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[+200 power stones = +1 extra chapter]
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"How is this possible? He actually smiled."
Smoker stared in shock as Luffy grinned in the face of death. It was a sight he hadn't witnessed since the execution of Gol D. Roger twenty-two years ago, a man laughing even as death loomed over him.
On the execution platform, Buggy's blade was mere centimeters from Luffy's neck when, without warning, a bolt of lightning split the sky.
BOOM!
The strike hit the platform dead center, the sheer force shattering the wooden structure in an instant. The crowd gasped as the execution stand collapsed in a cloud of dust and splinters.
"Luffy!" Zoro and Sanji shouted in unison.
Lucas, his emotions locked away, remained eerily calm. "Is this the kind of battle the future Emperor of the Sea will face?" he murmured.
"Don't worry," he added flatly. "Luffy's rubber body is immune to lightning."
In truth, Lucas knew Luffy's Devil Fruit was far more than just rubber, it was a Mythical Zoan, the legendary Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika. But for now, calling it the Rubber-Rubber Fruit was simpler.
Hearing Lucas reassurance, Zoro and Sanji exhaled in relief.
"Hey, Lucas," Zoro frowned, studying him. "What's wrong with you?"
Sanji noticed it too. "Yeah, you sound… off."
"I temporarily shut off my emotions," Lucas replied mechanically. "I can't feel anything right now."
"Shut off emotions?" Zoro repeated, baffled.
"Is that even safe?" Sanji pressed.
Lucas gave a slow nod. "It's only temporary. No side effects."
Before they could question further, a familiar voice rang out from the wreckage.
"I survived! Hahahaha! I'm so lucky!" Luffy emerged, grinning wildly as he dusted himself off.
"Luffy!" Zoro called out.
The Straw Hat captain jogged over, his usual energy undiminished. Lucas, still emotionless, cut straight to business.
"We can't waste time. The storm's getting worse, we need to get back to the Going Merry before the Marines regroup. Nami and Usopp are waiting."
Luffy pumped his fist. "Then let's go!"
"Right!" the others agreed.
Nearby, a green-haired man stood frozen, his jaw hanging open as he stared at the retreating pirates. A bounty poster fluttered to his feet. He picked it up, eyes locked on the straw-hatted figure.
"Monkey D. Luffy…"
'That smile before execution… It was just like his.'
Meanwhile, Buggy and his battered crew groaned in the rubble.
"Straw Hat! Don't let them escape!" the clown captain screeched, struggling to his feet.
But his remaining forces were in no shape to fight, most of his men were already unconscious. Just as Buggy rallied his officers, a thick cloud of smoke engulfed them.
"Smoker?!" Buggy snarled, recognizing the Marine captain instantly.
In the East Blue, Smoker was practically untouchable a true powerhouse.
The white-haired Marine exhaled a stream of smoke, glaring down at them. "I don't have time for you today. The Straw Hats are my priority."
Before Buggy could retort, a net woven with Seastone fibers dropped over him and Alvida, sapping their strength.
"What the...?! I can't move!" Alvida gasped.
Buggy, ever the veteran, grimaced. "Seastone nets. Designed to neutralize Devil Fruit users."
Elsewhere, Lucas and the others sprinted through the storm, the downpour making navigation impossible.
"Which way now?!" Zoro shouted over the rain.
Sanji squinted. "Can't see a damn thing in this!"
Then, like a beacon, a familiar figure emerged ahead.
"That way!" Sanji's eyes instantly morphed into hearts.
Lucas sighed. "No amount of rain can drown Sanji's hormones."
The woman in question was none other than Tashigi, Zoro's sword-obsessed rival.
"Roronoa Zoro!" she yelled, gripping her Shigure tightly. "You lied to me!"
Sanji whirled on Zoro, flames in his eyes. "What did you do to her, you moss-headed bastard?!"
Zoro ignored him, addressing Tashigi. "I never lied. You never asked my name."
But Tashigi wasn't listening. Her expression was that of a woman scorned. "A pirate like you doesn't deserve to wield a named blade! I'm taking that Wado Ichimonji back!"
"Over my dead body," Zoro shot back, hand resting on his hilt.
Tashigi lunged, her sword flashing.
"Zoro!" Luffy called out.
"This is between us!" Tashigi snapped. "Stay out of it!"
Zoro nodded. "Go ahead. I'll catch up."
Sanji fumed. "If you hurt her, I'll kick your ass, marimo!"
Lucas and Luffy dragged the lovesick cook away, only to freeze as a wall of smoke materialized before them, Smoker.
"Straw Hat," the Marine growled. "I told you, you're not reaching the Grand Line unless you get through me."
Luffy scratched his head. "Oh yeah, I forgot!"
Lucas interjected tonelessly, "He's a Logia. Physical attacks won't work."
He expected Luffy to strategize, but the captain just grinned.
"You guys go on ahead. I'll handle this."
Lucas hesitated but, knowing Luffy wasn't in real danger, nodded. He and Sanji bolted, leaving Luffy to face Smoker alone.
"If only we'd taught them Haki earlier…" Lucas mused.
"Probably wouldn't have helped," Sanji muttered.
Right now, the Straw Hats had no counter for Logia users.
Minutes later, they spotted the Going Merry under Marine siege.
"Hidden Shadow Serpent Strike!"
Lucas arms transformed into dozens of white snakes, lashing out at the soldiers.
"What the hell...?!"
"Sir, we're under attack by...ARGH!"
The venomous snakes weren't lethal, but their paralyzing bites dropped Marines left and right. Sanji joined in, his kicks a blur as they cleared the deck.
Just as they prepared to board, a monstrous whirlwind tore through Loguetown, shaking the very foundations of the island.
BOOM!
The storm had reached its peak.
....
T/N: Thanks for the support from: Lam Sha, Black Widow, Hamza Masfar, Lord Of the Mysteries, Andrew, Jiri Stehule, trey hill, Agustin Monti, Tightless, Impulsionimulsion.