One Piece: Almost Exposed That I Am Stronger Than Roger - Chapter 273
Chapter 273: Mr. Luffy Will Die
“Solo… Could he have actually defeated Red-haired Shanks of the Four Emperors?”
Smoker stared at Shanks’ lifeless body, his disbelief evident. As a marine who doesn’t recognize the existence of pirates like Solo, Smoker still acknowledges the immense strength possessed by pirates, especially someone like Shanks, who is one of the Four Emperors.
The power radiating from Shanks is undeniably formidable and exudes an overwhelming dominance that even affects Smoker from a distance of hundreds of meters. Just the residual aura of Shanks’ dominance is enough to make Smoker tremble with fear, rendering him powerless.
Smoker even has a premonition that if he were to face Shanks head-on, he would be easily defeated in an instant. The power gap between them is simply too vast.
But now, the invincible and powerful Red-haired Shanks, as perceived by Smoker, lies in a pool of his own blood, decapitated and tragically slain at Marineford.
Even if the evidence is right in front of him, Smoker’s heart churns like a restless sea, unable to calm down. Accepting this reality is incredibly difficult. Just how terrifying is Solo’s strength to defeat Shanks, a member of the Four Emperors?
Besides Smoker, Tashigi shares the same disbelief. “Brigadier General Smoker… Mr. Solo’s current strength is too overwhelming,” Tashigi remarks, recalling their encounters in Loguetown, where Solo’s swordsmanship was not as exceptional.
However, now it seems that all of Solo’s subordinates possess extraordinary strength. Tashigi finds it hard to believe that someone could improve so drastically in such a short period of time.
It appears that Solo has been concealing his true strength from the very beginning.
“This war has truly made Solo shine,” Smoker can’t help but comment.
Based on Solo’s achievements, it’s certain that once the war is over, he will be hailed as a marine hero of the new era by everyone. He single-handedly eliminated two members of the Four Emperors through his own efforts.
“Perhaps that’s why Solo concealed his true strength. The best way to make an impact is through a grand performance,” Smoker muses while looking at Luffy.
Considering Solo’s current combat power, he concludes that the Straw Hats will find it difficult to escape.
“All those who could protect him are gone,” Smoker acknowledges the dire situation.
Lieutenant General Garp is trapped by Solo’s Earth Explosive Star, Ace has bled to death, Red-haired Shanks has been killed, Marco is severely injured, and the Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates has suffered heavy casualties.
The remaining crew of the Red Hair Pirates is being held back by Aokiji. Smoker can’t fathom how the Straw Hats could possibly escape. In fact, he isn’t the only one with such thoughts. Every marine present share the same conviction, including Koby and Helmeppo.
Koby and Helmeppo exchange glances, fully aware of the overwhelming power displayed by Solo. They had been advised by Vice Admiral Garp to learn from Solo and try to catch up to him.
However, witnessing Solo’s strength, they now realize that catching up to him seems nearly impossible. The Admirals’ strength has a limit, but Solo seems like an immeasurable abyss.
“Even Red-haired Shanks…”
Helmeppo smiles wryly, overwhelmed by the shocking turn of events. Koby’s previous ambition to catch up to Solo now feels like an unattainable dream.
Meanwhile, Koby feels a sense of worry as he notices Luffy lying unconscious. Although their positions are different, Koby feels grateful to Luffy for inspiring him to become a marine officer. Koby also knows that Lieutenant General Garp is Luffy’s grandfather.
The mere thought of Luffy dying at Solo’s hands is something Koby can’t accept.
“No,” Koby shakes his head decisively as if he has made up his mind.
He clenches his fists, determined not to let such a tragedy unfold. This sudden action surprises Bell-mèrebo, who desperately tries to stop Koby. However, Koby seems oblivious to his words.
On the other side, Perona and Robin witness the tragic death of Shanks.
“Solo is completely insane,” Perona complains.
First, he defeated Whitebeard, then Garp, and now Shanks. These individuals are considered the strongest in the sea, yet they have all been defeated by Solo’s men. It’s simply unbelievable.
“Where does Solo’s power come from?”
Robin wonders, shocked and astounded. She had always imagined Solo as a powerful and ambitious marine officer, but his true strength surpasses her wildest expectations.
She doubts there is anyone in the sea who can truly oppose Solo. The Straw Hats, with their meager bounties and as a mere pirate crew, stand no chance against Solo.
Robin finds it perplexing that Solo seems so fixated on Luffy, a pirate with a bounty of only tens of millions of Berries and who happens to be Garp’s grandson. She questions whether Luffy truly deserves to die. Despite her confusion, Robin decides not to intervene, instead observing the events unfold with a cold gaze.
As Solo moves closer to the Straw Hats, the marines, pirates, and even members of his own crew are left in awe of his unmatched power and uncertain of what lies ahead.
Become a Patron to read chapters ahead of public release and support me 😉
30 chapters ahead are available on Patron!
