Chapter 40: Virtual Fun.
Virtual World – Uncharted Lands
Roar!!!
A deafening roar echoed through the vast, verdant virgin forest, shaking the ground as colossal trees were uprooted by the sheer inertia of its echo.
"Zala! It moved again! This time its core is at the center of its eyebrow—don't miss it!!"
The hurried shout came from Kuina, hovering high above in a pale-golden kimono with a crystal-like crown resting on her head. A silver katana gleamed in her grip as her sharp eyes locked on the beast below.
The target was a towering behemoth, nearly one kilometer tall. Its form was monstrous—a dragon's black-scaled head fused with skeletal wings, all perched atop an elephantine body.
The black dragon-beast roared in agony as a massive sword wound carved through its torso, but its flesh knit back together with frightening speed.
Facing it head-on was Zala—but not the Zala everyone knew. Her once-green hair was now stark white, her pupils glowed purple. Encased in a sharp, metallic-black armor, she radiated menace with twelve black wings spread wide, a black halo hovering over her head, and a suffocating purple aura wrapping both her and her blade like a second skin.
"Roger. This time, it won't get lucky…"
Zala licked her lips, excitement flashing in her eyes as the raging beast thundered toward her.
Its speed was unreal—the sound of its hooves lagged behind its movement.
Zala's eyes widened as the monster's gaping jaws snapped shut around her.
Her body was brutally mangled, blood spraying as her defenses shattered like glass. In front of this monstrosity, her armor was nothing. For an instant, Zala thought this creature could probably bite through even the Red Line itself.
Kuina's expression twisted with helplessness as she watched Zala's body scatter in the air.
But then—Zala's half-torn torso, still clutching her sword, moved.
Her blade ignited into a blinding purple laser, its speed surpassing sound—nearly touching light itself. The moment it flashed, a deep, gaping hole exploded through the monster's forehead.
The beast staggered, its lifeline severed. With a final crash, it collapsed into the earth, creating a seismic wave that rattled the forest for miles.
Silence followed.
Kuina descended toward Zala's torn remains, her voice tinged with irritation.
"Ever since you got this ability, you've completely thrown caution to the wind. Are you… actually enjoying pain and death?"
A purple glow surged from Zala's scattered flesh, instantly restoring her body as if nothing had happened. She chuckled lightly.
"Hell's Lord's fundamental power is immortality, death-immunity, and Hell's Breath. Only by playing with death do I sharpen my control over it."
Her tone shifted with a trace of envy.
"Your ability isn't bad either—Fate Breaker. You can see others' fates and shatter them. You can turn mediocrity into genius, the unlucky into chosen ones. You even see what no one else can. No wonder your swordsmanship rivals the Captain's when he defeated Hawkeye. You can literally cut through the essence of things."
Kuina laughed softly.
"No, no—your Hell's Breath is devastating. There's nothing it can't corrode. And your death-immunity lets you enjoy life-and-death battles without fear…"
Zala rolled her eyes.
"This area is cleared. Let's see if the beast left any magical keys in its lair."
Kuina brightened, quickly following her.
Magical keys were treasures that could be carried into the real world—granting LOGIN authority, Conceptual Armaments, hidden knowledge, or rare weapons.
In short, they were surprise boxes with infinite potential.
Far across the virtual world, a black fighter jet roared across an endless ocean, breaking the sound barrier.
Storm clouds brewed in its path, towering like mountains. Yet the pilot had no intention of avoiding them.
The jet spun, dived, and danced between lightning strikes and hurricane winds, moving with a daring grace.
In the cockpit, Nami grinned like a child on a roller coaster.
The jet weaved through deadly storms, dodging lightning and tearing past tornado funnels as if they were nothing.
Only when its fuel ran dry did Nami finally leap from the cockpit, letting the jet crash into a remote island in a fiery explosion.
As she free-fell, a blue-gold aura wrapped her body. Her outfit shifted into a resplendent empress robe, a golden crown upon her head.
With a flick of her hand, the raging weather bent to her will. Storms vanished, skies cleared.
Hovering like a sky goddess, Nami chuckled.
"Sky Lord suits me perfectly. Nojiko's definitely going to scold me when she finds out I destroyed another fighter jet just for fun…"
Well, A game that only the top of the pyrmaid could afford to play...
