Chapter 76

"When are we heading out?" Zoro asked, leaning back with his arms crossed, as he glanced at Luffy with a subtle worried look. He'd noticed the way Luffy seemed to be just a little quieter, a little more distant than usual, even if he was really masking it way too well. He would have thought that Luffy was sad about the fact that his siblings had left him for the sea but that was not and Zoro knew it. There was something more which Luffy was hiding, not willing to tell anyone.

"Soon, I think." Sanji replied when Luffy didn't reply, seemingly lost in his own world gazing at the starry sky with his legs dangling on the other side of the window. He was getting worried, nervous in fact, at how Luffy's pale skin seemed to be getting more and more paler with each day and night. Was Luffy eating enough? Was he once again starving himself consciously? Sanji didn't know but the thought of Luffy doing that churned and rattled his stomach in wrong ways. "Can't risk lingering too long with the marines getting antsy each day." But Sanji didn't care much about the marines. They needed to go back to the sea, so that Sanji could provide Luffy with sufficient food to fill him. It wasn't like he wasn't eating here but truthfully, Sanji had not seen the teen have a single morsel of food after their grand breakfast.

Vivi's hands trembled slightly as she clutched the edge of her seat, hearing Nami and the others agree on leaving soon enough from her country. She had been dreading this moment, unsure of her decision. She wanted to go with her friends, have adventures in the seas and be with them... but she also has duties as a princess. The last two days were truly enough to allow her to come to a decision but no matter how hard she thought about it, she found herself stuck in the middle unable to understand what she truly wanted to do.

"We have already recovered enough to sail on. Right, Chopper?" Nami questioned with a smile to Chopper as her eyes fleeted to Luffy for a second, seeing his slumped shoulders and gaze fixed at something in the night sky. She might not always observe Luffy for his oddities but the obvious loss of his energetic self was painfully visible to her. But maybe it was due to Luffy being stuck on the land and not on the seas because of them recovering? That seemed a plausible reason for Nami, as she hoped that traveling and going for the search for the next adventure might uplift Luffy's mood. She would do her best to guide them, Nami swore to herself.

Vivi's lips wobbled at Nami's agreement. She knew that she needed to speak, that she needed to make her decision, b-but-

"Yes! We are ready to head out!" Chopper excitedly answered, having checked Zoro's, Usopp's and Nami's injuries this evening. They were the ones mostly injured except Luffy, who had been evading his tries on getting a proper check up. Everyone has truly recovered but Chopper worried about Luffy's pale face.

"G-Guy-" Vivi's voice was like a silent whisper which started but before it could finish, a sharp ring of Luffy's denden mushi rang through the air, making everyone finally notice Luffy move to fetch the snail from his pocket and turn towards them.

For a moment, Zoro noticed the emptiness in Luffy's eyes before joy and happiness erupted from those very eyes. Even Usopp noticed how Luffy's hand slightly shook before getting a hold and stable. Usopp had noticed others' throwing subtle glances at Luffy and he knew that something was wrong. 'But it's Luffy we are talking about! He has to be fine! Nothing can be wrong with him.' Usopp was painfully aware of the lie he conjured to keep his mind sane but if something was truly wrong.. then he will be right by his friend's and captain's side.

"Hello~!" Luffy spoke in his casual happy self, his smile stretching wide and making his eyes squint at that.

"Luffy," Sabo's tense and urgent voice came from the snail. It almost seemed like he was in a really tense situation. "Just wanted to give up a heads-up. Marines are swarming Alabasta's ports and are stationed at the mouth of the Sandora River. They're putting a lot of effort into stopping anyone from leaving."

Luffy's 'giddy' face finally settled into a normal smile as he nodded, as if he already knew it while Nami, Usopp and Chopper froze at Sabo's warning. Panic flashed across their faces as the reality of the situation sank in them. They absolutely cannot stay for long, if they do not want to get caught by that insane Smokey guy.

"W-W-Wait! Marines?!" Usopp squeaked, flocking to Luffy with Chopper and Nami.

"Every port?!" Chopper's voice wavered as he glanced at the snail nervously, wanting and wishing Sabo to say that he was joking.

