109 Chapter 109 : Lucci Defying Orders!
No side effects in the Gear Second?
At this moment, numerous viewers were astonished!
They had been following the live broadcast and were well aware of how formidable Luffy's combat prowess was in the Gear Second.
It's a geometric multiplier of strength!
Without this mode, he wouldn't have been able to defeat Lucci...
In this state, the only major concern for Luffy is the side effect.
If there are no side effects... Fantastic!
Everyone couldn't fathom just how formidable Luffy's combat effectiveness would be if he remained in the Gear Second for an extended period!
Moreover, he had just earned the second reward, mastering Haki in advance!
The significance of Haki is self-evident, and being able to master it is simply indescribable for the enhancement in battle!
At this moment, Luffy's strength... Soared once again!
A restaurant on the sea!
By now, the Merry was already nearing the destination.
The moment the reward was announced, his body underwent a transformation!
Witnessing that, he was shocked throughout his body, collapsing directly to the ground, unconscious... Seeing this, everyone was utterly dumbfounded!
Huh?
How is his reaction to receiving rewards different from others? Fainted outright?
"Luffy, how are you feeling?" Nami asked curiously.
Luffy turned his head and smiled, "Feels good. If I encounter Lucci again, I'll definitely knock him off more easily!"
Upon hearing this, everyone was relieved.
"The Sea Restaurant has arrived!"
Simultaneously, the Merry was also directly approaching the pier...
"Yay, it's time for a big meal!!!"
Luffy was the most excited, jumping off the ship and sprinting toward the restaurant.
However, on the way, there was an unsightly man clad in golden armor and wielding a spear-like weapon.
Yet, the foodie Luffy didn't notice at all, and in the moment he ran past, he collided headfirst into the sea...
Sanji, Nami, Usopp, Robin, and a few others were unfazed, following closely behind...
Today's Luffy and the others had long become global celebrities with the live broadcast screens broadcasting their adventures worldwide!
The sea restaurant was also a widely known place, attracting a large crowd.
Yet, at this moment, they were all kneeling on the ground, trembling in fear.
Some even bore injuries on their faces.
It wasn't that they were scared of Luffy; it was the fear...
"Huh? Why are you all so scared?" Luffy asked in bewilderment.
Then...
"Miss Nami, Miss Robin~"
Sanji, donned in a suit with hearts in his eyes, twisted his body like seaweed, attempting to embrace the two. However...
Nami's fist sent Sanji crashing to the ground.
"As expected, even on their first meeting, they still find Sanji as repulsive as in the picture, with Robin covering her mouth and giggling behind..."
"Despicable! You pushed me into the sea!" At this point, the person previously thrown into the sea by Luffy climbed back up. It was none other than the captain of the Krieg Pirates, Don Krieg!
It turned out that the temporary closure of the sea restaurant, the multitude of people beaten, and the captures were all due to his arrival...
"Straw Hat Luffy?"
"Hehehe, even though you guys are impressive, that's only in the future!"
"Now, I am not afraid of you!"
"Perhaps by killing you, I can make a name for myself in the sea and be in the limelight again!"
Krieg grinned wickedly, raised his weapon, and prepared to attack everyone.
Luffy frowned and extended his arm directly... Snap!
With a powerful swing, he soared into the sky, then descended swiftly into the sea.
Interestingly, at that very moment, a Sea King, mistaking him for food, leapt eagerly from the ocean depths.
With a single gulp, it devoured Krieg... and then, nothing followed.
Several of Krieg's underlings met the same fate, dispatched by Luffy in a similar fashion.
The Sea King resurfaced, dining bite by bite, as if enjoying a buffet! It burped contentedly before swimming away.
If it could speak, it might express genuine gratitude... "Thank God for the unexpected feast!"
This spectacle left Sanji and the patrons of the sea restaurant dumbfounded.
Could it be that the formidable enemy they were desperately facing had been effortlessly dealt with?
Is Luffy already this formidable?...
[All rewards distributed now!]
[Initiate a conference call with all forces and connect with the key figures of the major forces...]
[During this time, feel free to communicate openly or engage in private conversations!]
[Time limit... Ten minutes!]
Luffy's voice was the first to break through as the call began.
"Hey, Franky, can you hear me?"
