Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
----------
"Hey... why is it suddenly raining so hard!"
At the port of Loguetown, on the Going Merry.
Usopp complained as he moved the last of the supplies into the cabin.
After getting soaked, he didn't care anymore. He let the heavy rain beat down on him and sat on the bow to keep Merry company while waiting for his friends to return.
At this time...
A fist as huge as a giant appeared in the sky above the center of Loguetown, and then suddenly struck down! ! !
RUMBLE, RUMBLE—! ! !
The violent sound was accompanied by the trembling earth, spreading from inside Loguetown across the entire area in an instant.
Cascading waves, like relay runners, began washing over Loguetown's port one after another.
The Merry also rose and fell under the power of the waves.
However...
Usopp, sitting on the deck, calmly took out a pink thermos cup, used the lid to block the rain, and drank slowly.
He had quite a calm look, like someone "not surprised by favor or disgrace, watching flowers bloom and fall, and watching clouds roll across the sky."
"Just as expected~"
"Fortunately, I got on the ship early."
Usopp smiled calmly, as if he had already seen everything coming.
However, Usopp, sitting on the bow, didn't notice...
Not far from Loguetown's waters, Marine warships were gathering one after another, heading toward the port.
...
...
"Gear Third!"
"Gomu Gomu no Gigant Pistol!!!"
BOOM~! ! !
In the center of Loguetown, Luffy, surrounded by Marines, launched a Gear Third attack directly at the ground beneath his feet.
In an instant, the terrifying shockwaves were like a sudden typhoon, blowing away nearby Marines.
They staggered and crashed into buildings surrounding the square.
"What... what was that?!"
A Marine who wasn't greatly affected by the attack was so frightened that he dropped his gun and pointed with trembling lips to where Luffy had just struck.
A huge fist mark suddenly appeared in the center of what had been the flat Loguetown Square.
The smooth, perfect imprint looked as if it had been there from the beginning.
Seeing this, the nerves of all Marines present suddenly trembled.
Many Marines unconsciously threw away their weapons.
It's impossible to beat him! That kind of monster was simply not someone at their level!
Is this really something a pirate with a bounty of 50,000,000 Belly could do? For a moment, all the Marines looked as if their worldview had collapsed.
And Tashigi, who had taken the full impact of the blast, lay collapsed in the ruins with blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.
"How... how is this possible!?"
"This guy... is he a monster!?"
Her lips trembled as she uttered words of disbelief.
Meanwhile.
Cabaji rode his unicycle and swayed over to Buggy's side.
"Captain Buggy, it seems... we don't need to take action."
"It's... no longer necessary."
"Hiii~!"
Buggy suddenly gasped.
For some reason, the moment Luffy was shouting his oath on the execution platform, Buggy thought he saw Captain Roger! Although the illusion in his mind was quickly replaced by Luffy's shocking Gear Third attack...
But Buggy's heart suddenly surged with emotion.
"This time, maybe I really made the right bet!"
One minute later.
Luffy emerged from the crater, returning to his normal size again.
The dust on his body was quickly washed away by the rain.
But this time, when Luffy tried to leave, no one blocked his path.
Wherever he passed, whether Marines, pirates, or Loguetown residents, they all subconsciously opened a wide path for him.
It couldn't be helped! Although the Marines wanted to apprehend the criminal before them, the gap in strength was too great.
Forcing themselves would only increase casualties.
Besides, the meager salary they usually received wasn't even enough to rent a house in Loguetown.
Why work so hard for such little money? Of course, not all Marines were afraid to die.
"Pirate, stop!!!"
Just as Luffy was about to leave, a shout suddenly rang out.
It was unusually clear in Loguetown Square, where the only sound was the patter of raindrops.
"Hm?!"
Luffy paused for a moment, pushed the straw hat on his head back slightly, and looked toward the sound.
Tashigi was standing up awkwardly, holding her sword.
Although the flying debris had left bloody marks on her body and clothes during the impact, she was determined.
In the end, Tashigi overcame her fear, pointed her Yubashiri at Luffy, and said with determination:
"Don't even think about escaping, pirate!"
"Our battle isn't over yet!!!"
No one knows how much courage it took for Tashigi to stand up and confront Luffy after witnessing his Gear Third.
