The fog thickened as the Going Merry sailed closer to the ominous ship. The air was dense with moisture, making it harder to see past the mist. The looming vessel, now fully visible, was even more terrifying up close—its iron-plated hull bore scars of countless battles, and eerie torches lined its deck, flickering in the growing twilight. The very presence of the ship seemed unnatural, as though it existed outside the normal passage of time.
Luffy stood at the bow, fists clenched, his straw hat casting a shadow over his eyes. He could feel it—the weight of an impending battle. His instincts, sharpened by countless fights, told him that this was no ordinary pirate crew. The air itself felt wrong, as if it were being pulled toward the opposing ship, drawn into something dark and ancient.
Zoro, standing beside him, had already drawn one of his swords, the cold steel gleaming in the dim light. "I don't like this," he muttered. "Something's off about that ship." His fingers flexed, ready for a fight, his senses screaming at him that this was no ordinary enemy.
Usopp peered through his goggles, his face pale. His hands trembled slightly as he adjusted the strap of his slingshot. "They're just standing there…" he whispered. "Why aren't they saying anything?" His breath quickened as his mind raced through possibilities, none of them comforting.
From the deck of the opposing ship, figures began to emerge from the mist. Their movements were unnatural, slow and deliberate, as though they were phantoms themselves. Their silhouettes flickered, as if distorted by the fog. Then, with a sudden gust of wind, the mist parted slightly, revealing the full sight of the Phantom Raiders.
They were unlike any pirates the Straw Hats had encountered before. Their skin was pale and lifeless, their eyes sunken and glowing faintly with an eerie blue light. Their tattered clothing looked centuries old, adorned with symbols of long-forgotten pirate flags. At the front stood a towering figure, his long, tattered coat swaying in the wind. His face was partially hidden beneath a metal-plated mask, but his piercing gaze locked onto Luffy, radiating a silent, suffocating menace.
A deep, echoing voice carried across the waters, filled with an unnatural chill. "Who dares cross into the domain of the Phantom Raiders?" The voice was neither fully human nor fully ghostly, resonating as though spoken through layers of reality itself.
Nami tightened her grip on the helm, her knuckles whitening. "Phantom Raiders…?" she repeated, glancing at the ship's old, decayed sails. "That can't be possible. That pirate crew disappeared over a hundred years ago." She forced herself to stay calm, but the unease in her voice was unmistakable.
Luffy stepped forward, his grin unwavering, his confidence unshaken. "I don't care how long you've been missing. If you're looking for a fight, I'm right here." His voice carried the weight of unwavering determination, a defiance that cut through the eerie atmosphere like a blade.
The masked captain let out a low, guttural chuckle. "You are bold… but foolish." He raised a skeletal hand, and suddenly, the torches aboard their ship flared with an eerie blue flame. The temperature seemed to drop instantly, and a chilling wind swept over the Going Merry, carrying whispers that sent shivers down the crew's spines.
Zoro shifted his stance, gripping his sword tightly. His instincts screamed danger. "This isn't just some regular pirate crew… There's something unnatural about them." His muscles tensed, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
Usopp was already scrambling behind a barrel, sweat pouring down his forehead. "Unnatural?! They look like actual ghosts! Are we seriously fighting ghosts now?!" His voice cracked as he tried to process the insanity of the situation.
The Phantom Raiders slowly raised their weapons—rusted cutlasses, jagged spears, and broken pistols that still seemed deadly despite their age. The masked captain gestured forward, and in an instant, the attack began.
Luffy launched himself into the air, his fists igniting with shadowed tendrils as he prepared to meet the first wave of enemies. The shadows curled around his arms, pulsating with raw energy. "Let's see if ghosts can bleed!" he roared, bringing his punch down with all his strength.
The battle for the Going Merry had begun, and the Straw Hat Pirates were about to face an enemy unlike any they had ever encountered before.
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🔥 Hey legends! Quick updates! 🔥
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✨ Power Stone Challenge! ✨
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_________________________________________________________________________
🔥 Hey legends! Quick updates! 🔥
💥 Can't wait for the next chapter? Good news—ALL advance chapters are available on Patreon for just $5! No more waiting, just pure binge-reading goodness! 🚀
👉 patreon.com/cyci07
✨ Power Stone Challenge! ✨
If we hit 100 power stones, I'll drop 2 bonus chapters! Let's see if you guys can make me suffer! 😂
💬 Enjoying the story? Leave a review and let me know your favorite moment so far! It helps the novel grow and reach more readers!
Thanks for all your support—you guys are awesome! ❤️