"Alright! Look over here!"
"1, 2, 3… cheeese~!"
Click!
With a flash of bright light, then darkness, a perfectly composed photograph slid out of the camera.
The background was the flowerbed to the right of the Marine Base's front gate.
In front of it stood four young people.
Three boys were smiling brightly, their eyes filled with hope for the future—while a girl with dead-fish eyes hung limply in the middle, held up like a precious ornament by the other three.
A picture-perfect demonstration of:
People do not share the same joys or sorrows.
...
...
"This turned out pretty nice! Marine brother, you've got talent with a camera!"
Arelon inspected the photo carefully, genuinely praising the Marine who took it.
"Let me see! Let me see!"
Luffy had already lost his patience. He practically climbed onto Arelon's shoulder, raising himself up so he could peer down at the picture from above.
"Wow! It really looks good! But Nami isn't smiling very much, that's kind of a shame."
"Hey, Nami—are you the type who doesn't like to smile!?"
Luffy twisted his neck around while still crouched on Arelon's head, curiously asking the lifeless Nami beside them.
"Smile? Heh…"
Nami's mouth twitched violently.
Is that what you think!? That I don't LIKE smiling!?
It was over.
These guys just defeated a Marine Captain, robbed a Marine Base, and would definitely get wanted posters in the future!
And now—they were openly provoking the Marines.
And even left the photo negatives with them…
Her life was officially ruined~
She didn't even know if she could save up 100 million berries in time to buy back Cocoyashi Village from Arlong before getting arrested.
Nami weakly lifted her head—and saw the three men enthusiastically discussing the photo, smiles of satisfaction on their faces.
At that moment, she understood…
There was now an unbridgeable wall between them—
the wall of tragic reality.
...
...
After fooling around for a bit, Arelon carefully stored the precious photo away.
Thanks to this experience, he unexpectedly discovered a new interest in photography.
He was already planning to get himself some kind of recording device to document his daily life and adventures in the world of pirates.
"Alright! Photo is done. Now let's get to the main event!"
Arelon grabbed Zoro and Luffy and led them back to the open training ground. He grinned at Zoro and said:
"Let me give you a little warning first, Zoro."
"This time, I'll let Luffy use as much of his real strength as he can. So you'd better be careful!"
"Oi oi oi~"
Zoro's expression sharpened slightly. His hand rested on the white hilt of Wado Ichimonji.
Feeling the familiar weight and power of his swords, he said with fierce fighting spirit:
"I admit you guys are strong, but Vice Captain—aren't you underestimating me a bit too much?"
"Haha."
Arelon smiled lightly.
"You'll know soon enough if I'm underestimating you."
Leaving behind a mysterious smile, he walked over to Luffy, patting his shoulder.
"Go test the crew member I picked for you."
"I'm sure you'll be satisfied."
"And like I said—this time, use your full power."
"Second Gear is unnecessary for a sparring match. Just go straight to Third Gear and give Zoro a proper challenge."
"Hehehe, I've been waiting!"
Luffy spun his arm, unable to hide his excitement.
Soon, the two stood at the center of the open field.
Meanwhile, Arelon took Nami and walked all the way to the Marine Base's outer wall—
leaving Nami utterly confused.
"It's just a sparring match… do we really need to stand THIS far away?"
She looked at Luffy and Zoro, now tiny like dots in the distance, and questioned Arelon.
But Arelon only gave her a pitying look, sighed, and said:
"Far?"
"I just hope the shockwaves from the fight won't hit us."
"If anything unexpected happens, hide behind me."
"I'm not great at fighting, but protecting you is no problem."
"Oh…"
Nami nodded blankly.
She still couldn't figure out—
Why the guy who one-shot Captain Morgan insisted he had no real combat power.
While they talked, the battle in the field had already begun.
Zoro tied on his bandana and assumed his Three-Sword Style stance, staring down Luffy with full focus.
Luffy wasn't slacking either. Once he confirmed Zoro was ready, he started with his usual routine—
Soru dash + Devil Fruit punch!!!
Whoosh!
A residual image flickered—
Luffy vanished from Zoro's sight.
His speed was so fast it was impossible to react normally!
However…
"Even if I can't see clearly… I'm not the type of idiot who gets hit THAT easily!!!"
Zoro gave a low growl, turning around with beast-like instinct—
and saw Luffy's fist already charging up beside him!
Then—
BOOM!!!—CLANG!!!
The accelerating fist smashed into the three blades forming Zoro's guard, releasing a crisp metallic ring.
Sparks flew everywhere!
Under Luffy's strength, Zoro's feet plowed three meters through the ground.
Yet despite being forced back, he grinned around Wado Ichimonji:
"Doesn't seem as hard as I imagined!"
Seeing that Zoro blocked his punch—and didn't get fooled by Soru—Luffy burst into excited laughter:
"As expected of the man Arelon chose!!!"
"But now—
I'm gonna get serious!"
"Bring it on!"
Zoro's gaze hardened. His swords vibrated, radiating intense battle intent.
The next moment, Luffy's figure blurred again—vanishing.
Zoro instantly shifted positions.
This time, he even took the initiative:
"Three-Sword Style—ONI GIRI!!!"
But…
Under Red's supervision for two and a half years, Luffy's combat power already far surpassed East Blue standards.
Before Zoro's slash could land—
Luffy punched him squarely in the torso.
In an instant—
Zoro's body shot through the air like a meteor, smashing into the Marine Base's wall.
BOOOOM—
With a violent crash, the already-weak wall collapsed, burying Zoro underneath.
Seeing this, Arelon smiled calmly at the shocked Nami:
"See? I told you it wasn't safe."
"Fortunately, Zoro flew in the opposite direction."
"No!!"
Nami grabbed Arelon's arm anxiously:
"It's just a sparring match! Isn't this way too serious!?"
The level of destruction already surpassed Arelon vs. Morgan by dozens of times!
No wonder Arelon said he wasn't good at fighting.
"Relax, Nami."
Arelon remained calm as still water.
"Don't underestimate Zoro."
"No weaklings join the Straw Hat Pirates."
"Including you."
"M-me!?"
Nami didn't know why Arelon suddenly included her.
But hearing his words…
she actually felt reassured somehow.
Sure enough—
The rubble of the collapsed wall began shifting.
A battered figure staggered back onto the field.
Zoro.
"He can still stand!?"
Even Luffy looked amazed.
After all, he was using full power just now!
But…
Arelon was right.
Zoro's potential was terrifying.
"This is getting fun!!!"
Luffy grinned and blurred once again, chasing after Zoro.
Seeing this, Arelon hurriedly yelled:
"Hey! Don't take it outside! You'll hurt the civilians!!!"
"I'm not THAT weak!!!"
Zoro roared back, eyes sharpening with murderous focus.
Luffy's increasing speed made him realize—
If he didn't give it his all…
He might not even force Luffy to use his highest level!
"I won't… disappoint Luffy… my captain…"
He refused to say such humiliating words.
But this man—Luffy—was too strong.
Was this the power…
that came from being trained by Arelon?
Countless thoughts flashed through Zoro's mind—
but were instantly wiped away.
Because Luffy's fists were already inches from his face.
So this was…
the world of true monsters.
"Three-Sword Style Secret Technique—
SANZEN SEKAI!!!"
Thank you FoxFox Sighs for the recommendation tickets!!!
Please don't hold back—
Let the votes rain harder~!!!
~~--------------------------
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