One Piece: The Strongest Trait System novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32 - [32] : [BONUS] - As Expected of Rowen!

~ Thank you, We've hit 500 Powerstones. This is the Bonus Chapter~

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Vice-Captain.

Hearing Usopp's words, Nami, Zoro, and Luffy all turned to look at Rowen.

Nami felt that Rowen had indeed been acting like the vice-captain all along.

Zoro had no objections either. Rowen had shown him the path forward, how to achieve his ambition. Zoro deeply admired Rowen's 'Disposition' and judgment.

He was perfectly fine with Rowen becoming the vice-captain.

However, the final decision rested with Luffy, the captain.

Zoro and Nami looked towards Luffy.

Luffy blinked thoughtfully.

He remembered how Rowen, right after becoming his comrade, had fully endorsed his dream of becoming Pirate King.

How Rowen had chosen the epithet 'Sky Sovereign' deliberately mirroring 'Dark King' Rayleigh, the Pirate King's Right Hand and Vice-Captain.

And during their journey so far, it was largely thanks to Rowen that he had gained Zoro and Nami as comrades.

Rowen himself was incredibly reliable. The position of vice-captain truly suited him.

But still...

Luffy felt a bit conflicted.

"It's still too early to talk about a vice-captain," Rowen said, looking at Luffy with a slight smile.

"Eh? Why? Being vice-captain would make it easier to command the other members in battle, right? The crew would accept your command more readily," Nami asked curiously.

Although Nami had only joined temporarily, and the official crew currently consisted of only Zoro, Rowen, Usopp, and Captain Luffy himself,

Nami couldn't imagine a more perfect candidate for vice-captain than Rowen.

Even 'Pirate Hunter' Zoro, famous throughout the East Blue, clearly respected Rowen and followed his lead.

Rowen had basically been directing their combat strategy throughout their journey.

"It's not about becoming vice-captain to gain the crew's acknowledgment. It's about gaining the acknowledgment of all comrades first, and then becoming the vice-captain," Rowen stated, his lips curving slightly.

"Hmph." A smile touched Zoro's lips.

As expected of Rowen.

"So cool, Rowen!" Usopp felt like Rowen was practically glowing at that moment.

This is what a real pirate is like!

"Besides, Luffy hasn't finished gathering all his comrades yet. Before he does, before gaining the acknowledgment of everyone who will join, talking about a vice-captain is simply too soon," Rowen added, looking at Luffy with a knowing smile.

This was likely why, even in the original story, the Straw Hat Pirates didn't have an official vice-captain even after defeating Kaido and Big Mom and becoming an Emperor crew.

Luffy cherished and respected his comrades immensely—even those who hadn't joined yet.

Knowing Luffy's personality, he wouldn't designate a vice-captain until the entire crew was assembled.

"Shishishi! Rowen! I'm so glad you're my nakama!" Luffy grinned broadly upon hearing Rowen's words, looking incredibly happy.

This was exactly what Luffy had been conflicted about. Establishing a vice-captain before gathering all the comrades and getting everyone's approval felt disrespectful to future crewmates.

If he appointed a vice-captain now, wouldn't future members feel more like subordinates than comrades?

On his ship, there were no subordinates—only comrades.

Rowen's words—"It's not about becoming vice-captain to gain the crew's acknowledgment, but gaining the acknowledgment of all comrades first..."—perfectly mirrored Luffy's own feelings.

Once all the comrades were gathered, the one acknowledged by everyone would be the vice-captain of his crew!

——

—[Received strong acknowledgment from Monkey D. Luffy. Bond increased. Trait equipping progress increased.]—

——

The equipping progress for the Sun God (Apex Gold) Trait advanced another step.

"See, Rowen gets it! As the captain, you need to be more reliable too!" Nami lectured Luffy, her gaze towards Rowen softening with something new, before turning back to Luffy with exasperation.

"I am reliable when it counts! Rowen said so!" Luffy puffed out his chest proudly.

Rowen had joined the Straw Hats not just to equip Traits from Luffy and the others, and to safely navigate his own growth period leveraging Luffy's connections.

Just like when they first met, Rowen easily saw through his bluff.