Make an Artificial Devil Weapon

"Doll, make sure you teach all seven of them Armament Haki and Observation Haki in the shortest time possible."

"You seven had better give this your absolute focus and make up for the five years you wasted in Water 7."

"Remember."

"If you want to become truly strong, you must start by mastering Haki."

"I have no use for trash here."

Half an hour later.

Sumer left the hotel with Doll and the seven members of Rob Lucci's group, heading to an open area at the shipyards.

He intended to make the seven of them make up for lost time and come into contact with Haki as soon as possible.

Doll happened to be here, so there was no reason not to make use of free labor.

He could observe from the sidelines as well and practice along with them. Maybe he would even learn a move or two from the Six Powers or Haki.

"Yes!!!"

Faced with Sumer's orders, the seven could only obey.

Once Doll began teaching them.

Sumer went off to one side and played with Elephant Sword Funkfreed, the sword he had borrowed from Spandam, which had eaten the Elephant Devil Fruit.

In the world of pirates.

There were actually many weapons that had eaten Devil Fruits, such as Lassoo, Alpacacino, slimes, and so on.

Some weapons that had consumed artificial Devils could even use Haki.

The strongest among them was Saint Shamrock's sword, Cerberus, which had consumed the Mythical Zoan Hellhound Fruit.

It had even awakened its fruit.

But the most outrageous was Loki's hammer, Ragnir, which had eaten the Mythical Zoan Ice Squirrel Fruit.

It was practically powerful enough to rival an admiral.

When Sumer had seen Elephant Sword Funkfreed hanging at Spandam's waist in the hotel earlier, an idea had occurred to him: he wanted to get himself an artificial Devil weapon too.

He had even thought of the vessel.

It would be the Seven Star Sword from the One Piece movie Cursed Holy Sword, a remarkably vicious cursed blade.

But on second thought.

He might not be able to control it, and if he was careless, the Seven Star Sword might control him instead.

After considering it over and over.

A portable firearm-type artificial Devil weapon seemed more suitable for him.

There was no helping it. Before his own strength had grown powerful enough, he could only rely on external forces first.

That was why Sumer had absorbed CP9 and thought about acquiring an artificial Devil weapon.

He might have an immortal body, but that did not mean he could endure pain!

It was truly helpless.

The sun rose and set.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Over those three days, under Doll's instruction, all seven of Rob Lucci's group had actually awakened Armament Haki.

Especially Rob Lucci, who had the highest talent.

He found the trick that very same day and sensed Armament Haki.

At first, Sumer had been jealous and envious, because he still had not sensed anything. Forget Haki—even the Six Powers had not produced a single technique he could practice properly.

He had even begun doubting his own talent.

Could it really be that bad?

Afterward.

He carefully analyzed it and felt that it was not surprising at all that the seven of Rob Lucci's group had awakened Armament Haki so quickly.

After all, Iron Body and Paper Art among the Six Powers were more or less related to Armament Haki and Observation Haki.

The seven of Rob Lucci's group all seemed to be masters of the Six Powers, with foundations that could be called unshakable.

Rob Lucci and Kumadori had even awakened Life Return, allowing them to freely control their bodies.

Jabra was also exceptionally gifted at Iron Body. Among the seven, he was the only user who could still move and attack while in an Iron Body state.

One had to know that even Rob Lucci could not move once he entered Iron Body.

At this pace, it was only a matter of time before the seven awakened Observation Haki one after another—

Faced with such a contrast between geniuses and an idiot, Sumer had initially sighed endlessly and felt utterly disheartened.

But he soon came around.

Especially every night when Califa served him—whatever position he wanted, she gave him; whatever he wanted her to wear, she wore.

So what if they were talented?

So what if they were strong?

Did they not still have to obey his every command and submit to him?

Sumer once again felt fortunate that he had landed in the Flower Room and become Saint Nerona Imu's lackey.

No.

He should call himself a parasite, one that clung to Saint Nerona Imu and continuously sucked blood to grow stronger.

