A Terrifying New World

Meanwhile, on the Merry, Luffy suddenly stopped in the middle of a conversation.

Noticing the change in Luffy, the attentive Kong asked, "What's wrong, Luffy?"

"No, it's nothing. I just suddenly had a strange feeling."

Luffy scratched his head as he said this, then paid it no mind and turned to ask Kong with great interest, "Kong, go on."

"Okay."

Kong glanced at Luffy, pushed up his glasses, and continued speaking to the companions before him.

"Our next stop is the Sabaody Archipelago. Once we pass through the Sabaody Archipelago, it'll mean that we've traveled halfway around the Grand Line."

In an instant, cheers rang out aboard the Merry.

Although, compared to the original course of events, the Straw Hat Pirates had greatly shortened the time spent sailing their route, the battles and hardships they had endured were only more grueling than before.

Because of this, the cheering Straw Hat Crew faintly began to feel that their dream was no longer out of reach.

"It's too early to celebrate..."

Kong, however, unhesitatingly poured cold water on his naive companions and said, "The real adventures and battles haven't even begun for us."

Hearing this, Usopp walked over to Kong, draped an arm around his shoulder, and said proudly, "All right, Kong, don't always be so calm and serious. We should celebrate when it's time to celebrate. Besides, we've already traveled halfway across the Grand Line in such a short time."

Kong shook his head and said solemnly, "It's different, Usopp. Compared to the latter half of the Grand Line—the 'New World' sea—the first half of the Grand Line can only be considered a paradise."

"What's the difference?"

Usopp spoke dismissively, then patted the special mechanical slingshot at his waist and said, "With the great sniper Usopp and the super slingshot you