Chapter 23
Loguetown Island (2)
No one noticed Dragon's disappearance…
No one except Arthur.
In the final moment, his eyes caught sight of Dragon's body dissolving into the wind, as though he were not flesh and blood, but the wind itself. He scattered calmly and with perfect composure, then vanished without a trace—no sound, no movement.
Arthur glanced around him.
There were nearly three hundred Marine soldiers surrounding the area from every direction. He searched for Dragon, but found no sign of him at all.
'Is he a Devil Fruit user as well?'
Arthur had never truly understood Dragon. He had appeared and disappeared as if nothing had happened.
Arthur did not know everything about this world, so he could not tell whether what Dragon had used moments ago was a Devil Fruit… or something entirely different.
After searching for only a few seconds, Arthur understood that Dragon had completely vanished from here. Therefore, he needed to focus on those around him—the Marine soldiers.
And Arthur truly did not care about them at all.
He grabbed Luffy and slammed his foot into the ground beneath him. It cracked under the force, then he leapt high into the air.
He gathered energy beneath his feet, compressed the air behind him, and launched himself away at tremendous speed toward the ship's direction.
On the way, he spotted Zoro running in the same direction.
Zoro lifted his head and saw Arthur soaring through the air—
not true flight, but continuous propulsion relying on energy control and violently pushing the air behind his body.
Arthur landed lightly in front of Zoro.
"What happened, Arthur? Why are you carrying Luffy and running?"
Zoro said as he took Luffy from him.
Luffy stood balanced, his usual smile never leaving his face, as if nothing had happened.
Arthur smiled, then briefly told Zoro everything that had occurred.
The moment Zoro understood, the three of them immediately rushed toward the ship.
But at that instant, a shout echoed from behind them.
It was Tashigi…
And behind her were Marine soldiers, trying to stop them by force.
Arthur looked at Zoro and said with calm decisiveness, "Zoro, you handle the girl… I'll take care of the soldiers."
Zoro did not answer. He charged directly toward Tashigi.
Arthur did not want to face her.
He knew Zoro did not want her dead, while he—
if he truly fought her, would not hesitate for a single moment to kill her.
Arthur was not the type to fight at half strength.
It did not matter whether his opponent was a man or a woman, young or old.
Whoever stood in his path… had only one end: death.
That was why he headed straight toward the soldiers.
There were nearly two hundred Marines filling the area.
Luffy and Arthur smiled at the same time, then charged forward together.
Every strike from Luffy knocked down five soldiers or more.
As for Arthur…
Every strike he delivered meant at least one death.
He could have fought longer.
Calmly… without haste.
But Nami's words passed through his mind: "We'll meet at the ship and depart immediately. Don't be late."
Arthur lifted his gaze to the sky.
Dark clouds, storms, heavy rain—
the weather had completely changed since Dragon's appearance.
There was no time.
Arthur extended his right hand, and the bracelet transformed into the black battle sword.
Then he charged once more—
But this time…
He was more savage, more lethal.
He swung the massive sword, and with every sweep, ten Marine heads fell at once.
After a few moments, he stopped.
He looked behind him—
The bodies were stretched along the entire path.
Luffy had finished his share of the soldiers as well.
The two of them turned toward Zoro.
He had defeated Tashigi and subdued her without killing her.
They smiled, then rushed once more toward the ship, leaving the island behind.
When they arrived, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji were already there.
The rain washed the blood from Arthur's body.
No one spoke about what had happened.
They boarded the ship… and set sail once again.
The ship cut through the sea like a whale splitting the terrifying waters.
While everyone prepared and moved according to Nami's orders,
Sanji brought a barrel of drink, placed it in the center, smiled, and set his foot upon it.
"To find the All Blue."
The crew smiled.
Zoro stepped forward and placed his foot:
"To become the greatest swordsman in the world."
Then Usopp:
"To become a brave warrior of the sea."
Then Nami:
"To draw a map of the world."
And finally Luffy, with his wide grin:
"To become King of the Pirates."
Everyone turned toward Arthur.
He sighed quietly and stepped closer to the barrel.
He thought of a dream he wished to achieve…
But found nothing clear.
In his previous world, there had been no time for dreams.
He had been busy with killing… nothing but killing.
His only dream back then had been to live a peaceful life.
Then he died…
And came to this world.
And now, standing on Luffy's ship, he still wanted a quiet and beautiful life—
But deep within, he knew that was not his true dream.
He smiled.
He lifted his foot and placed it on the barrel:
"For the sake of ∆∆∆∆∆."
Everyone was puzzled by his strange and incomprehensible dream.
But Luffy and Zoro alone… smiled.
They raised their feet together and struck the barrel forcefully.
And they set off toward a new adventure…
Across the raging seas.
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