55: Chapter 55: A New Bounty Poster Reveals the Existence of Sky IslandLeaving aside Momonosuke's tragic fate, the Going Merry was currently bustling with singing and dancing.Before them were their latest bounty posters.Except for Vivi and Robin, everyone's bounty had increased significantly.First, Luffy's increased from 90 million Berries to 200 million Berries.Then, Zoro's increased from 70 million Berries to 100 million Berries, and Sanji's from 60 million Berries to 90 million.However, the photos were still drawn, causing Sanji to mutter to himself again.Uta's bounty didn't increase much; she had only cleaned up.After a wave of fodder, Kuina's bounty increased from 60 million Berries to 70 million.Kuina's only bounty increased to 60 million Berries.Usopp and Nami each received a 20 million increase.If Vivi hadn't stopped her, Nami almost sold herself.Then came Chopper, the deer huddled in a corner, tears streaming down his face.Beside him lay a bounty poster that read: "Straw Hat Crew Pet, Bounty 50 Berries." "Why, why?I fought like a man!Why is my bounty only 50 Berries?That's not even enough to buy a newspaper!How much do the Marines look down on me?"
Chopper, clutching his bounty poster, rushed towards Luffy, tears streaming down his face.It was a heartbreaking sight, enough to bring tears to anyone's eyes.Luffy, unsure how to comfort him, could only pat Chopper's head and say, "Chopper, don't be too sad.Your bounty should at least be enough to buy a cotton candy, right?Maybe it'll go up in the next battle." Hearing Luffy's words, Chopper froze, while Usopp, standing nearby, muttered in exasperation, "Luffy, you know how to comfort people!"
Vivi, watching her companions' lively scene, was somewhat excited about how much her bounty would be after the next battle.Karu, who had secretly followed, cackled as if cheering on his master (Karu's current status was tacitly considered by Luffy as backup food).Just then, Vivi remembered something, turned around, and pulled an old wooden box from her bag, handing it to Luffy."Luffy-san," she said, "this is the Devil Fruit that Icarus mentioned before, the one passed down through generations in Alabasta.We agreed before that if you help me defeat Baroque Works, Luffy-san, we'll use this Devil Fruit as your reward."
Luffy took the wooden box and opened it.Inside lay a yellow fruit with concentric rings of ripples, its shape resembling a pineapple.Through the system's analysis, Luffy learned the fruit's name: Logia-type Black Hole Fruit (author's creation, please don't object).According to the system, it seemed to be a superior version of the Dark-Dark Fruit, possessing even stronger gravity and not being unable to transform into elements like the Dark-Dark Fruit.However, the Black Hole Fruit's elemental transformation was somewhat unique.Luffy wasn't sure if it was true or not.After playing with it for a while, he returned it to Vivi."Vivi, you're being too polite," Luffy said with a smile, patting Vivi's shoulder, his eyes filled with sincerity."We're partners, shouldn't partners help each other?" His tone was firm and powerful.
Vivi felt a warm current surge through her heart upon hearing Luffy's words.She lowered her head slightly, a hint of emotion flashing in her eyes, and whispered, "Thank you, Luffy."
At that moment, sunlight streamed through the clouds onto the Straw Hat Pirates' ship, illuminating everyone's faces.The crew gathered around Vivi, their faces beaming with friendly smiles.
"Hehe, since Vivi, you're our newest member, then we're family!" Usopp said with a smile.
"That's right, a family should take care of each other!" Nami echoed.Vivi looked up at her enthusiastic companions, a bright smile spreading across her face.At that moment, she truly felt the warmth and strength of the Straw Hat Pirates.She knew she had found a group of trustworthy partners.Looking at the Devil Fruit in her hand, she ate it without hesitation, though the strange taste almost made her vomit.Vivi, feeling the new power within her, was about to perform when Luffy, startled, quickly grabbed her hand and led her into the training space.The power of the black hole was no joke; Vivi, having just eaten the fruit, certainly couldn't freely control her abilities.It was best to let her train properly first.Vivi blushed, looking at Luffy holding her hand without pulling away.After arriving at the training space, Luffy first exchanged a Devil Fruit Side Effect Elimination Liquid from the system and gave it to Vivi.After learning about its miraculous effects, Vivi drank it slowly, as if it were a precious treasure.Luffy didn't mind; this stuff could be exchanged for one bottle in the system shop for one point, and besides, the system always rewarded 10,000 points for completing a mission.After Vivi drank the Elimination Liquid, Luffy began explaining the abilities of the fruit she had eaten and her.Vivi shared some ideas about developing this fruit.When she learned of the fruit's terrifying power, she was shocked by her earlier recklessness."Luckily, Luffy stopped me in time, otherwise I would have caused a disaster," Vivi said apologetically, patting her chest.Luffy didn't seem to mind.After creating a private training space for her, he left.Vivi began training diligently, while Luffy went to the place where Mr.3 was imprisoned.Goldenweek and the Kung Fu Dugong were left in Alabasta.The reason for leaving Mr.3 behind was that he would be very useful during the Marineford War.After leaving him enough food and water, Luffy returned to the Going Merry.After their Alabasta adventure, the Straw Hat Pirates settled into a peaceful life, encountering all sorts of people, exploring various islands, and defeating hunters seeking bounties.Vivi quickly became friends with everyone, but everyone.Everyone could sense Robin's distance from them, which Luffy found frustrating.Robin's past experiences had prevented her from fully opening up.Their peaceful days as a true member of the Straw Hat Pirates were short-lived, shattered by the sudden appearance of a giant sailing ship.After a series of greetings, they met Cricket, the descendant of the liar Noland.After Cricket told his story, they learned of the existence of Skypiea.Luffy immediately decided to head to the nearest town, Mock Town, to buy materials to upgrade the Going Merry.Sitting quietly at the bow, watching Mock Town approach, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.If he remembered correctly, Blackbeard Teach would appear here.Should he defeat Blackbeard here?Or, in his current state, was he even capable of defeating him?