Deafening

"Boom!" With a deafening clap of thunder, a dazzling bolt of Inazuma suddenly streaked across the sky. In an instant, the entire world was illuminated as bright as day by this unexpected flash of lightning.

In the blink of an eye, the thick bolt of lightning, like a roaring dragon, descended from the sky with earth-shattering force. Unexpectedly, it struck Moke squarely.

However, faced with such a devastating attack, Moke remained remarkably calm. As if he had already anticipated everything, he stood motionless, without even the slightest intention to dodge. Seeing that the terrifying lightning was about to strike him, Moke remained unfazed and resolutely chose to take it head-on.

A deafening roar, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, resounded through the heavens. Moke's massive body was instantly blasted to pieces by the overwhelming force of this immense energy. His body, like an incredibly fragile porcelain doll, shattered instantly, turning into countless tiny specks of mud. These specks then shot out in all directions like a torrential Zhou Yu, their speed astonishing.

In an instant, Bloody Mist Era filled the air, turning the entire space crimson. The air was thick with a pungent, acrid smell of blood and a nauseating stench of decay. The bits of flesh that flew everywhere scattered like petals from a fairy's shower, some even splashing directly onto the bodies and faces of those present, sending chills down their spines.

Faced with such a horrific and bloody scene, everyone present turned deathly pale, utterly horrified. Their eyes widened, their mouths gaping open as if they could fit an egg inside. Some were so frightened their legs went weak, collapsing to the ground; others covered their mouths tightly with their hands, afraid they might vomit. At that moment, everyone was filled with fear and shock; they were completely stunned by the horrifying scene before them, unable to recover for a long time.

However, just as everyone was astonished, an even more shocking scene unfolded. The mud droplets that had been scattered like raindrops seemed to be instantly controlled by a mysterious and unpredictable powerful force. This force was invisible yet incredibly powerful, its immense strength defying description.

In an instant, the mud droplets, moving at an incredible speed beyond human comprehension, converged in the same direction like Inazuma bolts tearing through the dark night sky. This unbelievable sight was utterly astonishing, leaving everyone speechless and unable to believe their eyes!

In the blink of an eye, those seemingly unrelated, scattered specks of mud miraculously reassembled themselves. They embraced tightly, mingled together, and finally coalesced into a complete human figure. This figure was undoubtedly Moke, who had just experienced a terrifying life-or-death crisis but remained unharmed and safe!

In that split second, Moke appeared before everyone like a god descending from the highest heavens to the mortal world. He was tall and straight, like a towering pine or cypress, standing proudly between heaven and earth, exuding an extraordinary temperament and unwavering will.

His brows and eyes shone brightly, exuding a heroic spirit and revealing boundless wisdom and decisiveness. Beneath his high, straight nose, his lips were slightly upturned, forming a faint smile, as if he had everything under his control. He looked dignified and elegant, drawing attention and admiration from all who saw him.

With unwavering composure, Moke descended as gracefully as a feather onto the solid, rock-hard ground. The moment his feet touched the ground, a soft "plop" was heard, and a fine cloud of dust rose like smoke or mist, spreading through the air in a dreamlike, ethereal way, adding a layer of mystery and veil to his magnificent entrance.

Moke's figure was agile and nimble, his every movement exuding elegance. His steps were light yet powerful, each step like a piano key playing a beautiful melody. His arms moved freely, sometimes stretching out like clouds, sometimes clenching into fists, every movement fluid and natural, without any sense of hesitation. This innate confidence and majesty made him radiate an unparalleled charm, his powerful aura seemingly capable of intimidating all around, inspiring awe in those around him, who dared not approach him easily.

At that moment, the corners of his lips curled up slightly, forming a contemptuous and mocking arc. That smile was like a winter's chill, biting cold and filled with endless disdain, seemingly mercilessly mocking the enemy's overestimation of their abilities and their utterly foolish actions. Simultaneously, in the unfathomable depths of his heart, a silent, cold laugh echoed incessantly.

