The natural system started off strong, but the navy finally reached its peak!

He had somehow dragged the unconscious Sabo to the side of the ruins.

Sabo's body dragged lifelessly across the rough ground.

Upon hearing this, Enel, though somewhat reluctant, withdrew the golden staff he had been holding to Luffy's head, took a step back, and handed over the "right of disposal" to Gern.

He understood that this was Gern's "game".

Luffy struggled to lift his eyes and looked at the tall and familiar figure in front of him.

Even after many years apart, even though the other person is now a naval admiral and the enemy who kidnapped Sabo.

But that brief but memorable encounter in his childhood still made Luffy subconsciously call out that name.

"Strange...strange old man..."

His voice was weak, but it still carried Luffy's characteristic straightforwardness.

When Gern heard this long-unheard, even somewhat inappropriate, form of address, he was slightly taken aback.

Then a complex, almost nostalgic smile appeared on his face.

“Ace called me Uncle Gern, and Sabo…” Gern patted Sabo’s head, “And this one… calls me bastard. Ha, and he even tried to kill me.”

“However, since you’re still willing to call me ‘weird old man’…” Gern squatted down, meeting Luffy’s gaze, his tone becoming somewhat subtle.

"Then, as your elder, I will give you your first real opportunity to choose since you enter the new world."

"What...opportunity?" Luffy gasped for breath, trying to concentrate.

He instinctively sensed that what Guern was about to say was extremely important.

Instead of answering directly, Guern turned his gaze to the street to the west.

There, the four who should have been on the ship—Nami, Chopper, Brook, Momonosuke, and the heavily injured Sanji—were...

With a look of terror and anxiety on his face, he shouted the names of Luffy, Zoro, and the others as he ran desperately toward them.

Clearly, the commotion here and Luffy's predicament made it impossible for them to wait patiently any longer.

Gern looked at Nami and the others running towards him, then glanced at the unconscious Sabo beside him.

And Luffy, amidst the ruins, slowly spoke, his voice clearly reaching Luffy's ears.

"Don't worry, I won't let you choose your companions."

This statement startled Luffy.

Not choosing a companion? Then what should you choose?

Gern's gaze returned to Lu Fei's face, as if he could see through Lu Fei's thoughts, and he smiled slightly.

"Besides your partners, who else do you have?"

"!!!"

Luffy's pupils suddenly contracted!

Momonosuke!

That brat who claims to be a descendant of the Kozuki clan, is timid and prone to crying, yet always has "I am the future general" on his lips!

Gern wants him to... choose between Sabo and Momonosuke?!

The choice that Gern presented was like the coldest chains, binding Luffy's heart tightly. On one side was his brother Sabo, whom he had just reunited with but who had been severely injured and kidnapped; on the other side was Momonosuke, the "child" who had traveled with him all the way and whom he was entrusted to protect.

Choose? How do I choose?

Luffy fell completely silent. He lowered his head, sweat mixed with blood dripping onto the rubble.

This is not a contest of power, but the most brutal test of his inner principles.

His true nature, his purity, and his path to becoming the Pirate King were never built on sacrifice or abandonment!

Whether it's Sabo or Momonosuke, they are both partners he acknowledges and wants to protect (or people his partners want to protect)!

"I..." Luffy's voice was hoarse, filled with unprecedented pain, but the stubbornness deep in his eyes remained unwavering.

"I... I won't choose! I must save Sabo! I must protect Momo!"

If it means sacrificing one of them... I'd rather die myself!

This is the most Luffy-like answer.

There was no calculation, no weighing of options, only an almost naive yet unwavering determination to "have it all" and "self-sacrifice"!

Gern looked at him, his smile fading slightly, his eyes deep and unfocused, lost in thought.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps and shouts approached from afar.

"Luffy!! Zoro!!"

Nami, Chopper, and Brook, carrying the heavily injured Sanji, finally managed to run over.

But when they saw the situation clearly, they saw Enel sneering, Luffy heavily injured in the ruins, and the composed Gern with Sabo at his feet.

The four (including Sanji) turned deathly pale instantly, as if they had seen the most terrifying nightmare combination, and their breathing almost stopped.

Enel's shadow and Gern's absolute intimidation sent a chill down their spines.

However, one person completely ignored this suffocating atmosphere.

"Father! Father!"

Taking advantage of the moment when everyone's attention was diverted, Momonosuke managed to break free from Nami's hand that was instinctively holding him.

While shouting with a sob in her voice, she pulled Kin'emon, who had just gotten up from the ground and was still a little unsteady, and ran straight to Gern!

She tilted her little face up, and although there was still undisguised fear in her eyes, it was more of an urgent desire to grab a lifeline after being driven to the brink of despair.

He grabbed Kin'emon's trouser leg tightly, pointed at Guern, and said in a shrill voice, "Kin'emon... no, Father!"

Tell him now! Tell this navy officer! Am I a descendant of the Kozuki clan?! Am I?!

Momonosuke must prove his "worth" immediately!

Only by confirming his identity as a descendant of the Kozuki clan could he possibly use this "noble" bloodline to gain a chance of survival, or even... obtain protection, from Gern!

Kin'emon was somewhat bewildered by Momonosuke's sudden, almost coercive, move.

