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

(*Note: This behavior is consistent with some of Momonosuke's personality traits in the original work.)

When Luffy was locked in fierce combat with Kaido and briefly lost his heartbeat, Momonosuke subconsciously thought Luffy had failed.

He was about to give up when he heard Luffy's heartbeat in the Voice of All Things, which rekindled his hope.

Now, in an earlier, more desperate situation, faced with more direct choices about self-interest, his "pragmatic" side is laid bare.

For a moment, Momonosuke's eagerness to distance himself and his attempt to curry favor with the powerful were evident.

Even in the ruins, Luffy would never betray his comrades, even on the verge of death, and would never sacrifice anyone.

This creates the most stark and brutal contrast!

Human nature is fully revealed when faced with a choice between dire circumstances and self-interest.

Kin'emon closed his eyes in pain, Zoro's hand gripping his sword bulged with veins, Sanji's cigarette had long since gone out, and Nami and the others felt as if they had fallen into an ice cave.

Meanwhile, Gern watched as this "wonderful drama," which he had personally guided and which Momonosuke had "passionately performed," unfolded before him.

The meaningful smile on his face finally couldn't be suppressed and turned into a clearly audible low laugh.

"Hehe...hahaha..."

Enel, standing to the side, also abandoned his fighting stance, crossed his arms, and his eyes were filled with undisguised contempt and disgust.

His "mind network" had already heard the thoughts of everyone except Gern and Luffy.

This includes Momonosuke's true thoughts: his eagerness to protect himself, his desire to curry favor with the powerful, and even his view of the Straw Hat crew as tools to be used.

"Hmph." Enel let out a disdainful snort from his nose.

His gaze swept over Momonosuke, who was looking at Gern with hopeful eyes, and his tone was filled with divine arrogance and contempt for the base.

"shame."

“Killing such a thing is to defile the hand of ‘God’.”

Gern stopped laughing and his gaze returned to Luffy, who was struggling to say something.

"See that, Luffy? Same choice... but they didn't choose you."

Luffy gritted his teeth and stared intently at Momonosuke!

Keep in mind that two years later, Luffy has completely transformed from an adventurer.

Although he's still a bit stubborn, he's already learned some social skills.

If Gern really wanted to kill them, Momonosuke's words now are blatant encouragement!

Gern stopped looking at Luffy and instead gave his first "order" to Momonosuke, who was somewhat uneasy about Enel's assessment.

"you."

He pointed at Momonosuke, then at Luffy, who was unable to move in the ruins.

"Now, in the past."

Use your foot to step on his face.

!!!

This command struck like a thunderbolt, resounding in everyone's hearts!

"Young Master! You mustn't!!" Kin'emon's expression changed drastically. He disregarded etiquette and fear and stepped forward to stop him.

If this kick were to land, it would not only be a physical insult, but it would also completely sever any possible ties and obligations between the user and the Straw Hat crew!

It is a despicable act that tramples on personality and dignity!

However, Momonosuke hesitated only for a brief moment.

The desire for power, the fear of survival, and the illusion of “naval legitimacy” instantly overwhelmed everything else.

He needs to prove to Guern his "compliance" and "break"!

"I...I am Kozuki Momonosuke! The future Shogun! I'm just a mere pirate!"

So Momonosuke cheered himself up, let out a scream, and charged forward!

A small jump, showcasing Leo's flying kick stance.

Under the glaring, furious eyes of all the Straw Hat crew members (Nami, Chopper, Brook, Sanji), as well as Zoro and Kin'emon...

Under Luffy's incredulous gaze...

Momonosuke's clog-clad foot stomped hard and firmly on Luffy's face!

"Snapped!"

A sound that was not loud, but extremely clear, of trampling.

Time stood still at this moment.

Luffy didn't close his eyes; he kept them open, staring at Momonosuke, who was stepping on his face—those eyes that were always full of fighting spirit and a smile.

Now all that remains is a bottomless void, a void filled with pain and indifference.

After Momonosuke stepped on it, he immediately jumped away like a startled rabbit and hid behind Gern, not daring to look at anyone again.

This kick not only shattered Luffy's face, but also something that might have once been fragile.

At this moment, the sunlight in Dressrosa dimmed completely.

Chapter 559 'Luffy'

"you........"

Kin'emon's expression changed completely.

During his time in Dressrosa, he personally experienced and witnessed how the Straw Hat crew selflessly...

They even risked their lives to help these "strangers".

Luffy's purity and his deep respect for his comrades are so similar to Lord Oden's!

He had thought that the young master Momonosuke should at least be grateful and maintain basic dignity and sense of duty even in the face of adversity!

However, Momonosuke's decisive kick pierced through Kin'emon's last line of defense!

Kin'emon then disregarded all decorum and etiquette, even ceasing to address him as "Young Master," and let out a furious roar.

"Momonosuke!!!"

