The crisp morning air of Wano's forest clearing carried the scent of damp earth and distant blossoms. Dew still clung to the grass as birds chirped somewhere in the canopy, though the faint echo of the sea breeze hinted at the battles yet to come.
Pak!
After a quick breakfast, Luffy gathered everyone in the clearing inside the bamboo forest. He clapped his hands together; the sound cut through the soft murmurs of his crew.
"Alright," He said, his voice carrying across the clearing like the crack of a whip.
One by one, heads turned toward him.
Zoro leaned lazily against a tree trunk, Kuina standing at his side with her arms folded, her eyes already sharp and attentive.
Gion's arms were crossed, but her gaze softened at Luffy's presence.
Hina exhaled smoke slowly, watching with that ever-calculating stare.
Ain stood prim and silent, while Binz and Prince Grus seemed more curious than concerned.
Issho sat with his staff resting across his knees, the gentle smile on his face revealing nothing but readiness.
Chaton's grin was easy, Kujaku looked almost excited, and Dol still had that 'I'm-watching-you' glare aimed straight at Luffy.
Luffy's gaze swept across them all, lingering on each face as if committing their resolve to memory. Then, he stepped forward, hands in his pockets, his coat swaying gently behind him.
"You all know why we came here," He began, voice light at first, "to fight Kaido… and defeat him."
A ripple of energy passed through the group, and everyone knew what that meant.
He let the words hang for a beat before his smirk widened.
"But… turns out the big lizard isn't even here."
A few murmurs rose immediately with a mix of irritation and confusion.
Kuina's brows knit together, Zoro grunted like he'd just been robbed of a good fight, and Gion's eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"But," Luffy continued, lifting his hand for silence, "since we're already here in Wano…"
He let his voice drop lower, more serious now. "We do what real Marines should do."
He paused, letting the weight of the moment sink in. His smirk faded, replaced by that rare, sharp gaze of his that could cut through the heart of anyone listening.
"Today… the eleven of us liberate Wano from its rotten ruler."
Prince Grus frowned, rubbing his chin. "I'm all for helping, but this is Wano's problem. Doesn't this go… a little beyond our job description?"
Luffy chuckled with a deep, amused smile, without a hint of mockery.
"Maybe it does," He admitted, shrugging. "But after seeing those kids with empty stomachs, those villagers struggling just to breathe clean air…"
His fists clenched at his sides, the leather of his gloves creaking audibly in the silence. "You think I can turn away? Pretend I didn't see it?"
He took a step forward, his coat brushing against the grass. "I can't do anything about suffering I don't know about… but if it's right here in front of my eyes, and I still choose to ignore it…"
His voice hardened. "…then I'm insulting the very word 'Justice' painted on my back. And I'd have no right to wear this coat."
There was a long, heavy pause where only the rustle of the leaves could be heard.
Issho's lips curved into a knowing smile.
"Well said, Vice Admiral," He murmured, his deep voice resonating in the air. "If that's your decision... then allow me to lend you my strength in this matter."
Luffy grinned and pointed at him. "That's why I like you, Issho-san. You actually get it."
Then he glanced around, his grin turning sly. "Wish more people at Marineford thought like you. But nah… most of them are still stuck counting rules instead of saving lives. Shame, really."
Doll snorted. "And you? You're the rule-breaker that somehow gets away with it."
"Only because I'm prettier than the rules," Luffy shot back instantly, earning a couple of chuckles from Binz and Chaton.
Kuina rolled her eyes but smirked faintly, while Hina shook her head as if trying not to smile.
Luffy just stood there in the middle of the clearing, hands resting on his hips, eyes bright and burning with that infectious mix of mischief and conviction.
Somewhere in the distance, a wind gusted through the trees, rustling the leaves like an unspoken promise.
"Alright then," He said at last, voice dropping into that dangerous calm that meant he was done talking. "Let's go free Wano."
------
Luffy raised his hand, two fingers casually flicking up in the air. A faint snap of his knuckles echoed as he spoke, his tone calm yet carrying a sharp edge.
"We have two main goals," He began, letting his eyes sweep slowly over every face. "First—we're going to destroy every single weapon factory in Wano and free the people enslaved there."
A few jaws tightened at his words, the room filling with a quiet, electric tension.
"Second…" Luffy's voice dipped lower, and a cold smile crept to his lips. "…we capture Kurozumi Orochi… and execute him in front of all Wano."
The silence that followed was heavy, the air almost humming with anticipation.
Luffy straightened his back and began pacing slowly.
"We'll split into three groups." His eyes flicked toward the first. "The first group will head to the factories. Your mission will be to free the slaves, destroy the buildings, and leave nothing that the enemy can use again."
He let his gaze narrow slightly. "For that, I need people who are powerful, fast, and ready for anything... who can strike hard and adapt even faster."
His eyes locked on Issho. "Issho-san, you'll lead that team. You, Chaton, Hina, and Prince Grus will be responsible for this mission. The four of you must stay alert since anything can happen in that place. Don't let your guard down... not even for a second."
A faint fwip of cloth was heard as Issho tilted his head slightly with a small smile.
Chaton gave a slow nod, the usual easygoing air around him briefly replaced by seriousness.
Hina's arms crossed, a faint smirk on her lips. "Consider it done."
Prince Grus simply adjusted his cap, his expression unreadable but eyes gleaming with focus.
Luffy moved on without pause. "Second team… will act as a distraction."
His lips curved in a mischievous grin. "This team must cause chaos, pull the eneimes' attention and force them to chase us while the others move freely. This team needs people who can take a beating… and give one back twice as hard."
Kuina, seated to his left, gave a small giggle. "Well… we already know two people who fit that description perfectly."
That earned a round of chuckles from around the table. Even Zoro's mouth twitched into a faint grin.
Luffy glanced at her, smirking. "Yeah… the second team will be me and Zoro. And we'll take Kujaku as our support... she'll make sure the trouble we cause is unforgettable."
Kujaku rested her chin on her palm, a sly glint in her eye. "Oh… I can make trouble all right."
Luffy's gaze swept to the last group. "Finally… Gion, Ain, Kuina, Binz, and Doll. You'll infiltrate the Shogun's castle... move swiftly, eliminate resistance, and capture Orochi alive. Once we have him… the battle's already over."
Gion gave a small, approving hum. "Swift and clean. I like it."
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