Don't you guys have boats?

After a first meeting that completely challenged Law's worldview.

Under Storm's direction, another simple yet sumptuous banquet was held in the Sky Garden.

This has been a long-standing tradition of the Storm Pirates.

Whenever a new member joins the team, Storm calls on everyone to hold a "team building" activity.

The most basic form of team building in One Piece is—holding a banquet!

The atmosphere at the banquet was harmonious.

The other members of the Storm Pirates quickly grew closer to Law and Bepo.

Everyone gradually learned about Luo's general situation.

"You're also a member of the 'D Clan'? There's a member of the 'D Clan' in our pirate crew too!"

"Pirate Captain? Who isn't? Every single one of you here has a pirate crew!"

"That's the Captain's rule! The Captain said the Storm Pirates' future is the 'Storm Grand Fleet'! What's your pirate crew called?"

"The Heart Pirates? Hahahaha! We happen to have a Spade Pirates here!"

"Hearts and spades? They're just like the suits in a deck of cards! It's a pity we don't have diamonds and clubs here."

Everyone enjoyed the banquet while engaging in lively conversation.

As people learned more about Luo, they realized that --

This new "ship's doctor" seems to have many similar characteristics to Ace.

And at this time...

Law is also constantly improving his understanding of the "Storm Pirates".

Based on Law's initial impressions, the "Storm Pirates" are a very young and energetic pirate crew.

Including the skeleton he had seen earlier— Brook.

Although Brook has a very advanced bone age, he has a very youthful mindset and possesses a great deal of musical skill.

The Storm Pirates are a really interesting pirate crew...

Luo thought to himself.

Just as everyone was enjoying the banquet...

Robin quietly approached Storm and whispered his report to him.

"Captain, Dr. Gage contacted me earlier, claiming that the 'Germa Auction' is about to be held, but the auction is still missing a sufficiently heavy 'grand finale item'."

Robin didn't elaborate on the so-called "high-profile auction items," but her meaning couldn't be simpler—

Devil Fruit!

To be precise, it was the "special bait" that Storm had Vinsmoke Gage throw into the North Blue —the [Calm-Calm Fruit].

But.

The [Calm-Calm Fruit] has already been given to Law by Storm.

It's impossible for Storm to take the [Calm-Calm Fruit] back from Law just because of Vinsmoke Gage's words.

"That Dr. Gage."

Storm pondered for a moment before asking.

How has he been performing lately?

"They've always been very 'cooperative'."

Robin smiled gently.

"Furthermore, based on my observations, Dr. Gage hasn't been making any underhanded moves."

Due to a unique childhood experience.

Robin has a very deep understanding of words like "betrayal" and "betrayal".

During her time "staying" in the Germa Kingdom, Robin's daily routine consisted of reading, leisure activities, and keeping an eye on the Vinsmoke Family's movements.

Robin's Flower- Flower-Flower Fruit is quite effective in intelligence gathering—all thanks to how well she developed it.

Under the long-term observation of Robin, a remarkably capable intelligence operative.

Almost nothing in the Germa Kingdom can escape her "eyes and ears".

To be fair...

In Robin's view

For Vinsmoke Gage, the king of a World Government Member States, to treat this group of pirates with such "care" is already quite remarkable.

"He's smart to know his place."

Storm sneered; he never hesitated to assume the worst about Vinsmoke Gage.

But regardless of whether the other party is sincere or not.

As long as Gage can obediently cooperate with Storm's demands.

So at least until Bonney's "Azure Jade Scales" ailment is cured.

Storm would absolutely not do anything to Vinsmoke Gage.

He reached out his right hand, reached for Ichi beside him, and took out a treasure chest from the body of the big black dog.

"There's a Devil Fruit inside."

Storm opened the treasure chest and showed Robin the ocean treasures inside.

"The Zoan [Dull-tailed Poison Lizard Fruit], give it to Vinsmoke Gage when you have time later!"

"This [Dull-tailed Poison Lizard Fruit] can be considered our 'rent' for our long-term stay in the Germa Kingdom!"

Storm gave the [Calm-Calm Fruit] to Law, but he still possessed quite a few other Devil Fruit.

Considering how cooperative Gage has been throughout.

Storm wouldn't mind using a Zoan Devil Fruit to appease this "strange bird of Germa 66".

Furthermore...

The [Dull-tailed Poison Lizard Fruit] is just a common Zoan Devil Fruit.

Even if these kinds of Devil Fruit were placed in Storm's private vault, he felt they would take up too much space!

"How generous, Captain."

Robin took the treasure chest containing the [Dull-tailed Poison Lizard Fruit] and carefully put it away.

"I will then give this Devil Fruit to Dr. Gage."

"Um."

Storm nodded slightly, and then spoke.

"Let's enjoy the feast first!"

