The Great Voyage: The Props Master on the Straw Hat Ship

He easily defeated Vice Admiral Doberman, a top admiral of the Navy Headquarters, and several powerful vice admirals led by Jonathan!

He was able to face Fleet Admiral Sengoku head-on without being at a disadvantage, and send Marine Headquarters Admiral Akainu flying with a single punch!

All these signs demonstrate Luffy's extraordinary nature.

In addition to his own strength, he also possesses three types of Haki.

Not only have he mastered advanced techniques in using Observation Haki and Armament Haki, but he has also reached the initial stage of Conqueror's Haki with the potential to "Entangle"!

Those capable of achieving this, including Whitebeard who only recently returned to his peak condition, are definitely no more than two people on this vast ocean!

Luffy clearly possesses the aptitude and foundation to stand at the pinnacle; it's only a matter of time before he reaches the top!

In addition, what Shiryu was particularly concerned about was Luffy's own Devil Fruit ability!

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[Thank you so much to 'Peng Songyue' for another 588 points! Thank you to 'Saber!' for another 1000 points!]

396. Network of connections!! A contribution to the Straw Hat Pirates! A sword in the hands of the Straw Hat Pirates!!

He originally thought that Luffy simply possessed the Paramecia-type [Gum-Gum Fruit] ability.

However, according to his first mate and crew members, there seems to be more to the story.

That immense power, capable of blasting Akainu away with a single punch, was precisely the Devil Fruit ability that Shiryu had been dreaming of!

Thus, with the combination of immense strength, domineering aptitude, and the power of a Devil Fruit—these three top-tier forces on the high seas—Luffy's bright future and the Straw Hat Pirates' bright prospects are practically self-evident!

And~

Shiryu, who once worked for the World Government, also knew clearly that the Straw Hat Pirates and Luffy had a crucial advantage!

That's the network of connections this group of people possesses!

Captain Straw Hat Luffy's father is Monkey D. Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army, his brother Sabo is the Chief of Staff, and he also has veteran Revolutionary Army members like Ivankov as his support.

This is practically equivalent to the entire revolutionary army becoming his strength in crucial moments!!

In the navy, his grandfather is none other than the legendary hero, Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp!

Although he upheld his own sense of justice, a careful consideration of the old man's actions when Luffy was on his way to the execution platform reveals how he truly treated his own family!

In addition, regarding pirates...

As pirates, their strength is another matter.

My older brother, Fire Fist Ace, is the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, and he is involved in this important war.

Stand with the Whitebeard Pirates and fight together against the formidable Navy!

Moreover, the vice-captain in front of him, Link the Props Master, has helped the Whitebeard Pirates and even Whitebeard himself many times.

The tools to rescue Ace, the means to stop that idiot Squard, and the means to help Whitebeard become young again...

Although many people wanted to take Whitebeard's head, and the Marines also wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible, they even created nursery rhymes and jingles to describe him as a demon and slander him.

However, this does not deny that Whitebeard is one of the greatest heroes in the world today.

The Straw Hat Pirates helped them so much in this war, and they absolutely had to repay their kindness.

At the very least, if the Straw Hat Pirates want to expand in the New World in the future, they will definitely receive a lot of help!

Besides Whitebeard, the only other person we know so far is Trafalgar Law, the "Surgeon of Death".

Although the relationship wasn't explicitly stated, it's clear that the other party is definitely a fan and staunch ally of the Straw Hat Pirates.

Based on the opponent's extremely active presence on the battlefield, and their ability and skill in manipulating many people,

This guy is definitely not someone to be trifled with.

Furthermore, there are the Seven Warlords of the Sea, who belong to the World Government. Jinbe, the Knight of the Sea, needs no further introduction; the two sides are on the same side.

In addition, Boa Hancock, the Pirate Empress, also seems to be a staunch ally of theirs.

At least you can tell from the things she's done.

In this way, the Fish-Man tribe among the Seven Warlords of the Sea, as well as the Kuja tribe warriors of the Kuja Pirates, can also become allies!

In addition, Shiryu also vaguely learned from Luffy and the others' conversation that the Straw Hat Pirates had a past with another of the Four Emperors' pirate crews, the Red-Haired Pirates.

Even Luffy's pirate mentor is Shanks, the one who gave him the straw hat.

And then there's that long-nosed Usopp, whose father seems to be Yasopp, the extremely skilled sniper on the Red-Haired Pirates' ship!!!

In addition, there's Ryder, who previously announced his joining the Straw Hat Pirates back in Impel Down.

So, the Straw Hat Pirates haven't even entered the New World yet, but they've already amassed so many connections and so much power!

Even Shiryu himself, while reflecting on the situation, suddenly realized something.

A group of ruthless individuals with such power and connections, yet they haven't gone to the New World?!

To be honest, even he himself found it somewhat unbelievable.

If it has already accumulated such formidable power without even entering the latter half, then once it does...

Wouldn't that absolutely create a huge storm and allow for rapid growth, propelling them to the top at an incredibly fast pace?!

Just thinking about those images made Shiryu feel a surge of emotion.

He even felt that the day when the Straw Hat Pirates would reach the top was definitely not far off!

