Chapter 131 The Dispute over the Going Merry
Usopp protested loudly, his eyes wider than brass bells: "How can this be considered private money?! This is too much!!"
Nami couldn't help but chuckle at the sight, a playful smirk on her face: "Hahaha, just kidding!"
...Damn it, your jokes are too much!" Usopp stomped his foot in anger, grumbling indignantly: "But then again, even if you really wanted to keep it, there's no way we'd just stand by and let you get away with it!"
Zoro leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Yeah, did you think we'd let you get your hands on it so easily?"
Nami smiled softly, her delicate face looking especially radiant in the glow of the gold.
She blinked, revealing her adorable, money-loving expression: "It's not private money, it's savings for ship repairs!"
At this, the entire kitchen fell silent.
Zoro couldn't help but raise an eyebrow: "A whole ship full of gold... that's probably more than enough to build the biggest ship in the world, isn't it?"
Luffy suddenly stood up straight, his eyes sparkling with surprise, and asked excitedly: "Ship repairs? Are you fixing the going merry?!"
Nami nodded, saying seriously: "Yes, it's the going merry—the one that carried us here!"
...
After a brief silence, Usopp suddenly broke into a warm smile.
His lips curved gently, his eyes full of nostalgic memories.
"Thinking back... it's been carrying us on our voyage all the way from my village in the East Blue to here."
His voice carried a hint of nostalgia and emotion, as if those beautiful times instantly flooded his heart.
Nami nodded slightly, her voice gentle yet firm: "Yes, it has accompanied us through countless storms... carrying all our memories."
...
The atmosphere gradually softened, and everyone's thoughts seemed to drift back to the beginning of their journey.
Those green and passionate days of adventure, the nights spent on the going merry, the journey filled with laughter and tears.
Zoro slowly closed his eyes, a nostalgic smile on his lips, and slowly said: "...We also crossed Reverse Mountain and entered the Grand Line with it."
Sanji lit a cigarette, gently exhaled a puff of smoke, and sighed: "Then, we even went to Sky Island."
Chopper hugged his cup, his eyes full of reliance: "The going merry... has always been trying its best."
Luffy gently raised his head, a wide grin revealing his white teeth: "Thinking back... the going merry has really worked hard!"
Nami smiled slightly, but her tone suddenly became a bit complex: "Although it has done an excellent job so far... it's already in tatters, isn't it?"
For a moment, everyone's hearts sank.
Yes... even though they tried to repair it every time.
No matter how much they patched it up, the going merry's wounds could never fully heal.
On the cruel Grand Line, it was already covered in scars, and even sailing had begun to become difficult.
Usopp clenched his fists, took a deep breath, his gaze firm: "That's a good idea, the going merry... a major overhaul!"
Nami nodded lightly, saying seriously: "It's time to make it brand new."
Golden light shone in the kitchen, but in everyone's eyes.
That brilliance was no longer just wealth, but hope carrying countless memories.
The sea breeze outside gently caressed the going merry, also rejoicing for its impending Rebirth.
"But the current going merry can no longer withstand the intensity of our training, can it?"
In the kitchen, the previously cheerful atmosphere suddenly froze.
It was as if an invisible hand had gripped it tightly, and the air grew tense.
Zoro leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his eyes calm and profound, and slowly spoke.
His words were like a heavy stone, casting huge ripples on the calm water.
He glanced outside the cabin, at the ship they had once sailed through storms together.
The going merry was their companion, and their home.
But now... it was too fragile.
Zoro's mind flashed through several training scenes:
When he swung his sword on the deck, he almost cracked the deck with a slight carelessness;
When Sanji trained his kicks, even with deliberate restraint, the entire ship still shook uncontrollably;
Not to mention Luffy's exaggerated monstrous strength, each training session would make the going merry's structure creak unsettlingly.
And Lin Ning, as the most mysterious and powerful member on board, his strength was even more unfathomable.
The combat power of the few was growing rapidly, but the going merry... remained that fragile little boat.
