[OP Marine Officer Luffy] Chapter 361- 365

Chapter 361: Gold, Underground Vault

"Sky Island?"

Ain and Koala repeated the name in unison, exchanging wide-eyed glances.

“Could it be that?” Koala whispered, her excitement barely contained.

Mentioning Sky Island inevitably brought to mind the legendary Golden City that Luffy had often talked about with unrestrained enthusiasm. For months, he had grumbled to anyone who would listen that the Revolutionary Army’s progress was agonizingly slow. With no updates on the Golden City, he even began to suspect his father, Dragon, of embezzling the treasures to fund his army.

Now, hearing Robin mention Sky Island again, and claiming these items were highly valuable, both Ain and Koala immediately thought of the shiny treasures Luffy had dreamed of.

Robin, seeing their eager expressions, smiled knowingly and nodded. “Yes, it’s exactly what you’re thinking.”

Hearing this confirmation, the two women suddenly forgot their exhaustion. They rushed toward the stacked wooden crates, ignoring everything else.

Before they could pry open the boxes, Robin stepped in front of them, raising her hand to stop their eager approach. Her expression was calm, though there was a hint of amusement in her tone.

“These are only a small portion of what we brought back,” she explained. “Our ships couldn’t carry too much at once. There will be more in the future.” She paused and added teasingly, “For now, let’s focus on finding the great Vice Admiral. I’m sure he’d love to chat.”

Koala and Ain barely registered Robin’s playful jab. Their attention was fixed on the more than fifty large wooden crates stacked neatly on the lift.

“If this is just a small part,” Ain murmured, swallowing hard, “I can’t even imagine how much gold is in the Golden City.”

Without wasting another moment, Ain dashed off to gather the Marines and workers to help transport the treasure.

Koala, however, had no patience for logistics. Pushing through the crowd, she summoned her Devil Fruit abilities, conjuring flame clouds to lift all the wooden crates effortlessly.

Robin, watching this display, raised an eyebrow in surprise. It had only been a few months since she had last seen Koala, and she hadn’t expected her to become a Devil Fruit user.

“Interesting,” Robin mused quietly. But before she could inquire further, Ain returned and gestured for everyone to move quickly.

Without waiting for instructions, Koala guided the crates using her flame clouds. Robin and Ain boarded one of the crates, and the group soared toward the Flower Capital.

Within minutes, they reached the outskirts of the capital, landing in a run-down area once known as the "Garbage District." Luffy had since renamed it the “Marine District.”

In the past, the residents of this area survived by scavenging through the waste discarded by the Flower Capital. After Luffy’s takeover, he relocated the inhabitants, providing them with stable jobs and housing in more prosperous areas like Hakumai.

Once the area was vacated, Luffy demolished the dilapidated buildings, planning to rebuild the site into a comprehensive Marine hub with research facilities, training grounds, and logistics storage.

On their way, Ain had alerted the staff to clear the construction site. By the time they arrived, the workers and guards had been evacuated, leaving the vast area eerily silent.

Koala landed the crates in front of a nondescript building. “This way,” she said, leading the group inside.

The building, a temporary shelter for the craftsmen working on the project, was unremarkable. It was slated for demolition once construction was complete, with plans to plant trees in its place to obscure the area from prying eyes.

But beneath the surface lay something far more significant.

Long before construction began, Luffy had hollowed out the underground using his abilities, creating a hidden vault to store his treasures.

Ain approached a slightly raised patch of ground near the entrance and tapped on a watch strapped to her wrist. Instantly, the ground shifted, revealing a wide underground passageway that sloped downward.

The passage was large enough to accommodate seven or eight people walking side by side. Koala directed the crates into the tunnel with her flame clouds and turned to Robin, explaining, “This is where we keep all our treasures and spoils. There are several hidden passages, and one even connects directly to the Marine base in the Flower Capital.”

Robin nodded, intrigued by the design. As the last of the crates disappeared into the tunnel, she followed Koala down the dimly lit passage.

The passage was dark at first, but as soon as the entrance closed, lights embedded in the ceiling flickered on, illuminating the way. Koala, walking ahead, glanced back at Robin with a smug grin.

