The Going Merry faced the towering presence of the Marine fleet blocking their path. The sea stretched endlessly behind them, but ahead lay the entrance to the Grand Line—Reverse Mountain. The strong currents rushed up the steep incline like a waterfall in reverse, a natural wonder that marked the threshold to the most dangerous sea in the world.
Standing at the bow of the lead Marine ship, Captain Smoker exhaled a thick plume of smoke, his piercing eyes locked onto the Straw Hat Pirates. "Straw Hat Luffy… you're not leaving East Blue. Not today."
Luffy grinned, stepping forward confidently. "Oh yeah? You think you can stop me?"
The Marine soldiers braced for combat as Smoker drew his jitte, the sea prism stone at its tip glinting ominously. "You have no idea who you're dealing with. I'm not like the weaklings you've faced before."
Luffy turned his head slightly, his expression calm. "Zoro, Sanji… this fight's yours."
Zoro's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "You're not fighting him?"
Luffy shook his head. "I need you two to get stronger. If we're going to survive in the Grand Line, you can't rely on me for everything. Smoker is strong, and this is your chance to learn."
Sanji exhaled smoke from his cigarette, cracking his knuckles. "Tch. You sure know how to throw us into the fire, Captain."
Zoro grinned, drawing his swords. "Fine by me. I've been itching for a real challenge."
As the Marines charged forward, Luffy closed his eyes for a moment. A powerful wave of unseen force exploded outward from him, washing over the battlefield like a tidal wave. One by one, the lower-ranking Marines collapsed, unconscious before they even reached the ship.
Smoker's eyes narrowed. "Conqueror's Haki… so you really are dangerous."
Luffy smirked. "Now it's just you against my crew. Let's see how you handle them."
Zoro lunged forward first, his swords flashing in the sunlight. Smoker barely moved, his body shifting into white smoke as Zoro's blades passed right through him.
"Damn it," Zoro growled. "A Logia user."
Sanji dashed in from the side, launching a powerful kick aimed at Smoker's ribs. Again, the attack passed harmlessly through the Marine captain's smoke form.
Smoker sighed. "You two are wasting your time. You can't hit me."
Zoro gritted his teeth. "Then we just have to figure out how!"
Sanji landed on the deck, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Luffy said we needed to master Armament Haki…" He glanced at his hands. "Is that what it takes to hit this guy?"
Smoker moved like a storm, his smoke tendrils wrapping around Zoro's arm and tossing him aside. He swung his jitte at Sanji, who barely managed to dodge, feeling the dangerous energy radiating from the sea prism stone tip.
"You're quick," Smoker admitted. "But not quick enough."
Zoro rolled to his feet, panting slightly. His grip on his swords tightened. "Luffy believes in us. We're not losing here."
Sanji smirked. "Heh. I wouldn't hear the end of it if we did."
The battle raged on, Reverse Mountain looming in the background as the Straw Hat crew fought their first true test against the Grand Line's might. And for the first time, Luffy simply stood back, watching as his crew took their first steps toward greatness.