Luffy's eyes suddenly became exceptionally clear. He raised his hand to press down his straw hat, a determined smile gracing the corner of his lips: "I choose C."
Amidst everyone's astonished gazes, Luffy turned to Nami, his voice more serious than ever: "Nami, dreams shouldn't be defined."
His eyes burned with a blazing fire, "The sea is freedom! If we only follow someone else's path, even if we reach Laugh Tale, that's still Roger's accomplishment."
He extended his hand, the shadow of his straw hat obscuring half of his face: "Since we chose to set sail, we should forge our own route! With our own strength, we can find all the treasures just the same!"
Nami stared blankly at Luffy, the Eternal Pose in her hand suddenly turning scorching hot.
She thought of the orange grove in Cocoyashi Village, of Bellemere's smile, of her dream of drawing a world map...
Finally, she smiled with relief, unhesitatingly placing the pointer into Luffy's palm: "You're right, Captain."
Smoker's white smoke body fluctuated violently: "Stop! Do you know what that is?!"
Luffy grinned, his five fingers suddenly closing—
"Snap!"
A crisp shattering sound echoed across the square. The legendary Laugh Tale Eternal Pose thus transformed into countless golden specks of light in Luffy's hand.
These specks of light scattered with the wind, like countless tiny stars in the sunlight.
[Ding! Selection complete!]
[Reward: Gear Second Awakening!]
[Additional Effect: Side effects removed!]
Luffy's body suddenly glowed with an eerie red light, as if magma flowed in his veins.
But he didn't have time to experience his new ability. Instead, he held up the shattered pointer and shouted to all the Marines: "Watch closely! This is our answer!"
Smoker, who was talking to Sengoku at Marine Headquarters, was dumbfounded. Sengoku's anxious inquiries came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi.
After a long moment, Smoker mechanically responded: "No... no problem. The Eternal Pose... was personally destroyed by Straw Hat Luffy."
He hung up the phone, white smoke uncontrollably scattering.
The entire square was silent. The expressions on the Marines' faces were a sight to behold—shock, confusion, admiration, bewilderment...
Tashigi even forgot to pick up her fallen Shigure, just staring blankly at the dissipating golden specks of light.
A hint of appreciation flashed in Ron's eyes. He murmured softly to himself: "This is... the true demeanor a Pirate King should possess."
Usopp suddenly jumped up and cheered: "That's so cool, Luffy! That's worthy of a crewmate of me, Sniper Usopp!"
Sanji lit a new cigarette, smiling with exceptional relief: "Even the idiotic Captain occasionally says something decent."
Zoro sheathed his sword, the corner of his mouth slightly upturned: "Hmph, he finally looks a bit like a Captain."
Nami wiped the corner of her eye, then as if remembering something, pulled out her Clima-Tact: "So... is it time to deal with the trouble in front of us now?"
Luffy clenched his fist, the newly awakened Gear Second power surging through his veins: "Of course!" He grinned, revealing a brilliant smile: "Get ready to break through! My friends!"
Smoker finally recovered from his shock, his white smoke instantly surging: "Attention, all! Do not let them escape!" But everyone could hear that the killing intent in his voice had significantly diminished.
Ron stood on the execution platform, watching Luffy charge into the Marines like a cannonball, and couldn't help but shake his head and smile wryly.
Luffy had now mastered Armament Haki and Gear Second Awakening. Dealing with a Smoker was more than enough; what 'breakthrough' was needed?
It seemed this simple Captain still hadn't fully recognized his current strength.
"We should go too," Ron said to Nami, turning his head. Before she could react, he wrapped an arm around her slender waist and leaped from the high execution platform.
"Ah—!" Nami shrieked, caught off guard. The strong sensation of weightlessness made her instinctively cling tightly to Ron, burying her entire face in his chest.
Amidst the whistling wind in her ears, she clearly heard Ron's strong heartbeat, thinking to herself that following the Vice-Captain was indeed the safest.
On the other side, Sanji and Zoro had already plunged into the enemy ranks.
Sanji's leather shoes drew sharp arcs in the air, each kick precisely landing on the Marine soldiers' joints, temporarily incapacitating them without being fatal.
Zoro's three swords gleamed with cold light in the sunlight, but he deliberately used the blunt side of his blades. These Marines stationed in Loguetown had a good reputation; he didn't need to kill them.
"Bang!"
A Marine Lieutenant was struck on the neck with the blunt side of his sword, directly fainting to the ground.
Just as Zoro was about to continue forward,
A sharp sword aura suddenly struck!
He quickly dodged, the blade of Shigure grazing his nose.
"Former Pirate Hunter Zoro! To become a pirate, it's truly shameful!"
Tashigi held her sword with both hands, battle intent burning in her eyes behind her glasses: "I won't let you continue to harm my subordinates!"
Zoro's pupils suddenly contracted. The features of this female swordswoman before him were seven or eight parts similar to Kuina in his memories!
He felt as if he had returned to the dojo in a trance, the stubborn girl who always surpassed him standing before him again.
"Your sword..." Zoro unconsciously adopted a more serious stance, "It reminds me of an old friend."
Tashigi ignored his words, Shigure transforming into a silver light and thrusting straight at him: "Enough talk!"
"Clang!" Zoro's Wado Ichimonji steadily parried the blow, the two swords colliding and sparking dazzling flames.
He felt the force transmitted through the blade, the corner of his mouth slightly upturned: "Not bad."
Their figures rapidly intertwined on the battlefield. Amidst the flashing blades, Zoro deliberately 'slowly' gained the upper hand.
Finally, he seized an opening, all three swords striking simultaneously,
"Three Sword Style: Tiger Hunt!"
Tashigi's Shigure was sent flying. She stumbled back several steps, finally falling to the ground.
Zoro sheathed his sword, looking down at her: "Your swordsmanship is good." His voice was uncharacteristically gentle, "I look forward to meeting you again at the peak of swordsmanship."
Tashigi trembled with anger, picking up Shigure and pointing it at him: "Get lost! Who wants to meet you, a pirate, at the peak!" Her voice held a hint of unwilling tears, "Next time we meet, I'll definitely throw you in prison!"
Zoro smiled noncommittally, then turned and walked away. Tashigi's angry shouts came from behind him, but he knew that this female swordswoman's future would definitely not stop here.
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