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"Dreams may never come true. But the pursuit of them—that is what makes a person great."
"When you grow old, nearing death, and look back on your life, it's the journey, the pursuit of your dreams, that will matter most. Even in the afterlife, you won't regret a life spent striving, because you lived. You fought for something."
Arthur paused, then looked up, his voice soft. "Do you understand what I'm saying, Jessica?"
Jessica's lips trembled as she nodded, tears still in her eyes, but a new light, a spark of unwavering conviction, shone within them.
"Dry your tears. Let's go." Arthur looked at her, his expression earnest, extending his hand.
Slap!
Their hands clasped, a small hand enveloped in a larger one. Jessica had officially joined his crew, her fate now intertwined with his.
Arthur turned to the Marine, who stood motionless, his voice cold. "Go back and tell Jessica's father—I've taken his daughter."
With that, they turned and left.
—
Arthur commandeered a larger ship, about 160 feet long, taking the helm himself and setting course for Sabaody Archipelago, the final stop on the first half of the Grand Line.
He should have been elated—nearing the end of Paradise and having recruited his first crew member. Yet, a sense of unease settled over him, a premonition of danger, as if something life-threatening lay ahead.
"What's going on?" Arthur rubbed his temples, trying to quell the growing anxiety.
With the Rumble-Rumble Fruit's speed, he could outrun almost anyone, even Garp. So, where was this feeling of dread coming from?
"Doesn't matter. I'll face whatever comes my way." Arthur narrowed his eyes, his resolve hardening.
If the World Government or the Marines sent someone capable of negating his speed advantage, he'd accept his fate.
"Arthur, what's wrong?" Jessica, sensing his apprehension, asked softly.
"Nothing! Let's eat! Celebrate you joining my crew—a ship you'll never escape! Hahahaha!" Arthur forced a laugh.
"Okay! But you have to eat your vegetables this time! You need a balanced diet…Are you even listening to me? Arthur! You jerk!" Jessica's voice rose, remembering his previous acts of vegetable-related sacrilege.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
She beat him with a frying pan, furious. In her mind, wasting vegetables was a crime punishable by a good thrashing.
"Don't be so fierce. I'm cured of my vegetable allergy. But now I have a new, life-threatening condition—I'm allergic to being yelled at by beautiful women." Arthur tried to dispel his anxiety with playful banter. Focusing on something else usually helped him push away unwanted thoughts.
"You start cooking. Some small-time marines are approaching. I'll handle them." He stopped their playful fight and walked out of the galley.
"Be careful," Jessica said softly, her anger fading. She focused on preparing the meal, knowing the best way to support him was to ease his mind.
——
Arthur emerged on deck, gazing towards the approaching threat. A large warship was rapidly closing in.
Minutes later, a large Marine warship intercepted them. A tall, imposing figure with a scarred face and a cigar clamped between his teeth emerged on deck.
The newcomer, a Vice Admiral, wore a helmet adorned with a double-headed dragon, his expression fierce, a cruel smile playing on his lips. A large sword was slung over his shoulder.
"Pirate 'Thunder God' Arthur?" Vice Admiral Onigumo asked, his voice cold. "What a coincidence, meeting you here."
Arthur nodded, recognizing the notorious hardliner from Marine Headquarters. "Onigumo. A Vice Admiral dares to intercept me?"
"Bringing dangerous individuals like you to Impel Down is worth any price, even death," Onigumo said, puffing on his cigar.
The Marines were divided into factions.
Onigumo and Kizaru had little in common. Onigumo knew about Arthur but didn't fully grasp his strength. The reports of Arthur escaping Garp? Onigumo considered that mere pirate boasting.
The Rumble-Rumble Fruit was powerful, but not invincible. Even the Tremor-Tremor Fruit needed the right user to become the strongest Paramecia.
Years of Haki training and mastery of the Six Powers, to the point of Life Return, made Onigumo confident he could at least hold his own against Arthur.
"I expected an Admiral, not a mere Vice Admiral. What a disappointment…" Arthur sighed.
His unease hadn't faded. He'd anticipated multiple Admiral-level opponents blocking his path. Perhaps he'd been overly cautious?
"A Vice Admiral is more than enough to deal with you," Onigumo scoffed.
Arthur grinned, no longer bothering to explain. "Hahahaha! I don't know what dangers lie ahead, but fools like you…you're all going to die!"
"You're the one who's going to die!" Onigumo's voice was like ice.
Zzzzzzt!
Before Onigumo finished speaking, Arthur vanished in a flash of blue lightning, reappearing on the warship's deck, his fist, wreathed in Armament Haki, rocketing towards Onigumo with terrifying speed and power.
"Fast!" Onigumo's eyes widened, sensing the immense pressure like a tidal wave crashing down on him.
"Iron Body!"
He reacted instantly, activating his [Six Styles] technique, [Armament Haki] hardening the area about to be struck.
Boooooooooooooooooom!!
The overwhelming force was irresistible. Onigumo was blasted backwards, skidding over sixty feet across the deck, crashing into the mast. The Marines in his path were pulverized.
"Quick reflexes—but useless!" Arthur smiled cruelly.
Even Iron Body and Armament Haki couldn't withstand his power. Perhaps only Zephyr, Garp, Kong, and Sengoku could take that punch head-on. Onigumo wasn't on their level.
"Cough…I underestimated you," Onigumo coughed up blood, struggling to his feet, his insides burning.
"But a Marine justice…cannot retreat! Even in the face of death!"
"Finger Pistol!"
Onigumo wiped the blood from his mouth, his Six Styles Shave accelerating his movements, his finger jabbing towards Arthur's throat.
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