Alone and Infinite.

Chapter 381 The Straw Hat Crew's New Companion

"Tell me, is it blacker or are you blacker?"

Awoo's gaze shifted back and forth between the completely transformed 'Akainu' and Kurozumi'.

"Meow!"

(But it's still a bit darker.)
"That's right, judging by the color, you're a cow cat."

Vegapunk and Kizaru also looked at the black puppy lying on the ground, with Kizaru's eyes filled with 'regret'.

No matter how you look at it, the name 'Akainu' is much more interesting.
Li Xia was also silently watching the black dog lying on the ground, its form completely altered.

At this moment, its body became slender and elongated, much like a greyhound, full of agility.

He had initially worried that this tengu form was a 'crow tengu', but now it seems he was overthinking it.

[Name: Akainu (Form change, can be renamed)]

[Rank: One Star, Divine Beast, Zoan-type Devil Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Tengu Mode]

【HP: 6000】

【Mana value: 3000】

Physical Strength Assessment: 3 (Apostle's physical strength * 60%)

【Strength: 30】

Dexterity: 30 (↑10)

Intelligence: 20 (↑15)

[Spirit: 20 (↑15)]

【Physique: 30】

1. Purifying Flame:
Skill effect: Spews out positive-attribute flames reaching up to 3000 degrees Celsius, scorching enemies in front of it.

Skill cost: 10 points/s
2. Fruit Release:

Unleash your Devil Fruit powers to gain attribute boosts and the special skill 'Devour'.

Devour:

It can absorb energy, matter, attacks, etc., up to a certain limit.
3. Sky-Treading (Special Skill of Mythical Beast Species - Tengu Form)
It can run freely in the air, and its running speed is no different from that on the ground.
4. The Sea's Aversion
Devil Fruit users are rejected by the sea.
Contact with the ocean or objects carrying ocean energy will result in loss of strength and inability to use one's abilities.

[Synopsis: This is a very clever and practical method used by a legendary beast that ate the Inu Inu Fruit (Mythical Zoan type, Tengu mode) to compensate for its low intelligence.]

The changes to the panel aren't significant; it's a bit like the weapon has been given a Devil Fruit.

More importantly, it makes up for the inherent defects of divine beasts, and the characteristic of stepping on the sky is quite good.

Now, all members of 'Meishan' have the ability to fly, which is absolutely unimaginable in other guilds or teams.

Regardless of whether the ability to fly is useful or not, it is indeed rare. For example, Li Xia's Flying Technique can only be obtained from Tao Pai Pai.

The easiest to obtain is Moonwalk from One Piece, but it's only considered 'staying in the air' at best, not actual flight, and it has attribute requirements.

If you are too heavy or your equipment is too heavy, you can't pedal.

"What should we name this puppy now? Black Dog, I guess?"

Kizaru watched the whole thing, thoroughly enjoying himself, and playfully teased the much more intelligent black 'Akainu'.

"Let's call him Xiaotian."

Li Xia remained silent for a long time before sighing.

I've learned the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts, acquired the Three-Pointed Double-Edged Sword, hung the sword on my waist, and even changed the guild name to 'Meishan'.

What difference would it make if there were one more black dog?

"Xiaotian? That's quite a strange name—"

Kizaru yawned and waved his hand:

"But it has nothing to do with me. Let's go, let's go. I can't sleep with you guys here!"

As for Vegapunk, he had long since disappeared into his laboratory, busy with his work and nowhere to be seen.

Watching the island recede into the distance, Li Xia stretched and rubbed Xiaotian's head.

With her other hand, she gently brushed her face, and it seemed as if those hands possessed a strange magic.

The black hair gradually turned pure white, and so did the pupils.

Otsutsuki Natsumi is now available!

"Awoo! Check the Straw Hat crew's location, they've headed to the Sabaody Archipelago!"

“It’s so delicious!”

Luffy's hands moved so fast they became a blur as he frantically stuffed steaming hot takoyaki into his mouth.

"good to eat!"

Chopper, Sanji, and Usopp also picked up skewers, poked at the Maruko, and stuffed them into their mouths.

The Thousand Sunny floated quietly on the azure sea, with thick cables tied to one side of its hull.

The tiny pink boats, which looked much smaller, were tied together and were adorned with colorful neon lights.

'Little Eight Takoyaki'

The octopus-man Lao Ba's tentacles danced rapidly as he enthusiastically grilled takoyaki:
"If you think it's delicious, then it's all free today. Eat as much as you want. Thank you for saving us."

"That's awesome! I want to eat a hundred of them!"

The Straw Hat crew cheered, and Luffy even gathered several plates of grilled dumplings into his arms.

Just as I was about to shovel the whole thing into my mouth, another hand suddenly reached out and took the meatball away.

"Ah! My dumplings!"

Luffy's food-guarding instinct kicked in, and he angrily turned his head, only to suddenly freeze in shock.

A young man with white hair and white eyes was leaning against the ship's railing, leisurely tossing a meatball into his mouth.

