"Destroy the Execution Platform immediately!"
"Men! Stop them!"
The worst-case scenario still happened. When Buggy saw the Straw Hat Boy crew arrive, he immediately raised his sword. Zoro and Sanji exchanged a few words and then rushed out.
Alvida naturally wouldn't let them get close to the Execution Platform, giving the order with a wave of her hand. However, Zoro and Sanji were no ordinary men; they charged forward like tigers among sheep, quickly approaching the Execution Platform. Enemies in their path were either cut down or knocked unconscious. But how could their speed in clearing people out match the speed at which Buggy wielded his sword?
"Hahaha! Even Zoro, you're too late! Your captain's finished!"
" Zoro!"
" Sanji!"
Usopp!
Nami!
"Sorry! I'm going to die!"
Buggy's sword finally came down, seemingly a long stroke but actually instantaneous. At that moment, Luffy finally realized he was going to die, called out the names of all his crewmates, and then smiled and said sorry!
At this moment, he had seen through life and death. He fell on his way to becoming the Pirate King, falling to achieve his goal. He had no regrets until his death!
On his journey to achieve his goal, the companions he met were the ones he couldn't let go of and felt most sorry for. They had promised to go to the Grand Line together, to go on adventures together, and to travel around the world together, but now he was going to die! He could no longer keep the promises he had made!
However, Luffy was very happy to meet these companions during his adventure and invited them to join his crew. He had a fulfilling and enjoyable short adventure and journey, and his mind was at peace!
"What nonsense are you spouting!"
"It's too late!"
He smiled!
Sanji and Zoro turned pale upon hearing Luffy's words, but they still didn't have enough time. Buggy's sword had already struck, and there was no way they could destroy the Execution Platform in time!
Meanwhile, Smoker in the building across the street was completely stunned. The Straw Hat Boy had actually smiled before he died, just like when the Pirate King Roger was executed. It was as if he saw two smiling faces overlap!
At this moment, the Straw Hat Boy held a completely different place in his heart; they were now considered remarkable figures. He valued this pirate highly, but no matter how much he valued him, it was useless— the Straw Hat Boy were still going to die!
Just when everyone thought Straw Hat Luffy was doomed, sparks flew from the sword that was about to strike Luffy's neck. Then, a bolt of lightning struck down from the dark clouds. The lightning was incredibly fast and hit Buggy and his long sword before it could strike.
At this moment, the blade was less than an inch from Luffy's neck, but it could no longer strike. The Execution Platform burst into a bewitching blue flame under the lightning and then collapsed completely.
Buggy was also burned and knocked unconscious by the lightning, while Luffy, the Rubber Man, was completely unharmed. He picked up his Straw Hat in the rain, put it on his head, and laughed heartily!
Aside from Luffy and Buggy unconscious, everyone was stunned. How could they possibly turn this seemingly hopeless situation around? Is this Straw Hat Boy some kind of chosen one? Protected by the gods?
"Charge! Surround all the pirates!"
Smoker has a relatively high level of composure and quickly recovered from his shock, immediately ordering the marines lying in ambush to surround the plaza.
Although what just happened was a bit bizarre, the pirates who need to be caught still can't be let go, especially the Straw Hat Boy, Monkey D. Luffy. This kind of man, who is favored by the heavens, is definitely a big threat in the future. He saw the courage and carefree spirit of a great pirate in the Straw Hat Boy!
" Vic! You're not helping him, are you?"
After giving the order, Smoker looked at Vic beside him with some suspicion. He suspected that Vic was the one who had struck the lightning earlier. He had no choice but to be suspicious, since Vic was the Devil Fruit User the Rumble-Rumble Fruit!
Furthermore, Vic seems to have a good impression of the Straw Hat Boy, so it's not impossible for him to lend a hand, especially since Vic is no longer a Marine.
"Haven't you heard the saying, 'Don't stand so high during Raiu, and definitely don't hold any metal objects, or you'll get struck by lightning!' If I wanted to make a move, I wouldn't have waited this long; it's a waste of time!"
Vic replied with one sentence and left. The show was over, and there was no need to stay any longer. Although Dragon did not show up, he was the one who triggered the lightning, and he also summoned the dark clouds over Loguetown. Perhaps there really is such a thing as luck in this world, but this time Luffy was saved by his father.
"Why did he smile? Did he know he would be rescued? No! In that instant, he truly believed his life was about to end, and he accepted death with equanimity, which is why he smiled!"
"The cannons sent to sabotage their pirate ship got soaked by the rain, and the wind was blowing from the west, which was a tailwind for their ship. Was it all just a coincidence? It was as if even the heavens wanted to help him survive!"
I swear in the name of the White Hunter! I will never let that man leave this island!
Vic left, Smoker stood there muttering to himself. Roger's smile before he died kept appearing in his mind, gradually merging with the image of the Straw Hat Boy from before!
As if he had figured something out, he made a firm vow, then, with his Jitte behind his back, chased after the Straw Hat Boy. Tashigi also left, and she followed after him, determined to settle accounts with the Three-Sword Style swordsman who had deceived her.
With Dragon's help, Luffy's Crew finally managed to leave Loguetown and headed towards Reverse Mountain on the sea breeze. Smoker's vow became empty words due to Dragon's interference, even though he was Logia Fruit user!
Tashigi was no match for Zoro to begin with, and chasing after him wouldn't change anything, so she could only return to the Marine Base dejectedly!
Will you continue to protect him?
"Of course not. I have my own things to do too. Let's stop here. He has his own adventures and growth to go through. He can't rely on others for everything. He needs to become strong on his own. Even if I need to help him in the future, I won't do it myself. I won't interfere unless it's a matter of life and death!"
" Luffy shouldn't need much help anymore. I've laid a very solid foundation for him. As long as he experiences some battles, he'll grow stronger quickly without leaving any hidden dangers."
"That's good. I'll be going now. Contact me if you need anything."
On the rooftop of a building in Loguetown, Vic and Dragon were talking about Luffy, Going Merry had already left Loguetown on the winds created by Dragon.
Dragon's mission to protect the island was successfully completed. After saying goodbye to Vic, he disappeared from the rooftop. Vic stood there for a moment before swaying back to the Marine Base.
" Vic! The Straw Hat Pirates got away. I swore before that I would catch the Straw Hat Boy. You also told me that we can't just stay in one place. So I plan to take Tashigi to the Grand Line and continue to hunt down the Straw Hat Pirates!"
I feel that if we don't leave him alone, he'll definitely grow into someone who gives our navy a headache. What are your plans?
After Vic returned to the Marine Base, Smoker immediately told him that this was a decision he had thought about many times before making. He didn't know if it was because he felt Luffy would become a major threat to the Navy in the future, or because he felt that Luffy's escape from his grasp made him lose face, so he was determined to pursue him to the end. Only he himself knew the answer.
"Go if you want. I'm not in the Navy anymore, so don't worry about me. I'll leave Loguetown on my own once you're gone."
" Tashigi! Don't be too sad. All good things must come to an end. As long as we're alive, we'll have a chance to meet again. Go and pursue your dreams! I want to see an even better you."
"Waaah! Mr. Vic! Can't you really come with us? You're going back to the Grand Line too, right? We can give you a ride! Waaah!"
"There's no need for that, and it's too inconvenient! It wouldn't be good for you either!"