Chapter 642: Lu En, This Monster, Is More Dangerous Than Barret

Crocodile, his thoughts exposed by Lu En, sat silent, uneasy.

At this moment,

just as Lu En was about to speak,

the system's notification suddenly rang out without warning.

【Total gains from this battle: Strength +0.0007, Speed +0.0008, Stamina +0.0007, Mental Power +0.02, Marine Six Styles technique +0.03, Armament Haki technique +0.05, Observation Haki technique +0.06!】

【After 100-fold cultivation effect amplification…】

【Host gains: Strength +0.07, Speed +0.08, Stamina +0.07, Mental Power +2, Marine Six Styles technique +3, Armament Haki technique +5, Observation Haki technique +6!】

As the system's voice faded,

Boom—

A warm current suddenly appeared, surging rapidly into Lu En's five viscera and six bowels, washing through his meridians, bones, and blood.

Completely transforming his body.

Causing his strength to rise once again by a significant margin.

Meanwhile,

a vast quantity of entirely unfamiliar memories "090" flooded into his mind like a tide.

His brain, like a sponge, frantically absorbed these alien memories.

Under the system's divine enlightenment, all knowledge regarding dual-color Haki and the style's advancement of the Marine Six Styles surged through him, causing his mastery of these techniques to climb steadily.

Moments later,

the system's transformation was complete.

Lu En's strength rose once again.

Feeling the terrifying power surging within his body…

Instantly,

he focused his mind and checked his current attribute panel.

【Host: Lu En】

【Strength: 154.6 (+1.3)】

【Speed: 146.9 (+1.1)】

【Stamina: 146.7 (+1.2)】

【Mental Power: 71.8 (+2.1)】

【Ghost Back Completion: 19.45%】

【Current overall cultivation effect boost: 100x!】

This was the overall strength increase Lu En had achieved in just a few days.

The increase wasn't dramatic.

But it was considerable.

In just a few days, such a gain was already an excellent result.

For this,

Lu En was already thoroughly satisfied.

Just as he was viewing his current attribute panel,

at his side,

Crocodile glanced at Lu En beside him with a look of wary suspicion.

For some reason,

he always felt…

In that instant just now, this monster's strength seemed to have increased?

An illusion?

"If it wasn't an illusion…"

"Then it's terrifying!"

"Does this monster not even need to cultivate? Does his strength rise endlessly, at all times?"

Thinking of this, Crocodile's wariness of Lu En intensified.

This monster…

Is more dangerous than Barret!

And more terrifying!

Faintly,

he began to feel a quiet anticipation.

In six months,

the battle between Lu En and Barret!

Originally,

Crocodile hadn't believed it.

That Lu En could defeat Barret, that monster, in six months.

But now, having witnessed Lu En's formidable combat power and the strange phenomenon of his apparent strength increase just now…

At this moment,

Crocodile began to believe.

In six months, Lu En might truly crush Barret!

Even...

"He crushed Barrett with overwhelming dominance!"

Crocodile took a deep breath, his agitated emotions unable to calm.

Losing to such a monster is not shameful at all!

This, now, was Crocodile's inner thought.

A moment passed.

Lu En withdrew his gaze, no longer checking his current attribute panel.

His eyes shifted,

and he looked toward Crocodile, who stood before him with nervous restraint.

Crocodile, a man with the makings of a warlord, now stood before Lu En like a startled petty thief, utterly devoid of any great leader's aura.

"From this day forward, you are one of the Seven Warlords."

"Remember that."

Lu En patted Crocodile's shoulder and smiled.

"Can I refuse?"

Crocodile rolled his eyes.

In fact,

though he truly did wish to join the Seven Warlords,

yet...

Being forced to join the Seven Warlords is entirely different from willingly choosing to join them.

These are two completely different concepts.

He had never imagined.

That one day, he, the great Crocodile, would be forced to do something!

The key is...

He dared not refuse!

If he refused,

he would die!

"Alright, go."

Lu En waved his hand.

"I've been waiting for you to say that."

"Like I wanted to stay by your side anyway."

Crocodile silently grumbled inside.

Then,

after receiving Lu En's permission, he seemed to have oiled his feet.

In a flash,

he vanished completely.

Less than a moment passed before Crocodile disappeared from Lu En's sight.

Watching Crocodile's departing figure, Lu En's eyes flickered.

Then,

he gazed toward the direction of the Alabasta Kingdom, his gaze tinged with amusement and reflection.

It seems...