Chapter 165: The Straw-hats Growth!

As time passed, the adventures of the Straw Hat Pirates echoed across the seas, shaking the world to its core. Their daring exploits, including the defeat of the infamous Golden Lion Shiki and their triumphant entry into the Grand Line and the New World, only amplified their growing legend. The name of the Straw Hat Boy, Monkey D. Luffy, began to resonate throughout the world, culminating in a staggering bounty of 3 billion berries.

In a desperate attempt to counter the ever-growing influence of Ace, the World Government decided to reintroduce the title of the Five Emperors. They sought to place the Straw Hat Boy and the Flame Emperor on equal footing, hoping to balance the scales and suppress Ace's overwhelming reputation. After all, with two formidable superpowers standing in direct opposition to the World Government, the title of Admiral of the Entei Pirates Grand Fleet had become an embarrassment for them. Reducing Ace to the status of one of the Five Emperors seemed a more palatable option.

The world now recognized the Five Emperors as follows:

Edward Newgate (Whitebeard): Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, the former world's strongest man, with a bounty of 5.046 billion berries. He was the legendary Whitebeard, one of the original Four Emperors.

Shanks (Red-Haired): Leader of the Red-Haired Pirates, with a bounty of 4.0489 billion berries. Shanks, a charismatic figure and one of the Four Emperors, commanded immense respect and power.

Monkey D. Luffy (Straw Hat Boy): Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, with a bounty of 3 billion berries. The Straw Hat Boy, now recognized as one of the Five Emperors, stands as a symbol of hope and rebellion against the tyranny of the World Government.

Buggy (Clown King): Captain of the Buggy Pirates, with a bounty of 4.5 billion berries. Known as the Clown King, Buggy had somehow maneuvered his way into the ranks of the Five Emperors, his notoriety and cunning earning him a place among the elite.

Portgas D. Ace (Flame Emperor): Admiral of the Entei Pirates, revered as the world's strongest man and the most Haki-infused warrior in history. With the most formidable Devil Fruit power ever recorded, Ace's bounty had soared to an unprecedented 5.85 billion berries. Despite being recognized as one of the Five Emperors, the Flame Emperor still stood unmatched, his name alone enough to instill fear in the hearts of his enemies.

The balance of power in the world had shifted, with the Five Emperors reigning supreme, their influence stretching across the seas as they continued to challenge the might of the World Government.

Off the coast of Wanokuni, a small yet impeccably crafted pirate ship sliced through the waves, its course set unwaveringly toward the isolated nation. The ship bore the unmistakable emblem of the Straw Hat Pirates—a skull adorned with a straw hat, flapping proudly on the main sail. This was no ordinary crew; it was the infamous Straw Hat Pirate Group, now recognized as one of the Five Emperors, a symbol of defiance and freedom on the turbulent seas.

"Captain Luffy! I can see the outline of Wanokuni!" Usopp called out from the ship's observation deck, his voice brimming with excitement. Holding a telescope to his eye, he gazed at the distant land with an intensity that matched his words.

Usopp had come a long way since the early days of his journey. The once-timid sharpshooter now stood tall, his body hardened by countless battles, his eyes steely with determination. His appearance had matured significantly—strong muscles, a confident stance, and a demeanor that spoke of experience and growth. Thanks to the enlightenment light ball, Usopp had honed his skills far beyond what anyone could have imagined. His Observation Haki had reached extraordinary levels, allowing him to glimpse into the future, if only for a fleeting moment.

Hearing Usopp's shout, Luffy perked up from his exclusive seat, where he had been lounging. A wide grin spread across his face, the kind that had become synonymous with his boundless energy and unyielding spirit. His eyes sparkled with a mix of anticipation and excitement as he looked toward the horizon.

"Are we finally here? Hehehe," Luffy chuckled, the corners of his mouth curling even wider. The thrill of adventure danced in his eyes. They had finally reached Wanokuni!

There, in Wanokuni, awaited the most important people in Luffy's life—his two sworn brothers, Sabo and Ace. The mere thought of reuniting with them ignited a fire of determination within him.

Luffy had undergone significant changes since he first set sail on his adventure. Though his muscles were not particularly large, they were defined, each contour hinting at the immense, terrifying power that lay within. His once boyish frame now radiated the strength and maturity of a seasoned warrior. Unlike in the original timeline, there was no prominent X-shaped scar marring his chest—proof of a path altered, challenges met, and surpassed in ways different from before.

Luffy had achieved a level of mastery that few could ever dream of. He had completely harnessed the power of Conqueror's Haki Infusion, allowing his willpower to manifest in every strike, every movement. Even more impressive was his full command over the awakening of his Devil Fruit, the Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Beast, Nika form. Luffy had become one with the power of Nika, the Sun God, and his abilities had transcended the ordinary.

