Desperate Situation for Straw Hats! Zoro in Danger!

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"What an astounding invention... I am rendered speechless."

"You're absolutely right... Luffy and his companions had to overcome significant challenges to attain their current level of strength, but this PX-4 left them all in awe."

"With great effort, they managed to defeat him... this implies that should another one like him emerge, their destiny is sealed..."

"…"

Everyone turned their gaze towards Buggy, who had expressed these thoughts with an uncertain look.

"What on earth..." Buggy awkwardly covered his mouth as another Pacifista materialized, interrupting his words.

"Could this be the Sentoumaru that Kizaru was searching for?"

"Vegapunk's bodyguard... intriguing, it signifies his formidable power."

"He bears a resemblance to sumo wrestlers from the Wano country... Wahahaha!"

"Well, it appears Luffy possesses some common sense, as he opted to retreat, Gurararara~!"

"But Zoro's condition appears grim; he seems poised to collapse at any moment. Didn't Luffy notice that?"

The Roger Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates brimmed with excitement as they delved into the climax of the astounding events in today's volume.

"Sanji seems like a lost cause, hahaha! Persisting in sacrificing himself to safeguard Nami, my heart goes out to Franky." Gaban chuckled while conveying this sentiment.

"What is Usopp up to? Why is he clinging to Zoro? Unaware that Zoro has already reached his limits, he can scarcely defend himself in this situation."

"Usopp might find himself having to shield Zoro in the next moment..." Rayleigh remarked, wearing a smile as he spoke.

•———•———•———•———•———•

"One Piece" Events:

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"Everyone!! Meet up in 3 days at the Sunny!!" Luffy shouted while running alongside Robin and Chopper.

"Yeah!!!" The crew split into three small groups and dashed in three different directions. Zoro, accompanied by Brook and Usopp. And Sanji, with Franky and Nami.

"They're splitting up!!! Pursue them, PX-1!!!" Sentoumaru signaled to Sanji's group and commanded the Pacifista to chase after them. "Don't let them get out of Grove 12!! It'll just be more trouble!!"

Usopp noticed this, so he launched a smoke bomb to obscure their vision. "Hissatsu… Chou Kemuri Boshi!!!" 

"Here's our chance!!!" exclaimed Usopp.

"Yohohohoho, you're very reliable!!" Brook praised him.

Meanwhile, things took a turn for the worse for Sanji's team as an explosion occurred ahead. "No, the bridge!!!"

The bridge was destroyed by PX-1. 

… 

.. 

On the opposite side, Luffy's attention was drawn to the explosion that had just happened. "He went over there!!? Are they okay!?"

"Now is not the time to be worrying about others!!!" 

Luffy and his companions were intercepted by Sentoumaru. "I don't bear a grudge against pirates, but…"

"Gomu Gomu…!!" Before he could finish speaking, Luffy immediately attacked, "Gatling!!!"

Sentoumaru placed his hands in front of him and opened his palms, chanting, "Hoisa!!!"

Luffy suffered a strong recoil and was sent flying backward, "What!?"

"You've got some good attacking power…!! But my guard is the world's best!!!" Sentoumaru declared arrogantly.

•———•———•———•———•———•

"What an impressive Marine brat."

"He wields Haki skillfully."

"Is he truly employing it?" Shanks inquired his captain in astonishment.

The notion of Haki has remained nebulous in the One Piece manga until now; it's been mentioned only a handful of times.

The use of Conqueror's Haki wasn't as uncommon; instances of it have cropped up a few times, the latest being when Rayleigh subdued everyone using it.

However, there has yet to be any indication of the existence of the other two types.

"He's only utilizing the basic level of Armament Haki "Invisible Armor", which makes it imperceptible to the eye but tangible in sensation," Roger responded with a smile.

"Yet he doesn't rely on it solely; his combat techniques are undeniably potent, and his defense in this situation is truly unassailable..."

"I understand." Shanks nodded in comprehension after grasping Roger's meaning.

"If that implies they're in a dire predicament..."

"Yes, this is indeed a desperate situation, and it's bound to worsen."

