The Star Train's Journey Through the Heavens

Chapter 173 The Red-Haired Pirates Set Sail, Garp Returns
The pirates weren't content to just listen to the train crew's boasts, even though they were quite interesting and broadened their horizons.

Inspired by the adventures recounted by the train crew, Yasopp fully utilized his family's inherited talent for boasting, refusing to be outdone and utterly disregarding logic, exaggerating the combat prowess of the pirate world by dozens of times.

As the captain who appears most frequently in his stories, Shanks can easily split the sea with a single slash and cause the sky to collapse.

Faced with Luffy's suspicious gaze on March 7th, Shanks covered his face in embarrassment, wishing he could disappear into the ground. He hurriedly tugged at his vice-captain for help.

Ben Beckman was also somewhat embarrassed. With his exceptional intelligence, he had been listening quietly to the conversation between the captain and the train crew, and he knew that what they were saying was most likely true, while Yasopp was just bragging.

He quickly stopped the shameless Yasopp from continuing his boasting, but he also didn't want the Red-Haired Pirates to become mere background figures at the banquet.

Having gained a basic understanding of the train crew's character, Ben Beckman began to guide the crew from their adventure stories to the strange and unique islands.

They certainly can't compete in terms of combat strength, but the unique scenery is another story.

Upside-down Mountain, Sabaody Archipelago, Fish-Man Island, Momoiro Island, Whole Cake Island, Zou Island, Sky Island...

The train crew was truly amazed by the magical islands one by one.

Some of them are extremely rare, even in the entire world.

Finally, Meng Huaifeng concluded the banquet, which lasted for more than four hours, with the original version of "Song of the Soul".

……

the next day.

"Luffy, think about it, and become a pirate again."

Shanks finally remembered the meaning of the Gum-Gum Fruit and squatted down in front of Luffy with a big smile on his face.

"No, pirates are too lame. I want to be a pioneer exploring the stars!" Luffy declared firmly.

With the train crew's explanation of science, the two gained a basic understanding of the concepts of planets and the universe.

"If you want to go on an adventure in the universe, you at least have to conquer the planet you're on, right?" Shanks cajoled.

"Hmm, what you said makes sense, but I still won't become a pirate," Luffy said.

"It doesn't matter whether you become a pirate or not. I'll be waiting for you on the Grand Line, waiting for you to conquer this planet." Shanks placed his hand on Luffy's head and breathed a sigh of relief.

Once you set sail, whether or not you become a pirate is no longer up to you.

No matter how much you deny it, or claim to be pioneers, as long as you're not a member state, the Navy, being one of their own, will only be seen as a pirate in the eyes of the World Government.

He believed that as long as Luffy didn't run away with the train crew, the person chosen by the Gum-Gum Fruit, guided by fate, would eventually fulfill their mission.

Fortunately, the train crew rejected Luffy yesterday because he was too young.

"I've heard the Grand Line is very dangerous. You're so weak, you won't die before I grow up, will you?" Luffy asked with some concern.

The pirates burst into laughter again; it was hilarious to see their leader make a fool of himself.

"Thank you for your concern." Shanks pinched Luffy's cheek hard, and Luffy shook his head vigorously.

Shanks stood up and touched his straw hat.

The person chosen by that fruit has a grander dream, not just limited to being a pirate.

The old captain's will seemed to have become somewhat outdated, which instead bound him; he should just keep it for himself.

"If it weren't for the unfinished business, I'd love to join your adventure," Shanks said to the train crew with a smile.

"It seems you are carrying a heavy burden. I wish you all your wishes come true," Himeko said with her blessing.

In a chaotic world, there are always some who bear heavy burdens and will one day shine with extraordinary brilliance.

The person in front of me is very likely one of them.

"Thank you for your kind words, Princess Himeko. May we meet again on the high seas." Shanks said goodbye, even though it was highly likely that they would never meet again. But for a man of the sea, wasn't that a normal thing?
Shanks turned and boarded the pirate ship: "Men, hoist the sails and set sail!"

The Red-Haired Pirates embark on their journey once again.

"Let's get a ship too, and see those strange and wonderful islands they talked about yesterday, and maybe even travel the Grand Line?" Meng Huaifeng suggested.

"That's a good idea," Himeko agreed. Huaifeng probably had this thought before getting out of the car.

