One Piece: SSS-Rank Haki at Age Seventeen

Nami stared at the Den Den Mushi sitting on the table, her face filled with hesitation.

Should I call him… or not?

Forget it… If Luffy is dealing with something urgent, calling him might just cause trouble.

Her slender brows knitted together slightly as she pouted.

"Honestly… why hasn't he contacted me yet?"

Fortunately, she was a reasonable woman.

Purururu…

The Den Den Mushi suddenly rang.

Kamabakka Kingdom

(The "Second Amazon Lily," also known as the Pink Island)

Sanji looked at the crowd before him.

They wore dazzling pink and purple clothing, heavy makeup with vivid eyeshadow and striking lipstick. Their curled hair was voluminous, their figures tall, their gestures flamboyant and seductive—each radiating an exaggerated yet unmistakable aura.

The okama.

Sanji's curled eyebrow twitched violently.

After finally feeling that intoxicating feeling called love again…

…the target turned out to be a rugged-looking okama.

At that moment, Sanji felt his entire life had been ruined.

Flames of anger burst from his foot.

His code of chivalry forbade him from striking women—

…but okama?

They were not included.

"That's enough! I still have to reunite with my crewmates. Robin, Nami, Fish-Man Island… they're all waiting for me!"

"I don't have time to waste here!"

"Diable Jambe!"

BOOM!

A pillar of fire shot into the sky.

The okama were instantly charred black, smoke rising from their mouths.

Sanji stood with his hands in his pockets, a cigarette between his lips, his expression full of disdain.

"Give up."

"I'm destined for the sea… a man you'll never have."

Purururu…

Sanji glanced at the Den Den Mushi on his wrist.

His eyes lit up.

Kuraigana Island

"W-What are you doing?! I—I'm your lifesaver!!"

Perona trembled violently but didn't dare move.

Standing before her was Roronoa Zoro, his entire body wrapped in bandages. In his hand was the cursed blade Kitetsu, its tip pointed straight at her.

Zoro's face was dark.

A terrifying aura surrounded him, his voice cold like something from the depths of hell.

"If it weren't for this situation… you'd already be a corpse."

An hour earlier, while Zoro was still extremely weak, Perona had taken the opportunity to toy with him—

forcing him to play master and servant games.

The dignity of a great swordsman had been completely trampled.

But the moment Zoro's Haki returned—

the situation reversed instantly.

Zoro eventually lowered his sword.

SHING!

A slash of purple sword energy shot forward, carving into the wall.

Looking out at the gloomy forest beyond, Zoro leapt down without hesitation.

Just then—

Purururu…

Meanwhile…

Across distant seas, the other Straw Hat crew members all received a call from Luffy.

Revolutionary Army Headquarters — Baltigo

The Den Den Mushi projected several images onto the table.

"Long time no see, everyone!" Luffy said with his trademark grin.

"LUFFY!!!"

The Straw Hat Pirates all smiled.

At some point, Luffy had quietly become the emotional pillar in everyone's hearts.

"Wait!" Sanji suddenly shouted. "Where's Robin?!"

"I'm right here."

Robin rested her hands on Luffy's shoulders and leaned into the frame.

"Oh—so Robin's with Luffy."

"…Wait a second. Why is Robin with Luffy?!"

Everyone stared in shock.

Only Nami's beautiful brows furrowed slightly as alarm bells rang inside her mind.

It felt as if two little versions of herself were arguing.

Devil Nami:

"They're so close! Something suspicious must be going on!"

Angel Nami:

"Don't jump to conclusions without proof! What if it annoys Luffy? Be a virtuous woman!"

Nami shook her head quickly to clear the thoughts away.

She forced a smile.

"Luffy… are you calling to come pick us up?"

Everyone's eyes lit up.

Especially Sanji.

"Quick! Luffy, get me out of here! I absolutely do NOT want to stay in this nightmare of a place!"

Luffy scratched his head awkwardly and shook it.

"Sorry, everyone… could you wait a little longer?"

Silence fell.

"Luffy… did something happen?" Zoro asked sharply.

"Yeah."

Luffy nodded, his expression grim.

"Ace… was captured by the Marines. He's going to be publicly executed."

"I… I have to save him."

"You mean…" Usopp's eyes widened as his body trembled.

"You're going to Marine Headquarters?!"

"Are you insane?!" Sanji shouted.

"That's Marine Headquarters! The true overlords of this sea! Going there is basically suicide!"

Nami forgot all about her jealousy.