Zoro sighed softly, his gaze heavy: "If we want to continue getting stronger on this Grand Line, a going merry like this will become our obstacle."
"Zoro!!"
Usopp suddenly stood up, his face flushed, fists clenched, eyes full of anger.
He glared fiercely at Zoro, his tone angry and bewildered: "What do you mean by that?! Are you going to abandon the going merry?!
Just because you have gold, you want to abandon the companion who fought alongside us?!"
The air instantly solidified, and everyone else was stunned.
Zoro did not flinch from Usopp's gaze, but calmly explained: "That's not what I meant."
His gaze was steady, his tone firm: "I'm just saying that the current going merry has already slowed down our training progress.
If it continues like this, we will sooner or later encounter stronger enemies.
And without enough strength, we won't even have a chance to survive."
"This situation is unacceptable."
Usopp's breathing was somewhat rapid, his fingers trembling slightly: "...Slowed down? The going merry is our companion! You actually see it as a burden?!"
Sanji held his cigarette, gently exhaling a puff of smoke.
Looking at the arguing pair, he finally spoke: "Hey, Usopp, Zoro is right."
Usopp was startled, and suddenly looked at Sanji.
His face was red with anger: "Even you say that?!"
Sanji slowly said: "The going merry has indeed reached its limit. On the Grand Line, we will encounter increasingly stronger enemies... if we don't have a sturdier ship, even sailing will be a problem."
"And to conquer the Grand Line, strength is essential."
He looked down at his feet, recalling the kick he delivered with Diable Jambe.
It had left a scorched crack on the deck.
"If we're going to change ships sooner or later..."
...
Usopp's body trembled slightly, his eyes filled with disbelief and anger.
He looked at Zoro and Sanji in front of him, as if he didn't recognize them.
The going merry had carried them all the way from the East Blue until now.
It carried not only their adventures, but also their bonds.
How could they... how could they just say change and change?
Usopp bit his lip, his voice choked: "So, you... have already decided to abandon the going merry?"Chapter 132 Funds for Purchasing a Ship
Zoro frowned, seemingly finding Usopp's reaction a bit excessive.
He wanted to say something more, but at that moment—
Nami sighed softly, breaking the tension that was about to erupt.
"Alright, what's all the fuss about?"
She glanced at the agitated Usopp, then at the calm expressions of Zoro and Sanji.
Her tone carried a hint of persuasion: "The going merry is indeed no longer suitable for continued sailing.
But it's too early to draw conclusions now... let's talk about it later."
Usopp's lips trembled slightly; he wanted to argue more but ultimately fell silent.
The kitchen fell into a sudden quiet.
Outside the window, the sea breeze gently blew, the night as dark as ink, spilling onto the going merry's deck.
But in this tranquil night, an invisible rift quietly appeared in the Straw Hat Pirates' hearts.
Could this golden going merry, laden with memories, truly continue to accompany them?
The atmosphere in the kitchen had just become heavy due to the argument.
But Lin Ning's words were like a wisp of fresh air, dispelling the gloomy haze.
He leaned back in his chair, a faint smile on his lips, his gaze calm and firm as he looked at everyone:
"Then, we can use this gold to build a top-tier pirate ship and load the going merry onto it.
After all, the going merry is our companion, and we can't abandon it!"
In an instant, the previously aggressive Usopp froze.
His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something.
But in the end, he just gave Lin Ning a deep look and remained silent.
Not abandoning the going merry... loading it onto a new ship to become a backup vessel... perhaps this suggestion was the best outcome for the going merry?
He didn't want to admit it, but he knew in his heart.
The going merry's condition could no longer sustain their continued voyage.
All this way, he had tried his best to repair it.
But each repair merely delayed its breakdown.
If the going merry could continue to accompany them in this way... then perhaps, it was also a good choice.
Usopp lowered his head, silent for a moment, then finally nodded gently.
Seeing that Usopp was no longer insistent, Luffy suddenly stood up.
Excitedly raising his fists, he laughed loudly:
"Great! Then we'll build a super big pirate ship!
