204: You Are Not Worthy to Challenge Me

A night passed.

As dawn broke and the golden sunlight stretched across the eastern horizon, the world awakened to the day that would change everything—

The day of Portgas D. Ace's execution.

Across the vast seas, countless eyes were fixed on this moment, waiting for the war that would shake the very foundations of the world.

Would the Marines emerge victorious, reasserting their dominance over the ocean?

Or would the pirates triumph, marking the complete downfall of Marine authority and establishing the rule of the strongest pirates?

With Ace in chains, Garp escorted him out of Impel Down. The three battleships carrying them passed through the Gates of Justice, heading straight for Marineford.

At the same time, on the other side of the ocean—

The massive fleet of the Whitebeard Pirates was advancing.

...

Somewhere Southeast of Marineford—

The Thousand Sunny and a Revolutionary Army ship remained anchored in the open sea.

On deck, Enel gripped his golden staff, his piercing eyes snapping open as he turned toward the distant horizon.

"They're here."

Luffy, who had been stuffing himself with food to replenish his energy for the coming battle, immediately stopped eating and raised his head.

Then—

A ship emerged over the horizon.

As it sailed closer, the Straw Hats could finally see the figures standing on its deck.

At the front—

A young man clad in a black coat, a crimson-hilted blade hanging from his waist.

"RON!!"

Luffy's face lit up in excitement as he called out to him.

"That's The Traveler, Ron…"

Usopp swallowed hard, cold sweat forming on his forehead. His heart pounded, a mix of fear and disbelief. Never did he think he would one day witness such a legendary figure in person.

Franky stared at the approaching figure, his mechanical fists clenching involuntarily. "The pressure he gives off… It's insane. So this is what it feels like to stand before someone on the level of an Emperor…"

"…It's really him," Chopper mumbled, frozen in place.

His mind flashed back to that day on Drum Island—

A younger Ron, gripping his black blade, clashing against Admiral Kizaru, their blows splitting the very sky above them.

That scene had been burned into Chopper's memory forever.

Meanwhile, Nami's sharp eyes noticed something odd.

"What happened to his eyes…? And his hair…?" she murmured, stunned by Ron's changed appearance.

Sanji, however, wasn't paying attention to any of that. His eyes were locked onto the women standing behind Ron—Kuina, Robin, Conis, Bonney, and Carrot.

"…So many beauties…"

His heart nearly stopped.

But amidst all the reactions, one pair of sharp eyes remained fixed on a single person.

"Kuina…"

Zoro's grip tightened around his swords. His usually composed expression was shaken, unable to suppress the emotions welling up inside him.

As if sensing his gaze, the tall, blue-haired woman with a slender yet strong figure turned her head.

The moment their eyes met, recognition flashed across her face.

"…Zoro?"

A rare, faint smile appeared on Kuina's lips. "It's been a long time. You've grown… but I wonder if your swordsmanship has kept up?"

Her hand lightly rested on the hilt of her sword, a sharp glint of battle intent in her eyes.

"Do you still remember our promise?"

Zoro's hand instinctively moved to his own sword. His sharp gaze locked onto her, burning with the fire of a lifelong pursuit.

"Of course."

His voice was firm, unwavering.

"How do you think I made it this far?"

He had spent years chasing after the goal they once set as children. The dream they both shared—he had lived his entire life for it.

Kuina felt the intensity of his fighting spirit and smirked. "Do you really want to test yourself against me now, Zoro?"

She unsheathed her blade just an inch—

Immediately, an overwhelming wave of sword energy surged from her.

Zoro narrowed his eyes as he felt her immense strength. "There's only one way to find out."

Their battle auras clashed, and for a moment, it seemed as if they would draw their blades and settle it right then and there.

But—

A hand rested gently on Kuina's shoulder.

"Kuina," Ron said calmly. "Save it for later. We have more important things to take care of today."

Kuina's battle aura dissipated as she glanced at Ron, then nodded.

Zoro, though reluctant, clicked his tongue and sheathed his sword.

The tension in the air finally eased.

Then—

Crackle!

A surge of electricity filled the air as Enel's voice echoed across the deck.

"6,000 volts—Thunder Dragon!"

At that very moment—

Enel suddenly launched an attack on Ron!

A ferocious and violent surge of lightning transformed into a massive Thunder Dragon, roaring as it charged toward Ron.

But before the lightning could strike—

A small figure instantly appeared in front of Ron. A jet-black fist, wrapped in spiraling energy, punched forward to meet the electrified dragon head-on!

"Eight Impact Fist!"

In an instant, a powerful shockwave erupted, obliterating the Thunder Dragon in midair.