Or perhaps he could treat Saint Nerona Imu as a cheat with limitless resources.

As long as his mindset did not collapse, looking at something from another angle often revealed unexpected surprises.

Today.

The weather was overcast.

A light rain had fallen in the morning, and the temperature had remained at twenty degrees, pleasantly cool.

West Street.

Massage Street.

At its most famous establishment, Sumer was enjoying a massage from four beautiful geishas while Califa stood guard at his side.

Rob Lucci was standing watch outside the door as well.

Whenever Sumer went out for leisure, Rob Lucci and Califa accompanied him closely.

"Saint Sumer, news just came from Kaku. The Straw Hat Pirates have arrived on the island!"

The Den Den Mushi rang outside the door.

Very soon.

Rob Lucci pushed open the door and entered, interrupting the service of the four geishas. At the same time, Sumer, who had been naked and enjoying himself with his eyes closed, abruptly opened them.

"Get dressed!"

Sumer sprang to his feet, his eyes full of anticipation.

The Straw Hat crew had finally arrived.

Over the past few days, the longer he waited, the more uneasy he became. He had been afraid that the events on Jaya Island would create a butterfly effect and keep the Straw Hat crew from coming to Water 7.

Although he had already proven himself to some extent.

Sumer felt that it was not enough.

"The first wave of difficulty—since he's the protagonist, he should be able to escape danger and even get a power-up, right?"

"After all, he represents Monkey—"

Sumer's gaze flickered.

He thought of a certain monkey who could transform into a Super Saiyan and grew stronger whenever he was near death. It was far too similar to Straw Hat's miraculous recoveries.

At the same time, Sumer wanted to see whether the Straw Hat crew truly had protagonist luck.

"Let's go!"

After getting dressed, Sumer expertly leaped into Califa's arms. Rob Lucci led the way ahead with the Den Den Mushi still on the call, and they swiftly jumped onto the rooftops and rushed toward Dock Three.

Elsewhere.

Saint Marcus Mars had received the news as well. He left the hotel with Kuzan, Doll, and a group of Marines, making their way toward Dock Three.

At Dock Three.

The Going Merry, battered and worn-out, was docked at the harbor.

On the deck.

The Straw Hat crew sat in a circle. There was none of the excitement of reaching a new island—only worried, gloomy faces.

"There are only fifty thousand Beli in total. This little money can't buy anything!"

Nami poured out the contents of the storage jar again and again, but in the end, she had to face reality. The entire pirate crew possessed only fifty thousand Beli altogether.

They were poor.

Far too poor!

Forget buying materials to repair the Going Merry themselves—they did not even have enough to stock up on fresh water and food—

In the original story.

The Straw Hat crew had gone on their Sky Island adventure and obtained gold worth three hundred million Beli, but this time, they had not gone to Sky Island.

So now, every one of them was broke.

"Cough, cough, cough—"

"As captain, I have to criticize you all. You usually spend money so recklessly..."

Luffy sat cross-legged, his hands propped on his knees, glaring at the pathetic fifty thousand Beli with dissatisfaction written all over his face.

But as he spoke, a chill ran down his back, and his voice grew quieter and quieter.

Because Nami, Zoro, Sanji, and Usopp were all staring at him with fire in their eyes, gritting their teeth furiously.

"Heh... hehehe—"

Nami suddenly rose to her feet, flames seeming to burn all over her body as she began laughing madly, her twisted expression making her look like a lunatic.

Gulp—

Usopp and Chopper swallowed hard, trembling as they frantically backed away until they huddled by the ship's railing.

Even Zoro, who was usually calm and dependable, had his hand twitch as cold sweat seeped from his forehead.

Sanji, who was always lecherous and fawning like a lapdog, did not even dare breathe too loudly.

Only Nico Robin, standing on the second level with one hand supporting her chin as she leaned against the railing, watched the furious Nami with a gentle smile.

She had only joined the ship recently.

She had yet to earn everyone's trust, so she did not have the chance to participate in meetings like this.