Luffy Clap

Please give a review •⁠ᴥ⁠• The main character is reincarnated into the death Luffy, I wish you a pleasant reading Π⁠ωΠ

Finn, who had traveled here, turned out to be Luffy's real brother. "My younger brother wants to be the Pirate King," Finn mused. "So, as the older brother, I have no choice but to become the Marine King!" He accessed the god-level selection system and saw the options: "1: Find a mate for Sengoku's sheep. Reward: Zoan Sheep (Common Breed)." "2: Befriend Sengoku's sheep. Reward: Zoan Sheep (Ancient)." "3: Steal Sengoku's sheep and roast it. Reward: Zoan Sheep (Phantom Beast)." "Tell me," Finn said with a mouthful of delicious roasted lamb, "do I really have a choice here?"

In the mystical realm of Eldoria, where magic flows through the air and ancient creatures roam the lands, a child is born under extraordinary circumstances. Alex Marquis, the third prince of Aranthia, enters the world with snow-white hair and piercing blue eyes, marking him as someone destined for greatness. From a young age, Alex displays remarkable magical abilities, mastering the elements and forming a bond with a mystical dragon named Drakon. As Alex grows, he is trained by his parents, King Alaric and Queen Seraphina, and his siblings, the formidable warrior Prince Cedric and the wise healer Princess Elara. His journey takes him to the prestigious Royal Academy of the Empire, where he joins other gifted students to hone his skills and uncover the secrets of his destiny. At the academy, Alex forms deep bonds with his roommates—Marcus, the fiery warrior; Elara, the graceful mage; and Liora, the mischievous rogue. He also catches the eye of the Empire’s first princess, Isabella, whose beauty and intelligence captivate him. Together, they navigate the challenges of their studies, uncover ancient mysteries, and face the looming threat of a dark force rising in the shadows. Whispers of the Demon Army’s return spread fear throughout Eldoria, and Alex realizes that his destiny is intertwined with the fate of the realm. With the power of the Guardian’s Heart and the support of his friends and loved ones, Alex must confront the darkness and become the beacon of hope that Eldoria desperately needs. “Shadows of the Blue-Eyed Phantom” is a tale of magic, friendship, and destiny, filled with intrigue, adventure, and the timeless struggle between light and darkness. Join Alex on his journey as he discovers his true potential and fights to protect the world he loves.

After getting struck by a lightning, A girl transmigrated into a fantasy world as a powerful Princess. The Princess of Fyn was infamous for her scandalous reputation. Whispers painted her as a shameless and frivolous woman who treated men like disposable trinkets, casting them aside as soon as someone more handsome caught her eye. Rumor had it she kept a harem of thirty-six men! When the Crown Prince of a wealthy kingdom arrived to end their engagement, he didn’t mince words. "I don’t like you. Let’s break up." To his surprise, the princess beamed with delight."Okay." Next came the Demon Prince, known for his ruthless demeanor and striking looks. "You’re not good-looking enough to be my bride," he sneered. "Let’s call this off." The princess responded cheerfully, "Sure thing." Then, the Dragon Prince—the man celebrated as the most handsome in the world—delivered his verdict. "You’re a vile woman. I don’t like you." The princess clapped her hands in excitement."Good, good! I feel the same!" After breaking off thirty-two engagements, the princess ascended the throne. Free at last from the chains of marriage, she eagerly embraced her dream of living as a carefree "salted fish." Who needed men when there was good food to enjoy? But her peace didn’t last long. The very next day, a crowd of handsome men gathered at the palace gates, their expressions filled with regret. "We were wrong! Please take us back!" The princess crossed her arms and sighed. "There's too many of you " " You can put us all in Your Harem!" The Princess declared " But I don't want a Harem! "

Jason is an above average man until he dies and meets God gets wishes and goes to the world of One Piece looking for adventure and obviously women. First fan fic please don't judge I'm new to the writing stuff and bad at creating stories

