Chapter 135: Chapter 135: Trade
When Luffy heard that the Whitebeard Pirates were about to depart for Marineford, he became ecstatic and wanted to set sail with them immediately.
Just as he was about to steer the Thousand Sunny away from Fish-Man Island to rendezvous with the Whitebeard crew, Alex casually remarked:
"Luffy, wouldn't you prefer to head straight to Impel Down and rescue Ace before the execution even begins?"
Luffy blinked, confused. "Impel Down? What's that?"
Alex explained, "Impel Down is the world's most secure prison, located in the Calm Belt of the Grand Line. It's heavily guarded, and Fire Fist Ace is being held there, awaiting execution."
Hearing this, Luffy's excitement grew. "Let's go! I'll break Ace out before they can execute him!"
The rest of the Straw Hat crew, though aware of the dangers of Impel Down, didn't object. Even the more cautious Chopper and Nami agreed to join him.
Nami raised her Clima-Tact with a determined smile. "If Luffy's going to rescue his brother, then we're all going too. After all, he's our captain!"
"That's right!" Usopp swallowed hard, suppressing his fear. "We'll help Luffy break into Impel Down and save Fire Fist Ace!"
"Let's smash the world's toughest prison!" Chopper declared, raising a hoof.
Despite not knowing Ace personally, the crew's bond with Luffy was reason enough for them to risk it all.
Robin, ever the strategist, voiced a concern. "How do we get to Impel Down? It's in the Calm Belt, and we'd need to pass through the Gates of Justice to get there. That's nearly impossible."
Alex smiled. "Don't worry, I have a way."
He snapped his fingers, conjuring a portal. "This will take you directly to Impel Down. Once you're inside, do what you must. I've also just enhanced your physical abilities. Unlike Usopp's previous boost, this one will start small but grow stronger over time. By the time Ace's execution begins, your strength will reach its peak."
The crew nodded resolutely, ready for the challenge ahead.
Alex opened the portal and said, "See you at Marineford."
Usopp hesitated, looking puzzled. "Alex, you're not coming with us to Impel Down?"
Instead of answering directly, Alex stomped lightly on the ground. From beneath his feet, thick vines sprouted and twisted together, forming a magnificent and fantastical ship.
Facing the stunned crew, Alex grinned. "Impel Down is too gloomy for my taste. I'd rather take my time sailing to Marineford, enjoying the journey along the way. After all, I am a traveler at heart."
Usopp's earlier bravery wavered. He had been counting on Alex's overwhelming power to guarantee their success. Without him, fear began to creep back in.
But the bond with his captain and crew overcame his hesitation. With a determined shout, Usopp charged into the portal.
"I'm going in!" he yelled, afraid that any further delay would sap his courage completely.
The rest of the crew followed suit, waving goodbye as they stepped through. "See you later, Alex! Wish us luck!"
It seemed they hadn't fully grasped what Alex meant by "see you at Marineford," but he let it slide, waving them off as the portal closed.
Once the portal vanished, Shirahoshi, who had remained silent until now, spoke up.
"Alex, do you think Luffy and his friends will be okay?"
Alex rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "They should be fine. Their strength will grow over time, giving them the edge they need."
Reassured, Shirahoshi hesitated before asking, "Can I come with you to Marineford?"
Though Alex wasn't one to be swayed easily, Shirahoshi's pleading eyes stirred a small wave of emotion within him.
"Of course," he said with a smile. "I'll leave a portal here on Fish-Man Island. You can join me on my ship whenever you like or return here anytime."
Shirahoshi's face lit up with joy. Overcome with excitement, she scooped Alex into a hug, pressing him tightly against her chest. "Thank you, Lord Alex! You're the best!"
After coating the ship and using a portal to leave Fishman Island, Alex, along with Shirahoshi, departed under King Neptune's farewell to meet with the Whitebeard Pirates and embark on their journey to Marineford.
Alex conjured a cruise ship of extraordinary proportions, 300 meters in length and 40 meters in width, spanning five luxurious levels. Each deck was filled with entertainment far exceeding the opulence of modern cruise liners.
For Alex, power was a means to fulfill desires. Denying oneself such pleasures was akin to being dead.
The ship, infused with runes of regeneration and resilience, effortlessly navigated the Grand Line's treacherous conditions. Disastrous weather that would be fatal to others was a mere breeze to Alex.
When Alex's ship joined the Whitebeard fleet, its grandeur left everyone speechless.
"Wow! This is the most beautiful ship I've ever seen!"
"And it's enormous! Compared to this, even the Moby Dick looks like a toy!"
"I can't imagine how amazing it would be to sail on this ship!"
The sheer size and elegance of the ship eclipsed their admiration for the Moby Dick. Even Whitebeard himself was momentarily stunned.
Turning to Marco, Whitebeard asked, "Marco, is this really Alex's ship?"
"It should be… He mentioned he'd arrive soon, and this fits his style," Marco replied, though still unsure.
As the ship approached, Marco spotted Alex lounging on the deck, sipping red wine. He confirmed, "Yes, Pops, that's him. The white-haired man on the deck is Alex."
Whitebeard fixed his gaze on Alex. The tales of Alex's exploits—killing two Celestial Dragons, capturing another, and fending off two Admirals—had piqued his interest.
