"Lin Ning! You actually arrived before us?!"
Luffy jumped onto the going merry, seeing Lin Ning already standing on the deck, a look of surprise on his face!
Zoro, arms crossed, smiled slightly: "You're quite fast."
Chopper excitedly circled Lin Ning, happily asking: "Lin Ning! Are you okay? How did you shake off those Marines?"
Nami and Usopp finally climbed onto the deck, collapsing onto the ground, panting heavily, their faces showing the relief of surviving a disaster.
"Phew... Phew... I'm exhausted...!" Nami wiped the sweat from her forehead, unable to resist complaining, "What kind of physique do you monsters have?! You're completely fine!"
Usopp patted his chest, gasping: "Fortunately, I've been training hard these past few months, otherwise I would have been finished in that desert today!"
Lin Ning looked at everyone, a slight smile on his lips, and said calmly: "We're safe for now, but we need to leave immediately."
He knew that although Momousagi hadn't ordered a pursuit yet, the sea was always full of variables, and he couldn't be careless in the slightest!
The Marine's encirclement could descend again at any moment.
"Then what are we waiting for!"
Luffy excitedly jumped to the bow, hands on his hips, and shouted loudly—
"Set sail—!!!"
"Clang!!"
Zoro kicked the anchor chain, and the sails unfurled in the wind, flapping loudly.
Sanji nimbly jumped onto the mast, adjusting the rigging to make the going merry sail with the wind.
Nami quickly adjusted the course, while Usopp and Chopper held the rudder, their eyes full of longing for the sea.
Lin Ning stood on the deck, looking in the direction of Alabasta, his eyes flickering slightly, then he withdrew his gaze and said calmly:
"Let's go, a new adventure... has begun."
"Boom—!!"
The waves churned, and the going merry broke through them, sailing into unknown waters under the moonlight!
However, Lin Ning, standing at the bow, narrowed his eyes slightly, glancing at an extra figure on the deck.
Then he turned to Luffy, raising an eyebrow, and asked in confusion—
"Nico Robin? Why is she with you?"
Luffy grinned, saying carelessly:
"She wants to join us!"
"She's not a bad person, so I agreed. From now on, Robin will be our ship's archaeologist!"
His words were an understatement, as if he had casually decided a minor matter.
He didn't seem to care that she was once Crocodile's subordinate and the vice-president of Baroque Works.
Nami and Usopp were still somewhat wary of this decision, as Robin had once been an enemy, but seeing Luffy's nonchalance, they didn't say much.
Lin Ning looked deeply at Robin, finally just saying indifferently:
"You're the Captain, you decide."
Hearing this, Nico Robin smiled slightly, walked forward with elegant steps, extended her hand, and greeted Lin Ning.
"It's our first formal meeting, please take care of me, Mr. Lin Ning."
Her smile still carried mystery and composure, and her deep blue eyes held a hint of calm elegance.
Lin Ning didn't refuse, shaking her hand lightly, formally accepting this new companion.
Time flowed like water, and weeks of sailing passed in a blink.
During this time, everyone didn't waste time and diligently cultivated.
Luffy's Conqueror's Haki became more refined, and his Armament Haki and Observation Haki also continuously improved.
Zoro's swordsmanship became sharper, and the power of his Three Sword Style reached a new level.
Sanji's martial arts and Moonwalk reached new heights, his kicking techniques becoming more domineering and sharp.
Nami, Usopp, and Chopper focused on improving their combat skills and physical fitness, to avoid being a burden in the upcoming adventures.
But they weren't always training. During free time while sailing, everyone would still enjoy rare moments of relaxation together.
Like now, the weather was clear, the sea breeze was gentle, and the sun shone on the deck.
Everyone sat together, enjoying the afternoon tea Sanji had carefully prepared, savoring the rare leisure time.
The air was filled with the fragrance of black tea and the sweetness of exquisite pastries. Usopp was boasting about his "brave achievements."
Nami and Robin leisurely drank coffee, while Zoro closed his eyes to rest, as if everything was so peaceful and beautiful.
But just then—
"!!!"
Lin Ning, Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji, sitting on the deck, almost simultaneously stood up!
Their gazes simultaneously lifted upwards, staring straight at the sky!
Seeing their expressions, Nami, Usopp, and Chopper were stunned, somewhat confused.
"What's wrong?!" Usopp swallowed, asking cautiously.
Nami frowned slightly, sensing an unusual atmosphere.
"You guys suddenly became so serious, did something happen?"
Zoro slowly spoke, his voice low: "Something's falling."
No sooner had he spoken!
"Boom—!"
In the sky, a huge shadow suddenly enveloped the going merry, followed by a massive ship, several times larger than the going merry, falling from the sky.
Like a falling meteorite, it came crashing down towards the going merry with destructive force!
The immense pressure made the air heavy, and the sea even stirred up waves!
If this ship crashed down, the going merry would undoubtedly be smashed into pieces, and no one would be spared!
Nami, Usopp, and Chopper's faces instantly changed dramatically!
"What the hell?! How can a ship fall from the sky?!"
Usopp's eyes widened in terror, and Chopper, scared, scrambled to cling to Nami's leg.
Cold sweat broke out on Nami's forehead, her voice trembling: "It's over, it's over! This is a ship several times bigger than the going merry! If it hits us, we'll—"
However, at this critical moment—
"Hehe, watch me."
A familiar voice rang out in the moment of crisis!
Luffy, standing on the deck, a slight upward curve to his lips, showed a confident smile.
"Armament—!"
"Finger Pistol Machine Gun!!!"
Luffy suddenly spread his arms, and his ten fingers were instantly covered in pitch-black Armament Haki!
His arms suddenly stretched out, and his ten fingers, like laser cannons, shot out furiously towards the sky at an astonishing speed!
"Swish swish swish swish swish—!!!"
The ten Haki-infused Finger Pistols transformed into streaks of light cutting through the air, moving so fast they were almost impossible to catch.
With endless destructive and penetrating power, they instantly struck the massive ship above!
"Boom—!!!!"
Under Luffy's attack, countless terrifying shockwaves instantly exploded in the sky!
The huge ship was torn into countless pieces in an instant, exploding like fireworks!
Only some insignificant wooden wreckage slowly drifted down, gently falling into the sea, completely unable to threaten the going merry!
Everyone was dumbfounded.
Nami, Usopp, and Chopper looked at the gradually dissipating fragments in the sky, their mouths wide enough to fit an entire apple.
Nami rubbed her eyes, wondering if she had seen wrong.
Usopp was so shocked his legs went weak, muttering: "This, this guy's monster level has upgraded again!!!"
Lin Ning glanced at Luffy, a slight smile on his lips.
"Not bad, Luffy."
Luffy put his hands on his hips triumphantly, laughing loudly:
"Hehe!"
"But why would a ship fall from the sky?"