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After the victorious battle against Arlong and their final farewell to Nami's past, the Straw Hat Pirates set sail from Alabasta with a newfound sense of unity. Among them stood Kuro, who had now fully embraced his place among the crew. Having come from a dark and treacherous past, Kuro's journey with the Straw Hats was one of redemption and growth. No longer the calculating and ruthless captain, Kuro was now a steadfast ally and a member of the crew who had slowly been unlocking his own potential in Haki.
While Luffy, Zoro, and the others were making steady strides, Kuro, too, was honing his skills, particularly his Observation Haki. The sharpness of his mind and ability to predict his enemies' movements had always been his strength, but now he was pushing that ability even further. Kuro's mastery of Observation Haki allowed him to feel even the subtlest changes in the environment, and it was becoming an invaluable tool during battles. He was no longer just a schemer; he had evolved into a genuine combatant whose insights and precision added a new layer of power to the crew.
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The Crew's Training Continues on the Open Seas
As the Going Merry sailed towards Jaya, the crew continued their individual training. Kuro, always diligent and calm, would often engage in long practice sessions with Luffy and Zoro, sharpening his senses and refining his understanding of Haki. Though his Armament Haki wasn't as developed as Zoro's, he could still imbue his claws with a faint aura, creating a deadly, slicing effect with his attacks. His Observation Haki was reaching levels where he could almost predict his opponent's next move, making him a formidable asset in any fight.
Luffy, meanwhile, was eager to continue improving his Armament Haki to enhance his natural fighting style. While he didn't have a Devil Fruit like in the original timeline, Luffy's instinctive talent for Haki allowed him to gain the upper hand in battle with strategic and well-timed uses of both Armament and Observation Haki. Despite his growth, he still had a lot to learn and was often seen in intense, one-on-one training sessions with Zoro or Kuro, discussing strategies, refining their attacks, and pushing each other to be better.
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The Encounter with Bellamy
Their time in Jaya had been relatively quiet, until word spread that the infamous Bellamy Pirates had taken notice of the Straw Hat Pirates and their growing reputation. Bellamy, the cocky pirate captain from the South Blue, had been stirring up trouble on the island, causing chaos and mocking those with big dreams. When he heard of Luffy's ambition to become Pirate King, Bellamy couldn't resist confronting him.
"You're just another idiot with big dreams. You think you can take down real pirates like me with your silly crew?!" Bellamy scoffed, clearly underestimating the strength of Luffy and his comrades.
"Dreams or no dreams, I'm going to be the Pirate King! You'll see how strong we really are!" Luffy shot back, his confidence unwavering.
The confrontation with Bellamy and his crew wasn't just a clash of ideals—it was a demonstration of how far the Straw Hat Pirates had come in terms of Haki.
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The Battle Against Bellamy's Crew
The fight started fast. Bellamy was known for his brutal and aggressive fighting style, using his long-range punches to overwhelm his enemies. His attacks were powered by the infamous Spring Spring Fruit (a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit), which allowed him to bounce and stretch his limbs with incredible force.
However, it was clear from the moment the battle began that Luffy, despite not having the Gomu Gomu no Mi powers, was still a force to be reckoned with. The powerful strikes and his newfound Armament Haki made him nearly invincible to Bellamy's attacks. Luffy dodged effortlessly, his Observation Haki giving him an edge in predicting Bellamy's movements.
Kuro, who had always been a cunning strategist, used his Observation Haki to read Bellamy's tactics, allowing him to effortlessly dodge the powerful spring-loaded punches. With quick precision, Kuro delivered deadly slashes with his claws, imbued with his developing Armament Haki, which tore through Bellamy's defenses.
Zoro, not one to be left out of a fight, focused on refining his Armament Haki during the battle. His swords, now coated in the dark aura of Haki, cut through Bellamy's crew with ease, his strikes coming faster and more decisively than ever before. Zoro's ability to use Haki effectively had been a huge asset, turning him into one of the crew's strongest fighters.
Sanji, too, had grown considerably since the last battle. His Armament Haki was now stronger, and he was able to deliver rapid, devastating kicks with even greater power than before. His Black Leg style was now combined with the aura of Armament Haki, making his attacks nearly unstoppable.
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Bellamy's Downfall
As the fight raged on, Bellamy became more and more desperate, trying to land a blow on Luffy, but he could never quite land a hit. Luffy's Observation Haki was getting sharper by the second, allowing him to read Bellamy's every move. With a final smirk, Luffy stepped forward, his entire body radiating the confidence of someone who had already won.
"Is that all you've got, Bellamy?" Luffy taunted, his voice steady and calm.
Bellamy roared in frustration, his spring-loaded limbs extending toward Luffy in a flurry of attacks. However, with a swift and decisive movement, Luffy dodged every strike with ease, his Observation Haki guiding him with precision. He then followed up with a Gomu Gomu no Jet Pistol, a quick, forceful punch that sent Bellamy flying backward, his body crashing into a nearby wall.
The fight was over. Bellamy, humiliated and defeated, couldn't stand up against the united strength of the Straw Hat Pirates.
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The Aftermath – Reflecting on the Battle
As the dust settled and Bellamy's crew was rounded up by the local authorities, the Straw Hat Pirates gathered on the deck of the Going Merry, each of them catching their breath.
Kuro stood silently, reflecting on his battle. He had finally started to use his Haki as a true fighter rather than just relying on his natural cunning. He could see the changes in himself, and he knew that he wasn't done yet.
"We've all come a long way…" Kuro said quietly, turning to Luffy. "I can feel it. We're getting stronger every day. And you're right, Luffy. No one's stopping us."
Luffy grinned and slapped Kuro on the back. "That's right! We've only just begun!"
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End of Chapter: The Straw Hat Pirates and Their Growing Power
With Bellamy's defeat, the Straw Hat Pirates had once again proven their strength. They were no longer just a group of misfits—they were a team, united and growing stronger with each passing day. As they set sail once more, they knew that greater challenges awaited them, but they were more ready than ever to face them, with the strength of Haki and the power of their friendship.