At this moment, the entire world was aware...
CP9's Lucci, openly defying the orders of his superiors, didn't hesitate to confront Luffy! His intentions were crystal clear to everyone—nothing more than a desire for a real-life battle.
On the live broadcast, the world witnessed his humiliation at the hands of Luffy and his comrades!
Across the globe, everyone was captivated, reveling in the entertainment of this moment.
Particularly, the lively arguments on Lucci's side with the Navy headquarters and the World Government over the phone...
Nearly everyone in the Revolutionary Army couldn't help but burst into laughter!
Shanks, Whitebeard, Kaido, and others listened with great amusement.
Even the members of the Seven Warlords, despite their usual conflicts, observed from close quarters, munching on popcorn.
To avoid disrupting their internal conflicts, everyone even refrained from speaking, giving them these precious ten minutes.
The outcome did not disappoint. It was undeniably thrilling! Just by imagining it, one could sense that the top echelons of CP9, aligned with the World Government, must be red-faced with embarrassment!
Finally, the ten minutes swiftly elapsed, and the Den Den Mushi in everyone's hands vanished.
Meanwhile...
On Drum Island!
Chopper gazed at the sky in astonishment...
He was aware that Luffy and his crew would soon head to the Water 7, leading to a fierce battle with CP9!
He felt anxious, fearing that Luffy might suffer serious injuries as depicted in the image.
Truth be told, he really wanted to join the adventure with everyone, but... he was reluctant to leave Drum Island.
"If you want to go, then go!"
At this moment, a voice from above resonated.
Chopper turned around; it was Dr. Kureha, accompanied by Dalton.
Kureha held a bottle of wine and spoke in a bold manner, "Your intentions have been written all over your face since the beginning. You've been itching to head to Water 7 to find them, haven't you?"
Upon hearing this, Chopper hesitated for a moment, then vehemently denied it.
"No way!"
Kureha laughed, "Alright, go find your comrades. They're about to face a fierce battle!"
"Whether it turns out as tragic as in the image, at least... in a pirate crew, a doctor is indispensable."
"I've arranged for someone to wait for you at the port. He'll guide you to the location of Water 7."
"I'm sure you'll reunite with your comrades there..."
Upon hearing this, Chopper's expression became visibly conflicted.
"But... even so, I can't help but feel attached to Drum Island."
Kureha suddenly erupted in anger and bellowed, "What are you doing, you brat? Your comrade needs you, and here you are wasting time!"
"Hurry up! It'll be much quieter when you're gone. You stay here every day, and it irritates me to no end!"
"If you don't leave now, be prepared to face my wrath!"
With that, Kureha menacingly brandished a knife!
Startled, Chopper nearly leaped, and even the girl dashed away in panic.
She sprinted ceaselessly toward the port.
Observing Chopper's retreating figure, Kureha gradually suppressed the anger on her face.
Then, a hint of fondness flickered in his eyes.
"You foolish child, must you always provoke my temper?"
"I hope that alongside your comrades, you'll forge a promising future."
"I'll be watching over you from Drum Island, witnessing the day your dreams come true..."
At the seafront restaurant!
Originally, Luffy and the others were prepared to enjoy a meal.
However, with the looming threat from Lucci...
Both Franky and the Water 7 were in jeopardy, leaving no time to spare.
"We must set sail immediately and head towards Water 7!"
"Nami, how long will it take us to sail to Water 7..."
Nami, the navigator, swiftly began her calculations and then said, "For a normal voyage, it would take at least ten days!"
"But at full speed... Three days should suffice!"
Upon hearing this, Luffy's expression hardened. "We must get there within two days!"
Nami couldn't help but be astonished at this declaration.
"You know, sea voyages must consider not only the distance but also potential storms."
Entering the Grand Line, the route became even more perilous.
Unless the Merry was continuously sailing at full speed, disregarding all risks, it might be possible to reach within two days.
Even so, everyone was aware...
To reach Water 7 in two days seemed a bit optimistic.
But it was the fastest route.
Just then, Zeff emerged.
"I know of a shortcut that can get you to the Grand Line in a day."
"But be warned, it's extremely perilous. Are you willing to take the risk?"
Zeff, having been a pirate in his early years, Sanji wasn't surprised that he knew about the dangerous shortcut in the Grand Line.