...

Marineford:

"Who is this Sentoumaru? He appears skilled..." Sengoku inquired, glancing at Borsalino.

"I'm not familiar with him," Borsalino replied tersely.

Sengoku shook his head before remarking, "Well then, it seems he will be overseeing our new recruits in the near future."

"That portly bastard... he's tormenting my grandson!" Garp felt irritation surge within him as he witnessed the scene.

His grandson and his crew found themselves in an incredibly unfavorable and desperate situation.

"It appears the crew to be pursued has been chosen. Indeed, justice must prevail, Garp... your grandson must taste the repercussions of embracing the path of Pirates," Sakazuki jeered in a tone laden with mockery and sarcasm.

"Garp…" As Garp sought a response from Sakazuki, Sengoku intervened.

"Kizaru has arrived... the current Straw Hat crew is in jeopardy."

"Heh~ as if a mere admiral can alter the course of the world's destiny." Garp scoffed, yet his gaze returned to the pages of the manga to witness the unfolding events.

•———•———•———•———•———•

"ZORO~!!!" "WAAAAHH!!!" A scream came from Usopp's side on the right of Luffy, who was contemplating how to bypass the meatball obstructing their path.

"Eh?" Luffy's attention was immediately captured. 

… 

Zoro was sprawled on the ground in agony. A tall figure stood before him.

Usopp pulled his slingshot at the tall man shrouded in smoke. "Get back!! Get away from Zoro, you stupid bastard!!!"

"Z-Z-Z-ZORO!! Zoro got hit by a beam!!!" Even Brook felt great concern about the current situation. "Hey, Zoro!! Hang in there!!!"

"...Jeez, you're late!! So you're finally here, Uncle Kizaru..." said Sentoumaru.

"!!! Kizaru…!?" Robin's eyes widened upon hearing the name.

Quickly warning, "Be careful!!! That man is a Marine Admiral!!!"

Usopp: "Eh?" 

Brook: "EHHH!!!" "AN ADMIRAL!!?"

"It's already too late for you…" said Kizaru.

Then he turned his gaze to the injured man lying by his feet. "A bounty of 120 Million… 'Pirate Hunter' Zoro…!!"

"Damn it… Cough…!!" Zoro felt like his luck for the day had been exhausted.

"A one-hit KO… You must have been tired. Go ahead and rest for a while." Kizaru lifted his leg, poised to strike Zoro's head.

"This is bad!!! Zoro's in danger!!!" Luffy now comprehended the dire situation they were in.

"Damn it!!! Why!!? Nothing hits him!!! Move that leg!!!" Usopp continued bravely shooting shots at the admiral's face, but none of it seemed to work.

The same went for Brook, "I can't cut him either!!! What do we do!!?"

"It's pointless… I ate the Pika Pika no Mi… I'm a 'Light Man' Logia-Type," said Kizaru mockingly.

"It can't be! He'll die!!" Nami covered her mouth in disbelief. 

"Zoro!! Get away!!!" Chopper cried out, urging Zoro to move.

(My body… Won't…!!!) Zoro couldn't move, not because he didn't want to.

•———•———•———•———•———•

Drum Kingdom:

"Move... move... You mustn't perish here..."

"Remember the promise you made to Luffy? You vowed that you wouldn't taste defeat again until you've claimed the title of the world's greatest swordsman!"

"Weakness is not a trait befitting kings...!!"

"Dear Zoro... No, he can't meet his end here, can he?"

Terra's eyes reddened as she observed her son's dire predicament within the pages of the manga.

Meanwhile, both Arashi and Ushimaru had somber expressions, deeply affected by the severity of their son's circumstances.

"Have no fear, my grandson is destined for greatness. How could he meet his end in a place like this?" 

With a serene smile gracing her pale face, Furiko, who had awoken from her coma just a few minutes earlier, spoke.

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Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):

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Chapter 562: Rayleigh's Intervention for Rescue!

Chapter 563: Chopper Transforms into a Beast Once Again! The Appearance of the Real Bartholomew Kuma!

Chapter 564: One Touch to Erase Existence.

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