"Higuma roared.
"Take him alive!"
More than a dozen men lunged at the same time.
Luffy might have been strong—but two fists couldn't beat so many hands.
In moments, he was pinned to the ground.
"Let me go!"
He struggled desperately, but it was useless.
His arms and legs were locked down tight. He couldn't move.
"Kid, you lost."
Higuma crouched in front of him and patted his cheek.
"Don't worry. I won't kill you."
"Someone with your talent would be a waste to kill."
He stood and waved his hand.
"Take him."
Luffy was tied up and slung over someone's shoulder.
He struggled hard, but the ropes were tight—he couldn't break free.
"Makino! Help me!"
He shouted toward the bar.
But Makino was blocked at the doorway by two bandits. She could only watch helplessly as Luffy was carried away.
Tears streamed down her face.
"Luffy…"
The bandits carried him out of the village.
Higuma walked at the front, in high spirits.
He hadn't expected such a harvest from this trip to Foosha Village.
A kid from the D. clan—and a Rubber Fruit user.
With proper training, this boy could become his trump card.
He was already imagining ruling the East Blue with Luffy at his side—becoming the king of the East Blue.
"Boss, where to now?" one of his men asked.
"Back to the hideout," Higuma replied.
"Lock the brat up first. Break his spirit."
"When he understands who's boss, we'll start training him."
"Yes, boss!"
They quickened their pace.
Over a shoulder, Luffy watched the village grow smaller and smaller.
His heart felt cold.
It's over.
I've been captured.
Shanks already left. No one's coming to save me.
Am I just waiting to die?
No.
Luffy gritted his teeth.
He still had the system.
As long as he was alive, there was hope.
"System. What can I do right now?"
[Recommendation: Conserve stamina. Wait for an opportunity.]
[The opponent does not intend to harm the host for now. Use this time to recover.]
[Dream training period can be used to formulate an escape plan.]
Luffy closed his eyes.
Fine.
Then I'll wait.
Wait for a chance.
A chance to turn the tables.
The bandits disappeared into the forest.
Foosha Village faded into the distance.
What Luffy didn't know—
Out at sea, on the other side of the village, a ship was turning around.
At the bow, a red-haired man held a telescope, watching the direction the bandits had gone.
His expression was terrifyingly dark.
"Beckman."
"I'm here."
"Turn the ship around."
Shanks lowered the telescope, his voice icy.
"Someone touched what's mine."
"I'll make him understand—"
"The price of that mistake."
Beckman nodded and turned to relay the order.
The Red-Haired Pirates carved an arc across the sea, sailing back toward Foosha Village.
Meanwhile, Luffy was brought to the bandits' hideout.
He was thrown into a woodshed.
The door was locked.
Outside came the sounds of drinking and raucous laughter.
Luffy lay on a pile of firewood, staring at the ceiling.
His arm still hurts.
But he didn't care.
He was thinking about how to escape.
"System. Pull up my status panel."
[Host: Monkey D. Luffy]
[Age: 17]
[Physique: D+ (approaching C-)]
[Ability: Rubber Fruit (basic mastery)]
[Haki: Observation Haki seed (growth 15%)]
[Skills: Basic combat, Basic swordsmanship (Beginner 1%)]
[Current condition: Minor injury. Stamina below 50%.]
Luffy studied the panel.
Even though he'd been captured—
He was stronger now.
Much stronger than he had been three days ago.
And that meant—
This wasn't the end.