Enel's eyes narrowed as he stared at the one who had blocked his attack—

A Kung Fu Dugong…?!

A mere sea beast had just neutralized his lightning strike?!

Little Enzo landed on the deck, his hardened fist crackling with residual electricity from the attack. His obsidian-black eyes locked onto Enel, shimmering with battle intent and excitement.

"You're an enemy, right?" Enzo grinned, shaking his fists. "Let me be your opponent!"

Enel's expression darkened.

"A mere beast dares to challenge a god…?" His golden pupils flickered with disdain as lightning crackled around his body.

In the blink of an eye—

Flash!

He vanished from sight.

Enzo's keen gaze followed the movement. His tail slapped against the deck—

Shave!

He disappeared as well.

What followed was a dazzling spectacle—lightning and darkness clashed repeatedly in the air, flashing like exploding stars. Each impact sent shockwaves rippling across the sky, thunder booming as the two figures exchanged blows at incomprehensible speeds.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The sheer force of their battle made the air tremble.

Usopp and Chopper watched in stunned silence, their jaws nearly hitting the floor.

"S-So strong!!!" Usopp stammered, his hands shaking.

"That's the legendary 'God of Skypiea'… but Enzo is actually holding his own?!" Chopper's voice was filled with disbelief.

Franky wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. "That Dugong… or whatever he is, he's way stronger than I thought! I didn't expect him to go toe-to-toe with Enel like that!"

On the other side of the deck, Conis stared at the battle with wide eyes.

"Why… Why is Enel here?" she muttered, unable to hide her shock.

Ron glanced at Luffy with a smirk.

"That," he said, "you'll have to ask them."

Luffy scratched his head, looking somewhat embarrassed. "Heh, it's kind of a long story…"

Meanwhile—

Robin and Conis turned in surprise as they heard their names being called.

Nami waved at them with a bright, cheerful smile. "Robin! Conis! Do you still remember me?"

Robin and Conis blinked in surprise, studying her face carefully. Slowly, their eyes lit up with recognition.

"Nami…?" Robin murmured, as a memory of a little girl surfaced in her mind.

Conis gasped, covering her mouth. "You… You've grown so much!"

Nami beamed. "It's been a long time, Robin! Conis!"

Brook, standing nearby, suddenly perked up.

"Ron, do you remember me?" he asked eagerly. "We met back in the Florian Triangle…"

Ron chuckled. "Of course. You're Brook, right?"

Brook trembled with excitement. "Yohohoho! I never thought you'd remember an old skeleton like me!"

—The entire deck became a chaotic reunion of old friends—

Laughter, excitement, and disbelief filled the air as the Straw Hats, the Revolutionaries, and Ron's crew reunited after so many twists of fate.

But amidst all the joy, one voice cut through the noise.

"Ron!"

Sabo's expression was serious.

"We can catch up later. Right now, we need to focus on saving Ace."

Jinbe stepped forward from the lower deck, his deep voice resonating with conviction.

"Sabo is right. We don't have much time. We must make haste toward Marineford."

Ivankov, who had just stepped onto the deck, turned his head in shock.

"Fish-Man… Jinbe?! What in the world are you doing with Ron?!"

But Ron ignored the murmurs. His gaze was firm as he nodded.

"Right," he said. "It's time."

With a simple motion of his hand, the Traveler's Ship, the Thousand Sunny, and the Revolutionary Army's vessel all began to rise—

The ships defied gravity, lifting off the water and ascending into the sky.

"THE SHIPS ARE FLYING?!"

Usopp clutched his head, screaming in panic.

"Relax," Sanji exhaled a puff of smoke. "It's his ability."

Back in the battle—

Enel's face darkened as he glared at Enzo, his frustration growing.

"9 Million Volts—Thunder Dragon's Wrath!"

A colossal lightning dragon, even larger than before, roared as it descended upon Enzo, aiming to consume him in pure destruction.

Enzo felt a chill run down his spine.

This was bad.

Before he could react, however—

Ron's sapphire-blue Tenseigan shimmered, a dazzling light flashing across his irises.

A massive pulse of gravitational force erupted from his body, sweeping across the sky like a tidal wave.

BOOOOM!

The Thunder Dragon was instantly crushed under an invisible force—

Completely obliterated.

Enel's body flickered as he was forcibly thrown backward, crashing through the air. His golden eyes widened in sheer disbelief.

He hadn't even been touched.

But that overwhelming power…

Ron stood at the bow of the floating Traveler's Ship, his piercing blue eyes locked onto Enel below. His aura radiated across the battlefield—

A presence that dominated everything beneath him.

"Right now," Ron declared coldly, "you're not even qualified to challenge me."

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