Paper Paper Fruit In One Piece

The next day, 

"Ahh~~ A nice soak after a big battle," 

Luffy relaxed in the hot spring, letting out a satisfied sigh. 

"Big battle? The only one who actually fought was you. For the rest of us, that was just a warm-up," 

Zoro scoffed but didn't bother arguing further. He leaned back in the hot spring, enjoying the rare moment of relaxation. 

Though the sudden "volcanic eruption" yesterday evening had left the coastal city of Seiken in chaos, things quickly settled down once a large number of Marines arrived. They announced that the eruption had been "handled" by a Marine with special abilities. By the next day, most people were back to business as usual. After all, "Where in this ocean is truly safe?" 

That was the sigh of an old Marine sitting beneath a statue. 

Even in the so-called "peaceful" East Blue, nobles exploited the weak, and pirates ran wild. In the New World, a place like this was even less likely to provide a sense of security for ordinary people. 

Take Big Mom's "Whole Cake Island," for example—residents were forced to give up a month of their lifespan every six months. Yet, as long as they could live peacefully, they accepted it willingly. This world might be an exciting adventure for the strong, but for regular people, it was anything but kind. 

So, since the volcanic issue had been resolved by a powerful Marine, the people of Seiken simply carried on with their lives. If this had happened in Luffy's previous world, a town sitting at the base of an erupting volcano wouldn't just go on as normal—it would either be nearly abandoned overnight or filled with fear and panic. 

"My hat's back," Luffy patted the straw hat beside him while soaking in the hot spring. "Chopper and the others are back to normal, that explosive rock thing got taken by the Marines, so it's time for us to move on—Roman." 

Lying in the hot spring beside him, Roman pulled the towel off his face. 

"No problem. I've already contacted Franky. The Sunny is fully repaired and ready to go." 

Splash— 

"Alright! Then let's set sail!" 

Luffy, as energetic as ever, raised his fist in excitement. The others stood up from the hot spring as well, revealing their perfectly toned bodies. 

Unfortunately, they were all men. 

Except for a certain skeleton. 

— 

"Where… am I?" 

When Zephyr woke up, he found himself lying on a clean ship. He pulled back the blanket and sat up, noticing the green-tinted bandages wrapped around his body. 

Immediately, he understood his situation. 

"This… This bandage gives off a strong, revitalizing energy… Is this the Marine's new medical technology?" 

"Zephyr-sensei, you're awake?" 

Hearing movement, a woman with long, wavy sea-blue hair stepped into the room. Ai'n's face lit up with joy when she saw the sturdy old man sitting up in bed. 

"Ain… Whose ship is this?" 

A Marine to the core, Zephyr instantly recognized that he was aboard a warship. The way his injuries had been treated, and the presence of this newly developed Marine medical equipment… 

"Zephyr-sensei," 

A slow, laid-back voice came from behind Ain. A man in a yellow-striped suit appeared at the door. 

"Borsalino…" 

"So, are you here to arrest me?" 

Zephyr's voice was calm, but Kizaru simply raised both hands in mock surrender. 

"Sensei, please, don't scare me like that." 

"I'm just following orders. If you've got complaints, save them for Sakazuki."

"Sakazuki didn't send you to take my life, then? I'm curious, what made someone as stubborn as him change his mind?" 

Kizaru twitched his lips at Zephyr's question. 

"If I said it was out of respect for you, you wouldn't believe me. Actually, it was that kid 'White Dove' who convinced the Fleet Admiral. Of course, I also heard that he paid 50 billion Berries in bribes to save you…" 

"Ridiculous!" 

A Marine Fleet Admiral taking bribes? Zephyr slammed his palm on the nightstand, leaving a clear five-finger mark. But the slight upward curve of his lips betrayed his true feelings. After all, who would really want to fight their own students? 

And after his battle with Luffy, Zephyr didn't feel as hopeless anymore. 

"Zephyr-sensei," 

Kizaru walked in and handed over a newspaper. "Admiral Fujitora has officially apologized to the former royal family of Dressrosa on behalf of the World Government and admitted that the 'Shichibukai' system was a mistake." 

"What? That's impossible…" 

"So, after an emergency discussion, the World Government has decided to propose the abolition of the 'Shichibukai' system at the upcoming World Summit!" 

It was just a proposal, but in reality, it was as good as decided. When the World Government made a decision, how many allied nations would dare to oppose it? Besides, what did the fate of the Shichibukai matter to most countries? The biggest underground broker, 'Doflamingo,' had already fallen anyway. 

Zephyr was stunned. He had been so lost in despair that he had tried to destroy the world, completely ignoring outside news. And this had only happened a few days ago. As for the abolition of the Shichibukai, that was supposed to be top-secret Marine information. 

In an instant, Zephyr recalled what Roman had once told him: "Abolishing the Shichibukai"… So that kid wasn't just trying to comfort him after all? 

"Former Marine Admiral 'Black Arm' Zephyr!" 

Kizaru, usually so laid-back, stood straight with military precision, his presence commanding. 

"The Marine Headquarters is officially recruiting you for the operation to suppress the Shichibukai. You—" 

Kizaru's sharp gaze locked onto his teacher. 

