Chapter 184: Returning to Sabaody Archipelago
The Straw Hat Pirates passed through the treacherous Florian Triangle unimpeded, thanks to Rodney taking down Moria. With Rodney guiding them, there were no major incidents during their journey.
However, the calmness of the adventure left Luffy feeling bored. It was far from the kind of excitement he craved.
"Isn't this good?" Rodney said as he sipped his drink.
"We're about to reach Sabaody Archipelago, and we'll be parting ways there. If you want to enter Fish-Man Island, you'll need to find a coating mechanic. Luckily, I know a guy, and here's the price..."
"Is it expensive?" Nami leaned in and asked.
"What do you think? It's a matter of life and death, but his coatings are absolutely safe. As long as nothing unexpected happens, you'll be able to enter the New World without a problem," Rodney said with a smile.
"My advice is to find a place to train for a while. At the very least, you need to master Haki. Otherwise, going there will be a suicide mission."
This was Rodney's advice to Luffy, although Luffy always had a feeling that even without Haki, he could get by with his protagonist's luck. But not everyone had a protagonist's luck like him.
"I don't really want to stop," Luffy scratched his head, wearing a troubled expression. He genuinely didn't want to stop because it would make things boring.
However, he understood that he had to heed Rodney's advice. They were no match for the challenges they would face in the New World without Haki.
"Rodney, can you teach us Haki?" Luffy shouted.
"I refuse!"
"Why?"
"Because it's troublesome. Besides, that coating teacher also knows Haki, and he's no pushover. My Haki was taught by him. If you can afford the tuition, you can learn it too."
Luffy couldn't help but wonder if he might not need to pay tuition fees himself, given his straw hat's unique abilities.
The mysterious straw hat, with its inherent freeloaders' aura. Roger took Rayleigh and his ship, Shanks took Usopp's father, and Luffy ended up with a group of people. If he hadn't acted quickly, Robin would have been gone too!
"Is that teacher really that strong? I'd love to meet him," Luffy's eyes lit up with excitement as an island appeared in the distance, which was Sabaody Archipelago.
Rodney downed the rest of the bottle and stood up.
"We've arrived, everyone. Welcome to the Sabaody Archipelago, a place all pirates must pass through. There might be other pirates on the island. I wonder if I'll run into that pirate I want to meet. I'd love to have him in my collection, but that's probably impossible."
The Going Merry stopped at the 41st Bubble off Sabaody Archipelago. They disembarked, eager to explore this mysterious Bubble Island.
"It's amazing! So interesting!"
Luffy jumped onto a bubble and maneuvered around on it, quickly reaching the treetops. However, as soon as he left the unique climate of Sabaody Archipelago, the bubble burst, and Luffy fell to the ground without harm.
Rodney pointed at him and said, "This is a textbook example. Bubbles lose their special properties when they leave the climate of Sabaody Archipelago."
Luffy brushed off his pants, unharmed. Under Rodney's guidance, they each rented a bubble car and headed for Shakky's Rip-off Bar.
It was the same as before, with a bunch of rookies loitering on the stairs of the bar.
"Shakky sis, I've brought some guests."
"Ah, Lil Joestar, you've brought some guests," Shakky, holding a cigarette, walked over and saw Luffy's group. She smiled and said, "Isn't this the recently famous little Monkey D. Luffy?"
Initially, they had only paid attention because Luffy was Cap's grandson, but lately, Luffy's reputation had spread far and wide.
Due to the inability to find the true culprits behind the incidents, the World Government had directly pinned the blame on them, labeling them as ruthless criminals who destroyed the Judicial Island.
"Do you know me?"
"Of course, who doesn't know your group now?" Shakky took out a stack of wanted posters, and on them were the bounties for the Straw Hat Pirates.
Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, Monkey D. Luffy: 450 million Berries!
Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro: 150 million Berries!
Cat Burglar Nami: 20 million Berries!
Sogeking (Usopp): 40 million Berries!
Black Leg Sanji: 60 million Berries!
Tony Tony Chopper, Straw Hat Pirates' Pet: 50 Berries!
Because they had directly destroyed the Judicial Island this time, their bounties had increased even more. However, Chopper's bounty was still 50 Berries, making Nami laugh. Every time they bought a newspaper, she had to spend twice as much on Chopper.
Chopper, with the lowest bounty, was leading a life of luxury.
Having seen their own bounties, the Straw Hat Pirates were not particularly surprised. Becoming famous on the Grand Line was easy—just get a bounty issued by the Marines, and you're set.
"So, Lil Joestar why did you bring little Monkey D. Luffy and his friends here? Is it for information?"
"No, I don't need any information now. Is Rayleigh still not back?"
"Not yet. You might be able to find him at the Human Auctioning House. Do you need him for a ship coating?"
"Nah, I'll pass. I find it boring. I just want to be a layabout here for now." Rodney lay on the couch, adopting the famous "lying flat(1)" posture.
"I think it's quite comfortable to laze around here. I've been getting moldy on the ship these past few days. You guys should stay away from the Celestial Dragons when you see them. If you get caught, I won't save you."
Rodney waved his hand, indicating he didn't want to get involved.
At least for now, he had no desire to get involved in anything. He wanted a peaceful life, without running around aimlessly. He would stay in Sabaody Archipelago temporarily.
"Hey, shall we explore the island for a while?"
Luffy asked excitedly as he noticed that his crewmates were in shock.
"Rayleigh? Wait a minute, you don't mean..."
"Just a coincidence, right?"
"No, it couldn't be. How could the right-hand man of the Pirate King be operating under the Marines' noses?"
Luffy, who had yet to read many books, didn't recognize the name Rayleigh. However, his crew had more cultured members who were quick to enlighten him.
"Idiot, Rayleigh is the right-hand man of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, Silvers Rayleigh! Haven't you heard of him?"
"Nope!" Luffy said, his excitement unabated.
"Wow, he must be incredible if he's the Pirate King's right-hand man! It's so exciting! Let's go find Uncle Rayleigh!"
He led his companions out of the bar, eager to explore the island. Finding Rayleigh was no longer a top priority.
Compared to meeting Rayleigh, Luffy was more interested in having some fun on Sabaody Archipelago.
"Captain, do you think they'll really find Mr. Rayleigh?"
"Who knows?" Rodney chuckled mysteriously.
"Fate is an inexplicable thing."
He believed in the bond between Rayleigh and Luffy. They would meet sooner or later, even if it wasn't today, it would be soon.
Robin recalled the true history she had seen on Skypiea, the words engraved by Roger. She also wanted to meet Rayleigh and uncover the truth of history. However, she looked at Rodney, who exuded a carefree atmosphere and smiled, shaking her head. She chose to sit beside him, leaning against his shoulder.
Watching the couple leaning on each other, Shakky couldn't help but smile, puffing on her cigarette.
"Ah, youth..."
Ratoon's Note:
lying flat-minimal ambition