"I want to be the captain!" Xing said enthusiastically.

"What are you talking about? We're not a pirate crew." March 7th delivered an elbow strike that sent the Sweet Commander crashing into the plane.

"I think it won't be long before we're labeled as pirates after we set sail," Meng Huaifeng said, squinting. "How could that be? We don't do anything bad, we only do good, how could we be considered pirates?" March 7th said skeptically.

“According to what Shanks said yesterday, it’s really possible,” Yan said.

"We're definitely different," March 7th said confidently.

"If I'm mistaken for a pirate crew, can I be the captain?" Hoshi was still thinking about being a captain.

“Even if we’re mistaken for a pirate crew, we’re not a real pirate crew.” March Seven glared at Hoshino.

"How about we make a bet?" Meng Huaifeng asked.

“We’ll gamble, but you can’t do anything bad on purpose.” March 7th agreed without hesitation, but he was also cautious and warned in advance.

“How could we possibly do anything bad?” Meng Huaifeng said.

“That’s right, March, you slandered us, apologize.” Xing said, hands on her hips.

"Oh, I'm sorry," March 7th said hastily, realizing what had happened.

"Huh?" Everyone suddenly looked in the direction the Red-Haired Pirates had left.

Two powerful forces are clashing on the distant sea, one of which belongs to Shanks.

The other aura was much stronger than Shanks'; the two were clearly engaged in battle.

"Should we...go and help them?" March 7th asked.

"Who are you helping? The other one seems to be from the Navy. If you help Shanks, you'll probably lose your bet with Meng Huaifeng before you even set sail," Yan teased.

“Uh…” March 7th looked conflicted.

"Don't worry about it. Shanks may be at a disadvantage, but he can definitely run away if he wants to," Meng Huaifeng shrugged.

The two auras drifted further and further apart, seemingly not engaging in a direct confrontation.

"Never mind them. We haven't explored this island yet. Everyone is free to explore. We'll set off for the next island the day after tomorrow," Himeko said.

"As for the ship..." Himeko hesitated. Building one now would be quite troublesome, or perhaps she could buy one locally with gold?

"If only Uncle Yang were here, he could have everything with a wave of his hand," March 7th lamented.

"Leave it to me. Although I'm not as skilled as Uncle Yang, editing a ship is no problem for me," Meng Huaifeng said confidently.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Huaifeng," Himeko said.

"Sister Ji Zi, I'd also like to trouble you to design a blueprint for the ship. Without a blueprint, the one I edit will probably be very rudimentary," Meng Huaifeng said somewhat embarrassedly.

Himeko nodded.

The train crew split up. Himeko, March 7, Red Bloom, Dawn, and Su Xiaoli went to the capital of the Goa Kingdom and went shopping in groups. Yan flew around the island several times and landed in a village where a conflict was taking place.

Xing, guided by an astonishing intuition, arrived directly at the Uncertainty Terminal. The enormous mountain of garbage made Xing feel as if he had entered paradise. Zhu Zhuqing entered the forest, cultivating while recording the flora and fauna of this world. Dan Heng, on the other hand, dived into the sea, showing great interest in the marine life of this world.

As for exploration, of course, it's about exploring whatever interests you first.

Meng Huaifeng purchased some wood, hemp rope, and scrap iron from the villagers in Windmill Village to use as the basis for building ships. If they were built entirely out of thin air, they would not last forever and would continuously consume energy.

Luffy clung to Meng Huaifeng like a little shadow, asking him more questions about pioneering.

While doing his work, Meng Huaifeng casually answered Luffy's questions.

Luffy's understanding of pioneering has become more concrete, and his desire to become a pioneer has become more resolute.

A white dog-headed warship emerged from the sea and headed towards the windmill village.

It was the flagship of the naval hero Garp.

After chasing the Red-Haired Pirates for a long time, the old man, worried about his grandson, finally gave up the pursuit and headed back.

Several kilometers away from the dock, a white figure soared into the sky from the warship and flew towards the windmill village.

"Haha, you rascal, Grandpa's back! Did you miss Grandpa?"

Before he even arrived, Garp's cheerful voice had already echoed throughout the entire village.

Meng Huaifeng clearly saw Luffy shudder, his eyes filled with surprise mixed with a hint of fear.

(End of this chapter)