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The Five Elders once said that within Zoan-type Devil Fruit users, another will or consciousness is hidden inside their bodies.
The Gomu Gomu no Mi is not truly a rubber fruit. Its real name is the Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Model: Nika.
Throughout the World Government's 800-year reign, they have been tirelessly searching for this fruit. Yet, it seems to have a will of its own, always slipping away from their grasp.
In the end, through some strange twist of fate, it was eaten by Monkey D. Luffy.
After awakening Observation Haki, Luffy's perception of the world around him reached its limit.
Future sight, wide-range detection, and the ability to hear the Voice of All Things—he's mastered every known form of Observation Haki.
Now, whenever someone gets close to Luffy, that strange, soul-like resonance inside him can be felt, like a joyful laugh or the beat of a distant war drum, filling the air with the scent of freedom.
"Just as I can sense him... can he sense me too?" Arashi muttered to himself, walking steadily toward Area 12.
Kuina had already taken five Pacifistas and the Science Unit ahead.
Meanwhile, Arashi remained lost in thought, contemplating how to reach the liberation warrior within Luffy and awaken that unique spiritual power.
Sensing it isn't the same as touching it. After all, he could sense it at all thanks to his Devil Fruit awakening.
With the thunder god form of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit and his fully evolved Kunpeng Fruit, Arashi had attained a whole new level of power.
That's how he understood something clearly: the Five Elders weren't wrong.
Zoan-type fruits truly harbour another will. This will affect the user's emotions and mind while granting unimaginable strength.
Increased stamina and regeneration are only the beginning. The terrifying part is the leap—it's as if a person steps directly into the realm of gods.
"The Sun God Nika. The Warrior of Liberation," Arashi whispered, a grin curling at his lips.
"Sounds like it'll be fun." With their auras resonating, that hidden will inside Luffy could awaken ahead of schedule.
But before that, certain catalysts were needed. Devil Fruit awakenings require something to trigger the sleeping will.
In Area 12, the Straw Hats suddenly found themselves under attack. Five Pacifistas stomped toward them, their expressions emotionless and deadly.
"Why are they here? And five of them?! That's five times worse than before!" Usopp screamed, already bolting the other way in terror.
"The Pacifista we saw on Skypiea must've been from a secret Marine base!"
"No… more likely, it was a lab under Arashi's command!" Robin said, running as she spoke. Her expression grew grim.
They had unintentionally stumbled onto one of Arashi's secrets—likely a major one. "Luffy, what do we do?!" Sanji shouted.
The crew ran with all they had, but the ground quaked behind them. The five Pacifistas kept close, refusing to fall behind.
At this rate, a fight was inevitable. "Keep running!" Luffy yelled, the smile wiped from his face.
"These guys are way too strong! We're not ready to take them on yet! If we get the chance, split up and run!"
Everyone nodded. Behind them, it wasn't just the Pacifistas. A swarm of Marines was closing in, too. It was a full-on crisis.
Suddenly, one of the Pacifistas blinked and fired a blue lightning bolt. "Zzzzt!"
The arc crackled and surged forward, lighting up the skies above them. The air reeked of something burning.
"Zoro!!" Luffy shouted. Zoro spun around, his blades slashing out in an instant.
"Vmm!" The air split as the sword met lightning, creating a dazzling explosion. Thankfully, the blast was deflected.
Zoro exhaled sharply, his eyes fixed on the five advancing Pacifistas. He hesitated a moment, then turned away.
Now was not the time to fight them. But if he could isolate one, maybe he had a shot. After Thriller Bark, everyone had grown stronger. And no one had improved more than Zoro.
Arashi's sword strike had been overwhelming. Even after countless days reflecting on it, Zoro still hadn't fully grasped its depth, just a fraction.
But even that fragment had pushed his strength higher. He could now launch flying slashes at will, his attacks cutting through even intangible energy.
In a sense, he'd stepped into the realm of "cutting all things."
"Just how far has that man's swordsmanship gone?" Zoro wondered, Arashi's image flashing in his mind.
Suddenly, a figure appeared ahead, drawing a sword from her waist. "Kuina?!" Zoro's eyes widened in shock.
"Straw Hat Luffy. Roronoa Zoro. Your opponent from here on… is me." Kuina raised her sword and pointed forward with a cold gaze.
Then, she turned to the Pacifistas. "Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth—Five Stars. Your mission ends here. Go find other pirates elsewhere."
