Chapter 56 Luffy's Determination
Robin chuckled, her hands clasped on her knees, her posture elegant, but her tone understated:
"The moment you picked up the princess with a bounty from Baroque Works, you were destined to confront our boss.
I believe your strength is indeed worthy of challenging him." Her speaking pace slowed slightly, her gaze sweeping over Nami and Vivi, a slight curve to her lips,
"But... what worries me is the route indicated by your log pose."
"log pose?" Nami was startled by the words and immediately looked down at the compass on her wrist.
The needle had been moving slowly during their voyage but always pointed in the same direction.
"The next island is called Small Garden," Robin said faintly, her voice low with a hint of coolness.
"If you take this route... you won't be able to reach Alabasta, even without our boss making a move.
The hidden dangers on that island are enough to wipe out your entire crew."
Nami's expression instantly changed: "What?!"
Robin smiled slightly, took a small object from her bosom, and gently tossed it to Vivi.
The object arced through the air, and Vivi instinctively caught it, opening her palm.
It was a small, delicate compass; beneath the transparent glass cover, a metal needle pointed steadily in a fixed direction.
"An eternal pose," Robin said slowly, maintaining her faint smile.
"With this, you can skip Small Garden. This route points to an unknown island before Alabasta.
Even the members of Baroque Works don't know about it, so naturally, no one will pursue you there."
Nami was stunned, staring up at Robin, her voice full of disbelief, "She... she's actually a good person?"
Vivi clutched the compass, her palm feeling a little cold.
She took a step forward, looking directly at Robin, her clear blue eyes filled with complex emotions: "Why are you giving us this?"
Robin didn't answer, merely lightly brushed a strand of hair from her ear with a slender finger, revealing a playful smile: "You choose."
Zoro, standing beside her with his arms crossed, snorted: "Hmph, it's not some kind of trap, is it?"
Robin chuckled softly, her eyes lowered to the deck beneath her feet, and said nothing more.
Her expression seemed calm, but her gaze held an elusive meaning, as if she was waiting for someone's reaction.
"I don't want to accept her things..." She looked down at the eternal pose in her hand, her hands trembling slightly,
"But if I'm to take this ship, I should choose a safer route, I should..."
She looked up, about to speak, when she saw Luffy step forward, a rare hint of anger on his face.
Without any hesitation, he snatched the eternal pose from Vivi's hand and clenched it tightly.
"Snap--"
To everyone's stunned gaze, Luffy crushed the eternal pose into pieces. The fragments scattered on the ground, making a crisp sound.
"What are you doing?!" Nami immediately exploded, storming over to Luffy and punching him to the ground.
"Are you an idiot?!" Nami grabbed Luffy's collar, her face etched with annoyance,
"She kindly told us an easy route! What if she's a good person?!"
Luffy lay on the ground, looking up at Nami, his usual playful grin gone, replaced by a rare serious expression.
His voice was soft but exceptionally firm: "The route of this ship doesn't need her to decide."
Robin watched this scene, her eyes moving slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in her deep gaze.
She said nothing, simply observing the stubborn Captain before her.
After a moment, she chuckled softly, her tone seemingly tinged with regret: "Is that so? Then that's a pity."
Nami stood by, sighing helplessly, then turned to Luffy: "Seriously..."
Luffy sat up from the ground, rubbing his nose, his voice imbued with an undeniable firmness:
"This person is with those who destroyed Vivi's country. I hate her."
Robin's expression stiffened slightly, her smile still on her lips, but her deep eyes revealed a hint of complex emotion.
She looked down at the fragments on the ground, then up at Luffy, the smile on her lips gradually fading.
"Interesting," she murmured, a deeper meaning in her eyes.
"I don't dislike people with guts," she turned her head, her gaze falling on Luffy, her voice low and soft,
"If you manage to survive, we'll meet again."
Luffy's expression, however, instantly became serious. He clenched his fists tightly, the smile vanishing from his face without a trace, his voice firm without a hint of hesitation: "No way!"
Those words were like heavy stones dropped on the deck; everyone was momentarily stunned.
Robin didn't get angry; instead, she chuckled softly. Her eyes were complex, but no one could discern what she was thinking.
"It seems Princess Vivi has found a reliable group of people."
With that, she turned, her movements as light as a feather, her steps elegant and silent.
