Lino returned to his original form and walked out to face everyone.
"Brother Lino, do you have a Devil Fruit ability like Sengoku?!"
Commander Mu Lian's cigar fell to the ground, and his once resolute face now looked childishly full of curiosity.
"Uh, haha… maybe I accidentally ate a Devil Fruit when I was eating fruit in the past."
Lino explained again—he couldn't think of a better reason.
Brumarin jogged up to Lino, his hands constantly patting and touching him, eyes wide with curiosity.
"Whoa there, Brother Lino, you're seriously amazing! No wonder the Navy's got a bounty on you!"
Lino felt uncomfortable—Brumarin even pinched him a few times.
"This old guy doesn't just look sleazy—his tone totally changed out of nowhere."
Lino was speechless inside.
"Hahaha! Now that Lino's in our hands—uh, I mean now that he's joined our Roger Pirates—the World Government can forget about capturing him!"
Mire Payne awkwardly scratched his big beard and took a few gulps of wine.
"Damn… I think that first sentence was your real thought…"
Lino was struck speechless. This big-bearded man clearly had no filter—he just said whatever was on his mind.
"So strong, Lino! You really have the same Fruit as Sengoku? That's insanely cool!"
Pancuro came up to Lino, looking at him with envy.
"Impressive… no wonder he could cure Captain Roger."
Yaoichi didn't speak but silently acknowledged Lino's power in his heart.
"Hehe, Brother Lino, let's team up! My sharpshooting plus your Buddha form and healing skills—we'll be unstoppable!"
Yamon said slyly, patting Lino's arm.
"Yamon, I can see right through your little scheme. I say Brother Lino and I make the perfect combo, hahaha!"
Nozton grinned, took a swig of wine, and laughed heartily.
"I think I'm the best match. Lino, let's partner up from now on."
Yanlong threw an arm around Lino's shoulders and winked at him.
"I disagree. I think Lino and I make the best duo."
CB Golan looked at Lino seriously.
"Lino, from now on, I've got your back."
"Pfft, more like he's got your back."
Doringo muttered with a pout.
"Man… have I become the most wanted teammate or something?"
Surrounded by all these big guys, Lino suddenly felt like he was being dragged into some kind of trap.
"Hahaha, hahahaha!"
Roger laughed heartily, hands on his hips.
"Brother Lino is very humble—he's been training Haki with Rayleigh these past few days."
Everyone looked intrigued after hearing that.
"You're learning Haki from Rayleigh, Brother Lino? You mean you didn't know it before?"
Swordsman Spencer was baffled—someone who could transform into a mythical Zoan: Human-Human Fruit, Buddha Form… and yet didn't know Haki? It didn't make sense.
"Huh? You don't know Haki, Brother Lino? Even I know it—look!"
Brumarin extended his right hand, and the front half of his arm turned pitch-black with Armament Haki.
"Uh… I can use it. Just… not very well."
Lino explained awkwardly. Since Haki's strength had to be developed personally by a "child of destiny," he had no shortcut. Besides, he wanted to experience the learning process—it would help him build willpower and kingly resolve, which would in turn strengthen his Haki.
"Hahaha! You're a weird one, Lino. If you already have Haki, how can you still be unfamiliar with it?"
Spencer rested his hand on his knee, baffled by Lino's strange situation.
"Hahaha! Brother Lino's just unique. Otherwise, how could he be such an incredible doctor and have a mythical fruit like Sengoku?"
Langram grinned, bottle in hand.
"Makes sense. There's no other explanation. Brother Lino's like a god descended to earth."
Morn Isaac looked at Lino and said:
"Brother Lino… don't tell me… are you from the moon?"
Everyone was stunned for a moment. Then, as if a lightbulb went off, they all looked like they suddenly understood.
"Brother Lino, are you really from the moon?"
Sambell looked at him in shock.
"No way… Could Isaac be right? No wonder your powers are so insane. Your healing ability is jaw-dropping—and you have Sengoku's fruit on top of that."
Dongino was so shocked by Isaac's theory that he almost dropped his pipe. Smoke puffed out of his nostrils.
"The moon?"
Even Roger was intrigued, narrowing his eyes and staring at Lino.
"What the hell… how did this turn into a 'from the moon' thing? And why do they all sound like they're sure it's true…?"
Lino was honestly impressed by how wild their imaginations were.
"Hahaha! You guys are too imaginative! Me, from the moon? Do I look like someone from the moon?"
Lino laughed loudly, trying to cover up his awkwardness.
"Really? Well… guess you're right."
Morn Isaac gave Lino a meaningful look.
"Hahaha, of course I'm right! I've lived in the East Blue since I was a kid!"
Lino grinned.
"That Isaac guy really looks like a scientist—his guesses are ridiculous, but kind of convincing."
"Rayleigh, you'd better teach Brother Lino Haki properly. The stronger he gets, the safer we'll all be."
Taro took a sip of his wine and gave instructions to Rayleigh with a wide grin on his face, looking quite pleased with himself.
"Hahahaha, Taro's right! As long as Brother Lino stays in top shape, he can heal us anytime!"
Momora laughed heartily, throwing his head back and gulping down wine.
"Hahaha, now our Roger Pirates don't have to worry about getting hurt in battle anymore. With Lino around, we can recover instantly!"
Rayleigh didn't say anything, but a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. Jabba, standing nearby, also grinned and looked at Rayleigh knowingly.
———
The next day.
Lino, Shanks, and Buggy followed Rayleigh to a small island.
"Rayleigh, is this small island part of Baterilla Island too?"
Lino looked around, observing the surroundings as they walked.
"Ah~ yes. I scouted this place a few days ago. It's perfect for the upcoming training."
"Mr. Rayleigh, what kind of training are we doing?"
Buggy tilted his head curiously to ask...