In the world of Pirate King, the first half of the Grand Line Reverse Mountain.
Luffy sat atop a tree, gazing down at the Four Blues below Reverse Mountain.
A short while later, a red figure landed beside Luffy.
Ace, perched on a treetop, patted Luffy on the shoulder and laughed.
"Why are you still sulking? What, isn't a whole night enough to cheer you up?"
"No, no one's arguing!"
Luffy rejected Ace's suggestion with great dissatisfaction, shoving Ace's hand away and then rubbing his head with a frustrated expression.
"I'm not a child anymore, why would I be like that!"
I've made myself very clear: I don't want to stay here any longer; I don't like it here!
Even though I'm not old enough to go to sea yet, I can't set sail as promised.
But... I absolutely do not want to be a villain who thwarts other people's dreams!!!
At this point, a hint of reluctance appeared in Luffy's eyes.
He pointed towards the Four Blues, where countless shipwrecks floated on the surface.
Many workers dispersed along the tracks of the Sea Train, gradually collecting the wreckage and sorting out the treasures and materials found within.
And those wrecks that almost covered the entire sea as far as the eye could see were naturally left behind Four Blues all those who attempted to cross the Reverse Mountain!
Gazing at the wreckage, Luffy's eyes overflowed with even more reluctance.
"Ace, are you sure we're doing the right thing?!"
I know there are many bad pirates among that group, but I think even bad pirates should have the right to pursue their dreams, right?
Besides, surely there are a few good people among them?
A man's dream should not be stopped!
Why must we stand guard at the beginning of the Grand Line and shatter the dreams of all other pirates?!
As he spoke, Luffy's eyes flashed with images of the scenes he had witnessed over the past six months.
In the past six months, the Reverse Mountain stronghold, as one of the strongholds facing the greatest pressure from the Dark Bird Alliance, has destroyed 120,000 pirate crews of all sizes in the nearby seas.
There are many powerful pirate crews there, possessing fleets of hundreds of ships, similar to those of Don Krieg of the East Blue.
At the same time, there are indeed many adventurers there, just like Ace back then, who truly harbor dreams and set sail for the Grand Line.
But...
At the outset of the Dark Bird Alliance's plan, Rayleigh and his men were not yet capable of screening all pirates attempting to cross the border.
So.
In the past six months, all the pirate crews that tried to enter Reverse Mountain have sunk to the bottom of this sea.
Without exception!
Whether good or bad, their final shouts before defeat are undoubtedly filled with their inner emotions.
Luffy has heard those shouts far too many times.
We want freedom!
"No one can stop a man's dream!"
Our journey is to New World!
"How could you fall here!"
"I'm setting sail for the Grand Line! My voyage has only just begun!"
"Rayleigh, you are a legend of the pirates, yet you intend to destroy them all!"
"Damn rubber brat, aiding and abetting evil!"
"You deserve to die!"
Such thoughts kept echoing in Luffy's mind, Luffy him increasingly depressed.
Until last night, Luffy finally couldn't hold back anymore.
Yesterday, after failing to break through the checkpoint with 800 pirate crews during the day, the West Blue gathered another 200+ pirate crews that night and launched a new attack on Reverse Mountain.
Unfortunately, he was no match for Rayleigh's sword and Zephyr's fist.
They were just weak pirates from the Four Blues, completely incapable of breaking through.
After completely thwarting yesterday's attempt to break through the checkpoint, Rayleigh, as usual, led his surviving men in a drinking party.
For the past six months, the battle at the Reverse Mountain stronghold has never stopped. All the pirates are waiting for the moment when this stronghold will be exhausted, but Rayleigh has always held on with his men.
The price of holding on was that the soldiers under his command became increasingly wild, and the consumption of wine and meat in the entire stronghold far exceeded expectations.
At the same time, Rayleigh also had to expand the area of his stronghold and introduce relatively well-known brothels from the East and West Seas near the rendezvous point, providing some soothing services for the weary soldiers.
Rayleigh didn't take that banquet seriously, because similar banquets happened every night.
He just didn't expect that Luffy, who had always been fairly obedient, would completely explode that night!
Luffy and Rayleigh had a big argument, and then Zephyr with his Iron Fist.
After that, Luffy remained depressed, and even repeated attempts by Ace and Sabo to persuade him were to no avail.