She walked to the railing, bent slightly, held onto the ship's side, and leaped down.
Her movement traced an arc in the air, finally landing steadily on a small boat near the going merry.
Usopp was sprawled on the going merry's railing, his eyes wide, his mouth agape enough to fit an apple: "What is that? Is it a Sea Kings?"
The turtle boat slowly moved at Robin's command, gradually moving away from the going merry, eventually becoming a distant, fading speck.
Usopp suddenly snapped back to reality, his eyes widening further, pointing into the distance and exclaiming: "No! That's a turtle!"
Luffy scratched his head in shock: "Wow! What a big turtle!"
On the going merry, the atmosphere gradually quieted.
Vivi, who had been standing upright, suddenly sank to her knees on the deck, her hands gently propping herself up, her blue eyes filled with exhaustion and confusion.
Her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but didn't know how to begin.
"That woman..." she murmured softly, her voice tinged with unease and bewilderment, "I completely don't understand what she's thinking."
Nami walked over to her, squatted down, and gently patted her shoulder, her voice soft but with a hint of helplessness:
"It's no use thinking about it; you can't figure out people like that. Besides, there are incomprehensible guys on this ship too."
She glanced at Luffy, who was standing by, still staring blankly in the direction the turtle boat had gone, her eyes full of exasperation.
"Hehe..." Luffy grabbed his hat brim and grinned, "The turtle boat is really amazing!"
Vivi's expression remained complex. She looked down at the deck, her hands gently clasped on her knees, her fingertips slightly white.
Finally, she looked up, her gaze serious and firm, at Lin Ning and Luffy:
"Can I really ride on your ship? Will I be a bother to you...?"
Before she finished speaking, Nami had already walked in front of her, lightly poked her forehead with her finger, her voice containing a hint of displeasure:
"What are you talking about? We've already been targeted! If you don't want to be a bother, then don't be so polite in the first place!"
Vivi pursed her lips, bit her teeth, her voice almost inaudible: "I'm sorry..."
Nami sighed and turned to Luffy: "Right, Luffy?"
Luffy rubbed his stomach, his voice carrying his usual casualness: "Yeah, I'm so hungry!"
"You idiot!" Nami raised her hand to hit him, but Luffy deftly dodged.
Vivi watched this farce, her eyes gradually becoming complex.
She raised her hand to wipe the cold sweat from her forehead, sighing inwardly: "Do they... not care at all?"
Lin Ning finally spoke, breaking the chaos.
"In any case, the next destination has been decided."
Zoro, lying on the deck, lazily rolled over, his hands behind his head, and said softly: "Small Garden, huh..."
Usopp, his face full of worry, leaned closer, his voice trembling slightly: "Is that place safe?"
"Who knows!" Luffy grinned indifferently, his eyes full of anticipation, "Let's go, brothers!"
The going merry's sails unfurled in the wind, the ship shuddered slightly, carrying the group towards Small Garden.Chapter 57 The Ancient Island's Little Garden
The sea and sky were a single hue, the clear sky boundless, with a few white clouds drifting lazily overhead.
On the vast blue ocean, the water sparkled, and the sails billowed in the wind, as the going merry sailed briskly through the waves, speeding towards Small Garden.
At the bow of the ship, Lin Ning, Luffy, and the others sat around a large round table.
The table was laden with iced drinks and fresh oranges, and the cool sea breeze made everyone feel exceptionally comfortable.
Having just completed a round of mental and willpower training and Body Tempering Technique cultivation, the four finally had time to enjoy a moment of relaxation.
"Phew—that feels great." Luffy gulped down a large glass of Sanji's special drink, a satisfied smile on his face.
He put down the cup, stretched lazily, revealing his strong muscles, and said with a laugh,
"The Body Tempering Technique is amazing! It made me grow over two meters tall, hahahaha!"
Sunlight spilled onto the deck, elongating their shadows.
The sense of power, refined by the Body Tempering Technique, seemed to emanate from their very bones.
Lin Ning sat in a chair, shirtless, his muscles sculpted and firm like marble in the sunlight.
He stood a full 2.18 meters tall, his imposing physique like an unshakable iron tower, exuding an invisible pressure just by sitting there.
Luffy, at 2.12 meters, was slightly shorter than Lin Ning but appeared even more lean and powerful.
Zoro stood nearby, leaning against the railing, his muscles as robust as rock.
