Chapter 104: I Also Want To Be Miss Lufia's Punching Bag!
Ralph was having the time of his life.
Apis initially followed behind him, wanting to talk, but soon realized—
Ralph seemed to have eyes only for the Sennenryu.
His touch was so gentle, his gaze so focused, and a satisfied smile played on his lips as he stroked the ancient dragon.
"..."
Apis tilted her head.
"Does Ralph actually like the Sennenryu more than I do?"
She watched as Ralph approached another Sennenryu that had just landed. The dragon affectionately nuzzled his hand with its head.
"It seems Ralph really is a good person..."
Apis murmured quietly, "He and the Sennenryu are truly meant for each other!"
Unaware of the little girl's wild imagination, Ralph remained focused on "farming rewards."
But soon, he had to stop.
...
There were simply too many Sennenryu in the sky.
At least several dozen still circled above, yet to land.
If he had to pet every single one, how long would that take?
Moreover, it would seem far too strange—
A single person methodically petting every Sennenryu, as if inspecting livestock.
"Never mind."
Ralph checked his system log.
In this recent wave, combined with the 10 years Ryu had given him earlier, he'd gained a total of 233 years in lifespan rewards.
"That's not too bad."
He comforted himself inwardly.
"How much is enough? One must learn contentment."
Besides, there would be plenty of opportunities in the future. Since lifespan could be rewarded, the world of One Piece was full of long-lived creatures!
He turned and headed back toward the Merry.
Apis finally seized her chance, running over to give him a farewell hug.
But Ralph sidestepped once again—
"Geppo."
He kicked off the air and leaped smoothly back onto the Going Merry's deck.
His movements were fluid, without the slightest hesitation.
Apis stumbled forward, caught off balance, then stamped her foot in frustration.
"Ralph!"
She shouted toward the Merry, "Are you leaving?"
Ralph stood at the bow and waved to her.
"Yes," he said, "I'm off to a new adventure. Take care of yourself."
His voice carried on the sea breeze.
"The sea is dangerous—stay vigilant. Not every pirate is as kind as I am."
He said this with genuine seriousness.
But Apis shook her head vehemently.
"You're not kind at all!" she yelled, "You're the worst pirate! How come Ryu likes you more than me? And—and you won't even let me hug you!"
But her eyes were red.
Ralph smiled faintly and said nothing more.
Just then, he noticed another ship approaching.
It was the headquarters battleship.
Smoker, Tashigi, and a group of Navy soldiers disembarked and began making their way toward the dragon's nest.
Ralph leaped down from the Merry again, landing right in front of Smoker.
"Yo," he greeted, "Didn't drown after all?"
Smoker's expression darkened further.
Today had been deeply humiliating for him.
Captured by a branch Navy using a Seastone net, thrown into the sea, nearly drowned.
If Tashigi hadn't fished him out in time, he'd be fish food by now.
To make matters worse, Nelson, a Navy commodore, had attacked his own comrades for personal gain and ended up dead at the hands of pirates.
For the entire Navy, this was a massive disgrace.
Though, in a way, Ralph had rid the Navy of a stain...
But Smoker was Navy.
And Ralph was a pirate.
"Straw Hat crew..."
Smoker's voice was hoarse, "You're not getting away that easily today."
Ralph raised an eyebrow.
"In your current state, you're no match for me at all. Don't send your subordinates to their deaths."
Smoker gritted his teeth.
He knew Ralph was speaking the truth.
The earlier battle had already proven that even at his peak, he was no match for Ralph.
Not to mention now, with his stamina exhausted and his jitte also...
Wait.
Jitte?
Smoker suddenly reached behind his back—
Empty.
His Seastone Jitte was gone.
"Looking for this?"
Ralph's voice rang out.
Smoker snapped his head up.
He saw Ralph holding his jitte in his hand.
When?!
Smoker hadn't even seen Ralph move!
"You—"
"Don't get worked up."
Ralph raised the jitte to eye level, examining it carefully.
"I remembered, this thing isn't entirely made of Seastone."
He extended his left hand, fingers pressed together.
Armament Haki covered it.
His pitch-black palm was like a real blade.
Then, aiming at the tip of the jitte—
He slashed.
"Clang!"
The sound of metal breaking.
The small Seastone tip of the jitte was cleanly severed.
Ralph caught the falling Seastone tip, weighing it in his hand.
Then, he tossed the remaining broken jitte back to Smoker.
"Here."
Smoker caught it, looking at the "jitte" in his hand that was now just a metal rod, his face turning ashen.
"What... do you mean by this?"
"Consider it a promise."
Ralph toyed with the Seastone tip.
"A true strong person relies on their own strength, not external objects."
He raised his head, looking at Smoker.
"If you're nothing without this thing..."
Ralph's voice was calm, but each word pierced Smoker's heart like a needle.
"...then go back to headquarters and train properly. When you think you can defeat me, then come after me."
He paused, his eyes turning cold.