"But our ship is stationed in Eramula and there is no active port there yet, so we can escape, right?" Nami questioned, hoping Sabo would just say yes to her but alas her luck wasn't too great.

"Sorry Nami, but they are specifically looking for Going Merry." Sabo answered. "Luffy, you guys, need to leave immediately." Sabo knew that Luffy could easily handle the marines but there was something else going on with the marines. "The marines are acting suspiciously."

"Got it." Luffy let out a small sigh and disconnected the call, slipping the denden mushi back to his pocket. "Everyone!" Luffy commanded, standing straight and looking at each one of them, his gaze lingering onto Vivi's nervous, hunched up form for a minute, before he spoke, "We are leaving now. Pack up."

The Strawhats leapt into action, grabbing their belongings and shoving them hastily into their bags. They worked in tense silence, each of them aware that any delay could mean capture. Luffy sat beside Vivi, as his bag was already packed, not needing to stuff anything more.

"Vivi, have you decided?" Luffy questioned, his voice barely above a whisper, as he observed his friends dance around the room to get their things. He belatedly realized that he needed to ask them about how their fights went and more, but it could wait for now. Though, he hoped Zoro and Usopp were healed enough to head for their new adventures in the sea. After all, his mother could be merciless sometimes.

Vivi pulled her legs to her chest, plopping her head dejectedly on her knees. "I don't know.. what I should do, Luffy." Vivi cried, a silent tear slipping from her eyes.

"It's okay." Luffy answered, his gaze lingering on her friends and his hand petting Carue who was nuzzling him. "Vivi and Carue are always welcome aboard." Luffy smiled softly at Vivi before getting up, as everyone had packed their bags and were waiting for him. "Right, guys?" Luffy asked, knowing that everyone present in the room had heard their little conversation.

"Yeah, but we also need to leave the country so there is only a little time for you to decide, Vivi." Nami spoke with a sigh. Everyone in the room nodded with her statement. "We'll give you 12 hours to decide." Nami's tone was firm as she spoke. "Once we secure our ship, we'll approach the Eastern Port exactly at noon tomorrow. We probably won't be able to drop anchor, so if you want to continue traveling with us, that'll be your one and only chance to get on board." Nami's firm tone softened a bit as she further added, "This time, though.. we'll welcome you as a pirate."

.

In the heart of Mary Geoise, inside the Pangaea Castle, the Five Elders were kneeling before the occupant of the empty throne, Imu.

"Strawhat Luffy is becoming a problem, Imu-sama," One of the Elders, wearing a black suit spoke first. "Despite his very young age, the kid has recently defeated Crocodile in his own stronghold."

"He also wields the 'Gomu Gomu no mi' that we have failed to secure countless times regrettably," Another white bearded elder spoke, his mouth suddenly going dry.

"Though as of yet we have no indication he's awakened it. His recent feats are impressive but they lack the telltale signs of an awakening." The Elder pondered on the report of Crocodile still laying unconscious and stated to remain so for more than a week. The strength in that kid was truly remarkable and they shouldn't let it slip from their hands.

"If we were to install him as one of our puppets—one of the Warlords—we'd have an oversight of his actions as well as control over the fruit should he ever awaken it." Another Elder with a scarred face leaned forward, his eyes sharp, as he suggested. "Having him under our command would neutralize any potential threat while allowing us to control over the Sun God Nika without much work."

Imu, seated above them, their majestic figure convulsing with shadows, let out a nerve wracking snort. "Nika is long gone." They spoke, their voice making the Five Elders shiver and keep their mouth tight shut. "Only his devil fruit remains and that too, I shall control. The boy—Monkey D. Luffy—is nothing but a vessel, a mere child without any understanding of the power he holds."

"Exactly, Your Majesty!" The Elder with the white beard nodded. "If we bring the kid into the Warlord, we can groom him to be our weapon."

The other Elders nodded in unison at the suggestion, waiting for Imu to give their final verdict.

