Chapter 18: Chapter 18: The City Rampage
The sun hung low in the sky, casting an orange glow over the bustling town below. Ace, Sabo, and Luffy stood on the edge of the city, looking down at the streets that had been plagued by gang violence and corruption for far too long. The once-vibrant town had turned into a lawless pit, ruled by ruthless criminals who terrorized the innocent.
Ace clenched his fists, his eyes hard with determination. "This city has been rotting from the inside out for too long. It's time to clean it up."
Luffy, with his usual carefree grin, cracked his knuckles. "I'm in! Let's make this place fun again!" His enthusiasm was contagious, even though the situation was serious. Sabo, usually the most reserved of the three, nodded silently, his face set in a serious expression. He wasn't one to back down from a fight.
The trio descended into the heart of the city, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the stone buildings. It didn't take long for them to find their first group of troublemakers—three gang members harassing an old shopkeeper on the street corner. The leader of the group sneered at them, thinking they were just another set of weaklings to push around.
"You think you can take us on, little kids?" the gang leader spat, his hand resting on the hilt of a knife. "Get out of here, or we'll make sure you regret it."
Ace's eyes narrowed as he took a step forward. His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. "I think it's you who's going to regret it."
Without warning, Ace lunged at the gang leader, moving faster than they could react. He swung a punch that landed with a powerful thud, sending the man crashing to the ground. The remaining two gang members drew their knives, but Sabo was already on them.
With swift precision, Sabo dodged one of the knives and grabbed the gang member's wrist, twisting it behind his back and forcing him to the ground. "You're nothing but a joke," Sabo muttered, his eyes cold.
Meanwhile, Luffy was having fun. He had already disarmed the last gang member, sending his weapon flying with a powerful kick. The man fell to the ground, clutching his stomach and groaning in pain.
"Wow, that was easy!" Luffy laughed, wiping his hands on his pants. "I thought they'd put up more of a fight!"
Ace looked over at Luffy, a rare smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "This is just the beginning, Luffy. We're going after the real threats now."
The trio continued their rampage through the city, systematically taking down gang after gang with their combined strength and skills. Ace's control over his Golden Crow fruit allowed him to unleash devastating bursts of fire, burning down barricades and overwhelming anyone who stood in their way. Sabo's mastery of his martial arts skills and Ace's teachings made him a deadly force, while Luffy's strength and unpredictability left enemies in the dust.
With every gang they eliminated, the city began to feel safer, the people began to trust again, and the power of fear slowly shifted from the criminals to the trio of young warriors. It wasn't long before the rumors of the "Golden Crow" spread through the streets. The gang members whispered about the mysterious figure who burned down entire groups with nothing but sheer power and will.
Despite the chaos they caused, Ace, Sabo, and Luffy didn't harm innocent civilians. They made it clear that they weren't there for personal gain, but to rid the city of the corrupt organizations that had taken control.
As the sun set, the final gang leader—a massive man with tattoos covering his arms—stood at the entrance of a large, run-down warehouse. He crossed his arms and smirked as he sized up the trio. "So, you think you can take me down?" he growled, his voice deep and menacing.
Ace stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with fiery resolve. "You're the last one. After you're gone, this city will be free."
The gang leader laughed. "You really think you can beat me? I've been running this city for years! No one has ever dared to challenge me."
Sabo cracked his knuckles. "It's about time someone did."
Luffy grinned. "We're gonna have fun with this!"
The fight that ensued was intense. The gang leader swung massive fists and launched powerful attacks, but Ace's Golden Crow fruit allowed him to dodge and counter with flames, while Sabo and Luffy used their speed and strength to keep the leader on his toes.
For the first time in a long while, the gang leader felt fear. He tried to retaliate with a powerful punch aimed directly at Luffy, but before he could make contact, Ace unleashed a burst of flames that knocked him off his feet.
The gang leader struggled to get up, but Ace walked toward him, his eyes cold. "You've had your time. It ends now."
With that, Ace used his Royal Haki to immobilize the leader, making it impossible for him to move or even breathe properly. The leader's face twisted in pain, and his body froze in place. The once-feared man was now nothing more than a trembling, defeated shell.
Sabo and Luffy watched in silence as Ace moved in to finish the job. With one final, swift blow, the gang leader was knocked out cold.
The streets were silent, and the trio stood victorious, the city forever changed by their intervention.
Ace turned to Luffy and Sabo, his expression softening. "This is just the beginning, but we've done something good today."
Luffy grinned. "I can't wait to do it again!" He raised his fist in the air, his excitement clear.
Sabo gave a small nod, a sense of pride in his heart. "We've made a difference."
Together, the three of them stood tall, knowing that they had just begun their journey. The city may have been saved for now, but the path ahead was still uncertain, full of challenges and unknown enemies.
And so, with the setting sun casting long shadows over the city, they prepared for whatever came next.