On the Grand Line, a pirate ship with a sheep's head was slowly sailing along, but the atmosphere on board was unusually heavy.
Ever since Luffy learned that Garp had been defeated by the " Abyss " Merchant Guild, he wanted to set off immediately to defeat Lin Yuan.
However, this was met with opposition from all the crew members, including Zoro, who had always supported Luffy, who explicitly expressed his disagreement.
This almost caused the previously harmonious group to fall apart, and in the end, Luffy himself compromised, which relieved everyone.
" Zoro, am I really that weak? Why are you all so vehemently opposed to my seeking revenge?"
On the ship, Luffy, having calmed down, asked the question that had been bothering him. He felt that he was already very strong, and there was no one who could make him feel afraid.
Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, navigator Molly, shipwright Fisher, and musician swordsman Higgins, who were sitting together, all wore helpless expressions.
Zoro remained silent, but the navigator, Molly, spoke angrily.
" Luffy, didn't you read the news? Those are Marine Admiral, and not just one. Adding your powerful grandfather, that makes three top-tier fighters."
"But even with such a lineup, they still failed, which means that Hidden Emperor Lin Yuan's strength is even more terrifying. He must have at least three Admiral among his subordinates!"
Although Molly is a navigator, she is very intelligent. Originally just a rich girl, she is extremely fascinated by the sea and by chance ran away from home to join the Straw Hat Pirates.
Everyone else understood Molly's analysis, but Luffy stubbornly retorted.
"Hmph, so what? I will defeat them all!"
Molly wanted nothing more than to punch Luffy, but after so much time, she had already figured out his thought process, so she could only patiently explain.
"While we're certain you'll become that kind of powerful person, you're still too weak right now. Didn't you say your grandfather Garp was incredibly strong?! Can you even beat your grandfather?"
Luffy fell silent. He realized that Garp's strength terrified him, and Garp was the only person in the world who could feel fear. That was the result of years of relentless beatings.
Molly is right. Even Garp is no match for Lin Yuan, let alone Luffy now. Courage alone is useless.
Seeing Luffy's silence, the others also offered to help him avenge himself in the future.
Zoro drew his long sword from his waist. He now has two Famous Sword, one given to him by his master Koshiro, and the other by Lin Yuan.
This famous Famous Sword was originally Lin Yuan's sword. At that time, he hadn't yet retrieved " Mandala " and had been making do with it until the end, when he gifted it to Zoro.
" Luffy, and everyone else, if we want to defeat Lin Yuan, we're simply not qualified, we're not even qualified to see him!"
" Zoro, what did you say? Are you scared?!"
Luffy was greatly dissatisfied, and the others looked at Zoro with surprise. Although they knew he was right, this was the first time Zoro had given in.
Zoro shook his head, then said seriously.
"I'm not afraid, it's just a fact. Because I know Lin Yuan and have met him, I know what kind of person he is."
"What?! You actually know Hidden Emperor Lin Yuan, the strongest of the Five Emperors, the Hidden Emperor!"
Everyone stared at Zoro in shock, even Sanji was somewhat surprised.
"That's right, my former senior sister is now a member of the Abyss Chamber of Commerce. She alone could sweep us all away, and her strength wouldn't even rank in the top ten of the Abyss Chamber of Commerce."
Zoro will never forget that the gap between him and Kuina was getting smaller and smaller, but since Lin Yuan took her away, she still comes back once a year.
However, in the subsequent sword fight, he was instantly defeated, and instead of closing the gap with Kuina, he drifted further and further away.
What he found even more unforgettable was that the year before he set sail, Kuina returned to Shimotsuki Village and, instead of agreeing to a duel with him, challenged her master, Koshiro.
Although they ultimately failed, Zoro witnessed what a true swordsman is like, and his master, Koshiro, never again said that a girl couldn't become the world's best.
Zoro could sense that ever since Kuina challenged his master Koshiro, Koshiro had been all smiles and talked about Kuina the most.
Zoro's words shocked everyone. Right now, the strongest person on the ship isn't Luffy or Sanji, but Zoro.
He not only mastered Armament Haki, but his swordsmanship also reached the level of a sword master, making him much stronger than the middle-aged man in the original work.
Kuina had Koshiro teach Zoro this technique; otherwise, defeating enemies with a single sword strike would be too unchallenging. However, after Zoro learned Armament Haki, he went to sea, and Kuina hasn't returned for several years.
" Zoro, are you serious? Are they really that strong?"
"Yes, it will only get stronger!"
The group exchanged glances, then all turned their gazes toward Luffy.
Although Luffy doesn't think Lin Yuan and his group are that strong, he knows Zoro and wouldn't say that without reason.
Luffy gently lowered his Straw Hat, obscuring his eyes. Everyone knew that the moment for Luffy to make a decision was approaching.
"I've made up my mind. Now that it's happened, let's focus on our cultivation. But two years from now, I will challenge Lin Yuan. Whether you go or not, this is my decision."
Although everyone still felt some pressure about Luffy's decision, at least they weren't going right now, which made them feel a little relieved.
Zoro looked at Luffy's determined Luffy and smiled as well.
"Haha, good, that's the Luffy I know. Two years from now, I'll go with you. But within those two years, you'll have to defeat one of the Five Emperors before you can challenge Lin Yuan."
A glint of light flashed in Luffy's eyes, but he quickly reverted to his original dazed expression and burst into laughter, agreeing with Zoro's suggestion.
As for the others, upon hearing this, they were completely dumbfounded. What the hell? Challenging the Hidden Emperor Lin Yuan? He was currently recognized as the world's strongest person.
And before even challenging him, they have to defeat one of the Five Emperors. Are these two insane?!
"Hahaha, bottoms up! I'll go crazy with you guys!"
It was Sanji who spoke; he too had been ignited with a fire within him and wanted to cause a ruckus.
Molly, Fisher, Higgins, and even the nearly terrified Usopp stood up and agreed with Luffy's decision and Zoro's suggestion. Pirates are all about getting things done!
In the New World, Red-Haired Shanks is saying goodbye to Dracule Mihawk.
" Mihawk, are you really sure? You need to understand that this choice could cost you your life, and your opponent isn't just a pure swordsman!"
Shanks considered Mihawk a friend and therefore wanted to stop his decision.
"Heh, Shanks, I know, but the fact that he could sever Admiral's arm with a single sword strike is my reason for taking action. The World's Strongest swordsman—I want to see just how skilled he is."
Standing on the coffin ship, Mihawk even regretted not accepting the navy's conscription this time, otherwise he could have had a proper battle with Lin Yuan.
"Well, good luck then, Mihawk. Don't underestimate Lin Yuan. Garp and Sakazuki both fell to Lin Yuan, so you'd better be careful too."
Mihawk said nothing, brandished his Black Blade, and swiftly left the area, heading towards the territory of the " Abyss " Merchant Guild.