“What do you think?” she asked, her tone proud. “Pretty impressive, right? This entire system was designed by Sister Olivia. She might have a… unique personality, but her work is nothing short of brilliant.”

Robin raised an eyebrow at the mention of Olivia, silently taking note of the name. Though Koala’s comments hinted at eccentricities—perhaps even moral flexibility—it was clear that Luffy had surrounded himself with highly capable individuals.

Watching Koala’s confident demeanor and the smooth efficiency of the operation, Robin realized that Luffy’s influence had grown far beyond what she had expected.

Chapter 362: Prying into the Government, Vegapunk's Recruitment Plan

“Hey, Koala, can artificial Devil Fruits be replicated? I mean, mass production,” Robin asked, her tone calm yet laced with curiosity. She already knew the source of Koala’s abilities and was eager to probe deeper.

Koala frowned, shaking her head in slight frustration. “I don’t know. Luffy told me that Dr. Vegapunk only created this one artificial Devil Fruit.”

Robin’s brow furrowed at this response, and she opened her mouth to press further. Before she could, Ain interjected with information she had picked up from Luffy.

“According to Luffy,” Ain began, “there are only two people in the world capable of creating artificial Devil Fruits. The first was a man named Caesar Clown. The fruits he made were flawed—unreliable and with a low success rate. Plus, he experimented on living humans, which is why Luffy personally dealt with him.”

Robin nodded, listening intently as Ain continued.

“The second is Dr. Vegapunk. Luffy said Vegapunk has the ability to create perfect artificial Devil Fruits. However, only one was ever made: the Mythical Zoan Fruit that Kaido have. Vegapunk considered it a failure because its color differed from the original fruit. He discarded it and shifted his research toward Paramecia fruits.”

Ain paused, her expression growing serious. “But even with his brilliance, Vegapunk hit a bottleneck with Paramecia fruits due to their unpredictable nature. That’s why no additional perfect artificial fruits have been produced since.”

Robin exhaled deeply, marveling at the information. “As expected of the genius Vegapunk,” she murmured. “The fact that even a single Devil Fruit—be it Logia, Paramecia, or even an ordinary Zoan—can be artificially replicated is enough to challenge everything we’ve ever believed.”

Koala and Ain nodded in agreement, admiration for Vegapunk’s intellect clear on their faces.

After a brief silence, Robin spoke again, her tone taking a curious turn. “If given the chance, would you two be interested in trying to recruit Vegapunk?”

The abrupt question caught both women off guard.

“Huh?” Koala blinked, tilting her head in confusion.

Ain quickly moved to Robin’s side, her steps deliberate. “Robin, what are you suggesting? Vegapunk is a heavily guarded asset of the World Government. Even if we wanted to recruit him, they’d never allow it.”

Koala slowed her pace, her curiosity piqued, and waited for Robin’s explanation.

Robin removed her cloak, unveiling her calm smile as she revealed another purpose for her visit. “Actually, I’m here on a secondary mission from the Revolutionary Army. It seems that Mr. Dragon—our leader—has known Dr. Vegapunk for quite some time.”

She continued, her tone carrying an air of intrigue. “Years ago, Mr. Dragon attempted to recruit him. However, Vegapunk declined, citing the Revolutionary Army’s lack of funds to support his vast research.”

Robin fell silent, refusing to elaborate further.

Koala tilted her head, her curiosity unabated. “So… what’s the point then?”

Unlike Koala, Ain seemed to catch on quickly. Her gaze shifted toward the golden crates being carried in the distance. “Wait. Is the leader planning to use the gold from the Golden City as a bargaining chip to lure Vegapunk away from the World Government?”

Robin chuckled softly, waving off Ain’s blunt phrasing. “Don’t be so harsh. Mr. Dragon would call it a ‘strategic talent acquisition,’ not ‘luring.’ There’s no need to make it sound like we’re stealing someone’s partner.”

