[Chapter Size: 2266 Words.]
Third Person POV
Somewhere Sea, First Half of Grandline.
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“Now let’s read these stones; I’ve always had doubts about them. I need you to give me a translation of them,” commented Luffy, and Robin nodded after stepping away from him, despite feeling some conflicting emotions.
Robin approached the first stone, her eyes tracing the intricate lines that told the story of the Akuma no Mi hidden since the lost century, Cerberus. Each character seemed to pulsate with the mythical essence of the triple-headed beast, and her delicate hands traced the inscriptions as if unraveling the secrets of nature itself.
As Robin read the stone, her gaze shifted from the stone to the adjacent akuma no mi.
‘So there’s a Poneglyph that speaks only of the fruit?’ Luffy thought, observing Robin’s behavior.
While reading about the powers of the heads, Robin’s expression remained undisturbed, but her eyes reflected intense curiosity.
The mystery surrounding the fruit seemed to deepen as she continued reading. Her gaze traveled over the words, while her mind speculated on the full extent of the powers of this Akuma no Mi.
“Fire, lightning, ice… elements that transcend the normal capabilities of a Devil Fruit. What creature is this that embodies these divine gifts?” Robin found herself captivated by the duality between the known and the unknown as the legend of this creature unfolded before her. A aura of mystery hung over the description, leaving Robin with a sense of fascination and restlessness.
Upon completing the reading of the first stone, Robin turned to Luffy, her blue eyes retaining the depth of reflection.
“Luffy, this one about the Devil Fruit there seems to have been a reserve weapon for a war in the lost century as reinforcement, so it was hidden to be used if they needed reinforcements, but they never had the opportunity.” Robin spoke, intrigued by this information.
“Do you want to know more about this Poneglyph first? Or wait for me to read the second one?” Robin turned her gaze back to Luffy behind her.
“Read the second one,” Luffy requested, and Robin promptly obeyed. As she began deciphering the inscriptions, a look of doubt settled in her eyes, signaling the presence of unknown information.
“This one is difficult to understand because it has unknown information for me…” Robin murmured, expressing her perplexity at the text.
“Can you write exactly what is written there?” Luffy asked, taking paper and pen from his pocket, enlarging their size.
Robin nodded and took the necessary items before starting to transcribe the ancient words.
“Let me see…” Luffy began reading in the common language.
“This?! This is an inscription with the name Ryuo, the term given to haki in Wano.” Luffy became increasingly shocked by the content of the text. “This is not just a technique; it’s a new horizon of Conqueror’s Haki! A lost technique from the lost century!! This is on a level beyond the knowledge of the world’s major forces as far as I know!” The shock reflected in his expression, realizing the magnitude of what he had just discovered. Although Luffy had not yet fully mastered Conqueror’s Haki, he recognized that this went far beyond his current understanding of the original work.
“Is it that surprising?” Robin questioned beside Luffy.
“Yes, if I’m right, this represents a technique that elevates the mastery of Conqueror’s Haki to a new level! It’s too alarming!” Luffy remained stunned, absorbing the gravity of that discovery. He never imagined that a modest cave in the East Blue would hold such impactful secrets. ‘What happened there when we found the gold still remains a mystery, but certainly the techniques and the fruit are from the lost century. This is good, very good. I may not have value for this information, and about what happened, maybe I can train my “voice over all things” abilities, these Poneglyphs can tell me what happened in the cave…’
Luffy briefly pondered the mysteries surrounding the encounter with the gold, recognizing the preciousness of the techniques and the fruit linked to the lost century. Feeling that these discoveries had a profound significance, he considered the possibility of enhancing his ability to “hear all things” to unravel the hidden secrets in the Poneglyphs. With a glimpse of excitement, he decided to reserve that perspective for the future.
“I’ll keep that stored for the future; now, can you tell me about the Akuma no Mi?” Luffy directed his attention to the mysterious fruit.
“Yes, it’s a mythical beast called… Cerberus… a mystical entity with three heads, each possessing an elemental domain. Fire, lightning, and ice… a triple force echoing through the ages. Every aspect of this being is a manifestation of power, a fusion of myth and reality…” Robin continued sharing intriguing information about this Akuma no Mi with Luffy.