"Extend the child the offer to the position of the Warlord." Imu gave their orders, their pointy fingers tearing through the smile of the very child in the bounty poster in their hand. "I want the child as one of the Seven Warlords in my game." Imu ordered, thinking about how the 200,000,000 belli child with that unforgiving devil fruit would be soon under their command.

.

The moon hung high in the sky, its pale glow casting light over the vast desert waters of Alabasta, and on the Going Merry, where inside Robin sat quietly in a dimly lit cabin. Her long finger resting idly on the spine of an old book she had picked up from the ship's modest library. She wasn't reading even if her eyes were glued to the book. Her thoughts were somewhere else, swirling around the curious boy who had offered her something no one else in her life ever had: hope.

Monkey D. Luffy. Or rather, 'Red Maniac' Cyra.

Robin's lips quirked into a faint, bemused smile. It was hard to reconcile the image of the strawhatted boy, barefoot, bright eyed and brimming with childish determination, with the whispered tales of the enigmatic Red Maniac. Yet, the way he had spoken to her in the ruins of Alubarna.. his words had been neither naive nor aimless. He had spoken as though he knew the very secrets she had sought her entire life.

"The True History," Robin murmured under her breath, her voice soft in the stillness. 'How does a child of his age come to possess such knowledge?' She wondered. It wasn't even like the pirate was bluffing to her. No, something in those eyes of Luffy said that he knew the history way better than anyone could. He had even seen through her so easily, offering her not escape but the one thing she couldn't resist: the answers she had dedicated her life to uncovering.

Robin leaned back in her chair, her sharp mind churning about the mysteries related to the Strawhat captain. Monkey D. Luffy being Cyra was also something to ponder. The stories of the 3C's and their great yet notorious endeavors were not something to scoff off. The power, the devastation and the chaos which they made in the past and Cyane still does. Everything led Robin to wonder how much power Luffy has? How much does he know about the secrets of the World Government and further? Was it all a lie-?

Her musings were interrupted by an odd sensation. The ship was swaying slightly beneath her, as if it was carried by the winds to somewhere else.

'They must be back,' Robin thought, stretching out her arms and making a criss cross, activating her devil fruit powers. A pair of eyes instantly bloomed on the deck above her, scanning the ship for the Strawhat crew.

But the deck was eerily empty, devoid of anyone.

Robin frowned. Her additional limbs dispersed as she ascended to the main deck herself.

The Going Merry creaked gently, the anchor inexplicably raised and the sails fluttered as if responding to a will of their own. Robin reached for the railing, her sharp eyes scanning the sands surrounding them but there is no sign of the Strawhat pirates.

Robin strode to the helm, gripping the wheel firmly. She couldn't let the ship drift in the seas on its own, not until the crew was back.

"What's even going on here?" Robin muttered, her calm voice betraying a hint of irritation. Robin braced herself, trying to regain control of the ship but the wind seemed to push against her efforts, carrying the ship further into the dark seas.

Robin's grip tightened on the helm. This was no ordinary occurrence. The Going Merry was moving without direction, without anyone steering it. Unless, of course, the ship was haunted..?

Robin's thoughts were interrupted as the ship came to an abrupt halt. The sound of wood scraping against stone echoed in the stillness. She steadied herself, her gaze snapping to the starboard side. Jagged rocks jutted out of the sea like sentinels, halting Merry's progress.

Robin exhaled slowly, her sharp mind assessing the situation. The rocks had saved the ship from drifting further, hiding it from prying eyes and potential threats of Marines discovering it. But this also created a new problem. The Strawhats, wherever they were, wouldn't be able to find their ship where they had left it.

"Convenient," Robin murmured, her fingers drumming against the railing as she stared at the looming rocks. "But also troubling."

Robin turned her gaze back toward the desert, her thoughts briefly flitting to the boy who had already confounded her expectations in so many ways. Was this his doing as well?

The wind tugged at her hair, carrying whispers of the unknown. With a resigned sigh, Robin leaned against the helm. "Your ship is also a strange one, Straw Hat Luffy," Robin said softly, her lips curving into a faint smile. "Stranger than I anticipated."

For now, all Robin could do was wait. Wait for the crew to return.

.

