Seeing this scene, Luffy, Zoro, Nami, and Usopp all stood with their mouths wide open, utterly shocked. The sea had been split in two? This was… way too unbelievable!
"Not bad," Moonlight nodded, returning to the ship. The power of the Phantom Sword Dance was currently his most formidable sword technique, though it required around three seconds to charge up. And as he continued to train, the number of slashes would increase, and the attack would become even more terrifying.
"Hey, hey, hey, that's overkill, Moonlight. You call this 'not bad'? How are the rest of us supposed to survive?" Usopp said with a bitter smile.
"This guy… I always knew he was strong. I've seen him fight Arlong, and he was definitely powerful, but he feels like a bottomless pit. One day, you'll realize he's already surpassed the limits you thought he had. What kind of freak is this?" Sanji said in amazement, glancing at Zoro.
Zoro himself was already a monster, like a beast. Despite being severely wounded, he quickly recovered after just a few days of rest. Zoro was a monster, but Moonlight was a monster among monsters!
"Does this guy even have a limit?" Zoro gritted his teeth, staring at Moonlight. He was incredibly strong, but the scariest part was that he trained so relentlessly despite his strength. Was his goal to surpass Mihawk? Zoro had a feeling that Moonlight might already be able to do that.
For the first time, Zoro felt like he was chasing a shadow he could never catch.
"Hey, Moonlight, you're really something. When I first met you, you were just a small-time swordsman, but now it feels like you could even take on Mihawk. You're amazing!" Luffy gave him a thumbs up.
"I wouldn't be pushing myself so hard if everyone wasn't so weak. What if we encounter a powerful enemy? I don't want to lose any of you before we even reach the Grand Line," Moonlight shrugged, looking helpless.
"You…!"
"Damn it, I'm not weak!"
"Don't underestimate us!"
"Hmph…"
Moonlight's words immediately drew complaints from everyone. Usopp and Nami knew they weren't the strongest, but Zoro and Sanji weren't pleased, pointing at Moonlight with defiant looks on their faces. Moonlight just waved his hand, looking resigned.
"Hahahaha!" Luffy burst out laughing, feeling that everything before him was simply wonderful.
"Moonlight really cares about us!" Usopp and Nami exchanged smiles. Not wanting to lose any of them meant he was pushing himself to get stronger for their sake.
"I'm a bit hungry, Sanji. Can you cook something?" Moonlight shrugged, leaving those words behind as he returned to the lookout.
"Damn it, why should I cook for you?" Sanji grumbled.
"Shut up, I'm hungry too!" Zoro waved him off.
"Me too! I want meat!" Luffy added.
"Tch! Can't refuse you guys, can I? Alright, what do you want to eat?" Sanji sighed, looking at Moonlight. Among them, Moonlight was the only one with a specific preference; the rest were happy to eat whatever was available, and as a skilled chef, Sanji knew all their tastes.
"Fried rice, a large portion!" Moonlight said calmly. Reincarnated into this world, despite all the various exotic foods, he still loved fried rice the most, making him an oddball among the crew. Plus, fried rice tasted different depending on the chef.
"Got it!" Sanji waved and headed toward the kitchen. The rest smiled, eagerly waiting for the meal. Sanji's cooking was always a highlight.
Loguetown was located near the entrance to the Grand Line in the East Blue. It was famously known as the Town of Beginnings and Ends because it was where the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, was born and executed. Pirates often visited, but the town maintained excellent security due to the presence of the renowned Navy Captain, "White Hunter" Smoker, ensuring no pirate dared cause trouble.
The townspeople lived peaceful lives. After finishing their meal and sailing for another half day, Luffy and his crew finally reached Loguetown. They docked the ship in a concealed spot at the port and set foot in the town.
"My sword's broken; I need a new one!"
"I want to see the execution site of the Pirate King!"
"I'm going to get some food supplies!"
"I need to buy some clothes!"
"I'll check out some gear!"
As soon as they landed, Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, Sanji, and Nami went their separate ways, leaving Moonlight in charge of the ship. Moonlight nodded; he didn't need to buy anything. If he did, Nami would take care of it. With Moonlight guarding the ship, everyone felt at ease.
Moonlight wandered near the ship, keeping it within sight.
"Quick, hand over anything valuable!"
"We're pirates! If you don't want to die, you'd better cooperate!"
"Hahaha!"
After a short walk, he suddenly heard arrogant shouts and panicked cries from a nearby street.
"Pirates, huh? It really is the age of pirates. No matter where or when, these guys keep showing up," Moonlight frowned and turned into the alley. On a broad street, a scar-faced man over three meters tall, dressed in pirate attire and wielding a large saber, led a group of thugs. They aggressively looted everything in sight, killing anyone who resisted.
The entire street was in chaos as civilians fled in terror.
"Kid, move it, or I'll cut you down too!" The scar-faced pirate spotted Moonlight and sneered.
Moonlight remained silent, staring at the scar-faced man with a calm expression.
"Damn it, our boss is talking to you! Are you deaf?"
"Want to die? I'll help you out!"
"Get lost; we're in a good mood today, so don't push it!"
"Think you're tough? Cut him down!"
Seeing Moonlight's unbothered demeanor, the pirates grew furious, feeling disrespected. Several thugs, armed with swords, charged at him.
"Conqueror's Haki!"
Moonlight's eyes narrowed, and an invisible wave of pressure exploded from him, spreading rapidly in all directions!