"What do you say?" 

"Hahahaha!!!" 

Roman, everything is happening exactly as you said. 

I owe you… for giving me hope in my darkest moment! 

*Swish—* 

"Veteran Zephyr," 

Zephyr stepped out of bed and gave a formal military salute. 

"I accept!" 

—————— 

"Hehehe, let's have a feast!" 

"Feast! Feast!!!" 

On the newly refurbished Sunny Merry, Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper sang and danced with their arms around each other, while Law stood to the side with a deadpan expression. 

"What exactly are you celebrating? Barely surviving a fight with a former Marine Admiral?" 

"What are you talking about? I didn't lose!" 

Luffy turned to him in protest, then after thinking for a moment, added, "But that old guy was really strong. If he had held on a little longer, I would've lost." 

"I heard he had an asthma attack." 

Law rolled his eyes. Only you, the grandson of Marine hero Garp, would have an Admiral go easy on you. Anyone else would've been dead by now. 

"Let's just say we're celebrating the rebirth of the Sunny Merry," Roman suggested, rubbing his chin. 

Though the ship looked about the same as before, Roman had noticed that many crucial parts had been reinforced with 'Wapometal.' As long as they didn't run into a top-tier powerhouse, the ship should be able to sail the Grand Line without issue now.

Of course, that is, as long as we don't get swallowed by a giant Sea King. 

"Roman, bring out the meat!!" 

With Luffy's excited urging, Roman pulled out a huge amount of food and alcohol from his "Page Bag," instantly lifting everyone's spirits. 

The Straw Hat Crew's tradition: after a big battle, there must be a feast! 

"No, no, you guys just had a 'flower-viewing party' a few days ago." 

Law commented seriously. At this point, they were just throwing a party whenever they had free time. If it weren't for Roman being their generous sponsor, they'd have long since run out of food… They don't even do proper pirate business, so they just keep getting poorer and poorer, to the point of almost begging… 

"Speaking of which, is there any food that you guys don't like?" 

Since it was a feast, the topic naturally turned to food. As the one who brought it up, Nami went first. 

"I hate all canned food! Fruits should always be eaten fresh." 

So that's why you planted a bunch of orange trees on the ship? Roman calmly sipped his orange juice. Most of those oranges ended up in his cup anyway. 

"I'll go next! Me, me!" 

Luffy excitedly raised his hand, drawing everyone's attention. After all, they didn't think there was anything in this world that Luffy wouldn't eat. Could it be… 

"That one shop's cherry pie." 

Luffy frowned in disgust. 

"I absolutely hate it! Only pigs would eat their cherry pie!" 

Blackbeard: ?! 

"If we're talking about food, then it has to be chocolate." 

Zoro took a sip of his drink. 

"That stuff is way too sweet. Just looking at it makes me sick." 

"M-me! Me!" 

Chopper raised his little hoof. 

"I'm the opposite of Zoro! I hate anything spicy because it's not sweet enough! Cotton candy is the best~~" 

"Cotton candy, huh…" 

Franky grabbed his cup with the small hand that extended from his palm. 

"I never eat that stuff. It's not SUPER ~~ HARD!" 

"I don't like mushrooms." 

Usopp picked up a skewer of grilled meat. 

"I got poisoned by one before!" 

"Food, huh…" 

Robin rested her chin in her hand, thinking. 

"I don't really hate anything in particular. But if gum counts as food, then I'd say that. Since you can't swallow it." 

"Yohohoho, the thing I hate the most is lemons~~" 

Brook sighed. 

"Because I can't make a 'sour face'—though I don't have a face to begin with! Yohohoho!" 

"I hate bread…" 

Law started speaking but then paused, covering his forehead. 

"Why am I even talking about this with you guys? Right now, the Beasts Pirates and Big Mom Pirates might already have assassins waiting ahead for us…" 

"I hate konjac. It has no nutritional value." 

Sanji walked out of the kitchen carrying two plates, continuing the conversation while also turning to comfort Law. 

"No need to panic. Panicking won't help anyway. —That's not my line, it's something our strategist Roman always says." 

…Being the Straw Hat Crew's strategist sure is a despair-inducing job. 

Law turned to look at Roman. 

But Roman misunderstood his look and nodded before adding his own thoughts. 

"As for me… I don't really like alcohol. But—" 

Roman emphasized, 

"I only dislike it, not that I can't drink it. If I take it seriously, mere alcohol—" 

"Alright, alright, big guy!" x2 

Usopp and Chopper, one on each side, quickly grabbed onto him. 

Roman looked at them in confusion. 

What do they mean? Do they think I can't handle my liquor?! 

"Forget that! Look over there—" 

Following Usopp's shocked pointing, everyone turned to look. 

A colossal elephant, so massive it reached the sky and stretched across the sea, was walking through the ocean as if wading through a shallow lake. 

"We're almost there." 

Roman looked at the enormous "Naitar Lida Elephant." By his estimate, it had to be tens of thousands… No, its legs had joints like the Longleg Tribe, meaning the ocean underneath was still incredibly deep. 

"Zou."

(End of Chapter)

 ----You can read 10 advanced chapters at my patreon.com/YeyeQiu