Chapter 5

Soro, who has always lacked enthusiasm, now stands firmly in front of the dragon.

Without the slightest hint of retreating.

This scene leaves Katz and the other Marines feeling utterly astonished.

After all, this is the dragon!

The most vicious criminal in the world!

"Truly worthy of Chief Petty Officer Soro."

Katz rolls his throat, swallowing his saliva in fear and tension.

In his view, Soro must be steadfastly upholding his sense of justice and duty.

"When we didn't know what to do, you gave us the answer."

"Yes."

"We are Marines, we won't be afraid!"

"Even if the enemy is the Revolutionary Dragon, we must stand firm here!"

Katz musters all his courage and loudly proclaims these words!

These words, like a trumpet call, inspire every Marine present.

"Yes, we will stand firm here!"

"I will follow in Chief Petty Officer Soro's footsteps."

"I will too..."

In an instant, the Marines grip their weapons tightly, ready for battle.

Though Katz's words have infected them.

Each Marine is very clear in their mind.

Their current pillar of spirit is Chief Petty Officer Soro!

"Truly..."

Even the Revolutionary Dragon, seeing this scene, is moved in his heart.

Though their stances differ, he admires such courage.

"A fine man."

Dragon's voice is low, his gaze focused on Soro, not sparing his praise.

Boom!

Another thunderclap strikes, the dazzling lightning spreading in all directions.

Bathed in this lightning, Soro can clearly see Dragon's expression.

At this moment, his lips are curled upward.

"What's going on..."

On the contrary, Soro is completely baffled, unable to understand the situation.

What have the Marines of Log Town imagined?

He doesn't want to fight with someone like Dragon.

Wait...

Suddenly, Soro seems to realize something.

His peripheral vision sweeps to the back.

He notices Luffy lying behind him!

Though not very close, he has become the obstacle between Dragon and Luffy!

Making Dragon mistakenly think he is trying to stop him from taking Luffy away!

Now...

The misunderstanding is huge!

"Can I still pretend to be trembling in fear now?"

Soro can't help but comment in his heart.

But Dragon is even more decisive than Soro imagined.

According to Dragon's original plan, he only wanted to indirectly help Luffy set sail.

But he didn't expect Luffy to be knocked unconscious.

Once he falls into Marine hands, he might be sent to Impel Down.

He can only...

Eliminate the Marines here.

Thinking of this, Dragon decisively releases his Haki!

In an instant.

A faint aura bursts from Dragon.

Whoosh!

The aura is weak, like a cold breeze.

But then, in a split second, it turns into a surging sea current, powerful and overwhelming.

At an incredibly terrifying speed, it envelops the entire street!

It is clearly...

Conqueror's Haki!

And the release and spread of this aura happen in an instant.

Before anyone can react, a transparent semicircle of air envelops them.

Then, a shiver from the depths of their souls!

This force, with its insane might, compresses every cell in their bodies.

It causes a severe shock to their consciousness!

To them, Dragon is like a terrifying being that completely dominates and surpasses them from the bloodline!

Their hearts are all dominated by the most primal fear!

Under the influence of this fear, their protective mechanisms are activated, their eyes rolling back, turning everything in their sight black.

Then their hearing, sense of smell, and touch.

Disappear one after another.

Their bodies lose balance, falling to the ground.

In just a few breaths, a large number of civilians and Marines collapse.

Only Katz and a few elite petty officers remain standing, barely holding on.

But they are struggling.

They can't even understand what just happened.

However...

Even Katz and the others can't hold on for long.

Dragon's Conqueror's Haki is stronger than that of most possessors.

In less than half a minute, Katz and the others also fall.

They look at Soro with concern.

Because no one knows what Dragon will do after the Marines fall unconscious.

"This guy..."

"Is indeed the most vicious criminal..."

Katz's voice is full of reluctance, losing consciousness completely.

This scene.

Makes the atmosphere even more eerie!

The heavy rain becomes even more intense, swallowing all sounds.

Occasional thunderclaps make the street even more sinister and terrifying.

Dragon no longer speaks, preparing to take Luffy away.

If possible, he wouldn't want to release his Conqueror's Haki.

But there's no other way, this is the safest method.

However...

Just as Dragon is about to act.

He suddenly notices...

The Marine who initially blocked his path.

The one everyone saw as a pillar of spirit.

At this moment, he is still standing in front of him!

Not fallen!

This unknown man has withstood his Conqueror's Haki!

Dragon, who had been smiling, suddenly stiffens!

"Hmm?"

Soon, Soro also notices the situation around him, realizing that both civilians and his subordinates.

Have all fallen on the cold ground, drenched by the rain.

They...

Have all fainted!

"Wait, did I miss something when I was distracted?"

"Is this the effect of Conqueror's Haki?"

Soro's mind races.

Based on his judgment, the reason these people are in this state is clearly due to an attack by Conqueror's Haki!

And as the leader of the Revolutionaries, it's not surprising that Dragon possesses Conqueror's Haki.

But...

"Conqueror's Haki is one of the most powerful forces in 'One Piece.'"

"It is a one-in-a-million existence."

"It cannot be inherited or cultivated, it all depends on a person's destiny."

"But..."

"Why didn't I feel this powerful force?"

"No..."

Soro shakes his head, "This isn't the time to dwell on these questions."

"The question now is, what should I do? Should I just fall down?"

"The key is, what does it feel like to be knocked out by Conqueror's Haki? Would it be too deliberate to just fall down?"

"Whatever, forget it..."

After much deliberation, Soro decides to take a firm stance.

Why overthink it, just fall down.

Dragon won't pick me up and fight, right!

However...

Just as Soro makes up his mind.

Dragon speaks again.

"You actually withstood my Conqueror's Haki, you... are indeed not simple."