Chapter 11: I Am the Man Who Will Become the Pirate King!

During the two weeks spent with the Red-Haired Pirates, Kaito Sakamoto discovered a flaw in the replication fruit.

If a person possesses multiple abilities, such as fruit powers, martial arts, marksmanship, swordsmanship, Haki, and Observation Haki (Conqueror's Haki cannot be replicated), Kaito can only replicate one ability at a time.

As mentioned earlier, once replicated, the ability can only be used once. For technical skills, that's manageable; once replicated, you can jump right into using them. However, with fruit abilities, after replication, he must replicate it again to use it again.

There is one more aspect outside of these two results: physical condition.

No matter how good the technique or ability, a solid physical foundation is necessary. Kaito was burdened by a weakness buff from the system, making his own training a time-consuming task.

Therefore, he would likely sail with Luffy in the future, continuously replicating Luffy's physical condition, using it once, and then replicating it again. After all, in the pirate world, who has a stronger physical condition than Luffy? He's practically an unstoppable cockroach!

During this half-month period, Kaito replicated various abilities from the Red-Haired Pirates, but what he replicated is a story for later—this is his capital for future adventures at sea.

...

"I am the man who will become the Pirate King!"

In the bar owned by Makino, Luffy stood on the central table, shouting out his dream and ambition.

He wanted Kaito to join him up there, but Kaito refused. He even asked, "Why?"

There was a three-second silence in the tavern before laughter erupted all around.

Makino looked at Luffy with a doting expression, clearly unconcerned about him standing on the table.

"Hahaha, Little Luffy really has dreams!"

"Hahaha, do you have what it takes? Little Luffy, the sea is extremely dangerous!"

"Of course! I'm already a rubber man! Even though I'll always be a terrible swimmer, I'm still amazing!"

"And Kaito agreed to be my partner! He's really strong!"

Luffy pulled his mouth open with both hands, showcasing his rubber fruit abilities.

"Is that so? Then we support you! If you become the Pirate King, our village will share in the glory! Hahaha!"

The villagers treated Luffy quite well.

"Share in the glory?"

"What's so glorious about being a pirate!"

"Though becoming a rubber man is indeed incredible, so what?"

"I've said many times that I won't let you become a pirate! Luffy, don't let the town get stained!"

The old mayor, wearing a striped hat and pants, appeared. He was soft-hearted yet tough on the outside, banging his cane against the ground to express his strong disapproval of Luffy's pirate aspirations.

Luffy didn't listen at all; he covered his ears and stuck out his tongue, clearly annoyed by the lecture.

As soon as the mayor finished, Luffy immediately retorted.

"I don't care! I will definitely become the Pirate King!"

"You! Say! What! You want! To be!!"

"Luffy!!!"

Like a voice from a demon, Luffy clearly forgot that today was the day Garp returned. Kaito had forgotten too, having spent the past few days researching fruit abilities.

The voice sounded like a curse, causing Luffy to turn stiffly, as if he were cursed to become a puppet. He turned around to see Garp standing at the tavern door in a black suit.

"Grandpa, I..."

Luffy felt a bit guilty because Garp's fists were not something to joke about. However, feeling the support of his hat on his back somehow boosted his confidence.

"I am the man who will become the Pirate King!"

Garp's forehead immediately developed a vein. "You little brat, you're not hiding anything from me, are you?"

Garp slowly walked into the tavern and approached Luffy, causing the tavern's patrons to go quiet as they watched.

Looking at Luffy, Garp quickly shifted his gaze to Kaito.

"Kid, didn't I tell you to keep an eye on Luffy? Why are you letting him hang out with those Red-Haired pirates!"

Kaito felt guilty. He would much prefer if Luffy hung out with Shanks and the others.

Unsure of how to respond, Kaito chose to play dumb and climbed onto the table to stand beside Luffy, raising Luffy's hand in support.

"Luffy will definitely become the Pirate King! I support him! We will find the Grand Treasure!"

Luffy smiled brightly, happy to have someone support him.

Garp's face darkened instantly, a vein popping out on his forehead.

"You two little brats!!!!!"

...

"Damn it! That hurts! Why does it still hurt if I'm made of rubber? Let go of me, Grandpa!"

On the mountain road of Kurobo Mountain, Garp held one child in each hand.

With his left hand, he lifted Kaito, and with his right, he held Luffy. His back was... oh, nothing was on his back.

Garp pulled Luffy's face by one side, lifting him up while Luffy kept hitting Garp's thigh in protest. Kaito didn't dare to resist; he knew they were likely heading to Dadan's house.

Garp, frustrated, scolded them.

"You two little brats, Pirate King, Grand Treasure!"

"Have you been brainwashed by that Red-Haired guy?"

"Leaving you two in that unreliable Windmill Village was truly a mistake. I thought you'd be more sensible, but I forgot you're also just a kid!"

"I kept you around because your fruit ability seemed good, but it turns out you've been brainwashed too!"

"You and Luffy, Ace will only be able to become excellent Marines in the future!"

Kaito: "Yes, yes, yes, that's what you say."