Chapter 116 Unnecessary "Justice"! You all have to take responsibility for me!
In the ruins of Arubana, the rain had just stopped, and the air was filled with the damp smell of dust and a faint stench of blood.
Smoker had two soggy cigars in his mouth, but he didn't light them.
He looked at Crocodile, the once invincible Shichibukai.
At this moment, with his eyes rolled back and his bones shattered, he was being dragged away like a dead dog by several marines who had handcuffed him with heavy sea stone handcuffs.
"We won...but..."
Standing next to Smoker, Tashigi tightly gripped Shigure in her hand.
Her tears flowed uncontrollably, dripping onto the ravaged land.
"Waaah... because we're too weak..."
Tashigi cried uncontrollably; those were tears of resentment and despair.
"We're here too, we want to protect this place... but in the end, we have to let a bunch of pirates save this country!"
Smoker remained silent, his face ashen, his clenched fists cracking loudly.
"Colonel Smoker! It's a call from headquarters!"
Just then, a soldier ran over carrying a constantly ringing Den Den Mushi (snail phone), looking nervous.
Smoker glanced at it indifferently, then picked up the microphone:
"Moshi Moshi, I am Smoker."
The voice of a high-ranking government official came from the other end of the phone:
"Colonel Smoker? Well done! We already know about the campaign against Crocodile."
"Although there were some setbacks, in order to cover up the scandal of the Seven Warlords of the Sea being defeated by pirates and to maintain the government's image..."
"Therefore, the government has decided to attribute all the credit for this'slaying Crocodile' to you."
"Congratulations, you will be promoted. This is for the sake of justice, please..."
"Are you kidding me?!"
Before the other person could finish speaking, Smoker suddenly roared at the Den Den Mushi, veins bulging on his forehead, startling the marine next to him.
"If it had been the Straw Hat Pirates fighting to the death, if they hadn't defeated the crocodile, we would have been dead long ago! The whole country would have perished!!"
"You want credit for this? You bunch of blind fools!"
Smoker spoke into the microphone, uttering words that shocked the entire Navy:
"Tell those old men in the upper echelons—go eat shit!!!"
"Smack!"
Smoker slammed down the phone and crushed the receiver in his hand.
"I don't care about this kind of self-deceiving, bullshit achievement!"
...
Inside the royal palace.
After lying in bed like a mummy, unconscious for three days and three nights.
"Meat!!!! I want meat!!!!"
A powerful roar resounded throughout the entire palace.
As soon as Luffy woke up, before he could even move, his stomach started to protest.
Upon learning that Luffy had awakened, King Cobra immediately ordered a grand banquet to be held in the palace hall to thank the heroes who had saved the country.
Inside the banquet hall, laughter and cheerful conversation filled the air, and food was piled high like mountains.
"cheers!!!"
Luffy was stuffing food into his mouth like crazy, his cheeks puffed out like a hamster's.
In a corner of the banquet.
Viktor was sitting next to Nami, enjoying this rare moment of peace and sweetness.
"Really, don't do that again, that poison hook..."
Although Nami complained, her eyes were so tender they could melt your heart, as she carefully wiped the wine stains from the corner of Viktor's mouth.
Viktor looked at her delicate face, a thought struck him, and he smiled and reached out his hand.
"Smack."
Nami blushed and quickly slapped away the restless hand.
She looked around to make sure no one was paying attention before leaning close to Viktor's ear and whispering sweet nothings:
"Idiot...there are so many people here."
"Just bear with it... tonight..."
Hearing those two suggestive words...
Viktor raised an eyebrow, his mood instantly becoming incredibly pleasant, even the wine in his glass tasted exceptionally sweet.
"Crunch, crunch!"
At the table next to them, Clay the Raven completely ignored the pink bubbles swirling around them.
It was burying its head in a huge plate of roast meat, stuffing itself with its mouth full of oil.
On the other side.
"Hmph! You have no idea how dangerous it was back then!"
Usopp, perched on a chair and holding a chicken leg, was spitting as he boasted to the guards and maids around him about his heroic deeds:
"That huge bomb is going to explode in just one more second!"
"But with the composure of a sea warrior, I snipped it off with a single cut! That's the victory of technology! I admire myself!"
"Woof! Woof!"
At his feet was the dachshund "Lasu," who had eaten the gun-and-slingshot fruit.
It was wagging its tail incessantly, looking at its new owner with an expression of adoration.
Everyone watched this scene, and although they found it outrageous, they accepted the fact that Usopp had adopted a gun-wielding dog.
Since there are already reindeer and crows on the ship, one more dog won't make a difference; it'll just make it like a zoo.
In the corner.
Chopper is changing Zoro's bandages.
"Ah! Zoro! Don't move! Your wound is going to open again!" Chopper cried out anxiously, his little hooves flailing about.
"Stop being so long-winded. This little injury will be fine with a drink." Zoro said impatiently, still clutching the bottle.
"Hey, isn't this the guy who won't lose any more green algae hair? What happened to him? It's embarrassing."
Sanji elegantly smoked a cigarette, watching Zoro's miserable state and letting out a merciless laugh.