His 2.26-meter height combined with his burly frame gave off a fierce sense of oppression.
Sanji, 2.15 meters tall, had a well-proportioned physique, his muscle lines somewhat similar to Lin Ning's.
He always paid attention to his appearance, and cultivating the Body Tempering Technique made his strength and posture appear even more elegant.
He looked up slightly, his golden curly hair glistening in the sun, and he looked full of vigor.
"Luffy and Zoro's Body Tempering Technique, the first stage is almost complete." Lin Ning's tone was calm, but there was a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.
His gaze swept over the three in front of him, as if evaluating their cultivation progress, "It won't be long before they can enter the second stage."
Zoro grinned, putting down his drink:
"Indeed. The six movements now don't have the same obvious effect as when we first started; it feels like my body has completely adapted."
Luffy nodded, his eyes filled with excitement: "Yeah, yeah! The Body Tempering Technique is really amazing!"
Sanji took a small sip of coffee and interjected, "I, on the other hand, feel that my physical fitness is still rapidly improving, and I haven't felt any Bottleneck at all."
Lin Ning glanced at him and said indifferently, "Sanji, you started cultivating a few weeks after us, so this is normal progress."
Upon hearing this, Zoro immediately seized the opportunity, a slight smirk playing on his lips: "Which means you're still far behind. What's the rush?"
Sanji's expression instantly changed; he put down his coffee cup and glared at Zoro: "What did you say? Mosshead, looking for a fight?"
Zoro didn't back down, standing up with his fists clenched: "Anytime! Perverted Cook!"
"Who are you calling Perverted Cook?" Sanji exploded in rage, kicking towards Zoro's head, but Zoro easily blocked it with his hand.
"Of course, you, who else could it be?" Zoro sneered back, his grip incredibly strong, Sanji couldn't break free for a moment.
"Hmph, stinky Mosshead, what else can you do besides swing a sword?"
Sanji gritted his teeth, forcefully pulled his leg back, and kicked again, this time aiming for Zoro's side waist.
"With your leg strength, you think you can kick me?" Zoro's figure flickered slightly, deftly avoiding the attack.
At the same time, he quickly threw a punch towards Sanji's abdomen.
"Stop it, you two!" Nami snatched an orange juice cup nearby and threw it hard at them both.
The ice cubes in the cup splashed onto them, instantly cooling them down a bit.
"Honestly! Aren't you noisy enough already?" Nami put her hands on her hips, glaring furiously at the two.
Her orange hair shimmered slightly in the sun, and her bright and charming face was filled with anger.
Zoro and Sanji glared at each other, then simultaneously turned their heads away, no longer speaking.
Lin Ning watched the chaotic scene before him, shaking his head involuntarily.
He took a sip of his drink, his tone indifferent: "You two, if you want to fight, wait until the practical training. Now, behave yourselves."
Zoro and Sanji both "hmph"ed at the same time, saying no more, but the tension between them remained strong.
"Alright, alright." Luffy broke the silence with a cheerful grin, grabbing the large plate on the table and stuffing the remaining oranges into his mouth,
"You need to eat to have the strength to fight! Haha!"
Vivi, watching the scene unfold, showed a bright smile.
Just then, a lush, verdant island emerged from the mist.
Sunlight pierced through the clouds, casting a glow over the island, and the emerald forest reflected a faint halo, like an emerald set in the sea.
"I see it! That's our next destination!" Luffy waved his arms, shouting excitedly, his voice so thrilled that even the seagulls were startled and flew away.
Nami was leaning against the ship's railing, the log pose on her wrist glowing softly, its needle pointing steadily towards the Small Garden ahead.
She lowered her eyelids, staring at the needle for a moment, and after confirming it was correct, she looked up, a confident smile on her lips:
"That's right, that's the place." Her slender finger pointed towards the island, her voice sweet and firm,
"Our next destination, the second island of the Grand Line—Small Garden!"
As the going merry slowly approached, the island's appearance gradually became clearer.
The edges of Small Garden were enveloped by a dense tropical rainforest, with towering giant trees several times taller than ordinary trees, like a natural barrier.
Various vines crisscrossed among the canopies, some hanging to the ground, others connecting different tree trunks like bridges.
Between the trees, giant flowers of various colors bloomed, and sunlight spilled onto the petals, reflecting a captivating sheen.