The grand doors of Edelweiss Swordschool creaked open, revealing a vast courtyard surrounded by towering spires and the impressive silhouette of the castle. Lein stood at the entrance, his eyes wide with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. He adjusted the cloak around him, feeling the warmth of the earring given to him by his father's old swordmaster. As he stepped forward, a hand clapped down on his shoulder, causing him to turn. A fellow student, a girl of his age with fiery red hair and a mischievous glint in her eyes, grinned at him. "Hey there, new kid! You must be Lein, right?" she said with a playful tone. Lein gave a nod, managing a small smile. "Yes, that's me. Lein von Hrunting." "I'm Elara. Welcome to Edelweiss!" She gestured to the sprawling campus. "Come on, I'll show you around and help you get settled." As they strolled through the courtyard, Elara pointed out the training grounds, the library, and the various towers where students attended classes. Lein couldn't help but marvel at the sheer scale of the school. "So, why did you come here?" Elara asked, glancing at him. Lein hesitated for a moment before replying, "My father believes I might have a talent for being a Spellblade, like him. He arranged for me to study here." "Ah, a Spellblade! That's impressive. You'll be training with the best of the best," she said with a grin. "That being said, you'll be expected to beat them if that is truly your goal." They reached the entrance of the castle, and Elara opened the door for Lein. The interior was just as imposing as the exterior, with polished marble floors and towering pillars. As they walked through the corridors, Lein couldn't shake the feeling that all eyes were on him. Elara led him to a room with a wooden door bearing the emblem of Edelweiss. "This is your room," she announced, pushing the door open. Inside, Lein found a neatly arranged space with a comfortable bed, a small desk, and a window that offered a view of the surrounding mountains. His luggage was already placed by the bed. "Your stuff arrived earlier. We've got a few hours before the welcoming ceremony, so take your time settling in. If you need anything, I'll be around." Elara said, giving him a friendly wave before heading out. Alone in his new room, Lein took a deep breath. This was the beginning of a new chapter in his life. As he unpacked his belongings, he couldn't help but wonder what challenges and adventures awaited him at Edelweiss Swordschool. Little did he know, the journey ahead would test not only his skills but also the mysterious power that lay dormant within him. The cloak of anonymity provided by the earring would prove to be both a blessing and a curse in the days to come.

In the dark, under a strange-looking tree, a lady around twenty-something could be seen clenching her stomach and looking pitiful. She seemed to be in pain and was breathing heavily. Above her in the sky, the color was very black and blurry. Rain started falling, and the thunder was clapping loudly and violently. The wind was very thick, slapping everything harshly. The lady stood with the support of the tree, using one hand to prop herself against the tree and the other hand to hold her stomach tightly. She breathed out and continued moving weakly. "Seems like I'm not going to escape this. What type of poison is this?" she wondered. She unbuckled her belt to relieve some pain, then sat down somewhere and groaned while her hand wandered around on the wet ground until it made contact with something. She picked it up and saw the object with the help of the lightning. The thing was round like a bead, and something joined them together. She did not care about what it was and just swallowed it. She was going to die anyway, at least she ate something. She could not figure out the taste of the thing, but it was surely not normal because as soon as it made contact with her throat, it felt very hot, as if she had drunk hot water that had not cooled. "Sh*t! Even in death, my luck is still very bad," she muttered. She was still lamenting when her aching stomach suddenly stopped aching. She did not have the chance to rejoice when her stomach started swelling up, getting bigger and bigger. It was as if it wanted to burst but, alas, it didn't. She could feel herself in labor. She groaned until something escaped her body - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. She was relieved from both the poison pain and her swollen stomach pain. When she looked at what she had given birth to, she was shocked. Eggs. She had given birth to eggs. And there were six. What happened to the eggs? How did their journey begin? read the full novel. update time:6:00pm *by love gold*

Jump into the fun as Strawhat pirates, Luffy and Zoro Travel to a new world to stop an evil warlord from taking over the entire world.

Same story as in the original manga but Luffy eats the Mera Mera no mi instead

Fu Youngchan is an award winning actor. He was known as 'The Multifaceted Genius' in the entertainment circle due to the variety of roles that he played in every movie or series. Every character that he plays, struck to the hearts of many people due to the genuine feeling that Youngchan was able to make them feel. He reached the peak of his popularity at the age of 31. And is currently receiving the Grand Slam title for winning all 3 of the major film awards. He said his carefully written speech on the stage accompanied by the claps and admiration of the people around him. He then left the stage carrying the trophies contentedly. When the awarding ceremony finished, he came home and slept with a smile on his face. But when he woke up, he was in an empty white room with an overly enthusiastic system with him. Eh?