"Compared to my elegance, they are worlds apart."
"What did you say?! You lecherous cook! Want to fight?!"
"Come on! I'm not afraid of you! Just don't say I'm bullying the wounded."
...
Happy times are always fleeting.
After the banquet, in order not to implicate Princess Vivi, since they were wanted pirates, the Straw Hat crew decided to leave quietly.
At midnight, moonlight spilled onto the silent river.
The group, carrying their luggage, quietly returned to the Going Merry, which was moored on the riverbank.
However, as soon as they boarded the ship...
"who?!"
Zoro and Victor both became alert, their eyes fixed on the deck.
On the deck of the Going Merry, a tall woman dressed in purple denim sat elegantly in a chair, reading a book by the moonlight.
Hearing the noise, the woman closed her book, looked up, and revealed her signature intellectual face.
"It's you!!!"
Everyone was shocked and immediately assumed a fighting stance: "The vice president of Baroque Works! Miss All Sunday! Robin!"
"Why are you here?!" Zoro's hand rested on the hilt of his sword, his killing intent palpable.
Robin didn't care about the hostility from the crowd.
She stood up, her gaze first falling on Luffy, and smiled slightly:
"Monkey D. Luffy, it's been a long time."
Then, her gaze shifted to the black-haired boy in the crowd, her eyes becoming somewhat complicated, her tone calm yet carrying a strange undertone:
"Your first mate forced me to survive in the underground burial temple."
"Since he let me live... I have nowhere else to go anyway."
"So...you have to take responsibility for the rest of my life."
"Huh?!" Everyone was dumbfounded.
Luffy tilted his head and thought for a moment, then actually smiled:
"Hmm... okay!"
"ha?!!!"
Except for Viktor and Sanji, everyone's jaws dropped to the deck.
"Very good!!!"
Sanji's eyes instantly turned into hearts, his body twisted into a noodle shape, and he spun and floated to Robin's side:
"Sister Robin! Welcome aboard! I'll go prepare a delicious midnight snack for you right away!!"
"Hey! Luffy! This woman is dangerous!" Usopp shouted in dissatisfaction.
Viktor stood to the side, watching the cunning and ruthless older woman who had boarded the ship, his lips twitching slightly.
"Now the ship is even more lively..."
Just then.
"hiss!"
A sharp pain suddenly came from the soft flesh of my waist.
Viktor looked down and saw Nami standing beside him, with an extremely gentle expression on her face.
But those two fingers were gripping his waist tightly, and they were also rotating him 360 degrees.
"Hey, Victor."
Nami's voice was so gentle it sent chills down your spine.
"What do you mean by 'forcing her to live'? What do you mean by 'taking responsibility for the rest of her life'?"
"Aren't you going to explain this to me properly, my first mate?"
Victor: "..."
...
at the same time.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Marshal's office.
Marshal Sengoku looked at the detailed report from Alabasta in his hand, feeling a headache coming on, as if his brain was about to explode.
"Crocodile was defeated, and Baroque Works was destroyed..."
"Straw Hat Luffy... that Garp grandson actually killed a Shichibukai."
Zhan Guo rubbed his temples, his gaze shifting downwards until it landed on a photograph.
Those are blurry photos of Viktor summoning a water dragon in Loguetown and using various ninjutsu on the battlefield.
"And this first mate, 'Red Lotus' Victor."
"According to Smoker and the on-site agents... this person possesses the bizarre ability to manipulate fire, water, and even create lightning storms. Moreover, his physical skills are astounding..."
Zhan Guo slammed the report on the table, his face grave:
"What kind of monsters are these?! And there are other members too... This pirate crew's potential is simply immeasurable!!"
"If this is not curbed, it will surely become a major threat in the future!"
Sengoku turned around and instructed his secretary:
"Pass down the order! Reassess their level of danger! Increase the bounty!"
"Hi! Marshal of the Warring States PeriodChapter 117 The Navigator's "Secret Weapon" Makes its Debut! The Silent Mark of Companionship
At the eastern port on the outskirts of Arubana, the waves gently lapped against the shore.
The Going Merry lay quietly at anchor under the cover of night, bobbing gently on the waves.
Inside the ship's cabin, in Nami's room.
Under the warm yellow light, the air was filled with the faint scent of citrus shower gel, the fresh smell left by Nami after her shower.
She stood in front of the wardrobe wrapped in a bath towel, biting her lip, looking both nervous and expectant.
After hesitating for a moment, she finally reached out and took out an exquisitely packaged bag from the deepest part of the wardrobe.
That was a "secret weapon" she secretly bought in Loguetown, without telling anyone.
"call..."
Nami took a deep breath, untied her towel, and changed into the clothes.
It was a burgundy silk lace nightgown, its form-fitting cut perfectly outlining her graceful figure.
Beneath that silk was a set of extremely alluring black lace lingerie, subtly revealed and incredibly sexy.
She twirled in front of the mirror, looking at her reflection—a flushed face and a spring-like gaze—and her heart began to race.
"Would that idiot... like it?"
