"Shut up…"
Ace and Sabo stood up together, stepping between the pirates and Luffy. "We will never let you lay a single finger on him."
"Touching, really. But Lord Grimm said no killing — and we've no interest in picking on brats. So sit tight. Even if you try to run, we won't stop you."
With that, the bored onlookers drifted away, leaving the three brothers huddled in the corner, whispering over new escape plans.
Night fell. Soon they would leave the East Blue and cross into the Grand Line.
Reports had just come in from Artemis: with Kaido's arrival, the tide there had turned sharply — though no one could guess what the volatile Emperor would do next.
Calling it a victory was too soon, but Shanks was certainly in deep trouble.
"Hmm…"
High in the crow's nest, the lookout lowered his spyglass and frowned. "The wind's acting very strange."
A prickle of unease ran down his spine. "Hard aport! Stop the ship at once!"
The helmsman threw the wheel over. On the lookout's advice, they edged toward a small islet.
"What's wrong? What's happening?"
"The wind's circling us — like a beast closing in," the lookout said as he climbed down.
Grimm stepped out from the throne room built into Mannolos's back, a sharp glint in his eyes.
"They're here."
His words drew every eye on deck. "Captain — who's coming?" Planck asked, bounding to his side.
"An old… 'partner.' Though not anymore."
On the far rail, Ace leaned over the side. "We could make a run for that island. They'd never find us right away."
"Too risky," Sabo said. "Even if we get ashore, we've no way off."
"Build a raft from driftwood!" Ace suggested.
Grimm looked up at the full moon hanging low over the waves.
"Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army… we meet again. Only this time, we're enemies. May the Light have mercy on you."
Planck, Mattheus, and the others drew their weapons, scanning the shadows — no ships, no figures, nothing.
"Why the nerves?" Planck said, breaking the silence.
"They're the Revolutionary Army, not some ghost story. We fight them and be done with it."
His steady words steadied the crew.
Right — we serve an Emperor.
One day we'll be the strongest crew in the world.
Why fear a bunch of skulkers?
ROAR!!!
A tornado tore through the calm, coiling like a living dragon made of wind.
"Logia?" someone gasped.
It was the Wind‑Wind Fruit — the very power Grimm had once refined into the "Wind God" form.
Even without that boost, Dragon's mastery was so absolute he wielded it as if nothing had changed.
Grimm drew Guardian of Truth. "Twin Shields!"
Two massive barriers slammed into place, absorbing the full force of the gale.
The shockwave nearly swept Luffy overboard; Ace snatched him just in time before the current could drag the rubber‑bodied boy to a watery grave.
The three huddled together until the wind died down.
When they looked up, a great vessel had appeared beside them — carved with two enormous dragons curling along its hull and bow, and coated in the distinctive bubble film of the Yarukiman Mangroves from Sabaody Archipelago.
"Sabaody coating? Here?" a crewman blurted.
"Possible with the right materials and skill," Mattheus said, drawing his blade.
"But that takes master craftsmanship. The Revolutionaries have gathered some remarkable talent."
"Have they been hiding under the waves this whole time?"
"Quit jawing — let's send them to the deep!" Planck roared.
Grimm moved silently behind the boys, lifted Luffy by the collar, and held him up for the unseen foe to see.
"Put him down!"
The voice rang out before its owner appeared, heavy with crushing pressure.
Grimm smiled, and a surge of King's Haki flared back, matching blow for blow.
"Whoa… this is nothing like the bandits in Trash Mountain," Ace breathed, stepping back with Sabo, eyes wide with awe.
"Were we spotted in Shimotsuki Village?" Mattheus muttered.
CRACK!
Mannolos rose from the deep, jaws gaping wide to snap the dragon ship in two.
"Yahaha — not so fast!"
A wild cackle cut through the air.
A figure leaped from the dragon ship, driving his nails deep into his own neck — his face swelling to grotesque size as he winked at Mannolos.
"Hell's Gaze!"
A shockwave slammed into the giant skeleton, driving him back under the waves.
"He just knocked that colossus down? Who is that freak with the giant face?" Ace gasped, gripping the rail.
Grimm set Luffy down and said plainly: "Wipe out the Revolutionary Army."
Planck and the rest were already poised to strike. With a shout, they hurled themselves toward the dragon ship.
Dragon stood at the bow, swathed in a black cloak that hid most of his face.
A swirl of pale green wind caught the leaping pirates mid‑air and hurled them back.
Planck sliced through the gusts, spinning before landing lightly on his feet.
"Strong wind magic," he said, his tone grim.
__________________
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