Chapter 205Next, Zoro and Sanji also curiously gave it a try.Zoro was transformed into an old swordsman with a wrinkled face but an even fiercer gaze; he had aged.Sanji, on the other hand, turned into a little brat in a suit, sucking on a pacifier with a completely bewildered look, which caused everyone to burst into laughter.Franky, Usopp, and Chopper also joined in one after another. The deck was suddenly filled with crewmates of various bizarre shapes and ages, with continuous laughter and merriment.Chapter 292: Straw Hat, You Don't Sleep at Night?Bonney watched these pirates who used her without any restraint as if she were a magical toy, feeling a mix of amusement, exasperation, and a strange warmth inside.These guys trust me way too much, don't they?You are pirates, you know.I'm also a pirate, you know.In the end, it was Luffy, the one who started all this, who didn't participate.At that moment, little Merry stealthily sidled up to Bonney, tugged at the hem of her clothes, her face flushed red, and asked in a voice as thin as a mosquito, full of bashfulness:"Um, that... Sister Bonney, could your ability make me... uh, make this a little bigger?"As she spoke, she shyly pointed a finger at her own flat chest.Because she had just observed carefully; whether Sister Nami and Sister Vivi grew old or young, that part didn't seem to change much at all.While Bonney looked very... well-endowed.Merry was quite envious of this.Bonney didn't expect Merry to ask about this. Her face flushed instantly, and she became flustered. "Ah? Age alteration is related to ability development. As for figure... I can't do anything about that."She stammered.Obviously a lie.Merry was still staring at her with those expectant eyes.Who could resist such a gaze from a little angel like Merry?And how did she even notice?No choice. Bonney had to brace herself, focus her mind, and use her ability on Merry.Light flashed once more.However, perhaps due to the previous excessive strain, halfway through using her ability this time, Bonney suddenly felt a wave of intense weakness wash over her. Her ability was instantly interrupted.*Poof~*After a faint puff of smoke, Bonney herself, drained of energy and suffering a backlash from her ability, instantly reverted from her mature form back into a little pink-haired girl. She plopped down on the deck, blinking her big eyes in confusion.As for Merry... her chest seemed to have swollen up just a tiny bit?From an almost-flat A-cup to a barely-perceptible B-cup with a slight curve?Merry looked down at herself, then at Bonney who had turned back into a little runt. Her small mouth quivered, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears, on the verge of crying."Wah... Why... why is it only this little bit..."Bonney looked at Merry's aggrieved expression, then felt her own completely depleted stamina. She also felt like crying but had no tears left.These pirates, not only are their strengths outrageously high, but even their requests are this weird?!She felt like she had boarded a pirate ship, and a particularly unorthodox one at that!Bonney's crewmates, hearing that Straw Hat was willing to give Bonney a ride, and under Bonney's firm insistence, this group of fishermen who had left their hometown to become pirates had no choice but to set sail back.Naturally, before they left, Luffy threw a small banquet.Learning how to use Conqueror's Haki Infusionfrom Zephyr was definitely worth celebrating.The Straw Hat Crew was quite proficient at throwing banquets.Bonney was still saying goodbye to the uncles when she turned around and saw that ingredients, a grill, and drinks were already set up.Are you guys serious?How is a pirate crew with a total bounty over 1.5 billion like a gourmet pirate crew?Luffy was already shouting for everyone to eat and drink as they pleased. The food stores on the thousand sunny and the going merry were quite substantial, enough for several banquets.With the Straw Hat Crew plus Bonney's crew, the number of people was still considerable. Sanjioriginally thought Luffy's appetite was terrifying enough, but seeing Bonney match Luffy's speed bite for bite, he realized her 'Big Eater' epithet was well-deserved.For a banquet of several dozen people, Sanji alone was almost unable to keep up. Fortunately, there were quite a few good cooks on Bonney's ship as well, so the stoves never stopped."Yo-hohoho, at a time like this, let me play a tune for everyone." Brook had produced his violin from somewhere."Ahem, I'll sing one too!" Luffy was quite enthusiastic.Bonney looked skeptical. It wouldn't be a'song of death', would it?She was already prepared to cover her ears.Amidst everyone's urging, Luffy sang a song.What a joke, who was his teacher?Gordon!As the ruler of the Music Island, Elegia, Gordon's musical prowess was quite high. Even Uta, the most popular musician now, was his student.Let's sail the oceans all around the worldShout it out loudWhen you're feeling good insideBlow the horn to set outBreak free from the course fate has arranged, arrive at the boundary between sky and sea.Now we are just about to set sailIn the dark abyss of the great sea, embark on a breathtaking adventure. Isn't it exciting just to imagine?..."Sharing joy like treasure, laughing loudly, releasing them at the carnival feast, letting them drift with the wind..."As the