Team Melee, the Heart of Companions

"Memory Wipe!"

As Brulee activated her power, 'Marineford' vanished in a tremor, and what appeared before everyone was:

"Sleepy Town!"

"It's finally over, we've been fighting all night..."

Although the previous 'scenes' were mostly blue skies and white clouds, it couldn't hide the fact that the Straw Hat crew had been fighting all night. It could be said that they were now hungry, exhausted, and covered in injuries. Even Roman was almost drained by a powerful attack, nodded in agreement.

"Let's get this done quickly and go back to rest, but—"

The final 'BOSS' is the Red Earl himself. Unlike the illusions we encountered along the way, who had the huge flaw of lacking Haki, he is a real Four Emperors- level figure!

Even though they are old and frail, they are not a formidable enemy that the Straw Hat crew can easily defeat! Moreover:

Roman stroked his chin, fearing that the Red Earl had already obtained the 'Vampire Fruit,' meaning the Straw Hat crew would have to face:

The Red Earl at the height of his power!

"Mr. Roman..."

The little raccoon looked up at Roman. As the strategist of the Straw Hat crew, he must be the smartest person in the Straw Hat crew, right?

"If I also take it seriously... will my thoughts be able to be conveyed?"

"That would be ideal, but if the other party is very stubborn, it might require a bit of a roundabout approach. However—"

Roman stroked his chin, reminiscing about his past self...

"No matter how closed off your heart is, it will be dragged into the sunlight by a persistent person."

?

"Hehe, me too."

Robin, standing nearby, wore a smile.

Actually, I am too...

Sanji rubbed his hair with a look of 'unbearable sorrow' on his face.

"Yeah, when they wanted me to be their partner, they chased me all over the place."

Chopper patted Pato on the shoulder and sighed.

"That guy is really persistent..."

"Yes, yes, yes~~"

"That is,"

······

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

When Luffy walked over looking bewildered, the entire Straw Hat crew waved their hands.

"It's alright, it's alright,"

"Thank you everyone," the little Tanuki Pajon nodded vigorously, "I will give it my all!"

?

"Although I don't know what you're talking about, as long as you think it's good, then it's good, right? Hehehe~~"

"Mmm, Tanuki~~"

After exchanging a smile, Luffy immediately took the lead and charged towards the town.

"Eat, eat!!"

"Let's go,"

Unfortunately, the Straw Hat crew is destined to miss out on this meal for the time being. Because:

"What... you guys are still here?"

The crimson-clad man standing on the rooftop turned around and looked at the Straw Hat crew who had chased them all the way here.

"Hey, Pato has something to tell you."

The Red Earl smiled coldly at Luffy's words.

"Take care of yourselves before you try to manage others."

"There is a traitor in your team."

?

"Not only is he Celestial Dragons who boasted to the Five Elders about his plan to 'use pirates to destroy pirates'; he's also candidate Admiral who established a transoceanic joint transport system that provided your enemy, the Fleet Admiral, with a massive amount of funding..."

"That man is hiding among you, attempting to end the 'Great Pirate Era'! He's utterly arrogant—"

?!

In an instant, Carrot, Pedro, Brulee, and even Jinbe were stunned. Although Jinbe knew Roman was Celestial Dragons, such a shocking plan to end the Great Pirate Era...

That's simply impossible! It's just not plausible—

Etc!

Four people, eight eyes, all focused on Nami's side! If there's anyone in the Straw Hat crew who could do all this, it's only the ever-reliable Roman.

"Hahaha, you still don't know the true nature of your so-called 'partners'—"

"I know,"

?

Luffy adjusted his straw Straw Hat, then looked up at the old man on the roof.

"I know that no matter what Roman does, he won't hurt any of us! That's enough, or..."

"Your so-called mind-reading saw that Roman had even the slightest intention to harm us?!"

··········

"Hmph, that Roman guy,"

Zoro crossed his arms and pursed his lips;

"If he doesn't start plotting some secret one day, this world will be too boring!"

"That's right, although it's very unpleasant to have your memories spied on,"

Sanji lit a cigarette and held it between his fingers, pointing it at the Red Earl on the roof;

"But precisely because of this, you should know very well that without Roman, we would have collapsed somewhere long ago!"

"Although I don't know Mr. Roman's plans,"

Chopper also stepped forward;

"But I absolutely support him!"

"Ah, so this is the trouble of a staff officer?"

Robin smiled.

"We had to consider so many things, but thanks to him we were able to travel with ease."

"Wow, Roman is such a super man!"

Franky gave a thumbs-up in approval;

"Hehehe, isn't trusting your companions the most basic courtesy?"

Brook drew the Soul Solid from his hand;

"Old man... sir, we fought our way all the way from the East China Sea to here! Your provocations are completely pointless!"

