"Th this…"
Cold sweat seeped down their faces.
Every one of them had lost the ability to move. They could not even force out a single word.
Luffy's eyes were bloodshot, his throat rumbling with a hoarse, guttural sound, like an animal pushed into a corner.
He was resisting with everything he had.
And yet…
Even after squeezing out every last ounce of strength, he still could not move an inch.
Tap.
Tap.
Unhurried footsteps sounded across the deck.
The Straw Hats were all lined up at the railing, looking out over the island, but now they could not even turn their heads. They could only judge what was happening by sound alone.
In their blind spot, a tall figure walked beneath the parasol.
Then came the snap of fingers, followed by the soft clink of plate and fork, and a faint, leisurely chewing sound.
That kind of relaxed, shameless composure was not just confidence.
It was someone treating them like air.
After what felt like an eternity, a voice finally spoke.
But the instant the words reached their ears, Robin and the others who had seen that man before shuddered violently, sweat pouring down their backs.
Even Nami and the rest, who had never met him, felt their pupils tremble the moment they saw Robin's expression.
No way…
Could it be?
"A pirate crew this weak… even if you reach the New World, what then?"
The voice paused, as if genuinely thinking it over.
"How about… I wipe all of you out right here?"
That tone.
That voice.
It really was him.
Black Spear, Dotor Ozz.
Terror flashed across every face. Bloodshot eyes, veins bulging, rage and fear twisting together.
Ozz seemed to notice they had something to say, so he casually released the control over Luffy's mouth.
The moment it loosened, Luffy roared.
"You're Uncle Ozz, right?!"
"Let me go!!!"
"I'm gonna be the Pirate King! How can my journey end here?!"
Ozz's lips curled slightly.
Leg crossed over leg, he watched Luffy's helpless fury like it was amusing entertainment.
"Pirate King? Sure, why not."
"Want to know what One Piece is? I'll tell you."
"Once you find out what the great treasure really is, you'll go home like good kids."
"The New World isn't a place for rookies like you to set foot in."
He finished tasting Sanji's cooking and wiped his mouth with satisfaction, then stood up and pulled out a pocket watch.
Before Luffy could even fire back, Ozz continued as if it was already decided.
"There are some idiots causing trouble on Sabaody. I don't have time to play with you right now."
"If you want to prove yourselves, come to Sabaody, Area 23."
"Otherwise, turn back and go home. Children."
The man with the black gun at his waist finished speaking, and his figure slowly faded from the deck.
Only then did everyone's bodies tilt as control returned all at once.
They had burned themselves out trying to struggle. Now they could only slump onto the deck, gasping.
Usopp's face was purple. Clutching his head, he was the first to scream.
"So scary…!!! It felt like my body wasn't even mine! I couldn't move at all!!!"
Chopper was just as shaken, his cute little face pale with terror.
"If we fight someone like that… we'll be killed instantly!!!"
Nami noticed something first.
"Luffy… Zoro… Sanji…"
The three of them were sitting by the side of the ship, backs against the railing, faces shadowed and unreadable.
But up close…
You could see it.
That burning unwillingness.
"You heard what Uncle Ozz said," Luffy muttered.
"Yeah." "Yeah."
"Then… let's go."
The three of them stood up almost at the same time, eyes fixed on Sabaody ahead.
The rest of the crew jumped.
Robin's mouth fell open.
"Luffy… you three… you're not seriously planning to…"
"Yeah."
Luffy's gaze was unshakable. The other two were the same.
"I don't want my journey to end here."
"And I don't want to know what this 'great treasure' is from Uncle Ozz."
"Right now…"
"I just want to beat him!!!"
Zoro gripped his sword hilt, his eyes just as fierce.
"If something stands in the way of my ambition… I'll cut it down even if it's my teacher!"
Sanji did not bother with threats.
He simply drew on his cigarette, calm and absolute.
"I'm not that kid who only knew how to cry anymore."
Everyone stared at them, stunned.
Then Brook was the first to step forward lightly, cane in hand.
"If that is your decision, then I shall accompany you as well… even if it means death…"
In the next instant, Brook clapped his hands, suddenly remembering.
"Oh! I forgot. I've already died once. Yohohohoho!"
The rest of the crew fell silent for a moment, then followed without hesitation.
They had survived monsters again and again.
This time, they chose to trust themselves too.
"Alright!"
"Everyone, we resupply and rest on Sabaody first!"
"Once we regroup, we head straight to Area 23!!!"
…
Meanwhile, trouble really had broken out on Sabaody.
The Supernovas were arriving one after another, along with all kinds of other pirates.
With so many new faces pouring in from Paradise and the Four Blues, a lot of those country bumpkins had no idea how terrifying this island truly was.
They acted without restraint, stirring chaos.
Some Supernovas even started fighting right there in the streets, buildings collapsing one after another.
"Lord Ozz!!!"
On the outer edge of Sabaody, guards rushing to calm the unrest were trying to organize civilians fleeing in all directions.
Then a tall figure walked against the flow of the crowd.
They froze for half a second, then their faces lit up with shock, respect, and relief.
"You guys…"
Ozz obviously was not going to remember every grunt by name, so he simply pointed at them.
"Tell the Marines they don't need to handle the pirates causing trouble."
"Not that they have the manpower to handle it anyway."
After all, they were busy preparing for the Summit War. Sabaody probably did not have many Marines left.
"From here on out, I'll play with these rookie pirates myself."
He accepted the Supernova list his subordinate handed over and lit a cigarette.
There were a few names that actually interested him.
Like Hawkins.
Rumor said his fortune-telling was frighteningly accurate.
Like Bonney.
That rebellious kid who had gone to sea just to look for Kuma.
"Hmm… where should I start?"
Ozz was still considering when he heard people whispering nearby.
"Did you hear? A Celestial Dragon came to Sabaody!"
"Yeah…"
"It's been a long time since any Celestial Dragon dared to show up here, not after the last one was killed by that man."
"They say he went to the auction house."
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