“So, Cerberus… a name resonating with triple elemental powers,” Luffy murmured, assimilating the information about the Akuma no Mi. His eyes didn’t express the same amazement as before, but rather intense curiosity. “Fire, lightning, and ice, huh? That’s amazing! A fruit that incorporates elements in three different forms… Does that mean whoever eats it would have control over all these powers at the same time?”
Robin nodded, observing the fascination in Luffy’s eyes. “Exactly, it seems to be an extraordinary fruit. The person possessing Cerberus’s powers would have at their disposal a diversified range of abilities, each associated with a different head.”
Luffy scratched his head, thoughtful. “Imagine using fire, lightning, and ice all at once! It would be incredible in a fight. This fruit seems to have enormous potential…”
“Yes, the potential is vast, but it also brings challenges. Balancing and mastering three distinct types of powers is not an easy task, even for people with exceptional abilities.” Robin added a note of caution to Luffy’s excitement.
Luffy, with his characteristic smile, didn’t seem concerned about the complications. “Well, I have the ideal candidate for that, and he’s not a person.”
Luffy approached and took the fruit, deciding that he would have the opportunity to eat it and gain its powers. “Let’s introduce you to the others; you’re my companion number 19. I’m glad you’re with us.” Luffy’s smile lit up the environment as he exited the vault, casually closing it. Robin, in turn, merely nodded, maintaining her characteristic composure. Although not easily shaken, the presence of Luffy and the unique aura of his crew were unmatched, creating a slight buzz of nervousness in her mind.
Following Luffy towards the deck, Robin silently contemplated the peculiar composition of the crew. Each member was unique, with extraordinary abilities and personalities. The idea of being the 19th member of this exceptionally talented team evoked a sense of responsibility and, at the same time, an opportunity for growth.
As they reached the deck, Luffy was met with the lively scene of his crew engaged in various activities. Each member was immersed in their own world, enjoying leisure time in various ways. Robin observed attentively, noting the diversity of things this crew was doing at the moment.
Many beach chairs were extended while some sunbathed, enjoying refreshing drinks; the sniper was in the shade, cleaning his weapons; a man and a woman were training with wooden swords and weights; some were looking at the horizon at the ship’s edge, while others rested on the mast; a fish-man was cheerfully frying some snacks; animals ran around playing with each other—a dog, a shark, a whale, and a duck. Robin couldn’t help but express surprise at this strange group.
Luffy raised his hand, drawing the attention of his lively crew enjoying their time on the Black Pearl’s deck. With a radiant smile, he began the introductions.
“Guys, I have an amazing person to introduce to you today! This is Nico Robin, the newest member of the Straw Hat Pirates and our companion from today onward!”
“What?!” Vivi was the first to react, with surprise and a hint of anger mixing in her words. Nami, on the other hand, still carried perceptible resentments. Her eyes reflected a mixture of distrust and anger, as Robin had spied on Luffy and her the night before.
“This woman…” she began to say, but was interrupted by Luffy’s firm voice.
“She’s our companion from now on. I trust her, and I want you all to do the same. I won’t tolerate anyone hurting her, no matter your disagreements with her.”
Unlike previous situations when Luffy recruited Nami and the crew acted with suspicion, things were different now. Luffy was serious, conveying a determination he hadn’t shown in the same way in the past. He made it clear that Nico Robin was someone he wanted in his group.
Luffy understood that by giving her a new purpose and the hope of achieving her dream, Robin would become a reliable ally. Any doubts she might still have about their ability to protect her would dissipate over the journey. Luffy’s unequivocal expression of trust set a new tone for the crew, highlighting the importance and value he attributed to Robin’s presence among the Straw Hat Pirates.
“Well, let me introduce her to everyone.”
Luffy continued introducing his eclectic crew:
“First, we have Zoro! The swordsman I trust my life with when it comes to fighting, but I don’t trust his sense of direction!” Zoro waved casually, maintaining his characteristic pose, though he was taken aback by Luffy’s second comment.
“Next, Lami! She’s our doctor, super competent, and always ready to face any challenge!” Lami waved with a smile, holding her medical kit.
