If things had ended there, it would have been an outcome everyone could accept.
But then—
"Aaaah! I'm going to avenge Jace!!!"
Luffy, who had yet to fully process what had happened, finally came to his senses.
His eyes bloodshot and staring straight ahead, he was about to charge at Sakazuki again, heedless of everything.
At the sight, Lucky Roux's expression instantly darkened.
He darted forward, reached Luffy as fast as he could, and raised his hand to deliver a vicious slap across Luffy's face.
All of Luffy's attention was on Sakazuki. Revenge was the only thing on his mind.
He had never expected his own ally, Lucky Roux, to suddenly lash out. The slap left him completely stunned, rooted to the spot.
"Lucky Roux, what are you doing?!" Luffy demanded.
"What am I doing? Fuck you!"
Lucky Roux's eyes reddened with fury as he unleashed a torrent of abuse:
"Luffy, you fucking idiot! What are you charging over there for? Do you want Snake to have died for nothing?! He just traded his life for yours, and this is how you're going to throw it away?"
Still berating him, Lucky Roux quickly shot Yasopp a look.
For once, Yasopp cooperated.
Each seized one of Luffy's arms, and together they hauled him toward the gate of life behind them.
"Let go of me! Let go! I have to avenge Jace! Aaaaaah!"
Luffy writhed and struggled wildly, his legs kicking in every direction. His hysteria was laid bare before everyone.
The sight even made Ross laugh aloud from his lofty throne.
He had to admit that, in certain respects, the boy never failed to give him unexpected surprises.
Still, it was precisely because people with such innocent hearts existed that this world was so fascinating.
In the end, though, Ross did