Zoro's face was filled with confusion and bewilderment. "What does'saying goodbye' mean?"
Orochimaru, on the other hand, looked a bit helpless, gently shaking his head.
"Literally, Bartholomew Kuma is a Nikyu Nikyu no Mi user. This Devil Fruit ability is extremely unique; when developed to its extreme, he can materialize any substance through his hands, then perform actions such as repelling, compressing, or releasing it.
While his attack power is certainly strong, his greatest strength lies in his mobility. This kind of mobility isn't just a simple few hundred meters as you might imagine. As long as he has been to a place, anywhere in the entire world, he can send someone there.
So, if all goes as expected, he has probably already determined the destination of your journey this time." Orochimaru slowly explained.
Luffy, after hearing this, grumbled with dissatisfaction, "I don't need him to decide my itinerary! I'll just defeat him."
Orochimaru looked at Luffy, a hint of solemnity in his eyes and a touch of melancholy in his words, as if he had thought of something.
"Is there a possibility that you can't defeat him at all? Do you think that just because you defeated Moriah, all Shichibukai are so easy to deal with, easily overcome?
But in reality, not to mention the remaining Shichibukai, even Crocodile and Moriah, if they hadn't been careless and weren't in a decadent state, you wouldn't have been able to defeat any of them.
Although you have defeated Moriah now, you might think he was arrogant and overconfident in swallowing 1000 shadows to forcibly boost his strength. But you must know that he could easily do that with 1000 shadows 23 years ago; he just forgot that he is no longer his former self.
You only defeated the Moriah of 23 years ago, or to be precise, he's not even as good as the Moriah of 23 years ago. Moriah and Crocodile stayed in the Grand Line because they were defeated in the New World, their spines broken, which is why they retreated to the Grand Line, making no progress, or even regressing.
They too were once ambitious powerhouses, entering the New World with dreams of dominating the seas. However, cruel reality dealt them a heavy blow.
In that sea area full of endless challenges and unknown dangers, they encountered even more powerful enemies, whose strength far exceeded their imagination.
Their failures were not just physical injuries, but also severe psychological trauma. They lost their Companions and everything, their confidence was completely destroyed, and their former heroic ambitions turned into dust.
Since then, like wounded beasts, they hid in the Grand Line, trying to find some comfort in this relatively familiar sea.
But inner fear was like a shadow, making them afraid to take another step to challenge the unknown. Immersed daily in past failures, unable to extricate themselves, they gradually lost the motivation to move forward.
They no longer strived to improve their strength, but chose ease and conservatism, trying to prove through external means that they were not decadent and still strong, such as the Pluton that Crocodile desired, or Moriah's decaying zombies.
Their abilities gradually rusted, and their fighting spirit increasingly waned. Perhaps they occasionally recalled their past glory, but that was just a fleeting thought, quickly drowned out by the helplessness of reality.
They were like lone boats lost in the sea, unable to find a direction forward, only able to drift with the current, spending every day in a daze in the Grand Line.
However, even so, they still displayed formidable strength in the Grand Line. Although their minds had gradually become numb and they could no longer clearly see their true situation, their former prestige and power still made many people fearful.
Nevertheless, there will always be those lucky ones who dare to strive, carrying endless courage and dreams, wanting to prove their worth by challenging everything.
These brave people fear no strong enemies, no risks, only to leave their own legend on this magnificent ocean.
And Luffy, you are that lucky one. You appeared at just the right time, as if the gears of fate precisely turned at this moment, pushing you onto the stage to confront them.
With your persistent pursuit of freedom and Companions who share the same dream, you walk on this path full of hardships and unknowns, moving forward bravely, without shrinking back.
Moriah was right, Luffy, you are indeed very lucky. You possess enviable talent, and you have a group of powerful Companions around you, whose talent and character are all top-notch.
Their existence allows you to do whatever you want without restraint. You can face countless challenges and difficulties together, and each time you can turn danger into safety with mutual trust and strength.
But alas, Luffy, luck won't last forever. Perhaps you are exceptionally lucky and will overcome dangers again and again in future adventures.
But... Luffy... do you really want to bet your future on luck? Luck is ultimately an elusive thing; it can leave you at any time.
Only strength is the foundation of everything; only by continuously improving your strength can you stand firm on this vast ocean and truly realize your dreams.
Therefore, the upcoming separation is destined. You need to temper yourselves individually and improve your strength.
Only when you become stronger and can stand on your own will you be qualified to continue pursuing the dream of freedom on this turbulent sea."
Luffy's fists clenched tightly, so hard that his knuckles turned slightly white. Luffy's face was terribly grim, his eyes fixed on Orochimaru, filled with anger.
He was holding back a lot of anger, but he didn't know how to refute Orochimaru's words.
In his anger, Luffy suddenly reached out and grabbed Orochimaru, lifting him up with swift and forceful movements. Then, Luffy unhesitatingly threw a punch, hitting Orochimaru hard in the stomach.
This punch carried Luffy's anger and dissatisfaction; it was extremely powerful, causing Orochimaru's body to tremble involuntarily. He quickly covered his mouth to prevent himself from losing composure... "I know you're right, but Orochimaru, I really hate your tone, as if you're excluding yourself.
You've clearly done a lot, haven't you? You've been working hard for this, so why do you talk as if you haven't done anything at all!
Aren't you my luck too!
You know everything; you're actually the one who's most upset, aren't you!
Don't always isolate yourself; you're our Companion/Crewmate too!"
Nami snapped back to reality, seeing the tense atmosphere, and swung her staff. Luffy's head was knocked to the side, and Nami snatched Orochimaru away.
"You can talk! Why did you hit him!"
Luffy reacted, puffing out his cheeks angrily.
"He deserved it!"
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