"Click".
Just then, the door lock clicked softly.
There was no knocking. Viktor, like an elegant black cat, silently pushed open the door and entered, then casually locked it behind him.
"Nami, let me check tomorrow's nautical chart and departure information..."
Viktor turned around as he spoke.
However, when he saw the orange-haired girl in a sexy nightgown looking back at him in the interplay of moonlight and lamplight, his voice abruptly stopped.
For a moment, the air seemed to freeze.
Victor's pupils contracted slightly as his gaze lingered on the wine-red silk and fair skin.
His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily as he swallowed.
"...cough."
Viktor awkwardly looked away, but couldn't help looking back:
"Um... I came to see if you're ready."
Nami keenly caught Viktor's direct, aggressive gaze.
Her face instantly turned bright red, like a ripe apple.
Instinctively, she crossed her arms to cover herself, but then, as if remembering something, she lowered her hands.
"snort."
Nami raised her head with a touch of arrogance, puffed out her chest, and her eyes held a hint of provocation:
"What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen a beautiful woman before, First Mate?"
"I've never seen anything so beautiful."
Viktor smiled and strode towards Nami.
As the two drew closer, the atmosphere in the room became increasingly intimate, almost thickening the air.
Faced with this sense of oppression, Nami's earlier momentum instantly weakened.
She took a step back in a bit of a panic until her knees touched the edge of the bed, and then sat down on the soft mattress.
Looking at Viktor standing tall and imposing in front of her, Nami suddenly remembered something.
She stuck out a finger and poked Viktor's chest hard, her tone filled with intense jealousy:
"Hey, you still haven't told me."
"That woman... that woman named Robin, what exactly is going on?"
Nami pouted, and the intellectual beauty and mystery unique to mature women made her instinctively feel threatened.
"What do you mean by 'forcing her to live'... What exactly happened underground?"
Viktor seized the hand that Nami had used to poke his chest and held it in his palm.
His eyes darted around for a moment, then he used the ultimate manly skill without batting an eye—playing dumb.
"who?"
Viktor blinked, looking completely innocent:
"Which older sister are you talking about? I don't know her. I only have eyes for my navigator."
"You're lying!!" Nami was furious and tried to pull her hand back. "You clearly..."
Victor did not give her another chance to speak.
He lowered his head and accurately silenced that chattering little mouth.
"Hmm..."
Nami's eyes widened for a moment, then slowly closed, and she wrapped her arms around Viktor's neck.
From the initial cautious probing and caressing to the frenzied plundering after sensing the other party's awkward yet passionate response.
His tongue pried open her pearly teeth, venturing deep inside, conquering and plundering, drawing in all the saliva and breath from her mouth.
Nami tightened her grip on his neck.
Finally, he grabbed the back of his clothes tightly, wrinkling the expensive fabric.
Victor's one hand was still supporting the back of her head, while his other hand had somehow slid down to her waist.
Through the silk pajamas, feeling the amazing heat and softness, I pressed her forcefully against myself, as if I wanted to meld her into my body.
All the tension that had been building up along the way, and the relief of surviving the ordeal, were now transformed into the most direct and intense emotional outpouring.
The sound of the waves outside the window was gentle and rhythmic.
In the moonlight, two figures lay intertwined on the soft bed.
"Smack."
The room lights went out.
Only the cool moonlight streamed through the porthole onto the floor, illuminating the room with its enchanting beauty and the sweet scent of oranges.
It was a kind of intense passion, like a desert storm, and an intoxicating experience, like an oasis spring.
The night is still long.
...
The next morning.
The first ray of sunlight pierced the darkness of the desert night, illuminating the royal palace in Arubana.
Vivi woke up from her sleep, rubbed her eyes, and walked to the table, only to find a letter and a mountain of treasure there.
That was a farewell letter left by the Straw Hat Pirates.
[Vivi, we're leaving! Keep these treasures for you to use in rebuilding the nation! —Luffy]
"These... idiots!!"
Looking at the empty room, tears welled up in Weiwei's eyes instantly.
She didn't even have time to change out of her pajamas before rushing out of the room and riding Karu, the fast-running duck that was already waiting at the door.
"Quick! Karu! To the East Port!!"
"Idiot! Idiot! Idiot! How can you just leave without saying goodbye?!"
The wind whistled in her ears, and Vivi's heart was filled with panic. She was afraid she would never see her friends who had brought her miracles again.
...
Donggang Port.
With a gentle sea breeze, the Going Merry has set sail and is already some distance from the shore.
"quack!!"
Karoo the duck slammed on the brakes and came to a stop on the cliff edge.
Vivi jumped down, holding a megaphone, and watched the pirate ship sail away into the distance. She shouted with all her might:
"Hey!!! Everyone!!!"
"You're all so despicable!! You vile pirates!!!"
On the deck, the Straw Hat crew, who were busy at work, heard the noise and stopped what they were doing, looking towards the shore.
Weiwei wiped away her tears, her voice choked with emotion yet firm:
"I'm here to see you off!!"
"Although I really want to go on an adventure... I love this country! So I can't leave!"