Let's bring the going merry along and continue conquering the Grand Line together!!"
His voice echoed in the kitchen, carrying his usual determination and carefree spirit.
Nami, hearing these words, also showed a relaxed smile and clapped her hand on the table.
"It's not certain yet how much money we'll spend on the ship, so the gold won't be divided evenly for now."
"Let's use it as funds for shipbuilding first."
Her tone carried an undeniable decisiveness; she had clearly made up her mind.
Zoro slowly nodded, looking at Usopp, and said faintly:
"Yes, Usopp's patching up is pretty much at its limit."
Usopp looked up, glared at Zoro, and mumbled:
"Just so you know, I'm a sniper! Not a Shipwright!"
Sanji, with a cigarette between his fingers, his lips slightly curved upwards, slowly exhaled a puff of smoke and leisurely said:
"Then let's go to a proper shipyard and ask around; there are always top-tier Shipwrights on the Grand Line anyway."
Just as everyone was discussing how to find a shipyard.
Luffy suddenly stood up, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Then why don't we just find a Shipwright to be our companion!"
"Our journey is still long!"
The kitchen fell silent for a second, and then—
"Hahahaha, you're right!" Sanji was the first to laugh.
Waving the hand holding the cigarette, he agreed:
"If we have a big ship, a Shipwright is indispensable."
Zoro also smiled helplessly, looking up at Luffy, his tone carrying a hint of emotion and sarcasm:
"This guy... he hit the nail on the head again by chance."
Nami smiled slightly, crossing her arms over her chest, showing a knowing smile:
"Since it's decided, let's go find the most amazing Shipwright!"
Luffy hadn't stopped yet; he grabbed his straw hat, his eyes full of anticipation.
"Oh, right! We should also find a Musician!!"
"How can a long sea voyage be without music?!"
"...Huh?!" Everyone collectively froze.
Zoro rubbed his forehead, speechless: "At a time like this, you're still thinking about a Musician?"
Nami couldn't help but retort: "We haven't even built a new ship yet! And you're thinking about a Musician?!"
Sanji "tsk"ed, shaking his head with a smile:
"What an impulsive guy... but it wouldn't be bad to have a Musician on board."
Usopp laughed heartily, hands on his hips:
"If we're looking for companions, let's find a great one!
A Musician is a Musician, who knows, he might even be a super amazing guy!"
"Hahaha, then it's settled!!!"
Luffy slammed the table, announcing with a loud laugh.
Under the vast starry sky, the going merry sailed quietly through the night.
At dawn, the sky turned a fish-belly white.
The warm morning breeze ruffled the going merry's sails, and the sea sparkled.
Lin Ning stood on the deck, gazing at the distant horizon.
Suddenly, his eyes narrowed slightly; faintly, he saw the outline of an island slowly emerging from the morning mist.
"Hey, everyone! I see an island!" Lin Ning pointed forward, his voice tinged with excitement.
"An island?!"
Luffy, who had just finished his training, his eyes immediately lit up upon hearing the news.
He jumped up abruptly, rushed to the railing, and eagerly looked ahead.
"Are there towns on the island? If so, it would be even better if we could find a shipyard!"
Nami rolled her eyes, crossed her arms, and sternly reminded him:
"Luffy, you can't just land immediately! Why can't you be a little more cautious?!"
However, Luffy's attention was already completely drawn to the island, and he didn't listen at all.
Chopper excitedly lay on the railing, his eyes sparkling, and said expectantly:
"Will there be a good Shipwright joining us?"
Luffy cheered: "We're approaching the shore! Prepare to drop anchor!"
As the going merry slowly approached the shore, everyone finally saw the full view of the island—
An endless grassland, occasionally dotted with scattered trees, appearing vast and tranquil.
Sanji glanced around, a hint of disappointment in his expression: "Tsk, there's nothing here."
But Luffy's eyes gleamed, and he shouted excitedly as if discovering a New World:
"Wow! What is this place?! It's amazing! An endless prairie!!"
