The atmosphere was… subtle.
After learning Raifeng's true identity, everyone's mood turned complicated.
"…Monkey D…" Usopp muttered. "…So that monster really is family."
Nami hugged her arms tighter.
"…I still can't accept it."
She swallowed.
"…Same bloodline… yet the difference is this big?"
Sanji lit a cigarette and took a long drag.
"…Seriously."
"…Is this what genes are supposed to do?"
Zoro sat cross-legged on the ground, arms folded, expression dark.
"…Bloodline isn't everything."
He narrowed his eyes.
"…But that kid is abnormal."
Chopper blinked.
"…Does that mean Luffy will also become like that?"
Silence.
Everyone instinctively looked at Luffy.
Luffy scratched his head.
"…I don't know."
Then he clenched his fist.
"But… I'll definitely get stronger."
Robin smiled faintly.
"…That answer suits you."
Nami sighed.
"…Still…"
She looked down at her hands.
"…I don't get it."
"…Garp is strong."
"…Dragon is terrifying."
"…Now there's Raifeng."
"…Why does this family keep producing monsters?"
Usopp raised a finger.
"…Maybe it's a curse?"
Sanji kicked him lightly.
"Don't say something that stupid."
Robin spoke softly.
"…Blood can give you potential."
"…But how far you go…"
"…depends on choice."
Zoro's eyes sharpened.
"…That brat has walked a different path."
Sanji frowned.
"…Different how?"
Zoro answered calmly.
"…Killing intent."
"…Control."
"…And confidence."
"…All of it is far beyond ours."
Nami bit her lip.
"…So even if Luffy shares the same bloodline…"
"…It doesn't mean—"
Robin nodded.
"…It doesn't mean the same outcome."
Luffy suddenly laughed.
"…That's good then."
Everyone looked at him.
"If being the same bloodline decided everything," Luffy said, "then training would be pointless."
Zoro smirked.
"…True."
Chopper nodded hard.
"…Effort matters!"
Usopp wiped his face with a shaky hand.
"…Still…"
"…I don't want to meet another one of those 'Monkey D' people anytime soon."
Sanji exhaled smoke.
"…Too bad."
"That family is tied to big storms."
"Robin looked toward the sea, voice quiet. "Yes. The name 'D' itself carries something heavy.""
Silence fell again—
But it wasn't suffocating this time.
It was thoughtful.
Luffy put his hands behind his head.
"…No matter what…"
"…I won't lose."
Zoro opened his eyes.
"…You better not."
Sanji chuckled.
"…Or we'll just get beaten again."
Nami exhaled.
"…Let's move on."
"We still have a journey ahead."
Usopp nodded.
"…Yeah."
"…One disaster at a time."
Chopper gave a nervous smile.
"…As long as we're together…"
"…It'll be okay."
Robin closed her book gently.
"…This encounter…"
"…will change everything."
They were no longer confused.
They were shaken—
But clearer than ever.
The gap was terrifying.
But they had seen it.
And once seen—
It could be chased.
Far away, the sea rolled gently.
And somewhere beyond the horizon—
A storm tied to the name "D" was quietly brewing.
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