Chapter 126 – Drum Kingdom 02.

Chapter 126 – Drum Kingdom 02.

[Chapter Size: 2144 Words.]

Third Person POV

Drum Island, First Half of Grandline.

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The bustling square of the Drum Kingdom fell abruptly silent as Kureha, the mysterious elderly doctor, entered the center stage. Her steps were gentle, yet each carried unquestionable authority. The murmurs of the crowd ceased as everyone turned to face the newcomer.

Kureha, with her peculiar attire almost immune to the cold and stern expression, cast a piercing gaze across the square, her eyes fixing on Luffy. She raised her wrinkled hand and silenced the crowd before even opening her mouth.

"What is all this?" Her voice, still strong with a touch of hostility, echoed through the area. The atmosphere, previously charged with expectation, became tense with the imposing presence of the elderly woman.

Luffy, on the improvised stage, looked at Kureha with a neutral expression, but his instinct indicated that this would not be a peaceful visit. Kureha, with her commanding presence, crossed her arms while staring at Luffy. The square remained silent, only broken by the chilly wind whispering through the snow-covered buildings.

"Who are you, insolent pirate, who dares to enter our kingdom and claim rights to what does not belong to you?" Kureha questioned, her rough voice cutting through the air.

Unfazed, Luffy, maintaining his calm expression, responded with his typical confidence. "I am Monkey D. Luffy, captain of the Straw Hats. I am taking this kingdom as my right of conquest, but I am not petty enough not to take care of my territory with positive changes. I am not here to be the king of this place, Granny. I just want to ensure that this kingdom prospers, and it will have many allies."

The old woman let out an ironic laugh. "Positive changes? You, who topples kings and claims territories, speak of positivity? Don't make me laugh, boy."

"I'm not here to be the king of this place, Granny. I just want to ensure that this kingdom prospers, and it will have many allies," Luffy replied, his gaze unwavering.

Kureha, maintaining a piercing look, directed her words at Luffy. "So, you're another ambitious pirate seeking to expand your empire at the expense of others. Doesn't surprise me."

Unperturbed, Luffy smiled confidently. "I don't hide my intentions, Granny. I want to strengthen this kingdom, not to become a king, but to create a strong alliance that can withstand the challenges we will face in the future."Rread latest chapters at novelhall.com

The elderly woman frowned. "A strong alliance? Do you think we can trust a pirate to lead something like that?"

"Trust is something that is earned, I know that. Let's prove it with actions, not with empty words," Luffy asserted, his determination evident.

Still skeptical, Kureha crossed her arms. "You will have to prove much more than that, young pirate. I'm not easily convinced. Show me what you're capable of, then."

The tension in the air heightened, and the frozen square seemed to be the stage for an imminent confrontation between a symbol of its kingdom that rarely left the mountain and a notable pirate who had just entered this sea.

"Luffy..." Reiju commented, but Luffy stopped her from speaking.

"Don't get involved, this is between me and this woman. If she wants to see if I have the strength to protect this country, so be it," Luffy said firmly.

Kureha advanced towards Luffy with surprising agility for someone of her age. Her frail body seemed forgotten as she emanated an intense presence. Armament Haki enveloped her hands, indicating that she was not just an ordinary elderly woman.

Instinctively, Luffy adopted a defensive posture, aware that Kureha was a formidable opponent after seeing her hand coated with Armament Haki. The first exchanges of blows were swift, each movement calculated, each attack executed with precision as they clashed right there.

"You're strong, Granny!" Luffy commented, dodging a precise strike from Kureha.

The elderly woman did not respond with words but with a fierce attack. Her fist wrapped in Armament Haki collided with Luffy's defense, sending shockwaves through the surrounding area.

"You think you can control this kingdom, but you'll have to go through me first, pirate!" Kureha declared, her determined gaze reflecting the resistance of the Drum Kingdom.

The clash between Luffy and Kureha reached a new level as they ascended into the air, defying gravity. The cold mist of the island surrounded them as their figures stood out against the sky. Luffy, with his superhuman strength, and Kureha, skilled in the use of Armament Haki, were about to engage in an impressive aerial battle.

Feeling the intensity of the battle increase, Luffy decided to use his entire arsenal to end the confrontation. With a determined smile, he activated the powers of his Mythical Zoan, assuming his hybrid form.

His body increased in strength, gaining an imposing appearance. The blows he unleashed now were even more powerful, and the sound of shockwaves resonated through the sky with his flames. Despite her experience and Armament Haki, Kureha began to retreat under the overwhelming impact.

Luffy advanced with a series of blows, each punch carrying the concentrated force of the Devil Fruit. The snow spiraled around them, creating a surreal scene as the captain of the Straw Hats dominated the old doctor.

"You're resilient, but I can't let you hinder progress," said Luffy, his voice filled with determination.

Despite her admirable resistance, Kureha began to show signs of fatigue. Each punch from Luffy seemed to weaken her even more. The crowd watched in silence, surprised by the sudden turn in the fight.

Finally, with a powerful punch that sent a shockwave through the frozen landscape, Luffy defeated Kureha. She fell to the ground like a rocket, raising a snow explosion from the ground in the middle of the city. When the dust and snow cleared, Kureha lay fallen, injured, and knocked out.

Luffy returned to his normal form, looking at the elderly woman on the ground. "I don't want to cause more trouble for this place. Let's work together to build a better future."

The initially tense population began to shrink under Luffy's display of power. The captain of the Straw Hats once again proved that he was willing to fight for his ideals, even if it meant facing respected figures.

Luffy picked up the unconscious Kureha by the shoulder and turned his attention to the stunned Dalton in a corner of the square.

"Where is Kureha's castle?"

Dalton, still somewhat surprised by what had happened, replied quickly, "It's located on the Sky Mountain, at the northern end of the island."

"I'm going there; you can accompany me or stay here. I'll handle a specific matter with this lady in that place." Luffy informed his crew, who had also arrived at the scene.

Without wasting time, Luffy created dark wings on his back using the primary phase and flew into the sky with a majestic movement towards the Sky Mountain. The crowd watched, now in silence, as the Straw Hat Captain headed in that direction, wondering what was happening.

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