The door to the inn creaked open—not with a bang, but with purpose.
Luffy stepped out slowly.
His hat shadowed half his face, while moonlight illuminated the path before him. The warmth of the inn vanished behind him as the cold smoke of the battlefield wrapped around his shoulders.
His sandals tapped the cracked stone. Loose dust scattered. Lantern light flickered against the blood-smeared cobblestones.
No words.
Only the rhythm of his walk.
A single heartbeat behind every step.
[SHADOW SYSTEM: THREAT SCAN INITIATED]
[HOSTILE ENTITIES DETECTED: MR. 5 – MISS VALENTINE]
[ALLY STATUS: RORONOA ZORO – BLEEDING, EXHAUSTED]
[PROTECTED TARGET IDENTIFIED: MISS WEDNESDAY → NEFERTARI VIVI]
[SYNCHRONIZATION LEVEL: 94%]
[PROTECTIVE INSTINCT: MAXIMUM OVERRIDE]
The words pulsed faintly across his vision, framed in faint red. But Luffy didn't need to read them.
He could feel it.
The danger. The weight of trust. The moment about to snap.
Zoro turned slightly, barely enough to glance over his shoulder.
A line of blood traced his cheek. His breathing had grown heavier, but the glint in his eye didn't fade.
"About time," he muttered.
Luffy didn't answer. He passed him silently.
Zoro stepped one pace back, lowering one blade just slightly.
A wordless trust.
Mr. 5 spun an orb between his fingers, irritation tugging at his mouth.
"This one looks even dumber than the last."
Miss Valentine swirled in the air above them, her parasol twirling like a windmill. "Maybe he's just here to cry about dinner too."
Luffy's eyes never moved.
"I was eating," he said softly.
Mr. 5 scoffed. "What?"
"You ruined it."
The orb flared brighter in Mr. 5's hand.
Miss Valentine tilted her head.
"And?"
Luffy's hand clenched.
"You made me angry."
Behind the crumbled crates and shattered wood, Vivi slid lower against the wall, her knees giving out.
Her fingers trembled.
Her throat tightened.
Zoro had bled for her.
Now Luffy stood in front of her, not even knowing who she truly was.
Her lungs burned.
"I never… wanted this…"
She looked down at her shaking hands.
"This wasn't supposed to go this far…"
Suddenly, the sound of leather shoes striking stone rang through the smoke.
"Oi… what the hell is going on out here?"
Sanji emerged from the alley, collar still half-loose, cigarette tucked between his lips. He paused mid-step, one eye narrowing as he scanned the carnage.
His gaze landed on Zoro's burns. Then the officers. Then Luffy.
His jaw tensed.
"You idiots couldn't wait until breakfast?"
A few steps behind him, Usopp crept forward, peeking with wild eyes around the broken fountain.
"W-Wait, those two aren't regular pirates, are they?!"
Zoro wiped blood from his chin with the back of his wrist.
"Officer Agents," he muttered.
Usopp turned pale. "The real ones?! You fought them by yourself?!"
Luffy didn't respond.
Instead, he raised his arm.
Pointed.
Straight at Vivi.
The square went still.
Even Miss Valentine slowed her spin.
Mr. 5's fingers paused.
Vivi looked up, breath hitching in her chest.
"They came for her," Luffy said.
No emotion.
Just truth.
Vivi's heart thundered.
Her mouth opened.
"I… I'm…"
Her voice cracked.
A single breath passed through the square.
"I am Princess Nefertari Vivi," she said.
The name hung in the air like a bell.
Even the night seemed to freeze.
"I am the princess of Alabasta."
"And Baroque Works… is tearing my kingdom apart."
Her fists clenched.
"I joined them. Infiltrated them. Lied to everyone—to get close to the truth. To stop… him."
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"Crocodile."
Zoro blinked once.
Sanji's cigarette dropped to the ground.
Usopp just stood frozen, slingshot dangling in his hand.
Even Mr. 5's expression shifted.
Valentine's umbrella tilted to one side.
And Luffy—
He stepped forward.
His shadow stretched along the broken square.
Mr. 5 raised another orb.
Miss Valentine's fingers tightened around her parasol.
Luffy didn't flinch.
His system activated again.
[ENGAGE MODE: ACTIVE]
[ENEMY TARGETS LOCKED]
[PROTECTIVE STRIKE PROTOCOL: READY]
One hand curled into a fist.
"Let's finish this."
[End of Chapter 108]
_________________________________________________________________________
🔥 Hey legends! Quick updates! 🔥
💥 Can't wait for the next chapter? Good news—ALL advance chapters are available on Patreon for just $5! No more waiting, just pure binge-reading goodness! 🚀
👉 patreon.com/cyci07
✨ Power Stone Challenge! ✨
If we hit 100 power stones, I'll drop 2 bonus chapters! Let's see if you guys can make me suffer! 😂
💬 Enjoying the story? Leave a review and let me know your favorite moment so far! It helps the novel grow and reach more readers!
Thanks for all your support—you guys are awesome! ❤️