Pirates on Rocks' Ship 996

“Now there’s only one last problem: energy conversion. The three defense systems use three different energy types: wind, fire, and electricity! Although energy can be converted between each other, it’s a bit troublesome. And if the energy is destroyed, all three defense systems will lose their function at the same time. If we separate them now, even if one part is destroyed, the other two can still function normally!” Vegapunk said with a smile.

But Reina's face immediately fell, and he asked, "You're not asking me for funds to start the energy system, are you?"

“That’s right!” Vegapunk and Dr. Asie said at the same time.

Chapter 1361 Energy Stone

Vegapunk and Dr. Asie found Reyner because of the energy issue. They received a message, a message that was only circulated within the scientific community, that a very special stone had appeared in the New World. This stone possessed immense energy and could be used as an energy source.

Only by obtaining this stone can the defense system of Xuan Yue Island be considered perfect.

Using this stone as the energy core, and then utilizing the three natural energies of wind, fire, and electricity to provide energy, the system can continuously obtain energy, and once activated, it can defend against all attacks.

"So? Where is that kind of gem you were talking about now?" Reina asked, speechless.

Vegapunk and Dr. Asie exchanged a glance and said with a smile, "I heard that it was originally discovered by a scientist on an unnamed island, but somehow the World Government found out about it, so we don't know exactly where it is now!"

"What? The kind of stone you're talking about... there's only one, right? And the World Government took it? How can we get it back?" Reina rolled his eyes and said.

“There are five pieces of the item, but we only need three. We’re pretty sure the item is still in the New World. As for whether it’s with the sailors, we don’t know. Maybe it’s with the World Government, maybe it’s with some pirate crew, or maybe it’s still in the same place! In any case, the scientist who discovered the energy cube is dead. He was killed by the World Government, but their people haven’t left!” Vegapunk revealed all the information he had.

"Alright, do you have a photo? How am I supposed to know what kind of stone it is just by talking about it like that?" Reina rolled his eyes and said.

Vegapunk smiled, handed the photos he had prepared to Reina, and explained, "I've heard that this kind of energy stone can absorb energy and has the same function as Seastone. When a Devil Fruit user comes into contact with it, the energy of the Devil Fruit will be absorbed by it, causing the user to be unable to use their power. However, they will return to normal after releasing it!"

"Oh? Absorbing the energy of a Devil Fruit user?" Reina's eyes lit up. He asked, "How did you know about this? And after absorbing the energy of a Devil Fruit user, can you use it on other people?"

Vegapunk shook his head and said, "No, the absorbed energy becomes part of the energy stone, pure energy! Because some Devil Fruit users have touched the energy stone and said they felt something inside their bodies being absorbed. After leaving the energy stone, they would feel very hungry. So I suspect that it absorbed their stamina, since many Devil Fruit users need to use their stamina to activate their abilities!"

“It seems that even if it weren’t for the defense system, we should still bring this back!” Reina said, stroking his chin.

"Puhahaha... How about that? I told you, once he finds out, he'll definitely try every means to get it back. This guy is a pirate!!" Dr. Asie laughed as he spoke to Vegapunk.

Upon hearing this, Vegapunk couldn't help but laugh. That's just how pirates are.

"So when do you plan to set off?" Vegapunk asked with a smile.

Reina twitched his lips and said, "Do I look like someone who can fight with others?"

"Anyway, you can rest on the way~ Besides, why don't you take a captain with you? When it comes to taking action, just leave it to the captain. At least with you there, you can put pressure on the enemy!" Vegapunk's idea was simple: he wanted to get that energy stone with all his might.

However, Reina didn't want to move because he wanted to take a vacation during the holiday. Besides, he couldn't fight anyone, and he could only watch if he went. It would be better to just send a captain.

Both of them could see that Reina simply didn't want to go; otherwise, his injuries wouldn't have been a problem at all.

Reina's main concern is that all the strong players are in the North Blue, and the pirates left in the New World are either cowards or useless pirates who are content with the status quo. There are no opponents worth his attention.

The only opponents Reina would be willing to take action against are at least at the level of a general or higher. Without such an opponent, Reina felt it would be a disgrace to even attempt to take action himself.

Vegapunk and Dr. Asie exchanged glances, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.

In reality, they needed those energy stones more to study them than because Xuan Yue Island's defense system was truly lacking in resources.

Of course, it would be better if they could use that kind of energy stone, but if not, they have ways to solve the problem.

Reina realized this, which is why he refused their request.

After discussing it, the three decided to send Marco instead. Firstly, he was the captain of the first division and was very strong. Secondly, he was more likely to represent the Whitebeard Pirates, and if he went, the chances of getting the energy stone would be greater.

After leaving the lab, Reina tried to contact Bryce to ask how things were going on her end and if she had any news about Bryce.

