"Mr. Morgans, are you really going to do as they say?"
At this moment, the old butler Belisa walked to his side, bowed slightly, and asked for permission.
"Yes, I know this is their conspiracy, but so what? They want to use the prestige of my Morgans Newspaper to spread this matter, which suits me perfectly. I originally came here to see what that kid Luo Chen was capable of, and he is indeed extraordinary. This time, I will take this opportunity to give him a push, let his name spread throughout the seas again, to add a spark to this calm sea, and see if the final Pirate King will emerge from among these people."
Alright, without further ado, go and prepare, write this down, and then distribute it through the newspaper.
After saying that, Morgans waved to him, indicating that he could go and handle these matters first.
"Yes!!"
After receiving the order, Bekusa took his leave and prepared to go to the branch office to send all the documents to headquarters.
Meanwhile, aboard the Isel, Luo Chen and the others let the ship drift with the current once it reached the surface of the sea, while he summoned all the crew members to the main cabin for a meeting.
"Alright, everyone, please have a seat. As you all know, I've gathered you here so you can get to know each other. There's no need to be reserved. Once you're all settled, we can begin our discussion."
Seeing that Lulith Luo Chen Singh seemed a bit reserved since they were new here, and that George, who Luo Chen's group before them but was still an intern, looked slightly worried, afraid that his status would continue to decline, and stood there at a loss for what to do, Luo Chen took the initiative to ask them to sit down and talk.
"Yes!!"
The three spoke in unison, and then the group sat down opposite each other around the long, round table.
"Alright, now that everyone's here, let's begin our reminiscing. I'll start by saying that I'm your captain, Luo Chen, as you all know, as I've already mentioned."
However, I will still introduce myself in more detail. I am a person Birka Sky Island. I originally arrived at Sky Island because I mistakenly boarded a pirate ship. There, I was judged by the so-called god and demoted to a pirate and enslaved. After working there for more than half a year, I obtained this ability, the Mythical Zoan Shura Fruit. After training it to a high level, I went to seek revenge on the god.
Later, I joined another group until recently when I left them and came to the Grand Line. Then, because I caused trouble at Marine Headquarters and offended the Celestial Dragons, the government and Navy put a bounty of 200 million Beli on my head. Well, after a long voyage, I finally met you guys here."
After saying that, under the slightly shocked gazes of everyone, Luo Chen did not continue, but instead gestured for Catherine to continue.
"Yes, I am Catherine, former Marine Headquarters Colonel Captain, first mate of the Isel. I have some connections with the Celestial Dragons, and Luo Chen offended Celestial Dragons because of me. I have a bounty of 50 million Beli on my head."
Catherine instantly understood the meaning in Luo Chen's eyes and continued.
"Um, me? Is it my turn? Cough cough!! I'm George, an orphan taken in by the old captain. I was originally a sailor and navigator on ships that sailed the world for sightseeing. I was rescued by the captain of the Lucas Pirates and asked to join them. My bounty is zero."
Next, Catherine turned her gaze to George, the third person to board the ship, making him slightly nervous. After coughing a few times to muster some courage, he introduced himself to everyone in a carefree manner. After he finished speaking, he worried that he hadn't said it well, so he looked at the others again. Only after finding nothing that they were dissatisfied with did he breathe a sigh of relief and turn to the next person.
"Well, it's my turn. Hello, I'm Lulith, a star musician from the South Blue. I was kidnapped and almost kidnapped while performing here, but luckily the captain saved us. It was this experience that sparked my desire to become stronger, which is why I asked to Luo Chen Pirates."
Seeing that everyone's eyes were on her again, Lulith, being a star, was not bothered at all. She stood up and introduced herself to everyone in a generous manner.
"Hmm!! Not bad, as expected of a big star, not shy at all. Now it's your turn, Singh. Don't be so reserved, this is your home from now on, quickly introduce yourself to everyone."
Luo Chen nodded in approval at Lulith's performance, then turned to Singh. The burly Singh, who was not talkative to begin with, became even more reserved under the gaze of others, lowering his head slightly and almost not daring to meet their eyes. Seeing this, Luo Chen found it amusing. He hadn't expected that Singh, who was seen as a burly man by everyone, would feel shy, so he had to speak up to Stronger him.
