Chapter 222: Strong Men Conquer Fear
"Then it's settled. Sometime later, when the members of my organization visit Elbaf, I'll have to trouble you two to host them."
"Gabababa! No problem!"
"Gyagyagyagya—Any partner of a warrior of your caliber must be an impressive guy. Brogy and I will definitely treat them well. But it would be even better if you could come along, and we can have another fight then!"
"If there's a chance, I will naturally go with them—if you want to fight, I'm always ready to accompany you."
"But right now, I still have matters to attend to, so I won't stay any longer!"
As the words fell.
Amidst hearty laughter, the figure in the monkey mask was seen riding a golden cloud, soaring into the sky.
"Skeleton, Tatsu asked me to pass a message to you—although you have found new companions now, you remain his friend. If there is free time in the future, he will come to drink with you again."
As his voice echoed through the clouds, Saru had already swept into the sky and vanished without a trace in the blink of an eye.
"Yohohoho, what heartwarming words... oh, although I don't have a heart."
Brook wiped the corner of his eye.
However...
"Mr. Saru—since you're leaving anyway, why not help us find our ship along the way?"
"You should have said that to him earlier!" (x5)
At this moment, the Straw Hat Pirates, squeezed together with Brook on a small piece of land, glared angrily at the afro skeleton.
"But... it's truly unbelievable."
After her angry shout, Nami still looked somewhat incredulous: "A single strike actually reduced such a huge island to..."
"It's simply unimaginable power."
She felt a bit disheartened.
Although she personally had no great pursuit of power, ever since meeting Luffy and witnessing him save her hometown, she had always been deeply confident in Luffy and her companions.
But today.
After witnessing this battle with her own eyes, even Nami understood.
"We are still far from it."
Whether it was fulfilling the promise of navigating the Grand Line, drawing sea charts of the entire world, becoming the Pirate King, finding the ALL BLUE, becoming the strongest swordsman, or becoming a brave warrior of the sea.
The gap between them and their dreams was still very vast.
And the reality was exactly as she had stated.
That ancient island, 'Little Garden', which had existed on the Grand Line since the distant past and endured a century-long duel between the two giants.
At this moment, it no longer existed.
The Straw Hat Pirates could still recall the scene of that strike just now.
That giant staff, connecting heaven and earth like a celestial pillar, smashed down with a resounding boom—the 'Hakoku Sovereignty' unleashed jointly by the two giants crumbled almost instantly upon contact with that staff.
Then they just felt the entire island shattering.
They saw the volcano in the center of the island, along with its magma, instantly obliterated by black-red Conqueror's Haki lightning.
They saw a tsunami hundreds of meters high rise out of nowhere from all directions.
Even as they were tossed into the air by the aftermath, they could see—the giant Island Eater goldfish that had been eating dinosaur corpses nearby fainted instantly without even the strength to resist, and was swallowed by the giant waves, sinking into the sea.
And right now, in the entire sea area where Little Garden once stood, only the floating wreckage of the island served as proof that the island had ever existed.
And this was the most terrifying part.
"Yeah."
Sanji picked up a cigarette and prepared to light it.
"This is a powerhouse of this sea."
He said so, his eyes somewhat unfocused.
This time, they saw with their own eyes the power possessed by those standing at the pinnacle of this sea.
Fortunately, the other party had no malice towards them, and because of Brook, was even quite friendly. The attack just now wasn't aimed at them.
But even so, this strike that destroyed an entire island still left them in an extremely wretched state.
But what if the next time they met a top-tier powerhouse, the other party had malicious intent?
Sanji couldn't help but think of Germa—although he only had hatred for his father and brothers, he also had to admit Germa's strength.
But even Germa, in the face of The Zodiac coming with true hostility... merely turned silently into news in the papers.
"We... really are just 'rookies' on this sea."
He realized this point clearly.
"I told you before, stupid cook."
However, at this moment, Zoro was wiping the dust off his Wado Ichimonji—in the chaos just now, he had slashed apart quite a few flying rocks.
"These guys from The Zodiac... are not opponents we can challenge right now."
He raised his sword, looking at the blade against the sunlight.
It was still the same realization—after personally witnessing the match between his teacher and Inoshi in Shimotsuki Village.
He had already understood.
The true top powerhouses of this sea were absolutely not enemies he could challenge right now.
Since then, he had also dismissed the idea of directly challenging 'Hawkeye' Mihawk, opting instead to focus on honing his sword.
One day, his sword would also face guys of that caliber.
When that time came, he should be very close to the position of the world's strongest swordsman, right?
And at this moment, even Luffy nodded with a rare expression of utmost seriousness: "Mmph mmph mmph, mmph mmph mmph. (Monkey old man is indeed very strong, I feel like he might even be able to beat up Grandpa...)"
