dmims Chapter 221 Two companions have gone missing; death is near.
Chapter 221 Two companions have gone missing; death is near.
Chapter 221 Two companions have gone missing; death is near.
Usopp stormed out of Franky's house in a huff, leaving behind an awkward and heavy silence.
Luffy, unusually, did not immediately give chase; he simply lowered the brim of his straw hat, obscuring his expression.
Zoro, holding his sword, scoffed, "Idiot."
It's unclear whether the speaker is referring to Usopp or the current situation.
Sanji lit a cigarette, his eyes filled with complex emotions amidst the swirling smoke.
Chopper looked worriedly at the doorway, then at Luffy.
Nami rubbed her forehead, both annoyed by Usopp's impulsiveness and despairing over the unattainable cost of building the ship.
Franky broke the silence by pounding his steely chest with a clanging sound.
"SUPER—!!! Listen up, Straw Hat Boy! I understand your feelings for the old ship!"
"However, in front of the Pirate King Roger, there are some things I can proudly say!"
Franky's enthusiastic gaze met Roger's directly; he looked at this legendary man.
He seems to do it very frequently—but he's the guy that Mr. Tom would risk his life to proudly say is honored to build for him.
For reasons unknown, he shouted it out loud.
"A shipwright's duty is to build ships that can carry the dreams of sailors and cross any storm!"
"The Going Merry has completed its mission, and its spirit will watch over you as you embark on your new voyage! Now, to continue your journey, you need new companions!"
"This isn't about a change of interests; it's a test of your resolve to move towards the future!"
His words were rough but went straight to the point. Roger, arms crossed, laughed heartily.
"Hahahaha! That's right! Tom's disciple has backbone!"
"Luffy, keep your sadness and memories to yourself. A real man looks forward!"
Ace patted Luffy on the shoulder and gave him a determined look.
Karna calmly said, "On the road to growth, you will undoubtedly lose some things; it depends on your choices."
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps approached, and several boatmen rushed in in a panic.
"It's terrible! There are so many naval warships outside! They've already blocked several main exit waterways! It could be very dangerous for you!"
Everyone's expressions instantly turned serious. The navy's actions were faster than expected!
"Is the target Mr. Roger? -- As expected, with Luffy and Mr. Roger around, we can't hide our movements at all." Nami gripped the Clima-Tact tightly.
Robin pondered for a moment and said, "Actually, I don't think that's right. News of our entry into Water Seven has already spread."
"But the navy's large-scale blockade at this moment seems more like a deterrent and restriction, or perhaps it's guarding against something else—"
Just then, Tescatlipoca, who had been standing silently to the side, finally spoke, reminding everyone of his existence.
"That's right. Don't forget that the naval hero let you pass earlier."
"Think about Blackbeard. Right now, you're probably not the biggest threat to the government at all."
His words were soon partially confirmed.
Almost at the same time the news of the Navy's blockade spread, another explosive piece of news quickly spread through the radio Den Den Mushi and News Bird of Water 7.
Former CP9 leader Rob Lucci, along with an unknown and terrifying Heroic Spirit, has defected from the World Government and is currently on the run, in extreme danger!
"Its last known location appears to point to Water Seven! The World Government's bounty is astronomical!"
The two messages combined were like two depth charges dropped into the already turbulent waters of Water Seven!
"Lucci?! He's not dead yet? And he's—" Nami covered her mouth in shock.
"Carrying an unknown and terrifying Heroic Spirit?" Sanji found it hard to believe.
Zoro gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his eyes sharp: "It seems that guy—has become stronger, and he's carrying something extraordinary."
The sound of the radio filled the entire city.
Usopp, unwilling to accept reality and running away, gripped his slingshot tightly, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
Brook's skeleton, which was wandering around, suddenly trembled, and the tremor from the Yomi Yomi no Mi and the Command Seals reached its peak at this moment.
A chilling sense of dread, as if he were being targeted by a natural enemy, gripped him, even though he had no heart.
"Hohoho—it's here—is this heart-pounding feeling coming for me?"
Amidst the varying reactions of his crewmates, Luffy raised his head. The usual playful look in his eyes beneath his hat brim was replaced by a seriousness in the face of challenge.
He looked at Franky, "Hey, Franky! We absolutely have to build a new ship! We'll figure out how to get the money and the wood!"
"Before this, anyone who tries to cause trouble, I'll beat them to a pulp!"
At that very moment, in the waters surrounding Water Seven, Lucci's fast ship moved like a ghost through the thick fog and reefs.
The atmosphere on the ship remained cold, but there was a clearer sense of purpose.