Elsewhere, in the heart of a dazzling fashion event, cameras flashed wildly as Nojiko walked the runway. At 180cm, dressed in flawless attire, she radiated charm that made the crowd lose their breath.
She didn't crave the spotlight—but her ability demanded it.
As Sister Idol, anyone charmed by her—even slightly—fell under her power. Their skills, their talents, even their Conceptual Armaments bent to her command.
Only Luffy, who had created the ability himself, was immune.
On a luxurious yacht, under the warm sun, Sanju lounged in a bikini, arms wrapped around by adoring beauties of every kind.
She looked utterly smug.
"Gene Lord really is the best. I can charm women with hormones, grow whatever I want… though that damn Luffy sealed it… tch, whatever."
Life was perfect. A sea of women, endless affection. For Sanju, paradise.
Deep underground, in a hidden military base, Yasha immersed herself in creation.
Her ability, Lie Truth, was supposed to make lies real. But nerfed, it instead turned even fake designs into functioning reality.
A doodled time machine? She could build it. A formula for super soldier serum? She could produce it.
Nations lusted for her power. But with Luffy's protection, none dared touch her.
This lab was her sanctuary. Here, she could create freely, turning imagination into reality.
Meanwhile, Kaya had risen to fame as a doctor of miracles.
Nicknamed Hand of God, her Conceptual Armament, Recovery, allowed her to rewind time itself on a body. Injuries, illnesses, aging—undone with a touch.
The world's elite courted her favor desperately. Earning her smile was equivalent to extending one's lifespan.
Unlike Yasha, Kaya was safe and adored, sheltered by those who valued her gifts.
Robin, meanwhile, who sacrificed her world trait and devil fruit, had scattered her clones across the globe, scouring ruins, museums, and archives.
Her ability: Secrets Lord.
Her existence, her location, her body—all hidden in veils of secrecy. And her clones were obsessed with uncovering more secrets, unraveling the world's mysteries.
In a quiet library, Robin closed a book and whispered in awe:
"To think this world's history mirrors our own… is there some hidden link? Luffy-sama truly is a god… creating worlds, powers… what a miraculous man. The thought we remain connected fills me with joy."
Her cheeks flushed with a dreamy blush.
In a desert kingdom reminiscent of Egypt, Vivi stood proudly before pyramids.
Her ability, After world trait sacrifice, Queen's Domain, granted her omnipotence and omniscience within her territory. With Luffy's help, she had toppled the nation's corrupt regime and risen as sovereign.
Mikita, in contrast, walked leisurely through Parisian streets, eating sweets and trying on dresses.
Her power after world trait/devil fruit sacrifice was simple—gravity control. Decent, but paling before the grand abilities of her sisters.
Still, Mikita wasn't ambitious. For her, fashion and sugar were enough.
Inside Luffy's mansion, a sharp voice rang out.
"Ethan Hayes! This marriage contract is void! I won't marry you! Caleb Vance is my true love!"
A beautiful heiress, born of Luffy's thoughts, stood defiantly before him.
Luffy's expression twisted with pain.
"Chloe… you can't. You know I love you. Caleb Vance doesn't deserve you."
Chloe's eyes blazed.
"Shut up! So what if you're the strongest man in the world? So what if you rule this world? Caleb Vance is a million times better than you!"
Luffy raised a brow, intrigued.
"Oh? And how exactly is he better?"
Chloe's face softened into a dreamy smile.
"He's kind, innocent… and brave."
At that moment, Baphomet's voice echoed in Luffy's ear, joined by the other girls.
"Little Garden is in sight."
Time flowed differently in this world. Though months had passed here, only a day had gone by outside.
Luffy sighed.
"It's already that time…"
He looked back at Chloe.
"Chloe, I love you. But since your heart belongs to Caleb Vance… I can only give up. I wish you happiness."
Shocked, she froze—but quickly left without questioning.
Moments later, Luffy's phone buzzed.
"Caleb babe, I told him! Ethan Hayes won't bother us anymore. We can finally be together."
Luffy smirked and typed back.
"Sorry Chloe. I'm going abroad. I already reconciled with my ex. I wish you happiness."
He chuckled.
"Pfft… and block. What kind of expression would she make? These cheesy Chinese AI romance dramas from my past life… brain-rotting, but addictive."
With that, his figure flickered, vanishing from the virtual world along with the others.