Chapter 264

Bonney looked at Nami with curiosity.

Nami nodded lightly: "It happened back when I was in the East Blue. Luo En said I could join this ship, but at the time I wasn't yet a competent navigator, so we made a pact: when we met again, if I had become an excellent navigator, then I'd decide whether to join this ship."

Konis hugged Nami and smiled at Bonney: "That's exactly it. At first, Nami hesitated for a long time—it was me and Luo Bin who pulled her over."

"What about the Straw Hats? Won't they have a big problem without a navigator?"

"Shanks has already agreed to join the Straw Hats. With his navigation skills, he can easily replace me."

Adventuring with Luffy and Zoro was indeed fun, but being the only woman on board made certain things inconvenient.

Moreover, sailing out to adventure with Luo Bin, whom she admired, Konis, and… that person—this had always been something Nami deeply longed for and looked forward to. Now that Shanks had joined the Straw Hats, she could leave with peace of mind.

Meanwhile.

On the Shichibukai Islands, Sanji knelt on the ground, weeping uncontrollably, pounding the deck with his fists.

"Young Lady Nami, why, why…?"

Luffy, having just woken up, was gobbling food while saying: "If this is Nami's own decision, there's nothing we can do."

"By the way," Luffy turned to Shanks: "You're Shanks, right? I remember you're an incredibly strong guy. Are you really joining us?"

"I promised Elder Brother Ace I'd look after you. I also recognize your strength and willpower in the Marineford War to save Elder Brother Ace. So…" Shanks said solemnly: "Let me join the Straw Hats!"

On this day, the Sea Knight Shanks replaced the departing Nami and joined the Straw Hats as a navigator.

………………

Seven days after the Marineford War.

In the New World, the Traveler sailed across a vast stretch of ocean.

Luo En stood on the deck, eyes closed, wearing swim trunks and a white shirt, his long black hair whipping in the sea wind, his lips slightly upturned from the gentle breeze, looking utterly relaxed and content.

This Marineford War, besides giving the Reincarnation Eye its first battlefield test, the greatest gain was that my Conqueror's Haki advanced from Stage Two, Lv6, to Stage Three, Lv7.

This breakthrough in aura was tied to the surge in power after unlocking the Reincarnation Eye.

It was precisely this strength that, for the first time, gave me—an ever-single-minded seeker of power—a sense of invincible supremacy over all under heaven. This aura peaked at Marineford, giving birth to the Conqueror's Haki that erupted there.

That moment was precisely when Luo En's Conqueror's Haki broke through.

"My swordsmanship has reached the peak of Great Swordsman mastery; all three types of Haki have reached Stage Three; taijutsu has finally reached the point where I can barely clash with Captain Karp. I've also become thoroughly familiar with the Reincarnation Eye's basic abilities: controlling gravity and repulsion, rewriting others' consciousness, creating Chakra Spheres, and basic space teleportation."

Luo En opened his eyes, a flicker of contemplation passing through his azure Reincarnation Eyes.

"Next, I must uncover the Reincarnation Eye's deeper abilities: Chakra Mode, spatial manipulation, Silver Wheel Reincarnation Explosion, and… Gold Wheel Reincarnation Explosion."

"Aside from these, if I want to further enhance my current strength, the three types of Haki are one path—but the most obvious way to boost my power is undoubtedly Fruit Awakening."

Luo En squinted.

I've reached a bottleneck with the Paramecia Fruit's ability—I can feel that if I break through, I'll officially enter the realm of Paramecia Fruit Awakening!

At that time,

I might even be able to make an entire large island float…

Thinking of this, Luo En suddenly remembered something.

I once made a promise with the Shark Star Prince of Fish-Man Island: if I ever gained the power to make Fish-Man Island float, I'd return to visit…

Fish-Man Island…

Luo En recalled the scene of Fish-Man Island, the image of Bai Xing, the Princess with her adorable appearance and pure heart, and a faint smile curled his lips.

Two years have passed.

Bai Xing must have grown even larger by now…

"What are you thinking about?"

Gu Yina's voice interrupted Luo En's thoughts.

"Nothing, really."

Luo En cleared his throat and turned to look at Gu Yina beside him, dressed in a white training robe, a long sword at her waist, slender and tall, her high ponytail fluttering, standing gracefully.

