56: Chapter 56: Defeating Bellamy, First Encounter with BlackbeardLuffy quickly dismissed the thought of whether he could defeat Blackbeard.Even if they did, so what?Having used his Devil Fruit powers, Luffy felt he couldn't defeat Blackbeard yet.There was no other reason; even without his Devil Fruit powers, Blackbeard still possessed Armament Haki and Observation Haki.Having been under Whitebeard's command for so long, Blackbeard's Haki level was probably even higher than his own.For the safety of his crew, he decided to avoid fighting this time.Soon, the Going Merry docked at the port of Mock Town.To avoid attracting attention, the operation was carried out by Luffy, Nami, and Zoro.The three quickly bought the necessary materials.On their way back, Luffy suddenly said he was hungry.Zoro wanted to go straight back, but Nami didn't care.After throwing the materials into her storage ring, she grabbed Luffy's arm and led him into a tavern.Zoro could only helplessly follow.The three who entered the tavern immediately sensed an unusual atmosphere.Countless gazes shot at them like arrows, making them feel extremely uncomfortable.
Zoro's eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a hint of alertness.His hand was almost instinctively on his sword, as if ready for battle at any moment.His body was slightly tense, every cell on high alert.In stark contrast to Zoro's tension, Luffy completely ignored it.He swaggered to the bar with Nami and ordered food.The tavern fell silent, all eyes on the three uninvited guests.Their arrival shattered the tranquility, arousing the curiosity of everyone.Deep within the tavern, a blond man also watched Luffy and his companions, though his gaze was mostly fixed on Nami, a hint of amazement in his eyes.Similarly, a burly man at the bar stopped chewing, his eyes fixed on Luffy.He seemed to recognize Luffy, his eyes filled with greed, black mist swirling around his hands.When Zoro seemed to sense something and looked over, the man resumed his lavish eating and drinking.At this moment, the tavern owner curiously asked Luffy about the purpose of his trip.Luffy, while stuffing food into his mouth, unabashedly declared that he wanted to go to Skypiea.Upon hearing this, the people in the tavern burst into loud laughter, "Hahahaha, did you hear what this idiot said?He actually wants to go to that island that doesn't even exist!Is this guy crazy?Hahahaha!"
Nami was furious to hear these people dare to mock her man.Lightning crackled in her hands as she prepared to cleave them in two.Zoro's eyes flashed coldly as he drew his longsword, ready to strike at any moment.Luffy raised his hand to stop them, saying calmly, "There's no need to bother with these dreamless fodder.These people.that's all they'll ever be."
Enraged that Luffy dared to speak to them like that, the thugs drew their weapons, ready to attack him.At that moment, the blond man stopped them, casually picked up a bottle of liquor, walked to Luffy's side, placed a hand on Luffy's shoulder, and waved the bottle in front of him, saying, "Here, this is for you to drink."
With that, the blond man poured the entire bottle of liquor over Luffy's head.The deep yellow liquid flowed down Luffy's head and over his entire body, and the tavern's underlings laughed again: "Bellamy, that guy, is really too wicked!"
Nami and Zoro were about to attack, but Luffy stopped them again.He calmed his anger, recalling Shanks' composure when faced with the bandits' insults.He knew that if he acted rashly now, he might win the fight on the surface, but fundamentally, he would have lost the moment he made his move."Hey," he thought, "look at how I insulted your man and he didn't even dare fight back.What's the point of following such a coward?I think you'd be better off giving up on him and coming with me."
Bellamy, feeling he hadn't gone far enough in his provocation, reached out to lift Nami's chin in a teasing manner.Before Bellamy could even react, Luffy delivered a powerful punch, instantly sending the smug Bellamy flying, crashing through the tavern wall and into a nearby room.The tavern fell silent; everyone gaped, afraid to speak, lest they be next.Luffy blew on his fist and coldly said, "I had no reason to attack you before, but now I do."
A glint of greed flashed in Blackbeard's eyes again.He yearned to seize Luffy's incredible Devil Fruit power.This kid actually had two Devil Fruit abilities!He wasn't interested in the first, the Gum-Gum Fruit; such a common Paramecia type was useless to him.What he wanted was the second ability to manipulate elements.Even if he couldn't use it himself, he could take it for his subordinates.If it weren't for his immense patience, he would have already attacked Luffy."Damn it, you bastard!How dare you lay a hand on me!I'll kill you!Spring Sniper!"
Bellamy angrily rose to his feet, his legs springing up like springs as he charged towards Luffy in a blur.However, his signature move was easily neutralized by a single punch from Luffy.Watching Bellamy collapse to the ground, a deep fist mark on his face, Luffy calmly walked away.The three who had just left the tavern were stopped by a burly man following behind them."Heh heh heh, you're quite an interesting man.Remember, a person's dream never ends."
Luffy stared at the man laughing wildly at him; this was Blackbeard.Their eyes met, as if engaged in a silent contest.Blackbeard's laughter echoed in the air, filled with disdain and provocation.He grinned, revealing his signature black mustache, his expression both confident and arrogant.
Luffy's gaze was firm and unwavering as he met Blackbeard's eyes without flinching.His body.His body was slightly tense, revealing a tense atmosphere of readiness for battle.In his eyes, Blackbeard's maniacal laughter did not shake him; on the contrary, it ignited an even stronger fighting spirit within him.
Blackbeard's eyes were dark and unfathomable, as if concealing deep schemes and calculations.He carefully observed Luffy, seemingly trying to discern his inner thoughts.The complex emotions revealed in his gaze were unfathomable, as if he were considering whether to seize Luffy's Devil Fruit now.The whole scene was tense and suspenseful, like a storm about to break.The eye contact between Luffy and Blackbeard conveyed their intense hostility and competition.In this brief silence, one could almost hear the inner voices of their minds; both men were uncertain and lost in their own thoughts.After a moment, Blackbeard laughed and got up to leave.Now was not the time to attack Luffy; his power was not yet fully formed, and he couldn't be too conspicuous.Luffy watched Blackbeard leave, and the lightning that had been on his hands behind his back dissipated.