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Ann's grip on her weapon tightened, her jaw clenched. "You all disgust me."
Sabo stepped closer to her, his voice low and steady. "Ann, don't let them get in your head."
"Right," She muttered, meeting his eyes. Despite the tension, there was an unspoken understanding between them.
Outlook's sneer deepened, but there was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. Ann wasn't just some ordinary girl, and he knew it. Still, he straightened, his arrogance refusing to waver.
"Bold words for someone so outnumbered," He replied coolly. "But bravery without power is just foolishness. Sabo, if you care for this girl's life, you'll do as you're told."
Sabo stepped in front of Ann, shielding her with his body. His voice was calm but laced with venom. "You don't get to use her against me. Not now, not ever. If you think I'd trade my freedom—or hers—for anything you offer, you're even more deluded than I thought."
Ann smirked from behind him, her confidence unwavering. "That's right. And for the record, Sabo doesn't need to protect me. But I do appreciate the thought."
Outlook's jaw tightened, his patience clearly wearing thin.
"Enough of this nonsense," He barked. "Take them. Alive, if possible. But if they resist too much… no mercy."
The guards moved to close in, their weapons glinting in the dim light, the metallic click echoing ominously.
Sabo glanced at Ann, his eyes meeting hers in a silent exchange. There was no fear, only resolve.
"You ready?" He asked, his grip on his pipe tightening.
"Born ready," She replied, her smirk widening. "Let's teach these guys why you don't mess with us."
Sabo turned back to his father, his expression fierce. "You want to see what this 'filth' can do? Fine. Let's settle this here and now."
The guards steadied their aim, their fingers hovering over the triggers.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
The world seemed to slow, every second stretching into an eternity.
Then, just as the guards prepared to fire, a wave of overwhelming pressure swept through the air.
BOOOOM!
The guards' eyes rolled back, their bodies collapsing like marionettes with their strings cut. The outlaws staggered, clutching their heads before they, too, fell unconscious.
The oppressive tension was replaced by an eerie silence, broken only by the faint rustling of the wind.
Ann and Sabo froze, their breaths hitching.
Tap Tap Tap
The steady rhythm of approaching footsteps echoed through the terminal.
Clink!
The faint jingle of a straw hat's string swaying in the breeze sent shivers down their spines.
"Who…" Ann began, her voice trailing off as a familiar silhouette emerged from the shadows.
The figure stepped into the dim light, his straw hat casting a shadow over his face. His carefree grin contrasted sharply with the weight of the Conqueror's Haki he had unleashed moments before.
"Sorry I'm late," Luffy said, his voice calm yet brimming with authority.
Ann exhaled a shaky breath, relief washing over her.
Sabo grinned, his earlier tension melting away. "Took you long enough, Luffy."
Luffy's eyes flicked to Outlook, his grin fading. His voice dropped, cold and unyielding. "You're the one threatening my crew?"
Outlook stumbled back, fear overtaking his earlier confidence. "Who… who are you?"
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy," He said, stepping forward, his aura suffocating. "And no one messes with my family."
Outlook's face paled as Luffy approached, the weight of his presence pressing down on everyone in the area.
For the first time in his life, Outlook III felt true fear.
Outlook III stumbled back, his once-proud demeanor crumbling under Luffy's oppressive glare.
The air was thick with an almost suffocating tension as if the world itself dared not interrupt the moment.
Luffy's straw hat cast a shadow over his eyes, but his voice, cold and commanding, cut through the silence like a blade.
"I don't care who you are or what you think Sabo should be," Luffy said, his words dripping with menace. "He's my brother now. If you ever come near him again… if you ever so much as think of threatening him… I'll end you. No second chances. No mercy."
The weight of Luffy's Conqueror's Haki still lingered, and Outlook III's knees buckled slightly, his confidence utterly shattered. Sweat poured down his face as he stammered, searching for words.
"Y-you don't understand!" He protested weakly, his voice trembling. "He's my son! He belongs in High Town, with his family, where he can—"
"Where he can be free?" Luffy interrupted, his voice rising slightly. "Because that's what family is supposed to be, right? A place where you're free to be yourself. You're not his family. You're his prison."
The words hit harder than any physical blow. Outlook III visibly flinched, taking another shaky step back. Luffy took a step forward, his presence dominating the space.
"Sabo doesn't belong to you," Luffy continued, his tone steady and unyielding. "He's free now, and if you can't handle that, then stay out of his life. Because if you come after him again, I won't just scare you off next time."
Outlook III's resolve crumbled completely. His face paled, and with a panicked yelp, he turned and fled, stumbling over debris as he scrambled to escape. The sound of his hurried retreat echoed through the Grey Terminal, drawing smirks from Ann and Sabo.
Ann let out a relieved laugh, lowering her weapon. "Wow, Captain, you really scared him good! I thought he was going to faint on the spot!"
Luffy grinned, his expression softening as the tension ebbed. "Nah, guys like him are too stubborn to faint. But he won't bother us again."
Sabo watched his father disappear into the distance, a strange mix of emotions swirling inside him—relief, pride, and a deep, newfound sense of freedom.
Luffy turned to him, his grin returning to its usual charm. "You did good, Sabo. Standing up to him like that? That's what it means to fight for your freedom. I'm proud of you."
Sabo blinked in surprise before a smile slowly spread across his face. The heavy chains of his father's control finally felt like they had been broken for good.
Ann elbowed Sabo playfully. "You hear that? The captain's proud of you. Don't let it go to your head!"
"Thanks, Luffy," Sabo said, his voice steady despite the lingering adrenaline. "I couldn't have done it without you."
Luffy waved his hand dismissively. "Nah, you had it in you all along. You just needed someone to remind you."
Turning to both of them, his grin widened. "Now, let's celebrate. I'm treating you two to some food. Something tasty!"
Ann's eyes lit up instantly. "Finally! I'm starving!"
Sabo chuckled, nodding. "You're always starving, Ann."
As the three of them began their walk back, the tension melted away, replaced by the warm camaraderie of their bond. They laughed, joked, and teased one another, the unbreakable ties of their chosen family growing stronger with every step.
For Sabo, it was a moment of true freedom.
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