"That's right, this is the ability of the explosion man you just encountered."
Roman nodded, confirming Luffy, Nami, Zoro, and Vivi's guesses, as they stared in shock with their jaws dropped. Roman pointed to the book in Nami's hand and continued.
"This is scientifically based."
??
"As we all know, Devil Fruits change the life factors of the eater, which is DNA..." Seeing the confused faces, Roman had to rephrase.
"Just think of it as changing the eater's physique, bloodline, or something like that."
"According to old Vegapunk's theory and practice, it's possible to extract the abilities from a Devil Fruit eater's life factors using technology to create 'artificial Devil Fruits,' so based on this..."
Facing four faces that looked like they were in a high-level math class, Roman had to simplify again.
"Simply put, this book 'Thieves' Ultimate Skill' is actually a part of my body that I 'separated' using my ability. It has 'living' characteristics and can provide nutrients and maintain the activity of the drawings made with the explosion man's blood inside the book."
"This way, the book provides 'energy' through me, the explosion man's blood provides 'ability,' and it attaches to the biological blank paper—"
"This allows Nami to use that guy's ability. Did you understand?"
"Yes, yes." X4
Great, seeing the four pairs of 'intelligent' eyes, Roman gave up on further explanation.
"In short, just think of it as me 'drawing' the ability and giving it to Nami to use."
"Got it, got it~~"
You understand nothing!
"But, Roman."
Nami frowned. Although she didn't understand the principle, she noticed some key information.
"Since this book is essentially part of your 'body,' won't it affect you?"
"And when I use this book, it consumes your 'energy,' right? Will it..."
"Don't worry,"
Roman waved his hand.
"I just don't want to see you slacking off during battles."
"Although this book is something I made, the 'materials' are just some fat and muscle from my body. Losing it won't affect me much. — As for the consumption, don't mention it, such a weak ability won't consume much from me."
However, this is just a temporary measure.
Roman had already planned the next 'enhancement' route, which he believed would greatly improve Nami's combat power. — Relying on Nami's Clima-Tact with its long wind-up time for battles was less effective than Roman's straightforward book.
Besides, who knows where the materials for the Clima-Tact are now.
As for the flesh and blood used to make the book?
What a joke, Trafalgar Law dared to use his heart as collateral and could still chat and laugh with an empty chest. Today, I'm cutting some fat and muscle to make a book is no problem at all.
"Alright, at least Nami has some self-defense now—"
"But,"
Hanging the 'equipment' Roman made on her waist, Nami still couldn't smile.
"This doesn't help with our current predicament at all... Roman, didn't you say those Seven Warlords of the Sea could destroy nations with a wave of their hand?"
Roman seriously stroked his chin.
"Destroying a country with a wave of the hand is a bit exaggerated, but destroying a city is still easy."
"See,"
Nami looked utterly hopeless, "We don't stand a chance..."
"Ahem, everyone."
At this moment, the man with the codename Mr. 8, whose real name was Igaram, appeared carrying a few dummies.
"I'm sorry for dragging you into this, but there's still time—"
"Let me take a direct route to draw away the pursuers, while Princess Vivi takes your ship on a regular route. Although it will pass through a few islands, it should be safer."
"Uncle, your disguise is too..."
Roman stepped forward and patted him, making the already injured Igaram smile wryly.
It was indeed a plan, using bait to draw fire and letting the princess quietly return to her country. But:
Roman discreetly glanced at the nearby wall:
There was a rotating eyeball, and not far away, an ear!
Dazzling
Ear-opening
That was Robin's 'Hana Hana no Mi' ability, which meant—everything they did was under the control of that intellectual beauty.
——————
"Princess Vivi, I'm leaving, please take care."
"You too."
Entrusting the princess to a group of pirates they had just met, who were even 'enemies' half an hour ago, was a helpless move. But someone like Luffy could easily win people's trust, as if he was born to see through a person's true nature.
"Hahaha, that uncle is really interesting."
Facing the ship carrying a few dummies and Igaram sailing away, Luffy's cheerful smile remained unchanged.
"Yeah, I've always trusted him."
...
"Let's go, we—"
Just as Luffy and the others turned around, a loud explosion suddenly came from afar!
Boom!!
They turned back abruptly, only to see—
A sea of fire.
The ship that had just left had disappeared in the flames and the ocean!
"How... how is this possible?"
Vivi stared in shock at the scene before her. That was someone who had accompanied her growing up, like family...
"...No... no, how could the pursuers arrive so quickly?!"
You're wrong, princess.
Roman lowered his eyes; the pursuers had never left! However:
Roman looked at the captain sinking into the flames. Even if Robin didn't save him, that uncle wouldn't die. When Roman patted his shoulder earlier, he had secretly covered him with a stack of paper.
Although not as strong as the 'Paper Dance - Iron Armor' on himself, it was enough to withstand an explosion.
In the explosion, flames soared into the sky!
"Nami! Is the Log Pose ready?"
Faced with Luffy's shout, Nami was stunned for a moment before reacting.
"Yes... it's ready."
"Roman! Zoro! Set sail—"
"No problem, captain."
"Nami, take that girl, let's go!"
With that, Luffy ran towards the nearby building, where Usopp and Sanji were still lost in their dreams.
Hehe, that's why.
Luffy is always reliable at critical moments—just now, even Roman hadn't thought of the 'Log Pose,' but the usually carefree Luffy mentioned it first.
---
"Vivi, hurry up, if we're discovered..."
Nami ran towards the blue-haired girl staring blankly at the flames on the sea, but the expression on her face made Nami stop.
Regret, helplessness, blood flowing from her tightly bitten lips...
Just like the old Nami!
Smack.
Nami pulled her into a hug, not knowing what to say, she just patted her shoulder.
"Don't worry, we'll get you to Alabasta."
---
"Hurry, hurry, set sail..."
As Zoro raised the anchor, Roman hoisted the sails and turned the helm, and Luffy came running, dragging Usopp by the nose and Sanji by the leg. He looked speechless, "These two guys, how can they still be sleeping at a time like this?"
No, no, they look more like they passed out, right?
Seeing Usopp and Sanji being dragged along, faces covered in blood and eyes rolled back, Roman twitched his lips.
Oh well, as long as they're not dead.
With Nami, the blue-haired princess named Vivi, and her mount 'Karoo': a rideable land duck, all aboard, the Going Merry slowly left the dock, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Of course, by 'everyone,' it was just Nami and Vivi.
As for the others:
"Hey, hey, hey, why are we setting sail in such a hurry? So many beauties... I mean, such a nice town..."
"Yeah, yeah, aren't we pirates? It's okay to take it easy... it's not even dawn yet..."
Facing the loud protests from Sanji and Usopp, Zoro sighed with his arms crossed.
"Someone explain it to them—"
Bang, bang!
"Explained."
Ah—
Seeing Sanji and Usopp's heads smashed into the deck, Vivi, witnessing the 'Straw Hat Pirates' style of explanation for the first time, didn't know what expression to make.
Nice, she's already able to use the 'Thief's Extreme Art' so easily.
Roman nodded.
The second page of that book depicted the ability of Miss Valentine's Kilo-Kilo Fruit, which allowed the book's weight to change between one kilogram and ten thousand kilograms. Although not very useful, it was:
Quite handy for making certain crew members shut up (physically).
"It's getting foggy, be careful~~~"
"Dawn is almost here..."
As everyone focused on sailing, a mature and intellectual voice interrupted.
"Ah— it's great to escape from the pursuers."
?
"This ship is nice."
??
Clang,
"Who!"
"You are—"
The crew turned around to see, sitting on the second-floor railing of the ship, a mature woman with long legs crossed, wearing a cowboy hat, vest, leather skirt, and high boots. She rested her chin on one hand, looking at the crew with interest.
"You... how are you here?"
The only one who recognized her, Vivi, trembled as she looked at the newcomer.
"Miss All-Sunday!"
————————
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