Joyful banquet times always seem to pass too quickly.

It seemed like only a blink of an eye, and the banquet in the Sky Garden was coming to an end.

On the high seas, banquets are the best way to bring pirates closer together.

It only took the time of a banquet.

Law then began to integrate into the Storm Pirates.

The male members were no longer as "gentle" towards him as before.

"I'm so envious! You little rascal!"

Kid had just drunk quite a bit; his face was almost redder than his hair.

"There's a ship! A ship! Damn it!"

"Don't call me 'kid'! You little brat!"

Luo didn't mind Kid's sharp attitude at all; he simply showed him his right middle finger.

"Didn't we just exchange ages? I'm older than you!"

Everyone grows up eventually!

Ace, standing to the side, brandished his large bone club and said with a hint of envy.

"But you already have a ship! And it's a submarine! That sounds pretty cool!"

"It's just a boat..."

Law didn't quite understand Ace and Kid's attitude.

"Don't you have ships? You're 'pirate Captain's too!"

These words seemed to strike a nerve with Ace and Kid.

Brook's eerie laughter came from the side.

"Yo ho ho ho! Luo."

Brook chuckled strangely.

"Although I used to have a ship, I don't have one now! Not just me, the entire fleet doesn't have a single ship!"

"Speaking of which, your 'Polar Tang' should be the first pirate ship in our 'Storm Grand Fleet', right?"

Upon hearing this, Luo was stunned.

No, without ships, how can you call yourselves a "grand fleet"?

What's the point of being a pirate without a ship?!

Don't listen to Brook's nonsense!

Storm finally couldn't help but intervene, emphasizing it earnestly.

"A pirate ship is not such an inconvenient thing! Look at this 'Sky Garden' right under your feet! It is the 'main ship' of our Storm Pirates!"

"That's a very cunning argument, Captain!"

"The Sky Garden can fly, but can it sail?"

"There shouldn't be any pirate crews in the world that use 'islands' as ships, right?"

Amidst the condemnation, Perona's laughter stood out as something special.

"Heh heh heh! A bunch of ignorant fools! Why can't an island be used as a boat?"

Perona brought up the topic of her previous pirate crew.

"The Thriller Bark Pirates! This pirate crew uses the 'Thriller Bark' as their pirate ship!"

The Thriller Bark is located in the Devil's Triangle, one of the forbidden zones of the Grand Line.

Most of the people present had never been to the Grand Line, let alone knew what the "Thriller Bark" was.

Only Robin and Brook expressed their support for Perona's statement.

Just as everyone was discussing the topic of "pirate crews"...

Storm also fell into thought.

He himself doesn't have a high need for the existence of a "pirate ship".

First came the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

Then there are floating Sky Island.

There are too many ways to cross the ocean in Storm.

He could fly, but the other crew members couldn't...

'Build a pirate ship? Or... just steal one? Flying a warship seems like a good idea too...'

Storm buried some dangerous thoughts in his mind.

The banquet ended, and everyone was full and satisfied.

Storm timely raised the "challenge" that Ro had mentioned earlier.

"Our ship's doctor wants to see what I'm capable of."

Storm looked around and said calmly.

"Besides Luo, is there anyone else who wants to join in the fun?"

These words were spoken.

The members of the Storm Pirates immediately looked at Law.

"Challenge the Captain? Are you serious?"

"I used to think that being a 'ship's doctor' was a very delicate profession, but Luo, you've completely changed my perception!"

"Luo, you are the real hero!"

Count me in!

Count me in!

Ace, Kid, and Killer were the first to respond to Storm's invitation.

Opportunities to challenge the Captain are rare.

"If the Captain doesn't mind, I'd like to join the battle too, yohohoho!"

Brook followed suit and chose to participate in the challenge.

Robin and Perona refused to fight outright.

The latter also grabbed Bepo by the ear, dragging the Polar Bear out of the fighting circle.

To Storm's surprise, Nami, whom he had expected to avoid the fight, joined in after hesitating for a while.

Nami took a deep breath and said with a determined look in her eyes.

"I want to challenge the Captain too!"

"Hahaha..."

Storm burst into laughter, his body swelling and changing with the deafening sound.

A colossal Red Giant Dragon appeared above the Sky Garden.

The Red Dragon Emperor's golden eyes swept across the entire area, and an invisible dragon's might permeated the surroundings.

"Then let's all join in!"

My symptoms are okay today.

It didn't feel worse, but... it still felt very uncomfortable.

My mind, in particular, feels empty; I have no energy.

Illness comes like a landslide, but recovery is like pulling silk from a cocoon.

I just hope... I recover quickly.

--

There will only be two updates today.

I was supposed to update three times at the beginning of the month, but now I'll have to postpone it...

The second update will be a little later.