"What a dull place." Sanji shrugged, a cigarette in his mouth, exhaling a puff of smoke with disinterest.
Robin smiled softly, her gaze gently sweeping over the surroundings: "Will anyone live here?"
Nami was about to say something, but before she could speak.
Luffy couldn't hold back anymore; he leaped directly from the ship, excitedly jumping onto the grassy shore!
"Hey! Luffy! You guy!!" Nami roared, almost stamping her foot in anger.
But before she finished speaking, Usopp and Chopper also shouted "Me too!" and followed him down.
The three of them rolled and played on the grass, their laughter echoing in the morning breeze.
Nami watched them, sighing helplessly, hands on her hips, and said indignantly:
"I can't stand these guys! Being so reckless on unknown land..."Chapter 133 The Peculiar Long Chain Island
Zoro stood at the bow, looking around, and said calmly, "From what I can see, this island doesn't seem to have any dangers, does it?"
Lin Ning smiled slightly and said easily, "Even if there's any danger, it doesn't matter."
But just then—
"Waaah!"
Chopper suddenly shrieked, bouncing up from the ground in shock.
He stared ahead with wide eyes, as if he had seen something incredible.
"What's wrong, Chopper?" Luffy asked, laughing, as he followed Chopper's gaze.
The next second—
"Huh?!"
They saw a strange creature, a Bear walking upright!
But it wasn't just walking upright; this Bear's body was unusually long.
It was several times longer than a normal Bear, looking both comical and eerie.
Chopper covered his mouth in surprise, "Is it a person?!"
Usopp's eyes widened, his mouth slightly ajar.
He said incredulously, "This Bear... is so long!"
Zoro frowned, his hand on the hilt of his sword, warily observing the creature before him.
Lin Ning slowly walked forward, looking at this peculiar Bear.
Suddenly, his gaze was drawn to a very tall apple tree nearby.
He jumped into the air and reached for an apple, but when he held it in his hand, he froze—
"Even the apples are long and strip-shaped?!"
He brought the apple to the others, and everyone gathered around.
Not only was the apple long and slender, but even the arrangement of its core was elongated!
"This island... is so strange!" Nami's eyes widened, her face full of surprise.
"Hahaha! This place is so interesting!"
Luffy laughed excitedly, snatching the long apple from Lin Ning's hand.
He took a bite with a satisfying crunch.
Zoro's brow furrowed, and he said in a deep voice,
"So, everything on this island becomes longer than normal?"
Usopp swallowed, his eyes a little terrified:
"Could it be... this is the legendary 'Island of Stretching'?!"
Chopper nervously tugged on Lin Ning's sleeve and whispered,
"Is it really safe here...? What if we get stretched too...?"
Just as everyone was marveling at the strangeness of the island,
Luffy's gaze was suddenly drawn to a sight not far away.
"Hey, Usopp, look! There are two bamboo stalks over there!"
Usopp looked in the direction Luffy was pointing and immediately showed a surprised expression.
"Wow, those bamboos are so tall! They... don't have a top?!"
He walked closer to the bamboo, looking up, the stalks extending straight into the sky.
Their tops had long disappeared from sight, as if they were trying to pierce the heavens.
"How can they grow so long..."
Usopp murmured to himself, a hint of disbelief in his eyes.
But before he could think too much, Luffy had already clenched his fists, eager to try, a excited curve on his lips.
"Hehe, let's see how long it really is!"
"Hey, Luffy, you're going to mess—"
"Crunch!!"
Before Usopp could finish, Luffy had already thrown a punch, smashing it hard against the bamboo!
The immense force instantly broke the towering bamboo.
The snapping bamboo joint made a crisp "crunch" sound, and then—
"Waaah!"
An old man's scream suddenly fell from the sky!
Luffy's pupils constricted sharply, a red light flashed in his eyes, and his Observation Haki instantly became alert.
"There's someone up there!"
Almost as soon as the words fell, Luffy's arm stretched out like lightning, reaching for the figure rapidly falling from the sky.
