Whitebeard inviting the captain… could it be?
This thought surfaced in the minds of everyone in the Magic Eye Pirates. Previously, they had not considered it from that angle.
But now that the Navy was about to clash with the Whitebeard Pirates, there was no way they could avoid thinking more deeply about it.
Yuuki glanced at Robin and the others. From the changes in their expressions, he could already guess what Marianne and the rest were thinking.
"It's not as complicated as you think."
He gave a slight, amused shake of his head, closed the documents in his hand, and the smile on his face gained a trace of seriousness.
"However, judging from the outcome of what we're about to do next, it's very possible that things will end up exactly as you imagine… or even worse."
"So—are you all prepared?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Buggy, Marianne, and the others were momentarily stunned.
"Hehe, Captain, so what if we go to war with the Navy? We already fought them once back on Sabaody."
"Even when all three Admirals showed up, they still couldn't stop us from leaving."
Buggy was the first to laugh it off, speaking loudly without any concern.
"That's right, Captain. We haven't been idle during this period of training."
Cabaji nodded seriously, a grin spreading across his face.
Mohji also laughed loudly. "I thought we might get to attack Marine Headquarters together with the Whitebeard Pirates."
There was not the slightest trace of fear toward the Navy in their voices.
"And what if it's not just the Navy?"
"What about the Four Emperors of the New World… the Revolutionary Army… and others?"
Yuuki maintained his smile as he spoke calmly.
The air fell silent.
Everyone quickly thought of the group that had been captured after attacking the Gran Tesoro not long ago.
Buggy's red nose twitched.
"Then we fight," Marianne said calmly and firmly.
"Heh! Captain, we're your crew. Don't underestimate us."
Mohji and Cabaji grinned, their eyes burning with excitement as they looked at Yuuki.
"That sounds pretty dangerous."
"But no matter what you plan to do, I'll support you, Yuuki."
Uta clasped her hands behind her back and smiled.
Robin did not say anything. She simply stood quietly at Yuuki's side.
"In that case…"
Yuuki's smile faded, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes.
"Then prepare yourselves to become enemies of the world."
"Yes, Captain!"
"Yes, Captain!"
"…!"
"Yes, Captain!"
Their voices rang out in unison.
At that moment, inside the arena—
both sides' battles were nearing their conclusion.
Luffy activated Second Gear and completely defeated Kid. On the other side, Lucci transformed into his human-beast form and defeated Law.
The entire audience erupted into wave after wave of cheers.
"Luffy!"
"Luffy!"
"Lucci!"
"Lucci!"
Supporters on both sides could hardly remain seated, shouting at the top of their lungs.
"Hey, Lucci, just admit defeat. You lost to me last time—there's no way you can beat me this time."
Luffy panted heavily as he spoke loudly.
"I'm not the only one who's gotten stronger, Straw Hat!"
"Let's settle both old and new scores at once!"
Lucci tore off his upper clothing and tossed it aside, then exerted force with both legs.
Bang!
The ground shook.
Lucci shot forward like teleportation, appearing in front of Luffy as he raised his beast-like arm.
"Finger Pistol: Spots!"
In an instant, countless finger strikes formed overlapping afterimages that surrounded Luffy, each carrying terrifying force.
Pshhh—
Luffy's skin instantly turned red as steam rose from his body. His arms blurred into afterimages as he launched his attack forward.
"Gum-Gum Gatling!"
Bang! Bang!!
A fierce clash unfolded.
The two exchanged continuous attacks across the arena.
To ordinary spectators, all they could see were waves of air pressure exploding around the stage.
Having just defeated Kid and Law, both Luffy and Lucci had already expended a great deal of stamina. On top of that, both were familiar with each other's fighting styles.
From the very moment they engaged, there was no probing—only full-force attacks.
"Six Powers Secret Technique: Six King Gun!"
Amid the rapid exchange, Lucci seized an opening. He surged forward, fists clenched, and struck toward Luffy's chest with a shout.
Boom!
Terrifying power burst forth.
Luffy spat out a mouthful of blood as his body was blasted into the air.
However—
before Lucci could relax, Luffy's voice rang out from above.
"Gum-Gum Giant Axe!"
A massive shadow appeared overhead and crashed down violently.
"Soru!!"
Lucci's pupils shrank as he vanished instantly.
Boom—!
A large portion of the sturdy arena was shattered by Luffy's strike.
Whoosh!
Luffy landed, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and shouted toward Lucci,
"Last time, you couldn't stop me from taking my friends away—and this time won't be any different!"
Luffy had never intended to win for the two billion Beli, nor for the Logia Devil Fruit, nor even to join the Magic Eye Pirates.
There was another reason entirely.
After witnessing the overwhelming strength of the Magic Eye Pirates, Luffy realized that they had no chance of defeating them—let alone rescuing Usopp.
So—
this was the method they had come up with.
Win the championship, and have the Magic Eye Pirates hand Usopp over.
The air between Luffy and Lucci grew thick with tension as they prepared to clash again—
"Caw! Caw!"
"Caw! Caw!"
Suddenly, a large flock of News Coo appeared in the sky, crying out loudly.
Everyone in the arena instinctively looked up, puzzled by their sudden appearance.
Rustle—!
Newspapers began to fall from the sky.
The News Coo flew overhead, scattering every paper they carried.