"Wow! How beautiful!" Vivi leaned on the railing with both hands, her sapphire eyes filled with wonder.
"This place is beautiful, but it also looks very dangerous," Nami said cautiously, cupping her chin.
"Dangerous is fun!" Luffy clenched his fists excitedly, a exaggerated grin on his face, "Adventure is the meaning of sailing! Hahaha!"
Nami clenched her fists, her veins subtly bulging: "What adventure! You just think your life is too long, don't you!"
She kicked Luffy in the head, directly pressing him onto the deck, and Luffy, lying on the ground, complained while clutching his head:
"Ouch, ouch, ouch..."
Zoro leaned against the ship's railing, glancing at the two bickering, and snorted: "Always noisy, honestly."
As the going merry slowly approached the coastline of Small Garden, a deafening roar came from afar.
Immediately, a giant Tyrannosaurus Rex emerged from the jungle, opening its blood-red maw and letting out a sky-shattering roar.
"Ah ah ah ah!" Usopp, seeing this scene, immediately jumped behind the ship's railing and hid, clutching his head and trembling,
"What kind of place is this! Is this a prehistoric world?!"
"Wow! How amazing!" Luffy completely ignored the danger, jumping up and down excitedly, "That big monster looks so delicious!"
"Stop talking and prepare to dock." Lin Ning stood at the bow of the ship, his gaze steady and sharp.Chapter 58 The Giants Dorry and Brogy
The going merry slowly docked, the morning sea breeze swept across the deck, and a rich tropical scent filled the air.
However, a heavy thud of footsteps came from deep within the forest, accompanied by a low roar, as if the entire ground was trembling.
"Roar—!"
A giant Tyrannosaurus Rex suddenly burst out of the jungle, opening its bloody maw and lunging straight for the going merry.
Its sharp teeth gleamed with a cold light, as if it would swallow the entire ship in the next second.
Zoro stood at the bow, his hand on the hilt of his sword, already poised for action.
But he held back, not drawing his blade.
Because he saw an even larger figure emerging from the jungle.
Before the Tyrannosaurus Rex could get close, that figure brought down an axe, directly severing its head!
Blood splattered, and the massive body of the Tyrannosaurus Rex crashed to the ground with a deafening thud.
As the figure slowly approached, everyone finally saw clearly—it was a Giant over twenty meters tall.
He held a massive battle axe, its blade still stained with the Tyrannosaurus Rex's blood.
He wore simple animal hide armor, his skin was bronze, and his strong muscles were taut like rocks.
Nami covered her mouth, her azure eyes wide with shock: "A Giant?! There are Giants here!"
Usopp hid behind the ship's rail, trembling: "Too, too terrifying! I almost got eaten by that Tyrannosaurus Rex!"
Karoo, on the side, immediately flopped onto the deck, covering his head with his wings, playing dead.
Lin Ning, Luffy, Sanji, and Zoro, however, appeared much calmer, even showing expressions of curiosity.
Luffy's eyes were full of light; he jumped to the bow and shouted excitedly: "Wow! It's a Giant, so amazing!"
Zoro looked up at the Giant, his hand on the sword hilt relaxing slightly, a faint smile on his lips: "This place is interesting indeed."
Sanji's cigarette fell onto the deck as he said in a daze: "There really are Giants..."
The Giant slowly bent down, his enormous face approaching the going merry.
He grinned, showing his pristine white teeth, his voice like thunder: "Do you have any sake?"
Luffy answered without hesitation: "Yes!" Then he turned and shouted to Sanji: "Sanji, quickly bring out all the sake!"
The huge barrel of sake was like a toy in Brogy's hands; he drank an entire barrel in one gulp, patted his stomach contentedly, and laughed heartily:
"I am Brogy, a warrior of the Elbaf Giant Race! You treated me to sake, so I'll treat you to meat!"
Everyone followed Brogy deep into the Small Garden.
His dwelling was an open grassland, surrounded by giant trees and rocks, with a massive bonfire pit made of stacked stones in the center.
Brogy skillfully set up the dinosaur meat and began roasting it over the bonfire; the aroma of the meat filled the air.
Luffy drooled, his eyes shining: "Such a huge piece of meat!"
"Come, eat!" Brogy distributed the roasted dinosaur meat to everyone; each person received a piece larger than themselves.
Luffy eagerly took a bite, mumbling indistinctly: "So, so delicious! This place is simply paradise!"