Sabo had his own things to do. He had already used himself as a bridge to establish contact between the Dark Bird Alliance and the Revolutionary Army, and attracted a Revolutionary Army Commander to lead his troops to Reverse Mountain for defense.
Therefore, Sabo was too busy to comfort Luffy.
Only Ace, while Rayleigh, Zephyr, and others were all active.
On the front lines, one more or one less of him wouldn't make a difference, which is why he was able to come over and offer a few words of advice.
Seeing that Luffy couldn't let go of his resentment, Ace remained silent for a long time before finally sitting down next to Luffy.
In the distance, the war that had just ended resumed, with the pirate alliance that had gathered in the South Blue for two weeks launching its third attack.
The commotion from this attack was heard in other sea areas, which surprisingly triggered the so-called call for a general offensive.
Pirates from all corners of the Four Blues rushed towards Reverse Mountain, even briefly disrupting the tracks of the Sea Train!
Faced with this situation, the Revolutionary Army's Army Commander swiftly launched an attack, decisively helping Rayleigh's side withstand the pirates' assault.
Meanwhile, the newly established G-87 Branch of the distant navy, led by its branch commander, Rear Admiral Hina, rushed forward.
The Navy and the Revolutionary Army rarely cooperate, but when it comes to pirates, they are of one mind.
Their hearts, far more mature than Luffy's, made them understand even more clearly how many people on the Grand Line their actions would save while fighting off pirates!
Looking at the ever-expanding battlefield, Ace was extremely anxious. He knew that everyone needed him now.
But Luffy...
Gritting his teeth, Ace patted Luffy on the shoulder one last time.
"Luffy, the war has started again, and I don't have time to comfort you anymore!"
I just hope you fucking think this through!
Is Uncle Gawain a good person? Is Rayleigh a good person? Is Professor Zephyr a good person? Shiryu... he doesn't count!
In short, think about everyone carefully. Apart from a very few companions, aren't all our other partners and seniors outstanding individuals worthy of our admiration?
What makes you think that what so many outstanding predecessors of yours are doing together would be a bad thing?
Do you think you're smarter than all your predecessors combined?
Do you still think that out of all of us, you're the only one with a kind heart?
The thing I used to hate saying to you the most was... you don't understand anything!
I don't like talking about my brother like that!
But think about it carefully, think about why we are able to gather together like this, why our soldiers still don't feel tired even though we face attacks from more than five hundred ships every day!
You only saw the pirates' roars as they died.
Can you see how many people behind us are smiling because of the disappearance of the pirates!
If you're open-minded, then don't think about those messy things, and just work together with everyone to get things done!
If you're feeling down, then just leave. I'll ask a few uncles from the Logistics Department to take you on a tour of the Grand Line now, so you can see what kind of lives the people of the Grand Line are living these days!
Make your choice quickly, Luffy!
I don't have time for you anymore, everyone needs me!!!
After saying that, Ace leaped out and transformed into a streak of fire, charging into the battlefield.
"Prometheus, the Heavenly Fire of the Twin Poles!!!"
"Roger that, Ace, fire's coming!!!"
Puff!
Boom!
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!!
The massive fire instantly engulfed the small area of the sea. Accompanied by the Kikoku of the pirates, Ace's slightly freckled face no longer showed the smile and optimism of his youth, but was instead hardened and filled with indifference and cruelty!
But you should realize that even though he is more ruthless, more vicious, and more decisive in his actions, he is still more cruel.
But his heart and his flame were tempered and hardened by his increasingly firm goal!
Just as Ace charged onto the battlefield...
Sitting in the tree Luffy couldn't help but close his eyes.
He understood everything Ace said!
He knew that if all his family and friends were doing the same thing, then there must be a reason for it!
But just as someone with hemophobia is afraid of blood, Luffy, who is determined to become the Pirate King, can never remain indifferent to the cries for freedom and sailing!
Only...
Hearing the screams around him, many of them from pirates, but many more were from his family and friends!
Think about the Black Ice Terrace uncles who play football with me during my rare moments of rest.
Imagine the seemingly aloof but still casually bringing snacks to the 11th and 2nd Division uncles...
Think about the logistics Logistics Department that pays itself every month.
And then think about Sanji, who works so hard every day cooking for himself and the others...
