Chapter 1627 Choosing a Wonderful Life
Regarding the soul, most people know very little about it on this vast and mysterious sea.
It is neither a tangible entity nor clearly defined energy; rather, it is more like a concept and credential that sustains existence itself.
Only special beings like Brook, who have experienced life and death due to the Revive-Revive Fruit, or monsters like Charlotte Linlin, who use the power of the Soul-Soul Fruit to create souls, have an understanding of souls beyond that of ordinary people.
For ordinary people, and even most powerful people, the soul remains a mysterious, forbidden, and distant realm.
Is it really worth it to sell your soul for the power to reach the top of the world and for that powerful Anubis fruit?
Lu Qi closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and began to actively block out all emotional interference.
He forcefully cooled down his almost boiling brain, like the most sophisticated machine, stripping away emotions and entering a stage of pure logic.
The ocean environment is changing faster and faster these days.
The Marineford War is not over yet, the New World is in turmoil, the Five Elders have personally intervened, Blackbeard has risen to power and the son of Rocks has made his declaration, and there are undercurrents within the Revolutionary Army, among other things.
Even this extraordinary Pawnshop No. 8 before us foreshadows an era of greater chaos and danger, an era where opportunity and destruction coexist, which is rapidly approaching.
In such times, power is the cornerstone of survival and the only bargaining chip to control one's destiny.
Without power, the so-called future or next life are just castles in the air, which can be crushed into dust at any time by a stronger force.
It is to choose mediocrity, bearing the empty title of genius, guarding an ordinary Devil Fruit, and cautiously struggling within the framework of the World Government.
Perhaps they can live a long and peaceful life, but they will never reach the true pinnacle, and will forever remain a tool in the hands of others, dying in obscurity.
Or choose to burn everything, even at the cost of one's soul, in exchange for the power to reach the pinnacle and even become a force that influences the course of the world.
How to live a life that, even if short, is absolutely wonderful and powerful?
As for where the soul goes after death, that's something to consider after death!
Two paths, two lives, two outcomes.
Like two ends of a scale, he weighed them repeatedly in his heart. His fear of the unknown was gradually replaced by determination, and his hesitation gradually settled into firmness.
After a long internal struggle and decision-making process, Lucci slowly opened his eyes again.
Those once dim pupils have now regained their brightness, even brighter than ever before, replaced by a do-or-die determination.
He raised his head, his voice calm and undisturbed, yet carrying a power that cut off all escape routes, clearly echoing in the silent shop: "I agree to exchange my soul for this new power."
Despite having a premonition, several suppressed gasps still rippled through the shop when Lucci uttered those words.
Kaku shuddered. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, all his words turned into a deep sigh.
He looked at Lu Qi, at his profile, so resolute it bordered on obsessive, and the last vestige of dissuasion in his eyes vanished.
He knew that once Lucci made a decision, he would never look back. As a comrade-in-arms, he could only respect his friend's choice, even if it seemed to him like a dead end.
The shop owner nodded, his tone becoming lighter, "Very good, the fruit is already inside you. After leaving this shop, you can slowly adapt and develop on your own."
"After you die, your soul will return to this shop."
"Don't worry, I won't lock you in the cabinet behind me. The shop needs a new employee."
His gaze swept over the old furnishings in the shop. "You will become one of my employees. Although you will lose your freedom, you will also gain some power in return."
Becoming a shop employee means losing your freedom?
Is this where one ends up after selling one's soul?
Lucci had already realized that the deal was done and there was no point in saying more. He turned around and walked back steadily, returning to Kaku's side.
Kaku looked at him with a complex expression, a mixture of worry, sadness, and a deep sense of helplessness.
Lucci glanced at him, reached out, and patted Kaku hard on the shoulder.
That force seemed to convey his determination as well, as if to say, "What's there to be sad about? You should be happy for me."
"I have gained this power, and our squad will no longer be at the mercy of others!"
Kaku was stunned. Looking at the undisguised protectiveness and sense of responsibility in Lucci's eyes, the softest part of his heart was deeply touched.
Yes, he knows Lucci.
Lucci desperately wanted to become stronger, not only for himself, but also because he carried a heavy burden on his shoulders.
He is the strongest CP9 member in eight hundred years and the backbone of all the team members. Lucci does not want to give up on any of his teammates and does not want to see them fall helplessly in the face of strong enemies again.
Perhaps this is one of the reasons why he chose to exchange his soul for the fruit.
Kaku forced a smile that looked more like a grimace at his friend. He understood that since it was Lucci's choice, the only thing he could do was to give it his all in the future and not let him down.
Will Lucci still act as a lackey for the Celestial Dragons?
Having already obtained such a powerful Anubis Fruit, if one were to remain at the mercy of others, wouldn't the fruit have been traded for nothing?!
The first prerequisite for becoming a strong person is to have one's own dignity, one's own freedom, and to separate oneself and one's own team.
Lucci was already thinking about how, after leaving the shop, he would reorganize CP9. He believed that his trusted partners would follow him and they would create a brand new organization.
Lucci disdains associating with pirates. He might cooperate with the World Government, but he will never be as humble as before, biting at anything like a dog.
He has too much blood on his hands from pirates and revolutionaries; neither path is suitable for him. He needs to forge a new path for himself.
When their strength is sufficient, the people of the sea will have no choice but to accept the status quo. The strong are always right, without any reason.
The shop owner saw all of this but said nothing. His gaze casually shifted to the pirates, as Kid and Luffy were also good customers.
The shop owner asked in a persuasive tone, "So, don't you have anything you want to exchange?"
"Take advantage of this good opportunity. Who knows when you'll be able to come back to this shop again? Don't you need more power?"
Kidd and Luffy exchanged glances, each with their own thoughts. This amazing shop had truly broadened their horizons.
If we could bring some other people along, they might be more suitable as trading partners.