Nami elegantly cut a piece of meat to taste, a slight smile on her lips:
"Although this place is dangerous, the meat is indeed good."
Nami suddenly remembered the log pose and looked up to ask Brogy: "By the way, how long does it take for the log pose to record this island?"
Brogy grinned, revealing his neat white teeth: "One year."
"One year?!" Nami and Vivi exclaimed simultaneously; Nami's eyes widened, and Vivi covered her mouth, her face full of disbelief.
Vivi said anxiously: "One year is too long! The people of Alabasta can't wait that long!"
Lin Ning waved his hand, signaling her to calm down: "Don't worry, since Baroque's assassins will be chasing us, they must have an Eternal Pose for Alabasta on them."
Upon hearing this, Nami immediately pointed at Luffy and complained: "If you hadn't broken the Eternal Pose Nico Robin gave us, we wouldn't have to worry about this at all!"
Luffy scratched the back of his head, apologizing innocently: "Sorry about that..."
Just then, Usopp suddenly asked Brogy: "Why do you live here?"
Brogy took a bite of roasted meat and slowly said:
"Our village has an agreement: if anyone in the village has a dispute, they must accept the judgment of the Elbaf God.
The Elbaf God will bless the righteous party to survive. A hundred years ago, another Giant and I had a dispute, so this island became our battlefield."
"What was the dispute about?" Luffy asked curiously, tilting his head.
Brogy laughed heartily: "It was a long time ago, I forgot! But the righteous party will surely win!"
Vivi frowned, her tone cold as she said: "It's been a hundred years; you should have calmed down and stopped fighting by now, right? Is there still any meaning in continuing to fight?"
"Meaning?" Brogy stood up, a serious expression on his face, "This is the honor of an Elbaf warrior!"
Just then, a distant volcano suddenly erupted, thick smoke billowing into the sky, and a deafening roar echoed over the Small Garden.
Brogy's expression became solemn; he grabbed his battle axe: "Sorry, I have to go."
"What's wrong?" Usopp asked.
"The volcanic eruption is the signal for our century-long duel," Brogy said, turning and striding away.
Brogy's figure gradually disappeared into the depths of the jungle; each step he took caused the ground to tremble slightly.
Lin Ning, Luffy, Zoro, and the others exchanged glances, nodded in understanding, and followed closely.
In the jungle, thick trees rose from the ground, gigantic trees that blotted out the sun, like natural towering spires.
The vegetation underfoot was broken, forming a wide path from the Giant's passage, with fallen leaves and dead branches scattered everywhere.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the tree canopy; amidst the interplay of light and shadow, the enormous footprints appeared exceptionally clear.
The two Giant warriors charged towards each other like a torrent, their footsteps on the ground like the drumming of the earth.
Brogy's giant axe carved a sharp arc in the sunlight, and the opponent's greatsword also emanated a chilling killing intent.
"Boom—!"
Their shields and weapons collided fiercely; the immense shockwave was like thunder, directly tearing through the surrounding air.
A massive wave of Qi swept all around, uprooting nearby trees; branches and leaves flew through the air, then were shattered and scattered across the ground.
"Such powerful strength..." Nami hid behind a thick tree trunk, her orange hair gently lifted by the wind.
Her eyes were filled with shock, her slender fingers gripping the tree trunk, her voice tinged with disbelief: "Is this what a Giant's battle is like?!"
Usopp hid behind the two, trembling all over: "If, if you get hit by that, there wouldn't even be a speck left..."
Brogy suddenly raised his giant axe, roared, and brought it down on his opponent.
The power of the giant axe carried a whistling sound that tore through the air, heavily smashing against the opponent's shield.
The other Giant swept his greatsword, creating a strong current of Qi, the aftermath of which cut down several giant trees nearby.
"Hahaha! It's been too long since we fought, your strength has weakened!" Brogy scoffed loudly.
"Less talk!" the opponent roared back.
The massive axe and sword blades collided repeatedly, sparks flying, and deafening sounds echoed through the jungle.
Each attack was like lightning striking the earth, making everyone hold their breath.Chapter 59 Luffy's New Move: Finger Gun
In the sky, shattered clouds and pervasive dust mingled, speaking of the battle's ferocity.
Just as this duel was about to reach its climax, an arrogant laugh suddenly broke the silence.
