I reached the top of Pirates

Chapter 220, Page 219: High-Temperature, High-Pressure Steam!
The ship docked safely.

Ace and his friends laughed and rushed out in a swarm, then turned back and shouted:
"Don't worry about us for lunch, we'll eat out. If you need anything, just contact us via Den Den Mushi."

He waved with unusual nonchalance.

Moses shook his head and said calmly:
"What do you think about us turning the boat around and leaving them here right now?"

Robin rolled her eyes at Moses. "They'll be crying."

Asia's voice came from the other side of Messer, "Isn't this interesting? Why don't we play like this?"

"Are you a devil?" Perona walked out of the cabin and heard Asia's voice complaining, "And can you please stop hiding in the daytime and blending into the environment?"

It was kind of scary. I heard from Yamato last time that she almost scared her half to death when she sat on you.

You ghost woman.

As she spoke, she lightly kicked towards the side of Mercer, but the next second, her right leg was suddenly grabbed and lifted up, and she was suspended upside down in mid-air by her leg.

Perona quickly grabbed the hem of her skirt and said angrily, "Let go of me, you're going to expose yourself!"

"Tch! Pink bear, not sexy at all, all breasts and no butt, boring."

Asia's indifferent, disdainful voice rang out, and with a casual toss, Perona landed on her bottom with a thud, immediately clutching her round buttocks, tears welling in her eyes, trembling with anger:
"Ah! I'll fight you to the death, you phobia."

But Asia had already flown away, heading towards the town, leaving behind a message in the air:

"Lord Mercer, would you like some ice cream?"

Mercer laughed and said, "I'll take one."

Robin raised his hand and said with a smile:

"I want one too, chocolate flavor."

Perona gritted her teeth and shouted at her unhappily:
"I want the cocoa flavor. If you don't buy it for me, I'll never forgive you when you get back."

After saying that, she looked at Mercer, who was smiling at her, stretched out her arm, and pouted:
"Why didn't you help me up just now? You just watched me get thrown to the ground?"

Mercer smiled, reached out and took her hand, pulled her up, and pinched her cheek:
"I love seeing you grit your teeth in anger and rage helplessly; it's really funny."

Perona froze for a moment, then her little face turned black, and she lunged at him menacingly, shouting, "I'll bite you to death!"

The gray mist spread out and swallowed her whole.

Mercer smirked, made a burping motion, then opened his mouth, and gray mist spread out, spewing out a series of human bones formed from the gray mist.

Robin looked at Mercer with a twitching eye, yet somehow found it strangely alluring.

Finally, he said helplessly, "Playing like this is terrifying. If someone who doesn't know the situation sees this, they might think you're some kind of cannibal."

At this moment, the spirit form of Perona, now the size of a palm, flew out from the gray mist in Mercer's mouth and landed on "her" pile of bones.

The little girl looked at the pile of gray bones arranged in an X shape on the ground with a skull on top, her face full of confusion: "So, you ate all my body, and now I'm just a spirit?"

*Snap!* With a snap of his fingers, Mercer laughed, "So clever, no wonder you're Pepe."

The gray mist bones on the ground crumbled, turning into a birdcage that enveloped her and flew up.

Perona retorted, speechless, "I'm a canary again now. That's enough!"

He pierced through the gray fog, his body returning to normal. He kicked Mercer in the shin and then rammed his head into Mercer's abdomen.

"You bastard, all you do is bully me all day long."

He cupped her face in his hands, and Mercer used his thumb to lift the corner of her mouth, making her give him a big smile.

"Yes. I'm willing. Do you have any complaints?"

Perona pouted, then turned and bit Mercer's thumb.

Mercer smiled, flicking a delicate pink lilac with his thumb:
"Are you a baby? You're so big and you're still sucking your fingers."

Perona blushed and quickly let go of her mouth, spitting repeatedly.

Seeing the drool on his thumb, Mercer wiped it on the hem of her dress. Perona's lips twitched violently, and she clicked her tongue in annoyance:
"Is their saliva dirty?"

At that moment, an unusual swirling sandstorm swept across the deck, and a man with slicked-back hair, wearing a plaid suit, a black fur coat, and a cigar in his mouth, appeared.