The moon hung high above the Alabasta desert, casting a glittering over the sand which trickled past the Strawhats as they raced through the desert on Spot Billed Duck Squad.

"Ah, the beauties of Alabasta..! So many lovely ladies but sadly we had to leave so soon." Sanji sighed dreamily, his eyes sparkling at the thought of the ladies and maids who were serving them in the palace. oh, how he would love to stay there one more night. "It's a tragedy really. A handsome guy like me deserves more time to impress them."

"You didn't impress anyone, love cook." Zoro mumbled, rolling his eyes at the poses the cook was striking. "All you did was swoon and carry trays of food around the palace like a love-struck waiter."

Sanji's head snapped towards Zoro, his duck wobbling slightly from the sudden movement. "Shows what you know, mosshead! Unlike you, I actually appreciate women." Sanji pointed out the times Zoro kept on lifting weights and swinging his sword, even when Chopper forbade him too.

"What did you say you swirly brows?!" Zoro retorted with a tick.

"Will you two shut up already?!" Usopp groaned, throwing his hands up. "Some of us are trying to survive this ride without falling off!"

It would have been Nami, who would have stopped the banter between Sanji and Zoro most of the time, but she was unusually silent and had barely even spared a glance at them as she kept her duck steady.

"Nami, are you okay?" Chopper questioned, tilting his head in concern at Nami, who had a really downtrodden expression on her face.

"You're thinking about Vivi, aren't you Nami? I understand how you feel but it's not something we can do anything about." Sanji questioned with a worried glance at Nami. "We had a lot of good times together but.. that's just how it is. Come on, cheer up now."

"I am not sad about Vivi." Nami spoke, shaking her head. "But I guess I should give up for Vivi's sake at least on the 1 billion belis."

"YOU DAMN WELL BETTER!" Zoro, Sanji and Chopper shrieked while Usopp's duck came to a sudden stop, causing him to tumble forward in a flurry of limbs and sand.

"AAGHH!! Usopp fell off!" Chopper shouted.

"Let's just keep moving." Nami stated, rolling her eyes as Usopp scrambled to get back on his duck, muttering about feelings and empathy. As they continued riding, Nami eventually frowned and pointed to the horizon. "Wait. We are not heading in the direction of the shore where we left the Merry. Luffy, where are we going?"

All eyes turned to their captain at the front of the group. The moonlight bathed Luffy's form, his pale, glowing skin looked ethereal under the night sky. His strawhat cast a faint shadow over his face, but the light gave him an otherworldly presence that made the crew pause.

"The Merry isn't where we left it." Luffy said, his voice steady but quiet, as he looked forward towards the horizon. "It's somewhere else."

"What do you mean 'somewhere else'?" Zoro asked, squinting at him. Zoro knew that Luffy would lead them to the right place but still seeing Luffy so down, he didn't know what to do say or do.

"I just know," Luffy replied simply, not looking back at them. He had asked the winds to carry Merry to a safe place after Sabo had warned him about the Marines looking for her.

"'Just know,' huh?" Sanji muttered. "You're not gonna give us any hint?"

"Nope," Luffy replied with a grin, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.

The crew exchanged glances but didn't push further. Luffy was unpredictable at the best of times, and if he said he knew where their ship was, they'd have to trust him.

"Luffy," Sanji called out, unable to suppress his growing concern over his captain. "You were eating back at the city, right?" Sanji questioned Luffy, having not seen Luffy most of the time in the palace. He knew that he has out with his siblings and having fun but did Luffy have any food.. or even some food out there? Probably, his siblings won't let Luffy starve himself. So, why was he so pale?

"Sanji's right, Luffy. You look so pale. Are you sick?" Chopper asked after Sanji. He had wanted to address the issue but every time he gathered his courage to ask Luffy about what was bothering him, he couldn't. Something within him just refused to ask questions to Luffy whenever he saw his face.

"You've been off since we left the palace." Zoro added, his tone faked nonchalance but Zoro was concerned. If one looked closely at Luffy, then they can easily tell that something was off with the teen since the fight. Luffy leaving the guest room in the middle of the night, nowhere to be found until he appeared before his siblings or the crew. It wasn't too un-Luffy like but it bothered Zoro. "If something's wrong, you can speak to me, speak to others, if you want."