"Hey, leopard head, can you hear me?"
Leopard head?
Upon hearing this, many were perplexed.
Who is this?
However, soon everyone realized that it was none other than Rob Lucci. In that moment, Lucci, residing in the Water 7, wore a dark expression.
Leopard... Head?
["Straw hat boy, I'm waiting for you in Water 7. I hope you arrive soon, or I'll lay waste to this place!"]
["And Franky, there's no use hiding. If you don't emerge within an hour, I'll systematically eliminate your little group until there's noone left!"]
At this point, both Franky and Luffy, situated in the sea restaurant, were stunned.
["You dare!"]
Franky's voice resonated among the transponder snails.
Lucci's choice of words had truly irked him.
Without further delay, he chugged down his drink, determined to confront Lucci directly for a life-and-death battle...
Yet, Lucci found amusement in witnessing others in such disarray.
["If you don't want to show yourself, then hide quietly. By the time I finish off everyone, it'll be too late for you to reappear..."]
["And Straw Hat Kid, you dared to infiltrate Enies Lobby to rescue Robin and later, for the sake of Franky... Would you care to visit the Water 7?"]
"I'll wait for you here. This time, we'll clash once more…"
Luffy's expression was resolute. He turned towards the voice and declared,
"Alright, I'll head to the Water 7 and send you flying again!"
As their words echoed, the entire world seemed to overhear their conversation.
At that moment, everyone recognized Lucci for what he was—the notorious killing machine. It was ruthless to coerce Luffy by putting the lives of the Water 7's residents on the line.
The discussions erupted instantly, with many feeling that Lucci had crossed a line. Even within the Navy headquarters, figures like Sengoku, Garp and the top Marine officials, including the Three Admirals, frowned.
Though Lucci wasn't directly under the Navy's jurisdiction and operated as part of the world government, his actions tarnished the world government's authority. Threatening others with civilian lives—making such declarations before the entire world—was seen as a smear on the world government's image.
Even Admiral Akainu wouldn't resort to such tactics. If he were to take such drastic measures, it would be done quietly, away from the public eye.
Admiral Sengoku picked up the Den Den Mushi.
"I am Marshal Sengoku. Lucci, don't act recklessly. Your actions will impact the dignity of the world government!"
"I apologize, Marshal Sengoku. I am not under your jurisdiction."
"You..."
Sengoku hesitated for a moment, acknowledging that Lucci was right. Although he held the marshal position, he lacked control over CP9.
"The world government must intervene. We need to halt Lucci!"
"If he proceeds to harm the Water 7's civilians, it will create a global uproar!"
Without hesitation, Sengoku communicated with higher-ups. The other party, attentive to the situation, promptly ordered Lucci to retreat.
However...
Lucci severed the Den Den Mushi connection, cutting off all communication with the outside world.
At this moment, not only Sengoku but even the World Government was dumbfounded. This kid, a rebellion within the ranks of the Cipher Pol?
The disturbance caught the attention of onlookers elsewhere—Revolutionary Army, Four Emperors Pirate Groups, and even the Seven Warlords who followed the Sengoku and others.
They wished for more internal strife within the navy. The more chaos, the better!
Back at the Navy headquarters, Sengoku wore a troubled expression.
"It seems the defeat by Luffy has deeply humiliated him. Even in defiance of orders, he seeks a rematch to reclaim his dignity."
"Yes, the World Government has dispatched someone to prevent him from harming civilians."
"With Luffy, Lucci has suffered a significant blow. Even in desperation, he aims to defeat Luffy and restore his honor."
"But... will he truly achieve his goal?"
Meanwhile...
In the Water 7!
Lucci, with an indifferent expression, cut off the Den Den Mushi.
Kalifa, looking concerned, inquired, "Your current objective isn't obtaining the Pluto drawings, but to confront Straw Hat again?"
Lucci remained silent, his face showing no commitment.
Kalifa sighed, "Is it worth openly defying orders just for a rematch?"
Finally, Lucci spoke.
"Disobeying orders only leads to punishment, perhaps the loss of my CP9 status at most. But if I can't defeat Straw Hat, this humiliation will stain me forever."
"So, I'll wait for Straw Hat, and..."
"Defeat him, or even... kill him!"
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