Robin glanced calmly at the newcomer and said softly:

"The Seven Warlords of the Sea, Crocodile."

Mercer patted Pepe on the head and smiled at the newcomer:

"Hey! Long time no see. I was just saying I'd call you later."

Crocodile scoffed, "Stop pretending. My ship is right next to you. Don't tell me you don't recognize my ship, and I even have my pirate flag."

Mercer looked around and fixed his gaze on a luxurious two-masted sailing ship a hundred meters away with a crocodile head on its prow.

It has an earthy gray exterior with gold trim.

It looks very good.

Moses laughed and said, "Come in and talk."

As he spoke, he put his arm around Pepe's shoulder and walked past him. Robin chuckled, "Then you go ahead with your work, I'll go back to the castle."

We arrived at the bar counter in the cabin.

Sitting on the stool, watching Marcino fumbling with his cocktail-making skills, he smiled and said:
Two Bloody Marys.

She raised her beautiful eyebrows slightly and nodded with a smile, "Would you like the spiciest one?"

"Turn the Tabasco pepper spray down, otherwise it's like murder."

Peipei said with a grin, "I want juice, any kind is fine."

Makino burst out laughing. Crocodile followed her in and sat down on the stool next to Mercer, surveying the interior layout and letting out a low chuckle.
"Good taste, half the quality of my Baroque Gustav."

"Stop with the provocative words. It's as if I don't know your background. How can your ship compare to mine?"

How do you want to trade?

"Let's drink first, then we'll talk."

Makino took a moment to place an ashtray on the table in front of Crocodile.

He flicked the ash from his cigar.

There was a moment of silence between them.

A moment later, two D+ grade Bloody Mary cocktails were placed in front of the two of them. Mercer picked one up, swirled it gently, and then downed it in one gulp.

Ice and Fire.

Seeing this, Crocodile also picked up a ton and chugged it down. His eyes widened instantly, and his face turned bright red.

I braced my right elbow on the bar, my right hand gripping my throbbing temple. My whole body felt hot. Poison? No, it was strong liquor.

My blood was surging, and at the same time, an extraordinary feeling of comfort spread throughout my body.

He gritted his teeth and said, "Good wine!"

Moses chuckled, “I know a thing or two about basic hospitality. I’m not like you, so stingy. Last time you wouldn’t even offer me a drink.”

Crocodile's face darkened, and he gritted his teeth as he looked at Makino:

"A glass of ice water, please."

Makino chuckled softly.

After saying that, Crocodile looked at Moses:
"You were obviously looking for trouble last time, weren't you?"

Moses said calmly:
"Alright, take out your goods and let me see them, then you can make your demands."

A thoughtful look flashed in Crocodile's eyes: "How do you plan to teach me Haki? You're not just going to write it down on a piece of paper and then tell me to go back and train on my own, are you?"

Moses raised an eyebrow. "Otherwise what? You expect me to teach you step by step?"

Crocodile nodded: "Sure. I have some free time lately, so I can spend some time with you."

Moses glanced at him. "Take the things out. I'll take a look at them first, and then I'll decide how to teach you."

With a smile, Crocodile's right hand turned into sand, and a vortex of quicksand appeared in his palm, from which a small treasure chest emerged.

Seeing this, Moses' eyes flashed with thought. Was it a property similar to the Swamp-Swamp Fruit? He tentatively asked:

"I really envy you Logia-type users. Your Sand-Sand Fruit ability has even developed into a space-related ability."

A hint of smugness flashed in Crocodile's eyes as he chuckled, "It's not that exaggerated; it's just a small application of fruit elementalization."

He then pushed the treasure chest in front of Moses: "An unknown Devil Fruit, and the permanent pointer you wanted."

Mercer opened the treasure chest, picked up the permanent pointer first, and a smile curled at the corner of his mouth:
"Thank you for your hard work, I'm very satisfied."

Crocodile looked annoyed: "Don't talk to me like that, I'm not your little brother."

Moses smiled and picked up the Devil Fruit in front of him again, a white Devil Fruit that looked like a coconut.

"Identification"

[Logia Type. Steam Fruit (EX)]

Moses raised an eyebrow, surprised by this ability. Crocodile, who had been observing Moses, noticed the change in Moses' expression and a glint of light flashed in his eyes.
"It seems you know about the effects of this Devil Fruit?"