Gu Yina, usually cold and independent, blushed under his gaze: "What? Is there something on my face?"

"No, I just think you really do look exactly like that Marine Sergeant Daski. Could you be Master Genshirō's… ha, just kidding, don't draw your sword."

Gu Yina scowled and sheathed her Wado Ichimonji.

Luo En turned, leaned back against the railing, squinted, and smiled with ease: "What a beautiful day today. The sea breeze is so pleasant."

Gu Yina gazed at the clear blue sky and endless ocean ahead, and softly murmured, "Mm."

"Is Nami getting used to life on the ship?"

Gu Yina nodded: "She's adapted well."

Nami had indeed adapted well—she got along easily with Luo Bin, Konis, Bonney, Xiao Qi, and Galot, and her judgment of ocean currents was outstanding.

But since Luo En's ship spends most of its time in the air, Nami still struggles to fully utilize her skills as a navigator.

Luo En closed his eyes and smiled contentedly: "That's good."

Gu Yina glanced at his handsome, smiling profile, hesitated, then asked: "What are you planning to do next?"

"First, find Master Zefu, then pay a visit to Big Mom."

Luo En opened his eyes and pulled out two Life Cards from his pocket.

These were the Life Cards Aine had given him when they parted in Dressrosa—for Zefu and Aine. With them, finding them would be easy.

"To the territory of one of the Four Emperors, Big Mom? To form an alliance with her?"

Gu Yina was startled.

"Alliance is unlikely. The Big Mom Pirates will probably stay neutral, watching from the sidelines."

Luo En smiled at the Life Cards in his fingertips: "I don't intend to form an alliance with her."

"Then what's your purpose?"

"To take the Crimson Roadstone from her hands—and to give her a warning."

228, Returning to Dressrosa, Rebecca's Excitement

Five days later.

Following the guidance of the Vivre Card, Luo En's group arrived at an unexpected place.

The Island of Boulders, Dressrosa.

The group walked through the bustling streets of Dressrosa wearing the various fox masks Luo En had bought and collected in different countries.

"This is the so-called 'Kingdom of Love and Passion Fairies,' Dressrosa?"

Nami was stunned by the prosperity and liveliness here.

After Luo En and Zephyr destroyed the Donquixote Family, King Riku returned to Wang Zuo, and in just two short years he repaired the wounds this country had suffered over the past decade. The royal family and the common people were united in heart and shared a common hatred. The present-day Dressrosa was unprecedentedly prosperous and united, with a confident smile on every face.

Conis stared at the giant stone statue erected in the center of the plaza ahead, covered her mouth in shock, and said:

"Th-that, isn't that the captain's statue?!"

Everyone turned to look.

That statue, dozens of meters tall, was carved in the likeness of a youth holding a long saber with his eyes closed, looking exactly like Luo En from two years ago.

Beside it stood another statue of an old man that was identical to Zephyr.

"It really is Master!"

Xiao Qi said excitedly.

"Luo En-dear, amazing!"

Carrot threw her arms around Luo En's arm, pressed her face against it and rubbed back and forth, occasionally taking a little bite.

"It must be because he killed Doflamingo and destroyed the Donquixote Family," Luo Bin said, resting her chin on her hand. "To this country, Luo En and that former Admiral Zephyr are undoubtedly saviors."

Luo En looked a little awkward: "Calling us saviors is a bit of an exaggeration, isn't it?"

And just at that moment.

A couple walked past them, chatting as they went: "Did you hear? The Traveler is going to wage war against the World Government, saying he'll wipe out every Celestial Dragon in the world."

"Really? As expected of the Traveler, amazing!"

"Right?!"

Nami and Bonney exchanged glances.

Later on the road, they again heard the people of this country discussing Luo En's alliance with Kaido and the war he was going to wage against the World Government.

To their surprise, the overwhelming majority were speaking well of the Traveler; some drunken people even openly shouted praises to the Traveler and to the Demon King in the tavern, drawing rounds of cheers!

Whether patrolling guards, shopkeepers, couples, or children playing by the roadside.

The entire kingdom, from top to bottom, seemed to worship that Traveler they had never met, who existed only in legend.

On the seas under the World Government's rule, this was simply... hard to imagine.