"If you foolishly chase after me again..."
Ralph raised the Seastone tip, pointing it at Smoker's neck, making a "slashing" gesture.
"...don't blame me for beheading you like I did your weapon."
Smoker's hand clenched tightly.
His nails dug deep into his palm, drawing blood.
Tashigi stood behind him, glaring angrily at Ralph, her hand on the hilt of Shigure, but Smoker raised a hand to stop her.
A few seconds of silence.
Then, Smoker slowly raised his head.
In his eyes burned a flame mixed with anger, humiliation, and resentment.
"I will definitely catch you."
He spoke each word deliberately.
"In the name of the Navy's justice."
"I'll be waiting."
Ralph turned and walked back to the Going Merry.
This time, Apis didn't rush over again. She just stood beside Ryu, waving vigorously, tears finally falling.
"Goodbye—Ralph—!"
The Going Merry set sail.
The sails billowed with wind, the straw hat Jolly Roger fluttering loudly in the breeze.
The ship slowly sailed away from Warship Island, away from the dragon's lair, heading toward the vast sea.
And just then—
"Oooaaah—!!!"
Ryu raised his head and let out a clear, resonant cry.
Immediately after, all the Sennenryu resting in the dragon's lair lifted their heads and cried out in unison.
"Oooaaah—!!!"
"Oooaaah—!!!"
The sound pierced the clouds, echoing across the sea.
Then, they flapped their wings and took flight.
One, two, ten, a hundred...
A flock of Sennenryu, like a green cloud, followed the Going Merry for a long, long time.
They circled above the ship, calling out as if bidding farewell, or perhaps offering blessings.
Ralph stood at the stern, looking up at the Sennenryu.
He faintly saw what appeared to be a small figure sitting on Ryu's broad back.
Was it Apis?
He couldn't see clearly.
But that figure was waving vigorously.
Ralph also raised his hand and waved.
"Goodbye," he said softly.
The Sennenryu flock followed for a while longer before finally stopping, circling a few times in the air. After letting out a long, drawn-out cry, they turned and flew back toward Warship Island.
No matter how far you escort someone, parting must come eventually.
Lufia walked to Ralph's side and watched the Sennenryu flock disappear into the distance with him.
"They're really wonderful," Lufia said. "Ralph, you've made some great friends on this new adventure!"
Ralph smiled. "Yeah."
"Then—" Lufia suddenly clapped her hands, her eyes shining brightly. "Now we're finally all together!"
She turned to face all her companions, spreading her arms wide. "Next—we can finally set sail for the Grand Line!"
"Woo-hoo!!" Usopp and Sanji cheered.
Nami also showed an expectant smile.
But just then—
"Wait a minute."
A voice spoke up.
It was Zoro.
Everyone looked at him.
The green-haired swordsman crossed his arms, his expression serious.
"The Grand Line is sure to have many powerful enemies," Zoro said. "Before heading to the Grand Line... I want to become stronger."
He looked at Ralph. "You were right earlier—strength depends on one's own power. My Three Sword Style isn't enough yet."
"Me too," Sanji spoke up as well.
He lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. "I also want to learn Haki," Sanji said. "I don't want... to lose even the qualification to be Miss Lufia's punching bag."
Silence fell on the deck for a few seconds.
Then—
"Pfft—"
Nami was the first to laugh.
Followed by Usopp.
Then even Lufia joined in the laughter.
"Wahaha..." Usopp pointed at Sanji, laughing so hard he couldn't straighten up. "Y-Your reason for getting stronger... is just too perverted!!"
"What do you mean, 'qualification to be a punching bag'?!" Nami laughed until tears streamed from her eyes. "Do you really want to get beaten up by Lufia that much?!"
"I always said this cook has something wrong with his head..." Zoro facepalmed.
"Hey! What are you all laughing at?!" Sanji's face turned bright red. "I-I'm serious! As a gentleman, of course I should be able to withstand everything from a lady—including her fists!"
"Even more perverted!" everyone said in unison.
Ralph watched this scene and smiled too.
But as he laughed, his expression gradually turned serious.
He looked at Zoro, at Sanji, at each of his companions.
Then, he nodded.
"Alright," Ralph said. "Before entering the Grand Line... let's do special training."
"I'll teach you Haki."
"I'll teach you how to become stronger."
"Then—"
He looked toward the distant horizon.
Toward that Red Line, that Reverse Mountain, that waterway leading to dreams and adventure.
"—Together, we'll conquer that Grand Line!"
For their special training, everyone chose a resort island to temporarily dock at.
Thanks to Nelson's treasure, everyone was able to indulge in a shopping spree.
The promised special training turned into a vacation.
According to Ralph, the more relaxed and normal we appear, the less likely the Navy will notice anything unusual about us.
According to Lufia, the most important thing about special training is having fun!
On a deserted beach, everyone enjoyed a leisurely time.
And Lufia found a uniquely shaped wind-up pinwheel.
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