[No NTR, Netorase, Lot of Lemons] Ryan traveled to another world with 'Blood Slave System'. As long as Ryan obtains the other party's blood by non-violent means, the system can make the other party form a blood covenant with Ryan. After forming a blood covenant, Ryan can gain absolute control over the other party's body, making it live or die with one thought. The ultimate mission of this system is to Recover the Dormant Magic Energy in this world. So, let's see Ryan conquer different women while completing the ultimate mission.

Ryan traveled to another world with 'Blood Control System'. As long as Ryan obtains the other party's blood by non-violent means, the system can make the other party form a blood covenant with Ryan. After forming a blood covenant, Ryan can gain absolute control over the other party's body, making it live or die with one thought. The ultimate mission of this system is to Recover the Dormant Magic Energy in this world. So, let's see Ryan conquer different women while completing the ultimate mission.

"So please tell us, sir. What is your greatest weakness?" "Losing my wife", he grinned. The hostess smiled, "Aww, that's beautiful. What will you say is your greatest strength?" "Having my wife". "Okay sir, last question... How would you describe your wife?" His lips grew into a devious grin, uncontrollably holding the hand of his heart's desire. "The best dream no man but me deserves". The entire audience clapped in adoration. Delia smiled, glancing at her husband then back at the interviewer. The hostess then asked, "And sir, bonus question, how would you describe your marriage?" "A condom". Delia, his wife, then chipped in, "A paranormal one, at that". "One that none of us can escape, unless we go boom!" He smiled. • • • The son of a powerful western empire, Dilen Liam, has to prove his innocence against false racial accusations by dating a dark skinned girl; all to save his family's name and businesses. Unfortunately, things go beyond haywire when he gets intertwined with Delia Alan Ada, a Nigerian girl cursed yet gifted with the supernatural ability to see the future and speak to the unseen. Their attraction grows stronger and deeper beyond race and ethnicity, enclosing them in a paranormal condom-like romance. But all cards are played when their faith and love are put to the test — against powerful diabolic forces beyond their worlds had ever imagined. Romance. Paranormal. Horror. Urban. Politics. BWWM. Demons. Conspiracy. African. Nigerian. American. Cult. Power couple.

Eldritches, Abominable creatures that originated from the deepest depths of the earth, they were dark creatures that hid and lurked under the cover of night searching for prey, they devoured anything who dared to roam the world under the light of the moon, they would slowly creep towards you and sneakily spread their long, noxious, tentacles around you and strangle you as they slowly moved you toward their maw, then they'd pull their tentacles back and little ridges on them would tear your body apart and you would fall into deep into the abyss that was their large, miasmic maw. Humanity prayed to their gods for millennia yet their gods had not answered, not until one day, when mankind was at the brink of extinction did they finally receive their blessings. From Zeus, The Authority Of The King From Poseidon, The Will Of The Creator From Adonis, The Soul Of Rebirth From Apollo, The Spark Of Liberation From Heaphestus, The Seal Of Confinement From Hercules, The Emergence Of Unembellished Power From Hestia, The Seed Of The Hearth From Artemis, The Bestial Sapien From Hecate, The Soul Of Mysticy From Hades, The Woke Of The Soul From Athena, The Spirit Of Conquest From Ares, The Body Of Savagery These 12 blessings were the cornerstones of the Eldritch Slayer path, a path forged by the hands of both mortal and divine, with these, humanity would be able to combat their foe, however, this was many many years ago, nowadays, Eldritch were the least of problems. --------------------------------------------- "Trixion, from behind you!!" A deafening scream resounded through the continent of war like the clap of thunder, though the noise did little to put a stop to the endless bloodshed occurring on the crimson continent. The one who had been alerted of an incoming attack, Trixion tried to look back at the perpetrator of said attack however the attack had already reached him and he was unable to react to it anyway. "You were a worthy opponent, Krimson Khaos...." To be a worthy opponent to the Scaled Prince, The Golden Dragon, of the Empyreans was truly commendable, yet to Trixion who looked down at the scaly arm piercing through his torso it seemed like more of an insult, an insult that brought him rage. Trixion attempted to move however the poison within his body wouldn't let him, after all, what led to him managing to get pierced like this. As Trixion slowly passed he started to accumulate his energy within his body, within a second his body was full to the brim with energy, soon he would burst into a bunch of blood pieces, and burst he did. "W-what are you doing?!?!" The Scaled prince hastily removed his arm and attempted to dash back but it had already been done. Trixion busted into hundreds of little pieces each piece of his body was supercharged with energy and thus was incredibly durable, it would pierce through many Empyreans and go undamaged, even more, he made it so that when it came in contact with anything it would burst even more it was like a bomb with shrapnels that that acted like a bomb. That act had killed nearly 10 million Empyreans and from then on out he was known as a hero to the whole world, he was someone who even in his final moments managed to bring the enemy to their knees. They were correct however it was not in his final moments it was in the final moments before the end that led to his new beginning. However, Trixion wasn't the only one who would begin once again, for Dendracove, The heir to the Driconite Empyreans would accompany him in his journey, as this was the story of both the Krimson Khaos, The Lord Of Strife, And The Golden Dragon, The Scaled Prince Of The Empyreans.

