Ch 72 - World's Worst Criminal

🌟 HEAR YE, HEAR YE, BRAVE SOULS! 🌟✨

🔥 Let the drums of destiny roar as we welcome our newest LEGENDARY adventurers… ⚔️ Buddyschlym! ⚔️ and ⚔️ Moran! ⚔️🎉⚡️ Our journey just leveled UP with their arrival!

***********************************

The sun rose over the Goa Kingdom, its light bathing the city in a warm glow.

Today was the day a Celestial Dragon would visit the kingdom, an event that had the nobles and citizens in a frenzy of preparation. Trumpets blared as a massive World Government ship approached the harbor, its pristine sails emblazoned with the familiar insignia.

The streets were lined with people cheering, eager to impress the visiting noble.

However, far from the commotion, Sabo sat with Ann and Uta near their secret hideout, looking around with a mixture of determination and anxiety.

"I've made my decision," Sabo said firmly, breaking the silence. "I'm going to approach the Revolutionary Army today and join them."

Ann and Uta exchanged surprised glances before nodding in understanding.

"You're sure about this?" Uta asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Sabo smiled faintly. "I am. It's like Luffy said last night—I need to follow my heart. And this... this feels right."

Ann nodded approvingly. "We're proud of you, Sabo. But where's Luffy? He should be here to send you off."

Sabo frowned, looking around. "I don't know. It's not like him to just disappear without saying anything."

----

Using his Observation Haki, Sabo stretched his senses across the desolation left behind by the Goa Kingdom's cruelty. Among the faint flickers of life, one presence stood out like a raging inferno—intense, commanding, and somehow eerily familiar. His heart pounded as he traced the source of this aura and made his way toward it.

At the edge of the charred remains of Grey Terminal, a lone figure stood. Monkey D. Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army, surveyed the ruins with a storm brewing in his eyes. In the distance, the nobles celebrated the arrival of a Celestial Dragon, their laughter and cheers a grotesque contrast to the suffering and death they had orchestrated. The stench of burnt wood and flesh clung to the air, a brutal reminder of their cruelty.

Dragon clenched his fists, the ground beneath him cracking from the sheer force of his fury.

As Sabo approached, he was awestruck by the man's presence. The sheer weight of Dragon's aura made it hard to breathe, and he couldn't shake the feeling that this man might even rival the strength of Shanks.

Swallowing his nerves, he stepped forward cautiously.

Dragon's sharp gaze locked onto him instantly.

"You've got courage, boy, approaching me like this," He said, his voice deep and commanding. "Who are you?"

Sabo hesitated for a moment before bowing respectfully. "Uncle Dragon, my name is Sabo."

Dragon's eyes narrowed. "Uncle? And how do you know who I am?"

Sabo straightened, a nervous grin forming. "Luffy told me about you. He said you're his father."

Dragon's expression shifted slightly, surprise flickering across his face before he masked it. "Luffy… How much does he know?"

Sabo chuckled, relaxing a little. "Everything. Apparently, Grandpa Garp told him. He said you left to do something big or something like that."

Dragon sighed, his mind flashing back to his visits to the forest. He had always remained hidden, watching his son from the shadows, longing to connect but bound by his duty. He recalled seeing this boy before, the blond-haired noble who defied his kind to play alongside Luffy and Ann.

"You're the noble kid who used to play with my son," Dragon said, his tone softening slightly.

Sabo nodded, his face darkening. "Not anymore. I saw what the nobles did to the people here. They burned Grey Terminal like it was nothing—just to impress that Celestial Dragon. They treat lives like trash. I can't stand it."

Dragon's eyes burned with fury at the mention of the atrocities. "So you've come here…why?"

Taking a deep breath, Sabo met Dragon's intense gaze. "I want to join the Revolutionary Army. I've seen what the nobles are capable of, and I don't want to be one of them. I want to fight against their corruption and cruelty."

For a moment, Dragon studied the boy in silence, his expression unreadable. Then, with a faint smirk, he said, "You've got guts, kid. But fighting this fight isn't just about hating what you've seen. It takes more than anger to change the world."

"I'm ready to do whatever it takes," Sabo said firmly. "I don't want to see anyone else suffer like the people here did."

Dragon's smirk faded, replaced by a look of approval. "You've got a good heart, Sabo. If you truly want to join us, I'll take you under my wing. But this won't be easy."

Sabo grinned, his resolve unwavering. "Nothing worth doing ever is."

----

Sabo returned to the hideout with Dragon to bid farewell to Ann and Uta. The children were mid-training, and the sight left Dragon frozen in astonishment.

Ann was demonstrating her Haki, her arm shimmering with the black hue of Busoshoku Haki, as she coached Uta. "You've got to feel it, Uta! Let it flow through you naturally!"

Dragon blinked, hardly believing his eyes. "Ann… You can use Haki?"

Ann grinned, puffing out her chest proudly. "Yep! Luffy's been training me, and I've gotten pretty good at it!"

Uta, beside her, nodded eagerly, though her Haki wasn't fully developed yet. She managed a faint black tint on her hand as she tried to follow Ann's instructions. "I'm still learning, but Luffy says I'm improving!"

Dragon ran a hand through his hair, muttering under his breath. "This is unbelievable…"

He turned to Sabo. "What about you? Don't tell me…"

Sabo smirked, raising his arm. In an instant, it turned a deep, glossy black. "I'm right up there with Ann."

Dragon's jaw dropped. "You're all so young… and yet you've already mastered something that takes seasoned others years of grueling training to learn. How in the world—"

"It's all thanks to Luffy!" Ann interrupted, beaming.

Dragon opened his mouth to respond when Luffy himself burst onto the scene, slightly out of breath but grinning like always. "Hey, sorry I'm late!"

"Where were you?" Sabo asked, eyebrows raised.

Luffy didn't answer immediately. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, ornate box. Without a word, he handed it to Sabo.

"What's this?" Sabo asked, opening it curiously. His eyes widened in shock as he saw the fruit inside—a swirling, fiery red-and-orange pattern unlike anything he'd ever seen. "What… what is this?!"

Dragon, who had recovered from his earlier shock, stepped forward, his gaze serious. "That's a Devil Fruit. And not just any Devil Fruit—it's the Mera Mera no Mi. A Logia-type that grants the power of fire itself."

Sabo stared at the fruit in disbelief. "The Flame-Flame Fruit? I've only heard stories about it… This can really give someone control over the fire?"

Dragon nodded solemnly. "It's an incredibly powerful and rare fruit. Eating it will change your life."

Luffy grinned widely. "I thought it'd suit you, Sabo. You're starting a new journey, so you deserve something awesome."

Sabo was overcome with emotion. He closed the box carefully, his hands trembling. "Luffy… How did you even get this?"

Luffy shrugged nonchalantly. "I have my ways. Don't worry about it."

Overcome with emotion, Sabo hugged Luffy tightly. "Thank you, Luffy."

--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---

🚨 Want to read chapters before anyone else? Head over to Patreon for early access and exclusive perks!

📖 If you're enjoying the stories and want to help keep them coming, your support means everything. Join us and stay ahead!

👉 Patreon: patreon.com/Myth_Valley

☕ Or support directly: buymeacoffee.com/myth_valley

Let's keep the adventure alive! 🔥📚✨