Chapter 41: Planner
On the deck of the Baphomet, Luffy and the girls gathered.
Luffy looked at their reluctant faces and chuckled.
"What's wrong? Are you addicted to playing games? This is the real world—the other one is just virtual. Don't get obsessed…"
The girls' expressions were full of reluctance.
Mikita raised her hand hopefully.
"Luffy-sama, I'm just a little maid. I can't participate in crew events… can I go back?"
The other girls shouted in unison:
"You wish!"
Nami waved her hand, dispersing the gathering black clouds.
"How can you say it's virtual? It felt completely real! I refuse to believe that world was imaginary. Everything was real—even the power of Sky Lord! If abilities can be brought back, why not the whole world?"
Yasha nodded in agreement.
"Yes. I can still create the weapons I made in that world, which means everything was real…"
Kaya's gaze softened with memory.
"In that world, I saved so many lives… created so many bonds. How can that be fake? It felt more real than this one…"
Nojiko rolled her eyes, though she too felt it was real. After all, her skillset was still synced to that world. Her unlimited powers from her fans were still active.
"I was internationally famous there… and my fans were definitely real."
Zala snorted.
"Who cares if it's real or fake? That Dark Continent was too damn enticing… I barely explored a fraction before we had to return. Totally disappointing…"
Kuina also agreed.
"I saw so many people's fates and helped them change it… that world was real."
Robin, however, only smiled knowingly. She understood the truth: the world was fake. The captain's ability was simply too divine, replicating every sense and perception humans used.
But Robin was also certain of something else: the captain was bullshitting when he claimed his ability was just the Nika fruit. The others might still be blinded, but Robin, calm and astute, had already guessed it—Luffy's power was no mere devil fruit. It was some otherworldly ability never before seen in this world.
Vivi's eyes shone with emotion. As a queen in that world for months, she also refused to accept it was fake.
Mikita didn't care either way. The sweets and fashionable clothes from that world were too beautiful. Truth or lies—who cares?
In short, the girls had little interest in the "real" world anymore.
Luffy didn't mind their disbelief. In a sense, that world was indeed a prototype. By the end of his plans, it would become real—and might even replace this one.
His plans had only just begun.
A deafening explosion suddenly echoed across the sea. A massive mushroom cloud rose over Little Garden.
The girls snapped from their reminiscing, eyes widening in shock.
Nojiko exclaimed, "What a powerful explosion!!"
Robin's expression turned contemplative.
"Has Mr. 3 finally acted against the giants…?"
Mikita blinked in surprise.
"Mr. 3 is on that island? Planning to hunt the giants? Can he even do that?"
Robin replied calmly, "Mr. 3's strength isn't in brute force or his fruit. It lies in his plans and tricks…"
The girls stared at her, unimpressed.
"Plans…?"
Robin nodded.
But the others didn't understand. For them, power alone decided everything.
Robin sighed helplessly. Teenage girls with superpowers always underestimated cunning.
Luffy felt offended. Why are they looking down on smart people?
So he decided to make a point.
He conjured a coin and let it dance across his fingers, rolling smoothly left and right.
The simple act caught their attention—even Robin's. She quickly realized Luffy was displeased with their ignorance. She shifted focus back to him.
"Let me ask you a question. Heads or tails? If I tell you to choose, what will you pick?"
The girls answered without hesitation.
"Heads!" "Tails!" "Tails!" "Heads!" "Neither!"
Some even tried to act smart by choosing a nonexistent "third option."
Luffy smiled coldly.
"That's what a gambler does—choosing a side and relying on luck, or on skill to twist the odds. But a planner doesn't choose. He recruits three people and makes each of them pick one of the three possible options.
A planner accounts for every possibility. He always has B, C, and D plans ready. A planner rides the trend to his advantage. He doesn't fight head-on—he strikes when you're at your lowest. He uses tricks to drive you mad, and always leaves himself a way out…"
Nojiko's eyes widened.
"That sounds… sinisterly powerful."
Nami paled. It was hard to guard against an enemy lurking in the dark.
Zala snorted.
"What bullshit. Any planner can still be crushed by force."
Luffy's face darkened. Robin burst into hearty laughter.
The others quickly shut up, not daring to seek death like Zala.
As the smoke cleared, the island's state was revealed—and the sight shocked them.
The island looked overturned. Colossal trees had been uprooted, leaving the land bare. From this distance, the girls could clearly see the bloodied bodies of the two giants.
Kuina gasped.
"No way… the giants were actually defeated…"
Yasha and Kaya narrowed their eyes.
The air was thick with advanced poison, and the explosives used were far too sophisticated for this world.
Both glanced at Luffy in shock but stayed silent.
No wonder the captain got angry when we belittled planning… he was talking about himself.
They then spotted Mr. 3's silhouette—lifeless on the ground—and a small, slightly injured girl.
They gulped.
The captain had erased all evidence, but spared the girl. So kind…
The giants weren't dead either. Surely the captain had his reasons. Self-brainwashing themselves, they avoided Luffy's teasing eyes.
The others, less observant, had no idea.
The rescued girl, upon seeing Robin and Mikita, felt relieved.
She recounted what happened: She had drawn "betrayal spots" on the ground with her ability, forcing the giants to clash according to Mr. 3's plan. Then, Mr. 3 had planted explosives beneath them.
When the giants struck each other and were stunned, the bombs exploded. But Mr. 3 hadn't expected his explosives to be so powerful. He died instantly.
The giants, tough as they were, survived with serious injuries. The girl, standing behind one of them, had been shielded and survived unscathed.
Luffy sighed dramatically.
"What meticulous planning. Sadly, he was an idiot. Why stay near the battlefield?"
The girls shivered.
To think the giants were hit with betrayal, poison, and explosives—a terrifying combo. Even Garp might have burped from that.
Luffy walked toward the fallen giants. They were paralyzed but conscious, aware of what had happened.
He called out:
"Kaya, hurry up and save them. These giants are our friends."
Kaya looked at Luffy in a daze.
The captain is terrifying...
Luffy watched Kaya healing the giant duo and sneered inwardly.
Elbaf… Oh, Elbaf…
Rather than letting the World Government bully you, let me be the one to fleece your worth. Please, bleed for my divine ascent…
As the pieces fell into place one by one, Luffy couldn't help but shiver at the vision of a world war plunging everything into disarray—and of the hero who would put an end to the era.
Initiating his own — MYTHICAL ERA...—