He stepped forward, his large hand suddenly reaching out and grabbing the man hiding behind Gern.

Momonosuke, who was secretly rejoicing over his "performance," was lifted up by the collar!

"What are you doing?! Are you insane?!" Kin'emon's eyes were bloodshot.

"Lord Oden... how could Lord Oden have a child like you?!"

How could you do such an ungrateful, despicable, and shameless thing?!

Kin'emon lifted him up like a chick and even scolded him like that in front of Gern and everyone else.

Momonosuke was stunned at first, then felt an unprecedented sense of humiliation and anger!

In his heart, Kin'emon was nothing more than a retainer of the Kozuki family, a "servant" who had to obey and protect him unconditionally!

"How dare you!!" Momonosuke screamed, struggling violently, and actually managed to break free of Kin'emon's grasp with sheer brute force.

Staggering to her feet, she pointed at Kin'emon, her face flushed with anger: "What are you doing now?! Is this how a subject should treat the Shogun?!"

"How dare you treat me like this?!" Momonosuke exclaimed, panting heavily, and refused to look at Luffy and the others again.

Instead, they ignored them completely, and with unwavering confidence, declared to Kin'emon, and indeed to everyone else.

"Look closely! They? They're just a bunch of pirates!!"

"Pirates!! Do you understand?!"

He pointed at Gern, his voice rising with a "wise" air of climbing the social ladder: "Lord Tianzhen is a member of the Navy! He is the most powerful force of justice on this sea!"

As the future Shogun of Wano Country, am I wrong to seek the legitimate assistance of the Navy?!

Isn't this the most correct and brightest path?!

His words grew increasingly sharp, completely exposing his truest and most utilitarian side.

"In other words, those pirates... ha!" He let out a disdainful sneer.

"I initially approached them simply because they were nosy and had some ability!"

"Using them as henchmen, risking their lives for me to fight Kaido, it was all a deal to begin with!"

After speaking, he looked one last time at Luffy, who remained silent amidst the ruins, simply staring at him without a trace of remorse in his eyes.

There was only a cold indifference to discarding useless tools and a hint of smugness that said, "I'm smarter than you."

"Now that I have a more powerful and 'perfect' option in front of me, why should I get involved with a bunch of failed pirates?!"

Kin'emon, what are you so obsessed with?

Are you a retainer of the Kozuki clan, or a retainer of these pirates?!

Momonosuke's words were as cold as arrows, piercing the hearts of all those who still harbored illusions.

Kin'emon was struck dumb, staggering back two steps as he stared at the unrecognizable "young master" before him.

A chill ran from the soles of my feet straight to the top of my head. My lips trembled, but I couldn't utter another word.

Zoro slowly sheathed his sword, his cold gaze sweeping over Momonosuke without a trace of emotion.

Sanji silently lit a new cigarette, the smoke obscuring his expression.

Nami and the others felt a chill run down their spines and felt nauseous.

Luffy, whose eyes hadn't closed even when his face was stepped on, slowly, very slowly closed them now.

He didn't roar in anger, nor scream in pain; there was only a deathly silence.

That silence was more chilling than any roar.

As Gern watched Momonosuke's "wonderful" performance and the various expressions on everyone's faces, the corners of his mouth curved into an even wider smile.

Very good, the chess piece has begun to move on its own in the direction it expected.

Enel turned his head away completely, as if even glancing at him would offend his eyes, and muttered under his breath, "Scum."

Meanwhile, Luffy's sit-ups... oh! No, or rather...

That resilience, originating from the will of D and the characteristics of the fruit, finally began to manifest.

The heavy breathing gradually subsided, and the exhausted strength began to recover at an astonishing speed.

The tightly closed eyes reopened, no longer filled with confusion, pain, or anger.

Luffy used his arms to support his battered body as he stood up from the rubble.

Gravel fell from his body.

He didn't look at anyone, but silently bent down and picked up the dusty straw hat that had fallen to the side.

He carefully brushed off the dust with his hands, and then solemnly put it back on his head.

He gently pulled his hat brim down, obscuring most of his face and his eyes, leaving only his tightly pursed lips visible.

"Luffy." Zoro keenly sensed the change in his aura and called out in a deep voice.

Luffy didn't respond; he simply walked away in silence.

Each step was still a little unsteady, but the pace was unusually steady as he moved towards Momonosuke.

He walked in the direction of Gern behind him.

Momonosuke was startled when he saw Luffy walking towards him, and instinctively tried to hide behind Gern again.

But he forced a tough stance and shouted, his voice trembling with fear, "Wha...what? Pirates!"

You still want to do something to me, a future general, in front of a naval admiral…

"Shut up!!"

A roar startled Momonosuke into swallowing the rest of his words!

Luffy suddenly raised his head, and in the shadows beneath his hat brim, his eyes stared directly at Momonosuke.