"Although we can't go on adventures together anymore, I will stay here and watch over you all..."
Vivi took a deep breath and shouted the question hidden in her heart to the sea:
"If we meet again someday..."
"Will you... still call me 'buddy'?!"
The sea breeze carried Vivi's voice with it, reaching the Going Merry.
Luffy opened his mouth, about to loudly reply, "Of course!"
"Don't speak, Luffy!" Nami, with tears in her eyes, covered Luffy's mouth.
Everyone looked towards the sea not far away.
Navy Captain Hina's (Kuroken Hina) fleet is approaching, and countless navy personnel are watching the situation closely.
Vivi is a princess of a country.
If the pirates responded loudly at that moment, it would confirm Vivi's crime of colluding with pirates and make her a wanted criminal.
To protect Vivi, they had to remain silent.
Vivi, standing on the shore, looked at the silent Going Merry and the unresponsive figures on the shore, and her heart sank deeper and deeper.
"That's too much... They're ignoring me completely..."
Tears welled up again, and Weiwei cried like a helpless child.
"Waaaaah...everyone..."
Just then.
on deck.
Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Chopper, and even the usually aloof Robin stood smiling to the side.
Viktor stood at the end of the line, looking at the crying little princess on the shore, a gentle smile curving his lips.
No one spoke.
They turned around in unison, their backs to Weiwei.
Then.
brush!
Everyone simultaneously raised their left arms high and clenched their fists tightly.
On those wrists fluttering in the wind, beneath those unsightly white bandages.
A huge, black "X" mark gleamed brightly in the sunlight, so dazzling that it was almost blinding.
No words are needed.
No commitment is required.
This mark is the best answer.
[Whatever happens, this is proof of our comrades!]
Through her tears, Weiwei on the shore saw those raised arms and the mark of their vows.
"Waaah..."
The tears stopped.
Vivi wiped away her tears, and a smile brightened her face, even more radiant than the desert sun.
She suddenly raised her left arm, revealing her wrist, which was also wrapped in bandages, and the same "X" mark!
"I will always... always be watching over you!!"
Goodbye!!! You damned pirates!!!
The sea breeze billows the sails.
The Going Merry sailed against the wind and waves, carrying the group of pirates who had accomplished a miracle, towards a new adventure on the vast ocean.Chapter 118 Viktor's Fallen "Throne," the Straw Hat Pirates' Magic
The Going Merry slowly sailed away from the waters of Alabasta, heading towards the unknown distance.
Although the sky was azure and the sea breeze was gentle, the atmosphere on the deck felt somewhat... eerie.
"Hiss—ha—"
In one corner of the deck, Zoro sat cross-legged, holding maintenance tools and constantly wiping the "Wado Ichimonji" in his hand.
His sharp eyes, occasionally peering through the cold glint of the blade, were fixed on the woman sitting on the second deck reading a book.
Behind the mainmast.
"Hey, Chopper, go say hello to her."
"No...you should go, Usopp, you are a brave warrior of the sea..."
Usopp and Chopper, those two cowards, were hiding on top of each other, whispering to the woman named Nico Robin.
They were encouraging each other to test the waters with this "former vice president of Baroque Works".
Besides the tensions on the human side, a serious "transfer of power" is also taking place in the animal kingdom.
"quack!"
Clay was standing on the ship's railing, staring intently at Rasu, the dachshund lying on the ground.
As a weapon that once ate the "gun-gun fruit," Rasu was now terrified by the crow's imposing presence and bowed his head in submission.
His two front paws were on the ground, and his body was trembling.
"Quack! Quack quack... Cuckoo quack! (Listen up, newbie! I'm the boss of the animals on this ship! Even if you turn into a gun, you still have to listen to me!)"
Clay called out and pointed with his wing towards the kitchen, then towards Victor's room.
It seemed to be reciting some complex "survival rules for the Merry".
Surprisingly, Rasu understood!
The dog stared wide-eyed at the crow that was fluent in "foreign languages" with a look of shock.
He then nodded repeatedly, like someone pounding garlic, to show absolute obedience.
Since the crowd didn't understand "bird language" or "dog language," they naturally had no idea what outrageous rules Clay had set for this newcomer.
Seeing Rasu submit, Clay laughed heartily with satisfaction, displaying an arrogant air of "I am the overlord of the skies."
Just then.
"yawn--"
Victor stretched and yawned as he walked out of the cabin.
Last night's "intense exercise" with Nami had taken a toll on his energy, and now all he wants to do is soak up some sun.
He habitually walked towards the corner on the deck with the best view, the most sunlight, and excellent shelter from the wind—
That was the location of his specially made recliner, which was reserved for him as the "first mate".
However, when he got there, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
On the throne that once belonged to him, sat a woman dressed in purple.
Robin elegantly crossed his legs, holding a steaming cup of coffee in his hand, with a thick ancient book spread out on his lap.
The sunlight shone on her intellectual face, making her appear serene and peaceful.
"Hey, that's...my seat, right?"