Also, she was asked to keep an eye on the news from the energy stone. Without intelligence, Marco would be like a blind man, unable to do much.

Unfortunately, even the Den Den Mushi bred by Dr. Vegapunk cannot always reach the person they want to contact, as the distance from the North Blue to the Alabasta Kingdom in the first half of the Grand Line is simply too far.

So Reina didn't pay any attention to it, but instead told the intelligence officers to contact Brulee.

However, when it was time for dinner, Reina received a Den Den Mushi from Brulee.

After Reina recounted the events to Brûlée, Brûlée smiled and said, "Even if you hadn't asked, I was planning to report this to you anyway. The intelligence agents in the New World reported that the World Government originally obtained those energy stones, but before they could leave, someone switched them with real heads. However, so far, the World Government hasn't been able to find out where they went!"

"Oh?" Reina seemed intrigued by this and asked, "So where are those energy stones now? Does nobody know?"

“I don’t know, but I’m sure the energy stone is still in that sea area. There are frequent reports that many pirates have fought there, and the energy stone has changed hands several times! Since the World Government has sealed off that sea area, it’s only allowed to enter but not leave. So the other forces have united, and once the World Government gets their hands on it, everyone will work together to deal with them!” Brulee said with a strange laugh.

Chapter 1362 Luffy's Adventures

After receiving information about the energy stone from Brulee, Reina felt relieved and handed the matter over to Marco before setting off on his vacation.

As for whether Marco can get the energy stone or not, Reina isn't in a hurry. Even if the World Government takes it in the end, it doesn't matter. He can always find an opportunity to trade with the World Government later.

So after settling everything, he set sail. His first stop was the famous amusement park island in the North Blue. For some reason, as a pirate, he really liked amusement parks, and now that Reina has lived in this world for a long time, he has also started to like amusement parks.

After changing out of his usual combat uniform, Reina headed straight for the amusement park island in casual clothes.

However, as he approached his destination, he discovered something strange. His Observation Haki detected the presence of a powerful being, but he couldn't find his target.

"I hope they're not after me. I just wanted to have a nice vacation!" Reina took off his sunglasses, looked in the direction where he had sensed the powerful figure, and said softly.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. He felt that the distance between him and the other person was getting closer and closer. It wasn't that he was moving towards the other person, but rather that the other person was approaching him at a very fast speed.

"Wow~~ What a huge turtle! Looks like dinner's sorted for tonight!" Hearing the familiar voice, Reina's mind went blank for a moment.

“Luffy…?” Reina got up from the recliner and looked at Luffy riding on the giant fish.

"Huh? Eh? Huh? It's you? Uncle Reina? Looks like I'm out of dinner!" Luffy said with a disappointed look when he saw Reina.

Reina's lips twitched involuntarily. Luffy looked quite disheveled and extremely hungry. His clothes were tattered and torn. If Reina hadn't been familiar with Luffy's scent, he almost wouldn't have recognized him.

"By the way... what happened to you? Where are your crew?" After inviting Luffy aboard, Reina brought out a lot of food for him. He knew Luffy's constitution; a little food wouldn't solve the problem. Besides, he didn't bring out any vegetables, as those wouldn't provide Luffy with enough energy.

“%……%￥#%%” Luffy said in a language that Reina couldn’t understand while eating.

"Alright, alright, you eat first, we'll talk after you're done!" Reina said, his face darkening.

Upon hearing this, Luffy nodded in agreement and continued to eat and drink heartily.

After Luffy finished eating all the food, he patted his stomach with a satisfied look on his face and laughed loudly, "Aiya yay~~ I'm finally alive! I thought I was going to starve to death! Wahahaha..."

Reina smiled and handed Luffy a glass of juice, saying with a smile, "What's the purpose of your Straw Hat crew coming here? Or are you just here for a vacation like me?"

"Huh?" Luffy looked at Reiner with surprise and asked, "Vacation? Where are you going on vacation? Is it fun?"

Reina nodded, then asked with a puzzled look, "I heard it's a famous amusement park island in Beihai. I've never been there. Aren't you going there?"

There seems to be only one island around here, right? If Luffy's destination isn't there, then what are they planning to do?

"I'm lost, so I don't know where I am!" Luffy said with a smile, seemingly noticing Reina's confusion.

Reina's face darkened. Is getting lost something to be proud of? Why does it sound so proud coming from your mouth?

"Alright, I won't bother with you. If you need to contact your crew, you can use the Den Den Mushi on the ship!" Reina waved his hand, letting Luffy go play by himself, while he continued to lie on the deck chair. Judging by Hard Shell's speed, they should arrive at the amusement park island soon. Then they can hire someone to clean the ship!

He also needs to replenish his food. Luffy just ate a whole month's worth of meat, and if he doesn't replenish it, he'll have to use the food in his inventory.

