"Ahem, are you all alright...?"
Sanji coughed a few times, covering his mouth, and asked the others.
"Yeah, it's okay... Great, we finally escaped..."
Usopp stood up from the smoke and said excitedly.
"Hmm... I haven't settled accounts with you yet! Didn't you say that anything you took out of that pocket was definitely Impact Dial? What happened this time? Ah!!"
Sanji grabbed Usopp by the collar, lifted him up, and asked him fiercely.
"Yes, I'm sorry, it's my fault, please forgive me..."
Usopp pleaded with him, his words broken and hesitant.
"Ah... that's great, finally we're away from that Seastone iron chain..."
Hehe, this was so much fun! I really want to do it again...
Luffy was speaking with a grin when he was interrupted by the crowd with punches and kicks.
"Come on, it's best not to do this kind of thing..."
The three of them said in unison.
"Cough cough, damn it, don't let those pirates escape! Open fire, it doesn't matter if we injure them..."
Colonel Drake rose from the smoke and gave instructions to his men.
"Yes... fire!!"
A sergeant responded and then ordered his soldiers to fire at Luffy and his crew.
Bang bang...
Bang bang...
Bang bang...
Dozens of bullets whizzed past them, startling Usopp so much that he quickly lay down on the ground to avoid being hit by stray bullets.
"Hehe... Watch this, rubber, rubber-- Balloon!!"
Luffy forward and used his ability to Expansion his body to multiple times its original size, deflecting all the bullets.
Bang bang bang...
"Damn it, don't shoot, use a knife to cut them..."
Drake cursed under his breath as he watched the bullet bounce back, then ordered his men to use their sabers to Luffy and his crew.
"Hehehe, goodbye, Masira- faced uncle..."
Unfortunately, after rescuing Zoro and Usopp, Luffy and his Luffy didn't want to continue the standoff and turned to run towards the exit with the others.
"Damn it, hurry and chase them, don't let them get away..."
Drake Lake continued to command his men in pursuit.
"Yes!! Charge!"
A large group of soldiers were chasing after them.
"Stand still, Straw Hat Pirates! This road is blocked. Surrender and admit defeat..."
Shortly after they ran out, they encountered another group of naval officers on the iron bridge, and the soldiers on the other side gave them a stern warning.
"Hmph, how could we possibly surrender so easily?"
Luffy stopped, prepared for battle, and answered them.
"Is that so? This is your choice, right...?"
Charge! Gale Unit!
Upon hearing Luffy's reply, the leading officer commanded his most elite soldiers to step forward.
Step~
Step~
Step~
Hundreds of strong, tall soldiers lined up and then rushed towards them.
"Wow, that's amazing..."
Luffy exclaimed in amazement at their imposing physiques.
"Go!"
A large group of soldiers surrounded Luffy and his crew from both sides and launched an attack.
Thump...
Thump...
Thump...
The three launched a counterattack, sending soldiers rushing at them only to be knocked away. However, they were soon surrounded by the surging crowd and unable to move.
Hey!! Gum-Gum Battle Axe
When he was pinned down by hundreds of people and unable to move, Luffy kicked out with his only usable right leg.
Then, using the rebound force of the rubber, the entire bridge collapsed, and everyone fell into the sea.
"Seriously, they didn't even consider that they're ability users before recklessly destroying the bridge. Aren't they afraid of drowning? Idiot..."
On the shore, after Zoro and Sanji rescued Luffy and Usopp, they wrung out their clothes while Luffy.
"Yes, I'm sorry..."
Faced with criticism, Luffy could only apologize and accept it.
"Alright, now it's time to find the others. Let's go..."
After Zoro wrung out his clothes and put them on, he said to Luffy.
"Oh!!"
A short while later, after the water on Luffy dried, he stood up again, full of energy, and replied.
"Stop fooling around, let's go! Miss Nami and Miss Robin are waiting for us to pick them up..."
Sanji lit a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and spoke. After he finished speaking, he turned around and prepared to leave.
"They're gone..."
Soon, the four left and ran towards the shipyard to find the Going Merry and prepare to bring their companions back.
"Um,..."
As Luffy and his crew were running, Luffy stopped again in a certain place and looked up.
"Hmm... What's wrong, Luffy? Why did you stop?"
When Zoro and Sanji saw Luffy stop, they also slowed down, stopped, and asked him questions.
"... Hey, Fortress Uncle, I've rescued my comrades. See? I kept my word."
Luffy waved his hand upwards and said.
"Yes, you did save your companions, but what's next? I'm not going to let you escape so easily..."
Above, Jonathan leaned on the balcony railing, watching Luffy and his Luffy prepare to escape below. He didn't try to stop them, but instead said this.
"Well, next, I'll pick up the rest of my lost companions, and then we'll leave this place by boat."
Luffy spoke to him with great conviction.
"Is that so? Then I'll wait and see how you leave this Iron Fortress of mine..."
Jonathan didn't refute his words; he only focused on results, not on things that hadn't happened yet.
He had no worries whatsoever; he had complete confidence in his fortress and his men, and he was certain they would not escape.
"Heh, it seems they underestimated you too. What, even now you're not planning to make a move, Vice Admiral Jonathan?!"
Behind him, Luo Chen appeared silently beside him and spoke to him.
"No, this means nothing to me. This is a great opportunity for the soldiers of this fortress to hone their skills. How could I possibly break the rules?"
Jonathan shook his head and said that his goal was not to capture them at all; his ultimate aim and idea was simply to train his troops.
Of course, it would be better if we could seize the opportunity to catch them, but it doesn't matter if we don't.
"Haha, I never imagined that someone with your personality could be such a close friend as Marine Admiral Akainu, who upholds Absolute Justice. I really don't understand..."
I don't know whether a leader like you is a blessing or a curse for those people.
Upon hearing his decision, Luo Chen said with some emotion.
"Hmm, how did you know I'm Sakazuki's confidant?"
Aside from a few people at headquarters, probably no one outside knows about this.
I'm curious where you got this information. Can you tell me?
Hearing that Luo Chen actually knew that Sakazuki was his friend, Jonathan was very surprised and puzzled, and asked him about it.
"Haha, I naturally have my own channels to find out, but I can't tell you that. However, could you tell me what kind of plans you're going to make next?"
Luo Chen did not tell Jonathan where he got the information.
After all, this matter was simply too unbelievable for them, and it even overturned their understanding of the world.
So Luo Chen forcibly changed the subject and asked Jonathan what his next plan was.