68: Chapter 68 The Sudden Appearance of a Naval AdmiralIn the previous chapter, we talked about how Luffy and his crew encountered Foxy the Silver Fox and his pirate crew on a new island.After countless battles, Foxy looked at his few remaining crew members and fell into deep thought.In this desperate situation, Foxy the Silver Fox resolutely challenged Luffy to a duel.For the sake of his crew, Foxy the Silver Fox risked everything: "Come on, let's have a good fight!"
Foxy, his blood boiling, roared at Luffy.He was absolutely confident that he could win as long as he used the Slow Ray on Luffy the moment he charged.His subordinates were also cheering for Foxy.Then they saw their boss almost fall into the deck after being punched by Luffy.Even his Slow Ray was useless."Boss!"
Foxy's subordinates gasped in surprise, criticizing Luffy for attacking their boss before even calling "start." Luffy shrugged, nonchalantly pulling Foxy up.After recovering, Foxy launched into another impassioned speech, basically saying things like, "No matter how many times you hit me, I'll get back up until I defeat you." This time, as soon as the referee called "start," Foxy immediately unleashed his Slow Ray at Luffy, "Fufufufu, even if you're strong, if you get hit by my Slow Ray, you'll be slowed down for 30 seconds.Wait, where is he?"
Luffy had already disappeared from the spot.Foxy looked around but couldn't find him.Suddenly, Foxy felt someone tap his shoulder from behind.Startled, Foxy scratched his head and saw Luffy smiling at him: "Yo, pink-butt boy, looking for me?"
"Butt, butt, you call me 'butt-split-head'?You actually called me 'butt-split-head'?" Foxy hated being called "butt-split-head" the most.Enraged, he threw a punch at Luffy, but missed.Luffy reappeared in front of him.Foxy fired a slow-motion ray forward, but Luffy dodged it again.Everyone could see that Luffy was just toying with Foxy.Foxy was completely exhausted and soon collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.Luffy waved his hand, and a powerful whirlwind appeared out of nowhere, carrying Foxy into the nearby sea.His crew immediately jumped in and pulled him out.Foxy, spitting out mouthfuls of seawater, said dejectedly to Luffy, "Straw Hat Kid, you won.From now on, my pirate crew and I are under your command.Draw a new pirate flag for me."
Foxy was brimming with confidence, as if he was certain Luffy would accept them.But Luffy's single sentence shattered his composure, leaving him kneeling on the ground, unable to get up: "No way!You're too much of a loser.I'm afraid of embarrassing myself.As for redrawing your pirate flag, that's fine."
Without hesitation, Luffy pulled out various paints and started scribbling on the Foxy Pirates' flag.When Foxy looked up and saw his new pirate flag, he coughed up blood.The Foxy Pirates were also filled with despair, because Luffy's drawing skills were simply too poor.He had drawn a very abstract pattern on their pirate flag, and the artist was even standing in front of their ship with a smug look on his face, saying, "Hmm.I'm really just an ordinary little drawing genius."
Foxy covered his face with his hands, but he couldn't break his bet.Desperate, he led his crew, whom Luffy had sent back, and set sail with the pirate flag Luffy had drawn.After replenishing their supplies, Luffy and his crew set sail for their next adventure.During their voyage, they encountered something trying to absorb memories and become a Thousand-Year Dragon, but before it could even make a move, Luffy sliced it into pieces with his wind blades.Later, they encountered Foxy and his three henchmen, who were pretending to be shipwrecked.After defeating them again, a mysterious figure appeared before them.The usually calm and collected Robin trembled upon seeing him, instantly entering battle mode.However, her trembling prevented her from using her Devil Fruit power."Robin, what's wrong?Why are you so afraid of him?"
Sanji asked curiously.Robin took a deep breath, calming herself, and said, "Admiral Aokiji of the Marine Headquarters." These few words put everyone on high alert, their eyes fixed on the languid man before them.After stretching, Aokiji safely escorted the stranded tourists from the deserted island and then told Luffy and the others about Robin's danger.Even so, the Straw Hat crew's three strongest fighters still lay down before Robin without hesitation.Although they knew they couldn't defeat a Marine Admiral right now, no matter how dark Robin's past was, as long as she was their ally, they weren't afraid to become enemies of the World Government."It seems you're determined to protect this woman who poses a threat to the World Government," Aokiji's voice grew cold.He casually picked a handful of wild grass from the ground, transforming it into an ice blade with his power, pointing it at the three and saying, "Russai!Flame Breathing, Ninth Form: Purgatory!"
Zoro roared impatiently, his entire body enveloped in scorching flames, erupting with a thunderous roar as he charged towards Aokiji like a meteor.However, Zoro's powerful attack was easily blocked by Aokiji's ice blade, preventing him from advancing an inch.Sanji seized the opportunity, leaping into the air and kicking the ice blade in half."Gum-Gum Steel Vulcan Gun!"
While the two were holding off Aokiji, Luffy's fist, imbued with Armament Haki and flames, slammed into Aokiji's abdomen.However, his Armament Haki was far too weak against Aokiji; a punch that normally could send enemies flying couldn't even repel Aokiji.Aokiji coldly stared at the Straw Hat Pirates' three admirals, saying, "If we don't eliminate you now, you will definitely pose a huge threat to the World Government in the future."
As he spoke, Aokiji grabbed Zoro's arm and Sanji's leg with both hands, activating his Ice-Ice Fruit power, and in the blink of an eye.In the midst of this, Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji clutched their frozen parts and knelt in agony.Aokiji seized the opportunity to instantly appear before Robin.Before anyone could react, Robin was frozen into an ice sculpture.Just as Aokiji was about to crush Robin, Vivi used her gravity to pull Robin to her side.Then, under the cover of the others, she ran towards the Going Merry.Aokiji's eyes turned cold, and just as he was about to attack those who blocked his way, a wall of fire blocked his path.Then, Luffy appeared before him.However, Luffy's veins were bulging, his body was enveloped in red light, and he radiated an astonishing heat.Luffy endured the intense heat.With a low growl throbbing pain, Luffy roared, "You guys take Zoro and Sanji away!I'll hold them off here!" He then launched a fierce attack on Aokiji.Luffy felt like he was about to explode.Activating Gear Second, he ignored the system's restrictions and simultaneously activated all four gates, Berserk mode, and the Multiply Fruit's twenty-five-fold power boost—a comprehensive enhancement that even Luffy's rubber body couldn't withstand.Uta and Nami, worried, wanted to help, but Zoro and Sanji pulled them away.They knew that Luffy was risking his life in a battle against a Marine Admiral.Thinking of this, a flicker of resentment flashed in their eyes; their strength was still too weak.