Not only in Area 44—this scene was unfolding across all of Sabaody, and even across major towns throughout the Grand Line and the Four Seas.
This sudden development interrupted the battle between Luffy and Lucci.
"What's going on? Are newspapers falling from the sky?"
Luffy paused mid-motion and looked upward in confusion.
"Morgans…"
Lucci frowned, raised his hand, and caught one of the falling papers.
As soon as he saw the contents, his expression turned serious.
"How is this possible…?"
"Hey! What are you doing?!"
"Keep fighting!"
"Damn it, these papers are blocking my view!"
"Who's throwing all this paper around? Don't they cost money?!"
"…!"
Voices of confusion and irritation filled the stands.
However—
as more and more people began reading the newspapers, the noise gradually faded.
Shock and disbelief spread across their faces.
Luffy brushed aside the papers that had landed on his straw hat and looked at Lucci, who had already reverted from his hybrid form.
"Not fighting anymore? Are you giving up?"
Lucci glanced at him.
"Aren't you going to read it?"
"The newspaper? Not interested."
Luffy shook his head.
"Luffy! Luffy!!"
Nami's urgent voice rang out from the stands.
Luffy turned and saw her pointing frantically at the newspaper.
"…?"
Confused, Luffy looked back at Lucci.
"What's in it?"
"Why don't you read it yourself?"
Lucci replied coldly, though he still spoke.
"The Seven Warlords and the Navy are going to war with the Whitebeard Pirates."
"Whaaat?!"
Luffy's mouth fell open in shock as he clutched his head.
"Wait—what? Hold on, hold on, that's too much information at once!"
A vein bulged on Lucci's forehead.
"That's just an inference. It's not written like that in the paper."
He spoke seriously.
"The Navy is going to publicly execute Portgas D. Ace, the 2nd Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. With Whitebeard's personality, there's no way he'll allow one of his own to die."
"…Portgas D. Ace?"
At the mention of that name, Luffy's expression changed completely as he stared at Lucci.
"Who did you just say?!"
Without another word, Lucci threw the newspaper toward him.
Smack!
Luffy caught it and looked down.
His expression changed continuously as he read.
At this moment—
as the contents of the newspaper spread, the audience's attention shifted completely away from the battle.
Compared to the arena—
the impending war between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Navy was far more significant.
Inside the VIP room—
Yuuki stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the newspapers falling from the sky.
"So, it's finally beginning."
"It seems no one is paying attention to the arena anymore."
He glanced at Luffy and Lucci below, who had stopped fighting, showing no surprise at this outcome.
Turning around—
he looked at Marianne and the others, who were already prepared.
"Since things are this lively… let's begin as well."
"Uta, it seems your meeting with Luffy will have to wait."
Uta lightly held her red-and-white braided hair and shook her head.
"It's fine."
Then she looked at Yuuki with her violet eyes.
"Don't forget what you promised."
"You're my crew."
"If it's your request, how could I, as your captain, refuse?"
Yuuki shrugged.
"Alright then, I'll head back first."
Uta glanced once more at Luffy through the glass, then turned and walked toward Robin.
"Please."
Robin nodded, raised her hand, and a silver spatial magic enveloped Uta, making her disappear.
With Uta gone—
Yuuki turned back to the window, looking down at the now chaotic audience.
"We can't let the Navy take all the spotlight."
He smiled.
"Captain, I've been ready for a while."
Mohji grinned.
In the next moment—
dark red magic surged from his body, forming bat-like wings that flapped once.
He smashed through the ceiling and flew into the sky above the arena.
Debris rained down.
"Mohji really hasn't changed his direct approach."
Robin smiled faintly and raised her hand, opening a spatial channel that redirected all falling debris.
Whoosh!
Cabaji, wrapped in wind magic, flew out through the opening.
Marianne flicked her brush, white ink forming a mist that lifted her into the air.
In an instant—
only Yuuki, Conrad, Robin, and Buggy remained in the room.
"Captain, what about me?"
Buggy looked at the others flying off, clearly unwilling to be left behind.
"Come with me, Buggy."
Robin smiled and placed her hand on his shoulder.
Flash—
the two disappeared.
Above the arena—
Cabaji, Mohji, Marianne, Robin, and Buggy appeared one after another, suspended in the air.
Except for Buggy—
the other four exchanged glances, then released their magic downward.
A crushing pressure formed from pure magic descended instantly.
The previously chaotic arena fell silent.
Everyone felt as if their throats were being gripped, unable to speak.
At the center—
Luffy and Lucci felt the pressure most intensely. Their shoulders sank, as if weighed down by something invisible.
"What is this?!"
Lucci resisted the pressure and looked up.
Luffy also snapped out of his shock over Ace.
Boom! Boom!
Two massive sounds echoed above.
In the next instant—
both Luffy and Lucci's pupils contracted.
Behind each of them, a figure had appeared without warning.
"If you're not going to fight, then get off the stage."
Mohji's cold voice came from behind Lucci, sending a chill down his spine.
Too fast.
He hadn't sensed anything at all.
Whoosh!
Lucci instinctively retreated.
Meanwhile, Luffy turned around and saw Cabaji standing with arms crossed, looking at him coldly.
"You!"
After recognizing him, Luffy quickly turned toward Lucci.
"Hey! The fight isn't over yet!"
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