Ain, however, didn’t find the humor in the situation. “Robin, this is a reckless idea. Even if you have access to the wealth of the Golden City, the World Government has ruled for 800 years. Their resources—be it manpower, technology, or money—are unparalleled. Why would Vegapunk abandon that security to join us?”

Koala opened her mouth to defend the Revolutionary Army, but Ain’s words rang true. She couldn’t find a counterargument.

Robin’s smile faded slightly as she sighed. “I know it’s a long shot. The leader merely wanted to try and see if there’s a sliver of opportunity.”

The three women lapsed into silence, the weight of Ain’s reasoning settling over them. Though they continued walking, a shared understanding lingered between them—the odds of success were slim to none.

Their path eventually led them to the underground vault, 500 meters below the surface. The air was cooler here, and the walls glimmered faintly under the light of embedded fixtures.

What awaited them, however, was an unexpected yet familiar figure.

Sitting on a grand golden chair was Luffy, his expression relaxed and a wide smile on his face. As they entered, he waved enthusiastically. “Robin! That proposal you just mentioned—why don’t we sit and discuss it in detail?”

Before Robin could respond, Luffy raised his hand. A wooden crate nearby shattered, revealing neatly stacked gold bricks glinting under the light. With a casual motion, he dissolved the gold into molten liquid and shaped it into three ornate chairs.

Metallurgy

Chapter 363: Robin Turns White, the Universe at His Fingertips

The hall was simple and understated, untouched by renovations. Apart from the four golden chairs beneath the group, there was nothing else in the room to speak of.

"Koala, would you mind cooling them down for us?" Luffy asked casually, gesturing at the heated chairs.

Koala rolled her eyes in exasperation, clearly unimpressed by his request. Pouting slightly, she walked forward, change her form and opened her mouth to blow a cool gust of air over the seats.

Within moments, the golden chairs lost their excessive warmth, returning to a comfortable temperature. With a final huff, Koala stepped back and shot Luffy an annoyed glare before transforming back.

Meanwhile, Robin watched the display, her lips curving into an amused smile. Afterward, she and Ain each picked a chair and sat down. Luffy, however, seemed restless and couldn't even bring himself to pour Robin a glass of water, which made the atmosphere feel awkward.

Breaking the silence, Luffy decided to get straight to the point after Koala returned to her seat.

“In truth, I had a meeting with Dr. Vegapunk not long ago,” he began, his tone serious yet filled with admiration. “From my observations, the doctor is incredibly passionate about his research. His ideas are brimming with imagination and potential.”

The group listened intently as Luffy continued, each of them nodding in agreement or lowering their heads in contemplation. Koala, in particular, looked delighted when Luffy began praising the Revolutionary Army. Her pride was almost palpable as she beamed, her enthusiasm making her seem even more animated.

“Vegapunk is an idealist—a kind, generous man who dreams of using his inventions to benefit the world,” Luffy went on. “Someone like him only needs a safe and stable environment, free from the burden of worrying about research funding. If we can offer him that, I believe he’ll seriously consider joining us. Even if he doesn’t agree immediately, planting the idea could lead to something great in the future.”

Koala practically glowed with pride as Luffy spoke. Meanwhile, Robin leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed and her chin resting on one hand. Her long legs, elegantly crossed beneath her cloak, revealed a tantalizing glimpse of pale skin.

Seeing this, Luffy couldn’t help but think to himself, Has Robin always been this fair-skinned? Or does the Revolutionary Army have some kind of secret recipe for whitening skin?

His curiosity piqued, he made a mental note to ask Koala about it later. If they do have a secret, I need to bring some back.

Lost in his thoughts, Luffy failed to notice the shift in the atmosphere. The way he was staring at Robin’s legs hadn’t gone unnoticed, and it earned him a pair of icy glares from Koala and Ain. Even Robin herself began to feel slightly uncomfortable. Though she wanted to retract her legs, doing so would risk embarrassing Luffy.

Instead, Robin broke the awkward silence to steer the conversation back on track. “You’ve said a lot, Luffy, but you haven’t addressed the most critical issue—Vegapunk’s safety. With the World Government’s resources, even if he were to go into hiding, they could track him down using their warships.”