"Hmph! Dragon, you cunning and treacherous old fox, do you really think your despicable tricks can fool everyone? Let me tell you the truth, I've seen right through your little schemes! You think you can push me into an abyss of no return with such low-level tactics? You're dreaming! Don't even think about it, I won't let you have your way so easily!" Moke thought to himself, a resolute glint in his eyes.

Meanwhile, in a corner of the plaza, Tashigi's pretty face was filled with disbelief. Her mouth was agape, her eyes wide, and she was completely stunned. Smoker, standing beside her, was equally dumbfounded. He abruptly turned his head, staring directly at Tashigi, and asked urgently, "Didn't you just confidently tell me he was a Devil Fruit user, something like the Dice-Dice Fruit? How come it seems that's not the case at all?!" Hearing this, Tashigi blushed deeply and was momentarily speechless, unsure how to answer. The facts were undeniable; the abilities Moke had displayed clearly far exceeded her initial guesses and judgments.

Just now, what I saw was absolutely astonishing! Without a doubt, that was Elementalization! It's obvious that the opponent is a powerful user with natural abilities, and judging from their performance, they are very likely Devil Fruit User the Logia Mud Mud Fruit.

At this moment, Smoker's gaze towards Mo became increasingly unusual. This swordsmanship prodigy, coupled with his mysterious and powerful Logia ability, such a person, if he could join the Navy, would surely become a dazzling star in time. Perhaps, he would even become one of the future Marine Admiral!

Immediately, Smoker's gaze shifted to Luffy. In an instant, his previously admiring look turned cold and ruthless, and he said in a chilling voice, "The most important target right now is this guy... Tashigi, stick close to me!" Before he finished speaking, his entire body transformed into a billowing cloud of smoke, and like an arrow released from a bow, he pounced towards Luffy with lightning speed. His speed was like Inazuma streaking across the night sky, making it almost impossible to catch a glimpse of him.

However, just then, Luffy miraculously escaped his predicament. Not only that, he also keenly sensed the approaching Marines. More importantly, Nami and Usopp arrived just in time. Without a word, they grabbed Luffy and ran for their lives...

"Tsk tsk..." Moke clicked his tongue, his gaze fixed on the figures gradually disappearing into the distance— Smoker and Tashigi were desperately chasing after Luffy. At the same time, he noticed Bartolomeo beside him, who was staring at Luffy without blinking, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration.

Watching this scene, Moke felt an overwhelming surge of excitement welling up inside him, so much so that he couldn't help but grin and laugh out loud.

"I never expected this! You're not just a skilled swordsman, you're also a master of the powerful Logia 'Mud-Mud Fruit'!" Just then, a slightly obsequious voice reached Moke's ears. He was slightly taken aback and looked in the direction of the voice. He didn't know when, but the weapon shop owner had quietly appeared beside him. At this moment, the owner's face was full of smiles, his smile as bright and dazzling as a blooming flower; and the look in his eyes as he looked at Moke clearly carried a hint of flattery and fawning.

Upon hearing his boss's words, Moke's face showed a hint of suspicion. He slowly turned his head and stared intently at the boss who had suddenly appeared and whose behavior seemed slightly strange. His originally calm heart was like a stone thrown into a still lake, causing ripples to appear and a sense of doubt to rise in his mind.

Moke pondered to himself, "What does this guy want? Why would he choose this time to come see me? It's really puzzling." Thinking this, he unconsciously frowned and asked in a cold tone, "What is it?"

The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment, but quickly made up his mind. He took a deep breath and said sincerely, "Here's the thing, my wife has a younger sister Ata. She's a very talented cook! To further improve her culinary skills, she resolutely embarked on a journey to the Grand Line. It's said that there are even better ingredients there, which will broaden her horizons and enrich her knowledge. So, if... well, I mean if, if you happen to be going to the Grand Line and happen to pass by Chef Island, could you please help my wife and me find out where she is? After all, the last news we received about her came from Chef Island."

