54 Why should I fear you?

Gohan put Merry on his shoulder and started walking towards Luffy and the others. On the way, they saw some weird-looking animals. "Everyone looks so funny," commented Merry. "Hm, it looks like everything is elongated on this island," said Gohan.

After a few minutes, they saw Luffy and the others. They were talking to an old man who was sitting on a tall horse. "Gohan! Merry! We were waiting for you," said Luffy. They started telling him about Tonjit and his horse, Shelly. "Gohan, can you take Tonjit-san and Shelly to meet their tribe? If you take them, they will be able to meet their friends in no time," requested Usopp.

"No need for that! Someone is coming to help him," said Gohan while looking towards the sea. Everyone else looked towards the sea and saw nothing, so they got confused. But Usopp looked closely, and his eyes widened in shock.

"Someone is riding a bicycle on the water?" said Usopp in confusion, as he couldn't believe what he just saw. "What?! How can anyone ride a bicycle on the water?" asked Lily (Vivi) in disbelief. They started walking towards the shore and started to see a silhouette of a person riding a bicycle.

"Amazing! Someone really is riding a bicycle on the ocean," said Chopper with stars in his eyes. Just when they got a clear view of the person who was cycling, Robin started to tremble in fear. After seeing her state, Gohan sighed. He got beside her and whispered, "Why are you shaking like a leaf? Are you trying to embarrass me by acting like a coward? Looks like you need some extra training."

Robin stopped trembling and looked at Gohan in horror. "Mr. Instructor... You are misunderstanding. I was just feeling a little cold," she tried to explain. Gohan sighed and said, "Don't worry! He is not a threat to us. Even if all three of them come here, it won't make any difference," said Gohan with an assuring smile. Robin couldn't close her mouth after his statement.

Aokiji stopped a few meters away from them and asked, "Are you guys going somewhere?" But before anyone could say anything, Luffy ran towards him and asked, "Hey mister! How did you do that? Can you teach me?" asked Luffy in anticipation.

Aokiji sweat-dropped after witnessing Luffy's behavior and said, "No! It cannot be taught." Luffy got disappointed with Aokiji's answer, but when he noticed how tall Aokiji was, he asked, "You are so tall, mister. Are you also from this island? Hey, Tonjit-san! Is he one of your friends?" asked Luffy.

Tonjit looked at Aokiji for a few seconds and replied, "No! I don't remember seeing him." "He is one of the three Admirals of the Marines, Admiral Aokiji," said Gohan with a smile. Everyone except Robin got shocked by the revelation. "So that's why he feels so strong," said Luffy with the look of realization.

Everyone except Gohan and Luffy started sweating with a serious expression. "Tonjit-san! You can ask him to help you; he is a marine, after all," said Gohan, but Aokiji could feel the sarcasm in his tone. Tonjit hesitatingly looked at Aokiji and asked Gohan, "But isn't he an Admiral? They are so important! Is it alright to waste his time on such a small matter?"

Gohan's smile widened as if he was expecting Tonjit to ask that. "Don't worry! He is not a God or a Noble. Look! He is breathing the same air as us. And Marines like to portray themselves as the savior of this world. Helping you is his duty," said Gohan with a mocking smile.

The Straw Hats started to sweat even more after hearing Gohan's sarcastic remarks. Aokiji frowned after hearing him and said, "It looks like your new moniker does suit you more than the previous one."

Suddenly, the whole atmosphere changed after Aokiji's words. Anyone could tell that the Straw Hats were trying hard not to laugh, while Gohan was trying hard not to kill Aokiji. Gohan gritted his teeth and said, "Two times."

The expressions on the Straw Hats' faces changed for the worse. "It was not our fault! We didn't even laugh this time," argued Sanji. Gohan didn't look at him and said, "Three times." Sanji wanted to argue more, but Robin closed his mouth with her Devil Fruit ability.

By that time, the others had a look of despair. Tonjit mustered up some courage and asked Aokiji for help, and Aokiji froze the sea so that Tonjit could reach the island he wanted to go to. After Tonjit left, Aokiji turned his attention towards the Straw Hats.

He looked at them with a confused face and said, "I have heard of your accomplishments, but I am confused. You guys are powerful by the standard of East Blue, but the reports said that you guys defeated Crocodile and destroyed the Baroque Works, which is impossible with the strength you guys possess."

He creased his eyebrows and said, "Even after knowing my identity, only half of you have a look of fear, while some of you are just nervous or full of anticipation for a fight. What's even more surprising is that I don't feel a single ounce of fear from your captain and you, Poisonous tongue Gohan."

Gohan started smiling again and asked, "Why do I have to fear you, Mister Admiral?" "There it is again, the same tone. I can sense that you are the weakest among them. So you must have eaten a very special Devil Fruit for you to be so arrogant. But let me tell you... Devil Fruit abilities are nothing in front of the true power," said Aokiji with a bored look.

Gohan looked at Luffy and asked, "What do you think, Captain? Do you want to test the strength of an Admiral?" Luffy started grinning and replied, "Of course!" "Oye Oye! Are you kidding me? Do you have a death wish?" asked Aokiji with a bewildered face. But Luffy started walking towards him without any hesitation.

"Is it okay for you to let the captain fight this man? What if something happened to the captain?" asked Merry in worry. "Don't worry! Since it's not a fair fight for Luffy, I won't let our captain die," said Gohan with a smile. Everyone turned their heads towards him in surprise.

Gohan looked at their surprised faces and asked, "Why are you guys looking at me like that? I care about my friends too. Do you guys think I am some kind of demon?" Everyone nodded their heads immediately, but shook them afterwards. "Bastards," muttered Gohan with an annoyed face.