Dock Number One.
The craftsmen were busy building ships, giant gears slowly turning, sawdust flying.
The sounds of hammering on the construction site were incessant.
In a corner of the dock, Nami stood by a wooden bench, the newspaper in her hand trembling slightly.
Her gaze was fixed on the large characters of the headline—
"Shocking! BIG MOM Pirates, Beasts Pirates Depart for Water Seven, Targeting 'Gold' and the Straw Hat Pirates!"
The two photos in the newspaper were particularly glaring.
One was Smoothie, one of the Sweet Commanders of the Four Emperors BIG MOM Pirates.
She stood on the deck of a San Juan Wolf, tall and cold-faced.
A great sword was on her back, and the surrounding pirate subordinates stood solemnly, their Aura overwhelming!
The other was Jack, one of the Three Calamities of the Four Emperors Beasts Pirates.
He wore a heavy cloak, his fangs exposed, and a bloodthirsty killing intent emanated from his body.
Several warships lined up behind him, their Aura menacing!
Nami's pupils suddenly contracted, her face instantly paled, and her breathing became rapid.
"Wh-what should we do?"
Her fingers clenched the newspaper, her knuckles slightly white from the excessive force.
It wasn't that she hadn't experienced a major battle, but… this time's enemies were actually two Yonko Crew?!
Four Emperors!
These were existences at the Peak of the New World, standing in the latter half of the Grand Line.
Each controlled vast territories and possessed combat power capable of destroying nations!
Although the Four Emperors themselves weren't coming this time, Smoothie and Jack were terrifying existences at the Yonko Crew First Mate level.
Moreover, they led large-scale fleets!
Nami felt dizzy for a moment, and cold sweat slowly trickled down her forehead.
She believed in the strength of Luffy, Lin Ning, and Zoro.
But their opponents were Yonko Crew-level forces!
The Yonko Crew First Mates, second only to the Four Emperors, were among the strongest people in the sea!
What's more… this wasn't one enemy, but two pirate fleets!
Could the current Straw Hat Pirates really handle this situation?!
"Calm down… calm down…" Nami took a deep breath.
She tried to calm herself, but her hands still trembled slightly.
Deep within the dock, on a spacious open ground.
Luffy was training, steam rising from his body, his upper body bare.
Sweat slowly dripped along his strong muscles.
"Hoo—hoo—"
With his breathing, wisps of crimson steam swirled around him!
These past few days, he had been practicing the Body Tempering Technique.
He was madly strengthening his Haki, physique, and combat skills, Breaking Through his limits every moment!
However—
"Luffy!!"
Nami's anxious voice suddenly rang out, breaking the hot air.
Nami was covered in cold sweat, her face pale, the newspaper in her hand crumpled.
She ran over quickly, her voice urgent, even trembling slightly: "S-something happened!!"
Luffy was slightly stunned, stopped his training, and turned to look at her: "What's wrong?"
Nami spread out the newspaper, her voice almost trembling:
"Smoothie of the BIG MOM Pirates, and Jack of the Beasts Pirates, have already led their fleets directly to Water Seven!!"
"Their target—is us!!"
Luffy's pupils slightly contracted upon hearing this.
But the next second, a smile of excitement actually appeared at the corner of his mouth!
Nami was stunned for a moment, uncertain: "Huh?"
"Nami, this is good news!"
Luffy slowly straightened his body, deep red steam rising around him.
His eyes were burning, his Battle Intent soaring, and his entire Aura was even more ferocious than before!
"…" Nami felt like a clown for a moment, completely unable to keep up with Luffy's thinking: "Wh-what did you just say?"
"I said, this is good news!"
Luffy's smile grew brighter, his fists clenched.
His knuckles cracked, he stood tall with his chest out, and a brilliant light of soaring Battle Intent burst from his eyes!
"These past few days, I've been diligently training, and my strength has been growing rapidly!"
"Smoothie? Jack?"
"Hehe! It's perfect to test my strength against them!!"
Luffy's tone was wild and uninhibited, full of a domineering and confident Aura!
Nami's heart churned instantly, she looked at Luffy in front of her in astonishment.
At this moment, Luffy was different from his usual state, which was powerful but occasionally a bit silly.
He was facing this storm as the Captain of a powerful pirate crew!
"B-but…" Nami subconsciously wanted to retort.
After all, the opponents were Yonko Crew-level forces, just hearing their names made one's scalp tingle.
But—
Before she could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by Luffy's firm voice.
"Nami, don't worry!"
"They're just cadres under a Yonko Crew!"
"Even if a Four Emperors came personally, we would never be without a chance of winning!"
His voice was strong and powerful, carrying an irresistible conviction!
Nami trembled slightly, she stared blankly at Luffy, unable to speak for a moment.
The powerful Aura that Luffy exuded now…
Actually gave Nami the illusion of facing an Admiral!
"…" Nami swallowed, "B-but… they're leading a huge fleet! We only have a few people…"
Luffy slowly looked up, his gaze firm, a wild smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"Hehe…"
"Nami, have you forgotten?"
"I'm the man who's going to be the Pirate King!!!"
Boom!!!!!!
In an instant!
An invisible Aura swept through the entire dock like a storm!
Luffy's eyes were burning, his Battle Intent soaring, already eager to welcome this great battle!
Nami's heart was incredibly shaken.
At this moment, she suddenly realized… that she was no longer so afraid.
Luffy's confidence and wildness seemed to have an invisible infectious power, making her also feel an indescribable confidence.
She took a deep breath and finally made up her mind!
"Okay!"
"Since you say so, then let's meet them in battle!!"
And just then—
"Yo, what happened?"
Lin Ning, Usopp, Chopper, and Robin were also attracted by the commotion here.
They all stopped their training and walked over.
Usopp wiped the sweat from his forehead as he walked, his face slightly pale.
"Nami, I heard you shouting so loudly just now, could it be that someone else is here to steal our gold?!"
Nami spread out the newspaper and handed it directly to them: "See for yourselves!"
Lin Ning took the newspaper, glanced at it, and a slight smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Hmph, aren't the Four Emperors coming personally? It seems… we're being underestimated."