During his two weeks with the Red-Haired Pirates, Kaito Sakamoto discovered a flaw in the duplication fruit.
If a person possesses multiple abilities, such as fruit powers, martial arts, marksmanship, swordsmanship, Haki, and observation (Conqueror's Haki cannot be duplicated), then Kaito could only replicate one ability at a time.
As mentioned earlier, once replicated, the ability could only be used once. For technical skills, this was manageable; after replication, he could easily grasp the basics. However, for fruit abilities, after using the duplication, he would have to replicate it again to use it a second time.
Beyond these two outcomes, there was another factor: physical constitution.
No matter how skilled one is, all abilities require a strong physique to support them. Unfortunately, Kaito had been burdened with a "fragile constitution" buff by the system. Working out on his own would take too much time.
Thus, in the future, he planned to set sail with Luffy, continuously replicating Luffy's physical prowess, using it once and then replicating it again. After all, who in the pirate world could compare to Luffy's physical strength? He was practically invincible, like a cockroach that couldn't be squashed.
As for the abilities Kaito had duplicated from the Red-Haired Pirates over the past two weeks—that would be a story for another time, but they would certainly serve as capital for his future adventures at sea.
...
"I will become the King of the Pirates!"
Inside the bar of Makino, Luffy stood on a central table, declaring his dream with fervor.
He had wanted Kaito to join him up there, but Kaito had declined, leaving Luffy wondering why.
After three seconds of silence, the bar erupted with laughter.
Makino looked at Luffy with a fond smile, clearly unfazed by his antics.
"Hahaha! Little Luffy really has big dreams!"
"Hahaha! Do you really have what it takes, little Luffy? The sea is incredibly dangerous!"
"Of course! I've become a rubber man! Even if I'm useless on land for my whole life, I'm still awesome!"
"And Kaito has agreed to be my crewmate! He's really strong!"
Luffy stretched his mouth wide open, showcasing his rubber fruit ability.
"Is that so? Then we support you! If you become the King of the Pirates, our village will benefit too! Hahaha!"
The villagers treated Luffy with warmth.
"Benefit?"
"What's so great about being a pirate?"
"Sure, becoming a rubber man is quite impressive, but so what?"
"I've told you many times not to become a pirate! Luffy, don't bring shame to our town!"
"That captain seems pretty reasonable! But don't associate with him anymore!"
The old mayor, wearing a striped hat and pants, with a hard exterior but a soft heart, entered. He struck the ground with his cane, expressing strong disapproval of Luffy's pirate aspirations.
Luffy completely ignored him, covering his ears and sticking out his tongue in annoyance.
Once the mayor finished speaking, Luffy immediately responded, "I don't care! I will definitely become the King of the Pirates!"
"You! Say! What! You want! To be!!"
"Luffy!!!"
In a voice that felt like a demonic chant, Luffy suddenly forgot that today was the day Garp was returning. Kaito had forgotten as well, having spent the last few days studying fruit abilities.
The voice felt like a spell, and Luffy seemed cursed, turning rigid as he looked back to see Garp standing at the bar's entrance in a black suit.
"Grandpa, I..."
Luffy felt a bit guilty because Garp's fists were no joke, but feeling the hat on his head somehow gave him confidence.
"I will become the King of the Pirates!"
Garp's forehead immediately furrowed, clearly annoyed. So, this little brat isn't even trying to hide it anymore, huh?
Garp walked slowly into the bar and approached Luffy. The bar fell silent as everyone watched them.
He looked at Luffy, then quickly shifted his gaze to Kaito.
"Kaito, didn't I tell you to keep an eye on Luffy? And you let him hang out with that red-haired gang?"
Kaito felt guilty. He secretly wished Luffy could hang out with Shanks and the others.
Not knowing how to respond, Kaito chose to play dumb. He climbed onto the table to stand next to Luffy, raising Luffy's hand triumphantly.
"Luffy will definitely become the King of the Pirates! I support him! We will find the great treasure!"
Luffy smiled widely, clearly happy to have someone support him.
But Garp's expression darkened, and a vein popped up on his forehead.
"You two little brats!!!!!"
.....
"Damn it! That hurts! I'm rubber, so why does it still hurt? Let me go, Grandpa!"
On the mountain road of Korbo, Garp had one child in each hand.
He held Kaito in his left hand and Luffy in his right. Oh, there was nothing on his back.
Garp yanked Luffy up by one side of his face while Luffy continued to hit Garp's thigh in protest. Kaito didn't dare to resist, knowing they were probably headed to Dadan's house.
Garp spoke sternly, his disappointment clear.
"You two little brats, the King of the Pirates, the great treasure! Have you been brainwashed by that red-haired guy?"
"Leaving you in that unreliable Windmill Village was a mistake. I thought you, Kaito, would be more sensible. I forgot you're just a kid too!"
"Seeing your fruit ability, I thought it was a good idea to keep you here. But it turns out you've also been brainwashed!"
"You and Luffy, Ace, will only become excellent Marines in the future!"
Kaito: "Yes, yes, yes, you're right."