Pirates: Martial Arts Masters on the Straw Hat Ship

Luffy stood at the bow of the ship, tilting his head, looking completely bewildered: "Why?"

"Huh?"

Usopp was taken aback, then looked exasperated and helpless.

"You're really cold-hearted! What I mean is, from now on I'm just like you guys, a pirate roaming the high seas!"

"Although we've parted ways, as colleagues, we might meet again at sea in the future..."

He spoke softer and softer because he noticed that the people on the boat were looking at him like he was an idiot.

Zoro crossed his arms, raised an eyebrow, pointed to the deck beneath his feet, and said with a hint of impatience:

"What are you talking about in your sleep? Get on the boat now!"

"Huh?" Usopp was completely stunned, his mind went blank. "Get...get on the ship?"

Luffy leaned against the ship's railing, adjusted his straw hat, and revealed a radiant smile that could melt away any barrier.

He stretched out his hand, extending an invitation to his long-nosed companion on the shore:

"We're partners now, aren't we?"

boom!

These words were like an electric current, instantly piercing through all of Usopp's pretense and strength.

He stared blankly at Ronan, who was carrying the black iron spear on his back and nodding gently.

He looked at Nami, who shrugged helplessly but smiled broadly.

He looked at Zoro, who, despite his fierce expression, had already made way for him to board the ship.

He looked at Luffy, his outstretched hand so resolute.

So... I wasn't left behind.

So... I was one of them all along.

Usopp's eyes instantly reddened, tears welling up, but he desperately held them back.

"Idiot...idiot!"

Usopp jumped up suddenly, using the momentum to mask his emotion.

He yelled and leaped onto the deck of the Going Merry like a monkey, hands on his hips, nostrils flaring, instantly reverting to the arrogant demeanor of "Captain Usopp":

"Since you've extended such a sincere invitation, I'll reluctantly accept!"

He pointed at Luffy and announced loudly:

"However! Let me make this clear from the start! I'll be the captain!!"

Upon hearing this, Luffy immediately panicked, jumping up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on: "Don't talk nonsense! I'm the captain!!"

"I'm the former captain, more senior than you!"

"I'm going to be the Pirate King, and of course I'll be the captain!"

Watching the two clowns wrestling over the "captain's throne," Ronan, Zoro, and Nami exchanged a glance and then burst into hearty laughter.

"Ha ha ha ha--!!"

Laughter drifted on the sea breeze, reaching the shore and even further across the ocean.

"Raise the sails! Set sail!"

With Luffy's command, the white triangular sail unfurled with a "bang" in the wind, billowing in the air.

With its ram-headed prow cutting through the waves, the Going Merry, carrying five young pirates, slowly sailed away from the harbor of Syrup Village.

Ronan stood at the stern, stroking the cold iron spear, watching the island recede into the distance, and silently recited in his heart:

Goodbye, Xiluobu Village.

......

A gentle sea breeze carries the coolness unique to the evening.

The deck of the Merry was filled with laughter and joy.

Having just ended a fierce battle with the Black Cat Pirates and acquiring a new ship of their own, the Straw Hat Pirates' spirits reached their peak with this double joy.

"Cheers——!!"

Five wooden wine glasses collided violently in the air, making a crisp sound.

The amber-colored liquor splashed out with the impact, splattering on everyone's hands and onto the brand-new deck.

"Ah—! This wine is really good!"

Luffy sat cross-legged in the center of the deck, holding a piece of meat with bones in one hand and a wine glass in the other, his face beaming with a smile that seemed to infect the whole world.

Behind him, a brand-new pirate flag fluttered in the wind atop the mainmast of the Going Merry.

That was Usopp's masterpiece.

Just half an hour ago, Luffy tried to draw his "skull" and ended up with a ridiculous abstract artwork.

In the end, it was Usopp, who had an artistic talent, who stepped forward and used his superb drawing skills to perfectly replicate the Straw Hat Skull Flag on the canvas.

The skull wearing a straw hat, grinning widely, symbolizes freedom and adventure.

"How about it! Isn't my drawing skill impeccable!"

Usopp tilted his long nose to the sky and pointed proudly at the flag, "This is the flag of Captain Usopp... no, the flag of our pirate crew, symbolizing our 80 million followers!"

"That's amazing, Usopp!" Luffy praised without reservation.

Nami leaned against the ship's railing, gazing at the flag, a hint of tenderness appearing in her eyes:

"I hate to admit it, but this flag is really well-drawn. With this, we can be considered a decent pirate crew."

Ronan sat next to Luffy, toying with a wine glass in his hand.

Looking at the flag, he was filled with emotion.

This is the beginning of a legend.

After several rounds of drinks, it began to get dark.

The sun was half-hidden on the horizon, painting the sky a brilliant purplish-red.

The rhythm of the waves lapping against the hull slowed, and everyone's mood gradually shifted from high spirits to calm, casual conversation.

Zoro, who had been leaning against the mast drinking alone, suddenly put down his wine cup.

His gaze pierced through the hazy air, like two sharp swords, aimed directly at Ronan.

"Hey, Ronan."

Zoro's deep, hoarse voice broke the tranquility on the deck.

All eyes immediately turned to that direction.

"That technique you used during your battle with the Black Cat Pirates..."

Zoro unconsciously stroked the hilt of his sword, Wado Ichimonji, his eyes burning with a thirst for knowledge.

"What exactly is this kind of Observation Haki that allows you to predict enemy attacks?"

This question has actually been on other people's minds for a long time as well.

Luffy stopped chewing and looked over with his cheeks puffed out.

Nami put down the nautical chart, and Usopp stopped bragging.

They all witnessed the scene: Ronan strolled leisurely amidst the dense attacks, remaining unscathed from Krona's high-speed slashes that were too fast for the naked eye to see.

That kind of composure, as if he had a "God's-eye view," was as easy and comfortable as a father beating his son.

"Observation Haki".

Ronan didn't keep him in suspense. He smiled gently and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.

"Zoro, you're a martial artist too, you should know about that state of 'hearing' the breath of all things, right?"

"The breath of all things?" Zoro pondered the word, his brow furrowed.

Ronan nodded, put down his wine glass, and sat up cross-legged.

His expression turned serious, because he knew that the next lesson was crucial for the Straw Hat crew's future adventures.

"On this vast ocean, especially on the 'Grand Line' that we are heading to, there are countless Devil Fruit users, and all sorts of bizarre abilities are constantly emerging."

"And the power that can rival or even surpass these abilities is—dominance."

"There are three main types of domineering aura." Ronan held up three fingers.

"Observation Haki".

Armament Haki.

"And... Conqueror's Haki."