Alabasta. To get something like this, he was willing to take over an entire country and even blow up hundreds of thousands of innocent people!"
"Why are you all looking down on Pluton so much?!" Franky was stunned. "It's super-powerful! It can destroy an island with one shot!"
Usopp walked over and patted him on the shoulder. "Sounds like you don't know how scary strong people can be. Luffy and Carl can both destroy an island with a single punch. Plus, there are the Four Emperors, the Marines, and the Admirals. All of them have enough power to destroy the world. When you compare it to them, this Pluton thing seems a little… low-tier."
Franky was completely speechless. Is that really how it is?
The World Government had gone to great lengths for these blueprints, even killing his mentor, Tom, for them. Yet, the Straw Hats were saying that Pluton was too "low-tier." How could he believe that?
Franky's thinking wasn't wrong, but neither was the crew's.
An Ancient Weapon is different from a person. Destroying an island with one shot is indeed very powerful, but there are many powerful people who can do it.
But it was also wrong to underestimate Pluton. After all, the World Government was so afraid of it; maybe it was even scarier than the legends said.
However, one thing was for sure: the Straw Hat Pirates didn't need something like that. They all came together to chase their own dreams. If something got in their way, they would use their own strength to get rid of it. They wouldn't rely on some mythical weapon.
Pluton might really exist, and it might even be possible to build it. But everyone was too busy chasing their dreams; who had time to care about that?
Seeing the look on everyone's faces, Franky finally understood.
He opened up his chest, pulled out a thick stack of papers, and breathed a mouthful of fire on them. The flames quickly engulfed the papers, turning them to ash.
"Franky?" Luffy was a little confused.
"From now on, there are no more Pluton blueprints in this world," Franky said with a relieved smile.
Luffy finally realized what Franky had just burned. Franky looked at Luffy again and shouted, "Captain Luffy! Can I be the shipwright for the Straw Hat Pirates?! Can I be your partner?!"
Luffy raised his hands high and laughed. "Of course! Hahahaha!"
By burning the Pluton blueprints, Franky showed his determination. He no longer had the burden of guarding the blueprints; from now on, he would take on the responsibility of being the Straw Hat's shipwright. It was also his way of saying he didn't believe in the power of Pluton but chose to believe in the power of the Straw Hat Pirates. Luffy understood this and immediately agreed.
"Let's have a party! A party!" Luffy's words made everyone roll their eyes.
They just had a party yesterday, but it was normal to have a welcome party for a new crewmate. No one had a reason to object. Only Nami looked upset, silently calculating the cost of the party. Being a treasurer was a pain sometimes.
Meanwhile, inside the submarine of the Heart Pirates, Trafalgar Law cut out the hearts of Diamante, Lao G, Buffalo, and Baby 5. Then he dialed Diamante's Den Den Mushi.
"Hello? Is that Diamante?" Donquixote Doflamingo's voice came through.
"Yo, Doflamingo. How's it going?" Law replied, with a mocking smile.
"Law?! So it really is you! You joined the Straw Hat Pirates? What did you do to Diamante?!" Doflamingo's voice was filled with rage.
"Calm down, Doflamingo. I'm not calling you to talk nonsense. I'm here to make a deal," Law said calmly.
"A deal?"
"Yes. I want you to step down as one of the Warlords."
The Den Den Mushi suddenly let out a loud bang. Doflamingo's voice became angry and low. "Law, are you serious, you little brat? Don't you think the Five Emperors will take me seriously just because you're with them! They just got into the Grand Line, no matter how strong they are, they're just small-fry in the New World! Even if they can beat me, they definitely won't be able to beat the Beast Pirates!"
Law remained calm. "Haha, you called Diamante out of the blue, didn't you? You must've found something out. The Straw Hat Pirates have more than enough strength to fight the Four Emperors.
They not only beat Kaido and Big Mom, but they also beat the three Marine Admirals, and they're still safe and sound. When the Straw Hats arrive in Dressrosa, it will be your worst nightmare!"
Doflamingo fell silent. He had no words to refute Law. He had learned the truth through various channels in the underground world. What Law said was true, and because it was, Doflamingo felt a surge of jealousy.
When someone has absolute strength, all your conspiracies are meaningless. No matter how cunning or wise Doflamingo was, he was powerless against the Straw Hats.
Just how did the Straw Hats get so strong? A bunch of kids defeated two of the Four Emperors and three Marine Admirals. Even the news king, Morgans, wouldn't dare to write something like this!
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