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Luffy hadn't used Haki in his attack but a technique called Nen.
Though Nen and Haki have different names and methods of use, they are fundamentally two paths to the same goal.
To awaken Nen, one needs a strong body and spirit. Similarly, Haki requires great physical and mental strength to manifest. Both abilities tap into an individual's potential, and those capable of taking down Logia users can often wield either.
Nen abilities parallel Haki in several ways:
The "Entanglement" aspect of Nen is akin to Armament Haki. Its "En" technique mirrors Observation Haki. And its "Ren" bears resemblance to Conqueror's Haki.
Even advanced Haki techniques like Ryou share similarities with the ways Nen can be channeled.
At this moment, Luffy had only just begun to grasp Entanglement. This allowed him to wrap his Nen around his body, boosting both his attack and defense.
However, as a rubber man, Luffy rarely worried about blunt force attacks, and his Nen didn't offer much protection against sharp weapons. More importantly, Luffy often forgot he could use it during fights.
But today, he understood that Nen could bridge the gap against Logia users like Smoker.
Both Smoker and Luffy were stunned when Luffy managed to land a hit on Smoker. Even Dragon, watching from the shadows, looked momentarily surprised.
Dragon could tell immediately that Luffy wasn't using Haki. He'd observed the fight closely, confident in his ability to recognize the use of Haki.
From his distant vantage point, Dragon noticed that Luffy's crewmates had already boarded their ship. Satisfied, he decided it was time to act.
Leaping down, Dragon landed behind Smoker and placed a hand firmly on his shoulder.
Smoker tensed, prepared to counterattack, but found himself immobilized. His body refused to move under the immense pressure.
Glancing over his shoulder, Smoker's eyes widened in shock. His pupils shrank as he recognized his captor.
"The World Government has been hunting you for years... Dragon!"
Dragon grinned, his tone calm but resolute. "The world is waiting for our answer."
As the words left his mouth, a strange gust of wind began to swirl around them.
Luffy, seeing Dragon for the first time, opened his mouth to ask, "Who are—"
Before he could finish, the rising wind swept him away.
As Luffy was carried off by the gale, he spotted Zoro nearby, fresh from his battle with Tashigi.
"Zoro!" he shouted, stretching out his arm to grab his crewmate's leg.
Zoro turned, alarmed. "Don't you—"
Before Zoro could react, Luffy's grip yanked him into the air.
The wind grew stronger, and Zoro struggled, knowing exactly how these situations tended to end. Despite his protests, Luffy's strength pulled him upward and away.
When the force of inertia became too much, Luffy accidentally released Zoro, sending him hurtling through the air.
Zoro soared toward the port at breakneck speed, slamming headfirst into a tower with a resounding bang.
Ikki, already near the port, spotted Zoro sprawled on the ground. He walked over and found the swordsman muttering under his breath, his mouth wide open in exasperation.
"That idiot Luffy… I swear, one of these days, I'm going to slice him to bits..."
Ikki chuckled, easily piecing together what had happened.
Hoisting Zoro onto his shoulders, Ikki activated the healing magic from his Sky Magic to tend to the swordsman's wounds.
Just as Ikki prepared the ship, Luffy came running over, grinning ear to ear.
With everyone aboard, Ikki hoisted the anchor, Sanji lowered the sail, and Usopp took control of the rudder.
As the sails unfurled, the Going Merry surged forward, carried by the strange, powerful wind that had begun blowing through Loguetown.
Dragon watched the Going Merry disappear into the horizon. He spread his arms wide, as if making a vow to the sea.
"Go… If this is the path you've chosen."
Nearby, Smoker glared, fists clenched in frustration. He knew he was no match for Dragon—the man deemed the most dangerous in the world by the World Government. But confusion and determination warred within him, and he shouted, "Why would you help that man, Dragon?"
Dragon didn't acknowledge their connection, instead answering in a calm, enigmatic tone, "What reason could ever stop a man from setting sail?"
As the words left his mouth, Dragon's form dissolved into the gusting wind and vanished.
Smoker stared after him, his expression hardening.
Turning to his subordinates, he ordered, "Prepare the warship. We're chasing the Straw Hat boy. I'm going to the Grand Line."
The Marines around him froze, stunned.
"But, Captain Smoker! Loguetown is under your jurisdiction! How will you explain this to headquarters if you leave?"
Smoker's eyes narrowed coldly. "Just tell them, 'Don't try to order me around.'"
Despite the brewing storm, Smoker left Loguetown in pursuit of Luffy and his crew.
Less than an hour after his departure, the Marine branch at Loguetown received a shocking notice from headquarters:
[Cancel Monkey D. Luffy's wanted order.]
Meanwhile, aboard the Going Merry, the crew sailed onward, excitement buzzing in the air.
Not long after leaving Loguetown, a tall lighthouse appeared on the horizon.
The structure loomed above the sea, a guiding beacon for ships approaching the entrance to Reverse Mountain. Seeing it, the crew's hearts raced—they were about to enter the Grand Line.
Sanji broke the moment of awe by pulling out a wooden barrel. With a grin, he set it down and announced, "We're about to enter the Grand Line. Let's hold a sea-entry ceremony right here!"
Without waiting for a response, Sanji placed his foot on the edge of the barrel.
"I'm here to find the All Blue."
Zoro stepped forward next, placing Wado Ichimonji's scabbard against the barrel.
"I'm here to become the world's greatest swordsman."
Nami followed, her voice filled with resolve.
"I'm here to create a complete map of the world."
When it was Usopp's turn, he hesitated. Surrounded by his extraordinary crewmates, he felt the weight of being the only "ordinary" person. But summoning his courage, he declared:
"I... I'm here to become a brave warrior of the sea!"
Ikki stepped up, his tone light but his words firm.
"I'm here to uphold true justice and change this twisted world."
Finally, all eyes turned to Luffy. He adjusted his straw hat, a grin spreading across his face as he placed his foot on the barrel.
"I'm here to become the King of the Pirates… and the King of the Marines! I want to be the freest man on the sea!"
He glanced at Ikki as he spoke, adding with a laugh, "We're not just a pirate crew. We're a private Marine crew too!"
Originally, Luffy's dream was solely to become the Pirate King. But after his adventures and time spent with Ikki, he realized the idea of "King Marine" wasn't so bad—it gave him the freedom to have banquets on Marine warships while pursuing his goals. Besides, he'd never forgotten that Ikki's dream revolved around justice and the Marines.
If Ikki could hear Luffy's thoughts, he'd probably scream: "What?! I never said I wanted to be a Marine! This is just because of the Justice Marine System!"
With their goals declared, the crew stood united around the barrel.
The Going Merry pressed forward, sailing toward the towering lighthouse and the promise of the Grand Line beyond.