song ended, even Bonney couldn't help but clap excitedly.Is this guy's singing skill that high?Then why be a pirate?Amidst the clamor, the banquet concluded...."Uncle Tozu, Uncle Gyogyo..."In the cabin, Bonney subconsciously called out their names, only realizing after a moment that she had already sent her crewmates, those fisherman uncles, back.Looking at the unfamiliar room, Bonney murmured to herself, "Father, where are you?"Bonney had her own thoughts.Sending the uncles back certainly had to do with worrying about their safety.Being a pirate was too dangerous; they were just ordinary fishermen.But the deeper reason was that she wanted to act alone, to search for her father, Bartholomew Kuma's whereabouts.The Straw Hat Pirates were the ones her father had entrusted to look after her, and Luffy also admitted to having a deal with her father. But that didn't mean they were obligated to help her find Kuma.She didn't want to, and was unwilling to, rely completely on others.Glancing beside her, Merry was already fast asleep, her small nostrils gently flaring with each breath, a soft pillow clutched in her arms.In another corner of the room, the white tanuki named Nika was curled up in a ball, a sake gourd rolling beside it.She had been settled in Merry's room, while the older sisters Nami, Robin, and Vivi shared another room.Right now, it was quiet outside—the perfect time to act.She slipped out of bed quietly, shouldering the small bundle she had prepared earlier. To avoid making noise, she didn't even wear her little heeled leather shoes, carrying them in her hand instead. Barefoot, she tiptoed out like a cat."This ship is really big,"Bonney marveled inwardly once more. The Straw Hat Crew actually had two ships of this scale sailing side by side.And there was a big golden stele on the deck, its purity obviously quite high. The Straw Hat Crewclearly looked like the very wealthy type.Carefully navigating around obstacles, she felt her way toward the ship's side, planning to slip away without saying goodbye."Bonney, what are you doing out so late?" Luffy's voice suddenly came from above, startling Bonneystiff. She almost dropped the shoes in her hand.She turned her head stiffly to see Luffy sitting cross-legged on the edge of the crow's nest on the main mast, one leg dangling as he looked down at her.Moonlight spilled over him, outlining his clear silhouette."Why are you here?!"Bonney's heart pounded, but she forced herself to ask calmly.Doesn't he need to sleep at night?Is this guy a monster?"Training, of course. And the night watch duty is mine too. I just grasped a new power, so I'm testing it out." As Luffy spoke, he stretched out his palm. Pitch-black Armament Haki instantly coated it. Immediately after, a heart-palpitating fluctuation wrapped around it. The surrounding air seemed to distort slightly—the nascent form of Conqueror's Haki Infusion.He dispersed the power and asked curiously, "And you?""I can't sleep, just taking a walk,"Bonney stammered an explanation, her heart drumming wildly.He saw it, didn't he?Saw me carrying the bundle.My excuse is so lame!Who goes for a walk in the middle of the night with luggage?She had specifically calculated the time; it was probably around 3 or 4 AM, the deepest point of human sleep. Why was he But here?Luffy didn't immediately expose her, just let his gaze linger for a moment on the conspicuous small bundle behind her. "Is that so?""O-of course it is!" Bonney forced a smile, feeling the muscles in her cheeks twitch.She also realized the bundle was too obvious. But it contained things the uncles had repeatedly insisted she bring; she couldn't leave it behind.Luffy stared at her for a while, then suddenly grinned. "Since you can't sleep, how about training with me?"Bonney was a bit frantic. "Who trains in the middle of the night?!"What's wrong with this guy's train of thought?Luffy spread his hands, as if stating the obvious. "This is how I am every night. At the latest, I'm up by six in the morning."Don't you have any other rest time?Bonney wanted to speak but stopped herself.Looking at Luffy's energetic, utterly tireless face, she suddenly seemed to understand why he was so strong.Even with average talent, if you practiced intensely for several extra hours every day compared to others, accumulating over time, becoming a monster who could now wrestle with a former Admiral didn't seem impossible.Seeing the refusal written all over Bonney's face, Luffy didn't insist. He just said:"How about you walk around for a bit and then go back? The deck gets windy at night.""N-no need! I'll just stay here for a while!" Bonneysaid immediately.She was determined to go through with it tonight; how could she give up easily?During the day, Luffy had patted his chest and promised the fisherman uncles he'd protect her. If she asked to leave the ship now, he definitely wouldn't agree.She refused to believe Luffy could stay up all night training. As long as he got tired, let his guard down, that would be her chance!Luffy seemed indifferent. He nodded, then paid her no more mind. Walking to the center of the deck, in front of the huge golden stele, he took a deep breath. His fists coated with dense Armament Haki, he began punching it, one blow after another.*Thud! Thud! Thud!*The dull, rhythmic impact sounds were exceptionally clear in the silent night.