Luffy snapped out of his daze, his expression quickly shifting to one of focus. “Ah, that’s actually not a hard problem to solve,” he replied, turning his attention back to Robin—only to find her smiling at him in a way that was both amused and slightly dangerous. Meanwhile, Koala and Ain were still glaring at him with thinly veiled contempt.

Realizing his earlier lapse, Luffy panicked inwardly. I hope Robin doesn’t think I’m some kind of pervert.

In an attempt to salvage the situation, he blurted out, “I was just curious about your whitening secret. You believe me, right?”

Robin raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a smirk. “Of course I believe you,” she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Curiosity is such a... virtuous trait, isn’t it?”

Luffy groaned inwardly. She totally misunderstood!

But instead of backing down, he doubled down, reasoning, Since I’ve already been exposed, I might as well enjoy the view while it lasts. His gaze drifted back to Robin’s legs, earning him another round of disapproving stares from Koala and Ain.

Robin, equal parts amused and exasperated, decided she’d had enough. She pulled her legs back under her cloak, effectively ending Luffy’s "lucky streak." Despite this, Luffy didn’t seem too disheartened, quickly shifting gears back to the matter at hand.

“Have you forgotten something?” he asked, his tone turning serious. “You just came down from Sky Island. Is there anywhere safer than ten thousand meters above the ground?”

Robin’s expression shifted to one of surprise before she quickly regained her composure. “The concept is sound, but reaching Sky Island is incredibly difficult. Not to mention, transporting supplies would be a logistical nightmare.”

“That’s for you to figure out,” Luffy replied confidently. With a flick of his wrist, he activated his powers, using magnetism to lift the four of them—and their chairs—into the air.

Robin, who had seen this ability in action before, dangled her legs slightly as they hovered. “What kind of ability is this?” she asked, her curiosity evident. “As far as I know, you have the powers of the Lightning Fruit.”

“You’re right—it’s Lightning,” Luffy confirmed with a grin. “I’ve just developed it a bit further.”

Chapter 364: Failed to Get Something for Free, Invited Robin

Luffy spoke with a smug grin, clearly pleased with himself. However, as he glanced at Robin, who sat before him with the air of a walking library, he quickly coughed twice, trying to compose himself.

Robin, clever as ever, had already pieced together the explanation. Her eyes lit up as she connected the dots.

"Ah, I see now. Electricity generates magnetism, What an ingenious idea," she said, her voice carrying genuine admiration. "Since the Lightning-Lightning Fruit was first documented, you're the only one who has developed its abilities to such a remarkable extent."

Luffy laughed heartily, brushing off her praise with feigned modesty. "Hahaha, it’s not that impressive. I’ve just read a bit more than most people, that’s all."

After smoothly lowering the group back to the ground with his powers, Luffy continued, his tone brimming with confidence. "With my abilities, I could easily send an island into the sky. Once I recruit Dr. Vegapunk, I’ll personally relocate him—and the entire island—up there."

He paused for dramatic effect, a triumphant grin spreading across his face. "I’ve already picked the perfect spot. A new Sky Island will be above Wano Country."

Robin arched an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise flashing across her face before she pursed her lips in thought. “Raising an island through sheer power? That’s quite the feat.” Her tone shifted to playful sarcasm. "As expected of the youngest and most outstanding vice admiral in the world government history. Truly remarkable~."

Luffy waved his hand modestly, preparing to downplay her praise, but before he could speak, Robin’s tone turned sharp.

"That’s a wonderful idea, Luffy. Let our Revolutionary Army provide the funds, the manpower, and shoulder all the risks—while you reap all the rewards. There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world."

"Hey! That’s unfair!" Luffy retorted, slamming a fist against the armrest of his chair in protest. His expression was a mix of indignation and disbelief. "What do you mean, all the benefits are mine? Don’t forget, I’m also a member of the Revolutionary Army! Why would I hide anything from you? We’re supposed to be united in our cause!"

