Chapter 144: Luffy's Determination
The first half of the Grand Line — Water 7, the City of Water.
After the Going Merry suffered heavy damage descending from Skypiea, the Straw Hat Pirates traveled to Water 7, renowned for having the world's best shipwrights, hoping to repair their ship.
At the same time, Monkey D. Luffy was looking for a new crewmate — a shipwright.
However, soon after arriving, the crew faced several challenges. First, they discovered that the keel of the Going Merry was irreparably damaged. Luffy made the painful decision to abandon the ship and find a new one. But Usopp strongly disagreed. A fierce duel followed, and Usopp left the crew.
Shortly after, the crew became entangled in a conspiracy involving CP9, a covert government agency embedded within the Galley-La Company. Nico Robin, under threat from CP9, mysteriously left the crew. Her actions left the Straw Hats confused and devastated.
Eventually, through Iceburg, the mayor of Water 7, the crew learned the truth — Robin had sacrificed herself to protect them. Upon hearing Iceburg quote Robin's words — "As long as they survive, I don't care if the world is destroyed" — the Straw Hats regained their fighting spirit.
Just as the crew prepared to launch an assault on Enies Lobby (Judicial Island) to rescue Robin, Nami stumbled upon a newspaper article revealing shocking news: Portgas D. Ace's lineage had been exposed, and an impending war was brewing at Marine Headquarters.
However, what caught Luffy's attention was something else entirely — the article announced the public execution of Sabo, the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, and Luffy's long-lost sworn brother.
Seeing the headline, Luffy froze.
"Sabo... he's still alive!" he whispered, hands trembling as he stared at the photo of Sabo in shackles.
"Luffy, what's wrong?" Nami asked in alarm.
"Sabo... he's my brother too," Luffy muttered, visibly shaken.
The crew was stunned. None of them knew Luffy had another brother besides Ace. Reading Sabo's identity in the paper — "Second-in-command of the Revolutionary Army, one of the world's most dangerous criminals" — even Zoro and Nami were taken aback. What kind of family did their captain come from?
Nami stepped forward to console him, but Zoro gently stopped her.
"Let him decide for himself," he said quietly.
Nami frowned. "Why?"
Zoro looked serious. "Because he's torn between saving a crewmate who gave up everything for him, and saving his brother who's facing execution. You can't choose for him. He has to make that call."
Inside, Luffy clutched his head in anguish.
"Robin... Sabo... someone tell me what I should do!"
His shout of pain echoed through the halls.
Outside the room, Nami bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes.
"Luffy..."
Zoro stood silently, fists clenched.
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Hours later, Luffy stepped out of the room with a strange calm.
"Let's go," he said, smiling at Nami and Zoro. "Let's go save Robin."
"Luffy!" Nami blinked, surprised but relieved.
Zoro stepped forward and clapped a hand on Luffy's shoulder.
"You don't have to carry it all yourself, Captain. Let us handle Robin. You should go save your brother."
But Luffy shook his head.
"No. Robin and Sabo — they're both important to me. I'm saving them both!"
"That's the Luffy we know," Nami said, her eyes lighting up. "Sabo's execution is in three days. If we rescue Robin before that, we can still make it in time!"
"Huh?" Luffy and Zoro looked at her, stunned.
Then, realizing she was right, they slapped their foreheads in unison.
"Nami, you're a genius!"
"Alright, now that the hardest part is settled," Nami said, "let's plan how to rescue Robin."
"No need to plan," Luffy declared, fists raised. "We're going to storm Enies Lobby and bring her back!"
"That's right!" Zoro grinned.
"You two idiots—" Nami rubbed her forehead in frustration. "Do you even know where Robin is? Enies Lobby is the World Government's judicial island. It's heavily fortified!"
"So what?" Luffy said seriously. "Even if it's in hell, I'll get her back."
Nami sighed.
At that moment, Chopper burst in, carrying a Transponder Snail.
From the call, they learned that Sanji had already infiltrated the Puffing Tom, the Sea Train escorting Robin. With the help of the Franky Family and Galley-La workers, the Straw Hats boarded another Sea Train, the Rocketman, and set off on their mission to rescue Robin.
And from there, the wheels of fate began turning once again.
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