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

“‘Peach’…” He still used that name, but there was no warmth left in his voice.

"I will go to Wano Country."

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback.

Luffy continued, his voice not loud, but loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Because Kin'emon said that in Wano Country under Kaido's rule, the people are like slaves, living a life worse than death."

I heard it, I remembered it.

He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over Kin'emon, who stood beside him, trembling with emotion at his words, tears streaming down his face.

Finally, that cold gaze fell once again on Momonosuke, whose face was beginning to turn pale.

“But I never helped because of you… ‘Kozuki Momonosuke’, nor for any ‘shogun’ position!”

His words were resolute, drawing a clear line between them.

"I went there for those who are suffering!"

It's to defeat Kaido, the one who makes the country weep!

That's all!

Having said this, Luffy no longer hesitated, nor did he give Momonosuke any chance to argue or curry favor.

He strode past Momonosuke, who stood frozen in place, his face pale.

Then, under the thoughtful gaze of Gern and with Enel raising an eyebrow in slight surprise, Luffy walked over to Sabo, who was still unconscious.

He bent down and carefully lifted Sabo off the ground, carrying him on his back.

After finishing all this, Luffy took a deep breath, raised his head, and looked across the chaotic streets towards the towering Dressrosa royal city in the distance.

His goal remains clear.

At least for now, he is Luo's ally, and he will continue to uphold Luo's demands for this country!

Without glancing at anyone again, he carried Sabo on his back and continued walking towards the palace.

The straw hat trembled slightly in the wind.

Chapter 560 I'm Determined to Be the Pirate King

"Tsk!" Enel slung the golden staff back over his shoulder, his gaze following Luffy's retreating figure.

Unusually, he didn't utter a sarcastic remark or a cold snort, but remained silent for a moment before offering his assessment in an almost objective tone.

"This rubber bastard who can't hear his own thoughts... has a strange 'charm' about him."

It's not strength, it's not speed, but a quality that allows people to choose to follow even in dire straits.

It is an indescribable quality that allows people to remain true to themselves even when betrayed and trampled upon.

Gern's gaze followed Luffy's as he listened to Enel's assessment, his smile deepening and becoming more complex.

Then he nodded slightly and said in a low voice, "Yes."

The straw-hatted boy in front of him reminded him of many things.

Watching Luffy finally awaken his Nikka form through a "screen" before, the ultimate freedom and joy made me feel that it was somewhat absurd and too idealistic.

But standing in this era firsthand, Gern seems to have come to some understanding.

Perhaps it is this almost "foolish" purity, this inextinguishable childlike innocence, that makes it so compelling.

This belief that places "freedom" and "companionship" above all else

Only then can the impossible be turned into the possible, and only then can everyone laugh heartily at the end of destiny.

At least, Gern himself believed that there was no other guy on this sea as pure as Luffy... who was unbelievably innocent.

His purity even touched and... subtly envied a "grown-up" like Gern, who was used to calculation and weighing.

Just then, Guern raised his head and looked at the bright sun in the sky above Dressrosa; the 'sunlight' was a little dazzling.

Yes!

The sunlight was blinding.

The timeline will always correct itself, and Gern has unknowingly been pushed into a specific position!

"Hahaha!" Gern's laughter subsided, and he suddenly took a deep breath, then, with his... (unintentionally amplified)

Yet the sound was loud enough to clearly resonate throughout the entire block, reaching the ears of Luffy and every member of the Straw Hat crew, as it was loudly proclaimed towards Luffy's retreating figure.

"Monkey D. Luffy—!"

The sound echoed in the air.

Luffy paused slightly.

"You want to be the 'Pirate King'! You want 'One Piece'!"

If you want your dream to truly succeed, if you want to reach the end of the sea…

He paused, then looked directly at Luffy.

"Then defeat me first!"

Defeat 'Skyquake' Gern Reginald Sigmar!

"Otherwise, you will never... truly reach Laugh Tale!"

Luffy, carrying Sabo on his back, slowly came to a stop.

He didn't answer immediately, but just stood there quietly.

A few seconds later, he slowly turned around.

Sunlight shone from behind Luffy, casting a long shadow and gilding him with a dazzling golden edge.

Luffy's straw hat brim was still pulled low, but everyone could feel the burning gaze beneath that brim.

On either side of him, Zoro slowly placed his hands on the hilts of his swords, while Sanji took a deep drag on his cigarette, stubbed it out, and straightened up again.

Nami gripped the Clima-Tact tightly, Chopper's eyes hardened, and Brook placed his hand on the Soul Reaper...

