Chapter 59: Before the Battle

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In "One Piece: The Emperor Descends," Zoro was defeated, but it was a glorious loss—he had dared challenge the world's greatest swordsman, and that courage alone was admirable.

When Luffy saw Zoro nearly killed, he was consumed by rage and prepared to use his Devil Fruit powers to rush over. Meanwhile, Zoro’s two companions had already leapt into the sea to rescue him.

Sanji, witnessing Luffy’s use of the Devil Fruit’s abilities, was shocked—he had always thought such things mere legend, but now, this extraordinary power was manifesting right before his eyes, leaving him astonished.

Hawkeye, too, trembled violently when he saw Luffy charging toward him. But what truly shook him was the man standing behind Luffy—a man of immense influence in the New World, whose mere words could make the world quake. How could he possibly be here?

So deep in thought was Hawkeye that he forgot Luffy was barreling toward him, shouting. Only when Luffy’s fist was about to strike did he snap out of it and hurriedly dodge to the side.

Luffy, by contrast, crashed through the wooden planks and got himself stuck.

Carmel noticed Hawkeye looking over, nodded slightly as a greeting, and Sanji, who witnessed this, glanced at Carmel with puzzlement.

Meanwhile, Zoro had been rescued, and the story’s events began to unfold once more. Carmel was deeply excited—he admired these people immensely.

The conversation between Luffy and Zoro attracted everyone’s attention, including Sanji. Carmel glanced at Robin beside him; she, too, was watching intently. Even though she already knew what would happen, seeing it in person was far more impactful.

“Young man, remember: I’ll always be waiting for you. After you defeat me, go on to challenge even greater foes,” Mihawk said with a gentle smile.

Zoro, lying in the small boat, was stunned. Wasn’t this man the world’s strongest swordsman? Was there really anyone out there stronger than Hawkeye?

Though Luffy at Hawkeye’s side seemed to be smiling, he was actually quite cautious. After hearing Hawkeye’s words, Luffy understood that the Grand Line was a realm of monsters. But as long as he could defeat those standing in the way of becoming King of the Pirates, wasn’t that enough?

“Robin, I’m going over there for a bit. Protect this ship for me—don’t let it fall apart,” Carmel suddenly said, his eyes glowing with excitement. He was about to show these youngsters just how vast the world truly was—how could he not be thrilled?

“Alright, I’ll keep the ship safe,” Robin replied with a gentle nod.

With Robin’s assurance, Carmel slowly walked to the edge of the ship, drawing the gaze of everyone onboard—the Straw Hats, Sanji, and the chefs alike.

Standing beside Sanji, Red-Leg Zeff watched Carmel’s slow approach and suddenly shuddered, fear growing in his eyes as he began to tremble.

Sanji noticed Zeff’s odd behavior and quickly supported him.

“Old man, what’s wrong?” Sanji asked anxiously.

Zeff slowly turned his head to Sanji, his expression one of utter terror. He stammered, “That man in purple… he’s been staying here for days?”

Sanji was momentarily taken aback but nodded. Zeff’s heart trembled—one of the Four Emperors, a guest in his own restaurant! Truly, his humble establishment was blessed by a legend’s presence.

“You haven’t offended that man in purple, have you?” Zeff continued, his voice cautious. He had met Carmel once before—there was something familiar about him, but he hadn’t paid it much mind. He also knew that the mighty man was always accompanied by a woman, and with Sanji’s temperament, he had better not flirt with her. If this man, standing at the pinnacle of the world, were to be angered, not a soul on this ship would survive. Zeff had seen the wanted posters not long after the destruction of a pirate crew by one of the Four Emperors: a bounty of 1.5 billion, the highest among all pirates, surpassed only by the late Pirate King Gol D. Roger. There had also been a newspaper headline: “One of the Four Emperors, Aelros D. Carmel, challenges the entire Navy Headquarters alone.” Reading about how he rendered the Navy completely powerless—even with the Fleet Admiral, the Navy Hero, and the three Admirals present, none could resist—one could only imagine the power to change the world itself. Yet, he had never formed a pirate crew, a sign of the loneliness at the summit.

“No, who is that guy?” Sanji asked, shaking his head.

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Zeff exhaled in relief and, looking at the man in purple approaching the ship’s edge, whispered, “He’s the true strongest in the world—Aelros D. Carmel, one of the Four Emperors. You’ll understand who he is in time.” Zeff knew Luffy had come to recruit a chef and hoped Sanji would set out to fulfill his dream.

Sanji’s cigarette fell from his trembling lips, scattering sparks across the deck. Slowly, he turned to look at the man in purple—was he really the world’s strongest?

Luffy, seeing Carmel about to walk into the sea, shouted, “Mister, stop—if you go any further, you’ll fall in!” Luffy had seen Carmel often while working here these past few days and had grown quite fond of the always-smiling man. Seeing him nearly step off the ship, how could he not be worried?

Carmel offered Luffy a gentle smile. Well, if Luffy wanted to call him “uncle,” so be it—he was old enough to be his grandfather anyway. He continued walking forward and, upon reaching the edge, did not stop.

To everyone’s shock, Carmel continued walking atop the water. Luffy gaped, then burst out laughing, “Mister, you’re amazing! You didn’t even fall in!”

