Route

Faced with Krieg's ambitious and arrogant declaration, Luffy placed his straw hat on his head and gave a short, forceful reply.

"Don't."

Krieg's expression changed slightly, as though Luffy had enraged him. He said, "What are you saying, you nameless brat? I'm Krieg, the 'East Blue Admiral' with a bounty of seventeen million Belly!!!"

Luffy raised his head. Beneath the straw hat, his gaze was simple and firm. "No means no! Ying is already my crewmate. How could I possibly hand her over to you?"

"In that case, don't blame me for resorting to force."

The next moment, as Krieg launched the first attack, the many surviving pirates of the Krieg Pirates followed close behind, surrounding the seemingly outnumbered Straw Hat Crew.

Excluding the seriously wounded Zoro and Ying, as well as Nami and Usopp, whose actual combat abilities were currently pitifully weak, only Luffy and Kong truly possessed fighting strength.

Facing the large group of pirates surrounding them, Luffy said in an unquestionable tone, "Kong, protect Ying and Zoro. Leave these enemies to me!"

"Hm?"

Kong raised an eyebrow slightly and looked at Luffy in surprise.

Compared to destroying the enemies, Luffy cares more about protecting the injured Ying and Zoro right now? He really is a good guy.

Although a small pirate crew of this level could be wiped out by Kong and Ying with almost no effort, Kong still felt how precious Luffy's desire to protect his companions was.

Compared to strength, that was something even rarer to find in this chaotic and lawless sea.

Kong then slowly drew the Famous Sword: Withered Wood from his waist and assured Luffy, "All right, Luffy. Don't worry. I absolutely won't let the enemies get near Zoro or Ying."

The next moment, the battle began!

Back in a room upstairs