One Piece: The Strongest Trait System novel Chapter 42

Chapter 42 - [42] : [BONUS] - Go With Them!

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"Rowen? That name sounds familiar," Sanji murmured upon hearing Rowen's name, thinking aloud.

He seemed to recall some customers discussing that name recently.

But for Sanji, his interests lay solely in beautiful women and cooking. He hadn't paid much attention at the time, and Rowen's potential other identities held no interest for him now.

Compared to any other status Rowen might possess, what Sanji envied most was that Rowen had been chosen by that beautiful lady.

"I refuse," Sanji stated flatly, rejecting Luffy's invitation immediately.

"I refuse!" Luffy yelled back, surprisingly even more vehemently than Sanji.

"Refuse what?" Sanji looked utterly confused.

"I refuse your refusal! You're a good cook, so come be a pirate with me!" Luffy declared seriously.

"Will you listen when someone's talking?!" Sanji snapped, transforming into his sharp-toothed angry state again.

What is wrong with this straw-hatted kid's brain?!

"You guys... you're pirates too? Why are you gathering comrades?" Gin suddenly asked, painful memories seemingly surfacing as cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

"That's right! We're heading to the Grand Line!" Luffy announced proudly, head held high.

"..." Gin's face turned deathly pale, even more so than when he was starving moments ago.

"Since you're still looking for a cook... your crew probably isn't large enough for the Grand Line yet," Gin stated suddenly.

"He's number six," Luffy said, pointing at Sanji with a grin.

"Why are you including me?!" Sanji yelled, exasperated.

"I'm Gin, of the Krieg Pirates," Gin introduced himself formally.

"You guys don't seem like bad people. Let me give you some advice: it's best not to go to the Grand Line. You're still young; there's no need to rush. The Grand Line is just another sea, after all. You can be pirates anywhere, right?" Gin looked earnestly at Luffy and Rowen.

"Went to the Grand Line and got your spirit broken, huh?" Rowen observed, looking at Gin.

It wasn't mockery, just... pity.

The Krieg Pirates were incredibly unlucky. They had just entered the Grand Line only to immediately encounter one of the absolute pinnacles of combat strength in the world...

Warlord of the Sea, World's Greatest Swordsman, 'Hawk-Eyes' Dracule Mihawk.

And for some unknown reason, a figure of Mihawk's caliber had chased them all the way back to the East Blue.

"..." Gin couldn't refute Rowen's words.

He had been utterly terrified.

That man... wasn't human.

"You've been to the Grand Line? Do you know anything about it?" Luffy asked Gin eagerly.

"No! We know nothing! We understand nothing! That's why it's so terrifying!" Gin clutched his head in anguish.

They hadn't even truly experienced the Grand Line before their massive fleet was annihilated by that single man.

"Mah, whatever. I'm definitely going to the Grand Line anyway," Luffy said, seeing Gin's distress and deciding not to press further, offering a grin instead.

"Well, I just wanted to give you some advice," Gin sighed resignedly, then stood up.

"Well then, goodbye, Mr. Sanji. Thank you so much. You saved my life. That fried rice was truly the best meal I've ever eaten in my life. Can I... come back again sometime?" Gin hopped onto the small raft he'd arrived on, looking back at Sanji with a grateful smile.

"Anyone who's hungry is always welcome here," Sanji replied with a smile.

"Hey! Chore boy!" Just then, a loud shout interrupted them.

"Old man!" Luffy tensed up, sweating nervously as Zeff appeared behind them.

Being indebted to someone made Luffy incredibly nervous around Zeff.

"I'm really sorry, Mr. Sanji. You'll probably get yelled at for feeding someone like me for free," Gin said apologetically to Sanji.

"What are you talking about?" Sanji calmly picked up Gin's empty plate and spoon and tossed them into the sea.

"No evidence, no reason to get yelled at. Now get going, Gin," Sanji said with a smirk.

That damn brat Sanji... he's just trying to ease the pirate's conscience.

The new super rookie emerging from the East Blue, the user of Conqueror's Haki, 'Sky Sovereign' Rowen!

Although Zeff's own strength and experience, even having sailed the Grand Line for a year, didn't grant him full understanding of Conqueror's Haki,

Rumor had it that Shiki possessed the power of Conqueror's Haki.