Few dared to provoke the World Government so blatantly, and fewer could survive.
But it wasn't just Alex's strength that intrigued him; it was his bounty—surpassing even Gol D. Roger's. Such a bounty signaled the World Government's deep fear of the secrets Alex carried.
After learning from Marco that Alex could create Devil Fruits, eliminate their weaknesses, and grant others Admiral-level strength, Whitebeard realized Alex wasn't merely a strong pirate; he had surpassed the level of the Yonko.
Knowing Alex would aid them in rescuing Ace, Whitebeard felt a surge of confidence.
Breaking from tradition, Whitebeard leapt aboard Alex's ship—a rare gesture of respect.
"Gurararara! Alex, it's been a few days, and you've already built such a magnificent ship. You never cease to amaze!" Whitebeard laughed heartily, settling on the deck as the chairs were too small for him.
With a slight thought, Alex willed the vines on the deck to grow rapidly. These divine vines intertwined under his control, forming a chair perfectly suited to Whitebeard's massive frame. Taking a leisurely sip of the fine red wine he got from Tony, Alex said calmly, "It's not proper to let a guest sit on the ground. Have a seat, old man."
Whitebeard looked curiously at the vine chair that had taken shape in mere moments. Sitting down, he asked, "Alex, is this another one of your abilities?"
Alex replied, "You could say that. Think of it as the Mori Mori no Mi's ability."
In reality, his control over the divine vines came from manipulating his World Tree, a power far beyond the Mori Mori no Mi. However, he chose to explain it in terms Whitebeard would understand.
As the cool sea breeze drifted by, Whitebeard surveyed the surroundings and remarked, "Even after seeing it a few times, it still feels unbelievable. Not only have you overcome the Devil Fruit's weakness to seawater and Seastone, but you can also create entirely new fruits. From what I see, your versions are even better than the originals. The Mori Mori no Mi, as I know it, couldn't achieve such precise control."
Alex gave a slight smile. "It's nothing extraordinary. If you're interested, I could customize a similar ship for your crew. Of course, it would come at a high price."
Whitebeard's eyes lit up. "What do you want?"
Alex pondered for a moment, then noticed Whitebeard's Supreme Grade blade, Murakumogiri. He said, "Though this weapon isn't of much use to me, it would make a nice addition to my collection. I'll take Murakumogiri."
Whitebeard's expression grew complicated. He knew that although a Supreme Grade sword was priceless, it still paled in comparison to Alex's indestructible, self-regenerating ship. Trading Murakumogiri for such a vessel would be a bargain. However, with the imminent assault on Marineford to rescue Ace, parting with Murakumogiri could weaken his combat effectiveness, potentially jeopardizing the mission.
Seeing Whitebeard's hesitation, Alex said, "I can build the ship now and collect payment later. No rush."
Realizing there was still a chance, Whitebeard immediately agreed. "Gurararara! Much appreciated! With your ship, our odds of rescuing Ace just got better. I'll personally hand over Murakumogiri after our return from Marineford."
Alex raised his glass for a toast. "To a successful partnership."
After downing their drinks, Alex tapped his finger on the table. A visible ripple spread from where his finger met the surface, and the surrounding ocean began to tremble. The vines of his ship moved swiftly, weaving into a massive sphere beside the vessel, floating atop the waves.
The Whitebeard Pirates, awestruck by the sphere's size—larger than even the Moby Dick—were left speechless. Alex smiled and asked, "So, what kind of ship do you want?"
Whitebeard, though momentarily stunned, quickly regained composure. Glancing at the Moby Dick, he thought for a moment and said, "Make it as large and sturdy as possible. And, if you can, make it look good—something similar to the Moby Dick." Stroking his crescent-shaped mustache, he added sheepishly, "Am I asking for too much?"
Alex shook his head, signaling it wasn't an issue, and began shaping the vines.
Under Alex's control, the vines separated and took the form of a colossal ship. The new vessel resembled the Moby Dick but was significantly larger—1,000 meters long, 200 meters wide, and towering at 20 stories high. It looked like a gigantic Sea King floating on the waves.
Alex used his RCT to refine the ship's figure, molding the prow into a pale white whale head, almost identical to the Moby Dick's. He then carved out dozens of gunports for battle purposes and added some finishing touches, completing the massive ship.
Though less intricate than Alex's personal ship, it was far grander and more rugged—a design that perfectly suited a pirate's taste.
Turning to Whitebeard, Alex asked, "What do you think, old man? Any changes needed?"
Whitebeard's eyes lit up as he admired the ship that would soon be his. Any regret about parting with Murakumogiri vanished. He burst into laughter. "Gurararara! This ship is incredible!"
The rest of the Whitebeard Pirates were equally thrilled. With a ship like this, they could storm Marineford without fear.
The Whitebeard Pirates lingered in the area, waiting for allied crews to gather. Over the next several hours, ships of all sizes arrived—each belonging to a formidable crew under Whitebeard's command.
By the time half a day had passed, the fleet was complete. With a vast armada at their back, they set sail toward Marineford, ready to break through the Marine stronghold and rescue Ace.
°°°
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