Chapter 77: Marching Forward! The Grand Line! Let the Name Resound Across the Sea!
The wind howled and the rain poured down like a deluge.
Carried by that sudden, eerie green gale, the Straw Hat crew charged toward Loguetown's harbor like an arrow released from a bow.
"Quick! The going merry is just ahead!!"
Luffy took the lead, excitedly pointing at the familiar sheep-headed caravel in the rain curtain ahead.
However, just as everyone was about to reach the shore.
A wretched figure was sneaking around next to the going merry, holding a burning torch, attempting to set the sails on fire.
It was the remnant of the Buggy Pirates—the Acrobat Cabaji.
"Hehehe... Since the Captain was sent flying, we'll burn this ship and leave these Straw Hat brats with no way to escape!"
Cabaji held up the torch with a sinister face: "Burn! Burn to ashes!"
"Stop!! The Merry!!" Usopp saw this scene and was scared out of his wits.
Before Luffy and the main fighters could even act.
"Caw caw!! Where did this trash come from! How dare you touch Lord Clay's nest!!"
A bolt of black lightning suddenly shot out from Nami's shoulder.
Clay the Crow, who had been 'trained' by Nami along the way to the point of being angry but unable to speak, had a stomach full of fire and finally found a vent.
It spread its wings and dove down like a small bomber.
"Take this! Crow Beak Pecking!!"
"Ouch! It hurts! Where did this bird come from?!" Before Cabaji could react, his head was pecked into a honeycomb by Clay's sharp beak.
"Sure Kill: Gunpowder Star!!"
Usopp was not to be outdone, pulling back his slingshot; an incendiary pellet accurately hit the torch in Cabaji's hand, exploding and covering his face in black soot.
"Damn... how are this bird and Long-nose so strong..."
The two unlucky bastards who originally wanted to launch a sneak attack didn't even get to see the main targets' faces.
They were dealt with by a bird and a 'Sogeking', falling into the sea with miserable screams.
"Great job! Clay! Usopp!" Luffy laughed and jumped onto the ship.
"Set sail! Head out!!"
At Nami's command, everyone worked together to untie the ropes and raise the sails.
"Whoosh—!!"
That mysterious green gale seemed to be seeing them off, suddenly swelling the sails.
The going merry carved a white spray on the sea's surface, like a white arrow, instantly rushing out of the harbor and sailing toward the vast ocean.
The very next second after the Merry left the shore.
"Vroom—"
The roar of a motorcycle sounded.
Smoker rode his amphibious motorcycle 'Billower Bike', bringing Tashigi to the shore.
However, they could only watch helplessly as the sheep-headed caravel drifted further away in the storm, finally disappearing at the edge of their vision.
Rain soaked Smoker's white hair, and the cigar in his mouth had long since gone out.
"Did they escape..."
Smoker tightly gripped the Jitte in his hand.
He looked at the turbulent sea, the persistence and anger in his eyes burning more intensely than ever before.
"Straw Hat Luffy... and Crimson Lotus Victor..."
"Don't think it ends like this."
Smoker turned around and roared at the Marine units assembled behind him:
"Prepare the ships! We're going to the Grand Line too!!"
"I swear... no matter where I have to chase you, I will definitely arrest you in the New World!!"
...
On the sea, the storm raged.
But this foul weather could not dampen the surging passion of everyone on the Merry.
Because ahead was the legendary Red Line and the entrance to the Grand Line—Reverse Mountain!
"Alright! To celebrate our entry into the Grand Line! Let's have a Launching Ceremony!!"
Sanji carried a huge oak wine barrel out of the kitchen and placed it in the center of the deck.
The rain washed over the deck, and the waves rocked the hull, but everyone's eyes were brighter than the stars.
"I'll go first!"
Sanji stepped forward first, lifting his foot in its black leather shoe and placing it heavily on the barrel.
He straightened his rain-soaked tie, an elegant and determined smile curling at the corner of his mouth:
"I will find—ALL BLUE!!"
"Hee hee hee!"
Luffy pressed his Straw Hat and stepped up, his smile seemingly able to disperse the dark clouds in the sky:
"I will become—the Pirate King!!!"
"Hmph."
Zoro unfastened the Wado Ichimonji from his waist, placing the sword and scabbard on the barrel, his gaze as sharp as a blade:
"I will become—the Worlds Greatest Swordsman!!"
Nami brushed back her wet orange short hair, ambition flashing in her beautiful eyes as she also stepped up:
"I will—draw a map of the world!!"
"I... I..."
Although Usopp's legs were still shaking slightly, he plucked up his courage, stepped up, and roared out his oath:
"I will become—a Brave Warrior of the Sea!!"
"Caw caw!!"
At that moment, Clay also gave a strange cry and flew up, his two claws gripping the edge of the barrel as he puffed out his chest and shouted:
"And me!! Lord Clay will become—the overlord of the sky!!"
"Hahahaha!" Everyone burst into laughter.
Finally, everyone's gaze turned to the figure who had been leaning against the mast.
Tatsuya.
He wore a soaked black trench coat, his black hair wet with rain and clinging messily to his forehead.
His black eyes appeared deep and mysterious under the light of the lightning.
He held a bottle of sake and walked up slowly.
He didn't step on it like the others.
Tatsuya smiled and poured the sake from his hand onto the lid of the barrel, the clear liquid flowing and mixing with the rain.
This was a memorial, and also a beginning.
"Since I've boarded this pirate ship, I can't fall behind either."
Tatsuya looked up, surveying this group of partners who seemed unreliable yet possessed enough power to shake the world.
The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing a smile full of 'Uchiha-style' arrogance:
"Then I'll..."
"Accompany you all to overturn this world."
Tatsuya's voice wasn't loud, yet it clearly pierced through the sound of thunder and waves:
"Let my name resound at the very ends of this sea!!!"
Boom—!
"Alright!!!"
With everyone's simultaneous cheer, five feet (plus one bird claw) exerted force together!
"Crack!!!"
The lid of the wine barrel was instantly smashed to pieces!
This was an oath, a bond, and a ticket to the new era.
"Full speed ahead!!"
Carried by the gale and giant waves, the Going Merry was like a fearless bird, charging without hesitation toward the towering Reverse Mountain, toward the place full of unknowns and miracles—the Grand Line!
At the same time.
In Tatsuya's mind, the long-awaited system notification sounded clearly.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host for slightly changing the plot.]
[Reward: 1500 Ninja Points.]
[Ding!]
[Completed major plot node: Adventure and Escape from Loguetown.]
[Reward: 2500 Ninja Points.]
Loving Book So Far Check Out 80+ Chapters In Advanced At Pa Treon:
patreon.com/FicTonic1