And a very hardworking, diligent, frighteningly perverted scientist.
He even dared to casually modify his own body. How could that not be perverted? How could it not be terrifying?
"Don't die out there, Franky!"
"If being a pirate doesn't work out, come back here! We'll always welcome you!"
"We wish you success in bringing back your companions!"
As one congratulatory voice after another rang out, a confident smile appeared on Franky's face. He straightened his bowed waist and looked at everyone with a grin. "Of course! I'm Franky!"
As he spoke, amid the laughter, Franky turned around. Instead of walking straight into the elevator, he struck his signature pose, feet spread apart, both hands raised, his upper body slightly leaning to the right. "Oh, super!"
Then, with a dashing appearance, he walked into the elevator.
...
At the same time, the other Straw Hat crew members who had been sent to various parts of the world also successively received the news.
Some gripped the three swords in their hands, a look of anticipation on their faces; some let out wails, exclaiming how it was so fast; some directly burst into song, even somehow pulling out a violin from who knows where and playing it with their sword; and some had long since been unable to wait to see their companions again.
Everyone was looking forward to their reunion.
As for Marine Headquarters... Although there was still a week until the public execution, in order to ensure that the execution would proceed smoothly, Marine Headquarters had already begun taking action.
"Have all the branch bases in the various seas been notified?"
"They've already been notified!"
Hearing Fleet Admiral Sengoku's question, Tsuru nodded with a serious expression. "The branch fleets set out a week ago. Some of the closer ones have already arrived. For those farther away, they still need some time, but they should arrive within these two or three days!"
"Very good, but still urge them to arrive as soon as possible. We can't be sure whether those guys will patiently wait until the day of the public execution."
Sengoku nodded in satisfaction, then immediately asked: "What about the Whitebeard Pirates? Any movement?"
"There's been no movement, and it's said that the Whitebeard Pirates have been holding banquets these past few days, staying in their territory, drinking every day, and not moving an inch!"
"Not moving an inch? Would those guys behave so well? Don't joke with me. Keep a close eye on them!"
"Understood!"
"What about the Seven Warlords of the Sea?"
"I've already notified them and ordered them all to arrive within this week."
"Very good!"
"However, Sengoku..."
Vice-Admiral Tsuru looked at Sengoku helplessly, with a bitter smile at the corner of her mouth. "The Seven Warlords still haven't been fully assembled, and Gecko Moria was previously defeated by the Straw Hat crew!"
"That waste!"
Sengoku's face darkened at the mention of this. After so many incidents, the Seven Warlords were still not at full strength.
Dracule Mihawk, Boa Hancock, Edward Weevil, Sir Crocodile, Jinbe, and the recently defeated Gecko Moria... They were still one short of being fully staffed.
Sengoku took a deep breath and then looked at Tsuru. "What did the World Government say?"
"The World Government said they could let Donquixote—"
Before Tsuru could finish her sentence, veins appeared on Sengoku's forehead. He glared at Tsuru and said angrily, "Impossible! That guy must absolutely not be released again. Tell the World Government that it doesn't matter if the roster isn't full. Those guys can't affect this war at all anyway!"
"This is an order from the World Government."
Looking at the furious Sengoku, Tsuru revealed a bitter smile but still conveyed the order issued by the World Government. "The Donquixote Family has already been destroyed, and next the World Government will place him under special management to prevent him from acting recklessly again!"
"You should know how dangerous that madman is!"
Sengoku said with a gloomy expression. "Do you really think that guy will obediently follow the World Government's orders?"
"I'm not sure, but this is the World Government's order, and..."
After sighing helplessly, Tsuru spoke with a meaningful tone: "He is a Donquixote..."
"Donquixote?"
Sengoku sneered mockingly. "Don't joke. Those Celestial Dragons in Mary Geoise don't acknowledge him. Tell the World Government my demand: We absolutely can't release that madman!"
"Alright, I understand!"
Hearing Sengoku's resolute stance, although Tsuru's heart was filled with helplessness, she didn't say anything more. She could only nod gloomily.
"I'll report your intentions to the World Government."
"Arrange the upcoming defenses within Marineford. From now on, Marineford enters first-level combat readiness. No Marine is allowed to enter or leave Marine Headquarters at will."
"And starting today, except for authorized ships, all other vessels are strictly forbidden from approaching Marineford. Also... Have the marines in Impel Down keep a close eye on Marshall D. Teach. Don't let any accidents happen at a time like this!"
"Understood!"
After receiving the orders, Tsuru stood up. Since the report was finished, she needed to go down and arrange the work.
In order to deal with the various possible accidents that might occur next, she would be very busy during this period.
After Tsuru left, Sengoku let out a heavy breath and sat back down.
Lowering his head, he looked at the bounty posters on the table, his expression uncertain. "The Straw Hat Pirates... will they come?"
At this moment, there was still one week until the public execution.
…
"Luffy, Sanji!"
"Franky!"
"You've changed quite a bit, you know!"
Sanji took the cigarette from the corner of his mouth and looked at Franky, who was hugging Luffy and had grown much bulkier, with surprise.
"What have you been eating during this time?"
"I found some new technology and modified myself a bit."
Hearing Sanji's words, the corners of Franky's mouth curled up, and a flash of light gleamed across his gleaming white teeth. "I'm very strong now, I am..."
Striking his signature pose: "Oh, Super Franky!"
As Franky's words fell, the afterglow of the setting sun shone down on him, and in an instant, his entire body refracted a unique light, like the radiance of a powerful being, adding several degrees of presence.
Even Luffy and Sanji were stunned.
"So cool!"
Luffy's eyes sparkled as he looked at Franky, who was gleaming with metallic luster. "You really do look much stronger now, Franky!"
"Of course, and I've even prepared a secret weapon!"