"Thwack!"
He firmly caught an old man with ragged clothes and a full beard!
Usopp's eyes instantly widened, his mouth agape, too shocked to speak.
"Huh?! A bamboo spirit?!"
He looked incredulously at the old man who had suddenly fallen from the sky.
His heart pounded, and he quickly ran over, poking the old man's face with his finger.
He patted his shoulder, and even couldn't help but shake him a few times.
"Hey, hey, say something!"
The old man was shaken dizzy, muttering a few indistinct groans.
After a while, he slowly opened his cloudy eyes, looking around in confusion.
"Old man, who are you?" Luffy asked directly.
The old man shook his head, finally seeming to come to his senses.
He said with a dry throat, "This old man... is named Dongjit. I live on Long Chain Island..."
"Long Chain Island?" Nami frowned slightly, murmuring the peculiar name.
Dongjit sighed deeply, then shakily stood up.
He stretched his long-unused limbs and said with emotion,
"These two 'bamboos'... are actually my stilts."
"Huh???!!!"
Everyone stared at the old man in astonishment, their faces full of disbelief.
Dongjit smiled wryly and continued,
"When I was young, I had a dream of becoming the tallest stilt walker in the world.
So I started my training on the island... but who knew, I actually had a fear of heights..."
"What?! A fear of heights?! And you still use stilts?!" Sanji couldn't help but retort.
"Yes, at first I dared to come down, but later I walked higher and higher, and gradually... I no longer dared to look down."
Dongjit recalled, his tone full of helplessness:
"I just stayed up there, and I didn't expect... that I would stay for ten years..."
"Ten years?!"
Chopper's eyes almost popped out in shock.
Usopp shouted in disbelief,
"Hey, hey, how did you survive for ten years without coming down?!"
Dongjit pointed to the trees on the island and said with a smile,
"Fortunately, the trees on Long Chain Island are very tall, so I could pick fruit from the trees to live... Otherwise, I would have long become a wandering ghost in the sky!"
At this point, he looked at Luffy with emotion, his face full of gratitude:
"Young man, thank you very much for saving me!"
Luffy laughed, scratching his head indifferently:
"It's nothing! You fell from the sky, I just happened to catch you!"
Dongjit looked at these energetic young people, his eyes sparkling with long-lost emotion.
Ten years... it had been ten years since he stood on solid ground... He looked down at the grass beneath his feet, slowly squatted down, and gently stroked it with his hand, as if confirming whether all of this was real.
"Finally... finally I can stand properly on the ground..."
He closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of the earth, a relieved smile appearing on his lips.Chapter 134 The Foxy Pirates
The gentle breeze of Long Chain Island swept across the grassland, and sunlight dappled the endless green expanse.
However, the calm was always fleeting, and the next moment, a sudden loud noise shattered the tranquility!
"Boom—!"
Two heavy, massive ship anchors, like falling meteorites, slammed into the ground.
They embedded deeply into the shore on both sides where the going merry was docked!
"What's going on?!" Nami frowned, looking in the direction of the sound.
Everyone turned their heads, their gaze fixed on the sea—
Not far away, a huge pirate ship was slowly approaching.
The ship had an unusual appearance, with a fox carved prominently on its bow.
Zoro stepped forward, his hand gripping the hilt of the sword at his waist, his eyes as sharp as an eagle's.
"Hey, pirates! What do you mean by this?
Nailing your anchors on both sides of our ship, are you planning to fight?"
As Zoro demanded, an ugly man with a parted hairstyle slowly walked out onto the bow deck.
"Hee hee hee hee!" The man let out a strange laugh, hands on his hips.
He arrogantly scanned the Straw Hat, his tone full of mockery:
"You brats, haven't you heard our name?!"
"We are—the Foxy Pirates!!"
With his shout, a cacophony of cheers erupted from the entire fox pirate ship.
Countless sailors waved flags on the deck, their morale high.
"Straw Hat Monkey D. Luffy, and first mate Lin Ning.
