The Going Merry sailed smoothly across the open sea, the chaos of the Marine battle finally behind them. The salty wind carried the scent of freedom, but the tension from their escape still lingered in the air. Though the crew had survived, the battle had left them shaken, their bodies sore, and their minds running over the events that had just unfolded. Every breath they took felt heavier, every creak of the ship was met with lingering anticipation, as if they expected another attack to come at any moment.
Luffy sat cross-legged on the deck, staring at his hands. His Shadow System had felt different during the fight—stronger, but also harder to control. He flexed his fingers, watching as faint tendrils of shadow flickered around his wrists before fading. What happened back there? His body felt fine, but deep inside, he knew he had pushed something beyond its limit. Was there a breaking point to his power? Was this something he could train, or was he already reaching the ceiling of what his body could handle?
He clenched his fist, trying to summon the same intensity he had felt during the fight. A flicker of shadow formed, but it felt weaker—less precise. He clicked his tongue in frustration. It's not the same.
Zoro, leaning against the mast with his arms crossed, studied him. The swordsman had noticed Luffy struggling mid-fight, and it had been unusual to see. "You figured something out during that fight, didn't you?" he asked, his sharp eyes scanning Luffy's expression for any sign of hesitation.
Luffy nodded, his usual carefree grin absent. "Yeah… I felt like I was pushing against a wall, and when I broke through, my shadows changed. They got stronger, but it took way more energy." He clenched his fists, his brows furrowed in thought. "I think I can get even stronger, but I need to learn how to control it better. If I don't, I might not be able to use it when I really need it."
Zoro let out a low hum of understanding. "Happens with swords too. If you push past your limits, the strength you gain might not always be something you can handle right away. You need time to adjust, to refine it."
Luffy nodded, appreciating the comparison, but before he could respond, Nami's frustrated voice cut in.
"Typical Luffy. You nearly broke the Going Merry back there! If you're gonna use that power, at least don't destroy our ship while you're at it." Her grip on the wheel tightened. They had been lucky this time, but what about the next? The more powerful Luffy became, the more dangerous his battles would be. And unlike Luffy, the Going Merry wasn't indestructible.
Usopp, still trembling from the battle, sat down beside Luffy. His knees wobbled, and he exhaled a shaky breath. "Yeah, and maybe don't nearly give us all a heart attack! What was that Shadow Crash thing you did?! I thought the whole ship was gonna split in half!" His voice cracked slightly, still processing the sheer destructive force Luffy had unleashed.
Luffy laughed, rubbing the back of his head. "It just kinda happened. I was getting stuck, so I pushed through… and BOOM!"
"That's not how power works!" Usopp yelled, flailing his arms in frustration. "You don't just BOOM your way to being stronger! There's gotta be a method, training, logic—something!"
Zoro smirked, rolling his shoulder. "For him, it is." He had seen Luffy pull off impossible feats before, but this new power… it was different. It wasn't just brute strength or instinct—it was something deeper, something evolving. He wouldn't say it out loud, but even Zoro felt a strange unease about Luffy's new abilities. It wasn't fear—Zoro didn't fear anyone—but it was a feeling he couldn't shake. Where was this power going to take him?
Nami glanced at the map spread out beside her. "Well, we're in the clear for now, but we need to be careful. If the Marines were after us back there, they're probably gonna report what happened. We'll have even more heat on us soon."
The idea of having stronger Marines hunting them wasn't comforting. They had barely escaped this time, and that was only because the fleet hadn't been expecting Luffy's shadow abilities. Next time, they would be prepared.
Usopp groaned, running his hands down his face. "Great, just what we need. Even more people trying to kill us."
Luffy stretched his arms, yawning. "Let 'em come. I'll just keep getting stronger."
His words were simple, but the weight behind them was undeniable. He wasn't just saying it out of arrogance—he believed it, and he was determined to make it happen. There was no hesitation in his voice, no uncertainty. Just conviction.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the crew finally allowed themselves a moment to breathe. The ocean stretched infinitely before them, calm and steady, yet filled with untold dangers waiting ahead. The fight was over, but their journey was just beginning. And for Luffy, his path to mastering the Shadow System had only just started.
He didn't know where this power would take him, but one thing was certain—he was far from reaching his peak.
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