"Why are you still eating, you bastard!? And why the heck can we actually understand what you're saying!?" (xN)
And exactly as they were sighing.
"Gabababa!"
"Gyagyagyagya!"
"You guys are still so energetic!"
They saw that the two giants had already swum over from the sea.
The weapons in their hands were completely destroyed, and they were still carrying injuries on their bodies, but their spirits were clearly quite good.
Upon seeing them, Usopp, who was originally still sitting somewhat limply on the ground, hurriedly got up and moved close to the two: "Master Dorry, Master Brogy, are you alright?"
His movements as he stood up were somewhat stiff; clearly, his legs still lacked strength.
"Ah? Of course we're alright—just some minor injuries."
Brogy, covered in blood, laughed loudly.
"Saru controlled the force of that strike just now. Although it destroyed the island, the vast majority of the force did not land on us..."
Dorry was also full of admiration: "Otherwise, we would definitely be dead already—this level of martial skill, what an incredible guy."
As top-tier warriors, they naturally knew what this kind of control represented.
"A strike of that magnitude wasn't even his full power!"
"What an unimaginably powerful warrior!"
"It would be great if he could come to Elbaf with his companions in the future. Let's go do some rehabilitation, and then have another fight with him... although we probably still wouldn't be a match for him, but—just thinking about it gets me excited!"
"That's right, Dorry!"
They exclaimed in admiration.
"..."
But Usopp, listening to his two masters' words, suddenly felt very ashamed.
The reason for his shame was very simple.
Because at this moment, he suddenly realized.
He couldn't understand why Dorry and Brogy could still laugh out loud right now.
They had just faced that kind of attack; they had just almost been killed, hadn't they?
Why would they still want to have another fight with a guy so powerful he didn't even seem human... wasn't that terrifying?
Or to be more precise.
He could understand his two masters—they were brave warriors.
But he couldn't empathize with them.
Because even now, he still couldn't control his legs—they were still trembling uncontrollably.
In his heart, at this moment, there was only one emotion.
"You're scared, aren't you? Usopp?" (x2)
And the next moment, he heard the voices of his two masters in front of him.
He raised his head, looking at the two giants, trying hard to suppress the emotions in his heart.
But ultimately, he still couldn't hold back the tears flowing down his face.
"Yeah, I'm scared—scared to death."
He felt extremely guilty.
Yes—he was very scared, even more so than Nami.
When that strike crashed down just now, when they were blown away by the aftermath of the battle, even further back, during the fight against Kuro, or back in Loguetown... every time he fought, or even just watched a battle, he was scared to death.
But he clearly hadn't set sail for this.
He clearly had set sail because he wanted to become a brave, fearless warrior of the sea.
But looking at himself now... he was nothing more than a man of this level.
"..."
Usopp lowered his head, feeling ashamed of himself.
But the next moment...
"It's right to be afraid, Usopp."
He heard Brogy's voice.
"...Ah?"
Usopp instinctively raised his head.
Then, he saw the ever-present smiling faces of the two giants.
The two brave warriors showed no disdain for him, the coward, but remained as bold and hearty as ever.
"Gyagyagyagya... everyone gets scared, Usopp—even we get scared."
Dorry laughed loudly: "When I first started warrior training, knowing I had to fight ferocious beasts brought up from the 'Underworld', I was scared to death!"
"That guy Brogy, after getting hurt by an axe once, even said he didn't want to train anymore."
He exposed his friend's embarrassing past, but his words were full of deep feeling.
"Everyone gets scared, Usopp."
He looked at the human in front of him.
For all creatures in the world, the fear of death and danger is innate.
When encountering a stronger creature, all creatures will instinctively feel fear.
But the difference lies in this.
Cowards, when afraid, are driven by their instincts—they will turn and run, kneel and beg for mercy, and give up everything.
But a so-called warrior...
"Is someone who, even when trembling all over from fear, even when their blood is boiling and urging them to flee, surrounded by fear, still chooses to charge forward bravely!"
They said so.
Thus, Usopp instinctively turned his head.
Then, he finally noticed many things he hadn't paid attention to just now.
Sanji had been trying to light his cigarette, but the hand holding the lighter had an imperceptible tremble.
Zoro held his sword, but his hand was stained with sweat.
Luffy was eating and drinking, but his eyes carried a heavy seriousness.
Thus, Usopp finally realized.
"You guys..."
Those three who had always played the role of the main fighting force in the crew—did they actually also instinctively feel fear when facing strong enemies?
"Ha?"
Facing Usopp's doubt at this moment, Sanji shook his head helplessly: "That's obvious, isn't it, idiot?"
