Silence.
After Raifeng revealed his identity, the atmosphere among the Straw Hat Pirates became… strange.
"…Monkey D…" Usopp muttered. "…So many monsters really do come from that family."
Nami pressed her forehead.
"…I seriously can't process this."
"A seven-year-old…"
"Who crushed all of us…"
"And he's actually…"
She swallowed.
"…connected to us?"
Sanji leaned against the wall, expression conflicted.
"…I don't know whether to feel relieved or terrified."
Chopper blinked repeatedly.
"…So he's not an enemy?"
Robin sat quietly, fingers resting on her knees, her gaze deep.
"…In a sense," she said softly, "…he isn't."
Zoro snorted.
"…That guy doesn't feel like anyone's 'ally.'"
Luffy sat on the ground scratching his head.
"…But he said we're family, right?"
Everyone turned to him.
Nami's mouth twitched.
"…That's what you took away from all this?"
Luffy grinned.
"…Yeah."
"…If he's family…"
"…Then it's not that bad."
Usopp nearly toppled over.
"That's terrible logic!"
Robin smiled faintly.
"…But it is very 'Luffy.'"
Zoro closed his eyes, voice low.
"…Family or not…"
"…He's still insanely strong."
"Strong enough…"
"…to kill us whenever he wants."
The words were cold.
But real.
Silence fell again.
Chopper hugged his knees tighter.
"…Why would someone like that…"
"…show up now?"
Robin looked toward the sea.
"…Perhaps because the era is starting to move."
Nami frowned.
"…What do you mean?"
Robin's voice stayed calm.
"When certain people step onto the stage…"
"…waves inevitably follow."
Sanji clicked his tongue.
"…So basically…"
"…we've stepped into something huge?"
Zoro opened his eyes.
"…No."
"…We were dragged into it."
Usopp swallowed.
"…By a seven-year-old…"
Nami sighed deeply.
"…I really hate this world sometimes."
Luffy stood up and stretched.
"…I don't hate it."
Everyone looked at him.
Luffy smiled brightly, as if nothing could dim it.
"If someone that strong exists…"
"Then it means…"
"…there's something even bigger out there."
Zoro glanced at him.
"…You really never change."
Luffy laughed.
"If I changed…"
"I wouldn't be me."
Robin smiled softly.
"…That may be true."
Nami exhaled, forcing herself to steady.
"…Fine."
"…Then what now?"
Zoro answered instantly.
"…Train."
Sanji nodded.
"…Train until we don't get crushed like this again."
Usopp wiped his face.
"…Yeah."
"…I don't want to experience that a second time."
Chopper raised a hoof.
"…I'll train too!"
Robin looked at them.
"This defeat," Robin said, "may have been a blessing."
Nami frowned.
"…How so?"
"Because it showed us reality," Robin replied. "Before it was too late."
Luffy clenched his fists.
"…Next time…"
"…I'll punch him back."
Zoro smirked.
"…I'll cut him."
Sanji cracked his neck.
"…I'll kick him into the sea."
Usopp forced a laugh.
"…I'll… support from afar."
Chopper nodded vigorously.
"…I'll make stronger medicine!"
The mood shifted—slowly.
The despair from before hadn't vanished.
But it no longer crushed them.
Luffy looked toward the distant sea.
"…Monkey D. Raifeng…"
"…I won't lose to you forever."
The wind blew gently.
And somewhere far away—
A new storm was already forming.
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