Her eyes, clear like autumn water, were filled with worry.

"Do you really have to go?"

Looking at his worried crewmates, Luffy smiled.

But his gaze was completely resolute.

"That's my brother."

"If he needs my help, no matter where he is in this world… I'll throw away everything and risk my life to save him."

Zoro stared at Luffy for a moment before suddenly speaking.

"If you're going… take us with you."

The moment he said that—

"No."

Luffy's answer was immediate.

"There are too many powerful enemies there. I… I can't guarantee your safety."

"If any of you got hurt…!"

Then he laughed freely.

"But trust me, everyone."

"I'll bring Ace back alive."

"Just wait for me!"

Hearing Luffy try to reassure them only made their hearts burn even more.

It was suffocating.

Their captain was about to storm Marine Headquarters…

…and they didn't even have the strength to stand beside him.

Without realizing it—

they had become Luffy's burden.

Even Zoro and Sanji felt the same.

"Alright… I'm hanging up now."

Luffy reached toward the Den Den Mushi.

"Luffy! Listen to me!"

Zoro raised the Kitetsu in his hand.

Luffy stopped.

"I… I will become stronger!"

"One day, I'll stand beside you for real!"

Tears streamed down Zoro's face as he roared:

"Did you hear me—"

"Future Pirate King?!"

Luffy suddenly grinned.

"I'll be waiting."

"World's Greatest Swordsman."

The call ended.

But its impact was enormous.

Everyone felt the same burning determination in their hearts.

They would never be dead weight again.

Luffy covered his eyes with his hand.

"Captain… you're crying," Robin teased softly.

"I—I'm not!"

Tears shimmered in Luffy's eyes.

Having you guys… is the best.

Weatheria

Nami made up her mind and approached three elderly scientists.

She bowed deeply.

"Please teach me everything about meteorology."

"I'm the navigator of the Straw Hat Pirates."

"No matter where my captain wants to go—whether into the sky or beneath the sea—I must make sure our ship reaches its destination!"

The three old men stroked their beards and nodded approvingly.

"Welcome to our research."

Kamabakka Kingdom

Sanji stood on the shore as the salty wind blew through his blond hair.

But it couldn't disperse the darkness in his heart.

Looking at his reflection in the water, he murmured:

"Do I really have the right… to help Luffy become the Pirate King?"

Suddenly—

A strange fruit drifted ashore with the waves and stopped at Sanji's feet.

It was golden-yellow, shaped like a pear, covered in spiral patterns.

Sharp, jagged protrusions covered its surface like sparks of lightning.

Its green stem twisted like a stylized bolt of lightning.

Sanji froze.

"The Rumble-Rumble Fruit…"

The legendary Logia-type Devil Fruit.

He slowly smiled.

"Luffy… your pace is too fast."

"So fast that even if I give it everything I have…"

"I still can't see your back."

"If there's a shortcut…"

"Even if I have to pay a price…"

"I'll gladly accept it."

Sanji opened his mouth—

and bit down.

The taste was revolting, but he forced himself to swallow the entire fruit.

Kuraigana Island

Dark red lightning erupted as a terrifying demonic aura spread.

"ROAR!"

Dozens of baboons wielding swords and spears charged from the forest.

"Perfect!"

Zoro drew all three swords.

A terrifying sword intent shot into the sky, tearing through the clouds.

Zoro moved like a phantom.

His blades became the scythes of death, harvesting life after life.

Greenstone Island

Usopp stared determinedly at the beetle-armored man before him.

"Heracles!"

"Please accept me as your student!"

"There must be something on this island that can make me stronger…"

"I don't want to be the weakest anymore!"

"Hahaha!" Heracles laughed and patted his shoulder.

"As long as you're determined… this island won't disappoint you."

Torino Kingdom (Bird Kingdom)

Tony Tony Chopper carefully dug a rare herb from the ground, his face full of excitement.

"Amazing!"

"There are so many rare medicinal plants here!"

"I can improve the Rumble Ball even more!"

"When the time comes… I'll be able to help Luffy!"

Karakuri Island — Baldimore

Franky stared at a massive laboratory with shining eyes.

"Dr. Vegapunk's lab…"

"And the blueprints for Pluton!"

"Maybe I can finally complete my plan!"

Namakura Island

Brook gazed quietly into the distance, ghostly flames flickering in his empty eye sockets.

"It feels like… I brought something back from the underworld."

"What exactly is the true power of my Revive-Revive Fruit?"

P.S. Totally not filler!

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