However, before Zoro could draw his sword—
Luffy suddenly raised his hand, blocking Zoro, and said firmly, "No, this fight... we can't have it."
Zoro was startled and looked at Luffy in confusion.
"What do you mean, kid?"
"I can't fight back," Luffy's voice was low, carrying a hint of complex emotion.
At this moment, a distant memory surfaced in his mind—
In the tavern in Foosha Village, young Luffy's eyes widened as he watched everything unfold before him.
The mountain bandit Higuma arrogantly picked up a bottle of sake, smashing it hard on Shanks's head, sending sake splashing and glass shards scattering everywhere.
However—
Shanks just smiled, picking up a new bottle without a care, and poured himself a drink.
"Haha, it's fine," he said with a smile, his tone unbelievably calm.
"You cowards, just keep hiding in the East Blue," Higuma sneered, turning to leave.
Young Luffy, however, trembled with rage, his fists clenched, and roared,
"Shanks!! How could you just swallow your anger?! You're a pirate! How can you let people humiliate you?! It's too disgraceful!!"
Shanks just gently patted Luffy's head and smiled,
"Luffy, what does it matter to have some sake splashed on you and be called names?"
"The provocations of the weak are not worth taking to heart."
Back to reality, on the streets of Mock Town.
Luffy's gaze was firm; he lowered his fists.
"Shanks was right."
"The provocations of the weak are not worth responding to."
"Hahahahaha!"
Bellamy, seeing that Luffy really wasn't fighting back, went from initial shock to utter rage!
"Are you pitying me?! You don't even have the courage to fight back?!"
A crazed look flashed in his eyes, his hands clenched, knuckles cracking.
"Damn it!! What I hate most are you fools who chase dreams!!"
"I'm going to beat you to a pulp and let you know the cruelty of reality!!"
Bellamy stomped his foot, his muscles tensed, and he was about to charge at Luffy—
However, just then—
"Stop."
A low, calm voice sounded, like the toll of a death bell.
Lin Ning slowly took a step forward.
His steps were not fast, but they carried an unrivaled majesty; each step seemed to shake the air.
He didn't speak, just slightly raised his eyes and glanced indifferently at Bellamy.
It was that glance—
"Buzz—"
An invisible Killing Intent, as if substantial, enveloped the entire street!
The cold, oppressive, suffocating terror made all the onlookers tremble!
Bellamy's smile instantly froze.
His eyes widened, cold sweat streamed down his forehead, and his breathing suddenly hitched—
"This guy... is a monster!!"
"This level of pressure...!!"
"If I move again... I'll die."
Bellamy wasn't stupid; although arrogant, he was a pirate who had seen strong individuals.
The man before him, Lin Ning... was definitely a monster!!
He gritted his teeth, his eyes struggled for a second, and then he suddenly waved his hand, suppressing the fear in his heart, and gritted out—
"Retreat!!"
Bellamy led his subordinates, turning to leave without a word, disappearing at the end of Mock Town's street.
The tension in the air slowly dissipated.
The onlookers finally came to their senses, each one dumbfounded, looking at Luffy and Lin Ning, their eyes filled with shock and awe!
Luffy still stood in place, his eyes calm.
True strong individuals do not get angry over provocations.
On the streets of Mock Town, the air seemed to solidify, filled with a tense and oppressive atmosphere.
Bellamy's departure made the surrounding pirates breathe a sigh of relief.
However, just as everyone was still recovering from the shock, an even rougher, more arrogant, and wildly imposing voice rang out—
"Sky Island exists!"
This voice was deep, resonant, and full of dominance, as if carrying a power that could shake people's hearts, echoing throughout the entire street.
"What 'the era of pirates dreaming is over'... Ha! A person's dream will never end!!"
A massive figure slowly walked from the end of the street; with each step, the ground beneath him seemed to tremble.
This figure was burly, much taller than ordinary people, with solid and strong muscles, exuding a wild and untamed Aura.
He wore an unbuttoned white shirt, revealing his thick chest.
On a face full of stubble, the corners of his mouth were turned up in a wide grin, showing a few missing teeth.
His eyes were deep and wild, burning with extreme ambition, as if they could swallow everything!
Behind him, three figures followed closely, their eyes sharp, carrying a sinister and cruel smile.
Each of them exuded a dangerous Aura that could not be underestimated!
The man slowly walked in front of the Straw Hat, his smile growing even more arrogant, and he stretched out his hand, holding up three brand-new bounty posters—
"Hahahahaha!! Straw Hat Pirates... your bounties have increased!"
The onlookers' gazes focused on the bounty posters in his hand; when they clearly saw the content, their pupils suddenly constricted, and they couldn't help but gasp—
"Luffy, Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, Bounty—Three Hundred Million Berries!!"
"Lin Ning, first mate of the Straw Hat Pirates, Bounty—Three Hundred Million Berries!!"
"Zoro, Swordsman of the Straw Hat Pirates, Bounty—Two Hundred Million Berries!!"
Boom!!!
This news was like a bomb, instantly causing a huge uproar throughout Mock Town!
"Three Hundred Million Berries?! Has this guy's bounty already risen to three hundred million?!"
"And that Lin Ning... the first mate is also three hundred million?! What kind of monster-level pirate crew is this?!"
"Pirate Hunter Zoro's bounty is also two hundred million! What a bunch of monsters!"
All the pirates in Mock Town immediately started discussing, their faces showing expressions of unbelievable shock.
The man stared at Luffy, grinning widely, his eyes full of excitement and ambition.
"Straw Hat Luffy... Lin Ning... Zoro..."
"You guys are really something... but still—"
He held up the bounty posters, then suddenly tore them with both hands, with a "rip" sound, the three bounty posters were torn into pieces and scattered in the wind!
Then, he spread his arms and laughed wildly—
"Hahahahaha!! Do you know what this means?!"
"This means... you will become the stepping stones for my Blackbeard Pirates to become Shichibukai!!"
Blackbeard's laughter echoed on the street, Van Auger raised his extra-long sniper rifle, its dark barrel pointing directly at the Straw Hat.
Burgess clenched his fists, muscles bulging, Battle Intent boiling: "Heh heh, finally I can have a good fight!!"
The air instantly became oppressive.