As soon as he finished speaking, the innkeeper bowed deeply to Moke, his attitude extremely sincere. Moke, upon hearing this, was utterly astonished, his mouth agape, unable to close for a long time. He thought to himself, "Good heavens! This is truly unbelievable! In the original story, the innkeeper never mentioned this to Roronoa Zoro! Could there be some unknown secret or inside story hidden behind this?" Thinking this, he frowned slightly, his gaze becoming profound.

Clearly, his arrival... had begun to subtly change this once-familiar world. And it was precisely these changes that sparked his intense curiosity. He was eager to find out what kind of impact and consequences these changes would bring.

Therefore, he nodded slightly and said firmly, "Don't worry, I will definitely go to Chef Island. As for Ata, I will do my best to find out information for you." Hearing this, the boss was slightly taken aback, and a look of surprise appeared on his face. You see, he had only asked the other party with a try-and-see attitude, hoping that if he passed by Chef Island, he could help inquire about Ata's whereabouts. After all, he knew very well that, given his relationship with the other party, he was really embarrassed to ask Moke to go to Chef Island specifically to find him.

However, upon hearing Moke's unwavering agreement, the boss could hardly believe his ears and was momentarily speechless. Regaining his composure, a joyous smile instantly spread across his face, his voice trembling with excitement. "Ah... I'm so grateful! I don't know how to repay you..."

Just as depicted in the original work, Luffy and his crew, with the help of the incredibly powerful, superhero-like Dragon, successfully broke through the numerous blockades of Loguetown and bravely headed towards the Grand Line. Not long after, they bravely swam against the surging currents, ultimately reaching the towering and terrifying Reverse Mountain. Thus, they finally took their crucial first step into the Grand Line.

At this moment, Moke's entire attention was focused on the guy Bartolomeo. He secretly pondered to himself that he had to find out where this guy's Paramecia -type Devil Fruit, the Barrier-Barrier Fruit, came from. Time flew by like a white horse galloping past a crack in the wall, and with Luffy following closely behind Smoker as they left, the once relatively peaceful and orderly Loguetown instantly fell into chaos.

It's important to understand that Smoker played a crucial role in making Loguetown the weakest yet most stable and peaceful place in the Four Seas... However, now that Smoker is gone, the town has lost the Intimidation and restraint of his powerful influence. Whether it's the ruthless pirates or scoundrels like Bartolomeo, they've all become unrestrained and lawless. Bartolomeo, in particular, was already a complete lawless individual. With Smoker gone, there's no one left to restrain or control him.

"Boss... we've finally got concrete information! The big shot who's coming to our Loguetown is actually Colonel Wild Dog from East Blue Base 12!" the subordinate reported nervously.

"What? It's him?" Bartolomeo's eyes widened instantly upon hearing this, his face filled with astonishment. He seemed to have been struck by lightning, and he froze on the spot.

It is important to know that in the vast waters of the East Blue, there are three notorious figures who can be considered the scum of the navy— Captain Morgan, Captain Nezumi, and the current Colonel Wild Dog. These three men, relying on their ranks and power, wantonly oppressed the people, exploited the locals, and caused widespread suffering and resentment.

Ironically, while the general public was well aware of the three men's misdeeds, the Navy seemed to turn a blind eye. Smoker, in particular, was completely oblivious to these events, focused solely on his missions, making him utterly naive.

However, to be fair, although these three guys are known as the three great scourges of the East Blue, in reality, each of them is weaker than the last. Thinking of this, Bartolomeo couldn't help but sneer, "Hmph, these kinds of trash dare to be arrogant in front of me? I'm just about to set sail and make my way in the world, so I'll just use their heads as capital to make a name for myself! At the same time, it'll also be a way to rid the people of Loguetown of a great scourge!" After saying that, Bartolomeo crossed his arms and revealed a confident smile on his face.

You see, he was a native of Loguetown! He didn't want to see that despicable Wild Dog eventually rise to the position of Loguetown's highest commander. Because if that day ever came, the entire Loguetown would probably be plunged into an abyss of no return.