Victor raised an eyebrow, attempting to assert some "first mate authority" to reclaim the territory:
"Ahem, newbie. Even though Luffy agreed to let you join the crew, there's still the order of arrival..."
"Allah."
Robin closed the book and looked up.
She showed no intention of getting up; instead, a sly smile curled at the corner of her lips.
"The scenery here is beautiful, and the sunshine is great."
She looked at Viktor, a hint of mockery in her eyes:
"I think the magnanimous first mate would not mind sharing this little bit of comfort with a lady who has nowhere else to go, would he?"
Before he could finish speaking...
"Thirty rounds of flowers."
Petals fluttered in the air.
Before Victor could refuse, several pale arms suddenly grew out of the deck on his shoulders and back.
"Why?"
Immediately afterwards, these hands began to skillfully massage Viktor's shoulders and back.
There was even a hand that appeared out of thin air, bringing a chilled drink to his lips.
"Is the force alright?" Robin asked with a smile.
"Hmm... the left side is a little heavier... wait! What am I saying!"
Viktor almost succumbed to this gentle embrace.
This "flower and fruit" massage service is simply unfair!
"Hehehehe! This is so interesting!"
Luffy sat on the railing, watching Victor being "served" obediently by Robin using her Devil Fruit powers.
There were also the comical gestures Robin conjured up on his head, making him laugh so hard he almost fell over.
"Nami! Did this woman not pay for her meals?" Viktor tried to find an ally.
However.
"This is a small gift, Miss Navigator."
As if by magic, Robin pulled a small bag of crystal-clear, high-quality rubies from his pocket—the secret stash from Crocodile's vault.
"Wow!!!"
Nami's eyes instantly transformed into the Beli symbol as she snatched the jewel bag.
The next second, the navigator lady instantly switched sides.
"Victor! You're so stingy!"
Nami retorted righteously, "Robin just boarded the ship, what's wrong with sitting on a deck chair for a bit? You're a man, you should be more magnanimous!"
As she spoke, she secretly winked at Viktor.
Actually, the gemstones were just an excuse.
Nami's true confidence stemmed from their passionate embrace the previous night, which confirmed Viktor's feelings for her and his love for her.
Now that her position as the empress was secure, she naturally let go of most of her hostility towards this mature older sister.
What's more... she gave so much.
"I also think Robin is fine!"
Sanji was already completely captivated by Robin's beauty.
Not only did he not help Victor, but he also brought a plate of exquisite tea and snacks, twirling it all the way to Robin:
"Robin-chan~ This afternoon tea is specially prepared for you~ Please enjoy~"
"Thank you, Mr. Chef." Robin smiled politely.
"Ah~ I can't take it anymore~" Sanji's nose started bleeding profusely.
At this moment, Usopp, who was hiding behind the mast, finally pushed Chopper out.
"Go now, Chopper!"
Chopper cautiously moved towards Robin, hiding behind the door frame with only half his face showing:
"Y-you...hello...I'm Chopper, the ship's doctor..."
Robin put down his coffee, looked at the furry little guy, and his smile deepened:
"Is he the ship's doctor?"
She reached out and gently touched Chopper's hat:
"How cute, Dr. Chopper."
"!!!"
Upon hearing the words "cute" and "doctor," Chopper instantly broke down.
Its face turned as red as a tomato, its body twisted into a pretzel shape, yet it uttered words that didn't reflect its true feelings:
"You...you bastard...I won't be happy even if you say I'm cute...you bastard~~"
Seeing the miserable state of everyone who had fallen, Viktor's face darkened.
He could only place his last hope on the only person who understood.
"Zoro! Say something too! This newcomer's domineering behavior is absolutely outrageous!"
However, Zoro merely glanced at them coldly and continued wiping his sword.
"boring."
"I only care whether this woman will betray me. As for trivial matters like who gets the chaise lounge... don't bother me with them."
"..."
Viktor was completely isolated and helpless.
"Fine, fine, you're all bullying honest people."
Victor sighed helplessly and beckoned Clay, who was bullying the dog.
As the sun sets, its golden rays spill across the sea.
Victor gave up the fight for the throne and casually sat on the deck railing, letting the sea breeze blow through his black hair.
He looked at Robin, who was surrounded by the crowd and smiling as she answered Luffy and Chopper's questions.
Looking into her eyes, which were always filled with wariness and aloofness, there seemed to be a touch of genuine warmth in them now.
"That's the magic of the Straw Hat Pirates."
Victor took a piece of candy out of his pocket and popped it into his mouth, his eyes softening.Chapter 119 A Shadow Falling from the Sky? A Vertical Recording Pointer!
A gentle sea breeze blew across the deck of the Going Merry.
Victor was standing there, arms crossed, brows slightly furrowed.
He was still racking his brains trying to figure out the most "respectable" way to snatch back his custom-made recliner from that cunning older woman.
"How about we use the Sharingan to hypnotize him?" Viktor had just come up with this idea.
Sudden.
The sky, which was originally cloudless and clear, suddenly turned pitch black without warning.
"Hmm? A solar eclipse?"
Everyone looked up in surprise.
But this is neither a solar eclipse nor a dark cloud.