The five Pacifistas froze in place, then turned and strode away in another direction. Moments later, they regrouped with Enel and Wyper beneath a tree.
"She let them go on purpose," Enel muttered. "That's not our concern, Enel," Wyper replied calmly. With that, they followed the Pacifistas and disappeared.
"Whew! We're safe!" Usopp collapsed onto the ground in relief.
Luffy let out a chuckle and looked at Kuina. "Is she your friend, Zoro?" But Zoro's face was solemn.
He held his two swords tightly and stared at her. "Friend?" he murmured.
"You could say that. But right now… I think she sees us as enemies." She was his childhood companion.
He knew her better than most. He also knew that behind her calm appearance was a will tougher than steel.
More importantly, Kuina was a powerful swordswoman. That much Zoro had always known.
Suddenly, Kuina raised her blade and spoke in a chilling voice. "Don't get the wrong idea. I pulled back PX1 through PX5 to enjoy hunting you pirates myself."
As her words fell, the air trembled violently. A massive slash tore through the sky, roaring toward them and reaching them in a blink.
"She's crazy strong!!" Luffy shouted. Sanji's eyes widened in shock. He never expected Zoro's childhood friend to be this powerful.
"I'll hold her off! You guys run!" Zoro drew his third sword, gripped it in his mouth, and leapt into the air, charging head-on toward the incoming slash.
"Clang!!" The three swords clashed with a slash instantly, ringing out with a deafening clash of steel.
The strike's ferocity surged forward like a storm. Its sharp aura cut through the air, slamming into Zoro with overwhelming force.
His expression changed instantly, shock flashing in his eyes. "She's gotten this strong already?"
Even though he had mentally prepared himself for this battle, the actual force of her power still exceeded his expectations.
"Hey, moss-head, you good?!" Sanji shouted.
"Get out of here!!" Zoro gritted his teeth, blocking the slash with all his strength.
The sheer force of it pushed his legs backwards, dragging marks into the ground.
"Move!" Luffy's voice was decisive. After surviving numerous life-and-death moments, he learned exactly what choice to make in critical situations.
He had to admit—Arashi's earlier guidance wasn't meaningless. The crew placed their full trust in Zoro and immediately turned to run.
"Mosshead, we'll meet at the usual spot! Make it back alive!" Sanji shouted over his shoulder as he ran.
"Don't worry!!" Zoro didn't look back, but his voice was unwavering. His eyes locked on the figure ahead, a wild grin tugging at his lips.
"There's no way I'm losing to her!" He suddenly tensed his body, all three blades pushing with full force.
Boom!
Zoro's counterstrike cleanly split apart the slash ahead. In that instant, the immense pressure surrounding him vanished.
"If even this slash of mine is too much for you," Kuina said with a faint smile, "then I'll start to question whether the battle I've waited years for is even worth it."
"You won't be disappointed!" Zoro crouched slightly, his gaze savage like a beast. A grin stretched across his face. "Come on then!"
Without hesitation, Kuina darted forward. Her feet kicked off the ground with explosive speed.
Zoro bent his knees, then charged as well. In the blink of an eye, their blades clashed violently.
"Three-Sword Style: Enbima Yonezu – Oni Giri!"
"One-Sword Style: Iai."
Their slashes were razor-sharp, the impact unleashing a wild shockwave that swept in all directions.
Even Nami's hair fluttered from the force as she ran. Unable to help herself, she glanced back.
She saw Zoro wielding his three blades, locked in a furious clash with Kuina.
The sheer power of their attacks caused sparks to fly through the surrounding air.
Suddenly, the wind felt heavier. A flash of lightning streaked through the sky, burning itself into Nami's eyes.
Before she could react, a massive shadow loomed above her. A crushing, terrifying pressure descended like a mountain.
"Did you think… you could escape this easily? Straw Hat Crew," a cold voice said. At the same time, a massive hand reached forward.
Nami's neck was seized, and her body was hoisted off the ground. The suffocating grip of death wrapped around her instantly.
The rest of the crew ahead stopped dead in their tracks, turning around in shock. Time itself seemed to freeze.
Towering over three meters tall, Arashi's powerful frame resembled that of a primal beast. With one hand, she held Nami's neck in an iron grip.
Her delicate, pale neck could be snapped with the slightest squeeze.