Robin rolled her eyes at his righteous indignation, a wry smile tugging at her lips. She didn’t bother dignifying his claims with a response. Does he really think I’m so gullible? When did he ever officially join the Revolutionary Army? she thought, her skepticism growing. Even if his father leads the revolution, that doesn’t automatically make him a member.

Faced with Robin’s clear distrust, Luffy could only shake his head in mock despair. "The world’s so fickle these days. We’re comrades fighting for the same goal—to overthrow the World Government. Why quibble over the details?"

Still, Luffy knew he couldn’t let Robin think he was freeloading. After a moment of thought, he added, "Fine, here’s the deal: aside from the gold you brought, I’ll hand over the rest of my funds to the Revolutionary Army. Consider it an advance payment for Dr. Vegapunk’s research."

Robin’s expression softened at his compromise, her lips curving into a satisfied smile. “I’ll inform the leader,” she replied, her tone noticeably warmer.

With the matter of Vegapunk temporarily settled, the group shifted their attention to other topics. But Luffy wasn’t ready to end the conversation just yet.

“Robin,” he began, leaning forward with an inviting smile, “why don’t you join us? I could use someone with your intellect.”

Ain raised a skeptical eyebrow, her concern evident. “Wait a minute. Didn’t you say there were CP agents at the base? If Robin goes there now, won’t she be in danger?”

The group exchanged wary glances, recalling Khalifa’s repeated warnings to avoid unnecessary contact with CP Agents. Why was Luffy suggesting something so reckless?

Luffy chuckled, waving away their concerns. “Relax! The one incharge this time is Khalifa’s sister. After some guidance from me and Khalifa, she’s had a change of heart and decided to join our cause.”

The three women stared at him, their expressions blank and disbelieving. It was clear they didn’t buy a word of his explanation.

Still, learning that the visitor was Khalifa’s sister seemed to ease their nerves. Koala let out a relieved sigh. “Well, as long as we’re careful and don’t do anything too extreme, we should be fine. We’re in Wano Country now, after all.”

Robin, however, wasn’t so easily reassured. “We shouldn’t let our guard down,” she warned. “The government’s agents are everywhere. Who knows when they might try to infiltrate?”

Koala and Ain exchanged amused glances. “You’re kidding, right?” Ain said, a grin spreading across her face. “We’ve got Luffy and Violet—two of the best anti-infiltration weapons around. If any CP agent sets foot in Wano, they’ll be under constant surveillance. Violet might even probe their memories and uncover some secrets.”

Robin couldn’t help but smile at their confidence, though she still felt cautious. Before she could voice her concerns, Luffy turned to her with a sudden question.

“Hey, Robin,” he said casually, “after you’re done reading the Poneglyph in Wano Country, why not stay here? You’ve practically read all the known Poneglyph already. You could help me out here instead.”

Robin blinked in surprise, caught off guard by his unexpected invitation. She studied him carefully, her expression a mix of curiosity and doubt. “I’ll think about it,” she replied cautiously. “If you can convince me, I might stay.”

“That’s a deal!” Luffy declared enthusiastically. “I’ll show you the results of my governance in Wano Country. You’ll see—I’m doing great things here.”

Chapter 365: Luffy's Philosophy, Road Sign Poneglyph

The known Poneglyph were limited. The Poneglyph that Kaido had taken before his defeat were the only ones within reach. As for the rest, they were in the possession of another Emperor of the Sea, Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin.

Kaido's current whereabouts were a mystery, making him difficult to locate. As for Big Mom, confronting her was even more challenging. It wasn’t an option to rely on Marine Headquarters for assistance; the government wouldn’t allow them to provoke two Emperors of the Sea in succession and disrupt the delicate balance of the world.

Even with Luffy's strength, defeating Big Mom single-handedly was out of the question. For now, all he could do was maintain a low profile, waiting for his subordinates to grow stronger before devising a new plan.

As they walked, the four of them discussed these matters and other trivial topics. Ain and Koala enthusiastically shared stories with Robin, recounting everything that had happened since they arrived in Wano Country. They spoke of air-drying Kozuki Sukiyaki, stabilizing Wano’s internal order, and restoring production for residents in various regions.