"Hmph, I can't stand to watch anymore!" The voice, filled with boundless arrogance and disdain, instantly came from afar.
Brogy and Dorry were preparing their final, fatal blow to each other when that voice swept over them with a chilling pressure.
The two giants froze, realizing something was wrong in an instant.
The next second, the person made their Move.
A blurred figure rapidly approached, his hands transforming into two viscous liquid masses that lunged at the two giants.
The viscous liquid quickly spread, instantly covering the limbs of giants Brogy and Dorry. Immediately after, the liquid hardened, binding them firmly like steel.
Even as they struggled with all their might, exhausting their last bit of Qi, they still couldn't break free from the restraints.
Brogy roared, his fist swinging powerfully, but its immense force seemed so powerless against the viscous restraint.
"Who are you?" Anger and helplessness flashed in Dorry's eyes. He growled, his voice tinged with exhaustion and resentment.
Lin Ning and his group, who were watching from a distance, were also stunned. Luffy's fists were clenched, and his furrowed brow revealed strong displeasure.
The anger of having the duel rules broken erupted like fire in his eyes.
This was what Luffy hated most: when two sides were dueling for honor, someone would actually break the duel and launch a sneak attack.
"Who dares to ruin a duel?" Luffy roared in a low voice, his rage exploding in his mind like thunder.
For a warrior, a duel was the highest honor; every Move was a defense of their beliefs and dignity.
Luffy could not tolerate those who attacked from behind and schemed treacherously.
Vivi's gaze narrowed slightly. A hint of alertness flashed in her eyes as she whispered, "He's Mr.3 of Baroque Works, a Candle-Candle Fruit User."
At this moment, Lin Ning's expression didn't change much, but a coldness surged in his eyes.
Such an enemy was destined to become a stepping stone on the Straw Hat Pirates' path.
Meanwhile, the person was already standing in front of Brogy and Dorry, arms crossed, a contemptuous smile on his face.
That laugh carried unconcealed arrogance, as if everything was under his control. His eyes were full of confidence and greed.
"Blue Ogre Dorry and Red Ogre Brogy, two bounties of 100 million Berries each, I won't be polite."
Mr.3 said arrogantly, his voice full of smugness and ruthlessness, "Even if you are giants, you can't stop my Candle Cage."
His gaze swept over Lin Ning and his group, seemingly not putting them in his eyes.
"And the Straw Hat," Mr.3's eyes flashed with a sneer,
"Just some nobodies from the East Blue. To get 400 million Berries in bounty today is truly an unexpected delight!"
Luffy's face darkened, and a flicker of anger flashed in his eyes. He roared at Mr.3: "Let them go!"
However, Mr.3 wore a cold smirk, seemingly not taking Luffy seriously at all.
The giants, firmly bound in their limbs, could not resist and could only watch as their dignity was trampled by the enemy.
Luffy's anger reached its peak.
Luffy extended his index finger, which was enveloped in a dense Armament Haki.
Immediately after, his index finger instantly elongated, rapidly striking towards Mr.3.
"Rubber—Finger Pistol!"
In an instant, the air seemed to be torn apart. Luffy's finger transformed into a black ray of light, piercing through with fierce power.
The black aura carried an irresistible penetrative force; even the air vibrated, instantly breaking through the limits of distance and speed.
Mr.3 had no time to react. The smile had not fully faded from his face when he already felt a fatal threat.
His eyes widened, his mouth slightly agape, astonishment and regret mixed in an instant. However, his body was already unable to react.
With a "Puff!", his chest was pierced by the hardened index finger, and blood instantly gushed out.
Bright red blood stained his blue and white clothes, and before he could fully react, he had already fallen to the ground, gasping in pain, blood overflowing from the corner of his mouth.
He trembled, clutching his chest, unable to believe the reality before him.
That one finger seemed to break through all his defenses, instantly severely injuring him. That speed, that power, he was completely unable to dodge.
"This… how is this possible…" Mr.3 uttered with difficulty, having completely lost the ability to counterattack.
Luffy's Move was developed from combat drills, inspired by the Rokushiki Finger Pistol, combined with his Rubber-Rubber Fruit ability and Armament Haki.
The first time it was unleashed, it demonstrated absolute speed and penetrative power, completely overwhelming an enemy of Mr.3's caliber before he could even react.