"NAMI!!" Luffy's panicked scream tore through the silence.
Bubbles slowly rose toward the top of the massive tree, then popped with a snap, and with that sound, the crew's hearts shattered.
A blinding flash exploded. Blue lightning arced into the sky, soaring dozens of meters high.
The intense heat caused the air itself to grow hotter. "NAMI!!!" A terrified scream rang out.
At the peak of the tree, more bubbles popped. In Arashi's right hand, the lightning flickered and then faded. Her five fingers slowly released their grip.
Thud!
Nami crashed to the ground, her body smoking. She lay still, her condition unknown.
"You bastard!!" Sanji roared, charging forward and throwing a powerful kick.
"You truly thought that this time, as a Marine, I would let you escape unscathed?" Arashi raised her hand and casually blocked the strike.
Then, with a flick of her wrist, she seized Sanji's leg and flung him like a rag doll. He was hurled into a tree with immense strength, crashing with a deafening boom.
"Monkey D. Luffy," Arashi said, taking a step forward. "You're bold—but that reckless nature of yours… has finally brought ruin upon you."
"This time, it's not just you. Every one of your friends will suffer." Her steps moved forward again.
Each one crushed down like a mountain upon the Straw Hat crew. "Your journey ends here." Her icy voice made everyone's faces go pale.
Luffy clenched his fists. Steam began to rise from his body. "You…" he growled. "You're the one I'll never forgive!!"
He raised his head with fury, steam blasting from his body. His skin flushed as heat surged through him.
"Oh?" Arashi smirked. "Then show me what 'not forgiving' really looks like."
As the words left her lips, she had already appeared before Brook. Her fingers are spread open.
Crack! Lightning erupted—beautiful and radiant, yet deadly beyond measure.
Brook's eyes widened. Even his skeletal frame froze in terror. For the first time in ages, he felt the taste of death.
"If I execute your crew one by one…" Arashi said calmly, "…Straw Hat, what can you do?"
As her final word fell, a brilliant lightning pillar descended upon Brook.
BOOM!
Thunder exploded, and electricity surged through him. His skeleton shuddered violently. "BROOK!!" Chopper cried out, hands over his mouth in horror.
Moments later, the lightning faded. Brook collapsed to the ground. "Damn it!!!" Luffy screamed, completely enraged. His figure flickered forward, charging Arashi.
"You still lack resolve. Your heartbeat isn't loud enough! Straw Hat!" Arashi said, raising her right fist and swinging it.
Despite reacting later, her punch landed first.
BAM!
Luffy was sent flying hundreds of meters, rolling across the ground.
"Just like I said," Arashi murmured with a smile. "This time, I'm not letting any of you go."
In a flash, she appeared before Robin. "Nico Robin," she said softly. "When will you finally grow stronger?"
Robin was stunned. In the next second, pain erupted from her abdomen—Arashi's knee had slammed into her.
Her body folded, collapsing to the ground without strength.
"ROBIN!!" Sanji bellowed, charging again.
But Arashi simply turned and threw a punch. Sanji hit the ground with ease.
Then came a kick—boom!—and he was sent flying again.
"Monster! You're a monster!" Usopp screamed, launching shots with his slingshot. But they couldn't even touch Arashi, let alone harm him.
Suddenly, with another flicker of movement, he stood before Usopp. The sheer pressure left him paralysed with fear, eyes wide in terror.
"Choose how you'd like to die." Arashi bent down, smiling coldly.
"Shall I crush your skull with one punch…" He raised her right hand, forming a fist. "…or burn you into a charred husk with lightning?"
Usopp's pupils shrank. He shook his head violently, desperate. "Not choosing?" Arashi said with mock regret.
"What a picky pirate you are. Then I'll choose for you." He lowered his right hand. Lightning sparked in his left.
Usopp's eyes stretched wide. In his mind, every memory of his life flashed before him. Then came the blinding light—
He collapsed like a puppet with cut strings. Arashi slowly rose, and she appeared before Chopper with another flash of movement.
"Even though you're just a pet... I'm afraid I can't spare you this time." Chopper, his face drenched in tears, charged furiously at Arashi.
Watching his crewmates fall one after another, grief and rage had pushed him past his breaking point.
"How boring," Arashi muttered, shaking his head as he drove a fist into the ground, slamming Chopper down without resistance. Next came Franky.
"You must be the shipwright's apprentice. Franky, wasn't it?" Arashi said casually.