"Yes, I am Singh. I have some Giant blood. I have a big appetite and great strength. From now on, you can entrust your safety to me."
Although still somewhat shy, encouraged by Luo Chen, Singh finally spoke up, and at the end, he patted his chest and spoke in a deep, resonant voice.
"Okay, then our safety is in your hands from now on..."
Although what he said was somewhat funny, Luo Chen still encouraged and praised him.
"Well, now that everyone has been introduced, I believe you all have a general understanding of each other. Your bonds will deepen as you spend more time together. Now, let's move on to the next topic: becoming stronger. I'm sure there are two people here who are particularly eager for this."
As Luo Chen spoke each word carefully, George and Lulith's breathing quickened, and they stared at him intently, as if hoping to hear if he had any shortcuts to offer.
"Excellent, Captain, please tell us quickly! I can't wait to become stronger. Do you have any better methods to teach us?!"
George, who had a strong obsession with becoming stronger, couldn't help but ask first.
"Don't worry, since I've already said it, I have a way to help you. But before that, I need to explain to you the different ways to become stronger on this high seas."
Firstly, as far as we know, there are only a few things that can allow a person to reach their peak: first, physical techniques; second, swordsmanship; third, Haki; and fourth, Devil Fruit. Among these, the most direct and fastest way to become stronger is undoubtedly the last one— Devil Fruit! I believe you all know about this!
After saying that, Luo Chen glanced at them again and asked.
"That's right, Captain. We've all heard of Devil Fruit, but they're incredibly rare treasures of the sea, worth at least 100 million Beli. Even with your abilities, Captain, it would be difficult for you to obtain one!"
As soon as Luo Chen finished speaking, George picked up where he left off, seemingly not quite believing that Luo Chen could produce such a thing and give it to them to eat. Meanwhile, Lulith, who was standing to the side, didn't say anything, but her expression said it all; she also didn't quite believe that Luo Chen could get his hands on Devil Fruit.
"Hehe, don't be in such a hurry. Just like you said, George, Devil Fruit are indeed very rare, but not impossible to obtain. We happen to have one right here, obtained from Celestial Dragons. Would you like to see it?"
Luo Chen's voice seemed to bewitch them, as he spoke.
"Yes, let us see the captain quickly! Stop hiding him, show him to us..."
George, who was impatient by nature, couldn't help but urge Luo Chen on even more after he said that.
"Alright, since you're so eager to see it, I'll show it to you and let you witness just how wondrous this much-discussed treasure of the sea truly is..."
After speaking, Luo Chen walked to the storage cabinet behind him, pulled out a drawer, and took out a treasure box, placing it on the table. Even Singh looked over curiously.
"This... is this the treasure of the sea... Devil Fruit? I can't wait! Captain, please steer it out and let us see it!!"
George didn't even break a sweat when he saw the treasure box; he stared intently at it and urged him on.
"Okay, I'll open it now..."
Click...
After saying that, Luo Chen took out the key, unlocked the lock, and fully opened the lid of the box, revealing the contents to everyone.
Inside, a strange fruit, resembling a banana in shape and brown with bizarre patterns, lay quietly, exuding an alluring aroma, as if beckoning someone to devour it.
"This... this is wonderful! Is this Devil Fruit? I can't help but want to try it. Captain, is this one of the methods you mentioned that can Extreme Speed increase strength? So, this should be for one of us?"
George stared intently at the fruit, then turned his gaze toward Luo Chen and asked a question.
"That's right, just as you thought. I did intend to give this fruit to one of you to enhance the overall strength of the group. You can discuss how to distribute it among yourselves."
However, before we proceed, I must warn you that this ability is most likely Zoan, and probably an Ancient Zoan or Mythical Zoan. Otherwise, the Celestial Dragons wouldn't value it so highly. Alright, I've said my piece. The rest is up to you to decide what to do with it!
After Luo Chen finished speaking, he turned his gaze to George and Lulith, wanting to see how these two people, who also desperately wanted to become stronger, would react to temptation.
