Chapter 127: The Admiral Arrives and the Inferiority Complex.

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

"Report, Vice Admiral, he's gone!"

"He disappeared without saying a word..."

"He took the 'Straw Hat Crew's' bounty posters, and his bicycle is gone—"

?

"Quick, contact the 'Five Elders'!"

..."Understood."

After hanging up the phone, a few old men in suits at the pinnacle of world power exchanged glances.

"If it's him, he's probably just joining in for fun."

"Seriously, what's that guy thinking? He always likes to act on his own."

"Don't worry, that man knows his limits."

...

At that moment, the man causing a huge commotion was leisurely riding a bicycle on the sea. — That's right, riding a bike on the sea with such flair! As he rode along, the sea surface instantly froze into solid white ice! His bicycle glided effortlessly.

This speed was much faster than an average sailing ship!

"Monkey D. Luffy."

Looking at the wanted poster in his hand, the tall man on the bicycle was deep in thought.

"How long has it been, and the bounty is already over a hundred million. Should I say, as expected, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree?"

Let me see what you're made of.

——————Waves rolled and surged towards the Going Merry!

But these weren't naturally formed waves, because in the water, there were several huge 'monkey faces' chattering! These were small Sea Kings, capable of creating waves to destroy ships! Just like now:"Watch out, the Sea Monkeys are coming again!"

"Everyone, get ready~~~"

"Million Volts!"

Nami flipped open her book, and a lightning bolt as thick as an arm bombarded the waves, creating a dazzling display of electricity;"Tempest Kick!"

A mid-air kick sent a crescent-shaped vacuum slash slicing through the waves;"Gomu Gomu no Bullet!"

A fist extended out and struck the target in the water;"One-Sword Style: Thirty-Six Pound Phoenix!"

Zoro bent his left arm holding the sword slightly upward, gripped his left arm's lower limb with his right hand, closed his eyes, and suddenly drew his sword! The sword light was like a practice, its momentum like a rainbow, the flying sword energy spinning like thunder—"Why are your move names so long? And why are the actions so fancy~~~"

Usopp, who was using a slingshot to fire 'Gunpowder Stars,' couldn't help but complain. Because the Sea Monkeys in this area would create waves to destroy ships, Roman suggested that everyone use these uninvited guests to practice their long-range skills. So, we have this scene:Nami's lightning, Sanji's Tempest Kick, Luffy's fists, Zoro's sword energy.

Except for Chopper and Robin, who didn't have long-range attack methods—Robin's Flower-Flower Fruit couldn't affect the Sea Monkeys in the water. And Luffy, under the torment of Roman's Seastone wristbands, had gradually trained to the point where he could extend his fists into the water without feeling weak all over.

As for Roman?

He had the most long-range attack methods, not to mention directly controlling paper to fly and cut. — Just the few 'planes' circling in the sky, about the size of a person, could shoot explosive arrows at any time, with the power of Mr. 5's explosion ability far surpassing Usopp's 'Gunpowder Stars.'

"Gunpowder Star, Gunpowder Star, Gunpowder Star!" XN"Hey, Usopp, can't you use something else?"

Facing Zoro's words, Usopp's slingshot-pulling action froze. Compared to everyone else's long-range attack abilities, his so-called 'sniper' skills on the ship were a bit lacking.

"Ship spotted at 12 o'clock"

Robin, who was on the lookout, sent a message, causing everyone who was happily fighting the sea monkeys to pause.

"What kind of ship? Marine or pirate?"

Faced with Luffy's question, even the well-informed Robin hesitated for a moment.

"No sails, and no flag..."

??

"What are they doing at sea without sails?"

Even Luffy knew that a ship without sails was not a ship, but a coffin! Roman was also taken aback and sent a few paper birds disguised as seagulls to fly over to the ship for reconnaissance. They discovered:"It should be a pirate ship," Roman confirmed the identity of the people on board from their attire and equipment, as well as their unwashed hair for months.

"But they look very dejected, as if they were abandoned."

Dejected, abandoned~~Usopp, beside him, was startled and stammered as he took over the conversation.

"Maybe they lost a battle?"

"Not so," Robin, on the lookout, closed her eyes. She directly attached 'eyes' to Roman's paper birds and witnessed the situation on the ship firsthand.

"There are no signs of battle, and their weapons and equipment are still intact. It's really strange..."

"Hey, warn them, the sea monkeys are coming!"

At Luffy's request, Roman immediately commanded his reconnaissance birds to fly low and circle, while Robin grew 'mouths' on the paper birds to broadcast repeatedly:"Attention, ship below, there are sea monkeys ahead causing waves, please set sail and turn the rudder~~~"

"Repeating, ship below, please..."

?

"What is this thing?"

"Never mind that, there's a pirate ship ahead!"

"Grab your weapons and charge~~"

"Are you blind? More importantly, there are sea monkeys!!"

"Are you teaching me what to do?"

"Turn the rudder, quickly!"

"Captain!"

"None—"

"Navigator!"

"None either—"

The chaotic pirate ship, amidst the noise and fighting, crashed straight into the giant waves caused by the sea monkeys! The small sea kings, who had suffered enough behind the Going Merry, immediately changed their target and sank the ship without sails and flag into the sea.

???

"That ship just now was really weird."

"No captain, no navigator, no flag, no sails, no spirit, no organization... not like pirates at all."

Faced with Usopp's puzzled words, the others remained calm.

"What's so strange about that? Maybe they encountered an enemy and were looted without resistance?" Zoro leaned against the ship's side and said casually.

"But who would just take the sails and not the ship? For pirates, sails are as important as their lives, and they didn't have any..."

"Maybe they weren't pirates?"

Luffy joined the conversation, and Roman thought for a moment and came up with the most reasonable explanation.

"I think their captain took a few elites and jumped ship, leaving behind a group of crew members without a flag or leader."

Elite Job Hopping—Usopp's face turned even more unpleasant, leaving everyone else puzzled.

"Everyone, I see an island."

Robin, who had been closing her eyes on the lookout, opened them. Her Flower-Flower Fruit combined with Roman's paper birds made an excellent scouting tool! One only needed to focus on maintaining flight, while the other just needed to observe carefully, allowing them to scout a large area without exhausting Roman's energy.

"Oh, Robin, that's not how you do it."

Luffy righteously instructed her.

"You should say—Brothers, I found an island! Hooray!!"

Robin: ..."Sorry, I'll pay attention next time."

"I have a bad feeling."

Facing Usopp's pale face, even Sanji couldn't help but tease.

"When have you ever had a good feeling?"

"Everyone, I~~~"

Nami rubbed her forehead.

"Usopp, do you have the 'I'll die if I land on the island' disease again?"

"What?"

Chopper was shocked, but was quickly stopped by the others.

"Ignore him, it's incurable."

..."Alright, prepare to dock." Roman looked at the island ahead, which appeared to be a vast, rolling grassland. Although he didn't know what island this was, it was good to land and rest for a while. They could also replenish some wood and other supplies~~So he didn't notice Usopp's hesitant expression behind him.

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