When everyone could see the view above them, their pupils instantly contracted to their maximum size.
It was a huge, suffocating, and dilapidated galleon, which was plummeting straight down from the clouds, accompanied by terrifying air currents!
The enormous shadow, like a mountain pressing down, instantly enveloped the tiny Going Merry.
"Whoaaaaah! The ship's fallen!!" Usopp and Chopper screamed in terror, their eyes practically popping out of their sockets.
"There's no way to dodge it!" Nami's face turned deathly pale. At this speed and size of the fall, the Going Merry would be smashed to pieces!
"This size... is a bit troublesome."
Viktor, however, remained calm.
He stepped forward and stood in front of the crowd.
"Since we can't avoid it, let's blast it to smithereens."
Viktor took a deep breath, his chest bulging, and his fire-attribute chakra was compressed to its limit in an instant.
Yin-wu-wei-yin!
Viktor suddenly raised his head and, facing the falling giant ship in the sky, spat out:
Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation Arrow!!!
boom------!!!!
A fiery arrow, condensed to its maximum intensity, shot into the sky and exploded into a raging sea of orange-red flames the instant it touched the bottom of the giant ship!
The terrifying heat instantly engulfed the rotten wooden boat.
"Crackling and popping!"
The massive sailboat was blasted into pieces in mid-air, turning into countless burning wreckage scattered everywhere.
"Great opportunity! Leave the rest to us!"
Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji jumped up at the same time.
"Rubber, rubber—Gatling!"
"Three-Sword Style: Rhinoceros Return!"
"Lamb Shot!"
The three men sliced through the air like fruit, smashing all the larger pieces of wreckage that could have hit the Merry.
"Splash!!"
Ultimately, the main wreckage of the ship crashed heavily into the sea surrounding the Merry.
Although it avoided a direct impact, the massive object entering the water created towering waves tens of meters high.
"Hurry up, everyone!!"
Nami rushed to the ship's wheel immediately, her eyes becoming incredibly focused.
With her exceptional seamanship, she managed to keep the Merry afloat amidst the crests and troughs of the waves.
"Hard to port!! Charge out with the waves!!"
...
After the crisis, the sea returned to calm.
However, an even bigger mystery followed.
"What...what's going on?"
Nami looked at the record pointer on her wrist, her face turning extremely pale.
The magnetic pointer, which should have pointed to the next island, was now pointing straight up, motionless, as if it were broken.
"Oh no... the save pointer is broken!" Nami exclaimed in alarm, tapping the glass case. "It's pointing straight up!"
"It's not broken, Miss Navigator."
Robin closed the book in her hand, walked over gracefully, glanced at the vertical pointer, and her eyes gleamed:
"The record pointer never lies."
"Since it's pointing upwards, it means... there's an island with a strong magnetic field in the sky above that's attracting it."
"That is, the legendary'Sky Island'."
"Sky Island?!"
Everyone was shocked.
"Could it be an island in the sky?!"
Luffy's eyes widened instantly, his mouth forming an "O" shape, before he unleashed an excited scream powerful enough to shatter eardrums:
"Awesome!!! Sky islands!! I want to go!! I want to go to the Sky Island!!"
"Hey, that's just a legend, right? How could there really be an island floating in the sky?" Usopp said, looking incredulous.
"Whether it's a legend or not, since the pointer has pointed to it, we have to go and see."
Viktor began his warm-up exercises with a smile:
"Moreover, the ship that just fell down is the best evidence. To find clues... we have to go down there."
"Diving team! Ready!"
...
Thump! Thump!
Zoro, Sanji, and Victor dived into the deep sea to search for clues in the shipwreck wreckage.
The ship is very old, covered in rotten wood and seaweed.
Zoro, who has no sense of direction, is surprisingly adept at navigating underwater, swimming around like a headless fly.
Surprisingly, they found a map with strange terrain drawn on it in a sealed box.
Victor, on the other hand, swam to the depths of the cabin.
Using the Sharingan's perception, he discovered some rusty weapons and several strangely shaped seashells in a corner.
"This is... a Sky Island Shell."
Viktor picked up a seashell, understanding dawning on his mind.
As a transmigrator, he naturally knew that Sky Island was real, and even knew that it was ruled by a megalomaniac named Enel.
"With these things, we can make everyone believe in the existence of Sky Island."
Victor packed his things and swam towards the surface.
...
Back on deck.
The group sat together, examining the salvaged spoils.
"Look! This map says'Skypiea'!" Nami pointed to the map Zoro had retrieved.
"And this shell can spew out wind!" Luffy laughed as he showed off the Wind Shell he had stolen from Victor.
Just as everyone was getting excited.
"Waaaaah—!!"
A piercing alarm suddenly went off.
A salvage vessel with an extremely exaggerated design and a giant monkey head on its bow suddenly burst out of the sea fog beside it, its huge grab bucket heading straight for the wreckage of the Merry next to it.
"Hey! That prey is mine!!"
A burly human man who looks like a monkey—the captain of the Ape Pirates, "Salvage King" Ape—stands at the bow of the ship and shouts loudly:
"Get out of here if you don't want to die! This is the territory of the Ape Pirates!"