The battle ended in an instant. The air was filled with the smell of blood, and Mr.3 lay on the ground, clutching his chest.
He was instantly defeated by Luffy without even using his Candle-Candle Fruit ability; their strength was not on the same level at all.
Sunlight filtered through the giant forest, casting dappled light and shadow on Luffy's back.
Luffy's right hand hung down, his fingertips trembling slightly, as he retracted the black-glowing Armament Haki.
His gaze was cold, like a drawn sword, revealing an undeniable sharpness.
"Luffy's Comprehension Ability is indeed good," Lin Ning's voice sounded softly, with a hint of admiration.
His gaze did not linger on the fallen Mr.3 but fell on Luffy.
In just a few months, this lively young man had grown to such an extent.
His Move just now, whether it was the application of Armament Haki or the creative development of his Devil Fruit ability, revealed extremely high talent.
"Rubber Finger Pistol… a good Move." Zoro smiled slightly, a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes.
He wasn't good at expressing himself, but his inner approval was already self-evident.
Luffy's progress made him feel a sense of urgency; as the Straw Hat Pirates' swordsman, he couldn't fall behind either.
Zoro's hand unconsciously tightened on his sword hilt, his gaze instinctively falling on his arm.
The training was not enough. His cultivation needed to be more rigorous; only by continuously breaking through his limits could he stand taller in future battles.
Sanji, leaning against a tree trunk nearby, lit a cigarette, his eyes complex.
He looked up slightly, watching the smoke slowly rise, a barely perceptible smile gracing his lips.
"What an unexpected guy." What surged in his heart was not only admiration but also a hint of fighting spirit.
"That's just Luffy," Nami stood not far away, smiling slightly, her eyes filled with unreserved trust.
She had never doubted this man; no matter what kind of difficulty, as long as he took it seriously, he would definitely accomplish it.
Luffy was not only their Captain but also their belief.
Vivi stood rooted to the spot, staring blankly at everything.
She had never seen Luffy like this. That last blow was so fast that her eyes couldn't even keep up.
A powerful aura instantly swept across the battlefield; even the air seemed to solidify.
"Is this… the Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates?" A hint of shock flashed in Vivi's heart.Chapter 60 Obtaining the Eternal Pointer of Alabasta
"Amazing!" Usopp's shout rang out, his eyes wide, almost popping out of their sockets.
His hands waved excitedly, his face practically overflowing with admiration. "Luffy, how did you do that move just now?"
But Usopp's excitement was quickly replaced by another emotion.
His fists slowly clenched, a sense of urgency flashing in his eyes.
Every battle, he felt like he was a burden. He had to change, he had to become stronger.
Exercising his body and reaching the cultivation threshold of the Body Tempering Technique as soon as possible was his most pressing goal.
Just as the atmosphere eased slightly, Zoro's gaze suddenly sharpened.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a sneaky figure moving quietly between the shadows of the trees.
A little girl, holding a paintbrush, was hiding to the side, sketching and drawing.
"Stop!" Zoro growled, his voice like thunder, instantly intimidating the figure.
The little girl's body stiffened, her paintbrush fell to the ground, her legs went weak, and she directly knelt down.
She looked up at Zoro's oppressive gaze, trembling as she waved her hands repeatedly: "Spare me! Spare me!"
"Miss Goldenweek..." Vivi whispered, recognizing the girl. Her voice held a hint of tension and alertness.
"She's Mr.3's partner," Vivi said quickly, her eyes fixed on the little girl.
The little girl showed no intention of resisting; her body trembled slightly, her head bowed, not daring to look directly at everyone.
Her hand secretly reached for her paintbrush, but under Zoro's stern gaze, her movement instantly stopped. Cold sweat dripped from her forehead.
"I was just... carrying out a mission... please spare me." The little girl's voice trembled, growing softer and softer until it was almost inaudible.
Zoro's hand slowly rested on his sword hilt, his gaze full of deterrence.
He walked step by step towards the little girl, each step like a boulder pressing on her heart, making her breathless.
Lin Ning raised his hand, shaking his head slightly, signaling Zoro to stop.
"She's just a child." Lin Ning's voice was calm, yet it carried an undeniable authority.
Zoro stopped, staring coldly at the little girl, but ultimately did not draw his sword.
"Leave here." Roux, standing nearby, looked at the little girl, his voice low and calm,
"Take Mr.3 and get off this island together."