But Luffy truly felt her determination!
"So you didn't stay down!"
Luffy marveled slightly.
But the next moment, dark Armament Haki suddenly appeared on his fist.
He grinned and began to crack his knuckles, making a crisp clicking sound.
"Since you haven't had enough, let's continue!"
In an instant, a group of Marines who didn't dare step forward immediately shouted with worry, trying to dissuade Tashigi from continuing to fight.
"Give up, Petty Officer Tashigi!"
"This battle has no meaning!"
"The difference in strength is too huge, we can't beat him!"
"..."
"..."
A group of Marines shouted noisily, not wanting to see Tashigi throw her life away.
But hearing their shouts, Tashigi suddenly took a deep breath, then yelled angrily: "Idiots! Shut up!!!"
Tashigi, who had always been gentle and quiet, now burst out with uncharacteristic harsh words.
Immediately, crystal tears welled up in her eyes behind her glasses, but she still scolded the Marines severely:
"Give up?! How can you say that?!"
"Look at the fearful eyes of the people around you..."
"If at this time, even we as Marines choose to give up..."
"Then who will protect them?!"
"What are you talking about?!"
A hoarse roar suddenly echoed across the square.
Tashigi gripped Yubashiri tightly and charged toward Luffy.
The cold sword light drew a beautiful arc through the air.
Even if she couldn't capture the pirate, she would fight until the last moment! At the very least...
The pirates must be detained in Loguetown until Captain Smoker returned.
"Petty Officer Tashigi..."
The girl's defiant roar resonated in the hearts of all the Marines.
The next second, the sound of guns being loaded suddenly came from all directions in the square.
The Marines who had originally retreated due to Luffy's power organized a siege again and surrounded Luffy with renewed vigor.
They shouted in shame: "Petty Officer Tashigi, we're here to help you!"
"Ah, I seem to have met a very interesting Marine!"
Feeling Tashigi's fierce determination, Luffy immediately grinned.
But even if he thought Tashigi was a good person...
With different identities and positions, he wouldn't hesitate during battle.
shhh—
"Gomu Gomu no..."
Luffy immediately took his stance and fixed his sharp eyes on Tashigi, who was charging toward him with her sword.
However...
Just when Luffy was about to deliver the final blow with his fist, a voice suddenly stopped his movement.
"Wait, Luffy!"
Tap tap tap tap! ! !
A burst of rapid footsteps suddenly approached.
And the next second...
CLANG! ! ! A crisp sound of swords clashing suddenly echoed throughout the square.
Zoro, who had blocked Yubashiri , raised his head and complained to Luffy with a grin:
"Come on, Luffy."
"Since the enemy is a swordsman, you should have called me earlier!"
"Zoro?"
Luffy was surprised for a moment, then grinned again: "Definitely next time."
He then turned to look at Red who had appeared from the sky and asked, "Red, have you finished your business?"
"Long ago~" Red glanced at him with annoyance, as if blaming Luffy, the captain, for being inefficient.
Luffy smiled.
The sudden appearance of Red and Zoro surprised many people.
The first person affected was of course Tashigi, who was closest to them.
"It's you!!!"
Seeing the familiar figure before her, Tashigi's eyes suddenly widened, and angry flames erupted.
"So you're pirates from the Straw Hat crew?!"
She questioned sharply.
But Zoro smiled slightly, his three gold earrings swaying under the beating rain.
"We never said we weren't pirates, right?"
Zoro asked rhetorically.
"Damn it!"
A look of shame and anger flashed across Tashigi's face.
"Since you're pirates, why did you ask the shopkeeper to give Yubashiri to me?"
"Huh?" Zoro looked at her confused, "Of course it's because you're the only one in this town worthy of this sword!"
"Jerk! I don't need your approval!!!"
After learning that Zoro and Red were pirates, Tashigi became furious.
She suddenly raised her sharp sword and slashed at Zoro's midsection.
shhh—
The sharp sword light flashed quickly! Yubashiri and Wado Ichimonji suddenly rubbed against each other in midair, creating blazing sparks.
How could Tashigi be Zoro's match?
The next moment, her hands suddenly weakened, and the beautiful Yubashiri was knocked away by Zoro.
With a loud thud, it plunged into the ground.
The outcome was decided in an instant.