"I'm fine, everyone!" Luffy answered quickly, his grin reappearing as he waved a hand. "I'm always fine guys! Don't worry about me!"

The crew wasn't convinced. They could clearly see that Luffy was lying, he telltale signs of not even looking at them when lying and slight sweat trickling down his temples. The Strawhats exchanged worried glances, each one wondering if they should further press Luffy on the matter.

For Luffy, the cold desert air, the winds, the clouds, the sky, the light humid in the air.. it was all suffocating, grasping his throat in their icy fingers, cutting off his supply of air. Everything and everywhere he ran his gaze, reminded him of his beloved.. l-late brother, Halad. Luffy really tried, he was really trying too hard to divert his attention from that but the ache wouldn't leave. Being with Ace, Sabo and Bonney earlier had been a welcome distraction but now the grief crept back in, heavier than before, carving his heart ruthlessly. It wasn't like that the presence of his crew wasn't helping, it was helping. The silly banter of Zoro and Sanji, Nami's sadness hidden by the grief for money, Usopp chattering on and Chopper listening. It really lessened his grief a little but it wasn't enough.

Before long, they reached the shore, and dismounted from their ducks.

"Where is the Merry, Luffy?" Usopp questioned, scanning the horizon but there was no sign of their beloved ship. He didn't want to think for a moment that Luffy would take them to the wrong place, knowing his ability to find anyone and anything instantly but still-

"There is Merry!" Luffy pointed, happily skipping from the rocks and pointing towards the mast of the Going Merry, which was peeking out from behind tall rocks.

Before anyone could wonder how Merry got all the way over here, Luffy spoke up, "Let's set sail, guys!"

.

Marine Headquarters- Sengoku's Office

Fleet Admiral Sengoku sat in his chair with a grim expression as he shuffled through a stack of reports. Across the desk, Garp lounged casually, munching on a packet of rice crackers with the carefree air of someone blissfully detached from reality. Sengoku's left eye twitched as he watched crumbs of rice crackers litter his desk.

"Garp, for the last time, will you please take this seriously?" Sengoku groaned, slamming the stack of papers onto the desk with a loud thud. "The 3C's, the Straw Hat Pirates, the Spade Pirates, and the Revolutionary Army—all in Alabasta at the same time! That's not just bad luck—it's a coordinated nightmare!"

Garp paused mid-bite, eyeing Sengoku lazily. "Eh, sounds like a coincidence to me, Senny. Y'know, people bump into each other in strange places all the time." He shrugged, popping another cracker into his mouth as if they were discussing the weather. But in reality, Garp was well aware that it was all very much planned because someone decided to be depressed and kinda.. suicidal. He also wanted to join in and punch some sense into his eldest grandson but he first needs to settle his scores with Newgate.

Sengoku glared at him, his patience wearing dangerously thin. "Coincidence? You honestly expect me to believe that your grandson, Monkey D. Luffy, just happened to wander through the desert, defeat Crocodile, and team up with the Revolutionaries and the captain of the Spade Pirates?!"

Garp scratched his cheek awkwardly, feigning confusion. "Huh? My grandson? Are you sure about that?" It was these times when Garp was always relieved that Sengoku didn't know about his connection with Ace and Sabo.

"But y'know what Garp? This time your grandson isn't even the main problem, at least not for me." Sengoku spoke, rubbing his temples and remembering the order of the Five Elders to offer a position of Warlord to Strawhat. Sengoku truly hopes that the kid takes it without a fuss.

"Then why are you whining like I ate your hidden stash of rice crackers?" Garp questioned, going for the last packet of rice crackers, which Sengoku was quick to snatch away from him.

"Be serious for a second Garp!" Sengoku chided Garp, emptying all the crackers in his mouth. "Can't you see what's wrong?! Can't you understand why the marines are getting antsy?!" Sengoku questioned Garp, as he nursed his temples. "There was only one member of the 3C's left on the seas to spread terror and steal the classified documents, with Cyra having disappeared suddenly some weeks ago and Cole not seen for years. But now all three are back! They are back Garp. Cole is not dead!" Sengoku groaned, wanting to just retire. He really didn't want to rack his brain for all the documents that will be stolen and the marine bases that would be raided.