The broth is delicious, and the meat is chewy and springy.

It tasted absolutely delicious! "The flavor is indeed excellent!"

Aowu and Heitan beside her also closed their eyes, happily chewing the meatballs in their mouths.

"who are you?"

Luffy looked at Li Xia, then at the black cat and Aowu beside him, and felt that the other party looked very familiar.

The rest of the crew members suddenly tensed up when they saw Li Xia.

Nami nervously swallowed, then slowly stepped forward and cautiously asked:

"We just escaped from the escort ship, is there any need to make us go through 'procedures' again?"

"what are you guys saying?"

Li Xia popped another meatball into her mouth and chewed it slowly:

"I don't understand. From now on, I am a member of the Straw Hat Pirates."

The scene immediately fell silent, with only the soft sizzling sound of the hot oil and meatballs on the teppanyaki grill.

Hachi and the mermaid Camie didn't know what had happened, but seeing the Straw Hat crew's tense expressions, they didn't dare to speak and remained silent as well.

"what?"

Apart from Luffy, all the Straw Hat crew members almost popped their eyes out.

"Coco, aren't you a naval captain? Why—"

Nami stammered, in her mind, the Navy Captain was already a superior person, and could be called the king of a town.

Not to mention that this colonel is extremely strong; he even defeated a terrifying enemy like the Golden Lion.

"He's now a lieutenant general."

Awoo dumped the entire plate of takoyaki into his mouth and mumbled happily.

"Gudong!"

Xiao Ba swallowed hard, his expression one of shock and even fear.

Having been a pirate, he naturally understood what a vice admiral meant. Generally, when they were sent out, they were the commanders of a base, equivalent to the kings of small kingdoms.

He commanded thousands of soldiers, some even numbering in the tens of thousands!

"Lieutenant General???"

Even more terrified than Hachiko were the Straw Hat crew members, who had been captured by Li Xia twice before, completely powerless to fight back, leaving them with deep psychological trauma.

"Ah! I get it, you're that terrifying navy guy!"

Luffy finally realized who Li Xia was, and pointed at him, shouting loudly:

"I won't let you on the ship, and I don't need you as my partner!"

Nami appeared beside Luffy in an instant, almost with the speed of a 'shave'.

His clenched fist, brimming with terrifying 'domineering aura,' slammed into Luffy's head with a powerful punch.

With just that one movement, Luffy's head swayed back and forth like a punching bag, and a huge bulge visibly appeared.

Nami pressed Luffy's head down and knelt on the ground in a dogeza (a traditional Chinese way of bowing).
"I'm so sorry for being rude! You must have an important mission, we'll definitely cooperate!"

At the same time, he whispered fiercely in Luffy's ear:

"Idiot! How could a vice admiral actually board the ship! It must be a temporary arrangement!!!"

"Ah, is that so?"

With a large, smoking bag on his head and a 'wise' expression on his face, Luffy raised one hand:

"I see. I'm so sorry."

The group breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed considerably.

Although I managed to escape each time, being captured and taken to a naval escort ship was still too depressing.

She couldn't fight back, and she couldn't escape. Nami seemed to know something, but she dared not say it.

Li Xia didn't tell her either whether or not Luffy's grandfather's matter could be revealed.

What if this preferential treatment of "going through the process" is lost once it is leaked?
After some time, the Straw Hat crew gradually got used to this special atmosphere.

They gradually became more lively again and started talking about the upcoming journey.

It's quite a novel and exciting feeling to discuss such things right next to the navy.

Especially when Hachi realized that he was no longer a pirate but an independent businessman, he became even bolder.

"In short, you can't take either of the two normal routes. If you want to get through the Red Line to the second half of the Grand Line, there is only one way."

The starfish following Hachi and Kemi raised an arm:
"That means going to the Sabaody Archipelago to coat the ship, and then traveling through the hollow of the red earth continent on the seabed to the New World!"

"Wow!"

The Straw Hat crew's eyes lit up just from hearing this introduction, and they couldn't help but feel excited and longing.

Coat the ship with a film to allow it to sail thousands of meters below the seabed.
What a spectacular sight that was!

Isn't this the very meaning of embarking on the Grand Line?

Make friends with like-minded people, conquer the sea, and see the beauty you've never seen before!
"However, this is extremely dangerous. Every year, many pirate crews are eaten by giant sea monsters along with their ships."

Xiao Ba said seriously:
"Furthermore, if the craftsmen who apply the coating are not skilled enough, the coating may suddenly break on the seabed, which would be a catastrophic disaster!"
but--"

Hachi raised his arm, a smile spreading across his octopus-like face:

"I know an exceptionally skilled coating craftsman; he'll definitely handle it! To repay your life-saving debt, I'll take you there!"

Luffy put his hands on his hips and flashed a bright smile:
"Then what are we waiting for, everyone!"
Set sail! Begin your voyage!

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1. Monthly pass 2. Recommendation vote

(End of this chapter)