"Let me be clear, I'm not like the crappy cook—I don't get scared."
"You moss-head... do you want to fight!?"
"Mmph mmph mmph (Water! Water! Water!)"
Initially driven by fear, unable to even hold a weapon steady.
Then enduring the fear, forcing oneself to fight.
And then enjoying the fear, turning it into one's own strength.
So-called warriors and strongmen are creatures that grow in this way.
So at this moment, the two giants looked at Usopp in front of them.
Usopp called them masters.
And in fact, they truly recognized this human friend they had only recently met.
Not because of how strong he was, nor how powerful he was.
But because...
"Usopp, you have already stepped onto the path of a warrior."
Yes.
In past battles, although Usopp was more afraid than anyone and often spoke weak words.
But when it came to a real fight... even knowing he would likely face death, he had never run away.
"Master Dorry... Master Brogy..."
Thus, Usopp trembled all over, wanting to say something.
But...
"Eh—look over there, it's the Merry!"
Nami, who was busy pouring water for Luffy, looked up and saw the Merry slowly floating up from the sea not far away, and...
"Eh!? What is that under the Merry... hey hey, it's that Island Eater goldfish!"
"It's already injured like this and it's actually still alive—it's going to eat the ship! Quickly think of something!"
"Gabababa! Let Dorry and me handle this... it just so happens we don't have a ship to return to Elbaf. Using this guy's bones to build a temporary one should be nice!"
"Let's go, Brogy!"
"Hey hey, take it easy, the island is going to sink..."
A moment later, Usopp's scream echoed through the sky again.
"Noooooo!"
At the same time.
The New World, Dressrosa.
In this country allied with the World Government, known as the 'Country of Love, Passion, and Toys', laughter and anticipation coexisted.
"Hey, have you heard? Half a month from now, there will be an extra 'Grand Martial Arts Tournament' at the Corrida Colosseum!"
"Really? On what scale?"
"It's said to be an unprecedented level. Even the Corrida Colosseum has been expanded—it's an order directly from King Doflamingo himself. Word is, a unique 'prize' capable of altering the balance of the entire sea will be offered!"
"Capable of altering the sea? Are you serious?"
"King Doflamingo is a Warlord of the Sea, he wouldn't lie about this, would he!?"
"I heard the World Economic Journal will publish the details soon... come on, come on, let's go buy tickets!"
"You don't need to buy tickets; they say viewing is free this time!"
Such discussions spread throughout the nation.
And at the highest point of this kingdom, a place named the [King's Plateau].
The Royal Palace of Dressrosa, the residence of Donquixote Doflamingo, was situated here.
And right now, at the very top of the Royal Palace.
"Doffy... are we really doing this?"
A sloppy middle-aged man leaning on a cane, draped in a cape, wearing sunglasses, with a stream of snot hanging from his nose, spoke with a slight tremble.
He was one of the top executives of the Donquixote Family—'Club' Trebol.
And it wasn't just him.
Pica, Diamante, Sugar, Dellinger, Lao G... all the core executives of the Donquixote Family were gathered here.
And at this moment, listening to the plan their master had just announced, they all felt it was equally unbelievable.
"Doffy, although you had a falling out with The Zodiac's Tori (Rooster) before, if we really do this—we will completely offend them to the death. And not just them, even Kaido will..."
Trebol looked at his young master in disbelief.
"Fuffuffuffuffu."
But at this moment, Doflamingo, resembling a flamingo, merely sat on his throne with his legs crossed.
"Yes, Trebol..."
He let out his unique, raspy laugh.
"Even for us, this is an unprecedented massive gamble."
He grinned and spread his arms wide.
His body was also tense.
Yes.
He naturally knew better than anyone—the meaning of the words he was speaking right now.
The 'plan' he spoke of stemmed from a coincidence not long ago.
That coincidence altered all his original plans.
"If we fail, The Zodiac and the Beasts will slaughter us at any cost... we will all die, fuffuffuffuffu."
He was naturally also apprehensive of the outcome of failure.
It was an unavoidable death that would absolutely spell 'absolute disaster', even for a Warlord of the Sea.
But...
As a 'strongman' and a true 'hero of chaos'.
Fear could not occupy his heart; it only made him... more excited.
"But as a reward."
"If we succeed, what will we gain?"
He smiled and asked his 'family' members before him while raising his hand and lightly wiggling his fingers.
At this moment.
An ancient tree root stained with blood danced continuously along with his fingers.
He stuck out his tongue, as if feeling the stimulating aura emanating from that tree root.
"That's right..."
In his raspy laugh, what was contained... was undisguised ambition.
"The prize is—this world."