Luffy grinned, "As long as it helps us reach the Water 7 quickly, rescue Franky, and face Lucci, I'm not afraid of the risks!"
"Good!"
Seeing Luffy's determined gaze, Zeff didn't hesitate.
He promptly produced his cherished map and handed it to Nami.
Subsequently, Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Robin, and Usopp all returned to the ship.
As for Sanji, he remained on the deck.
"Hey, you lazy boy, why aren't you moving?"
"Your comrades are waiting for you!"
Zeff nudged Sanji.
However, Sanji remained unmoved.
Even when he noticed Luffy watching him from the ship, he continued smoking quietly, unmoving...
"I can't stand leaving here..."
Zeff was irritated, "You're not a kid. Still can't handle it?"
"Your future shouldn't be limited to this sea restaurant!"
"Don't you want to discover that sea of dreams filled with ingredients?"
"That dream isn't just yours; it's mine too. Letting you set sail means taking my dreams with you!"
"Moreover, your partner is still waiting for you!"
"He's waiting for you to go and rescue him together!"
Listening to Zeff's words to the right, dreams, partners... Sanji's face was moved repeatedly.
At this moment, on the Merry, Luffy and several others were also waving to Sanji.
Luffy laughed and said, "Come on, Sanji, we're getting ready to set sail!"
Nami had a wide grin, "Sanji, we're all starving!"
Usopp shouted, "Yeah, yeah, we're waiting for you to come up and cook for us."
Robin smiled, "Though I haven't tasted your cooking, I'm sure it'll be delicious, and it would be an honor to try it!"
Zoro had a dark line on his face, "Stop sulking. Don't act like a child. Hurry up! If you don't get on that ship, you won't achieve your dreams!"
"By the time I become the world's greatest swordsman and achieve my dream, you'll still be just a cook in a sea restaurant!"
The words of Luffy and the four in front moved Sanji repeatedly.
As a result, here with Zoro, the tone changed abruptly...
Sanji's face visibly darkened.
"Green seaweed head, what's wrong with being the cook!?"
"Just like that, you still want to become the world's greatest swordsman?"
"I'm afraid that when I find that sea of dreams, you'll just be a smelly acrobat!"
Zoro was also furious, "Acrobat? I'm afraid there's no sea of dreams at all..."
"Nonsense!"
Sanji cursed, "It will definitely exist. I'll find it and then slap you in the face!"
Zoro retorted, "Then come up. Can't you think of finding that sea by watching and cooking every day?"
"On it!"
Sanji also lost his temper, realizing that Zoro was deliberately provoking him.
Though he just wanted to board quickly, he had to admit...
He found that guy really unpleasant and just wanted to argue! Bang!
Sanji turned around, knelt heavily on the ground, and kowtowed to Zeff.
"Thank you for taking care of me..."
At this moment, Luffy, Zoro, and the others fell silent.
Because they knew this was a man bidding farewell to his family.
At such times, disturbances were not welcome...
Zeff gazed at the kneeling Sanji, feeling a bit teary.
Though he and Sanji weren't related, over the years, they had become like father and son through mutual dependence.
After so many years together, parting suddenly was undoubtedly heartbreaking.
Yet, Zeff also understood that Sanji's future lay beyond this sea restaurant.
His future... lay in the vast sea!
Zeff fought back tears and tried to appear nonchalant, "Alright, go on. How can you run a restaurant on your knees at sea like this?"
"Remember to realize your dreams, find that sea, and when you come back, tell me about it..."
Sanji stood up and nodded solemnly.
Subsequently, he stepped onto the Merry, and just like that...
Looking back at the sea restaurant, and also being watched by everyone in the sea restaurant, he sailed further and further away.
Until neither side could see the other at all... Soon, most of the day had passed!
Following Zeff's map, the Merry moved at full speed and finally entered the entrance of the Grand Line!
Despite a few dangers along the way, the good news was that none were insurmountable.
And so, the Merry continued to sail at full speed...
Finally!
As the day drew to a close, they reached the vicinity of Water 7!
But at this time, they spotted a familiar figure at the pier!
A small one with a hat... Chopper? Luffy, Zoro, and the others were stunned...
"Chopper!?"
**********
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