"That can't be so bad now, Senny!" Garp laughed loudly, hiding the grimace of Sengoku wanting his little grandsons dead. He didn't like the sound of it.

"Whose side are you even, Garp?" Sengoku slammed his palm on the desk, glaring at Garp. "Garp, you're acting like this is just another ordinary day at the office! Do you even understand the magnitude of this situation? Three billion beri bounties don't just reappear overnight!"

"Wait, three billion beri for some kids who run around causing trouble?" Garp questioned with wide eyes, leading Sengoku to throw the three updated bounty posters at him. Garp truly had to rub his eyes, his chest swelling with pride and a smile spreading through his face. His brats truly have done it. With Cyane having a bounty of 1,230,000,000, Cyra with 1,320,000,000 and Cole getting a whole 1,000,000,000. Garp was sure his grandsons would be over the moon at the bounties on their head.

"Kids?!" Sengoku jabbed a finger in Garp's direction, not believing that his best friend would call such notorious scumbags kids of all things. "Cyra is known as the Red Maniac. He's wrecked up marine bases and left a trail of chaos wherever he goes! Cole, the Orange Wrath, obliterated battalions of pirate ship in a single day himself before going off the radar for years. And Cyane, the Bly Sly, that conniving menace has outwitted entire battalions of marines, stealing the classified information and left us chasing our tails more times than I can count!" He paused, taking a breath and hating the losses the marines have encountered just because the fucking 3C's. "Now all three of them are back, together. This isn't just trouble! It's a disaster waiting to happen!"

Garp scratched the back of his head, trying to feign ignorance while masking his unease. "Well, maybe they're just having a reunion? Y'know, catching up with old friends?"

Sengoku slammed his palm on the desk, making the documents scatter. "This is not just a reunion, Garp! The amount of damage they've caused—financial, structural, and logistical—had pushed the Marines to the brink, resorting to the P.P.P. It doesn't help that the leader of the 3P's is someone masked, charging stupidly high prices for simple gadgets even. Even the Five Elders are breathing down my neck, and all I get from you is shrugs and empty wrappers of my rice crackers!"

Garp chuckled awkwardly, reaching for another rice cracker, only to remember Sengoku had already stolen the last pack. "Well, you're the Fleet Admiral. I'm sure you'll figure something out, eh?"

Sengoku's eye twitched. "Oh, I've figured out something, alright. The Five Elders want Straw Hat Luffy offered a Warlord position. So, that's one menace down."

Garp froze mid-laugh, the carefree demeanor slipping for just a fraction of a second. "A Warlord? Luffy?" His tone stayed casual, but the grip on his chair tightened slightly. "That kid's a free spirit, Sengoku. Don't think he'd take too kindly to being anyone's lapdog." Moreover, if by chance Luffy ever personally came before the Five Elders then he was dead meat, which he refuses to ever happen on his watch.

"That's what I'm worried about," Sengoku muttered. "It's a strategic move. If we can get him to accept, we can keep an eye on him—and, more importantly, on that devil fruit of his."

"Devil fruit?" Garp feigned ignorance again, tilting his head while his hands twitched slightly. "It's just some rubbery stuff, ain't it? Doesn't seem all that special."

Sengoku gave Garp a suspicious glance but didn't press on further. "There's something strange about that fruit and the Five Elders are adamant about keeping it under Marine control. If he's not a Warlord then he's a target. and with the Strawhats getting tangled up with First Fist and revs in Alabasta and Luffy standing before the 3C's without flinching. These all are blurring the lines in ways that couldn't be accepted Garp!"

"You're overthinking it, Senny!" Garp clenched his fists but forced a laugh, his booming voice masking the creeping dread in his chest. He couldn't imagine how things went this downhill all of a sudden but knowing Luffy, there was no chance of him accepting the Warlord position. But that doesn't mean Garp wanted Luffy to get a huge target painted on his back this early. His crew mates weren't ready for this.