It's a different Luffy with a system of course I'll make them strong

Hong Yi, a battle-hardened squad leader, had seen his fair share of fighting. Alongside his comrades, he fought tooth and nail to protect the remnants of humanity in a dying world. But one brutal encounter took a terrible turn. Witnessing his entire squad fall before him, Hong Yi blacked out, the world fading into oblivion. When he awoke, everything had changed. Hong Yi found himself in a strange new reality, inhabiting an unfamiliar body. To his further shock, a strange system was now lodged in his brain. This bizarre world, he discovered, was governed by a social hierarchy – Alphas, Betas, and Omegas. Hong Yi, now had to mend broken family relations with along side with managing a company and saving his family from potential treats. In between fulfilling system's task, everything seemed to be fine until: As Hong Yi savored his meal, his mother dropped a bombshell. "A-Yi," she declared, "it's high time you gave me a grandchild!" Hong Yi choked, sputtering in surprise. "But Mom," he stammered, "I'm not even married!" A sly smile played on his mother's lips. "Who said you have to be married to have grandchildren?" she said, leaving Hong Yi utterly bewildered. *** "Brother Hong," a voice purred. Hong Yi looked up to see Yun Fei, a man with an overly flirtatious air, practically draped across his office desk. "You don't love me anymore," Yun Fei whined, batting his eyelashes dramatically. Hong Yi stared at him, completely bewildered. "Why won't you mark me?" Yun Fei pouted, inching closer and slipping into Hong Yi's lap. Before Hong Yi could even stammer out a response, Yun Fei pulled him in for a kiss. Hong Yi,: Let me speak *** Hong Yi felt a warm weight settle on his chest. Glancing down, he saw Yang Xu snuggled close, a contented smile on his face. A gurgling sound came from beside them – a baby nestled in a crib. "Alpha," Yang Xu murmured sleepily, "how many more kids do you want? Don't you think you've had enough already?" Hong Yi sputtered. "Me? You're asking me?" He gestured wildly at himself. Yang Xu, oblivious, simply placed the baby back in the crib before collapsing back onto Hong Yi. "It's fine," he mumbled, burying his face in Hong Yi's shoulder. "As you're my Alpha, I'm happy to comply with hubby's wishes and give you one more..." Hong Yi : no one is listening to me. *** Hong Yi flipped through a file, his brow furrowed in concentration, when a voice broke his focus. "Mr. Hong," Jing Hao started, a suggestive tone creeping into his voice, "what do you think of me?" Without looking up, Hong Yi replied, "Jing Hao, you're a valuable asset to the team. Hardworking, dedicated..." "But Mr. Hong," Jing Hao interrupted, throwing the file aside. He then proceeded to climb onto Hong Yi's lap, completely ignoring the startled yelp. "Being good isn't getting me anywhere. Especially not with you." Jing Hao began unbuttoning his shirt with a practiced ease. "Maybe," he continued in a husky whisper, leaning closer, "being a bad boy will finally get your attention." Before Hong Yi could even attempt to pry himself free, Jing Hao sealed his lips with a forceful kiss. Hong Yi: Can I at least get a word in? *** A loud clap echoed through the room. "Wow, Hong Yi," Yang He exclaimed, clapping his hands sarcastically, "what a loving family you have! You certainly know how to keep things lively." A dangerous glint flickered in his eyes. "But you promised me I'd be your only one," he growled, yanking Hong Yi closer by his tie. "What happened to those promises you made, huh?" Hong Yi : There's no point. No matter what I say, they won't listen. *** ML who is dense as brick wall when it comes to matters of love x MC who can't keep hands to themselves. warning: this is a blharem in omegaverse and story revolves around protagonist gong. And MC collects protagonist shous as ash collects his pokemon.