Moses said calmly, "Don't you want to exchange anymore?"

Crocodile's lips curled into a smile:
"I've already eaten a Devil Fruit, and I can't eat another one. If you're satisfied with this Devil Fruit, then teach me Haki diligently."

Mercer scratched his head, looked at him and smiled, "I must say, you're quite the smooth operator. But how much do you really know about domineering aura?"

Mercer held the Steam Fruit in his hand, playing with it and thinking about how to use it.

Crocodile's deep voice came from beside him, babbling on and on, while Mercer listened quietly with a smile on his lips.

Like what? It's a power that people all over the world possess.

It's also like the unwavering power of will.

It's also like a power that can only be unleashed in battle.

His words were so cryptic and mysterious that Moses almost burst out laughing.

Crocodile was unsure of Mercer's thoughts and whether he was right or wrong, so he could only continue talking.

Moses concluded with one sentence: "That's absolutely right, but unfortunately, it's completely useless. It's like a castle in the air, utterly devoid of any practical use."

"Hara-hara-hara." Pepe covered her mouth beside her, not trying to laugh, but she just couldn't help it. Seeing Crocodile glaring at her fiercely, she whispered:

"I'm sorry, it wasn't on purpose. Don't be angry. I'll just have Mercer teach you properly."

"Besides, being domineering doesn't have to be that complicated. Just look."

As she spoke, she stretched out her small hand, and the Armament Haki within her body was mobilized, wrapping and hardening, turning her right hand dark.

Messer glanced at it, "D+ level Armament Haki, trash."

Seeing Messer's disdainful look, Perona pouted, "He's still a child. It's already quite an achievement that he's awakened. What more do you want?"

Crocodile's lips twitched violently. Some are drowning in water while others are dying of thirst. Could it be that he is so thirsty because he is a user of the Sand-Sand Fruit?

"Hmm, I think I understand your shallow understanding of Haki. From now on, you'll come with me. We'll go to Ohara later, where I'll give you one to three months of intensive training."

"I hope you're smart enough. Okay, you can go back now. We'll call you when it's time to leave."

Upon hearing Moses's words, Crocodile raised an eyebrow, thinking it was alright.

Three months of training time is enough for me to master the power of domineering aura.

very confident.

Since even some lowly scoundrels in the new world can master it, he doesn't believe that he can't learn it even after being carefully taught for three months.

Her body transformed into a wisp of sand and flew out of the cabin, leaving the place behind. Perona looked at the Devil Fruit in Moses's hand and asked curiously:
"Mercy, what type is this? You seem quite pleased. The joy emanating from your spirit is almost overflowing. I really want to lick it."

"Get out of here, are you a dog? What are you licking for?"

"Hmph! Excited ghost."

An excited ghost doll passed through Mercer's body, and Perona immediately burst into wild laughter.

Like a fool.

A few seconds later, her mouth puffed out.

"You're in sync with my body's frequency fluctuations again, I'm ignoring you."

He snorted and angrily strode up to the second floor.

Makino tidied up the cups and ashtrays Crocodile had used on the table, then looked at Moses curiously and asked:

"what type is it?"

"A Logia-type Devil Fruit, one of them is quite good. If used well, it can be said to be the most effective counter to the Sand-Sand Fruit."

Makino blinked and chuckled, "If that Mr. Crocodile knew, do you think he'd be so angry his stomach would hurt?"

Moses said calmly:
Who cares?

"Alright, I'll go see who's suitable to eat." Mercer had just gotten up.

"Wait a moment."

Makino leaned forward and gently touched the corner of Mercer's mouth. "Alright, you can go now. There's still a little bit of wine on your lips."

Mercer sighed and caught up with her retreating body. He couldn't let himself be taken advantage of; he had to retaliate.

Makino blinked and began to enjoy herself.

A few minutes later, coughing sounds began.

An awkward cough came from the cabin door. Makino was startled and quickly released Little Lilac and stepped back. Mercer looked at the person who came in helplessly.

"why is it you again?"

Reiju's eye twitched, and she complained helplessly, "It's broad daylight. If you two want to go, you can go upstairs. This is a public place."

"It's a good thing it was me. If it were someone else, Makino would be so embarrassed."