“Aelros D. Carmel, I didn’t expect to see you here,” Mihawk said, his voice tinged with heat. It astonished him to find Carmel in East Blue, the weakest sea—wasn’t he supposed to be enjoying himself on Amazon Lily? Had he come out for fun?

“Mihawk, I’m here to accept your challenge. Let’s settle things soon, shall we?” Carmel replied, his lips barely moving as he telepathically transmitted the message.

Mihawk was not surprised by this method—Carmel could never be measured by common sense; his strength was simply off the charts.

Listening to Carmel, Mihawk turned toward Luffy. “Kid, get your crew onto that ship. If you die in the crossfire, don’t blame me.” The look in Mihawk’s eyes startled Luffy. He glanced between Carmel and Mihawk, and, as if understanding something, his expression grew extremely serious.

“Alright, I understand,” Luffy nodded. There was even a hint of approval in Mihawk’s gaze.

Using his Devil Fruit powers, Luffy leaped onto the small boat, then pulled it over to the restaurant with his abilities. Amid the astonished eyes of the crowd, he helped Zoro onto the boat, soon followed by the others.

Luffy, face grave, eased Zoro down against the wall. Sanji, curious, looked over, and as their eyes met, Luffy suddenly asked, “Can this restaurant move away a bit?”

Sanji was puzzled. “Why? What for?” At first, he had been opposed to Luffy’s invitation to join the crew—he didn’t want to leave the old man—but Zeff’s words had changed his mind.

“Just a feeling. Those two are about to fight, and if we’re too close, what if we get caught in the crossfire? And this ship…” Luffy trailed off thoughtfully.

Robin, nearby, smiled like a blossom in spring. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you all and make sure the ship stays safe.”

Sanji, momentarily entranced by the beautiful dark-skinned woman before him, quickly looked away, eyeing her skeptically. “Are you sure you can manage that?”

Zeff, upon seeing Robin, seemed to recall something, his body trembling as he spoke nervously, “You… you’re Nico Robin?” He let out a sigh of relief after speaking.

“Yes, I am,” Robin replied, turning to walk to the bow. Her job was to protect the ship from the shockwaves and sword auras the coming battle would unleash. With everyone off the ship, there was no need to worry about anyone else.

“Old man, who is she?” Sanji asked, his nerves apparently toughening with each new revelation.

Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, and the other chefs all looked over in curiosity, the threat of the Krieg Pirates’ Gin momentarily forgotten.

Zeff felt as if his heart might explode today. These three were all legendary figures—though Carmel and Robin had vanished for the past decade, their reputation endured. Every pirate remembered the events of ten years past with awe and fear.

“She’s the partner of that man in purple. Ten years ago, she and another woman fended off the Navy’s ‘Buster Call.’ Two women slaughtered the Navy’s elite—no other force, not even Whitebeard, could compare,” Zeff reflected.

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“What’s a ‘Buster Call,’ old man?” Sanji asked, curiosity piqued. The Straw Hats listened closely.

Zeff looked at the dark-skinned woman standing a few meters away, his eyes distant. “Five Vice Admirals, ten of the Navy’s strongest battleships, and ten thousand elite soldiers… yet just two women wiped them out. Amazing!” The pirates could only speculate at Carmel’s true power, but the strength of his wives was beyond imagination.

Hearing this, everyone’s jaws dropped. They turned to stare at the beautiful woman nearby. Sanji broke out in cold sweat—could this really be true? The others were no less shocked, their faces first filled with awe, then with terror. Only Luffy seemed unafraid, but his trembling betrayed his excitement.

Are these the people who stand at the very peak of the world? I’ll surpass them one day, Luffy vowed in his heart, though whether his dream would come true remained to be seen.

...

“Mihawk, do you see that young man? In a few years, he’ll become King of the Pirates. If I say it, it will happen—so, just watch!” Carmel said with a mischievous smile, his eyes full of playful challenge.

Hawkeye could only shake his head. So this was all an act to show these youngsters the true scale of the world. Such a character…

“Carmel, fine, I owe you for that thing you gave me ten years ago. I’ll repay you now—there’s really no dealing with you,” Mihawk agreed. That boy was probably the one chosen by Red. That straw hat was awfully familiar. If Carmel said so, then that hat truly belonged to Red. Was this the boy Red had spoken of? In that case, let them see just how far they still had to go, how much harder they must strive to become the strongest and achieve their dreams.

Suddenly, a voice rang out: “You two…”

In an instant, Hawkeye’s eyes narrowed and he vanished from the wreck of the pirate ship, reappearing opposite Carmel, standing on the water.

A brilliant purple light blazed, stinging everyone’s eyes. When the radiance faded, what they saw left them stunned and afraid.

The massive wreckage had vanished, along with all the pirates on it. Most terrifying of all, the sea itself was gouged out—a vast, bottomless pit, as if the water had been turned to a vacuum, black and unfathomable, and terrifying to behold.

“It’s begun,” Robin said.

“It’s begun,” Carmel echoed.

“It’s begun,” Hawkeye repeated.

...

The next chapter will conclude the battle, and the story will pick up pace—one of the benefits of the protagonist not traveling with the Straw Hats!

Thank you all for your support. Rest assured, there will be no sudden hiatuses. Please click, recommend, and add to your collections.
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