Chapter 14: Straw Hat Luffy
"Ace, I'm here to save you!!!"
In the silence of the Eternal Hell, a voice filled with anxiety and excitement reverberated, breaking the eerie stillness. Three figures emerged on the scene.
Leading the group was a young man dressed in a red jacket and a straw hat. His name was Monkey D. Luffy. He appeared stunned by the unexpected encounter but stopped abruptly as he locked eyes with Crocodile.
"Crocodile!"
"Oh, it's you, Straw Hat boy."
Crocodile, nonchalant, released a smoke ring and sneered.
"Straw Hat Luffy?"
Jinbei, who was nearby, recognized Luffy and made the connection with Ace. "Is he Ace's brother? And he actually made it to the sixth floor, Eternal Hell!"
World chuckled. "We have another set of intruders. This is quite unexpected."
Ryder, his hand subtly poised on the hilt of his umbrella-like sword, questioned whether Luffy and his group were foes or allies.
"Damn, it's Crocodile!"
"And are they all with him? Looks like we'll have to defeat these people if we want to save Ace!"
Luffy, unaware of the true identity of Whitebeard and his companions, assumed that they were enemies. Determined, he activated his second gear, causing his skin to turn red as steam rose from his body. He charged toward the group, targeting the imposing man with Whitebeard at the forefront, who wielded a massive knife.
"Rubber Pistol!"
Luffy's arm moved with blinding speed, creating a series of afterimages. But before he could reach the burly man, the man raised his arm and launched a powerful punch.
Boom!
The impact was deafening, and the force was overwhelming. Luffy was caught off guard, and the devastating blow sent him hurtling through the air.
"Wow!!!"
Luffy let out a cry of pain as he soared before crashing into the ground. He skidded across the surface for a considerable distance before coming to a stop. In agony, he attempted to rise, but the punch had left him in excruciating pain. Despite his rubbery constitution, the intense ache made it nearly impossible to get back on his feet.
"Okay...that was incredibly strong..."
Luffy looked up at Whitebeard, astonishment etched across his face. He had encountered formidable foes during his adventures, including defeating Shichibukai members. However, the burly Whitebeard's single punch had rendered him helpless. Furthermore, the punch appeared to have been delivered without exertion.
"Straw Hat boy, are you all right?"
Two more figures arrived, finally joining Luffy. They were in disbelief at Luffy's dire condition.
"Did you encounter an enemy?"
Revolutionary Army Commander Emporio Ivankov, known for the massive explosion of hair on their head and elongated face, inquired. However, upon seeing the situation, they were taken aback.
When a figure with a crescent-shaped beard, holding a massive knife, stood before them, Ivankov and Imazuna were rendered speechless, their expressions filled with astonishment. They stuttered in shock and struggled to form complete sentences.
"Y-y-y-ou...," Ivankov began, pointing a trembling finger at Whitebeard, unable to articulate his thoughts fully.
Imazuna, too, was overcome by shock upon seeing Whitebeard, stammering incoherently.
"What's going on?" Luffy, who had just managed to stand up, looked over when he heard the commotion.
However, upon catching sight of Whitebeard, Luffy was taken aback. Steam began to rise from his body, indicating his readiness to attack. He clenched his fists, preparing for an assault.
"Lubber, lubber!" Luffy roared, about to launch an attack.
But before he could act, Ivankov leaped into action, delivering a swift punch to Luffy's head, sending him tumbling to the ground.
Luffy stared up at Ivankov in confusion, wondering why he had been stopped.
At that moment, Jinbei regained his composure and urgently exclaimed, "Straw Hat Luffy, stop! We are not your enemies!"
"Hey~" Ivankov chided, "Straw Hat boy, you're still as impulsive as ever!"
Crocodile, too, joined in, ridiculing Luffy, "Do you even know who you just tried to attack?"
"Huh?" Luffy replied with a puzzled expression.
"Indeed, he's an idiot," Crocodile muttered under his breath, seemingly vexed at having lost to Luffy in the past.
"What did you say?" Luffy retorted, glaring at Crocodile.
"Isn't it true?" Crocodile countered, "You should be grateful that this old man was merciful, or you'd already be dead from that punch!"
Crocodile blew out a smoke ring and smirked.
"A cadre of the Revolutionary Army... Ivankov!" Whitebeard finally spoke, acknowledging Ivankov's presence.
Ivankov took a deep breath, calming himself.
"Ah?" Luffy watched the exchange between Whitebeard and Ivankov, still utterly confused. He then asked, "Who is he...?"
Both Ivankov and Imazuna nearly collapsed upon hearing Luffy's question.
Ivankov grabbed Luffy by the collar and shook him vigorously, exclaiming, "Straw Hat boy, how can you not know who he is?"
Luffy remained bewildered.
"In the New World, there are four pirate emperors who reign supreme among all pirates," Ivankov explained in a solemn tone, casting a serious gaze at Whitebeard. "And the person standing before us is one of those emperors—the one known as Whitebeard!"
"Whitebeard?!" Luffy's eyes widened, recalling what Ace had told him. "He's as famous as Shanks—Whitebeard?"
"He's also... Ace's father?!"
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