Chapter 55: Hancock's Progress!

Chapter 55: Hancock's Progress!

"I know. Just endure it a little longer. Bonez won't disappoint me. I estimate that by the beginning of next year at the latest, he will sail our ship to the East Blue to meet us. It won't take more than a few days to gather the other crew members. Once the pirate crew is formed, the first thing we'll do is help you get your revenge. How does that sound?"

After getting Buggy's answer, Law finally dumped the stones from the cart, then pulled the cart back into the tunnel to continue hauling rock fragments.

Watching Law re-enter the tunnel, Buggy felt a headache coming on. He had just raised both hands when a gentle force, accompanied by a faint fragrance, pressed against his slightly sore temples.

"Is that boy Law talking about revenge again?" Hancock, who had walked over at some point, asked Buggy softly.

"You can't blame him. To experience the hell of having his family and friends die right in front of him as a child... it's already a miracle he didn't go mad. I can see he's reaching his limit. Although his strength hasn't improved as fast as yours, he at least has the ability to protect himself now. If we find someone to guide him, there shouldn't be a problem."

Buggy was aware of Law's progress. Not to mention Haki—he had only been training for a few years. If he could already use it, he would be an absolute monster.

Compared to Law's progress, it was Hancock's progress that Buggy had completely unexpected.

To describe Hancock, Buggy could only use one phrase: beyond expectations, but within reason.

It was normal to be beyond expectations because Buggy had never thought Hancock would be able to develop the ability of the Hobi Hobi no Mi to the second stage so quickly. One must know that Buggy himself had been painstakingly training his Chop-Chop Fruit ability and had yet to enter the second stage.

But one day half a year ago, when Hancock brought a toy that looked like it was made entirely of rock into the tunnel and kicked it to pieces in front of Buggy, Buggy finally understood what the term "genius" really meant.

It was the same Hobi Hobi no Mi ability. Sugar had possessed it for who knows how many years, yet her application of it was still stuck at the first stage of turning animals into toys.

But Hancock had possessed it for no more than six years, and she had already advanced from turning animals into toys to the level of creating toys from inanimate matter out of thin air.

Of course, Buggy wasn't too surprised by this result. After all, from the very beginning, Buggy had estimated that the Hobi Hobi no Mi could be used to this extent. As long as Hancock worked hard, it was only a matter of time.

What truly shocked Buggy was her ability to imbue her attacks with the power to partially turn a target into a toy.

One must know that back then, Buggy had only mentioned it casually, based on the scene from the anime where Hancock used her Mero Mero no Mi to kick people.

In reality, Buggy didn't think Hancock could do it, because he himself wasn't even sure if it was possible. After all, to achieve this, one must have complete control over their ability to prevent it from turning the target directly into a toy, instead only partially turning the point of impact into a toy.

Strictly speaking, compared to the second stage of toy creation, partial toy-ification was even more difficult.

But a genius is a genius. Even though her Devil Fruit changed from the Mero Mero ability to the Hobi Hobi ability, Hancock still demonstrated an extraordinary level of understanding and control.

Enjoying Hancock's massage, Buggy looked up at the distance.

Everything was almost in place. Years of obscurity were all for the sake of one day shocking the world.

Shanks, don't think you're so great just because you've become one of the Four Emperors. I'll soon surpass you, in both fame and strength.

Damn it, speaking of which, there are still three crew members to be decided. I need to think about it properly in my spare time.

In May 1514, Daz Bonez, who was rushing to finish work in the shipyard, received a call from Marine Headquarters.

"Moshi moshi, this is Daz Bonez." After several years of training, Daz Bonez had become much more reserved.

"Rear Admiral Bonez, it's time for the quadrennial World Conference again this year. The date has been set for October 10th."

"What does that have to do with me?" Bonez asked in a deep voice.

"Originally, you only needed to escort one king, but several kings from the South Blue value your strength and hope that you will participate in the escort mission. After discussion by the headquarters' staff office, it has been decided that the kings of several kingdoms will gather in She-Cut Town under your jurisdiction, and you will then escort them all to the Holy Land Mary Geoise. You must arrive before October."

"Specifically requesting me as an escort, huh? Fine. Tell those kings to send me their best shipwrights. As long as they can get my warship completed before September, then escorting them is a small matter. With the warship, I'll be more confident as well." After speaking, Bonez hung up the phone directly.

Looking up, a rare smile appeared on Daz Bonez's stern face. With this order, the "Thor" could finally be completed within the year. Captain, I will definitely be in the East Blue before October.

Three months later, at Dock One in She-Cut Town, a warship with no sails, propelled entirely by high-voltage electric-powered propellers, and constructed entirely of a new type of alloy except for its interior decoration, was finally built.

Looking at this technological product that did not belong to this era, Daz Bonez was incredibly excited.

The warship the captain designed for him was finally complete. Now, he just had to wait for the sea trial to be over, and then he could take off this military uniform he had worn for several years.

Touching the cloak on his shoulders, Bonez shook his head internally. Although life in the Marines wasn't bad, it ultimately couldn't compare to the joy of a free and easy life.

Walking out of the shipyard, Bonez called his loyal adjutant over.

"Go and tell the kings that the warship is complete. After a week of debugging, we can set off. Tell them to hand over their duties and be ready for me to pick them up at any time."

"Lord Bonez, wasn't the plan for them to gather here in She-Cut Town?" The adjutant didn't quite understand his superior's meaning.

"The others can wait, but where is the Uchiya Kingdom? It's near the other side of the Red Line. Who knows how long it would take for that king to travel here by ship. Don't worry, I already made adjustments when they sent their shipwrights and informed them in advance. Go and notify them now. We'll set off in a week. After picking up all the kings, we'll cross the Calm Belt directly to the Holy Land Mary Geoise."

Hearing Bonez's words, the adjutant said worriedly, "Sir, the Seastone from Marine Headquarters hasn't arrived yet. Isn't it a bit dangerous to cross the Calm Belt like this?"

"I cherish my life more than you do. To me, the Sea Kings of the Calm Belt are less of a threat than the Knock Up Stream. As for the Seastone, rather than waiting for those lazy bums to deliver it to me, it's better to just go to headquarters and have it installed directly." Glancing faintly at his adjutant, Bonez replied unhurriedly.

"Yes, sir!"

(End of Chapter)