Author: Xiao Yifeng
Translator: PapaSmurf0700
"I'm hungry! I want it!" Luffy shouted eagerly, not waiting for Bai Ye to fully explain the pills' functions.
Luffy swiftly reached for the pills, but - SMACK! - Bai Ye slapped his hand away. "Take only one, you bastard!"
Zoro picked up a pill and asked with a smirk, "What's the special effect this time?" Zoro had taken several of Bai Ye's remedies in the past: a healing pill, a blood-enriching pill , even a potion he called 'spirit wine'. They'd always helped, so without hesitation, he popped the pill into his mouth.
Nami and Usopp, both naturally cautious, waited for Bai Ye to explain further. Sanji, too, looked expectant.
Seeing their curious faces, Bai Ye chuckled and said, "It's nothing major. It'll just boost your physical abilities several times and unlock some of your hidden potential."
He waved his hand dismissively, adding, "Really, it's nothing to fuss over." But his smug look made it hard for Nami and the others to take him entirely at his word.
Usopp commented, "Is it just me, or is Bai Ye acting a little too... full of himself?"
Nami agreed, "I was thinking the same thing."
Sanji nodded, "Me too."
Still, they couldn't ignore the potential power of the pills. If Bai Ye could produce these en masse, creating an army with enhanced strength, it could spell trouble for the navy and the world government.
Realizing this, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji also took a pill. What they didn't know was that for Bai Ye, creating these seventh-rank pills was no simple task. Even if he could make them in large quantities, he wouldn't. Having more people with enhanced abilities meant having more potential rivals, and that was the last thing he wanted.
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Luffy suddenly cried out, making a noise like a gorilla. He was the first to take the Marrow Cleansing Pill, so he was also the first to feel its effects. His face turned bright red, and steam started rising from his body. To Bai Ye, this reminded him of Luffy's "second gear," a state where Luffy's hands and feet would pump faster, accelerating blood flow to strengthen himself. It was similar to being on an adrenaline rush.
The primary purpose of the pill was to enhance physical strength. Using the "second gear," Luffy could fully absorb and benefit from the pill's properties. Bai Ye believed that, with the pill's help, Luffy might maintain this heightened strength even without triggering the second gear.
Watching Luffy's transformation, Bai Ye felt pleased. Now, Luffy would be more than ready for his showdown with Rob Lucci at Water 7.
"Ahhhh! I'm burning up! I need water!" Luffy yelled, feeling the intense heat from within.
Spotting a pool in Arlong Park, he dashed towards it, ready to dive in. But just before Luffy hit the water, Bai Ye quickly used a technique called "Ice Lotus Flower" to freeze the pool's surface. In their original adventures, Luffy had a tough time in this pool while fighting Arlong. But with the surface now frozen, Luffy could safely stand on it.
Bai Ye began, "Luffy, if you exert yourself, you might dispel the pill's effects..." but then, thinking quickly, he changed his advice. "Hey Luffy, see Arlong? Take him down! You'll cool off after you beat him!"
Arlong's face was a mix of surprise and confusion.
Luffy, though confused by Bai Ye's initial words, definitely grasped the latter instruction:
BEAT HIM UP
Luffy quickly locked on his target. "Arlong! Get ready because I'm coming for you!" he shouted. Gomu Gomu no Pistol
Luffy's fist flew out, landing a heavy punch on Arlong's face. It wasn't that Arlong didn't try to dodge; he just couldn't move quickly enough. Stunned by the force behind Luffy's punch, he thought to himself, "How can someone from East Blue have such power? It feels like a force from the Grand Line!" But he had little time to ponder as Luffy's punch sent him crashing into a nearby house, raising a cloud of dust and debris.Luffy wasn't done. He charged towards the rubble, attacking fiercely.
"Arlong!" Octopus Hatchan, another member of the Arlong Pirates, quickly drew his eight swords, preparing to intervene. But before he could move, he was met with three fast-moving blades. Struggling, he managed to deflect them, only to find Zoro, another member of Luffy's crew, standing before him. Zoro, feeling a rush of newfound strength, confidently declared, "I'm your opponent now!"
-----
Elsewhere, Chew, an officer of the Arlong Pirates, readied his unique water cannon attack. But just as he was about to release it, Sanji's foot connected with his face, stopping him in his tracks. Landing gracefully, Sanji lit a cigarette, looked at Chew, and said with a smirk, "My feet are feeling particularly twitchy today."
Meanwhile, Usopp and Nami began to experience the effects of Bai Ye's pill. Muscles started to form on Usopp's once slender frame, making his clothes feel tighter. Giddy with newfound strength, he grabbed his slingshot and set about taking down Arlong's crew. Using his Million Gunpowder Star technique, he felt as if his vision had improved, although, in his overexcitement, he missed his targets. Undeterred, he decided to engage them up in close range.
Similarly, Nami felt the pill's effects. In addition to her physical improvements, she subconsciously started to make small changes in the environment around her, though she was too preoccupied to pay attention to it. Grabbing a stick, she joined Usopp in battling the remaining fish-men.
-----
Bai Ye surveyed the scene and noted, "It seems you're the last one." His gaze settled on the lone fish-man, Kuroobi.
When their eyes met, Kuroobi responded with a defiant snort, preparing himself for battle. Among the fish-men, aside from Arlong, Kuroobi was known for his impressive karate skills. He was especially formidable when fighting in water. However, the frozen water around them, courtesy of Bai Ye's abilities, unsettled him. The man facing him exuded an aura of strength.
Bai Ye caught onto Kuroobi's hesitation and flashed a reassuring smile. He tried to sound comforting, "No need to be concerned. I assure you, this will be over quickly." Pausing for effect, he added with a twinkle in his eye, "Trust me, I'm not a bad person."