Makino's pretty face turned red. She sighed and remained silent, only staring at her resentfully. Reiju's head was buzzing from the stare.

This woman's resentful aura is quite potent, carrying a sense of guilt that comes from the heart.

Mercer asked helplessly, "Is there something wrong?"

"Can't I come here for no reason? President Mercer, you're so domineering."

Reiju sat down with a pout and looked at Makino, saying:
"I've come to retrieve the poisoned wine from the armored scorpionfish."

Makino sighed, blaming herself. Yesterday, Reiju and Mercer caught an armored scorpionfish while swimming in the sea. They all ate the exceptionally delicious meat, and she was entrusted with processing the scorpionfish's poison to make a cocktail. She said she would give it to her today.

It turns out it really wasn't her fault.

That's his fault.

She glared at Messer with deep resentment.

He then mixed the venom he had prepared with a cocktail.

"Huh? Why did you leave the Devil Fruit here? Aren't you going to put it away?"

Mercer scrutinized her, and Reiju's expression became uneasy:

Why are you looking at me?

Mercer asked, "By the way, Reiju, can you spray out the venom from your body?"

Reiju nodded blankly: "Yes, because it's a special type of poison resistance, but it also needs to take toxins regularly to maintain its health."

Makino was a little curious; she hadn't realized there was such a saying. "What would happen if you didn't eat it for a long time?"

"I will become extremely anxious and irritable."

Mercer said calmly, "Do you have any plans to become an ability user?"

Reiju blinked: "You mean you're going to give me a Devil Fruit? Really?"

Why me?

Reiju didn't quite understand.

There are several people in the family who aren't superpowered, including the two adorable little sisters who just joined.

Logically speaking, it shouldn't be her turn, but right now, she does feel somewhat happy.

This shows that you have been recognized.

Why can't it be you?

Moses countered with a question.

Among them, apart from Erii and Messer being unsure whether to give her a Devil Fruit, the others were considering it.

Reiju looked at the Devil Fruit that had been pushed in front of her, feeling very happy, but then looked at Moses with a serious expression and said:

"Could you tell me what type it is first? I appreciate you considering me, but I don't really want to eat a Devil Fruit I don't understand."

At this point, she looked at Moses with some concern, worried that he might be unhappy.

Because what she said was somewhat tactless.

But she still wanted to know the answer.

Because she knew that everyone in this group centered around Moses was on the elite path.

No one was just pretending.

She didn't want to end up just another face in the crowd.

Until finally being marginalized.

She wanted to be more useful; she never wanted to experience the feeling of being abandoned by someone important to her again.

Moses looked at her and smiled, "Very good, very calm. You must continue to maintain this good quality."

"If nothing unexpected happens, it will be a Logia-type Steam Fruit, which can also be high-temperature, high-pressure water vapor. Elementalization can also allow you to better utilize your venom abilities."

It has great development potential.

It's considered one of the top-tier natural systems.

A strange light flashed in Reiju's eyes.

Natural-type names have always represented power.

Having received a noble upbringing, she naturally understood the power of steam.

Moreover, it was indeed very helpful to her. With this fruit, she believed that she could definitely become a candidate for the third tier of the team.

As for why they aren't in the first or second tier, it's because Mercer is in a league of his own, while everyone in the second tier is a monster.

Without hesitation, Reiju picked up the Steam Fruit, opened her lips, took a bite, and swallowed it with a pale face.

I was planning to throw away the rest.

Mercer smiled faintly, "Eat it all; family traditions cannot be broken."

Reiju's expression stiffened, her pretty face turning helpless, but she still obediently complied.

A few seconds later, he choked and his eyes rolled back.

At this moment, dense, colorless steam erupted from Reiju's body, which then turned into white water vapor upon contact with the air.

Mercer chuckled and slapped her on the head. Whoosh!

His head exploded into a cloud of steam.

In the blink of an eye, the entire cabin was filled with white steam.

Reiju's excited voice echoed in every corner of the cabin.

"I can fly now. Hahaha, so this is what it feels like to fly."

Incredibly thick steam flowed through the cabin. Mercer fanned himself with his left hand, then reached out and grabbed the steam in front of him.

"ah!"

Reiju's panicked voice rang out.

(End of this chapter)