BlackStar_BH:
Just so you know, I've finally defeated the cursed writer's block that slowed me down during this arc, and the arc is already fully completed on Patreon and Ko-fi.
I've already started writing the next arc, and the chapters are coming out at a record speed! We're also incredibly close to a huge milestone… only 18 chapters left before this novel reaches Chapter 1000!
Can you believe it? 1000 chapters… That's insane.
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In Ohara, Dr. Vegapunk was slightly fascinated by Franky's inventions, creations born from the research he had once left behind on Baldimore, his original homeland.
"It seems Franky found himself a good path of development," he smiled as he observed the scene, especially when Nami, Usopp, and Chopper were all thrown out with the excuse that the next thing required only one rider.
…
"Is he about to transform?"
"What's that?"
"Don't tell me he's going to make a giant robot?"
"Seriously, I can expect anything from Franky and I still wouldn't be surprised."
"Oh my God, those things are actually combining into something…?"
"Wooooah!! What is that!? It's amazing! General Franky!!"
When the full form of the Iron Pirate, General Franky, appeared, the reactions of readers, especially the younger ones, were nearly identical to those of Chopper, Usopp, and Luffy. Stars lit up in their eyes as they gazed at this astonishing masterpiece.
…
"I'm already watching…"
Dr. Vegapunk wiped away tears at that moment. He was truly moved. He once had such a dream, to create a powerful Iron Pirate to protect the island from pirate attacks after his departure. Unfortunately, the rest of his ideas remained nothing but blueprints due to the lack of production capacity and actual support.
In the manga scene, Franky said to Dr. Vegapunk:
"Dr. Vegapunk, I hope you're watching!! The dream you once had is now a reality!! By incorporating the memory alloy 'wepometal' into the design, I've been able to complete your creation!!"
Because those words were directed at him, Vegapunk was deeply touched.
He had expected a lot from Franky when Kuma sent him to Baldimore, but he never imagined that boy would make one of his youthful dreams come true.
Of course, for the current Vegapunk, creating General Franky, or something even better, would be child's play. Yet it meant a great deal to the younger Vegapunk of that time.
"That was indeed my dream… Thank you, Franky." Vegapunk smiled as he commented.
…
"You see, Luffy is really kind, isn't he?"
Rob smiled as he saw Surume's gentle reaction while reading the manga.
When the Kraken saw Luffy's smile as he told his "counterpart" that he would help him protect his family from Hody, the Kraken burst into tears.
Although he couldn't understand the written words on the pages, Rob translated the dialogue bubbles for him — allowing him to fully grasp them, just like his manga counterpart understood both Luffy's words and Hody Jones's threats.
"All creatures in this world are precious,"
said Rob as he gazed into the distant horizon.
"I won't let you keep monopolizing the freedom of this world's creatures for yourself."
Rob was still resting on the giant Kraken's body as he said that. It sounded as though his words were directed at someone you all know very well.
…
Drum Island:
This winter island seemed covered by a white blanket at that moment. Yet, the sunlight was unusually bright, with no cold winds or falling snow — just a thick, soft layer of snow and a clean, sunny sky.
A perfect day to enjoy reading manga without thinking of anything else.
Inside the art store, that's exactly what everyone was doing: the king, his family, soldiers, citizens, and doctors. Every social class was happily reading the manga.
When Chopper appeared in his splendid Horn Point form, both Kureha and Hiruluk were overwhelmed with excitement.
"As expected from our Chopper! He's managed to develop his abilities so well! Hehahaha!! Wonderful! Excellent! At last, I can brag about my son's amazing strength in the forum comments!"
Hiruluk laughed, downing his sake in one gulp.
"I guess his giant monster form still needs the Rumble Ball to activate."
Kureha smiled as she guessed.
"It won't be long before he can release that form freely without any external stimulants. The important thing is that he has full control over it, without going berserk or losing awareness."
Hiruluk really wanted to see Chopper turn into a fully controlled monster form.
…
— — — — — — — — — — — —
Chapter's Events:
— — — — — — — — — — — —
"So you were doing as that guy says to protect your family, huh?" Luffy looked at Surume, who was struggling to decide whether, obey Hody's threats or stop hurting Shirahoshi.
"??"
"Can't say I blame you…"
"You got little brothers back home? Or big brothers?" Luffy smiled, staring deeply into Surume's eyes, seeming to truly understand his dilemma.
"Shishishi!! Then let me help you keep them safe!" Luffy laughed as he offered his help, then turned and walked toward Hody.
"!?" Surume was startled.
"Straw Hat is coming for us…"
"Destroy him!!!" Hody commanded mercilessly.
"You idiots can't do a thing, Dogon!!" mocked Dosun as he surrounded Luffy.
"Leave this to us!!!"
"I'll teach that pirate to stop shouting about dried squid…!!" Ikarus Much also charged forward to block Luffy's advance.
"Straw Hat!!! You will not reach our captain!!!" They launched their attacks toward him, but at that moment, they were stopped and taken down by Zoro and Sanji, while Luffy kept walking as if nothing had happened.
"You truly mean to face me, Straw Hat?!!!" Hody threatened with piercing eyes.
"Somebody stop him!!!" he shouted, still ordering his men to halt Luffy.
"Huh!? He vanished!!" The New Fishman Pirates were stunned by Luffy's speed.
Before anyone could react, Hody was kicked straight in the face — blood bursting from the force of the blow.
"Now I'm really mad!!!" Luffy was truly angry this time.
— — — — — — — — — — — —
Hody touched his cheek as if he had received that very kick himself. The scene was depicted with such realism that even as a reader, he could feel the pain, and more than that, the fear of the enraged Luffy.
"Oh my God… Why is he so terrifying… He was smiling just a minute ago…"
"Don't tell me my counterpart is scared too…? Will he be defeated easily?"
Hody grew anxious about the coming events. He knew he'd lose eventually, but he wanted to see Luffy struggle in battle, to raise his ranking among the final villains Luffy had faced or would face later.
Despite his anxiety, Hody kept flipping the pages, reading the remaining chapters to find out what would truly happen in the end.
…
Meanwhile, Franky was crying tears of joy as he looked at a new post just published on the global forum.
The author of the post was Dr. Vegapunk, and its content read:
"I believe Franky is the second-best scientist and inventor in the world after me! I know you're out there, Cutty Flam, and I know you're Tom's apprentice — but if you want to learn more, come to Ohara and find me."
The post was a direct message to young Franky. Vegapunk, deeply impressed by the Franky he saw in the manga, wanted to meet the young version and reward him with proper training.
Seeing this, Tom felt truly happy for his student.
"To have your potential acknowledged and recognized by Vegapunk himself… That's incredible, boy. So, when are we going to meet the greatest scientist in history, then?"
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Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):
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Chapter 964: The Promised Ship Moves.
Chapter 965: Shirahoshi's Sacrifice and the Awakening of a King!
Chapter 966: Fisher Tiger's Speech.
Chapter 967: I know you didn't do it, but I hate you.
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