"Oh and then there's Fire Fist." Sengoku continued sharply, gaining full attention from Garp. "Some sources suggest that he's Gol D. Roger's son."

Garp choked violently, coughing into his fist as he starred at Sengoku with wide eyes. How?! How was it possible?! He and Dragon were extremely careful about letting any news about Ace spread, especially anything relating him to Roger. So how?! Who did it?! "That's absurd! That kid's only 20 this year and Roger died 22 years ago! It's not possible, Senny!"

"Don't try to fool me, Garp." Sengoku snapped. He was angry at not knowing how the spawn of Roger was able to evade their grasp for so long. He didn't really need Garp trying to save his long dead pirate friend's son, on top of this all mess. "Now that Whitebeard has evidently kicked out Fire Fist after he betrayed them, we have an opportunity to bring him in. The world can't afford to let him roam free."

Garp's carefree facade slipped slightly as he clenched his jaw. "Senny you can't chase after rumors!"

"Even if he isn't related to Roger, Ace is tied to the 3C's-"Sengoku ignored Garp's words as he continued.

"Bah!" Garp interrupted, waving his hand dismissively. "You're chasing shadows and baseless rumors, Senny! The 3C's and Fire Fist are not tied. Don't try to lump everything together. It'll give you more paperwork!"

"Sorry, Garp, but this time I'm not listening to you." Sengoku spoke, getting up from his chair and leaving the office.

.

As the first rays of the sun blessed the waters and the Going Merry finally emerged out of the mouth of the Sandora River, long shadows of fleets of marine ships encircled Going Merry from all sides, leaving not a single escape route for Going Merry.

"This is it! This is it! We are done for!" Usopp shrieked, running around in circles like a headless chicken on the deck.

"They've surrounded us completely! There's no way out!" Nami gripped the railing, her eyes scanning each side to retreat but there was none.

"We have faced worse." Zoro spoke, his hand instinctively going to his swords to defend and attack at any moment.

"Yeah!" Usopp piped up, though his voice wavered at the sight of the Marine insignia on the sails. "Eighty ships of Baroque Works! We handled that just fine!" Even if Usopp knew that it was only possible because Zoro and Luffy were absolute monsters and Sanji had their back. But it wasn't any different this time too.. the monster trio will obliterate the marines with no problem.

Sanji lit a cigarette, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation. "That was different. Those were hired thugs. These are Marines, with discipline and training. And more importantly they have surrounded us completely. If we attack one ship, others will shoot at us."

"The best option in this is to stay on defense and find a way out of this cage." Nami stated, doing her best to find at least one flaw, one opening for their ship to pass through.

"Wait, is that Smoker?" Sanji questioned with wide eyes as he looked at one of the ships to find Smoker and another beautiful woman standing beside him.

"And it's not just Smoker.. there's another marine captain commanding the fleet." Chopper stated, his ears dropping as he peeked over the railing.

"They've got us boxed in," Zoro muttered, his eyes darting around.

Usopp sank to his knees, clutching his head. "We're doomed! Completely and utterly doomed!"

"Pull yourself together, Usopp!" Nami barked, though her own nerves were fraying. "Luffy, what are we going to do? We are surrounded from all sides!"

The Going Merry wasn't a ship built for naval battles, especially not with the marines who could start showering cannons at them any moment. With only one cannon attached to the main ship and the other loose cannon, they were a sitting duck. The memory of their battle with the Baroque Works flashed in their minds, as they looked at Luffy, who was standing high on the yardarm with a determined gaze on his face. The formation in which the marines have surrounded them in, didn't faze Luffy at all. With one command he can shred the ships into pieces and sink them all, with one request he can send them to their deaths but Luffy didn't want to. Not yet. The kind marine like his grandpa was here in one of the ships with anticipation and worry leaking from him.

Before any of the strawhats could start outlining any escape plan, a loud voice, coming from one of the marines' ships, interrupted them.