But the loyalty of his long-time retainers and the critical situation at hand forced him to immediately regain his composure.

Taking a deep breath, enduring the pain, he straightened his spine and, with a calm and solemn posture, faced Gern and spoke in a deep voice.

"Your Excellency, I am Kin'emon, a retainer of the Kozuki family." He performed a Wano Country greeting.

"This Lord Momonosuke is indeed a noble descendant of the Kozuki clan, and his identity is beyond doubt."

"Our journey here is precisely to restore the rightful rule of Wano Country..."

Kin'emon's explanation was earnest and sincere, attempting to vindicate Momonosuke using the loyalty of his retainers and the name of the Kozuki clan.

However, he still strictly adhered to the caution of a time traveler, cleverly avoiding the most sensitive topic: "the son of Kozuki Oden."

The key identity that is most likely to raise questions about time paradoxes is only emphasized as "a descendant of Kozuki".

As Momonosuke listened to Kin'emon's testimony, a glimmer of hope appeared on his little face. He looked expectantly at Guern, waiting for his "approval".

Gern's gaze swept between Momonosuke's eager little face and Kin'emon's calm yet reserved explanation, and the ambiguous smile on his face deepened.

Chapter 558 Momonosuke: I'm not a pirate!

Gern first gave a look of sudden realization, as if he had just confirmed some important information.

Immediately afterwards, an extremely "gentle" smile appeared on his face, even carrying a hint of "encouragement."

She bent down slightly, looked at Momonosuke, and asked in a gentle tone, "I see... You really aren't a pirate."

"So, Momonosuke, what do you want me to help you with?"

Upon hearing Gern's almost "kind" response, Momonosuke's eyes lit up instantly!

Eager to make his request, he began, "I..."

"peach!!"

At that moment, a hoarse but urgent shout abruptly interrupted Momonosuke!

It's Luffy lying in the ruins!

He stared intently at Momonosuke, shouting with all his might, "Don't trust him! Don't trust that weird old man!!"

Luffy's pure intuition is frantically alerting him!

He didn't understand Guern, but in the eyes of a simple-minded person.

There was no simple goodwill behind Gern's smile!

Momonosuke was startled by Luffy's roar, and a hint of hesitation and confusion flashed across his face.

As if "reminded" by Luffy's words, Gern's face showed a thoughtful expression.

He stroked his chin and continued, "Oh right, Momonosuke, I almost forgot."

Gurn's tone remained "mild," but the content of his words began to become subtle.

"You are the future shogun of Wano Country, with a noble status and a promising future."

He abruptly changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over the heavily injured Luffy, the near-death Law, and the stunned Zoro, Sanji, and the others, before speaking clearly in his voice.

"And now, the Straw Hat Pirates, and Trafalgar Law, who is closely associated with them..."

Legally speaking, they are all pirates whom I, as a naval admiral, have either 'arrested' or are about to 'deal with.'

He paused slightly, watching Momonosuke's face tense up instantly, and offered his crucial "reminder."

"If you still insist that you are in cahoots with them and have a close relationship with them..."

Therefore, according to the Navy's regulations for dealing with pirates, I'm afraid... I'll have to classify you as a 'pirate accomplice' as well.

This is hardly a glorious achievement for a future general; it might even affect the 'legitimacy' of your future restoration of the kingdom.

"!!!"

Momonosuke's expression changed drastically. Realizing what had happened, he abruptly looked around!

as predicted!

Luffy collapsed, severely injured; Law was on the verge of death; Zoro and Sanji were intimidated by the auras of Enel and Gern, and dared not make a move.

Other, stronger companions (such as Franky, Usopp, and Robin) have disappeared, leaving Nami and the others terrified and helpless...

It's almost certain that defeat is inevitable!

“But…” Gern’s second sentence, at this moment like a devil’s whisper, fell at just the right moment.

"If you were 'kidnapped' and 'forced' to be brought here by this group of lawless pirates..."

"Then the nature of it is completely different."

After Gern finished speaking, he did so almost without hesitation!

Under the shocked, angry, and incredulous gazes of the Straw Hat crew, just as Kin'emon reacted and tried to speak to stop them, it was too late.

Momonosuke abruptly took a step back, pointed at Luffy and the others, and shouted in the clearest, most righteous voice he could muster!

"That's right! I was taken hostage by them!!"

I am the future Shogun of Wano Country, Kozuki Momonosuke!!

These pirates forced me to follow them, using my identity!

He turned to Guern, his face filled with urgency to be "saved" and a yearning for "justice":

"Sir Navy! I need the Navy's help now!!"

Please help me defeat Kaido and help me regain my position as Shogun of Wano Country!

I am an orthodox pirate! I am not a pirate!

After shouting these words, Momonosuke didn't even dare to look into Luffy, Nami, and the others' eyes, placing all his hopes on Gern.

In his logic, the Straw Hat crew were just henchmen he "hired" under the guise of his identity as a "future general" and his tragic past, tools to help him achieve his goal of restoring his kingdom.

Now, the tool has failed, and may even be a hindrance, while a more powerful, more "orthodox" (naval) tool lies before him.

His choice was made without hesitation!