Plus the 'Pirate Hunter Zoro' with a bounty of 200 million Berries!
Hahahaha, you guys are really something!
Your small pirate crew already has a total bounty of 800 million Berries.
It's truly impressive!"
Hearing this, Usopp and Chopper immediately showed surprised expressions.
Even Usopp couldn't help but puff out his chest proudly:
"Hehe, 800 million Berries, it does sound pretty awesome!"
But before they could be happy for long, Zoro snorted coldly, his tone disdainful:
"So what? You nailed the anchors on both sides of our ship just to waste words here?"
"Hee hee hee hee!" Foxy let out another sinister laugh, then a sly smile formed on his lips:
"Of course not! We, the Foxy Pirates, hereby—officially challenge you, the Straw Hat Pirates, to a 'DAVY BACK FIGHT'!"
"DAVY BACK FIGHT?"
Zoro frowned, clearly unfamiliar with the term, his face full of confusion:
"What nonsense are you spouting? If you want to fight, I'm ready anytime!"
However, Sanji, who was standing beside him, took a light puff from his cigarette, exhaling a faint wisp of smoke, his expression slightly grave:
"Zoro, this isn't an ordinary fight, 'DAVY BACK FIGHT' is a special pirate game..."
At his words, everyone turned their questioning gazes.
At this moment, Robin smiled slightly, crossed her arms, and casually interjected:
"This game first originated in the pirates' paradise—a legendary island.
Pirates often used this method to steal each other's crew members to make their own crews stronger."
"In short, it's about using a game to determine the right to 'take' another crew member."
As soon as she finished speaking, Usopp and Chopper's faces instantly changed, and they trembled.
"Wh-what?! Stealing crew members through a game?!"
Chopper clutched Usopp's arm in terror, shivering:
"No way?! If we lose, won't we... we... be taken by them?!"
Usopp's face was pale, and he shook his head frantically:
"Hey, hey, hey, who made the rules for such a terrible game?! This is too much!!"
Luffy, meanwhile, scratched his head, tilting it to the side.
He didn't seem to fully grasp the meaning of the game, but instead showed a hint of interest.
"Stealing people through a game... sounds fun!"
Nami couldn't help but palm her forehead: "Idiot! That's not the point, okay?!
The point is, if we lose, our crew members will be taken by the other pirate crew!!"
Seeing this, Foxy revealed a confident, sinister smile:
"Well? Straw Hat, do you dare to accept the challenge?
If you lose, you'll have to hand over your crew members to us according to the rules, you know!"
Zoro's eyes turned cold, and his hand slowly rested on the hilt of his sword:
"Hmph... rules? What a boring game!"
"Among pirates... can they really steal each other's crew members?"
Nami's brow furrowed, a hint of unease in her eyes.
The crew members of the Foxy Pirates, seeing this, burst into laughter, their voices full of mockery.
"Wahahaha, you don't even know that, and you've been pirates for so long!"
Foxy's smile widened, and he twirled a gold coin in his hand, saying to Luffy in a flippant tone:
"Straw Hat, what do you say? Do you accept the challenge?
I've already set my sights on your crew members, you're not scared, are you?"
The atmosphere in the air instantly solidified for a moment, and the next second, a calm and cold voice rang out.
"Since you know our names and still dare to challenge us... today, I'll make you understand that the true rules of the sea are not some ridiculous game rules."
Everyone's gaze instantly turned to Lin Ning.
His eyes were cold and sharp, and he exuded an Aura of unapproachable authority without even getting angry.
Standing on the grassland of Long Chain Island, he was like an unmoving statue, his words imbued with undeniable Haki.
Lin Ning turned to look at Luffy, seeking his Captain's opinion:
"Luffy, our training time is limited, we don't have time to play with them."
Hearing this, Luffy immediately showed a hint of regret.
But he also knew that training time was pressing, so he nodded decisively: "Alright then."
Immediately, Luffy turned his head and looked at Zoro beside him.
A slight smile played on his lips: "Zoro, since someone is provoking us, I'll leave it to you."
