Water 7, West Coast
At noon, sunlight spilled down, and the sea breeze gently caressed.
The Bi blue sea shimmered with sparkling light, like scattered gold.
However, beneath this peaceful and harmonious scenery, a shocking murderous intent was hidden, poised to erupt.
At the edge of the sea, several colossal warships cut through the waves.
The skull flag of the Big Mom Pirates hung high at the bow, flapping fiercely in the scorching sun.
On the deck, countless pirates stood ready for battle, their weapons polished to a shine, and their cannon muzzles aimed menacingly forward.
On the West Coast beach, three figures stood silently.
Luffy stood in the middle of the three, his fists clenched, a look of excited anticipation on his face.
The corners of his mouth turned up slightly, his Battle Intent boiling.
His straw hat was tilted slightly, revealing his determined gaze.
Lin Ning stood to Luffy's left, holding a halberd, the breeze ruffling his clothes, his eyes as deep as the sea.
His aura was steady and restrained, but standing there, he was like an unshakeable mountain, inspiring awe.
Zoro stood to Luffy's right, his hand resting quietly on the three sword hilts at his waist.
A sharp, cold glint flickered in his eyes, like a drawn blade, ready to unleash destructive sharpness at any moment.
He gently moved his neck, making a 'click-clack' sound as his joints rubbed together, and said with a hint of arrogance:
"Sweet Commanders... I hope this time they can give me a good workout."
Just three people, yet they dared to face the massive fleet of the Big Mom Pirates!
But there was no fear in their expressions.
This battle, they were determined to win!
At the same time, at Water 7's Dock Number One.
Sanji stood alone in the shadow of a tall tower, silently lighting a cigarette.
He took a deep drag, his gaze calmly fixed on the distant coastline.
"...Damn it, they actually made me stay behind."
Sanji exhaled a puff of smoke, a hint of helplessness in his tone.
But then, a cold smile played on his lips.
"However, it's fine. If those guys dare to ambush the dock, it'll be a good send-off for them."
Sanji's figure slowly merged into the shadows, his entire aura completely concealed.
Like a leopard lurking in the darkness, waiting for its prey.
"They're getting closer!"
Lin Ning's gaze narrowed slightly, his Observation Haki catching the details of the fleet.
A cold arc formed at the corner of his mouth, his tone calm.
Yet it carried a chilling sharpness: "Prepare for battle."
"Oh, oh, oh! They're finally here!" Luffy excitedly clenched his fists, his entire aura instantly surging.
Zoro chuckled softly: "Heh, finally some interesting opponents."
"Lin Ning, do you have a battle plan?" Luffy suddenly turned to Lin Ning, his eyes full of anticipation.
Lin Ning was slightly startled, then raised an eyebrow at him: "...You actually proactively asked for a battle plan?"
"Huh?" Luffy looked confused, scratched his head, and laughed:
"I just asked casually... otherwise, you'd definitely say I'm 'just fighting with brute force' again."
"You still know that..." Lin Ning's mouth twitched, and he sighed softly.
Zoro, hearing this conversation, couldn't help but let out a soft laugh, crossing his arms and saying:
"It would truly be difficult for Luffy to have a battle plan."
"Hey, Zoro, what are you saying?" Luffy glared at Zoro in dissatisfaction.
"Can't you understand human speech?" Zoro glanced at him unceremoniously, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
Seeing that the two were about to argue again, Lin Ning helplessly raised his hand to stop them, shaking his head and saying:
"Alright, now is not the time to bicker."
Lin Ning looked at him and said in a deep voice:
"Luffy, sometimes choice is more important than effort.
Right now, we are the passive party, but this is our home ground... the battleground, of course, must be decided by us."
"Eh? What do you mean?" Luffy tilted his head, seeming a little confused.
Lin Ning's mouth curved slightly, his gaze sharply sweeping over the approaching enemy ships, and he slowly said—
"I heard the opponents are Devil Fruit Users?"
Zoro nodded, Battle Intent burning in his eyes, and said in a deep voice:
"That's right. The opponent is Smoothie, one of the Big Mom Pirates' 'Sweet Commanders'.
She is the fourteenth daughter of the Charlotte Family, with a bounty of 932 million Berries.
Her ability is the Juice-Juice Fruit, which allows her to extract moisture from targets to enhance her own combat power."
Upon hearing this, Lin Ning's mouth curved into a slight smile, his gaze sweeping across the sea, and he slowly said:
"Her bounty is indeed very high... However, since she is a Devil Fruit User, her disadvantage in sea battles is very obvious."
Luffy's eyes immediately lit up upon hearing this, and he excitedly said: "Oh?! Then we can just throw her directly into the sea!"
"It's not that simple." Lin Ning shook his head and continued:
"However, we cannot let the aftermath of the battle affect Water 7; this is where we build our ships.
If the island is damaged by the battle, affecting the progress of shipbuilding, it would be a losing proposition."
Upon hearing this, Zoro frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, then nodded:
"Indeed, we cannot let the battle spread to Water 7."
Lin Ning revealed a confident smile and said:
"So, we must use our advantage—Moonwalk,
to fight at sea, and not let them get half a step closer to Water 7!"
"Understood!"
"Understood!"
Luffy and Zoro nodded simultaneously, without the slightest hesitation.
"Let's go!"
With Luffy's command, the three pushed off the ground, leaping up suddenly.
Instantly using Moonwalk, several deafening sonic booms echoed through the air!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The three figures streaked across the sky like meteors, heading straight for the enemy ships!
On the warship's deck, Smoothie had been leisurely standing at the bow.
However, when she saw the three figures suddenly flying rapidly through the air, her pupils constricted slightly.
The smile on her face gradually faded, replaced by a sharp edge.
"...? ? ?"
These Straw Hat lunatics actually attacked proactively?!
Smoothie paused briefly, then her mouth curved slightly upwards, and she sneered:
"Heh... I was originally planning to deal with you slowly.
I didn't expect you to actually deliver yourselves to my doorstep? How wonderful!"
She raised the long sword in her hand, gave it a gentle flick, and the blade glinted with cold light.
A sharp Sword Qi cut across the deck, wood chips flew, and the surrounding pirates retreated in fear of being accidentally injured.
"A rookie pirate with a bounty of only 300 million Berries... actually dares to attack me proactively?"
Smoothie's eyes swept disdainfully over the rapidly approaching trio of Luffy.
She said in a cold tone, "I admire your courage."
The corner of her mouth slowly curved into a bloodthirsty arc, and she said coldly—
"Since that's the case, as a reward... I will personally squeeze you dry and savor the taste."