Then Crocus and Chopper, who couldn't even bear to rest, spending six or seven months straight in the operating room, only stopping surgery when they were unconscious...
Thinking of this, Luffy suddenly stood up, his eyes red.
"Aaaaaaah!!!"
After a scream, Luffy stretched his body and instantly rushed onto the battlefield.
"I don't want to think about other people's dreams anymore, it's too much of a headache!"
All I know is that not only pirates, but everyone around me also has their own dreams!
Dreams are never wrong, but what about different kinds of dreams?
Different dreams are not wrong either. No matter how heartbreaking it is, I can't just watch everyone die beside me!!!
As he spoke, Luffy slammed hard onto the deck of a pirate ship.
The moment the captain saw Luffy, he shouted.
"He's here! It's one of the enemy's most active young men lately, the vicious dog known as the Straw Hat!"
He's Devil Fruit User; ordinary bullets are useless against him!
Brothers, charge forward side by side, grab your swords and cut him down!!!
"Kill them!"
"Damn Celestial Dragon's lackeys!"
"You lackey, die!"
"Do you really have to stand in our way of our dreams?!"
"Go to hell!!!"
Facing the pirates charging towards him, he listened to the constant utterances of "lackeys" from their mouths.
Luffy's eyes grew increasingly red, and he suddenly slammed his right hand onto the ground.
"My dream hasn't come true yet, but at least I can protect the dreams of my friends and family!"
I'm so sorry!!!
Your journey ends here!
Gear Second...!!!
Buzzing!!!
Luffy's body suddenly turned red, and countless steam escaped from his body. After fighting a tough battle for half a year, Luffy's strength is now almost comparable to that of the Summit War!
After activating Gear Second, he could easily sweep aside ordinary pirate crews.
Soon, the last pirate fell at Luffy's feet.
Looking at the last fallen pirate, Luffy took a painful breath.
"I'm sorry, the Grand Line doesn't welcome pirates, but I think as long as there's the sea, the dream of being a pirate will never disappear!"
Even if we can only roam the Four Blues, we're still pirates!
Leave!
As soon as he finished speaking, Luffy turned to leave, unable to bear it any longer, but just as he was about to leave...
The pirate who had been lying on the ground behind him actually stood up unsteadily.
Holding his severed arm, the pirate took a deep breath and then shouted at Luffy, who had turned around.
"The ocean belongs to everyone!"
It doesn't belong to any one person; it clearly belongs to each and every one of us!
Do you think my dream, my pursuit of the Grand Line, will be extinguished with just a few words from you?
"I'm a pirate, you bastard! Don't even think about blocking my way!!!"
The pirate's second mate charged at Luffy with a knife, but Luffy remained strangely still as he faced the blade.
The ocean belongs to everyone...
He's right...
But why is this happening?
Just as Luffy was feeling confused, the pirate's second mate's sword was about to slice into Luffy's neck!
At the critical moment, a yo-yo flew over quickly, wrapped around the second mate's neck, and slammed him down hard.
What are you daydreaming about, Luffy!
If your injury distracts the vice-captain and the Iron Eagle Swordsmen Captain, allowing pirates to break through our blockade...
Then all our efforts over the past six months will have been wasted!
If a pirate crew manages to break through, that crew will immediately become a role model for pirates Four Blues the Four Blues, and the impact they launch against us will be many times more intense than it is now!
Grandpa Rayleigh has said these things more than once at banquets!
My hometown, Alabasta, is just a short distance behind us!
I don't want to see my hometown return to that era of constant plunder by pirates!!!
As she spoke, Weiwei held the yo-yo string and unleashed a series of windmill kicks with her backhand.
After the second mate completely lost consciousness, Vivi ignored Luffy and rushed to the next ship, looking for the next target who was still putting up a fight.
Watching Vivi's departing figure, Luffy's eyes suddenly welled up with tears.
"Why does everyone... hate the existence of pirates so much?"
I used to really like One Piece when I was a kid.
"It's the bandits who are annoying, not the pirates! They're all really handsome older men..."
At this point, Luffy clenched his fist and roared fiercely.
"I don't want to think about that anymore. Even Vivi is fighting hard!"
I need to work even harder!!!
Gear Second - Gum-Gum - Get the rocket impact!!!
I'm going to go!!!