In the midst of her anxiety and curiousity, the spinning wheel slowly came to a halt. The pointer dangled in-between God of Education, Harem making and National Scholar systems. Shu Wa'er inwardly cheered and clapped when the pointer reached the 'National Scholar system', but it didn't stop there. She took a heavy breath when the pointer slowly reach, 'Harem making system.' "Move move move, yesh yesh!." She excitedly screamed as the pointer moved away from Harem making system and reached the God of Education system. Then it paused. Just as she opened her mouth to scream in excitement, the pointer suddenly fell back to 'Harem Making system.' She choked abruptly, coughing with reddened eyes. "Congratulations! You have obtained the harem making system!." The baby fox announced joyfully, expressing happiness for its lucky client. Shu Wa'er was dull. She could see her God father shaking his head in disappointment and walking away from her. She tried to stop him but she couldn't. She could also see her Queen status flying off along with him.

WSA 2024 entry book! [NO HAREM] ...... “Will you marry me? “ *clapping* “No!” *silence* “.... WHY? “ "No reason other than my love for him." ........ Bittu was rejected by his fiancee on the day of their marriage, right before the assembled crowd. The weight of such public humiliation coupled with the despair of lost love was crushing. It shattered him. As the apocalypse descended and others gained powers, discovering his own lack of abilities intensified his feelings of inadequacy and isolation. It compounded his existing depression, driving him further into despair. As his mind unraveled into madness, a flicker of imagination emerged, birthing something fantastical and otherworldly within his tortured psyche. Yet, whether this newfound creation would be a source of salvation or damnation remains uncertain. Walking in this new world filled with uncertainties, How would his life be? Would it sublime or would it take a turn for the worst? ....... https://discord.com/invite/B29PZr4D

She had to keep her true identity hidden and trust only a few people. But some secrets are always meant to be revealed, some fates are not meant to be changed. Can Kara Cahill accept her fate and let the prophecy run its course? ■■■ Out of the woods, wolves emerged, snarling and growling. Kara sighed. "Without knowing who I am, she made this move. I wonder how it would be if she knew who I truly was." She whispered to Klaus and stepped out. The snarling wolves' sound covered whatever she was saying so she couldn't be heard.. "You will not treat me like a fragile glass." He nodded but grabbed her hand first and said, "I've seen what you can do. Changing into a wolf partly. You will teach me when this is over." Nodding she replied. "Okay. But you'll tell me about anybody who is a somebody in the pack and out." "Deal, now let's kick some wolf butts." He grinned and they were back-to-back. The first wolf attacked and Kara slammed her arm into its jaw. It bite her and drew blood. "No more nice new girl." Her eyes flashed white for a second and she attacked. Her speed could not be matched and the onlookers couldnt look away. She slammed jaws and her nails left marks on the faces of some of the wolves. She was a sight on the field. Careful not to kill anyone, Kara pushed the last person the the ground and stood snarling. Klaus howled and patted her on the back. "Mad skills you got." His smile was wide as his eyes twinkled. Mara clapped dramatically and narrowed her yes at Kara. She sneered. "I agree, you can move... against amateurs."

"Why does the universe seem to be against their love?" she cried as she watched the nurses pull him into the ER. He was barely breathing when she was pulled away. Tears stream down her red eyes. her heart ached, the feeling of something sharp clawing against her chest non-stop. "He would live, Anna" her best friend Kate assured. She admired her faith. She was the one who should have been shot, not him. how could Allen do this to her? if he really loved her as he claimed, why did he have to go to all these lengths to take away the only person who gave her real joy? love comes in different shades. "Where is Ray, I heard what happened!" Eunice screamed down the hall as she ran up to where Anna stood. “Excuse me, I’d go get us some cup of coffee, it’s going to be a long night.” Kate walked away. Anna turned with disgust written all over her. She was surprise as to how much of an actor Eunice is. “I know that you had a hand in this and you come here crying?” Anna claps; “Bravo, you should have been an actress, Eunice.” She added. Eunice turns, she looked around and when she was sure the hall was clear she spoke. “Oh Anna, I didn’t do anything. It has been you. I warned you to go back to whatever slumps you crawled out of but you decided to play Cinderella.” “Why? You are old enough to be Raymond's mother?” Eunice chuckles; “Leave while you still have feet. That bullet was meant for you.” Eunice added before walking away. Did she make the wrong choice to fall in love? How did it all start and why did it get to this? What are the shades of love? Find out as you trail with us in this Amazing, thrilling, drama filled, romance novel.