Zoro slowly stepped forward, one hand resting on the hilt of the sword at his waist, a bloodthirsty smile curving his lips.
"Heh, they're just small fry."
He slowly drew the wado ichimonji from his waist, the blade gleaming with a chilling light, faintly exuding a sense of pressure.
"Pirates, I don't have time to play with you."
The next moment—
Zoro's body suddenly erupted with a violent Aura!
Dense Armament Haki instantly covered the wado ichimonji.
The blade was as black as ink, emitting a soul-stirring glow.
Just as the Foxy Pirates had yet to react.
A fiercely sharp slash instantly tore through the sky!
"Boom—! !"
Accompanied by a deafening roar, a terrifying Sword Qi swept out like thunder.
Leaving visible slashes in the air!
"Wh-what?!"
The faces of the Foxy Pirates changed drastically, their pupils rapidly contracting!
They hadn't even had time to react when they saw that huge Sword Qi.
Like the grim reaper's scythe, it instantly swept across their giant pirate ship!
"Rumble—!!"
The next second, the entire giant fox pirate ship.
Was actually cut in half by that single sword strike, right before everyone's eyes!Chapter 135 Overall Cultivation Improvement Direction
Seawater poured in, and the shattered deck scattered everywhere.
The pirates on the ship let out terrified screams, watching helplessly as their ship was split in two and sank into the sea!
"How... how is this possible?!"
"Our ship... actually... with one sword..."
Foxy's eyes widened, his arrogance instantly turning into terror.
His lips trembled as he muttered, "What... what kind of monster is this...?!!!"
Zoro slowly sheathed his sword, his gaze as cold as ice.
"Who gave you the courage to challenge us? You small fries."
His tone was indifferent, yet it made the Foxy Pirates feel as if they had fallen into an ice cellar!
At this moment, they finally understood... they and the Straw Hat were not on the same level of existence at all!
Foxy trembled all over, his lips quivering.
He wanted to say something, but in the end, nothing came out.
"Ridiculous."
Lin Ning slowly shook his head, his gaze calmly sweeping over the Foxy Pirates gradually sinking into the sea.
His voice was calm but carried an irresistible pressure.
"The weak actually think of using rules against the strong, how foolish!"
He turned to look at Luffy and his crew, a hint of sharpness in his eyes:
"Next, our training will enter the next stage."
When everyone heard this, their spirits instantly lifted.
Lin Ning continued, "Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, your Body Tempering Technique needs to advance.
As for Nami, Usopp, Robin, and Chopper, you have now surpassed the threshold of the Elementary Body Tempering Technique.
Next, I will teach you the Elementary stage of the Body Tempering Technique one by one."
Long Chain Island, the endless grassland shimmered with golden waves under the sunlight.
A gentle breeze blew, carrying the faint scent of fresh grass.
However, at this moment, the people standing on this land had a Battle Intent burning in their hearts that was far hotter than the sun.
"Hahaha, we've finally waited for this day!"
Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji stood at the front.
Their faces were full of excited smiles, and their eyes shone with incredibly determined light.
Although their Body Tempering Technique was constantly increasing their physical strength every day.
Recently, it had become increasingly difficult to feel the pleasure of Breakthrough.
Recalling the feeling of rapidly growing strength when they first started practicing the Body Tempering Technique.
It made each of them addicted.
Now, they yearned to go further, to Breakthrough their limits again!
Just as everyone was rubbing their fists and eager, a figure suddenly rushed out.
"Me first! Me first!"
Usopp strode quickly to Lin Ning, his eyes firm, his tone unwavering.
Everyone was stunned.
Zoro tilted his head and glanced at him, raising an eyebrow:
"Oh? That's not like you, Usopp."
Sanji, with a cigarette in his mouth, chuckled mockingly:
"Could it be that he hasn't woken up from a dream? Usopp actually volunteered for training?
The sun must have risen in the West Blue."
Nami and Chopper were also full of surprise, after all, every time Usopp heard about training before.
His first reaction was to find an excuse to avoid it.
