"I got it!" Usopp exclaimed. "I'll make sure Nami and I bring Zoro back! You have to try your best to get that cook to join us!"
"Once we have five people, we'll set off for the Grand Line!"
In that moment, the cowardly Usopp found his courage. By witnessing immense strength, he had come to understand his own weakness and decided he wanted to become stronger. He now knew that to become a brave warrior of the sea, he had to take action.
"Go for it!" A wide smile spread across Luffy's face.
Gin sat on the ground, staring blankly at Luffy. "You... you're so much braver than me."
After witnessing the battle between the two monsters, even Gin, the "Man-Demon," no longer dared to enter the Grand Line.
"The Grand Line... isn't it interesting?" Luffy grinned at Gin. "That's what makes it fun! The world is big, so we'll just keep moving forward. As long as we don't die, we'll eventually reach the end! And even if we die along the way, at least we'll have seen the sights. It's better than living a boring life."
"My dream is to become the King of the Pirates! It's a dream I have to fulfill no matter what. It's difficult, but since I'm the one who decided on it, I'm ready to die trying." (Luffy wouldn't actually say this, but whatever, he's a man who hides his wisdom behind a goofy smile.)
Gin's entire body trembled.
Puff.
Sanji lit a cigarette, staring at Luffy and slowly exhaling a smoke ring.
"This kid..." Zeff looked at Luffy, then at Sanji. A strange light flickered in his eyes.
The other chefs looked on in surprise. They never expected this goofy, useless chore boy to say something so fearless.
"Hehehehe... Very good. You're a true member of the Monkey family, a man who carries the will of 'D'!" a voice suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"Who's there?" Everyone was startled and looked around frantically.
"Up there!"
"It's... it's Golden Ring Aeridar!" A chef spotted Aeridar sitting on top of the ship's mast.
"Ah... That big shot... Does he want to kill us all?" A chef began to tremble, filled with fear.
Aeridar looked at Luffy for a long time before speaking. "Monkey D. Luffy... You're a good one." Setting aside his so-called 'protagonist aura,' Aeridar had to admit that this 'protagonist' truly had a unique charisma. His confidence was infectious and easily inspired those around him.
"Golden Ring Aeridar... I'll remember you," Luffy said, meeting Aeridar's gaze without fear. "I'll definitely beat you in the Grand Line!"
"Hey! What are you saying?!"
"Oh, no! He's going to kill us!" Luffy's words were like a bomb, scaring the chefs half to death. Sanji, Zeff, and Gin were also stunned.
Aeridar was momentarily taken aback by Luffy's words. What the hell? Is he being recklessly bold, or is that genuine confidence?
"Hehehehahahaha... Interesting! Interesting! Interesting!" Aeridar held his forehead and laughed heartily, repeating the word three times.
He had to admit, this kid had something special. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to inspire so many people, including Whitebeard and the Whitebeard Pirates, to fight and cover for him during the Paramount War.
Aeridar then reached into his coat and pulled out a Eternal Pose, tossing it to Luffy. "This is the Eternal Pose for the Clifford Kingdom. If you follow its direction, you'll reach my territory. It won't disappoint you!"
Thud.
Luffy caught the Eternal Pose and looked at it curiously.
"Of course, you have to find a good navigator. Otherwise, the harsh weather of the Grand Line will swallow you whole," Aeridar warned.
"I know... I'll get her back," Luffy said with a grin.
"One more thing," Aeridar added. "When you come to my place, remember to bring enough money. It's a den of debauchery, but..." Aeridar's face changed as if he remembered something. "If you try to act like that old bastard, your grandpa, I'll throw you into the sea to feed the fish!"
"Huh? You know my grandpa?" Luffy asked, completely ignoring the second half of the statement.
"Of course, I do! Monkey D. Garp... That old, unkempt geezer!" Aeridar said, grinding his back teeth and twitching at the corner of his mouth.
As a neutral zone, the Clifford Kingdom was home to one of the world's two largest entertainment cities, which attracted countless pirates, mobsters, nobles, Marines, and World Government officials every day. Garp would often visit because he loved the kingdom's cuisine. But the old man was notorious for running out of money and leaving without paying his bills.
Aeridar would even send the invoices to Marineford, and Sengoku would pay them, albeit with a headache. Garp would then get scolded but wouldn't care. He'd pay when he had money and dine and dash when he didn't. He was a complete scoundrel, not at all like a hero of the Marines.
"Hahahaha! An old geezer! Hahahaha!" Luffy laughed heartily after hearing Aeridar's description.
"Hmph." Aeridar's face turned grim, and he looked at Gin. "I killed Krieg. You're with me now."
"What?!" Everyone was stunned. The great king of the East Blue just died like that?
"Captain Krieg... is dead?" Gin asked blankly, staring at Aeridar.
"Hey! You bastard! It was my job to beat Krieg!" Luffy shouted angrily from the side.
"Hm?" Aeridar glanced at Luffy and suddenly vanished.
Pow!
In the next moment, Aeridar appeared like a ghost in front of Luffy and punched him in the stomach.
Ugh!
Luffy was hit hard, coughing up blood as he flew backward. He crashed through the Baratie's wall and into the restaurant, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Chore boy!" the chefs yelled in horror.
Gasp.
Zeff and Sanji gasped as well. Aeridar was so fast they couldn't even see him move.
"That's a lesson for you," Aeridar said indifferently. "You must show reverence for the strong if you want to become stronger yourself."
With that, Aeridar didn't even wait for Gin's answer. He grabbed him and flew into the sky.
After Aeridar and Gin were gone, Luffy stumbled out, holding his stomach and looking pained. "D-Damn it... I'm a Rubber Man, so why does it... hurt so much?"