It is the Journey of Blaze who Reincarnated as Luffys Twin brother

# DAILYFAMILYLIFE # PRETENDTOBEAFOOL Yuan Bao transmigrated through ancient times and became a family's only daughter in three generations. Her nickname was Jiaojiao, while her actual name was Bao. This had all the makings of the life of a pampered heroine.But suddenly, an official’s daughter came to the city.This lady was the first born child, but her own mother died earlier and her father remarried. She wasn’t welcomed, so she was sent out of the city.“There’s a sense of foreboding!” Yuan Bao said to herself.A certain brother looked at the next door lady, a sad look on his face. “Little sister, look at how pitiful she is. Can’t you show some compassion?”Yuan Bao raised her hand, a plot armor on top of her head. “She’s pitiful? She’s well-fed and clothed, why would you need to pity her?!”“Well said!” Her grandparents, parents, and her many siblings all clapped their hands in applause.A certain young lady who was well educated and balanced: “Spoiling a child is like killing them! You should educate your sister properly!” A certain brother glared. “My little sister is beautiful and kind-hearted. Who has spoiled her?!”

Luffy and Zoro awaken in two different parts of East Blue, both with the same thing on their mind. Protect the crew. There would be no failures this time around, Captain's orders. As bits and pieces of the unknown past that the two comrades share are gradually revealed, the rest of the crew can only speculate. For all their absolute resolve, they're hiding something.

A crew of rookies hit the sea with the strives of rebellion and the dream of piracy. follow captain Lion D. John and his crew the cracked head pirates named after the pirates scar, set in the one piece world before the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and the straw hat pirates - fanmade

In a sprawling metropolis, where the pursuit of materialism and superficiality reign supreme, a mysterious figure named Ethan is cast as an outcast, shrouded in rumors of malevolence. But behind his enigmatic exterior, Ethan carries a burning desire for righteousness, a longing to awaken a world blinded by mediocrity. One evening, in the heart of this materialistic society, Ethan stumbles upon a clandestine gathering of like-minded individuals. United by a shared vision of a better world, they dare to challenge the status quo. However, even within this hidden alliance, skepticism shrouds Ethan's true intentions. With newfound allies by his side, including Sarah, a passionate artist, and David, a philosopher thirsting for wisdom, Ethan embarks on a journey to unveil the hollowness of their world. They organize protests, write thought-provoking essays, and use their unique talents to challenge societal norms. Yet, opposition is fierce, and Ethan's unwavering conviction is often misunderstood as stubbornness. As their movement gains momentum, they face backlash from those who profit from the existing system. Even Ethan's own friends and family cannot understand his divergent path. Relationships strain, and Ethan finds himself isolated, carrying the weight of his mission alone. But then, during a pivotal protest, Ethan's words resonate with the crowd. His impassioned speech reveals his genuine commitment to justice, piercing through the veneer of darkness that surrounds him. The essence of humanity and truth begins to surface, transforming perceptions and kindling hope. Former adversaries start to question their values as they witness the positive changes in the city—the rekindling of hope, the blossoming of genuine connections, and the revival of dormant wisdom. They join Ethan's cause, adding their skills and perspectives to the movement. The alliance grows stronger, united by a shared vision. The city itself undergoes a profound transformation as people redefine success, seeking fulfillment beyond material wealth. Wisdom becomes a cherished possession, and genuine human connections are treasured. The essence of humanity and truth, long forgotten, resurfaces like a long-lost melody in the city's cacophonous symphony. As the city awakens to its deeper values, Ethan embarks on a path of personal redemption, confronting the shadows within him. His dark reputation fades, replaced by one of a righteous warrior fighting for a noble cause.