But this time, he didn't back down.
Usopp stood still, his eyes incredibly firm.
His fists were tightly clenched, his knuckles slightly white.
"I've had enough..."
His voice was deep, but it carried a determination he had never shown before.
"I've had enough of watching you all fight while I can do nothing!"
"I hate that version of myself! I hate having to run away every time I encounter a strong enemy!
I hate being able to only hide in the back and watch you all fight desperately!"
Usopp took a deep breath, then suddenly lifted his head, his eyes flickering with fiery fighting spirit.
"From today onwards, I will change!
I will become stronger! I will become a true warrior of the sea!"
His voice echoed across the grassland, lingering for a long time.
The air was silent for a moment.
Everyone looked at Usopp in front of them, all showing surprised expressions.
Lin Ning, however, smiled slightly, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.
"Very good."
He slowly raised his hand and gently patted Usopp's shoulder:
"Since you are ready, let's start with you."
"However—"
Lin Ning's lips curled up slightly, revealing a meaningful smile:
"This is your own choice, don't cry and beg to stop."
Usopp swallowed, a little cold sweat seeping from his forehead.
But he still gritted his teeth and nodded: "I won't back down!"
..."Ah ah ah ah—!!!"
The next second, deafening screams echoed across the entire grassland!
Usopp's face was contorted, his eyes rolled back.
He struggled wildly like a dehydrated salted fish!
"Help me ah ah ah ah—!!"
"Lin Ning, you devil! This isn't training! This is torture!!!"
"My bones! My muscles! They're splitting apart ah ah ah!!!"
Usopp's screams rose and fell, piercing the sky.
They shook the birds of Long Chain Island into scattered flight, and even the distant giraffes were scared and ran away!
Nami, Chopper, Robin, and the others watched this miserable scene with wide eyes, their faces slightly pale.
"Uh..."
Chopper shrank his neck and swallowed.
He whispered, "It looks... like... it really hurts..."
Nami sighed, rubbing her forehead: "Usopp... can he really do it?"
Sanji's mouth twitched: "That kind of scream sounds exactly like a rookie who has lost the will to live..."
Zoro, on the other hand, stood with his arms crossed, calmly watching it all, a slight smirk on his lips.
"Hmph, this is just the beginning."
...Usopp lay on the ground, panting heavily, his clothes soaked with sweat.
"Ha... ha... ha... Am I... am I dead?"
Lin Ning squatted down, looking at the breathless Usopp, and nodded with satisfaction:
"Very good, the potential of your body's bones is much stronger than I expected.
Your endurance is even better than you imagine."
Usopp barely propped himself up, a look of relief on his face after escaping death.
His lips trembled as he said, "Lin Ning... what... what did you do to me...?"
Lin Ning calmly said, "Just helping you feel your bones and perfecting your exclusive Elementary Body Tempering Technique, that's all."
"Next, is the real training."
"What just happened was merely a warm-up."
Usopp: "???"
"What??? That kind of agonizing torture... was just a warm-up?!"
His face instantly turned pale, his eyes blank.
Although he had seen Lin Ning training Luffy and Zoro.
But when it was his turn, the bone-deep pain made every second feel like a year... Finally, under Lin Ning's hands-on guidance, Usopp successfully mastered the Elementary Body Tempering Technique.
Lin Ning stood up and clapped his hands: "Alright, next one."
Usopp lay sprawled on the ground, his eyes vacant, muttering to himself: "Did I make the wrong decision...?"
Meanwhile, Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji, who were standing nearby, grew increasingly excited.
"Hehe, it seems this training will be very interesting!"
Luffy grinned, his fists clenched, his Battle Intent soaring.
Zoro smirked, his eyes gleaming with fervor: "Yeah, we can finally move to a higher level."
Sanji exhaled a puff of smoke, a look of anticipation curving his lips: "I'm really looking forward to it, Lin Ning."
Lin Ning smiled faintly, his gaze sharp as a torch.
"Don't worry."
"All of you will achieve your own Breakthrough."