Bullet’s response had long been within Dar’s expectations.
After all, in the original story, when Bullet boarded the Roger Pirates’ ship, he had the same unruly attitude.
Dar also looked serious and said, “No problem.
Once you defeat me or kill me, you are free to leave at any time.”
In his heart, however, he thought: “Challenge me?
It would be easier to destroy the World Government instead.”
Bullet quickly accepted the situation.
Just as he had faced Roger back in the day, as long as the other person was truly stronger than him, there was nothing to be unwilling about in acknowledging him as Captain.
Regardless, he would defeat him with his own hands sooner or later.
He slowly stood up, his bones cracking audibly, and said in a deep voice, “Let’s go.”
“Where to?” Dar was taken aback for a moment.
Bullet, on the contrary, frowned, having a bad feeling, and reminded him, “Don’t I need to meet the other crew members?”
He remembered very clearly that when he joined the Roger Pirates, a grand welcome banquet had been held on the ship, and everyone had raised their glasses to welcome him.
As soon as these words were spoken, a flash of embarrassment crossed Dar’s face.
Bullet’s injuries had been too severe, and he had been lying in the medical pod the whole time, so naturally, he didn’t know that this new Captain was actually a commander of a one-man army.
He coughed twice, laughed it off, and said with a hint of arrogance, “I have a quirk; I don’t really like dealing with the weak.
I originally intended to roam the New World alone, and it was only after meeting you that I had the thought of forming a pirate crew.”
This statement really struck a chord with Bullet.
He nodded heavily, agreeing completely, “The weak, indeed, have no qualification to be my crewmates.”
Seeing that he had bluffed his way through, Dar breathed a sigh of relief and immediately changed the subject, “Let’s go.
I just received news that ‘Desert Crocodile’ Crocodile is also in the first half of the New World.
Let’s see if he has any interest in joining our pirate crew.”
Upon hearing this, Bullet fell into a brief recollection.
“That guy is a decent opponent.” A trace of fighting spirit flashed in Bullet’s eyes.
“If it’s him, I have no objections.”
“That’s good.” Dar smiled, “Before we go find him, let me first familiarize you with our ship—the xuanjin ark.”
…
Inside the bridge of the xuanjin ark.
Listening to Dar’s introduction, the calmness on Bullet’s face had long since vanished, replaced by extreme shock.
The hull, crafted from special vibranium, was indestructible; the main cannon was a beam cannon with world-destroying power, with a range covering half of the New World; most importantly, it had impenetrable defenses.
This… this is no mere sailing ship; it is practically his dream ship!
“This… this…” Bullet was actually so excited that he was incoherent.
Dar watched his reaction and was extremely satisfied.
The reason he had strongly invited Bullet to join the ship, even promising him the position of Vice-Captain, was precisely because he had his eye on his heaven-defying Combine Fruit ability.
In the original story, to complement his ability, Bullet had piled his ship full of various weapons.
But now, those were all trash.
If he directly combined with the xuanjin ark, what cannonball could compare to the power of the beam main cannon?
What armor could be more terrifying than the defense of the vibranium hull?
Even Dar himself was a bit envious of Bullet’s good fortune.
He couldn’t help but imagine that if, during the great battle between Bullet and Garp, he had combined with this tens-of-thousands-ton vibranium behemoth, how shocking that scene would have been.
A metal giant hundreds of meters tall, with every punch thrown carrying the power to shake islands—this was the true invincible posture!
Dar wanted to pat Bullet on the shoulder to show encouragement, but when he looked up, he saw that the other man’s build was so tall that he couldn’t reach.
In desperation, he had to pat Bullet’s thick thigh and said with a smile, “How about it?
Once your strength is fully recovered, I can make the call to let you combine with the mystic gold.”
These words were like a catalyst, instantly igniting Bullet’s blood.
He clenched his fists, feeling strength surging through his entire body, more abundant than ever before: “I feel like my body has never been better!”
Before the words had even faded, he slammed his hands onto the floor, and a deafening shout resounded through the entire bridge: “Combine!”
In an instant, rays of purple-gold light spread out from him as the center, like a tidal wave.
However, the metal fusion he expected did not happen.
One second, two seconds, three seconds…
Everything around him remained unchanged.
Bullet’s smile froze on his face.
Refusing to believe it, he shouted again: “Combine!”
The purple light flared again, but still, it was like a stone sinking into the ocean.
“Combine!!!”
After several consecutive attempts, there was no movement in the bridge other than his roars.
The xuanjin ark, which was right within his reach, seemed completely cut off from him.
Bullet stopped his actions, looked around in disbelief, and finally locked his gaze onto Dar, asking in a dazed, deep voice, “This… what is going on?”
Dar stood with his hands behind his back, a meaningful smile on his face, his tone relaxed: “What’s the rush?
I’m hungry, let’s eat first.
We can talk about the combining later when there’s time.”
He thought to himself: Just kidding.
With your personality, if I dared to invite you on board, how could I not have left some countermeasures?
In fact, the reason it failed was that the special ability of vibranium can absorb all forms of energy—naturally, this also includes the power of Devil Fruits.
Unless Dar gives the order for Angela to actively cooperate, Bullet will never be able to combine with this ship in his entire life.
Bullet seemed to understand that as someone who had just boarded the ship, it was difficult to gain Dar’s full trust.
In the end, he didn’t persist and followed Dar to go eat.