Halfway Broken 72-74
Added 2025-07-15 01:31:51 +0000 UTCI am very glad I got this done early, as I've been down with food poisoning for the last 2 and a half days. Ugh. As is, I'm putting this out a day early both because I've been itching to post it now that it's done, and because I'm still a bit under the weather. Going ahead with at least the Patreon release (I'll hold off the public chapter until tomorrow, probably), is a way to get something done when I'm still not quite up to writing much.
Anyway, I'm extremely pleased with how the major twist of this turned out. There are other bits I'm a little less sure of, by the really 'big, epic moment' of this came together quite well. Though I can almost heard the screaming from some people about certain things. Probably less from you guys and gals, and more from people next month when this is the public release. Before anyone starts any rants, please read the authors notes for the chapters :-p. They'll be more extensive than usual, precisely to head off at least some of the knee jerk reactions some people will likely have to certain bits of what I did ;-). Mostly explanations, not excuses, of course. I regret nothing!
The Art isn't mine. Honestly it's not really right for the Luffy of this story either, as he doesn't have the same scars. But the vibe, at least, fit the chapter. Unfortunately, while I got it from DeviantArt, there was a note there claiming it was stolen and I couldn't find an original source. If anyone finds place with the original artist, let me know so I can link it!
As always, the new bits of story are attached here in various formats, and I'll be updating the Master Files containing the entire story in the Pinned Post shortly. I'll also be posting some author's notes in the comments once I've, you know, actually written them. Enjoy more of Halfway Broken!
Comments
Thanks! Got these updated for the newest Master File.
Novus Peregrine
2025-08-02 02:06:12 +0000 UTCOne Piece: HB Chapters 72-74 Edit 1: …for the more “powers” fruits… …for the more “powerful” fruits… Edit 2: …to operate “unwater” in serious strength. …to operate “underwater” in serious strength. Edit 3: Part of him didn’t want “too”… Part of him didn’t want “to”… Edit 4: Clearly, the “Admiral” was intentionally… Clearly, the “Fleet Admiral” was intentionally… Edit 5: …the strength of a magnetic “fields”… …the strength of a magnetic “field”… Edit 6: …its contents “as is shattered process”… …its contents “as it shattered”… Edit 7: …missed Rob “Luci’s” shoulder… …missed Rob “Lucci’s” shoulder… Edit 8: …and “Luci” died… …and “Lucci” died… Edit 9: …little stress “of” Whitebeard’s… …little stress “off” Whitebeard’s… Edit 10: …with Jinbe to “project” Arlong. …with Jinbe to “protect” Arlong. (?)
The Foreign Traveler
2025-08-01 00:12:12 +0000 UTCGlad I managed to be at least a little surprising. The way the updates landed made it hard not to give away a lot of it :-p. I'm also pleased most people seem to have liked the fights. Those are the thing I often have the most trouble with, though the Elder vs Rayleigh and Strawhats came together much easier than usual. As for the Haki thing, yeah...I think it's sort of rare for multiple Haki users to be on the same side, in the same fight. Even if it happens, most of the high-level fighters that use it aren't exactly team players. Not even people like Luffy who is big into the whole 'Nakama' thing. But with them planning this in advance, I figured it might be something they would cook up as a way to try leveling the playing field. With with to practice on the way to the Archipelago, they could pull it off...though I also tried to make it somewhat clear that weren't sure if it would work. With Luffy being relieved it did. Most Haki use in-series seems to be VERY Brute Force, so I think there's some room for experimentation with more subtle uses. Like I've been doing with Kaya. Thankfully, the WG and Marines are going to have their own problems to deal with as well ;-). So they won't be able to focus all their attention on trying to hunt down a crew that now has a ship capable of hiding them pretty well...
Novus Peregrine
2025-07-15 23:24:29 +0000 UTC(Spoilers) This was a crazy climax to this part Novus! I think we mostly guessed what the general outline of the plan was going to be, but I don't think anyone guessed that one of the ELDERS would show up! The fighting itself was really well written, and it also made sense that Luffy and Yamato would be able to hold off Kizaru but not outright win. Also, I think this is the first time I've ever seen the concept of two haki users combining their haki against an enemy's haki to crush it. Despite that though Mars decided this was too big of an opportunity to miss and showed up, forcing Luffy to use all his luck, also inadvertently making Luffy and Yamato kill the celestial dragon hostages, made Luffy prematurely awaken, and on top of all that let himself get killed while running away. Basically, Mars just added a whole lot of extra poop onto Luffy's plate. The fallout from everything that just occurred is going to lead to some serious repercussions for the whole crew. Hopefully Rayleigh tracks down the Strawhats before they flee to explain what they just did. Also, hopefully Rayleigh, Shanks, or even Garp decide that the crew needs some serious training to survive the manhunt Imu and the WG are about to commence. On top of that Luffy now has to deal with his awakening, and potentially some negative karma events. Plus we still don't know what the outcome of Marineford will be, and I'm definitely looking forward to reactions from that and from others discovering what the Strawhats just did. Thank you for the chapters Novus! Hope you feel better soon as well.
BPellet
2025-07-15 22:03:41 +0000 UTC