The little girl breathed a sigh of relief, nodding repeatedly. She helped the fallen Mr.3 up and dragged him step by step into the shadows of the forest.
Suddenly, Lin Ning's gaze flashed. He turned around, looking at Miss Goldenweek's figure, who was about to disappear into the forest.
"Hand over Alabasta's Eternal Pose." Lin Ning's voice was concise, with a hint of pressure.
There was no threat, but it left no room for refutation.
Miss Goldenweek's body stiffened slightly; at that moment, it was as if she was frozen.
She lowered her head and silently took out the important item that Mr. O had sent from Mr.3's pocket—the Eternal Pose—and threw it to Lin Ning without hesitation.
The Pose traced an arc in the air, quietly landing in Lin Ning's palm.
Without extra words, without any extra movements, Miss Goldenweek turned around.
She helped the still unconscious Mr.3 up and silently disappeared into the depths of the forest.
Lin Ning did not pursue, his gaze lingering slightly on the edge of the now-vanished forest, his deep eyes seemingly contemplating something, but he quickly withdrew his sight.
"The Eternal Pose is in hand." Lin Ning handed the Eternal Pose to Nami, his gaze calm and firm, as if all of this was within his expectations.
At this moment, Sanji's figure appeared before Brogy and Dorry.
"Bang—"
Sanji kicked out fiercely, accurately hitting the cage. With a loud "Boom!" the restraints of the wax cage instantly shattered.
Wax fragments flew through the air, scattering like falling snowflakes.
Dorry and Brogy's limbs finally regained their freedom; their eyes showed gratitude and shock.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Dorry bowed deeply, and Brogy followed suit, clasping his hands together, his tone solemn.
Sanji shrugged, a dismissive smile playing on his lips, as if none of this was worth his effort to say anything about.
The two giants waved at them, signaling farewell.
Lin Ning stood to the side, watching calmly, with no strong emotional fluctuations in his heart.
For him, helping these giants was just a brief encounter.
The going merry slowly sailed out from the coast of Small Garden, its hull gently swaying with the waves.
Ahead, two giants stood on the shore, like ancient guardians, silently watching the group depart.
"Remember, always keep moving forward." Brogy's voice was steady and powerful, like a majestic rock, deep yet full of strength.
"Don't look back." Dorry continued, his tone gentle, yet also possessing an undeniable firmness.
The two giants stood there, their gaze silently following the going merry's journey.
Just then, the sea surface suddenly began to undulate, as if something was violently thrashing beneath the water.
The waves surged, and a huge sense of oppression filled the air, as if the sea itself was roaring.
Nami's eyes suddenly widened, her hands gripping the railing at the bow of the ship, a look of terror flashing in her eyes.
She abruptly turned her head, looking at Vivi and Usopp behind her, her voice almost trembling: "Wh-what's going on?"
Vivi's face also turned pale, her hand gripping the railing unconsciously tightening, her voice clearly tense: "It can't be, such big waves..."
Usopp's eyes were wider than usual, his mouth gaping open, unconsciously muttering: "Wh-what is that thing?"
Just then, the sea surface suddenly exploded, and a giant goldfish, as large as an island, leaped out from under the water, opening its enormous mouth and lunging straight for the going merry.
The size of its mouth was enough to swallow a large ship, its scales shimmering in the sunlight, reflecting dazzling light.
The goldfish's eyes were as dark as an abyss, revealing a cold, incredibly menacing presence.
The going merry's hull, in front of that goldfish, was like an ant being targeted by a giant beast, utterly helpless.
The goldfish's body was so massive it could almost cover the entire sea area, water splashing everywhere, and a blast of air rushing towards them.
Nami, Vivi, Usopp, and Karoo's eyes almost popped out, their bodies trembling, almost screaming aloud.
"Wh-what is this monster?" Nami's voice trembled, the smile gone from her lips, replaced only by immense fear.
Vivi was speechless, only able to cling tightly to the ship's railing, her forehead already covered in cold sweat.
She had never seen such a gigantic creature; the oppressive feeling almost made her unable to breathe.
Usopp collapsed onto the deck, his eyes bulging out, his heart filled with endless fear.
That was no ordinary sea beast; it was almost an island-like existence.
His mind was blank, completely unable to think.
However, amidst this almost suffocating fear, Zoro's figure stood out.