[Marvel: I Started by Containing SCPs] Chapter 237 (Patreon)

"Chopper, is what you're saying true?"
Zoro shouted, his voice so loud it startled those around him.

"Yeah, that's what Rodan said,"
Chopper replied, puzzled by Zoro's excitement.

"What's wrong, moss-head?"
Sanji asked, curious. Despite their constant bickering, he knew Zoro must have realized something important.

"If the feathers originally came from that lake, it means the Thousand-Winged Angel's core might be there. If we attack the source, we might be able to solve this problem,"
Zoro explained, analyzing the situation as he gazed at the lake.

"Ahhh!"
The others gasped in shock at Zoro's bold idea. His plan involved directly targeting the Thousand-Winged Angel's core, a move as daring as it was dangerous.

"Are you really going to do this? Its feathers alone are already so hard to deal with! Attacking the core might make things worse!"
Usopp immediately objected.

"Do you have any better ideas?"
Zoro shot back, glaring at Usopp. "If we don't act, Luffy will have to shoulder all the pressure! Do you want him to bear this alone?"

Zoro's words, spoken with conviction, forced Usopp to take a step back.

"No, no, that's not what I meant,"
Usopp stammered, realizing the flaw in his reasoning.

"But Zoro,"
Robin interjected, "how do you plan to approach the core? Our attacks generate sound, which will attract even more feathers. Plus, the screen warned that anyone nearing the Thousand-Winged Angel's core dies. How will you handle that?"

"I can bypass physical contact and attack its soul directly,"
Zoro declared, drawing his Zanpakuto, Ashura.

"Attack its soul? Does it even have one?"
Sanji asked skeptically, glancing at the lake.

"I don't know, but we have to try. If we can destroy its soul, we can end this disaster,"
Zoro replied, tying his headband as he prepared for battle.

"Don't forget about me,"
Brook said as he approached, unsheathing his own Zanpakuto.
"I can also attack souls. I've recently uncovered the true power of my Yomi-Yomi Fruit through this weapon. Let me, a newer crewmate, lend a hand."

Brook was unusually serious, refraining from his usual jokes.

"Alright, but if something happens, I'm not responsible,"
Zoro said with a satisfied grin, biting down on Wado Ichimonji's hilt.

"There are plenty of feathers below. Let me clear the way,"
Sanji said, tossing aside his cigarette.

"What will you do?"
Zoro asked, sparing Sanji a glance.

"Give it everything I've got—no holding back,"
Sanji replied, determination burning in his eyes.

"I'll help too. I didn't go all out earlier, and I need to contribute,"
Robin offered.

"It's an honor to fight alongside you, Robin!"
Sanji gushed, his enthusiasm turning him into a tangled heap of seaweed.

Robin smiled and summoned her Heavenly Wheel Armor, commanding her flying swords to carry Zoro, Sanji, and Brook toward the lake. Meanwhile, she conjured hundreds of additional swords, launching them like a meteor shower at the lake's feathers.

The piercing sound of the swords cutting through the air caught the feathers' attention, prompting them to multiply rapidly as they approached the flying swords.

"Gather your strength. Leave this to me!"
Sanji shouted before leaping into the air.

"Eight Gates! Open Gate! Rest Gate! Life Gate! Pain Gate! Limit Gate! View Gate! Wonder Gate! Death Gate—fully open!"
Sanji roared as he activated the Eight Gates Technique in quick succession.

In an instant, an overwhelming surge of power erupted from Sanji's body, like a volcano finally unleashed. His body radiated intense heat, his skin glowing a fiery red. The extreme strain distorted his features, making him appear to be in immense pain.

"Ahhhhh!"
Sanji screamed, forcing himself to endure the agony as he unleashed a barrage of kicks.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Each kick released air blasts, scattering the feathers below and clearing a path for the others. Despite the feathers multiplying, Sanji's relentless attacks kept them at bay, creating an opening for his comrades.

Tsunade: "Foolish! He's opened all Eight Gates! That's a death sentence!"
Franky: "Wait, what does that mean?"
Jiraiya: "The Eight Gates unleash the body's full potential, granting power hundreds of times greater than normal. But the side effects are severe—it guarantees death once the technique ends."
Usopp: "No! Sanji will die? I can't accept this!"
Chopper: "Damn it, how could this happen?!"

Hearing this, Usopp and Chopper were the first to break into tears, while the others struggled to accept the harsh reality.

Zoro: "What's there to cry about?"
His voice cut through the grief like a blade.

"Curly-brows knew the risks but still chose to use the technique. He's betting everything, casting aside life and death to uphold his conviction! As men, we can't disgrace his sacrifice with tears. Otherwise, what was his struggle for?"
Zoro's words were sharp and commanding.

The crew wiped away their tears, forcing themselves to focus on Sanji's valiant effort. Even Luffy, watching from a distance, clenched his fists, fully understanding Sanji's resolve. As the captain, he wanted to stop Sanji, but he knew better than to insult his crewmate's determination. Instead, Luffy redirected his attacks to support Zoro and the others, placing absolute trust in his comrades.

Dan Moroboshi: "That swordsman, Zoro, is a true man of conviction. To stick to a goal with such resolve…"
Gen: "It's fascinating! He's right—if a warrior sacrifices himself for victory, we shouldn't tarnish his resolve with grief but honor it!"

(End of Chapter)

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