"A naval blockade has been spotted ahead, consisting of three large warships. The newly appointed Admiral Fujitora Issho is on the flagship."
Kaku, who was on lookout duty, was still recovering from a leg injury. He reported in a deep voice, his tone grave.
The intimidating presence of a general is ingrained in the very bones of former government officials.
Lucci stood at the bow, his eyes unwavering. "Go around it, or tear it apart."
The assassin behind him suddenly had a ghostly blue flame flicker in his dark eye sockets, and an ancient voice rang out.
"Obstacles have appeared; we must exercise our right to file a death complaint."
Just then, they sensed the powerful aura of a god-level hero emanating from the distant Water City.
And—that even clearer, more captivating fluctuation of the Yomi no Mi (Fruit of the Underworld) that drew him in like a lighthouse in the darkness.
The voice said, "Target confirmed." There was a hint of certainty in it.
Lucci's lips curled into a cruel sneer: "Ace—Karna—I'm here."
He did not choose to detour. The fast ships headed straight for the weakest point on the flank of the naval blockade!
"Target ship spotted! It's Lucci's crew! Open fire!"
The naval warships spotted them immediately, and cannon fire roared as countless shells rained down upon them!
However, a strange scene happened.
All the shells fired at that fast ship seemed to hit an invisible wall after entering a certain range around it.
It was as if some force had instantly stripped them of their kinetic energy, causing them to fall helplessly into the sea without even creating a ripple.
That was a simplified death zone deployed by Assassin. Its death command power also applied to this kind of inanimate physical attack, directly ending the lives of these projectiles.
"As expected—it's a rule-based ability—" Fujitora smiled on the flagship. Although he was blind, he clearly saw the incredible scene through his Observation Haki.
His expression was grave, knowing full well that conventional attacks would likely be ineffective.
"Order to cease shelling! All officers of general rank and above, follow me into battle! Be prepared and proceed with caution!"
Fujitora drew his cane sword, and his powerful Gravity Fruit ability began to gather. He intended to use absolute power to suppress his opponent and test their limits!
But just as Fujitora was about to activate his ability, several vice admirals and rear admirals of the Navy stepped on Moonwalk and rushed towards Lucci's ship like arrows.
Assassin moved. Or rather, he didn't move at all.
He merely raised his calm face slightly, his dark eyes seeming to pierce through space as he swept over the charging naval officers.
There was no sound, no light or shadow.
The figures of those powerful and imposing naval officers who were charging forward seemed to have been paused.
Immediately, their life force was extinguished like a candle flame blown out by the wind!
With its body still in a forward-leaning posture, it plummeted straight into the sea like a puppet with its strings cut!
Even General Fujitora couldn't arrive in time to rescue them!
In an instant, he annihilated multiple elite naval officers!
Fujitora's expression changed completely; that power of death was so domineering that it was terrifying!
He couldn't even accurately pinpoint how the attack was launched!
"This road is blocked." The ancient voice of Assassin rang out once more, carrying an undeniable authority.
Taking advantage of the moment when the navy was stunned by the horrific scene and their formation was in disarray, Lucci's ship, like a sharp sword, easily tore through the seemingly tight blockade and sailed away, heading straight for Water Seven!
Fujitora, gripping his cane-sword, stood motionless for a long time.
He realized that this mission was probably far more difficult and dangerous than he had imagined.
He immediately took out a Den Den Mushi and reported to Sengoku: "Target—has broken through the blockade. Its Heroic Spirit ability—"
This appears to be an instant-death rule, impossible to stop.
"Request — change the mission instructions, or send stronger reinforcements."
Sengoku sighed deeply. He had long anticipated the terrifying strength of the Heroic Spirits, and thankfully, this new general was unharmed.
"Tighten the encirclement and obey orders."
The order was given, and the navy's encirclement tightened further, as if a countdown was on everyone's minds.
Usopp's angry departure was the last straw that broke the camel's back, leaving all the Straw Hat Pirates members somewhat sullen.
Sadness, anger, anxiety, and uncertainty about the future intertwined, making the atmosphere inside the Frankie House exceptionally heavy.
Brooke, the newly boarded musician, had particularly complex feelings.
He finally found a partner who was willing to accept him, and once again felt the warmth and joy of being alive.
However, the restlessness of the Yomi Yomi no Mi (Yomi-Yomi Fruit) within him and the burning sensation of the Command Seals on the back of his hand, like ice spikes, constantly reminded him of this.
An extremely terrifying being came because of him.
He didn't want to drag his newly acquired companions into a potentially irreversible disaster because of his own actions.
"Hehehe—don't you think it would be better if we were both abandoned—"
In the dead of night, Brooke sat alone on the dilapidated deck of the Merry.