“Bepo! Our strategic advisor, sharp in politics and economics. He’s a polar bear, but don’t let that fool you; he’s quite funny!” Bepo waved with a cheerful smile.
“Chouchou! A loyal and brave companion. He only speaks by barking, but we understand him very well, right, Luffy?” Chouchou barked, and Luffy laughed, confirming.
“Our sharpshooter, Usopp! He’s amazing with firearms and always surprises us with his skills!” Usopp waved with his rifle in hand.
“Nami, the navigator! You already know her a bit; she has a powerful Akuma no Mi and is essential for our journey across the seas!” Nami waved with a neutral tone, not smiling at Robin.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Reiju! She’s our amazing cook and also the most elegant and powerful in the crew!” Reiju made a graceful bow.
“Hachi, the octopus! Despite his eight arms, he’s a cool guy and makes a great dish!” Hachi waved, smiling friendly.
“And this is Nojiko! Nami’s sister, who joined us after falling in love with me. That’s right, love at first sight!” Luffy made a joke, and Nojiko waved, laughing a bit at Luffy’s antics.
“Hugo, the cheerful guy! He’s easygoing, likes peace, but has a big goal, so don’t underestimate him!” Hugo waved cheerfully.
“Yamato! Our warrior, as foolish as funny but incredibly loyal and strong!” Yamato gave a bold wave.
“Megalo, our shark!!” Megalo quickly said, “Sharky, Sharky, Sharky, Sharky,” while everyone laughed.
“Vivi, she’s a new companion like you!” Vivi waved but maintained a forced smile.
“Alvida, my loyal and determined companion!” Alvida waved confidently. “We also have Laboon, our newly recruited companion; let’s fulfill his dream on this journey!”
“And, of course, Karoo! Our faithful bird companion, always accompanying us on adventures!” Karoo made his characteristic sound while receiving affectionate looks from everyone.
“And finally, our mermaid, Shirahoshi! She’s our curious and brave girl, ready to face anything!” Luffy pointed to Shirahoshi, who smiled shyly.
With everyone introduced, Luffy concluded with his characteristic smile: “And this is the Straw Hat Pirates’ crew! Your new group, everyone supports each other here; we’re a family!”
The crew members greeted Robin in unique ways, turning the gathering into a vibrant mosaic of personalities. Friendly smiles, enthusiastic waves, and even some more reserved gestures composed the warm setting for the latest addition to the Straw Hat Pirates.
“Listen up, everyone!” Luffy commanded their attention, and immediately, all turned their faces toward him, eager to hear what the Captain had to say.
“Anyway, this woman translated some things on those Poneglyphs. First, it’s about the history of that shipwreck; there’s no information about it, but I intend to find out in the future anyway, so the ship appearing in the middle of the cave remains a mystery. One of the Poneglyphs talks about a technique that will be used in the future by some of you.”
Suspense hung in the air as gazes turned to Luffy, anxiously awaiting more details.
“Now, the other matter is about this Akuma no Mi!” Luffy displayed the tri-colored apple with enthusiasm.
“So, what is it?” Usopp asked, showing his curiosity.
“It’s a Mythical Zoan too!” Luffy’s eyes were shining with excitement at that moment.
“Really? What’s its name and model?” Yamato became instantly interested.
“Doggie Doggie Fruit, Model Cerberus!” Luffy announced, eliciting surprise and fascination among the crew members.
“So…” Kuina murmured, while whispers of speculation spread through the crew, already imagining who would consume it.
“Exactly, Chouchou, this fruit is yours.” The captain said confidently, pointing to the loyal canine companion.
“Bark?” Chouchou whimpered, apparently confused by the revelation.
“Eat it, you’re perfect for it. Your strength will greatly increase,” Luffy asserted, encouraging Chouchou.
Chouchou hesitated for a moment, looking at the fruit, but finally took the initiative to eat it. Despite spitting out at the first bite, he understood that it would strengthen him and consumed the rest of the fruit. The act was met with varied expressions, from surprise to admiration, as the crew witnessed another twist in the abilities of their comrades.
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Raccoon here:
“Stone Stone!”
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