The Straw Hat crew, as if by unspoken agreement, silently lined up on either side of Luffy the moment he turned around.

Luffy raised his head, and in the shadows beneath his hat, his eyes met Gern's gaze without flinching.

Then he spoke.

The sound wasn't particularly loud, but each word echoed clearly across the ruins of Dressrosa.

"One Piece..."

"I'm determined to be one!!!!"

The vow has been made, and the path is clear.

.........

Watching Luffy and the others walk away, Momonosuke felt no emotion whatsoever, and even secretly rejoiced that this "trouble" was finally gone.

So he immediately put on a fawning expression, trotted over to Gern, tilted his head back, and said in an exaggerated tone...

"Lord Tianzhen, look! That arrogant pirate dared to say such boastful things to you!"

How could he possibly defeat you? That's wishful thinking!

While flattering him, he cautiously observed Guern's expression. Seeing that Guern didn't seem displeased, he mustered his courage and asked in an expectant tone.

"Then... Lord Tenjin, when shall we depart for Wano Country?"

Kaido, that tyrant, is no match for you!

"As long as you take action, Wano Country will be restored immediately!"

The smile on Gern's face slowly faded. He lowered his head and looked at the hopeful little boy in front of him.

His eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a meaningful, scrutinizing smile.

"Oh? Go to Wano Country? To help you defeat Kaido and reclaim the Shogun's position?" He deliberately dragged out his words.

"Momonosuke...you wouldn't be planning to use me as your 'henchman' like you use the Straw Hat crew, would you?"

"No! Absolutely not! How could that be!" Momonosuke waved his hands frantically, his face pale, and his voice sharpened.

"You're a navy officer! The strongest man recognized on this sea!"

He is the 'Tianzhen' Grand Commander, who upholds justice! How could I... dare to have such disrespectful thoughts!

I sincerely seek your help, for the sake of the people of Wano Country!

He desperately tried to portray himself as a general who sought the help of legitimate forces for the sake of the country.

Gern's smile deepened, but it offered no warmth whatsoever.

Then, taking a step forward, the imposing presence of his tall figure made Momonosuke involuntarily retreat.

"So, here's the question," Gern's voice remained calm, "I, a Marine Admiral, using the power of the Navy and even my own personal strength..."

"I'll help you defeat Kaido, one of the Four Emperors, and help you ascend to the throne of Shogun of Wano Country... What should I get in return?"

“Uh…” Momonosuke was stumped by the question, his mouth agape, speechless for a moment.

His mind was filled with thoughts of how to use Gern's power to achieve his goals, but he never seriously considered what kind of return the other party needed.

In his view, his identity as a "future general" and his "legitimate and righteous cause" were his biggest bargaining chips.

Seeing Momonosuke's stammering and hesitant manner, only wanting to take and unwilling to give, a hint of mockery flashed in Gern's eyes.

He stopped beating around the bush and went straight to the most crucial and fatal question, his voice suddenly becoming low and deep.

"and……"

"Just now, your retainer Kin'emon seemed to have let something slip in his haste... He said, 'How could Lord Oden have a child like you?'"

Gern leaned slightly forward, almost face to face with Momonosuke, his eyes fixed on Momonosuke's face, which had instantly turned terrified, and asked...

"Kozuki Oden... has been dead for over twenty years."

"If his child were alive, he would be an adult by now."

"Then, Momonosuke..."

Who exactly are you?

"Or rather... what exactly are you?"

"Aren't you going to... explain this properly?"

"Kozuki Momonosuke."

The last name was pronounced by Gern very slowly, with a hint of amusement in his voice.

Kin'emon closed his eyes in pain.

I knew that what I feared most had still happened.

Chapter 561 Of course I'll help you!

Momonosuke's face was ashen, his lips trembled, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Kin'emon opened his eyes again and looked at his young master in this state, feeling sorrow in his heart.

But now that things have come to this, he understands that in the face of someone like Gern, stubbornness or sophistry may only lead to worse results.

More importantly, the power and status that Gurn has demonstrated make him the only "external force" currently capable of directly challenging Kaido.

Although Luffy admitted he would continue to help, he himself wasn't sure if the Straw Hat Pirates could actually make it that far.

Therefore, although the young master's behavior just now was despicable, and although Gern's motives were unclear...

But perhaps... this is Wano Country's last hope.

Thinking of this, Kin'emon took a deep breath, suppressing his disappointment in Momonosuke and his apprehension towards Guern.

He stepped forward reluctantly, and as a retainer of the Kozuki family, asked the most crucial and practical question.

"Your Excellency Tianzhen, I presume to ask a question."