Chapter 147 - 35

Chapter 237Sengoku asked: "And about the Straw Hat's ability, you just said his Gum-Gum Fruit has awakened? What's the specific situation?"Devil Fruit awakening is an ability held by only a few on the sea.It must be said, every single one is a major trouble."It's a very troublesome form, one I've never seen before."Kizaru recalled Luffy's appearance—that white hair, the flame clouds surrounding him, a free fighting style that seemed to ignore the laws of physics, and those continuous Drums of Liberation."To think the Gum-Gum Fruit could develop such a form and ability, it's truly terrifying~"He touched his chest, where there seemed to still be a lingering faint pain from being hit by Luffy's Haki-infused fist: "I took a solid punch from him; it still hurts a bit even now."Chapter 323: Aftermath, Vivi"Flame clouds, drum sounds?"Sengoku muttered these two keywords, his brow furrowed.He quickly searched his mind for information recorded by the Marines and the World Government regarding the Gum-Gum Fruit, but there was very little useful data.He had even consulted some of the World Government's classified files.He only knew that over ten years ago, the Gum-Gum Fruit was once one of the Devil Fruits under the strict control of the World Government, but for some reason, it leaked out and was eventually eaten by Luffy by mistake.As for its previous user, there was no record at all, as if it had been deliberately erased by some power."Devil Fruits actively choose their owners."Sengoku said in a low voice, "If a very suitable host appears, the devil residing in the fruit—whether by so-called fate or coincidence—will find a way to appear before its chosen host."As Fleet Admiral, he understood this better than anyone.After all, he himself was a Devil Fruit User.In other words, that Gum-Gum Fruit, which had certain secrets hidden by the World Government, likely chose Monkey D. Luffy actively!Thinking of this, Sengoku felt his headache worsening.Combined with Kizaru's report, Luffy had not only developed the Gum-Gum Fruit to the point of awakening, but the strength he displayed was enough to contend with an Admiral and a Navy Hero simultaneously.Although he was certainly no match yet, this growth speed and potential could already be called terrifying."The Fifth Emperor?" Sengoku murmured.This title, which had been regarded as a joke not long ago, sounded with a trace of unsettling weight at this moment.How long had it been since the Water 7 incident?Not even a month!If given a few more years, the landscape of this sea might truly be completely rewritten by him."Oh, the more I think about it, the scarier it gets."Kizaru chimed in with a chuckle: "So, Sengoku-san, do we need to continue increasing his bounty?"Both Kizaru and Sengoku believed there was a high probability that Luffy had not been eliminated."No. The intention of both the Government and Headquarters is that this incident must be suppressed! It absolutely cannot be widely publicized!"Regardless of whether Luffy was dead or alive, the impact of this incident was too negative.Three Celestial Dragons were murdered, and the Marines deployed three top combat forces but failed to achieve a perfect conclusion.Any bit of the terrifying strength and threat displayed by the Straw Hat leaking out could have unpredictable negative effects on the upcoming war against Fire Fist Ace and Whitebeard.All attention and power must be concentrated on the Paramount War that would decide the future landscape of the sea.War is coming!At a time like this, having the Straw Hat stay away from the war is also a good thing.A brief silence fell over the office.Kizaru also put away his cynical expression, his gaze flickering slightly behind his lenses.Even he could feel the immense pressure of the gathering storm.Whitebeard Edward Newgate.That man known as the strongest in the world would absolutely not stand by while the Marines publicly executed his son.A massive war sweeping across the entire Grand Line, potentially even overturning the existing order, had become inevitable.And this chaos at the Sabaody Archipelago, compared to the coming war, seemed like just an abrupt and intense prelude."Notify all Vice Admirals and above, as well as the Seven Warlords of the Sea,"Sengoku turned around and ordered: "Convene a Supreme Military Conference! We need to finalize the ultimate battle plan!""Yes!"The messenger outside responded loudly, and the sound of footsteps quickly faded away.Kizaru stood up, straightened his striped suit, and prepared to leave."Borsalino." Sengoku suddenly called out to him.Kizaru stopped and looked back."Regarding the specific details of Kuma eliminating the Straw Hat crew,"Sengoku's gaze was deep, "Formulate a detailed report. Also, you need to pay more attention to the Science Unit's plans regarding the subsequent mass production and improvement of the Pacifista.""Understood~"Kizaru waved his hand....Under the gloomy sky, Luffy had no strength left at all.His body was still constantly enduring that torturous punishment, feeling as if it were being cut by knives."Zoro, Nami, Vivi..."He took out a slip of paper listing various