Shanks suddenly remembered something, his hand instinctively moving to his empty sleeve. In the past, Shanks had sacrificed his arm to save Luffy, staking it on the era he believed in.
"New Era...Nika..." he murmured, lost in thought. From his conversation with Rayleigh, he'd learned that Luffy's Devil Fruit powers seemed to have vanished. Shanks couldn't believe it. How could the power of the Nika Fruit, of all things, just disappear?
But based on Rayleigh's account, it seemed likely that Luffy's abilities truly were gone. Whether the effect was temporary or permanent remained unclear, leaving Shanks uneasy and deeply concerned. But there was nothing he could do now—only wait and hope.
"Luffy," Shanks spoke softly, almost to himself. "Don't let me down."
At that moment, another figure approached. A man with a cigarette in his mouth, similar in stature to Shanks: it was his first mate, Benn Beckman. Sensing his captain's distress, Beckman asked, "Shanks, what's going on? It takes a lot to put you in a mood like this."
Shanks replied simply, "Nothing, Beckman. Just thinking things over."
Beckman looked at him with surprise but then chuckled, knowing Shanks well enough to understand that he rarely shared his burdens. He took a drag on his cigarette, shaking his head as Shanks gazed silently toward the sea, lost in his thoughts.
---
Meanwhile, Luffy lay in bed, thoroughly enjoying his dream-like state. Though he couldn't move, he was having a fantastic time resting, free of responsibilities and training. "If only Rayleigh would just leave me alone for good," he thought, chuckling to himself. "Then I wouldn't have to train, and I could just do whatever I wanted."
Though he knew this wasn't quite the attitude of the "previous" Luffy, he reminded himself that he wasn't that Luffy anymore. His former self was barely connected to who he was now. Whatever happens—let it happen. He would go with the flow.
But there was one regret: he was famished and unable to eat. Just as he was lamenting this, he sensed someone approaching—a woman carrying what smelled like a delicious feast.
"Luffy!" the female doctor called softly. "Can you hear me? I need you to try to swallow; it'll help you recover."
Holding a juicy piece of meat, she brought it close to his lips, the aroma wafting over him. Luffy's anticipation skyrocketed. He could almost taste the savory roast, the tender chicken, the rich spices…
He tried to move, desperate to eat. But his body refused to obey. Frustrated, he cursed silently. Then, unexpectedly, he felt a strange warmth radiate through his body, soothing and invigorating. The meat melted in his mouth, nourishing him without chewing or swallowing. His hunger eased, and a comfortable warmth spread throughout his body.
"Is this...the power of Conqueror's Haki?" he wondered, realizing that it was helping him absorb the food and even aiding in his healing.
Eating to heal injuries? It seemed ridiculous but was undeniably effective. Luffy chuckled at the thought. This power could make anything possible—full stomach, healing, even training. What more could he ask for?
The female doctor, however, was taken aback. She had barely placed the food in his mouth, and somehow it had disappeared without Luffy even chewing or swallowing. It was eerie—like a kind of magic.
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T/N:
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