New World.
The scent of steel and blood permeated the island, the temporary base of the Kid Pirates in the New World. Broken warship wreckage piled up in the harbor, symbolizing a fierce battle that had taken place there not long ago.
"Hey, Kid, come look at this!" Killer's voice came from inside the ship's cabin, with a hint of seriousness.
Eustass Kid, wearing a blood-stained fur coat, strode into the cabin. His mechanical left arm gleamed with a cold light, and his crimson eyes stared at the live broadcast on the screen. The flag of Enies Lobby was trampled under the feet of the Straw Hat, and two Giant Race warriors were raising their glasses to the camera.
"Hmph, show-stealing bastards…" Kid's mouth twitched, and the wine bottle in his hand shattered with a "crunch," glass shards mixed with wine dripping from between his fingers.
Killer stood by with his arms crossed: "It seems they've gotten a lot stronger."
"Stronger?" Kid suddenly burst into maniacal laughter, a bone-chilling coldness in his voice, "They just defeated a few watchdogs raised by the Government!" He slammed his fist on the table, and the entire metal table instantly twisted and deformed. "That childish place, the first half of the Grand Line, does it even deserve to be called a battle?!"
The live broadcast switched to a close-up of Luffy, who was showing his characteristic brilliant smile directly at the camera: "New World, here we come!"
Kid's pupils suddenly constricted, and his mechanical arm "clanked" as it transformed, revealing a menacing muzzle: "Straw Hat…" His voice was terrifyingly low, "Do you think defeating a few CP9 members is a big deal?"
The temperature inside the cabin seemed to drop sharply, and the pirates unconsciously took half a step back. They knew this was a prelude to the Captain's rage.
"Captain Kid…" A new pirate spoke nervously, "Should we send people to intercept them?"
"Intercept?" Kid suddenly showed a ferocious smile, "No, let them come!" He turned and walked towards the deck, his crimson cloak flapping in the strong wind. "Post a video—"
His voice boomed like thunder, and the entire steel island trembled:
"When Straw Hat steps into the New World, I'll be the first to crush him! I'll let him know what a true pirate is!"
Killer silently wiped his scythe, his gaze flickering behind his lenses: "It seems the New World is about to get lively."
In the distance, a TikTok notification popped up on a phone. The Marine had issued the latest bounty.
On Kid's wanted poster, the number "320,000,000" was clearly visible. He stared at Luffy's photo on the bounty, revealing a bloodthirsty smile: "Soon, you will understand…"
"In this sea—"
"The weak don't even have the right to scream!"
Meanwhile, the going merry had already sailed away from the Enies Lobby sea area. Luffy stood at the bow, looking at the distant horizon: "The New World… It's truly exciting!"
Usopp's live stream title had already changed to: "From a Hunted Rookie to Overpowering Enies Lobby — The Straw Hat Crew's Road to Reversal!" His follower count was growing at an astonishing rate.
The upgraded and modified going merry cut a beautiful white wake across the sea. Franky's newly developed cola-powered system had increased the sailing speed by a full three times.
Usopp held up the live Den Den Mushi, excitedly showing the audience their brand-new beloved ship:
"Listen up, folks! Our Merry is now equipped with Water 7's most cutting-edge technology!" The camera panned to the stern, revealing two turbine propellers spewing blue energy trails. "This is Franky's custom-made 'Super Cola Power System,' and the speed is incredible!"
The barrage of comments instantly exploded:
[Holy cow! This ship can fly?!]
[That cyborg is too strong!]
[Wait… Their course is… Devil's Sea?!]
Nami drew a route on the nautical chart, her expression serious: "Ahead is the Devil's Sea, known as the 'Ship Graveyard.' It's said that nine out of ten ships that enter disappear…"
"Straw Hat, this is my territory. I've been waiting for you for a long time!" A voice-over suddenly interrupted, causing a stir of confusion among the live stream viewers.
The comments scrolled wildly:
[Whose voice was that just now?]
[Shichibukai Gekko Moriah!]
[Wait… Why have I never seen Brook post a video?]
At this point, a veteran fan came out to explain:
[The Devil's Sea is shrouded in mist year-round, even News Birds get lost in there.]
[Think about it, a talking skeleton, who wouldn't run away after seeing one?]
[Exactly, I'd run too if I saw one!]
[Bastard, you ignored me!]
Luffy suddenly leaned into the camera, grinning: "Brook is super amazing! Even though he's a skeleton, he sings super well!" As he spoke, he gesticulated wildly, "And he can also use a sword, Soul King!"
Zoro grumbled from the side: "Idiot, you don't sound like him at all."
The live stream atmosphere instantly livened up:
[I want to see Brook go live!]
[Request for the skeleton to dance New Island!]
[Does the Straw Hat Crew still need people? I'll sign up to be a pet.]
Franky suddenly pressed a button on the deck: "Super ~ Fog Countermeasure Mode activated!" Several giant fans unfolded on the Merry's mast, beginning to blow away the thick fog ahead.
"Don't worry, everyone!" Usopp gave a thumbs-up to the camera, "With this great god here, we're not afraid of any demons or monsters! Although my legs are a little shaky right now…"
As the going merry fully sailed into the center of the thick fog, a gigantic dark shadow, like a mountain, gradually appeared. Its distinctive spiky hairstyle and exaggerated scissor hands made everyone instantly recognize the newcomer—the "Shadow-Shadow Fruit" user, Gekko Moriah!
"Hehehehe!" A deafening laugh echoed in the mist. Moriah's massive body almost obscured the entire sky. "Look who it is? Straw Hat!"
Luffy's eyes widened, and his Straw Hat even tilted up in surprise: "Wow! Moriah, how did you get bigger than a mountain?!"
Moriah proudly patted his round belly, shadows twisting and writhing around him: "Hehehehe! This time, I swallowed fifteen hundred shadows! Five hundred more than in the novel!" He suddenly opened his gaping maw, "None of you are getting away today!"
The live stream comments were also a bit bewildered,
"Fifteen hundred?! That's a full third more than the intel!"
"Are you kidding me… How are we supposed to fight this?"
"I suddenly remembered I have soup simmering at home…"
Only Luffy's gaze grew sharper. He pressed down on his Straw Hat: "Even if you swallow ten thousand shadows…" His rubber arm began to spin rapidly, "I'll still send you flying!"
.....
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right nobut who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/TripleCrown
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"