Chapter 34: Dreams should never be mocked!

The scene continues.

[A pirate ship slowly approaches, its flag bearing a skull wearing a straw hat.]

[Without a doubt, this pirate ship belongs to the Straw Hat Pirates!]

[Luffy and his crew stand at the bow of the ship, looking excitedly at the island ahead.]

[They are embarking on a journey to the legendary place... Skypiea!]

[Although the existence of Skypiea makes everyone skeptical, Luffy still believes in this dream!]

[He adamantly brings Zoro, Nami, and the rest of the crew to the island, and after docking, they head straight to the village to gather information.]

[Unfortunately, when Luffy mentions his desire to go to Skypiea at a tavern, everyone laughs at him, dismissing it as a mere legend.]

[In their eyes, Luffy and his crew are just foolish dreamers...]

[But even so, Luffy firmly believes in the existence of Skypiea and resolutely responds to their ridicule!]

["Pursuing dreams should never be mocked!"]

[Finally...]

[After a series of twists and turns, Luffy and the crew find the only person on the island who knows how to get to Skypiea.]

[Under the guidance of two giant apes, they reach the center of the sea, the only path to Skypiea!]

[That is... the Monster Sea Current!]

[There, they see an enormous whirlpool, like a black hole!]

[It seems any ship passing by would be dragged to the ocean floor, plunging into the abyss!]

[Even just looking at it sends shivers down their spines!]

[Above the whirlpool, a towering sea current shoots straight into the sky, so high that it's impossible to see the end!]

[Faced with such a terrifying path, Luffy remains unshakable.]

[Despite the perilous journey and countless dangers ahead, he will not back down in his pursuit of Skypiea and his dreams...]

[This is the essence of adventure!]

["Set sail, toward Skypiea!"]

[Following Luffy's command, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and the others don't hesitate, steering their ship directly into the Monster Sea Current...]

As the scene plays out, at this moment!

All those watching the broadcast, whether directly or indirectly, experience a slight ripple in their hearts.

The reason is none other than Luffy's unwavering commitment to his dreams in the face of adversity.

His fearless determination to embark on this adventure...

It affects everyone!

Dreams are something countless people have held.

Yet, as they grow older, they gradually forget their original intentions.

Whether they are Marines, pirates, or adventurers, when they first set foot in their respective fields, they all share the same resolve as Luffy.

But even they don't know when...

Their dreams vanished!

They are no longer the people who persisted in pursuing their dreams; instead, they've become the ones in the town who mock Luffy's dreams.

Everyone is moved, and at this moment, they see a different side of Luffy.

This thin, unremarkable-looking young man with a straw hat.

In addition to his deep background and formidable fighting prowess, his heart... is also incredibly pure.

He has always maintained his original intentions!

And his crewmates, one by one, support their captain wholeheartedly.

Even if they argue and disagree along the way, in the end, they all stand by Luffy's side without exception...

This unwavering pursuit of dreams and trust between crewmates makes everyone admire and envy them.

The Whitebeard Pirates!

All the captains and crew members fell silent...

It was because they saw their own reflections in Luffy and his crew.

Among all the pirate crews, the Whitebeard Pirates were the warmest and most united crew.

It was because Whitebeard, their captain, treated everyone like his own children, and everyone treated Whitebeard as their father.

It was this non-blood-related but intimate connection that made everyone on the ship feel the warmth of a family.

This had always been the pride of the Whitebeard Pirates...

At this moment, as they watched the Straw Hat Pirates, they felt the same warmth.

It seemed as if this wasn't just a pirate crew, but also a family!

Whitebeard sat on his massive chair, lost in thought.

After a while, he finally smiled and said with a contented expression:

"I have struggled for a lifetime, not knowing how long, and experienced countless hardships."

"Only then did I gradually build the Whitebeard Pirates into this big family. Up until now, you have all been my greatest pride and made me feel proud."

"But it took me nearly half my life to accomplish this..."

"And the Straw Hat Pirates had this feeling from the beginning."

"They are not only partners but also family members!"

"They are worlds apart from other pirate crews formed to fulfill personal desires, chase ambitions, and seize treasures!"

"I really like the Straw Hat Pirates!"

"Ace, your little brother is very lucky..."

Hearing this, Ace scratched his head with a smile and a proud look on his face.

The Red Hair Pirates!

"Luffy..."

Shanks looked at Luffy's smiling face in the video, and his eyes gradually softened.

As one of the Four Emperors and a pirate, he had drifted at sea for many years.

He had traveled through countless countries and towns.

And met countless people...

But the one who left the deepest impression on him and made him feel special was Luffy!

Of course, it wasn't because Luffy had stolen and eaten the Devil Fruit on his ship...

The main reason was that Shanks saw his younger self in Luffy.

That unyielding spirit, the desire to chase dreams, and the determination never to turn back!

That's why, after making a promise with Luffy, he had given him his most precious straw hat.

Though, in the years that followed, he doubted more than once.

Was Luffy, who was just a child back then, going to follow through with their agreement?

Would he forget his initial aspirations?

Was Luffy worthy of the straw hat he had given him?

But now it seemed...

He had worried too much!

Luffy was still Luffy!

He deserved the straw hat even more than Shanks himself did!

His judgment was indeed correct!

Luffy was very special...

He would be the future of the new era!

Perhaps one day, he would even reach the same level as Shanks, or even surpass him!

And fulfill the promise they made back then, becoming...

The Pirate King!

...