The Thousand Sunny cuts through the azure waves, its lion head at the bow tilting its head high in the sea breeze.
The dense fog over the Laugh Tale area gradually thinned as the ship slung over it, eventually merging completely into the horizon.
Luffy clung to the front railing, his legs swinging back and forth, his Straw Hat billowing in the wind.
His body, which had just absorbed Nika Origin, was still slightly hot, as if he had inexhaustible energy surging through his limbs and bones, and he felt uncomfortable if he didn't release it.
"Hey-- Roy!"
He suddenly turned and shouted towards the stern of the boat.
"When can we fight again?!"
Roy leaned against the railing at the stern of the ship, his black trench coat fluttering in the sea breeze, clutching a small pebble he had just picked up from the shore of Laugh Tale.
He raised his eyelids slightly but didn't reply.
This kid hasn't stopped talking since he left Laugh Tale; he talks about fighting all the time.
" Luffy, behave yourself!"
Nami emerged from the cabin, clutching a sea chart, and punched Luffy on the head.
"Can't you just have a moment's peace after coming from that awful place?"
Let's go back to Lodestar Island to resupply first!
"Ouch, Nami!"
Luffy crouched down, holding his head, muttering to himself.
"But I'm bursting with energy right now..."
Sanji walked out of the kitchen carrying a tray with several glasses of chilled juice, the glass rims covered with fine droplets of water.
He walked over to Robin and handed her a cup, then passed one to Nami, and finally glanced at Luffy, who was squatting on the ground drawing circles, and sneered:
"Why don't you save that energy for dealing with the World Government? Why do you have to pick fights every day?"
"You can practice your skills by fighting!"
Luffy jumped up abruptly, about to argue, but his nose twitched first, catching a whiff of fruit juice. He instantly forgot all about the fight.
" Sanji! I want one too!"
"Take it, take it."
Sanji casually handed him a cup, which Luffy took and gulped down in one Luffy. He then put the cup aside and leaned back against the railing to look at the sea.
Zoro sat in the shadows on the ship's railing, three swords laid out side by side beside him, a wiping cloth in his hand, wiping the blade of Wado Ichimonji again and again.
The sunlight reflected off the blade, making it dazzlingly bright.
His gaze occasionally swept over the massive warship alongside the Thousand Sunny—
Loki was sitting at the bow of the ship, with Iron Thunder across his knees, his golden vertical pupils fixed on the distant sea, lost in thought.
After leaving Laugh Tale, the giant hardly said a word.
Zoro looked away and continued wiping his sword.
The truth about Laugh Tale is too heavy.
Eight hundred years of lies, the conspiracy of the nineteen kings, the grudges of Davy Jones, and the secret treasure left behind by Joy Boy...
Each of these items alone could blow the world away.
But these people spent half a day on the ship, laughing and joking as if nothing had bothered them about that heavy history.
Too.
Knowing the truth is one thing; how to act on it is another.
Instead of sitting there frowning, we should save our strength and settle the score when we reach Mary Geoise.
After sailing for most of the day, the fleet finally revealed the outline of a dark green island on the distant horizon.
"We've arrived at Lodestar Island!"
Nami shouted while holding up her binoculars.
"There are many ships from Hachinosu docked at the port; it seems Bullet and the others have returned."
Luffy immediately perked up and stood on tiptoe to look in that direction.
The Thousand Sunny slowly docked, and soldiers from Hachinosu immediately came forward to greet it, standing at attention and saluting.
"Lord Roy!"
"Um."
Roy nodded, then leaped ashore, his black trench coat sweeping across the stone slabs of the dock.
What are you doing here?
"Reporting to you, sir, it was Lord Bullet who arranged for us to meet you here."
"Now tell me about the current situation on the high seas."
"Yes, Lord Roy!"
The forces under Hachinosu are currently gathering at the entrance to the New World, in preparation for a potential counterattack from the World Government.
Four Blues is coming in from all over the world every day. The World Government has been making a lot of moves lately, and Mary Geoise has been increasing its troop presence.
Revolutionary Army from Four Blues also frequently mobilized, firmly restraining the navy's actions.
The soldier spoke quickly, reporting as he led the group toward the island.
Soon, led by the soldier, the group arrived at a tavern.
At this moment, a long table was set in the middle of the tavern, and a huge New World sea chart hung on the wall.
Various intelligence documents were spread out on the table, and several Den Den Mushi communication devices) were lurking in the corner, occasionally emitting a "blur blur" sound.
Everyone found a seat. Luffy plopped down on the edge of the table, swinging his legs, and said bluntly:
Roy, let's work together!
Let's beat up the World Government together!
The room fell silent for a moment after those words.
Roy sat in the main seat, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, and looked up at Luffy:
How do you want to cooperate?
"It's very simple!"
Luffy forward, his eyes shining brightly.
"Your men and my men, let's march on Mary Geoise!"
Beat Imu and those old guys to a pulp!
Let's settle all these messy affairs that have lasted for eight hundred years!
He spoke with absolute certainty, without the slightest hesitation, as if beating up the World Government was as simple as beating up an ordinary pirate crew.
Roy looked at him for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled.
That's how this kid is always. No matter who the opponent is or how strong they are, he sets his goal first.
"Can."
Roy nodded.
"The forces, intelligence, and weapons on Hachinosu can all be coordinated. Our goal is the same: to overthrow the World Government."
"Great!" Luffy hand on the table, almost jumping off the edge.
Just then, the smile on his face suddenly faded, he leaned forward, and his eyes became frighteningly serious.
" Roy, I have a question for you."
"You say."
Luffy stared into his eyes, saying each word clearly:
"If you really defeat the World Government, how do you plan to treat the world?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the air in the hall seemed to freeze for a moment.
Nami paused in her cup, Zoro paused for a second while wiping his sword, and Sanji, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, raised his eyelids slightly.
Roy looked at Luffy, a slight thought stirring within him.
This kid seems carefree all day, spending all his time eating meat and fighting, but when it comes to matters of principle, he always manages to pinpoint the most crucial point.
However, Roy didn't intend to brush it off with a joke or make any empty promises.
"It's too early to talk about these things now."
Roy leaned back in his chair, his tone calm.
" The World Government hasn't fallen yet, the Nineteen Kings are still hiding in Mary Geoise, and Imu hasn't revealed all his cards."
It's pointless to talk about how to govern the world now.
He paused, then added:
"Once we've really beaten them all to a pulp, we'll have plenty of time to talk about this."
Luffy stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly scratched his head and grinned.
"That's right! Let's beat those bad guys up first!"
He reverted to his carefree demeanor, as if the serious question he had just asked was merely a casual remark.
Roy smiled and stood up:
"Now that the cooperation has been agreed upon, I should return to Hachinosu."
The troop deployment over there needs to be adjusted, and the defensive lines throughout the New World also need to be rearranged.