Werther gave Luffy no chance to catch his breath. He had only thirty seconds, so he pressed his attack.
Luffy had survived countless battles. He could not compare to a battle maniac like Werther, but he was no pushover.
Boom! Boom!
They clashed beneath the sea, sending ripples rolling outward.
Watching from afar, the Straw Hat Pirates could no longer make out Werther and Luffy. All they saw were two figures, one red and one blue, flashing back and forth.
The red was Luffy's fist; the blue was Werther's slash.
They seemed evenly matched, but they were not. Werther's swords kept leaving wounds on Luffy.
"What... What do we do?"
Nami was at a loss. The Thousand Sunny was sinking slowly, and before long, it would leave Luffy behind.
They had cut away the weight, but for some reason, the Thousand Sunny was still sinking. No one could stop it.
"Cough, cough..."
After a fit of coughing, Zoro sat up.
"Luffy's already fighting Mr. Werther? What are those bubbles?"
Even with Werther now their enemy, Zoro still addressed him as "Mr. Werther."
Werther had taught Zoro swordsmanship and Haki for half a year. Whatever the reason for their conflict, Zoro would not forget that kindness.
Nami briefly explained what had happened, and Zoro's eyes lit up.
"Make another one. I'm joining the fight."
"You can't, Zoro! Your injuries..." Chopper tugged at Zoro's trouser leg.
"I'm fine. They're only scratches."
Zoro rested a hand on Chopper's head and quietly gave him a look. Chopper knew better than anyone how badly he was hurt.
Chopper looked anxious. When he caught Zoro's look, he fell silent, though tears glimmered in his eyes.
Zoro was going to risk his life to protect them.
"Nami, please make one for me too."
Sanji's expression was solemn.