Luffy didn't stand on ceremony. He had been to the hard shell many times and knew the location of the Den Den Mushi. He went to contact his crewmates, but a little while later, Luffy found Reina with the Den Den Mushi.

"Uncle Reina, why can't your Den Den Mushi contact Nami and the others?" Luffy asked innocently.

Reina was taken aback, looked at the Den Den Mushi that was already panting heavily, and said, "Impossible! This is a long-distance Den Den Mushi, crossing one or two small islands is no problem! Kid, where did you get separated from Nami and the others?"

"I came from our base! I was planning to go fishing with Zoro, but we encountered a Sea King who capsized our ship. I almost drowned, but luckily Zoro dragged me on the surface of the sea for a whole day!" Luffy said after thinking for a moment.

Reina's lips twitched involuntarily. From your base? That's more than halfway across the North Sea. No wonder we can't get through to you by Den Den Mushi.

"You drifted all the way from the sea near the base all the way here?" Suddenly, Reina realized something was wrong. It shouldn't have taken a whole day to drift here!

"No, we got hungry later, but Zoro was too stupid and couldn't catch anything to eat with me!" Luffy complained to Zoro with a look of disgust, saying, "Instead of catching anything to eat, we were snatched away by a big bird that mistook us for food. We were both hungry and had no choice, so we planned to eat the bird that caught us, but we were too weak at the time, so it got away, and then we fell into the sea again!"

Reina was speechless. How dare you, a Devil Fruit user, look down on Zoro in the ocean? How could Zoro have caught any fish without you?

But thinking about what the two had gone through, Reina became curious and wanted to know what happened next, so he asked, "And then? You just ended up here?"

"Of course not. After falling into the sea, I almost drowned again, but we were lucky enough to run into a big fish that wanted to eat us. So Zoro and I beat it up. This time we were smarter and didn't eat it. We let it lead us to a nearby island! But that stupid fish swam for several days and still couldn't find an island!" Luffy shook his head and said.

"So what have you been eating these past few days?" Reina swallowed, as if he had thought of something, and asked.

"I'm sitting on the big fish! Zoro goes to catch the fish, and then we eat it! I sensed someone's presence just now and thought it was the island, but when I ran over, I found it was you! Hahahaha... I'm definitely the lucky one, I'm full just by meeting you!" Luffy said with a loud laugh.

"Then... what about Zoro?" Reina asked with a strange expression.

"Zoro?" Luffy asked, looking bewildered. "Huh? Yeah! Where's Zoro?"

Meanwhile, on the sea where Luffy had left earlier, Zoro, holding a large fish in his hand, looked completely bewildered.

"Where are the fish?" Zoro looked around, but there was nothing but the vast ocean. There were no big fish, and no Luffy either.

"Where has that idiot gone again?" Zoro said through gritted teeth.

Chapter 1363 Amusement Park Island

Seeing Luffy's blank expression, Reina knew Luffy was doomed, because he had forgotten Zoro in the sea.

Reina looked at the amusement park island in front of him, then at Luffy beside him, and finally decided to go back to find Zoro. Otherwise, he was afraid that if Zoro found Luffy here, someone would die.

However, before going to find Zoro, Reina decided to go to the island to replenish supplies first, since Zoro had been hungry for so long and was also a big eater.

When Reina found Zoro, Zoro was swimming on the sea with his three swords on his head.

"Hahaha... Zoro, you're hilarious!" Standing on the hard shell's back, Luffy laughed loudly at Zoro.

But after Zoro boarded the ship and reprimanded him, he immediately admitted his mistake.

"You bastard, if it weren't for you, would I be in this state?" Zoro became angrier the more he thought about it. His murderous aura was so strong that even Reina, who was watching the show from the side, thought he was about to kill Luffy.

Fortunately, Luffy's attitude in admitting his mistake was good, and he managed to escape another disaster.

Once Zoro stopped pursuing the matter, he returned to being that cheerful young man.

If things continue like this, Reina is worried that one day he will be killed by his companions.

"You guys have really had a hard time putting up with him for so long..." Reina sighed and said.

Zoro felt incredibly exhausted. This bastard had never given him a moment's peace. Seeing Reina's sympathetic gaze, Zoro declared that one day he would cut Luffy down.

Reina didn't believe this before, but now he does, because the look in someone's eyes when they want to kill them... is impossible to hide.

“By the way, my destination is Amusement Park Island. I’m going there for a vacation. If you want to go back, you can get a boat there before you leave. But I suggest you contact Nami first, because… you know!” Reina said after Zoro calmed down a bit.

Zoro nodded helplessly. If it were just him and Luffy, they probably wouldn't be able to get back, even with a ship.

First of all, neither of them knows how to navigate, and given Luffy's personality, ordinary navigators wouldn't be able to handle him, because they wouldn't be able to withstand Luffy's ability to cause trouble.