Chapter 1348: The End of the Young Man Era
Chapter 1348: The End of the Young Man Era
Boom! Boom!
As Black Blade descended, the sky suddenly erupted. Beneath the Crimson Heaven's Radiance, dark clouds had gathered without notice, churning with ominous energy.
Boom!
A thunderbolt as thick as a pillar crashed down from the storm, hurtling toward the execution platform.
"Scram!"
Kuro glared upward. The thunder exploded midair, fracturing into countless sparks that dissipated into the wind.
But this bolt made him pause, then chuckle. "You really are blessed by fate, aren’t you?"
He fixed Luffy with a gaze. "This time, your father won’t save you. Your grandfather won’t come charging in. Even my ability to control the weather can’t stop lightning from forming. Impressive. Whether it’s true destiny or mere luck, I suppose it doesn’t matter."
"Huh? Luck? I don’t need luck! Let me go, Incense Burner!!" Luffy thrashed about.
"Talking nonsense. You’re a pirate. I’m Navy."
Kuro adjusted Black Blade slightly, lifting it higher as he gazed into the distance, nostalgia flickering in his eyes.
"Actually, I never hated you. Sure, you were annoying—like a fly buzzing around the Grand Line, leaving rumors in your wake. But as a kid... I didn’t hate you. I even admired your adventures, captivated by your stories."
"Really? So I was that amazing? Wait, were you even born when I was a kid?" Luffy asked, confusion creasing his brow as he tried—and failed—to crane his neck upward.
"A shame. People grow. No one stays the same. True strength lies in adapting to the world’s rules, carving your own path, and pursuing your dream that way. It’s a far superior approach to clinging stubbornly to dreams, blind to reality. You’ll never understand that. But I’ll admit—there’s value in simplicity."
Kuro tilted his head toward the sky. "I won’t deny the importance of staying true to your original aspirations. The will passed down through generations, the shifting tides of eras, people’s dreams—those are unshakable."
"But external forces can block them. Succeed, and you’re a hero. Fail, and you’re nothing. No matter your reputation, death reduces you to just another Rocks. Yet the Grand Line will remember you—Whitebeard, Big Mom, Kaido, Shanks, even Marshall D. Teach, and you. It will remember the pirates who nearly ruled the seas, who fought Navy and fell."
He closed his eyes. "For old times’ sake, any last words?"
Age-wise, Kuro wasn’t old—but in spirit, he’d long left youth behind. Nostalgia for those days was only natural.
This time, Luffy wouldn’t be saved.
Luffy listened, pain forgotten. Suddenly, he inhaled sharply and roared toward the horizon:
"I’M Going TO BE The One Piece!"
The thunderous declaration echoed across the plaza, halting battles as all eyes turned to the execution platform. Navy and pirates alike stared, stunned.
At a time like this, he still dared say that?
"Monkey D. Luffy."
Smoker clenched his cigar, his expression unreadable. Personally, he didn’t dislike the man. But as Navy...
His death would benefit the Grand Line.
"Luffy!!"
Koby’s eyes brimmed with tears. He lunged forward, only to be restrained by Helmeppo.
"What are you doing?!"
Helmeppo’s arms locked around Koby’s shoulders. "Don’t be reckless! No matter how close you are, this is suicide!"
"I... I..." Koby bit his lip, tears spilling. "He’s going to die! Luffy! That idiot’s really going to die! He’s a good person! He’s not some evil pirate—why is this happening?!"
"How should I know? This is Fleet Admiral’s orders! We’re just Navy. Eliminating pirates is our duty. Act like it!" Helmeppo hissed.
But these minor figures on the battlefield? Not even Kuro noticed them. Not even the Navy officers nearby.
On the platform, Kuro opened his eyes. "Is that all?"
Luffy ignored him. He turned to his crew below, still fighting, and bared his teeth in a radiant grin. The Transponder Snail in Buggy’s hands broadcast this smile to the world.
Across the Four Seas, the Grand Line’s first half, the New World—wherever live broadcasts reached, all watched in silence.
From East Blue’s Windmill Village and Syrup Village, to Arabasta’s Sandora and Wano Country’s Ringo...
From the Baratie restaurant to Loguetown...
The entire Grand Line bore witness to this radiant smile.
"You know..."
Luffy’s eyes crinkled shut, his voice as casual as if discussing a meal. "I’m gonna die."
Silence.
The sudden grin, the effortless words—shock froze everyone, their faces pale, speechless.
Even Lida stiffened. She couldn’t grasp why, in his final moments, he smiled so... normally.
Death evokes many reactions—despair, regret, defiant laughter. But not this. Not this eerie calm.
It was a serenity beyond heroism—a resolve so absolute, it stripped life and death of all drama, leaving only quiet acceptance.
"Remarkable."
Even Kuro couldn’t help but admire him.
Then, Autumn Water descended with a thunderous slash.
Hiss!
Black Blade pierced Luffy’s neck. With a soft thud, his head rolled from the platform. The tension in his body vanished, his corpse slumping lifelessly.
Only the straw hat atop his head soared into the wind, landing at Donald’s battlefield—right in Brook’s skeletal hands.
"Luffy..."
Brook’s jaw dropped, his bones trembling. Their captain—the man they’d believed destined to be Pirate King—was gone.
"Tell me this is a joke", Zoro muttered, eyes wide with horror.
Sanji stood frozen mid-fight with Klah, whispering, "This can’t be real..."
"Luuuuuffy!!!"
Usopp’s scream tore through the air. He yanked his bag open, firing seeds that sprouted into vines, ensnaring Kuro. "This isn’t funny! You’re playing a trick, right? Like when you reattached your head after Crocodile! Stand up! You’re supposed to be Pirate King! How can you collapse here? Don’t play around! Beat Akainu again! Stand up! Use that stubborn strength of yours and Stand UP!"
He pointed at the headless body. "Stand UP! You’re the Pirate King! You can’t fall here! Come on, stop joking, Captain! Beat the enemy like always and laugh with us again! Please!"
But no matter how he screamed, the figure on the platform remained still.
"I get it... I understand", Usopp pleaded. "Are you mad I couldn’t support you? A sniper’s job is to assist! I was helping! Don’t be angry, Captain! Get up! Defeat the enemy with your usual grin! Please!"
Boom!
Flames engulfed the vines. From the fire, a glowing blade crackled with lightning.
"Cry Light Cannon."
The lightning beam struck Usopp’s chest, blowing him backward like a ragdoll.
Nami trembled, staring at his motionless body. "Usopp..."
Then came Kuro’s voice, cold and clear:
"War isn’t a child’s game. It doesn’t stop when you ask."
The flames died. Kuro stood atop the platform, Autumn Water in hand, his gaze scornful. "This is the Grand Line’s cruelty."
(End of Chapter)
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