locations, which marked places suitable for each member of the Straw Hat crew to train.Kuma had sent it along when he swiped them away.Luffy glanced at it and felt slightly relieved.He remembered a question Bonney had asked when they first met."Are you prepared to head to the New World?"It seemed they weren't.Facing enemies like these, his only option was to let his companions escape first.If there were no Rayleigh, no Kuma, what would happen if they encountered even stronger enemies?Reference to Rayleigh and Kuma.He had to become stronger!Where would Kuma send him?Luffy's gaze moved with difficulty.He looked at the various locations marked on the slip of paper.Nami was at the small Sky Island Visalia, a country that studied weather.Franky was at Baldimore on Karakuri Island, the Future Land, known as the land of geniuses and Vegapunk's former hometown.Chopper had flown to the Torino Kingdom in the South Blue.Sanji... was on Momoiro Island, the Island of Dreams.The name sounded a bit strange.This name seemed to fit Sanji's hobbies quite well; he would probably be very happy, right?"Did Robin go to Tequila Wolf in the East Blue?She returned to his home sea.Usopp, Zoro, Brook..."Wait, Boundless Land?"Luffy looked up at the moon in the sky; he seemed to have heard this name from some god on Sky Island.Why would Merry go to a place like that?And Bonney, how did she get sent to Fish-Man Island?Does Kuma have a connection with fishmen too?There was no time to think about these things; Luffy felt his eyelids were incredibly heavy, and his stomach was about to collapse from hunger.Currently, within Kuma's ability, he was flying at high speed inside a bear-paw-shaped air shockwave, heading toward an unknown destination.Luffy knew everyone's location, but there was no news of where he was going.Where was he being sent?"It must be a place where I can quickly become stronger."Luffy believed so.Actually, as long as it was a stable place, anywhere would be the same.Regardless, he should properly thank Kuma when the time came; his deal with Kuma didn't include so many extra services."Then I'll take good care of Bonney."Although he had only met Kuma a few times.Luffy had a feeling in his heart that the best way to thank Kuma seemed to be helping him take good care of Bonney.Of course, that was for later; the most important thing to focus on now was his own physical condition.Intense pain, like countless tiny blades, continuously sliced through Luffy's nerves.He kept his eyes tightly shut, fine beads of cold sweat breaking out on his forehead, but he didn't make a single sound.The level three punishment was ongoing, and he didn't know when it would stop.With small knives scraping and stabbing his body at every moment, a normal person would likely have fainted from the pain.Compared to the pain, Luffy wanted food more right now.After being swiped away by Kuma's Paw-Paw Fruitability, he was flying at high speed within this invisible shockwave, his body unable to move independently, with only his consciousness struggling in the gap between pain and hunger."So hungry, I really want to eat something."This was the strongest thought in Luffy's mind, even once overriding the omnipresent punitive pain.His stomach was empty; after the successive fierce battles with his grandfather Garp, Admiral Kizaru, and Aokiji, as well as finally forcing the awakening form of the Nika Fruit, almost all of his physical strength and reserves had been drained.At this moment, he felt like his stomach was about to stick to his back, and waves of weak dizziness kept hitting him."Robin said this flight might last for several days,"Luffy rolled his eyes with difficulty, trying to observe his surroundings, but except for the blurred clouds rushing past and the occasionally visible blue sea, he could see nothing clearly."Everyone else must be flying like me right now, right? I wonder how they're doing."As long as everyone is okay, that's fine.This was the news that made Luffy feel most at ease; Ace was now captured and in Impel Down, and if something happened to his companions too, what would he have left?Although they were scattered, at least they were alive, and they seemed to be going to places suitable for their training or temporary shelter.However, this state of separation from his companions directly upgraded the punishment of the [pirate king training plan].Phase three.This punishment wasn't like the electric shocks of phase one that could be endured with his Rubberconstitution, nor like the phase two punishment that could be avoided by multitasking the plan.The phase three punishment was a continuous double torture of spirit and flesh, like a cancer eating into his bones, reminding him at every moment of his failure as a Captain who lost his companions.This pain wouldn't cause substantial serious injury, but it greatly consumed his spirit and will, making it impossible for him to rest properly, and even making it difficult to concentrate.It would be great if something could distract him right now.Just as he tried to distract himself by recalling the faces of his companions, that cold and heartless warning voice sounded in his mind again: