Chapter 204Rumble!!Dozens of heavy cannons roared in unison, and a sky-darkening barrage of shells tore through the air with a deathly shriek, descending upon the thousand sunny like a black cloud!The dense barrage seemed intent on tearing the entire ship and this stretch of sea to pieces.This was the threat of Marine artillery."This is bad!"Bonney's expression shifted. With artillery fire of this scale, even if the Straw Hat Crew were individually powerful, they would be finished if the ship were destroyed.She instinctively wanted to use her ability to do something.Just then, a familiar and energetic voice rang out across the sea:"Gomu Gomu no Bajrang Gun!"Luffy, having just finished his fierce battle with Zephyr, had somehow landed steadily on the bow of the thousand sunny.His right arm swelled into a Rubber giant, then retracted. Black and red lightning from Haki Infusion intertwined crazily with white flame clouds, and then he unleashed a strike towards that deadly barrage!Boom!!A massive shockwave with a diameter far exceeding the previous ones, mixed with the power of Haki Infusion, collided instantly with the barrage like a shockwave piercing through heaven and earth.Total annihilation!The moment the shells made contact with that black and red shockwave, they vanished without a trace, like snow meeting the scorching sun!The shockwave continued unabated, carving a deep trench across the sea surface and destroying the sails and parts of the superstructure of several Marine warships in the distance.The sea suddenly fell silent.Luffy landed steadily on the deck and clapped his hands."Everyone, the obstacles are cleared! Set sail, let's go!""Huh?"Bonney stared blankly at Luffy, then at the devastated Marine fleet in the distance, and her own ship, which was nearly destroyed.Her brain couldn't process it for a moment.She hurriedly rushed to the side of the ship, looking anxiously in that direction, "Hey! Straw Hat! What about Zephyr?"Luffy pointed to the large wooden planks floating on the distant sea and a burly yet hunched figure being hurriedly rescued onto a Marine ship, saying casually:"Just an old guy with asthma who couldn't catch his breath halfway through the fight."It was about time for him to retire; why risk his life for that pension money?...On the other side, Zephyr, who had been rescued onto a lifeboat by Ain and his subordinates, coughed violently, his face turning an unhealthy shade of blue-purple.He struggled to take off his broken glasses and looked in the direction the thousand sunny was heading, his gaze complex.No matter how strong the Haki, humans are ultimately human, made of flesh and blood.Except for true monsters like Garp and Whitebeardwho possessed nearly inhuman physiques, no matter how powerful a normal person was, time and illness would ruthlessly erode them.In the end, Zephyr was just an old man in the twilight of his life, who had dedicated his life to justice but was now suffering from illness.His high-intensity battle with Luffy, especially the final stage of withstanding the fierce onslaught of Gear 5, had greatly exhausted his stamina and energy. He was already an old guy with asthma; if Luffy hadn't sensed his abnormality at the last moment and intentionally restrained his power—or rather, intentionally ended the fight—Zephyr's current state would likely be much worse, perhaps even life-threatening."Teacher! Quick, oxygen!"Ain hurriedly pressed a portable oxygen mask over Zephyr's mouth and nose.Zephyr grabbed the mask and took a few greedy, forceful breaths, and his heaving chest, which seemed ready to burst at any moment, finally calmed down a little.He leaned against the ship's railing, put down the oxygen mask, and closed his eyes wearily.After a long while, looking at the sea surface that was gradually returning to calm, he sighed softly:"What a terrifying kid."He really did learn Haki Infusion....The thousand sunny, having moved far away from that chaotic sea area, sailed on the now-calming waters.On the deck, the eyes of the Straw Hat Crew were all focused on their new guest—Jewelry Bonney.Having experienced the thrilling battle and Luffy's overwhelming performance just now, Bonney's group couldn't help but feel a bit nervous as they faced the scrutiny of the Straw Hat Crew.Bonney's heart was in turmoil at this moment.She had originally thought Luffy was just another Supernova like herself, perhaps slightly stronger at most.But having witnessed him defeat the former Admiral Black Arm Zephyr and effortlessly neutralize the fleet's barrage, she realized deeply that the World Government and the Marinedesignating Straw Hat as a great pirate with a bounty of hundreds of millions was no empty claim.This guy's strength had completely surpassed the scope of the Supernovas; he was a powerhouse who could truly stir up the New World!Chapter 291Would such a powerful pirate save her out of the kindness of his heart?Bonney didn't believe in free lunches.She tried to appear calm, but her slightly clenched fists betrayed her nervousness.After all, she was just a young girl who had just set sail, and she said, unable to contain her unease:"Straw Hat, what is your purpose in saving me? Speak!"To be honest, it was only because she had encountered Luffy and his crew; if it had been any other pirate, they wouldn't have told her directly even if they really had an ulterior motive.Luffy saw through her wariness."Don't worry. Didn't I tell you? Someone asked me to look after you, and I just agreed to that person's request," Luffy said."Someone asked you?"Bonney was stunned at first, then as if she had thought of something, her eyes lit up suddenly. She rushed excitedly in front of Luffy, almost pressing against his face, "Is it Kuma? Is it Bartholomew Kuma?!"This reaction was too intense and direct, which caught Luffy off guard.He had only just mentioned it; how did she guess it was Kuma so accurately?"Hey! Talk is talk, why are you getting so close!"Nami immediately stepped forward, pulling Bonney back a distance with a hint of jealousy, and looked at her with a scrutinizing gaze."What exactly is your relationship with that Shichibukai, the Tyrant Kuma?""He is not a tyrant!" Bonney retorted."Yeah, how did you guess it was him right away?" Luffy was also a bit puzzled.Upon hearing this, Bonney was so excited that her body trembled slightly, and her voice choked with emotion: "Because, because Bartholomew Kuma is my father!""Eh—?!!"On the deck of the thousand sunny, a uniform gasp of surprise erupted instantly. Everyone's eyes went wide, and even the usually calm Robin showed an expression of astonishment.The Shichibukai Tyrant Kuma was actually Bonney's father?This was shocking news!Bonney looked at everyone's shocked expressions, took a deep breath, tried to calm her agitated emotions, and began to explain."The specific situation is complicated, and I can't say too much. But Kuma is indeed my father. I've been looking for him. Straw Hat, how is my father now? Where is he? Why did he ask you to look after me?"She asked questions like a machine gun, her eyes filled with longing."Even if you ask so many questions, I can't answer them all at once."Luffy explained simply.Not long ago, his deal with Kuma in the Florian Triangle."He told me the news about my brother Ace being captured. In exchange, he made me promise to take care of you if I had the chance in the future. As for where he is now, he is a Shichibukai, so he should be with the World Government, right?"Aside from the news, Luffy kept quiet about Kuma helping him repel his pain, as well as the person named Rayleigh on the Sabaody Archipelago.Bonney listened to Luffy, her eyes flickering. It seemed to confirm some of her suspicions, and her joy was mixed with deep anxiety.But she had confirmed news of her father and knew that he was still caring for her in secret, which already made her very happy."So that's how it is. Thank you, Straw Hat."Bonney thanked Luffy solemnly. Upon learning it was her father's entrustment, her wariness toward the Straw Hat Crew dropped instantly.In this vast sea, besides the crew members who had raised her from childhood, only Kuma would treat her this way.The conversation between the two made Robinroughly understand the truth about Luffy's previous deal with Kuma.Knowing about her father, Bonney seemed preoccupied, but her overall mood was much lighter than before.While Sanji began preparing the banquet meal, Bonney glanced at the small ship following far behind, which carried her original crew, and made a decision.She walked up to Luffy and said seriously: "Luffy, your destination is Sabaody Archipelago, right?""Yes." Luffy nodded."Then let me join you!"Bonney pointed to the ship behind, "I will have my original companions go back. For the rest of the journey, I will just follow you alone!"Nami said with some concern: "You alone? Following us is very dangerous! We are being watched very closely by the Marines."Bonney patted her chest confidently: "Don't worry! I have quite an incredible ability! I have no problem protecting myself!""Ability?"Nami blinked curiously, "Come to think of it, you're a Devil Fruit user too, right?""I'm a Paramecia Age-Age Fruit user." Bonney was very confident: "That's exactly why the Marines find me so troublesome. I've turned quite a few Marine guys old or directly into children."Can turn people old and young?Nami's eyes lit up instantly."Can this ability be used on others?"She said, her eyes beginning to sparkle with eagerness.Eternal youth and beauty is every woman's dream, or experiencing the charm of different ages would be nice too.Bonney lifted her chin with a touch of pride: "Of course! My ability is very powerful!"Thus, at Nami's urging, an age-transformation show began on the deck of the thousand sunny.Nami was the first to try."Bonney, let me try becoming a few years more mature!"Bonney extended her finger and tapped Nami, and a strange ripple flashed.Nami's figure seemed to become fuller, her aura became more mature and charming, and even her hair grew quite a bit, exuding the allure of a mature woman from head to toe."It really can change!"Nami looked at her own slender fingers and more curvaceous figure, pleasantly surprised.Vivi was also tempted when she saw this.Nami looked so good like this; is this what she will look like in a few years?"I'll try aging a few years too," Vivi said.After the ripple, Vivi's aura became more dignified and gentle.She looked like a graceful and noble princess who had lived in a high position for a long time, with a bit more composure and intelligence between her brows.Everyone started playing too.Robin smiled and made a different request: "As for me, please turn me back to how I looked around eighteen.""Simple!" Bonney laughed.A light flashed, and Robin's long black hair became thicker and shinier, her skin taut and full of collagen. Her facial contours could still be vaguely recognized as her current self, but her overall aura had changed from the original scheming older sister to that of a young girl with a hint of cold charm and innocence.Long, straight black hair; at first glance, it was somewhat similar to Merry when she activated her Glazed Form, but it had its own unique charm."Oh my, it's been such a long time since I felt this way."Eighteen-year-old Robin touched her cheeks and chuckled softly.