His empty eye sockets stared at the night sky, occasionally pierced by searchlights, and his fingertips gently brushed across the violin strings, but he didn't play a note.
"Everyone here is such a good person. Mr. Luffy would do anything for his crew."
"Miss Nami may love money, but she's very kind. Mr. Zoro, Mr. Sanji, Mr. Chopper, Miss Robin—and Mr. Usopp—it's so great to have met you all."
His frame trembled slightly as he thought of Laboon and the promise made to the Rumbar Pirates.
"But—that's precisely why I can't—I can't lose another important partner."
"Let me, a skeleton who has already died once, face that harbinger of death alone."
Late at night, Tescatlipoca stood on the balcony, silently observing the departure of this lonely soul destined for the underworld.
The next morning, when Nami mustered her strength to begin her fundraising campaign, she discovered that Brook was nowhere to be found, leaving only a note written in delicate handwriting.
[Dear friends: Hehehe, please forgive my abrupt departure.]
The ominous premonition within me grew stronger; the approaching aura of death was inextricably linked to me. I know you all are deeply devoted and would not want me to face this danger alone, but this calamity arose because of me; how can I drag you all down with me to an abyss of no return?
[Do not search. If Brooke survives, he will return and play "Binks' Wine" for you all once more. —Brooke, you unworthy musicians.]
"Brook!!!" Chopper saw the note and tears welled up in his eyes.
"That idiot skeleton!" Sanji kicked the wooden box next to him in anger.
"What do you mean by 'implicate'! We're partners!"
Robin held the note, his brow furrowed. "Did he sense something approaching—and choose to bear it alone?"
Zoro snorted coldly: "That presumptuous guy, when we find him, we'll definitely chop him down!"
Luffy pulled his straw hat down low, his usual smile gone, his voice low but firm: "He's our crewmate. Go find him and bring him back."
Finding Brook and Usopp became the top priority.
Luffy, Ace, Roger, and Karna, the most prominent and strongest members of the crew, took to the streets of Water 7.
Nami wanted to stop them, but seeing Luffy's unwavering gaze, she could only sigh and tell them to keep a low profile.
However, the word "low-key" is completely irrelevant to this group of four.
"Hey! Have you guys seen a skull with an afro? He's our musician!" Luffy shouted, asking everyone he met.
Although Ace wasn't as flamboyant, his signature freckles and orange cowboy hat were equally eye-catching.
And Gol D. Roger—just by standing there, his magnanimous smile, his domineering demeanor, and his face etched into the memory of almost everyone through newspapers and wanted posters, was enough to cause a sensation!
"The Sea—Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King! The Heroic Spirit of the Holy Grail War!"
"He's really here! With Straw Hat Boy!"
"Look! It's Portgas D. Ace! And that Heroic Spirit who displayed sun-like power in Alabasta!"
The crowd erupted in cheers!
Exclamations, screams, and the clicking of camera shutters filled the air.
Some people were eager to get closer, some retreated in fear, and some even knelt down and worshipped Roger, regarding him as some kind of miracle.
Nami followed behind, jumping up and down in anger, and swung her Clima-Tact at the back of Luffy's head.
"Idiot Luffy! I told you to keep a low profile! Going out with the face of the Pirate King like that, what's the difference between that and parading around holding up signs saying we're here?!"
Roger, however, didn't seem to care at all. Instead, he laughed heartily and waved to the crowd, as if he were holding a grand fan meeting.
"Hahaha! Everyone's so enthusiastic! Did you see our skeleton musician?"
Their movements were like a beacon in the darkness, immediately attracting the attention of the navy.
"Report! Core members of the Straw Hat Pirates, including the spirit of Gol D. Roger, have been spotted near the city's Third Waterway!"
The naval sentinel quickly relayed the intelligence.
Vice Admiral Doberman, the dog commander in charge of the blockade and search, turned pale upon receiving the report.
He was eager to send troops to pursue these major targets, but he made it clear that direct confrontation should be avoided as much as possible until Admiral Fujitora arrived or received further orders.
"Damn it—these lawless pirates!" Doberman gritted his teeth.
"Dispatch plainclothes teams to infiltrate the crowd and monitor them! Notify all checkpoints to strengthen security; do not allow them to break through the blockade and leave Water City!"
"At the same time, urgently report the situation to General Fujitora and request instructions!"
Thus, amidst the noisy citizens and their enthusiastic gazes, many plainclothes sailors joined in.
They dared not get too close, but kept a close watch on Luffy and his crew's movements from a distance, a tense atmosphere permeating beneath the lively surface.