It was precisely from these multiple perspectives that Shiryu became so determined and resolute in his resolve and conviction.

So what if his personal style and personality clash with the Straw Hat Pirates?!

The Whitebeard Pirates also included loyal and righteous heroes, as well as idiots and human traffickers, all mixed together in a motley crew!

Having already become a pirate, why would I have so many worries?!

Since I've chosen to become a pirate, I'll go all the way down this path. If I'm going to be a pirate, I'll be the strongest pirate in the world!

Without a doubt, the Straw Hat Pirates perfectly matched Shiryu's ideas and were even more to his liking.

He had no intention of acknowledging Whitebeard as his father among the other Four Emperors' pirate crews; Kaido was too tyrannical and only favored Zoan-type characters.

Charlotte Linlin, Shiliu still disdains to submit to the skirts of an obese woman who only knows how to eat sweets and have children.

Therefore, the only option is [Red-haired] Shanks.

But~~~

Both the Shanks and the Straw Hat Pirates are similar types of pirate crews, so why not take a gamble and invest in the Straw Hat Pirates before they establish their own empire?

Instead of fawning over the "Red-Haired" guy, it's better to go big and gain some credit for joining the cause.

And~~~

Shiryu is certainly quite comfortable here. Leaving aside the others, at least the unfathomable first mate [Item Master] Link in front of him...

He was a very suitable person for him, a very realistic and reasonable person.

Instead of pursuing dreams too much, they are very practical.

Just like now, having this conversation with him at this moment.

"If you can think that way, that would be wonderful."

After confirming that Shiryu, this bloodthirsty and ruthless fellow, had no other intentions and was instead becoming more and more determined in his mind, Link nodded slightly in satisfaction.

In that case, we can continue the conversation.

What are your thoughts on the Straw Hat Pirates as they are now?

Link asked a very general question.

"How do you see..."

Shiryu glanced at Link, then fell into deep thought.

"Very strong, possessing the qualifications and potential to reach the top..."

He spoke the truth.

"What about the disadvantages?"

Link smiled and pressed on.

"shortcoming……"

Shiryu looked up at Link for a rather long time this time.

"Doesn't it seem a bit too naive and idealistic, too utopian?"

Link spoke up for Shiliu's thoughts.

Although the latter did not speak, the expression in his eyes said it all.

"Pirates with dreams are great; adventuring together, the joy and excitement are truly wonderful..."

Link muttered to himself, "But I also agree that dreams can't put food on the table."

He looked at Shiliu and chuckled, "Especially in the sea we're about to head to."

A glint flashed in Shiryu's eyes, but he remained silent, listening quietly to Link's narration.

"Luffy and his crew are too idealistic. Even in battle, Luffy only knocks them away instead of killing them outright."

"Everyone has their own thoughts. I support the captain's decision, but from the perspective of the entire pirate crew, as the [first mate], it's still slightly inappropriate."

"Sometimes, when dealing with scum, you should be ruthless and show no mercy."

At this point, Link's expression gradually calmed down.

Although both are part of the Grand Line, the first and second halves are completely different in scale.

Especially in the latter half of the new world, monsters are everywhere and all kinds of rules and order have completely collapsed, and good and bad are judged only by the standards of the Four Emperors.

There, there are even more brutal struggles, and ruthless characters even more vicious and bloodthirsty than Shiryu.

In those kinds of waters, you can't gain a foothold if you're not ruthless enough to compete with them.

If a person is not ruthless, he cannot stand firm.

The reasoning is very simple and clear.

The Straw Hat Pirates, on the other hand, have only ever defeated their opponents along the way, rarely resorting to lethal attacks.

Even on the entire ship, Link is the most thoughtful and is hailed as the most reliable.

During my previous journey, besides killing the fishman Arlong in the East Blue, it was also during this war.

They wiped out the four CP0 agents and twenty fleet ships from the World Government.

Compared to Shiryu, no, even compared to some ordinary pirates on the Whitebeard Pirates' ship, he had far less blood on his hands.

If Link is like this, then it goes without saying that everyone else is too.

Of course, Link (who received the money) could try to change everyone's minds, but...

Having changed their mindset and style, is the Straw Hat Pirates still the same Straw Hat Pirates?!

Therefore, Link found Shiryu, whom he considered the most suitable candidate.

"I want you to become a sword for the Straw Hat Pirates."

He looked into Shiryu's eyes and said, word by word, "An incomparably sharp knife!"

"You'll be responsible for finishing off the enemies the Straw Hat Pirates defeat, and for the guys the Straw Hat Pirates didn't kill!!"

"Those guys who pose a great threat and deserve to die, you're capable of handling them, right? Drag them out!"

A gentle sea breeze blew, caressing Link and Shiryu, adding a touch of coolness to the scene.

"Murder..."

A slow, sly smile curved Shiryu's lips. "With pleasure!!"

Without hesitation, he took on this seemingly dirty job of dealing with the tail.

As Shiryu understood it, this was tantamount to being a front man!

It's like a world government, even though it has a violent organization like the navy that's spread all over the world.

However, there is also the CP organization, which has the power to monitor the entire world and carry out dirty, shady operations like assassinations!

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