"Pirate Monkey D. Luffy!" A cold, authoritative voice rang out, coming from a denden mushi attached to a speaker. "You are hereby offered a position as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, effective immediately. Accept and you will no longer be pursued as a criminal. You will also be allowed to leave with your crew, safe and sound. The normal letter will be-"

With every word of the offer being spoken, Nami, Usopp and Chopper's face gained color and hope built in them while Zoro and Sanji stared at Luffy, who was standing still with his strawhat casting a shadow over his face. Zoro and Sanji wouldn't even be able to tell what was going on with Luffy if not for dark clouds to suddenly cover the skies and the winds to pick up the pace, whooshing and tearing through the sails of some of the marine ships. Even the water below them was churning as if responding to Luffy's anger.

"HELL, NO!" Luffy shouted without a moment's hesitation. He had listened more than it was required. What the hell were the marines even thinking about him?! Thinking that they caught him? That they have the upper hand? That they can contain Nika?! Him?!

"Luffy, you idiot!" Nami wailed, throwing whatever she could get to the teen who was standing high above. "You could have lied until we left this freaking formation!"

"Yeah, what's wrong with taking a little break or telling a lie?!" Usopp joined her, tears streaming down his face.

"I don't want to be anyone's lapdog." Luffy remained unmoved, his grip steady on the rope.

Smoker's brow furrowed as he listened to the exchange. When he was told about this new situationーwith the higher ups also giving him the credit for defeating CrocodileーSmoker didn't want Luffy to accept it. Smoker didn't want Luffy to accept it, knowing all Warlords are crooked which could have ruined the kid's innocence. But right now, the idea of Luffy becoming a Warlord seems to be the best option, with him being cornered for his 'piracy' and hunted like a criminal. Moreover, if the kid becomes a Warlord then he might be able to sway him, get him to see the truth about piracy and rescue him from his bad influences. Then, maybe.. Luffy would agree to join the marines even!

"Luffy!" Smoker spoke, his voice cutting through the verdict the higher up was about to throw. "Think about this carefully! Do you have any idea what you're throwing away? This isn't just about you anymore! It's about the lives of you and your crew!"

"I already declined, Smokey! I am not going to be a Warlord. I will be the King of the pirates and the freest man in the universe!" Luffy shouted back at Smoker, knowing that his intentions were right but he wasn't that weak to kneel down to the world government.

"Refusal to comply will leave us no choice but to escalate." The Marine speaker connected to the denden mushi came to life again, with the voice having a sharper edge than before. "By order of the World Government, you will be designated a priority target and hunted accordingly. Marines, prepare to attack—"

Before the sentence could be completed, a massive fireball exploded across one of the Marine ships, sending it into chaos and finally creating an opening in the marine formation.

"Don't you dare touch my little brother!" The Spade Pirates' ship roared into view, its black sails cutting through the dawn like a shadow. Ace stood at the helm, a confident grin on his face as flames licked at his fingertips. "You heard Luffy. He's not interested. So, get lost before I burn the rest of your ships to cinders!"

"Ace!" Luffy's face broke into a wide grin as he watched his brother and his crew leap into action.

Nami and Usopp froze mid-sob, their tears instantly replaced by joyous relief.

"Thank you, Ace!" Nami cried, throwing her hands into the air.

"You're a lifesaver!" Usopp added, his previous terror now replaced with celebratory fist pumps.

"Anything for my baby brother!" Ace lifted his cowboy hat and waved at them, before shouting orders to his crew. "Spades, fire! We need to make a way for the Going Merry!"

Cannon shots, gun fires and flames erupted from the Piece of Spadille, which was outside the marine's formations and instant reach, forcing the marines to scatter and break their formation and giving Merry a chance to escape.

"Thank god for sending Ace!" Chopper and Usopp cried, holding each other as Nami handled the rudder and steered the ship towards the Eastern port. The priority of the marines had shifted dramatically with a supernova worth of 900,000,000 beri in the fray.

"Will Ace be okay, handling the battalion of marines?" Sanji questioned Luffy, as he adjusted the ropes properly.

"Ace will be fine." Luffy answered, already feeling the marines going down and just a little ahead, Sabo standing as a backup. With Ace having his crew and Sabo, the marines can't do any harm to them.