"Huh? Stealing prey?"
The Straw Hat crew, who were initially excited about discovering clues to Skypiea, instantly turned dangerous upon hearing this.
"I was just looking for someone to ask for directions."
Luffy clenched his fist, making a cracking sound.
"Go! Men! Give that monkey a good beating!"
"oh!!!"
The battle erupted in an instant and ended in an instant.
These guys who specialize in salvage are no match for the Straw Hat Pirates, who just defeated the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
A few minutes later.
"I'm sorry! I was wrong! Please don't hit me!"
The arrogant ape leader, who had been so cocky just moments before, was now kneeling on the deck, his face bruised and swollen, clutching his ears.
Viktor sat on a wooden barrel nearby, toying with a kunai in his hand, watching him with a smile:
"So, how do I get to the Sky Island?"
"Grandpa... I... I really don't know how to get to the Sky Island..."
The ape trembled with fear. Looking at the kunai in the red-eyed boy's hand, he blurted out, "..."
"But... there might be clues on nearby Jaya Island! It's a hotbed of pirates and information brokers!"
"Gaya Island?"
Nami glanced at the Log Pose, which was still pointing to the sky, but gathering information from nearby islands was indeed the only option at the moment.
"Alright! Target: Jaya Island!!" Luffy shouted.
The Going Merry immediately changed course and headed towards Jaya Island, the "pirate paradise" filled with violence, money, and lawlessness.Chapter 120 Magic Valley Town! Victor Makes His Move!
The Merry slowly sailed into the port of Jaya Island.
This is a lawless zone filled with violence, chaos, and bloodshed.
All sorts of pirate ships flying the skull and crossbones flag were already moored in the harbor.
Listen carefully!
On the deck, Nami stood with her hands on her hips, giving orders to the trio who were preparing to disembark with a serious expression:
"To avoid unnecessary trouble, only Luffy, Zoro, and Victor will disembark and go to town to inquire about'Skypiea.' The rest of you will stay behind and watch the ship!"
Nami's gaze finally settled on Viktor, her eyes filled with worry and warning:
"Victor, you're the first mate…"
"You must keep an eye on those two! Don't let them cause any trouble! Come back immediately after you've gathered the information!"
Viktor looked at Luffy, who was beaming with excitement, and Zoro, who was tying his bandana, and felt a headache he had never experienced before.
He sighed helplessly and waved his hand: "Hey, I'll do my best..."
...
On the main street of Magic Valley Town.
The three walked side by side, and most of the glances cast at them were malicious.
Their target was the bar, since bars were where information flowed most freely.
Soon, they arrived at what looked like the noisiest bar.
"Bang!"
The cowboy-style door was pushed open.
The bar was filled with smoke and packed with menacing-looking pirates.
They drank heavily, loudly boasting about their bounties and killing records.
Luffy walked straight to the center of the bar, took a deep breath, and asked loudly:
"Hey! Uncle! Do you know how to get to the'Sky Island'?!"
The once noisy and bustling bar seemed to be muted the moment the words "sky island" were heard.
All movement came to a standstill.
The deathly silence lasted for three seconds.
"puff..."
Then, a burst of shrill laughter erupted.
"Hahahaha!! Sky Island?! What is this guy talking nonsense?!"
"Hey, are you a brat who hasn't been weaned yet? Nobody believes that kind of legend anymore!"
The crowd parted, and a man wearing a pink vest, with short dyed blond hair and an arrogant look in his eyes stepped out.
Bellamy, captain of the Hyena Pirates, with a bounty of 55 million Berries.
He held a bottle of wine in his hand, and was being extremely sarcastic.
He walked up to Luffy and spat a mouthful of wine in Luffy's face:
"Listen up, you fool who's indulging in outdated fantasies! The era of pirates dreaming... is over!!"
"Golden City? Emerald City? ONE PIECE? Those are all fantasies made up by a bunch of idiots!"
Bellamy grabbed Luffy's head and slammed it against the bar.
"Bang!"
Fresh blood was flowing freely.
"Luffy!" Zoro's eyes flashed, and he instantly gripped the hilt of his sword, exuding a murderous aura.
However.
"Zoro."
Luffy slowly raised his head, letting the blood flow down his forehead, his eyes calm:
"This fight... absolutely cannot happen."
Zoro's hand, gripping the sword, froze in mid-air.
He looked into Luffy's eyes, paused for a moment, and then understood what the captain meant.
These guys who despise dreams and are obsessed with practical interests... don't even deserve to be our enemies.
"…I understand." Zoro released his grip.
The next few minutes were a one-sided humiliation.
Bellamy and his men brutally beat Luffy and Zoro, who were not fighting back, smashing bottles over their heads and sending shards of glass flying.
The two men were beaten until their heads were bleeding, but they remained as still as statues, not uttering a sound.
On the side.
Victor sat on a high stool, watching this scene, his wine glass cracking from his grip.
His fists clenched so tightly they cracked, and the three tomoe in his eyes spun wildly as he suppressed the urge to raze this place to the ground.