"Hehehe, let me see your choices, George Lulith. I hope you two won't disappoint me!!"
Luo Chen looked at the two of them, their expressions eager, and thought to himself.
"Well... according to etiquette, ladies should have priority, especially on a ship, but I really want it. What should I do?"
George looked at the fruit with a struggling expression, and hesitated and struggled in his heart, unable to truly make up his mind.
call...
On the other hand, upon hearing Luo Chen's final words, which seemed to be a deliberate reminder, Lulith breathed a sigh of relief and stood up with a relaxed expression, solemnly addressing Luo Chen.
"Captain Luo Chen..."
"Huh?! What's wrong? Have you made up your mind? What's your choice? Are you going to eat it yourself or give it to George?!"
Seeing how relaxed and at ease she was, Luo Chen had his own guesses, but he still asked without showing any emotion.
"What should I do? Is she going to eat it? What should I do then? Should I stop her?"
"Fine, let her make the choice. If she wants it, then let her have it; that's what a gentleman should do..."
Seeing that Lulith had made up her mind, George struggled internally for a long time before finally deciding to give up and let Lulith make the decision.
"Hmm, I've made up my mind. This time, the Devil Fruit will... go to George!!"
He needs it more than I do, and I believe that in George's hands, this fruit will shine even brighter...
As she spoke, amidst the astonished expressions of Catherine and the others Lulith made the final decision to give the fruit to George. George, standing to the side, seemed still in a daze after hearing Lulith's words, his face blank.
Snap snap...
"What, they've already generously given it to you, aren't you even going to say thank you?"
Seeing George's dazed expression, Luo Chen knew that this matter had greatly Impact him, so he stood up, walked over to him, reached out and patted him on the shoulder, and said.
"Ah!! Oh, oh, I see, thank you so much, Miss Lulith, thank you for giving me such an important fruit, and thank you also, Captain, for being so generous in giving it to us, thank you..."
Reminded by Luo Chen's pat, George quickly came to his senses and stood up excitedly.
"Yes, don't be shy, eat up! Let's see what kind of ability this is!"
"Yes!!"
Then, under everyone's curious gaze, George picked up the fruit, peeled off the skin, and wolfed down the flesh inside.
But he reacted quickly. George's face turned pale and he looked very uncomfortable. He patted his chest hard and swallowed it with difficulty.
"Hmm, you seem to be feeling quite unwell. How about closing your eyes, calming your mind, and sensing the power within your body before guiding and releasing it?"
Seeing that he was choked by the taste of the fruit and felt extremely uncomfortable, Luo Chen looked at him with a hint of schadenfreude, and then continued to guide him.
"Ugh!!"
The nauseating taste of the fruit had left him with an expression of utter despair, but after Luo Chen's prompting, he finally focused his attention and began to examine the changes occurring within his body.
brush...
Under George's enlightenment, his body quickly underwent a dramatic change. His body Extreme Speed Expansion and grew larger, and his clothes were torn apart. In a short while, an Masira about six or seven meters tall appeared in front of everyone.
"This is... just as I suspected, Ancient Zoan?"
Luo Chen looked at the giant Masira that George had transformed into and muttered to himself.
"Captain, I did indeed eat the Ancient Zoan Monkey-Monkey Fruit... Giant Ape Model!!"
A moment later, George suddenly opened his closed eyes, and a loud voice came from his thick, dark lips.
"Really? Congratulations! But we'll need to order a special outfit for you, because your clothes are tearing from the size..."
Luo Chen nodded, then noticed the tattered clothes beneath him and lifted them up.
Meanwhile, while Luo Chen and the others were testing the fruit, Morgans, far away on Supomachi Island, was issuing orders to headquarters and had already published the newspaper, which was then sent out to the world.
This time, unlike before when it went unnoticed, everyone was shocked. Carlos, one of the kings who controlled the dark trade, was actually defeated by a newcomer who had only recently set sail. This immediately attracted the attention of all the major powers, who quickly gathered all the information about Luo Chen to read. They were amazed, and now the name Luo Chen had entered the eyes of all the powerful figures.