Chapter 52Vivi fell into a struggle.The horror of Baroque Works—the closer she got to its core, the more she could sense the terror.The person before her had easily defeated The Unluckies; his strength was evident.But if she were to become a pirate..."I..."*Slap.*"I promise you, just let me go!"[Prompt: Recruited companion Nefertari D. Vivi. Remaining time for Companion Day is less than three hours...]"Nice to meet you, I'm Monkey D. Luffy, and I'm a pirate."The restraints on her body were released.Luffy's expression changed instantly as he gently set Vivi down. But the moment her bottom touched the ground, Vivi felt as if she had been pricked by a needle; she could only sit in a duck-pose and barely prop herself up with her hands.She looked at Luffy, who had changed expressions so quickly, and gritted her teeth, a flicker of humiliation in her eyes. There weren't really any injuries on her body, just some weakness. The most severe part felt like a stinging pain, but it was fine as long as she didn't touch it."I am Miss Wednesday." Vivi struggled for a moment and stood up shakily, her fair and creamy thighs trembling slightly. She didn't reveal her real name.But..."Is that some kind of nickname? Aren't you Nefertari D. Vivi... I'll just call you Vivi from now on.""How do you know my name?!" A sense of trepidation washed over her. Vivi frantically stepped forward and grabbed Luffy's clothes, saying:"Who on earth are you?"At that moment, Laboon began his daily ramming task again. Amidst the swaying, Vivi almost fell, but Luffy caught her around the waist with one arm. "I'll explain that later.""I'll introduce you to my companions on the ship. Besides, how old is this giant whale? He's actually still crying."Luffy could clearly hear a sobbing cry within the sound.The whale is crying?You're not a whale; have you ever been one? You're just talking nonsense.Vivi didn't have time to think about it as Luffysuddenly took flight. She could only instinctively wrap her arms around his waist.On the other side.Nami thought they had been eaten by the whale, but when she looked up, it looked like a paradise here, with an island visible in the distance.Is this a dream?In the next second, a massive silhouette emerged from the sea.It was a Giant Squid!"Rubber Giant Pistol!"A voice descended from the sky, and the Giant Squid was sent flying by a giant's hand the moment it looked up.Nami had been worried about Luffy, but seeing this, she immediately beamed with joy."Luffy..."After taking two steps forward, Nami stopped. Luffy landed on the deck with Merry sitting on his shoulder, which looked normal.But who was the woman tucked under his arm?!And she was clutching Luffy's waist?!Nami crossed her arms, her face expressionless.Chapter 65: The PromiseSuddenly holding a woman and telling his companions that she would be their new partner—Luffy's intuition told him he couldn't do that. He could tell just by looking at Nami's expression.That look in her eyes, as if she were looking at trash, suggested she suspected he had gone off to kidnap a woman during the time he was gone.If Nami and the others found out he had made Vivicry, he would definitely face condemnation from his companions.So Luffy decided to change the subject. Just as he was wondering how to do it, it was like being given a pillow just as one is dozing off—his Observation Haki keenly sensed movement ahead."Hey, who are you?"Isn't that what I should be asking?Nami followed Luffy's gaze and saw an old man walking out of the house ahead.It was an old man with a hairstyle like a Crocusflower, wearing glasses and looking fierce."Hey, isn't it polite to introduce yourself first before asking others?"Luffy also thought that made some sense."I'm Monkey D. Luffy..."Before he could finish, the old man spoke faster. "My name is Crocus. I'm the lighthouse keeper of Twin Cape. I'm 71 years old, a Gemini... and I used to be a pirate."Luffy's fists clenched. The local pirates of the Grand Line were a bit too rude!But Crocus's words were still somewhat useful.Even though it looked like a resort with scenery, seagulls, and an island, it was actually all modified by Crocus himself. Even that island was a specially made ship."Anyway, the door is there. If you want to leave, then go quickly."Crocus pointed to the door ahead.Merry didn't like it here much either, because the ship was constantly soaked in the stomach acid inside the whale.Suddenly, the inside of the whale became turbulent."Damn, has it started?" Crocus stood up with a grave expression."Ah, this whale is crying again," Luffy said, looking up.Crocus's eyes widened. "You can sense Laboon's emotions?"At that moment, he stared at the hat on Luffy's head, and in a daze, he seemed to see a familiar old friend.That person also used to noisily claim he could hear certain voices.Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.Everyone else on the ship thought Roger had lost his mind. Crocus thought so too at first. After leaving the Pirate King's ship and returning to Twin Cape, and spending so much time with Laboon, he too seemed able to hear Laboon's voice and emotions at times."I remember now. Straw Hat, you're that Pirate Supernova who recently appeared in the East Blue." Crocus stood up, trying to recall. "A Pirate Supernova whose initial bounty reached fifty million."One might think Crocus was a loyal fan of Luffy, given how he knew his deeds like the back of his hand—such as destroying the Buggys Piratessingle-handedly, destroying a Marine warship with one punch, and easily wiping out the Arlong Pirates in the sea.The beginning of the story sounded familiar, but it became more and more unrecognizable as it went on. Even Luffy, who had experienced it himself, thought it was a bit ridiculous. How could he, a Devil Fruit User, easily wipe out the Arlong Pirateswhile in the sea?This was a charming moment for journalism.The Marines always embellished their descriptions of heinous pirates.Crocus looked grave. He had a deep impression of Vivi. "So, you're with that woman, and your goal is also Laboon?""What do you mean 'with her'? We don't know her at all!"Nami was the first to retort."Actually, in a sense, this old man is right."Luffy shoved Vivi and Merry toward Nami. "Nefertari D. Vivi—from today on, she's our companion.""Eh?! x N""And this giant whale, Laboon, too.""Huh?!" This time it was Crocus's turn for his jaw to drop. He couldn't keep up with Luffy's train of thought and couldn't help but reply, "Laboon has his own companions.""Then where are they?"Crocus's mouth hung open. "As of now, there's a very high probability they're already dead."That place, the Grand Line... even Roger and the others were driven to the brink several times... the Marines, competing pirates, diseases, extreme weather, and most importantly, strength!For an ordinary pirate crew to travel around the world and return here—it's just too difficult.In the Grand Line, that terrifying sea, no common sense applies. Seasons, weather, currents, wind direction—everything is a complete mess...When the fear in a person's heart is triggered, any emotion or promise will be cast aside.That group of pirates broke their promise.They emerged from the whale's stomach.Laboon had calmed down after Crocus injected him with a sedative.Luffy looked up and could see the whale towering into the clouds, its head covered in scars, its eyes gazing mournfully at the Red Line."Laboon has never believed the fact that they won't return. For him, losing the meaning of waiting is more terrifying than anything."Once was enough for such a thing.Crocus stared at Luffy. "So...""So, wouldn't it be fine just to give Laboon new hope?"The more Luffy looked at this giant whale, the more he liked him.Just like with Vivi.At first, it might have just been because the Companion Day countdown was pressing him, but the more he learned, the more he discovered their shining qualities."What do you mean?"Crocus looked at him strangely, a bad premonition in his heart. "What are you trying to do?""I said, let Laboon become our companion..." Luffyrepeated, then shouted: "Merry!""Oh~" Merry ran over from Nami's side and excitedly threw her mast to Luffy.I'm dismantling myself!Merry knew Luffy too well."Merry?!"Nami was terrified and shouted:"What on earth did you teach her?!"Luffy had already rushed onto Laboon's head.Then, the giant appeared."Rubber... Giant Flower Arrangement!"Laboon's expression was roughly like this:(╥╯﹏╰╥）Luffy could clearly sense Laboon's emotions.The constant ramming was just a release. Laboon's endurance for pain had gradually become numb. How many years had passed while he rammed the Red Line?Luffy felt that Laboon was very much like him—both were trying to fulfill a promise, just like how he had to return the hat to Shanks when they met again."So, we won't die, because I have the world's best companions and the world's best Navigator.""...Even if you say that." Nami glanced at Vivi, who was equally stunned, and scratched her head in some irritation."After we circle the Grand Line once, we'll come back for you. When that time comes, let's go on an adventure together."Luffy had an idea.Isn't it just a four-hundred-meter giant whale?Just because it's not possible now doesn't mean it won't be in the future.Wait until after circling the Grand Line, then come back for Laboon... and then take him to the Grand Line, to that vast ocean!Chapter 66: He Must Pay for My Wounds"Hey, what's with this heavy snow? It was just raining a moment ago.""As expected, the weather in the Grand Line is just as weird as Uncle Crocus said."