"You know Tom-senpai?!" Franky asked, barely suppressing his fury and fear.
"He's doing just fine," Arashi replied with a faint smile, and then his tone shifted. "Are you interested in handing over Pluton?"
Franky's eyes went wide with shock and fear. "No way!!"
"What a pity." Arashi shook his head again. Blue lightning burst from his fingertips, crackling across the air.
Another Straw Hat dropped. At this point, the crew was nearly annihilated.
Bartholomew Kuma had appeared silently at the edge of the battlefield. He watched with flickering eyes but said nothing.
"Aaaaahhhh!!" Luffy got to his feet again, flames of fury in his eyes and tears blurring his vision.
He knew this Marine wouldn't hold back anymore.
Arashi's swift, merciless attacks and the sight of his crewmates lying unconscious and smoking nearly shattered his will.
Thump-thump! Thump-thump!
Luffy's heart suddenly pounded twice, deep and heavy. Arashi turned sharply, locking eyes with him. A slow smile curled on his lips.
"I heard it."
"Your voice..."
"Joy Boy!"
The name alone made Luffy freeze for a heartbeat—but he charged again with a furious roar. Arashi met him with a punch, sending him flying once more.
"Strength, speed, reflexes—"
"You're still far from enough, Monkey D. Luffy!"
"Tell me, where do you find the courage to keep coming back?"
Arashi's calm voice ignited fury in Sanji, who struggled and launched forward with a shout.
"Still not enough heartbeat..."
"Looks like I need to give you more stimulation," Arashi said, turning and slamming Sanji down with a punch.
He then stomped down on Sanji's face with chilling indifference. "He's going to die too."
"Monkey D. Luffy," Arashi's voice came softly. Luffy, lying on the ground, trembled violently as rage surged through his eyes.
What he saw next nearly tore his soul apart. Arashi had spread his fingers wide, pointing at Sanji's head.
Bzzzzt!
Crackling lightning gathered into a blazing thunder column. "You can't do anything, can you? Luffy...Are you angry? Sad? Despairing?"
"This is the cost of being a pirate—and it seems you can't bear it." The lightning grew brighter and fiercer, dancing around Arashi's hand as it hovered over Sanji's face.
But then, he stopped. His ears had caught it again—
A heart beating. Louder, faster. Like the drums of liberation pounding in his ears.
"Ahhh! Wahhh!" Luffy's voice cracked into strange syllables and unintelligible sounds. His eyes turned blood-red, and his consciousness slipped.
In the depths of despair and loss, his mind teetered on the brink. The pain, the hopelessness, it was too much to carry.
Suddenly, laughter rang out.
"Heeheehee, hahaha!"
Steam erupted from Luffy's body as he vanished and reappeared before Arashi.
"You can't do anything!" Arashi repeated coldly, swinging his fist.
The blow distorted Luffy's skull, sending him spiralling through the air before crashing to the ground with a thunderous impact.
Kuma's eyes narrowed. He looked ready to move but stopped himself. Against this man, even a small action required perfect timing. Otherwise, there would be no chance.
"Arghh... Heehee... Haha..." Luffy cried, laughed, and snarled all at once.
The chaos in his voice was unsettling, but he rose again with a sudden sit-up.
His eyes were rolled white—his consciousness gone.
Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump!
The drumming of his heart now echoed in Arashi's ears, louder and clearer.
"Almost there? Still not enough... You need something stronger," Arashi muttered with a narrowed gaze.
What power did the Sun God Nika truly possess? Was the voice and will in Luffy's body that of the dormant Joy Boy?
The answer might soon be revealed.
From his right hand, a thunder pillar exploded in a brilliant burst, casting a web of lightning in all directions.
It let out a deafening roar as it surged forward. Sanji's pupils shrank. In a split second before impact, his consciousness slipped into a reel of his life flashing before his eyes.
This moment truly placed him on the edge between life and death. Suddenly, a figure shot in at incredible speed and appeared in front of Arashi in the blink of an eye.
With a sharp kick, he struck the thunder pillar.
Whoosh!
In a shocking twist, the kick deflected the lightning column, veering off and crashing into the ground nearby with a deafening explosion.
Arashi's eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at the man who had just arrived.
"While it's nice to reunite with an old acquaintance," he said calmly, "You've gone and ruined my fun."
"Silvers Rayleigh!!"
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