A deep hum, as if from ancient times, resonated from the depths of the hull—no longer the sound of machinery, but more like a primeval beast that had slept for centuries slowly opening its eyes and taking its first breath after awakening!
The entire ship vibrated slightly, exuding a chilling, living majesty!
"It's… it's alive!" Usopp pointed at Pluton, his voice trembling, unsure if it was from fear or excitement.
Everyone who witnessed this scene, whether the Straw Hats, the Franky Family, or the Galley-La Company shipwrights, was plunged into unparalleled shock, their mouths agape, unable to utter a sound.
The oppressive feeling this ship brought completely surpassed their understanding of what a "ship" could be!
"Is this… is this really still a ship that sails on the sea?"
Sanji subconsciously muttered, looking up at the extremely streamlined hull, filled with a sense of technology beyond its era. "I even feel… if it were given wings, it could immediately tear through the sky and soar freely!"
This statement instantly resonated with everyone.
Pluton's form was too advanced, full of the anachronistic feeling of a future weapon; flying seemed not an impossible fantasy.
"SUPER—!!! Well said!!"
Franky suddenly pushed everyone aside, tears of excitement in his eyes. He struck his most classic pose, loudly proclaiming to Pluton and everyone, his voice filled with endless passion and confidence:
"Flying in the air?! That will definitely happen! This is not a fantasy! Just wait and see! I, Franky—swear by the name of a cyborg beyond genius!"
He forcefully pounded his steel chest, producing a clang, his eyes burning with the fierce soul of a craftsman:
"I will surely innovate upon the great design left by Mr. Tom, Big Brother Iceburg, and all our predecessors!
One day, I will personally complete the transformation of Pluton! Allowing it to not only dominate the ocean but also conquer the sky!! This is a man's dream!!!"
His bold words were like thunder, echoing over Water 7.
Just as everyone was still immersed in the shock of Pluton's awakening and Franky's grand words, a shipwright on the crow's nest, responsible for lookout, let out a heart-wrenching scream of terror:
"Ma… Marine fleet! The Marine fleet is here!!"
Everyone's gaze instantly tore away from Pluton and sharply turned towards the distant horizon.
They saw dense black dots on the azure skyline rapidly enlarging, clearly visible as elite Marine warships, flying the flag of justice and equipped with heavy cannons!
Like a school of sharks that had smelled blood, they formed an unstoppable offensive formation, heading straight for Water 7!
"They're here… the Buster Call fleet… they're really here!" Someone shrieked, their voice trembling, as despair spread again like a cold tide.
The massive fleet carried a chilling killing intent, openly revealing its target—the island beneath their feet!
"Damn it!" Zoro's hand instantly went to his sword hilt, his eyes sharp as an eagle's.
Sanji took a deep drag from his cigarette, his face grim: "It seems this fight is unavoidable."
"They… they came because of the signal I sent…"
Spandam, tied to the mast, saw the fleet and first had a twisted flash of hope, which was then swallowed by even greater fear, as he remembered the cruel rules of the Buster Call.
Ron stood at the front of the dock, the sea breeze rustling his clothes, his gaze piercing the sea, calmly discerning the core of the situation. His voice clearly reached everyone's ears, shattering any illusions of luck:
"Did you see clearly? The Buster Call's order is to 'destroy everything at the signal's origin point.'"
He raised his hand, pointing at the Marine fleet pressing down like locusts. "This means that whether we leave or not, whether we resist or not, they have only one goal—"
His voice suddenly intensified, like a cold hammer striking everyone's heart:
"To completely erase Water 7 from this ocean!"
"What?!!!" Nami cried out, her face pale. This meant they didn't even have the option to retreat and avoid battle!
"Which means…" Luffy pulled down his straw hat, his eyes beneath the brim becoming more serious and angry than ever. "Not only can we not run, but we must stay here and defeat them all! To protect everything here!"
The shadow of destruction, accompanied by the Marine fleet's thunderous horn for cannon fire preparation, had already descended!
Ron's eyes, however, remained as calm as ever. He stepped forward and said in a deep voice:
"Therefore, we must not retreat. Not only must we not retreat, but we must completely defeat them here!"
Under everyone's surprised gaze, he took out two items from his embrace: a Devil Fruit engraved with mysterious patterns, and an ancient scroll enveloped in a mysterious purple glow.
"That's… the Door-Door Fruit?!"
"And that scroll is…" Iceburg's gaze froze on the purple-glowing scroll, feeling the indescribable power contained within it.
Ron didn't explain much; he moved swiftly, appearing like a ghost before Pluton's massive hull.
Under everyone's astonished gaze,
He unhesitatingly pressed the Door-Door Fruit in his hand onto Pluton's cold armor, while the purple-glowing scroll in his other hand suddenly lit up, transforming into countless profound purple runes that, like chains, entwined and fused the Fruit with Pluton's core!
"He… what is he doing?!"
"He's giving a Devil Fruit… to a warship?!"
Amidst everyone's incredulous exclamations, ripples of space, like water waves, suddenly undulated across Pluton's dark hull!
A colossal, light-forged phantom of a gateway flashed at the bow and then slowly receded beneath the armor, as if it had never appeared.
The fusion was complete!
"It… it succeeded?" Franky's voice was trembling with excitement.
Ron turned around, facing all the members, and explained clearly: "From this moment on, Pluton is a Door-Door Fruit ability user!"
"This means that this warship will no longer be confined to the ocean!"
His words were like thunder, exploding in everyone's hearts. "It can open a spatial door from anywhere and appear at any location it has 'been to' or 'positioned at'!"
After a brief moment of dead silence, there was a tsunami-like wave of ecstasy and shock!
"My heavens! Does that mean… Pluton can appear wherever it wants?!!!"
"This completely solves its problems of bulky size and insufficient mobility!"
"Door-Door Fruit, can open a door anywhere!"
"It can even open a door on the Five Elders' heads!"
"Hahahahaha!"
....
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