Finally, Bellamy seemed to have gotten tired of playing.
He turned his head, looked at the black-haired boy who had been sitting to the side without making a move, and let out a sneer:
"Hey, you little brat with the knife."
Bellamy pointed at Victor, his face full of disdain:
"You're following a captain who's such an idiot who doesn't even dare to fight back when he gets beaten up... Don't you feel pathetic? How about coming to work as a handyman on my ship?"
Victor did not speak.
He's been waiting for you to say that.
He simply put down the cracked wine glass in his hand.
"call..."
Viktor slowly stood up, elegantly straightened his collar, and then smiled at Luffy:
"Luffy".
Viktor's voice was gentle, yet it carried a chilling undertone that sent shivers down one's spine:
"You just said... 'Zoro, this fight can't be fought,' right?"
Luffy, whose face was covered in blood, was stunned and hadn't even had a chance to speak.
The smile on Viktor's lips vanished instantly, his eyes turning icy cold in a flash.
"That means... there are no restrictions on me, right?"
"Varied..."
Bellamy hadn't yet grasped the meaning of that sentence.
"Whoosh!"
Viktor's figure had vanished into thin air.
That's too fast!
So fast that you can't even see the afterimage!
The next second.
A large hand, wreathed in black energy, pressed down on Bellamy's face like an iron clamp!
"boom!!!!!"
A loud bang.
Victor pressed Bellamy's head down with one hand and slammed him violently into the heavy solid wood table at the bar!
Wood chips flew everywhere, the solid wood table shattered instantly, and the whole bar seemed to shake.
"Ugh!!!"
Bellamy let out a scream, and blood instantly stained the table.
"You bastard!!"
Bellamy braced himself on the ground with both hands, trying to struggle to get up.
But that hand was like an unshakeable mountain.
They still pressed down hard on the back of his head, preventing him from moving, and his face was in close contact with the wood chips.
"Captain Bellamy!!"
Upon seeing this, the first mate, Sachs, flew into a rage and drew his dagger, intending to ambush Victor from behind.
Victor didn't even turn his head.
"roll."
Without even looking, he kicked backward.
"Bang!!"
This kick was as fast as lightning and as heavy as a thousand pounds.
Before Sachis could even scream, he was sent flying like a cannonball, crashing through the bar wall and landing on the street outside, his fate unknown.
The entire room fell silent.
Victor maintained the posture of pressing his head down with one hand.
He lowered his head slightly, looking at the terrified and struggling "newcomer" under his command, his voice eerily calm:
"Luffy has a heart as vast as the ocean."
"He disdains to argue with frogs in a well like you; that's his magnanimity."
Victor's fingers tightened slightly, and Bellamy's skull cracked under the strain.
"But I'm different..."
"I'm a petty person. I can't stand it when others laugh at my friends, and I can't stand it when others scorn my dreams."
"Since you all think dreams are trash..."
Victor's eyes were icy:
"Then let's pray that we can stay this arrogant in that so-called 'reality'."
The words fell.
Viktor tossed it aside like trash.
"thump."
Bellamy, who had already rolled his eyes and passed out, was thrown into a corner like a dead dog.
The bar was completely silent.
That's Bellamy the hyena with a bounty of 55 million!
All the pirates who were laughing just moments ago now looked at the black-haired boy with eyes filled with fear.
Everyone held their breath, afraid of attracting the attention of this scourge.
No one dared to stop them.
Luffy got up from the ground and wiped the blood off his face.
He looked at Viktor, whose face was bruised, but whose lips curled into a signature smile.
There was no blame for Viktor disobeying orders; in those eyes, there was only a helpless yet warm indulgence.
"Ah! Victor..."
"cut."
Zoro, standing beside him, also stood up, removed his headscarf, and gave a cold snort, but couldn't hide the smile on his lips:
"If you hadn't stopped me just now... I would have made a move much earlier."
...
The three walked out of the deathly silent bar.
Outside, on the street, a burly man with several missing teeth was sitting on the ground eating a cherry pie.
Blackbeard – Marshall D. Teach.
He witnessed everything that had just happened inside.
At this moment, he held half a cherry pie in his hand, his eyes deep, scanning back and forth between Luffy and Victor.
"Hahaha! That wine really tastes pretty good!"
Blackbeard first shouted at Luffy, his voice booming like a bell:
"You won that fight just now, kid!"
"Human dreams... will never end!!!"
Luffy stopped and looked back at the strange old man without saying a word.
As Viktor passed by Blackbeard.
"Hey, buddy over there."
Blackbeard suddenly lowered his voice, a dangerous glint in his eyes, and let out his distinctive laugh:
"Thief, hahaha... Well done!"
"If it were me... I would have made a move too! Hahahaha!"
Viktor stopped in his tracks.
He turned his head and gave Blackbeard a cold glance.
He didn't speak.
But at that moment, the auras of the two collided violently, and the air seemed to freeze for a moment.
A moment later, Victor looked away and walked straight ahead.
"Ha, I'm not like you, Blackbeard."