Chapter 23: Terrifying Pain, Comrades Worth Entrusting One's Life To!

Navy Headquarters!

Garp and Sengoku looked at each other, disbelief in their eyes.

Including Akainu and the other Navy officers, as well as the Warlords of the Sea, everyone present was in shock.

At this point, everyone doubted what they had heard.

Moria... wasn't the first Warlord of the Sea to be defeated by Luffy and his crew?

Damn it, was this some kind of joke?

Who were the Warlords of the Sea?

Each one was personally acknowledged and selected by the World Government, and their strength was incredibly powerful!

Over the years, no one had ever challenged the authority of the Warlords of the Sea.

No one had ever defeated any one of them.

But now, two had been defeated in succession!

When had the Warlords become so weak that they could be defeated one after the other?

Were they just racking up achievements?

Sengoku was dumbfounded, Akainu was dumbfounded, Kizaru and Aokiji were dumbfounded as well.

Even Garp was at a loss for words.

His grandson's achievements were... truly impressive!

Among the Warlords of the Sea, not all had equal strength. Some had average power, but others were close to the Four Emperors, such as Mihawk.

They could understand Moria's defeat, as his strength was barely enough to be considered among the Warlords.

But the others... they seemed much harder to deal with!

Who exactly had Luffy defeated?

This question plagued everyone's mind.

The Warlords present were just as curious and shocked.

In short, this news was as shocking to everyone as Moria's defeat!

If Luffy had defeated one Warlord due to a combination of strength and luck, then defeating two...

Luck was no longer a significant factor; this was true power!

Although everyone present was shocked and puzzled, Moria's reaction was entirely different.

Initially, Moria had been defeated and lost face, kneeling in a corner, feeling utterly dejected.

But when he saw the images being played...

His eyes suddenly lit up, and he stood up as if infused with new energy.

What?

Another Warlord of the Sea had been defeated?

And it happened before me!?

In an instant, Moria suddenly felt a little better.

Being defeated by Luffy and his crew didn't seem as humiliating anymore!

At least there was someone else in the same boat, right?

Besides... that person was defeated before him, so Moria wasn't the weakest!

[Kuma's oppressive presence was undeniable.]

[Just walking among them was enough to keep everyone from moving.]

[With a wave of his hand, a large number of pirates, including Lola, disappeared!]

[This terrifying power instantly sobered everyone up, as Kuma's strength was far more terrifying than Moria's!]

["Damn it!" Zoro's face contorted, as Luffy was currently unconscious, and he had to protect his captain.]

[Despite his exhaustion, Zoro showed no signs of backing down, and attacked Kuma directly!]

[However... Kuma's power far surpassed Moria's, and the Straw Hat crew was at the end of their strength.]

[In the blink of an eye, Zoro, Usopp, Sanji, and others who attacked were all defeated one by one!]

[Before anyone could react, Kuma launched a huge bubble from his hand and threw it with great force...]

[Boom!!!]

[With an explosion, everyone present, except for Zoro, was knocked unconscious.]

[Looking at Zoro standing in front of him, Kuma glanced sideways. After all, being able to withstand his attack without falling unconscious, despite being exhausted, was proof enough of Zoro's remarkable strength.]

["I will only take the Straw Hat boy. The rest of you will be spared. This is the greatest mercy I can offer. Isn't that enough?"]

[Zoro knew very well that he couldn't defeat the man in front of him, but he had to protect his captain at all costs...]

["Take my life in exchange for his. It's a fair trade, as you'll be claiming the head of the future world's greatest swordsman!"]

[Zoro knelt on the ground, his posture submissive, but the determination and pride on his face remained unwavering.]

[To protect Luffy, to protect his captain, he was willing to pay any price!]

[This resolve, loyalty, and trust among comrades moved even the usually stoic Kuma...]

And even...

It moved all those watching this broadcast!

The Whitebeard Pirates!

Everyone was just as puzzled as the Marines when Kuma appeared.

When they heard that Luffy had defeated yet another Warlord, they were utterly shocked!

And now... as they watched Luffy lying unconscious and Zoro risking his own life to protect him, they felt a sense of awe.

They had been keeping an eye on Zoro's performance – he was arguably the strongest member of the Straw Hat crew besides Luffy.

He was willing to exchange his own life for Luffy's.

This bond among comrades and loyalty to their captain was extraordinary!

Worthy of everyone's admiration!

Ace was deeply moved and relieved upon witnessing this scene.

"Luffy... you have a trustworthy comrade!"

"No, you have many trustworthy comrades..."

After all, when Kuma first appeared, Usopp, Sanji, Robin, and the others were frightened but still stepped forward to protect the unconscious Luffy. Ace saw it all.

His younger brother's crew might be small, and it seemed... a few peculiar species were mixed in.

But without exception, they were all reliable!

With this, Ace felt completely reassured about his brother, who had been wandering alone in the world.

At the Marine Headquarters...

Hawk Eyes Mihawk watched the scene, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"The future world's greatest swordsman... Interesting."

"I hope to meet you in the future!"

From the beginning, he had noticed this unique three-sword-style swordsman.

His current swordsmanship was far too inferior to Mihawk's!

However, his spirit and ambition were truly praiseworthy!

But with just these qualities, challenging Mihawk and contending for the title of the world's greatest swordsman was still far from enough...