In his Nika state, Luffy's body, infused with Conqueror's Haki and Armament Haki, became an unstoppable force. His rubbery form, now fully awakened, was not just a physical marvel but a vessel for unimaginable power. The Nika form bestowed upon him the ability to fight with an unparalleled sense of freedom, where imagination itself became a weapon. Luffy could create and manipulate reality in ways that defied logic, conjuring objects and phenomena out of thin air, a power as whimsical as it was devastating.

This incredible power had been further amplified by the enlightenment light ball—a powerful tool that Ace had painstakingly created for Luffy. With its assistance, Luffy's combat prowess had soared to unprecedented heights, far surpassing the strength he had displayed during the Egghead Island incident. He had grown stronger than Kaido, who had once been regarded as the pinnacle of might. Luffy had ascended to the "King" level, a realm of power where few could challenge him.

It was this immense strength that had solidified Luffy's place as one of the Five Emperors, even though the circumstances differed from the original timeline. He hadn't needed to defeat the alliance of Kaido and Charlotte Linlin to claim his title; his sheer might was enough to earn him the recognition. Now, Luffy stood as a force to be reckoned with, his power second only to Ace and the mysterious Imu.

"Can I see Ace again? I'm really looking forward to it! Super!!!" Franky exclaimed, striking his signature pose with enthusiasm. The excitement in his voice was palpable, reflecting the deep respect and gratitude he held for Ace. After Ace had left, Franky had eagerly awaited the arrival of Luffy, the younger brother that Ace had spoken so highly of, back in Water 7.

Ace had left an indelible mark on Franky's life. Not only had he shared invaluable shipbuilding knowledge, but he had also brought along Franky during their bold invasion and subsequent destruction of Enies Lobby, avenging his beloved mentor, Tom. This immense favor was something Franky felt could only be repaid with his life. However, knowing that he wasn't suited to join the Entei Pirates, Franky placed all his hopes of repaying Ace on Luffy.

When Luffy and his crew arrived at Water 7, Franky was curious about just how strong Luffy—the brother of such a legendary figure—could be. Eager to test him, Franky initiated a fight, only to be soundly defeated. The experience was humbling. Despite the fact that Franky had been inspired by Ace's enlightenment and had made significant upgrades to his own abilities, the Luffy who had arrived at Water 7 was leagues beyond his expectations. Luffy, strengthened by the enlightenment light ball Ace had crafted specifically for him, was far stronger than he had been at the same point in the original timeline.

Luffy didn't even need to use his Gear Second or Gear Third; he easily overpowered Franky with just Haki, leaving Franky questioning his own strength. This was because, by then, Luffy had already mastered Conqueror's Haki Infusion, thanks to the enlightenment light ball. Although Luffy had not fully awakened the Nika form, the enlightenment light ball had significantly advanced his abilities, allowing him to naturally integrate Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki into his rubber body. Mastering Conqueror's Haki Infusion became second nature to him.

After realizing Luffy's immense strength and explaining how he had benefited from Ace's guidance, Franky eagerly joined the Straw Hat Pirates. He then went on to build the Thousand Sunny, a ship worthy of their adventures. Now, as they approached Wanokuni, the thought of reuniting with Ace, who had shown him such kindness, filled Franky with excitement, even for someone as self-proclaimed perverted as him.

"Yohohoho, Mr. Ace, I really miss him. My heart is beating with excitement... although I am just a bunch of bones and have no heart, yohohoho!" Brook added, sipping his coffee and letting out his trademark laugh, following it with one of his signature bone-related jokes. Despite being just a skeleton, Brook's hollow eyes seemed to twinkle with a nostalgic glint.

Ace had also been a pivotal figure in Brook's life. It was Ace who had helped Brook reclaim the shadow that had been stolen by Gecko Moria and who had shared the news of Laboon, Brook's long-lost whale friend, still waiting for him. Furthermore, Ace had urged Brook to wait for his brother, Luffy, who would come to join him. In the haunting darkness of the Devil's Triangle, Brook had held onto that hope, eagerly anticipating Luffy's arrival. Once they met, it didn't take long for Brook to join the Straw Hat crew.

Since then, Brook's abilities had grown considerably. With the help of the enlightenment light ball, his Yomi-Yomi Fruit had awakened, granting him the power to attack with Yomi cold air. His skill in kendo had also reached remarkable levels, making him a formidable swordsman. Now, as they approached Wanokuni, the thought of seeing Ace again filled Brook with a deep sense of gratitude and excitement, knowing that their journey together was about to reach a new chapter.