Before the Celestial Dragons even understood what was happening, the bubble mask on their faces shattered instantly.
He was thrown about like a tattered sack by a tremendous force, blood spurting from his mouth and nose. He flew through the air in a pathetic arc before crashing heavily into a pile of debris in the distance, where he immediately lost consciousness.
This sudden scene plunged the entire street into a deathly silence!
All the civilians stared in horror and disbelief at the boy standing in the middle of the street, wearing a straw hat.
He... he actually dared to attack the Celestial Dragons, the world's nobles?!
This is an outrageous crime!
This will attract the Admiral!
Luffy, however, didn't care about any of this like Benn did. He didn't even glance at the Celestial Dragons that had flown away, and walked straight up to the Fishman who was bound by chains.
Are you alright?
He reached out his hand, which was covering Armament Haki, grabbed the thick iron chain, and squeezed it hard!
Click!
The steel chain snapped instantly!
The Fishman looked up in disbelief at the human boy who had unlocked his shackles, his eyes filled with shock and bewilderment.
"You are free." Luffy gave a bright smile, as if he had just done something very ordinary.
" Keimi!!"
A shrill, tearful voice rang out, and Papago the starfish scrambled out of the crowd, lunging at the female Fishman. Beside Keimi, someone anxiously checked her injuries.
"Are you alright? You scared me to death!"
After confirming that Keimi only had superficial injuries, Papagu, still shaken, turned to Luffy and the others. Especially when it saw familiar faces like Law and Nami, it immediately understood who had come to its aid.
I had seen their bounty posters in the newspaper before, but I never expected to actually see them in person!
Nami, in particular, is absolutely gorgeous!
" Straw Hat! Mr. Law! Miss Nami! Thank you so much!" Papagu waved his little tentacles excitedly, his voice choked with emotion. "If it weren't for you, Keimi … she would have been taken to Mary Geoise!"
It knew all too well the tragic fate that slaves captured by the Celestial Dragons would face.
"Huh???"
You know us?
"How do you know us? We don't think we've ever met before."
Starfish Papa came up to Straw Hat, its round eyes shining with immense admiration, and said excitedly:
" Straw Hat! And everyone! I... I've always been a fan of yours!"
Papagu waved his little tentacles, his voice filled with excitement.
"From East Blue onwards, hearing the news of you defeating the Evil Dragon, challenging the World Government, and destroying Enies Lobby... I simply can't believe it! You guys are amazing! You're practically my idols!"
This sudden "fan declaration" caught the Straw Hat Pirates members off guard, who had just experienced a fierce battle and emotional upheaval, and they all laughed somewhat embarrassedly.
"Huh? Fans?" Luffy scratched his head, looking completely bewildered.
"Hehe, are we that famous now?" Usopp was secretly pleased, but he still tried his best to put on a "basic" act.
"Yohohoho~ It's an honor to be admired by such a cute starfish~" Brook bowed gracefully.
Nami, Chopper, and others also showed shy yet slightly proud smiles.
Seeing everyone's reaction, Papagu became even more excited: "Of course we're famous! You are the brightest new stars on the high seas right now! Especially after you have Pluton!"
It changed the subject abruptly, asking curiously, "By the way, where are you planning to go on your next adventure?"
Luffy immediately puffed out his chest and answered without hesitation, "We're going to Fish-Man Island!"
" Fish-Man Island?!" Pappagu's eyes widened even more instantly. It exchanged a glance with Keimi on its shoulder, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes. "What a coincidence! We were just about to go back to Fish-Man Island anyway!"
It extended a warm invitation:
"Since we're in Roux, let's travel together! Keimi and I can be your guides! We know Fish-Man Island best, and with us here, we can help you avoid a lot of trouble! What do you say?"
It patted its chest: "Please make sure we travel with you!"
Luffy smiled brightly upon hearing this and loudly agreed:
"Great! That's wonderful! We have a guide! Hehehe!"
For Luffy, having new companions join the adventure is always a cause for celebration.
Moreover, having someone familiar with the local area to guide you around is indeed much more convenient.
So, two new members joined the team heading to Fish-Man Island: Papagu, a fan and guide, and Keimi, the Fishman friend it was to escort home.
...
Marineford, Marineford,
A specific emergency communication device, den den mushi, rang out sharply.
The communications department responsible for monitoring the Sabody Archipelago, " Anna, the World Noble," confirmed the alert that the Celestial Dragons had been attacked.
The distress signal was immediately transferred to Kizaru Borsalino's office, who had just returned to the Benn headquarters and hadn't even had a sip of water yet.
Blu-ray Blu-ray Blu-ray... Blu-ray Blu-ray Blu-ray...
Kizaru's usual languid expression instantly crumbled as he looked at the incessantly beeping, uniquely shaped Gin- colored den den mushi on the table.
He didn't even need to answer the call to know that this emergency communication was most likely related to that rubber boy again.
Given his recent disappointing experience, it's obvious to anyone with a brain that some clueless Celestial Dragons must have run into Straw Hat's gun.
"Yay~~~" Kizaru let out a long, resentful sigh, completely ignoring the incessant "den den mushi" (a type of Japanese chant ), and slumped into his large office chair, staring up at the ceiling.
"This is never going to end..."
He recalled his experience at the Sabody Archipelago: first, he was inexplicably dug out of the sky, then he fought the rubber monster for a long time, then he was used as a sparring partner by the Mosshead swordsman, then he was looked down upon by the Curly Brow chef, and finally he was used as a power bank by the little raccoon...
This series of misfortunes has left him physically and mentally exhausted; he is too tired.
Now, he's being asked to turn around immediately and run back to that place of trouble to clean up the mess left by those Celestial Dragons who act recklessly because of their birth.
"I just finished fighting those monsters, and now you want me to go back..." Kizaru pouted, his tone full of resistance, "Go back my ass..."
He slowly picked up the tea that had gone cold beside him, took a sip, and showed no intention of accepting the death knell-like tea.
" Gaban? No, no..."
....
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