One Piece: Trainers on the Straw Hat Pirates

Page 21

The doll-like Luffy instantly reverted to his normal appearance.

"This is a side effect of Luffy's move, and there's no good solution for it in the short term."

Red smiled and explained to Zoro, then reached out and pulled Zoro up from the ground.

Despite Zoro being unconscious, what just happened was merely a friendly spar.

Under Luffy's control, he only suffered a slight impact and lost consciousness due to exhaustion.

However, Zoro, who has stood up again, is clearly still in a state of confusion.

Partly it was due to physical reasons, but more so because of his sense of powerlessness when facing Luffy.

After a brief pause, Zoro immediately looked up, his gaze serious as he looked at Akame:

"Crimson, can you tell me about it..."

What is the outside world like?

"The outside world..."

Crimson sighed, as if recalling something.

Then, pulling over the restored Luffy, while tugging at Luffy's cheeks, he answered:

"The specific situation is rather complicated."

"All you need to know is... that in the Grand Line, there are countless people stronger than this guy, as numerous as fish crossing a river!"

He wasn't just saying that to scare Zoro.

Although Luffy's current strength is comparable to that of his Enies Lobby days, even if he's not quite there, the difference won't be too great...

But in the new world two years later, where everyone possesses Armament Haki, Luffy, who hasn't even mastered Armament Haki yet, is indeed somewhat lacking.

"What did you say!?"

Sure enough, Zoro's fingers trembled slightly upon hearing this.

His first reaction: Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

But does Crimson really need to lie to himself?

The answer is obvious.

Zoro eventually accepted this reality with mixed feelings.

But then, Crimson added insult to injury:

"And also..."

"Your target is none other than the current world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk..."

"If he wanted to defeat Luffy, one strike would probably be enough!"

"Is the difference... really that big?"

Zoro's eyes darkened.

Although he had only listened to Chi Hong's narration, it was as if he saw a towering mountain with no end in sight standing in front of him.

"What? Thinking of giving up?" Crimson chuckled softly and suddenly asked.

"Give up? That's impossible!"

Zoro shook his head with a wry smile, then placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and took a deep breath.

"I just feel like the road ahead has suddenly become much longer."

After saying this, the resolute gaze returned to Zoro's eyes once again.

He gazed at the clouds drifting in the distance and said earnestly:

"If you think you can make me give up like this, then I might as well die on the road to pursuing my dreams!!!"

"Exactly!" Luffy chimed in, laughing loudly, "Dreams are meant to be chased with your life!!!"

“And crimson…” He turned his head, clenched his fist, and said with dissatisfaction:

"Saying that there are countless people better than me is simply too much!"

"I'll let you see for yourself... me beating those guys to a pulp!!!"

"When the time comes, I'll absolutely blow your mind!"

"Aren't you right, Zoro!?"

“That’s right!” Zoro gripped the hilt of his sword, as if an endless stream of power was flowing from the longsword into his body.

He replied confidently:

"Just you wait, Crimson!!!"

"Don't even mention the Grand Line! Even if it were Hawkeye, I would absolutely defeat him!!!"

"Is that so?" A smile played on his crimson lips, but he sighed softly.

"Then you might be disappointed."

He reached up and pressed down the brim of his hat, his eyes clear, as if gleaming with light:

"After all, I've never doubted... that you were capable of doing all this!"

"Besides, with me, the trainer, here, I won't be surprised no matter how strong you become."

As he spoke, he turned his gaze back to Zoro:

"Remember this defeat well, Zoro!"

"True strength lies not only in physical power, but also in one's inner strength!"

"I hope this setback will become a driving force for you, helping you grow into a true powerhouse as soon as possible!!!"

"I will try my best!" Zoro imitated Luffy, clenching his fist tightly.

"I believe you," Crimson said with a soft laugh, but a barely perceptible glint of triumphant cunning flashed deep in his eyes.

Yes, yes, yes!

That's it!

Without pressure, where does motivation come from?

Crimson had foreseen this scene long before planning this sparring match!

He wanted to make Zoro feel the pressure from the outside world!

Anyway, for big-hearted guys like Luffy and Zoro, no matter how much pressure they face, it will only turn into strength in the end!

The East China Sea is still too weak; there's nothing worth risking their lives for.

This is not a good sign.

After all, Zoro and Luffy have such great talent, it would be a real shame to waste it!

Even now, Red felt a little regretful, because he had never thought of going to sea with Luffy before, so during those two and a half years, he had not seriously urged Luffy to train.

But now...

The situation is completely different!

"Nami!" Red suddenly turned around and said to Nami, who was standing not far away, stunned and seemingly lost in thought.

"what!?"

Nami was startled and quickly replied:

"W-what's wrong?"

"What are you thinking about!?"

Crimson came up to her and flicked her forehead lightly as if to teach her a lesson.

"Can't you see Luffy and Zoro are both super energetic?! Aren't you going to come and join in the fun?"

"No way!" Nami pouted. "I'm not one of those hot-blooded idiots."

"And I don't understand anything about bonds or friendships at all."

"Oh? Is that so?" Crimson grinned wickedly.