"97%? Y-you're joking, right? How is that even possible?" Nami lay on the ground, even more despairing after hearing Longinus's words.
"Yohohoho! Everyone, I'll see you in the underworld!" Brook lay sprawled on the ground too, without even the strength to stand.
They could hardly be blamed for reacting that way. Longinus's power had nearly crushed their confidence. His invincible defense, devastating attacks, overwhelming presence, and Armament Haki reserves beyond anything they could imagine put him on a level they simply could not handle.
They could defeat Jinbe now. They had become formidable fighters on the seas. But they were still far too distant from the strongest people in the world.
Is that all they can do? If so, there goes my plan to add a few more expendable fighters to the final battle. Longinus sighed inwardly in disappointment. At this level, they don't even qualify for that!
If they aren't even useful as expendable fighters, then they have no reason to exist. There's no need to keep watching them. A dangerous look crept into Longinus's eyes.
Just as everyone's spirits sank, Luffy forced himself upright and shouted, "I don't care! Even if the odds are one in a hundred thousand, or one in a million—even if there's no hope at all—I'll never, ever bow my head to you!"
"Luffy, you..." Nami froze, then her eyes gradually brightened. "That's right! We couldn't turn back on this path anyway!"
"Look at you, being dependable for once!" Zoro grinned and gritted his teeth as he stood again. "Is a swordsman who bows his head still a swordsman?"
"You've got my blood boiling, Luffy. You really have grown up!" Sabo, whose memories of Luffy still belonged to their childhood, sighed with pride.
"Their spirit's completely different now." Longinus narrowed his eyes. "That makes