Robin listened intently, her curiosity piqued by their tales of governance. She was particularly intrigued by Luffy’s unique methods of managing Wano Country. While many rulers resorted to rigid systems or harsh tactics, Luffy's approach seemed refreshingly simple yet effective.

To Luffy, governing a country—or even the entire world—didn’t require radical measures. He believed the key to stability lay in a few fundamental principles.

“The essence of governing,” Luffy began, his voice calm but confident, “is understanding that a country is like a family. If you take care of the people—treat them like family—they will trust you and willingly follow you. That’s what makes a ruler great.”

Robin tilted her head slightly, intrigued by his perspective. She remained silent, waiting for him to elaborate.

Luffy’s thoughts drifted to his experiences in Wano Country. “Take the Kozuki family’s turmoil as an example. Or even the occasional unrest we face today. The real troublemakers are always the noblr—the aristocracy. The lower-class people? They were too busy trying to survive. They didn’t have the time or energy to scheme or support the Kozuki family.”

He continued, “When the Marines treated them kindly, they remembered that kindness. Even when they were starving, few were unwilling to join the rebellion unless manipulated with promises of food. Those rebels weren’t loyalists; they were just desperate.”

Koala and Ain nodded in agreement. Their own investigations had corroborated Luffy's observations. Most of the so-called ronin were simply descendants of disgraced samurai. Supporting the Kozuki family wasn’t their true motive—they wanted to restore their own families to power.

Robin’s expression remained thoughtful as she absorbed Luffy’s words, her interest growing with each passing moment.

“For ordinary people,” Luffy continued, “it doesn’t matter whether the rulers are Celestial Dragons or the Revolutionary Army. All they care about is whether they have food on their plates and jobs to sustain their families. That’s the bottom line for most people. If a ruler fails to provide those basics, the people will rebel—or worse, turn to piracy.”

He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. “But when those same people have nothing, when they’re desperate, they’ll commit atrocities they never thought themselves capable of—killing, stealing, setting villages ablaze, even turning to piracy. It’s survival at any cost.”

Robin listened closely, her eyes narrowing slightly as she considered his words. It was a stark yet undeniably accurate portrayal of human nature.

Luffy’s voice grew firmer. “So what’s the point of the Marine fighting pirates for hundreds of years, chasing them across the seas? Wouldn’t it make more sense to arrest the corrupt nobles and wealthy businessmen who exploit the people? They’re the ones creating these conditions.”

He gestured widely as he spoke, his passion evident. “If you improve people’s lives—give them food, shelter, and dignity—they won’t need to become pirates. Over time, the number of pirates will shrink on its own. That’s how we make the world a better place: by starting with the ordinary people.”

Robin’s lips parted slightly in surprise. It wasn’t the first time she had heard someone dissect the world’s problems, but Luffy’s perspective was refreshingly straightforward. His words echoed the ideals of the Revolutionary Army but were more direct, simpler to grasp, and deeply insightful.

Koala and Ain were equally captivated. Stars practically sparkled in their eyes as they hung on Luffy’s every word. Their trust in him was absolute—they believed with all their hearts that Luffy could accomplish whatever he set out to do.

Luffy turned his gaze back to Robin, his tone calm but resolute. “Wano Country is just the beginning,” he declared. “I can’t promise that everyone here will become rich, but I can promise that no one will go hungry or lack clothing. Once we perfect the Wano model, we’ll take it to other countries and change the entire world. Everyone deserves a chance at a peaceful and happy life.”

His words weren’t delivered with fiery passion. Instead, they were spoken with quiet certainty, as if describing something inevitable.

Robin’s heart stirred as she listened. The young man she had once known—bold, daring, and reckless—had grown into a visionary leader. His ambition to reshape the world was undeniable, and the brilliance surrounding him felt almost tangible. It was enough to touch even Robin’s skeptical heart.

Ain and Koala, already devoted to Luffy, seemed even more entranced. They looked at him with unwavering trust, their confidence in his abilities absolute.

As the four of them reflected in silence, their journey finally brought them to the Marine base in Wano Country. The structure loomed above them, and beneath it lay a vast, open space.