Usopp raised his slingshot and retorted righteously—it would have been even more perfect if he hadn't added a respectful title under the Red Earl's gaze.

"Although I haven't had much contact with Roman, I still choose to believe in him! Just like I believe in Luffy!"

With Jinbe's resounding words, the entire Straw Hat crew trusted Roman's concealment completely! As for Nami, need I say more?

"Actually,"

Roman stepped forward and spread his hands.

"I am very 'afraid' of you, the Red Earl: Patrick Redfield."

"Because of your mind-reading ability, it's the most annoying thing for someone like me who's full of secrets! I even decided to just find an excuse to avoid you. But—"

Roman lowered his eyes.

"My fear wasn't that you would threaten me with that 'intelligence,' but rather that I didn't want my comrades to know that their 'reliable' advisor was actually a scheming person. But I'm not afraid anymore."

Because nobody cares about your secret schemes! Why?

Because that's what 'partners' are all about!

"Hehehe, what a steadfast friendship, oh well—"

"Your advisor is plotting many things and concealing many things, but he certainly has no intention of harming you. Rather,..."

Everything he did was for you.

Thinking of his loneliness, the Red Earl waved his hand listlessly.

"You can leave now, I'm going to start my 'dinner'."

"Boss Red!"

In response to the little Tanuki Pajon's cries, the Red Earl simply pulled out a handful of leaves from his pocket.

Thump, thump, thump, thump, ~~~

The leaves transformed into individual figures and flew down:

Sanji, Usopp, Robin, Brook, Smoker, Fire Dragon, Burgess, Empress, Enel, Shiryu of the Rain, Kuma, Katakuri, Hawk Eyes, and—

Wearing a magnificent One Piece King of the Pirates's coat, and with his Straw Hat falling down, 'Luffy'!

On the other side:

Luffy, Roman, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Chopper, Sanji, Robin, Franky Brook, Jinbe, and Carrot, Pedro, and Brulee.

The two groups are locked in a fierce confrontation, poised to clash!

"Good,"

Luffy clapped his hands.

"Go all out, Tanuki!"

As Luffy charged, the entire Straw Hat crew immediately launched an attack on the 'clone' opposite them.

"Let us clear the way for you—"

"Um!"

As the two groups, led by two 'Luffy,' clashed violently, various abilities, explosions, lasers, lightning, Flying Slash, and massive sword auras illuminated the entire battlefield in a dazzling display of colors. The Straw Hat crew, having already realized that these clones' greatest weakness was their lack of Haki, therefore:

Armament Haki Cover-

A jet-black longsword, leather shoes, and samurai sword led the way—

"Love Meteor Kick!"

"Momo - Fifty Times Haki Compression Enhancement Sword!"

"Three-Sword Style Secret Technique: One Great Three Thousand Great Thousand Worlds!"

Various powerful attacks were unleashed upon the opposing team, while others also sought out their opponents!

"Leave this place to us!"

Amid Franky's shouts as he fired lasers, the little raccoon ran through the chaotic battlefield, looking up at the rooftop not far away.

"Boss Red!"

"After separating from the boss..."

"Get out of my way!"

Zoro's jet-black 'Shusui' cleaved Shiryu trying to ambush the little tanuki, flying away;

"I've thought about it seriously, and it's clear that a 'clone' won't work..."

"Don't get in my way!!"

The black leather boots kicked the tall Burgess away, clearing the way for Pato;

"I want to help the boss!"

Facing Luffy standing in front of him, Luffy leaped forward, clenched his fist, and threw a punch at his opponent! At the same time, his opponent also leaped up and threw a punch back!

"Gomu Gomu no Jet Pistol!" X 2

But just as the two fists were about to strike each other, the real Luffy tilted his head, causing the clone Luffy's fist to slash past his cheek, while his own fist landed heavily on the clone's face.

Bang!

The 'fake Luffy's that flew backwards crashed into the top of the giant Fire Dragon behind him—the same Vegapunk composite dragon from Punk Hazard.

Meanwhile, the little raccoon took the opportunity to run wildly upwards along the fallen dragon, and the flying Dragon tail formed a 'staircase' for him.

"Not as a 'tool,' but as a 'partner'!!"

Facing the little raccoon using itself as a 'stepping stone' to leap onto the roof, the fire dragon, who had just been knocked down, shook its head, regained its senses, and suddenly bit at the little raccoon! Even the usually composed the Red Earl, who had been calmly fanning himself, suddenly clenched his fists, but the next second:

Cut!

The longsword, adorned with black and white, swiftly sliced through the fire dragon's neck, perfectly replicating the original's neck's dislocation and revealing a smooth, gaping gash. Then:

Thud~~

The little raccoon cat that had landed at the Red Earl's feet raised its head.

"Please, Boss Red!"

"Let me stay by your side!!"

P. S.: It's mid-month, time for a long-awaited monthly vote!