On the coast in front of the Going Merry.
Moji plopped down on the ground, his face ashen, his voice trembling: "This... what kind of monster is this guy?!"
Kai retracted his Halberd, raised an eyebrow, and looking at Moji's terrified expression, he said indifferently: "Since you've come, there's no need to leave."
Moji completely panicked, scrambling to his knees and repeatedly banging his head on the ground: "No! Don't! Have mercy! I was wrong! I shouldn't have blown up your ship!"
"Are you going to jump in yourselves, or should I help you?" Kai's voice was low, carrying an undeniable authority.
Moji and the lion exchanged glances. The lion seemed to understand the situation, and slowly, step by step, led his master towards the edge of the ship, finally splashing into the sea.
From a distance, Moji could be heard shouting: "Captain Buggy, help!"
Kai snorted, just about to turn around, when he suddenly heard a rush of footsteps behind him.
"Kai! Hurry over! Something big has happened!" Nami's voice rang out.
Kai turned his head and saw Nami running towards him in a hurry, carrying several bulging bags.
Usopp, meanwhile, was panting as he followed behind, carrying a large fish that was twice his height.
"What's wrong?" Kai frowned, seeing the two of them covered in sweat from running.
"It's Luffy! He's about to be executed by Buggy the Clown!" Nami said, gasping for breath, her face full of anxiety:
"It's over by the execution platform! The Marines have already surrounded the entire town, led by Marine Headquarters Captain Smoker!"
"Zoro and Sanji have already gone over!"
"Smoker?" Kai's eyes narrowed: "A Headquarters Captain? I'll go take a look!"
Kai stood by the harbor, his brows furrowed, his gaze fixed on the approaching Marine contingent in the distance.
He looked back at Nami and Usopp, his voice low but with undeniable authority: "You two, go back to the Going Merry immediately and stay there. Leave this to me."
Nami froze for a moment, about to retort, but seeing the cold gleam of Kai's Halberd in his hand, she finally gritted her teeth and nodded.
Usopp, however, didn't hesitate. He scrambled back to the ship, carrying a fish larger than himself, muttering:
"I knew something would happen! I hope Luffy doesn't really get his head cut off!"
As the two ran off, Kai flicked his wrist, and the Halberd slowly rose, its blade vibrating slightly, emitting a crisp hum.
His gaze grew even colder, staring directly at the Marine squad in front of him.
These men were fully armed, holding firearms and swords, their steps uniform, charging towards him with fierce momentum.
"They actually chased me all the way here..." Kai sneered, and with a light stomp of his foot, he swung the Halberd down fiercely.
"Boom—!"
A terrifying slash roared out like a gale, accompanied by a sharp tearing sound in the air, striking viciously at the Marine squad.
Before the slash even reached them, the ground could no longer withstand the force, cracking open into a massive chasm, and dust scattered everywhere.
"Bang!"
The moment the slash hit the ground, a powerful shockwave spread out, directly knocking the Marine squad off their feet.
The soldiers didn't even have time to scream before they were knocked unconscious by the aftershock, falling in a heap.
Kai retracted his Halberd, his gaze coldly sweeping over the Marine soldiers lying on the ground, and he let out a soft snort: "Overestimating yourselves."
Nami and Usopp, witnessing this scene from a distance, were completely stunned.
Nami swallowed hard and whispered: "Kai... he's a monster! That Halberd in his hand has terrifying power!"
Usopp nodded repeatedly, his face showing undisguised shock:
"He's too strong! I think even if the entire Buggy Pirates came, they wouldn't be enough for him to cleave twice!"
"I wonder where Kai bought it!"
Kai ignored their exclamations, his gaze fixed on the direction of Loguetown.
He started running forward, his steps swift and powerful, each step seemingly carrying an invisible oppressive force.
On the other side, on the execution platform in Loguetown, Luffy was being held down on the platform by Buggy the Clown, his hands and head confined in shackles, unable to move.
Buggy wielded a razor-sharp blade in his hand, his eyes full of mockery and triumph.
"Luffy, just die obediently! Hahahaha!" Buggy laughed, "Since you're about to die, I'll let you say one last word."
Luffy blinked, his signature smile still on his face: "You're going to cut off my head? That's really something, isn't it?"
Hearing this, Buggy was stunned for a moment, then became even more smug: "Huh? Only now do you realize you're scared? But it's too late!"
He raised the blade, preparing to strike at Luffy's neck. However, just then, Luffy's eyes suddenly grew cold, and an invisible aura erupted from his body.
"Boom—!"
A terrifying pressure, centered on Luffy, swept across the entire execution platform square. A faint rumble of thunder seemed to echo in the air.
Buggy's movements abruptly froze, his pupils slightly constricted, and Alvida, standing below the platform, didn't even have time to struggle before she collapsed straight down.
"This... this is..." Buggy's face showed deep fear, his body trembling uncontrollably, "Conqueror's Haki? How is that possible!"
Luffy ignored his reaction, simply exerted a slight force, and directly broke free from his shackles.
He slowly stood up from the execution platform, his gaze sweeping over the Buggy Pirates members who had been knocked out by Conqueror's Haki, his face still bearing that relaxed smile.
"I'm the man who's going to become the King of the Pirates!" Luffy raised his hands, his voice loud and clear, echoing across the entire square, "How could I die here!"
No sooner had he spoken than a clap of thunder suddenly sounded from the sky, followed by a torrential downpour, and strong winds swept through Loguetown.
The execution platform square was littered with people knocked unconscious by Luffy's Conqueror's Haki, scattered haphazardly across the plaza.
Among them were Buggy's crew, Marines, and many curious onlookers.
No one could have imagined that this seemingly harmless straw hat boy possessed such terrifying power.
On a nearby street, Smoker stood holding his Jitte, his gaze coldly watching everything unfold.
Behind him was a squad of Marine soldiers, but at this moment they were all sprawled on the ground, clearly victims of the Conqueror's Haki just now.
"Conqueror's Haki..." Smoker murmured, a hint of barely perceptible surprise in his tone:
"As expected of a man with a bounty of 100 million Berries. This vast sea has indeed gained another troublesome fellow."
He looked up at Luffy, who was standing on the execution platform, a hint of seriousness in his eyes: "However, today, you will absolutely not escape my grasp."
After Smoker finished speaking, his figure flickered, transforming into a cloud of white smoke, and instantly rushed towards the execution platform.
Kai had already entered the town. He felt the strong aura coming from a distance, and his heart stirred, quickening his pace.
He knew that was Luffy's Conqueror's Haki.
"This guy really knows how to cause me trouble..." Kai's lips curved into a helpless smile.
Then, with a swing of the Halberd in his hand, his figure darted towards the execution platform as fast as lightning.