Chapter 668 The Straw Hats Take Action

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While the world marveled at the overwhelming strength of the Marines, on a remote island at the edge of the ''Grand Line'' and the ''Calm Belt'', another story was unfolding. 

"Look closely, Luffy! These are the enemies you're going to face!" 

Sabo stood with a black shoulder cape draped casually over one arm, resembling the hooded cloak that Dragon was known for, though with a unique flair of his own. 

He now exuded a sense of maturity and composure, far removed from the carefree laughter and exaggerated gestures of his younger days. 

The boy had become a man. 

''Thunk!'' 

As he spoke, Sabo drove a dagger into a wooden plank, which displayed photos of every Marine general with a name and reputation— from Fleet Admiral Akainu to the sixteen Vice Admirals. 

Each individual on the board was a figure capable of dominating their own domain. Even in mere photographs, their presence radiated an oppressive aura that seemed to steal one's breath away. 

"There's no way I can remember all these faces!" 

"But..." 

Luffy muttered, tugging his hat lower over his eyes. "I'll just get stronger and beat them all, one by one." 

The events at G-10 Base and the tragedy of the War had taught Luffy the stark reality of power dynamics in this world. 

In this world, the gap between strength and weakness was an uncrossable chasm— and it was not something that could be bridged through sheer determination or effort alone. 

It was like a math problem - no matter how desperate you were, you could not solve it without understanding the solution. 

If he was going to lead his crew forward, he had to get stronger - much stronger. 

"..." 

Sabo was silent for a moment before he sighed heavily. "True... But I still don't recommend that you focus all your energy on the Marines, Luffy." 

"I don't want you to become another Blackbeard, consumed by revenge... because that's exactly what Soryu (Azure Dragon) wants." 

"He's deliberately spreading fear and hatred, twisting our perspectives, and dragging us into his chaos so that we self-destruct." 

"So remember your dreams- your true goals. Don't let your revenge overshadow them." 

Hearing this, the rest of the crew - Zoro, Sanji, Nami, Chopper, Usopp, Robin and Franky - fell into a somber silence. 

Their dreams had little to do with the Marines. 

But still... 

Ace had been Luffy's ''brother'', his older brother. 

To witness his death right in front of his eyes - how could Luffy ever let go of this hatred? 

"You don't have to tell me that, Sabo!" 

Luffy's voice was deep and strained. "So don't worry. I know what I have to do..." 

"Once I become the Pirate King, Ace will..." 

"He'll definitely be happy, won't he?" 

Even as he forced a smile, tears streamed down his face and fell onto the soft yellow sand beneath him. 

Seeing this, Sabo's eyes turned red with emotion and he nodded firmly. "He absolutely will!" 

After wiping away his own tears, Sabo addressed the crew. "Your strength in the first half was impressive, but to survive in the New World, where monsters roam, you still have a long way to go!" 

"Through the Revolutionary Army's information network, I've identified some places that are perfect for your training. This is also the last task Kuma entrusted to me before he left." 

"First..." 

"Nami!" 

Sabo produced a map and pointed to a location. "This is Weatheria, a small sky island nation. The scholars there are unparalleled in their understanding of meteorology." 

"If you want to navigate the chaotic climates of the New World and lead everyone forward, mastering their knowledge will be invaluable to you!" 

In the original story, Kuma's actions in "randomly" sending the Straw Hats flying were anything but random. Known for his catchphrase, "If you could go on a journey, where would you go?", Kuma had precise control over the destinations of those he sent away. 

The Straw Hats' two years of experience were no accident; they were meticulously planned by Kuma after thorough research and careful consideration. 

Except for Luffy... 

After sending Luffy off, Kuma informed Rayleigh of his landing point and asked him to train the boy. It was then that Rayleigh discovered Kuma's true identity - not just a government lackey, but a secret member of the Revolutionary Army. 

Nami nodded firmly and took the map from Sabo. She didn't ask any stupid questions like whether the others would accompany her; she knew that this was her own adventure. 

"Usopp, this is the Boin Archipelago..." 

"Chopper, this is the Torino Kingdom..." 

Sabo went on assigning destinations one by one, leaving Zoro, Sanji and Luffy for last. 

"Originally, Kuma wanted you to train with Mihawk to improve your swordsmanship. Knowing his personality, Mihawk would probably find it an amusing challenge to train a rival. But now..." 

