One Piece: The Strongest Trait System novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24 - [24] : Evolving Haki! Next Destination!

As Usual. Bonus Chapter Every 100 Powerstones :)

<><><><><><><><>

Somewhere in the East Blue, a ship flying the Buggy Pirates' Jolly Roger sailed alongside another small vessel, lashed together.

Luffy was clearly unhappy about sailing under Buggy's flag; he desperately wanted his own Jolly Roger.

But the flag's design was painted directly onto the sail, and they needed the sail deployed to move.

Luffy tried to protest, but a sharp glare from Nami instantly silenced him.

Just like in the original story, Luffy had left one sack of treasure behind for Orange Town's reconstruction, earning him a fierce scolding from Nami.

However, despite lecturing Luffy, Nami wasn't truly angry deep down.

Seeing Orange Town's plight reminded her sharply of her own home, Cocoyasi Village, suffering under Arlong's violent rule.

Helping Orange Town rebuild was something Nami genuinely wanted to do.

At the same time, the realization that Rowen and his crew were fundamentally different from other pirates deepened within her.

Remembering Rowen's earlier words, waves of emotion stirred in Nami's heart.

Should she... rely on Rowen and the others?

But that monster, Arlong... could Rowen's crew really defeat him?

She had almost saved up the 100 million Beri needed to buy back Cocoyasi Village from Arlong. Was it necessary to take such a risk now?

But... could Arlong's word truly be trusted...?

No! Stop thinking like that! Otherwise, what was the point of working so hard to earn that 100 million Beri?!

Nami stared blankly at the sea chart, lost in thought, then shook her head fiercely.

Right now, focus on planning properly for these guys. In their current state, they have no hope of surviving the Grand Line.

"Just as I thought. Trying to reach the Grand Line with boats like these is completely reckless," Nami stated seriously after composing herself, looking from the chart to the two small, makeshiftly tied vessels.

"Guess we really do need more crewmates," Luffy commented from the bow, munching on an apple.

"It's not just about personnel! This ship's lack of proper equipment absolutely won't keep us safe!" Nami declared, hands on her hips.

"Exactly! We definitely need a musician!" Luffy agreed wholeheartedly.

"A musician? Hahahaha!" Zoro couldn't help but burst out laughing upon hearing that.

Heading into the Grand Line, notoriously known as the 'Pirate Graveyard', and the most important thing was a musician?

Luffy's way of thinking was truly unlike anyone else's.

"You idiot! Rowen, say something! You know some navigation too, right?" Nami, now somewhat accustomed to Luffy's bizarre logic, could only clutch her head in exasperation before turning to Rowen.

"Hooo... Haaa..." Rowen, who had accumulated sufficient 'Disposition' through Born of the Sea (Apex Gold) and was currently 'digesting' it by absorbing the sea's energy from the wind to strengthen his Haki, opened his eyes upon hearing Nami.

"Relax, Nami. You're our crew's navigator now. My navigation skills can't compare to yours at all. You decide our next course," Rowen said with a smile.

Since Nami had only joined temporarily and wasn't a full-fledged Straw Hat yet, Rowen couldn't equip her Traits.

Nami's Climate Sense (Pale Gold) Trait, though non-combat related, was something Rowen greatly desired.

After all, even the original author himself had stated that Nami's incredible talent for sensing weather changes with her body, if combined with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, could potentially elevate her combat power above Zoro's, making her the second strongest in the Straw Hat crew.

Even without the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, just acquiring Zeus boosted Nami's combat abilities dramatically.

One could only imagine how terrifying the combination of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit and the Climate Sense (Pale Gold) Trait would be.

Rowen, who aimed to acquire the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, naturally hoped to obtain this Trait as well.

But Rowen wasn't worried. Nami joining permanently was only a matter of time; acquiring that Trait was inevitable.

His Conqueror's Haki (Pale Gold) Trait, continuously strengthened by Born of the Sea (Apex Gold), had now changed, displaying a progress bar.

Someone capable of basic Conqueror's Haki Infusion was definitely a strong contender for being the most powerful individual below the Emperor/Admiral tier.

Although the upgrade progress bar was moving slowly, the crucial point was that Rowen could upgrade his Haki thanks to Born of the Sea (Apex Gold).

Before Luffy, even powerhouses like Whitebeard and Gol D. Roger generally didn't reach the peak of their strength—fully mastering Conqueror's Haki Infusion—until they were well past forty years old.