Moke, who had been secretly watching Bartolomeo's every move, suddenly raised an eyebrow. After all, Loguetown was no ordinary place! It was a crucial choke point in the East Blue, its strategic importance paramount. Therefore, the Marine Headquarters would absolutely not tolerate a weak and incompetent person stationed there. Even if this person had some flaws in character, their strength had to be exceptional. At the very least, they had to possess abilities comparable to Smoker, or even if slightly inferior, they had to have enough power to Intimidation the many pirates in the East Blue. Otherwise, wouldn't all of Smoker's efforts and hard work over the years have been in vain?

To be fair, Bartolomeo does have some skill, but that level of ability is only good for bullying ordinary people. If he were to encounter a truly formidable opponent qualified to succeed Smoker, he would undoubtedly face certain death.

"Oh my god..." Just then, Moke couldn't help but inwardly groan. Could there be some unknown inside story or special reason hidden in this? Thinking of this, Moke felt as if his head was about to be turned into a complete mess by these complicated thoughts.

Or perhaps this guy had already luckily obtained the legendary Barrier-Barrier Fruit before this? You know, without the blessing of such a powerful ability, with his current strength, he would be no match for the person the Navy sent to replace Smoker. After all, that upcoming new admiral had gone through layers of selection and testing to be able to take on this important task.

Time flies like an arrow, and three days have passed in the blink of an eye. On this day, on the calm sea, a small warship, like an elegant behemoth, slowly sailed towards the port of Loguetown. As the ship gradually approached the harbor, the huge anchor was dropped, and the heavy iron chains collided with the sea, making a crisp and loud sound; at the same time, the thick mooring ropes were quickly thrown out by the sailors and firmly tied to the pier posts. In this way, after a series of skillful operations, the warship came to a steady stop at the shore.

Before long, the ship's hatch slowly opened, and a group of naval soldiers in neat uniforms, with brisk and powerful steps, filed out. They formed a single column, their movements perfectly synchronized, demonstrating extremely high military prowess and discipline. Leading the column was the remarkable naval captain who had been ordered to take over the defense of Loguetown.

From afar, the colonel appeared exceptionally tall and imposing, like an unshakeable mountain. His broad, thick shoulders seemed capable of bearing a thousand pounds, and his strong, muscular physique shimmered in the sunlight, exuding a powerful aura. The brand-new white naval uniform he wore accentuated his upright figure perfectly, and the tie at his collar was meticulously tied, adding to his dignified and solemn appearance. But what was most striking were the dazzling gold epaulets on his shoulders, seemingly symbolizing supreme honor and authority, making him appear awe-inspiring and extraordinary.

However, just as this dashing naval force stepped out of the harbor, preparing to stride confidently into the town, an unexpected incident occurred. A cacophony of shouts grew louder as it approached, followed by a group of people who, like a surging tide, aggressively surrounded them. Leading the group was none other than the infamous Bartolomeo! His face was contorted with rage, his eyes wide and bulging, radiating ferocity and violence. Behind him followed a large group of armed, menacing subordinates, each rubbing their hands together, eager to fight, ready to erupt into a brawl at the slightest provocation.

Bartolomeo's face was filled with contempt and disdain. His sharp eyes were fixed on Colonel Wild Dog, a smirk playing on his lips as he shouted, "Heh heh heh... Colonel Wild Dog, don't think we don't know your dirty tricks! I've heard you've embezzled and taken bribes quite a bit of money over the years! If you know what's good for you, you'd better hand over some to my brothers, otherwise, hmph hmph hmph... you won't leave here unscathed today!"

Moke, who was observing all this from the shadows, couldn't help but click his tongue in Dark-Dark Fruit, thinking to himself, "Goodness, this Bartolomeo is really brave and fearless! He actually dares to openly provoke a dignified naval captain like this. It seems that today's show is going to be quite a spectacle!"