"Never mind!" 

Zoro grinned, his resolve clear. "I've already decided to take a different path than the others. I'm going to make my name ring out across the world!" 

"So just give me a ship. It's time the world knew the terror of the Pirate Hunter from East Blue!" 

Sabo was silent for a moment before he nodded. "Understood." 

"Luffy, Sanji, you are both core members of the crew, just like Zoro. I can teach you the basics of Haki, but the path you have to take from here is up to you. Understood?" 

After some thought, Sabo decided not to send Sanji to the Kamabakka Kingdom. 

Although it sounded like a normal place, the island was entirely populated by ''okama'' - hence the nickname "Okama Kingdom. Kuma's original plan was to send Sanji there by force, knowing full well that Sanji would never go voluntarily! 

Sanji would rather die than go there willingly. 

"Understood," Luffy said solemnly and nodded. 

Sabo could only lead them to the path of growth; how they walked it was up to them. No one else had the right to interfere. 

"I will stay here to train. There are many dangerous beasts on this island, and they'll make excellent opponents." 

Luffy, raised in the forest and shaped by the natural world, chose to train in this beast-infested environment, knowing it was the best way to grow stronger. 

"I plan to visit Gourmet City first - to see the Grand Line's most famous culinary holy land," Sanji said with eager eyes. Then he frowned slightly. 

"But... won't the Marines target us individually if we appear separately at sea? After what happened at G-10, the Marines see us as a much bigger threat." 

Lighting a cigarette, he added, "That's a big risk." 

"Don't worry, I've already made arrangements for that," Sabo said with a mysterious smile. "Even if someone is captured and sent to Impel Down, we'll have an inside connection now." 

"During the War, we made contact with allies within Impel Down. They've secretly created a safe zone within the prison, hidden from the Marines. Escape is still impossible, but survival is guaranteed. When the time is right, we'll coordinate an inside-outside operation to rescue our old leader! 

There was no doubt that the "old leader" Sabo was referring to was ''Monkey D. Dragon''! 

"So even if we get caught, we still have a chance to escape?" Sanji raised an eyebrow, then looked at Luffy, who looked completely blank. With a twitching mouth, he said, "Hey, Luffy, this is your father they're talking about - could you at least give some kind of reaction?!" 

"Huh? Oh, I get it!" 

ヾ(°°)! 

Sanji: "..." 

"Don't give me that monotone answer, you idiot!" 

"Apart from that, I hope you won't get too involved with us, if possible." 

Sabo shook his head and decided not to elaborate. Then he took a deep breath and added: 

"So, please - live on, everyone!" 

"Each of us has a reason to fight for survival!" 

Sabo's eyes lingered on Robin for a moment before he continued: 

"The miracle called freedom will blossom after the darkest dawn-I have no doubt!" 

In response, the entire Straw Hat crew nodded silently, their eyes resolute, and raised their fists in unison. 

"Yes!!!" 

---

A few hours later, as Zoro rowed a small boat out into the unknown seas, Nami scratched her cheek, a puzzled look crossing her face. 

"It feels like we forgot something..." 

"Forgotten what?" Usopp blinked cluelessly, then dismissed the thought. He turned back to his map. "Forget that for now, Nami - just help me figure out which way to go to the Boin Archipelago!" 

"Which way, huh? Let me see..." 

Nami instinctively took the map, but a moment later, a realization hit her. Her head shot up in alarm. 

"WHICH WAY?!?!" 

At the same time, the rest of the Straw Hat crew collectively raised their heads and turned to look. Their horrified gazes landed on Zoro's tiny boat, now a mere dot wobbling on the horizon. 

"NO, ZORO! COME BACK!!" 

''BOOM!!!'' 

Their cries were instantly drowned out as a massive ''sea beast'' burst out of the water, its gaping jaws creating towering waves as it lunged at Zoro's tiny boat. 

"This wasn't in the plan!" Zoro bellowed furiously, baring his teeth as he unsheathed his sword to block the attack. 

"ROOAARRR!!!" 

The wounded sea beast roared and violently whipped its head, flinging Zoro and his boat high into the sky. In the blink of an eye, they vanished from sight. 

The Straw Hats: "..." 

It's over. 

There's no saving him. 

_(End of Chapter)_