Boom!!!
The ground trembled and chunks of soil flew upward as a heavy, imposing figure landed before Luffy.
It was Akainu, radiating suffocating heat and a pressure that seemed to bend the air around. His cold gaze contrasted with the scorching energy emanating from his body.
He wore nothing on his upper body, but over his shoulders rested the imposing cloak of Justice. The same cloak that symbolized supreme authority.
But what caught the eye was the scar on his chest—the mark Whitebeard left at Marineford. Even now, days later, it was still covered with thick gauze wraps, an eternal reminder of the battle against the strongest man in the world.
Akainu glared at Luffy with cold eyes, and his voice boomed like bubbling magma:
"Straw Hat... you seem to like defying the rules of the world."
He had been informed, on his way here, of rumors that ran like fire. Three Celestial Dragons had been killed by Luffy. To the Navy, this was an unforgivable crime. To Akainu, it was a personal insult.
But Luffy only laughed, a light, mocking laugh, as if facing just another obstacle:
"Shishishishi... You three, go ahead. I'll come after."
Zoro, Law, and even Moria exchanged quick glances, understanding the gravity of the situation.
"Take care, Luffy," warned Law in a serious tone as the three backed away quickly, preparing to flee.
But Sentomaru, who had watched the scene in silence, charged forward. His enormous battle-axe cut through the air, aiming directly at Zoro.
He knew he had no chance against all of them, but as a subordinate of the Navy, his duty was to stop them.
The clash was immediate.
"Clang!"
Zoro had already drawn his sword, blocking the impact with resolve. The blade trembled under the sheer weight of the blow, but his eyes remained steady.
"Go ahead. I'll deal with him."
Sentomaru snarled, pressing the axe even harder.
"Roronoa Zoro... the Government underestimated you. A mere 19 million bounty doesn't reflect your strength!"
He felt the Armament Haki rushing along Zoro's blade. This wasn't an ordinary swordsman. This was a monster who, alone, had already defeated a Pacifist in a single strike.
Zoro flashed a wild grin, teeth bared.
"Then remember to ask for a raise from me next time! At least a few hundred million would be plenty!"
And with a quick twist, he raised the swords:
"Nanajuni Pound Ho!"
Two blades of compressed air cut through space, spiraling toward Sentomaru. Twice the power, twice the destruction.
The Navy lieutenant's eyes widened.
"What a blow... so powerful!"
He lifted the axe with both hands, the metal creaking under the pressure as he blocked the impact. The ground behind him cracked, and the shockwave shook the area.
---
Meanwhile, at the center of the field, Akainu kept his eyes trained on Luffy.
"I don't care much if the others escape... you will die here, Straw Hat."
In the blink of an eye, he disappeared from his position, reappearing in front of Luffy. His right fist transformed into incandescent magma, a living blaze that descended toward the pirate's head.
But Luffy did not retreat.
Thanks to the Observational Haki, he had already anticipated the attack. Still, he did not dodge. On the contrary: he advanced.
The impact seemed inevitable.
"Bum!"
But Akainu's fist opened suddenly, like a maw made of magma, trying to swallow Luffy whole.
Surprised, Luffy stepped back several meters, the soles of his feet burning from the intense heat still emanating from the attack.
Akainu laughed, mocking him.
"Is that all you have? An awakened Zoan? Don't worry, Straw Hat... after I finish you, I'll hunt your subordinates one by one."
But Luffy only smiled.
"Zoan...? Shishishi..."
He raised his right fist, and Akainu's heart tightened. That movement... was far too familiar.
In the next instant, the ground trembled violently. The bubbles of the Sabaody Archipelago burst all at once, as if the air itself had been crushed.
Luffy's fist descended, and the world seemed to crumble.
"Boom!!!"
Akainu's eyes widened, incredulous.
"N-No, it can't be...!"
Cracks opened in the ground, and the magma beneath his feet poured into the newly formed abyss. This was the power of the Gura Gura no Mi... the power of the strongest man in the world, now in Luffy's hands.
Trying to resist, Akainu clung to the edge, but when he looked up he saw something even more terrifying: a silver, radiant figure floating in the air.
It was Luffy.
His arms expanded instantly, a giant black fist with Haki forming before him.
"Die in silence, Akainu."
The Admiral roared, raising his own Haki to the limit.
"Mercy!!!"
His magma claw collided with Luffy's colossal fist.
The impact was catastrophic.
"Boom!!!"
The world seemed to explode at that moment. Shockwaves spread like tsunamis. Akainu spit blood and was hurled into the air, soaring toward the sea.
"STRAW HAT!!!
" His roar echoed as he plunged into the water, producing a colossal wave that swallowed everything around.
Sentomaru stood petrified.
"A Navy Admiral... defeated...?!"
His eyes trembled with fear. And worse: Luffy didn't just have the power of the Gomu Gomu no Mi... he also carried the power of the Gura Gura no Mi. Two impossible powers coexisting in one man.
Meanwhile, Luffy already appeared beside Zoro, pulling him by the collar.
"Shishishishi! You're not finished yet, Zoro? Forget it, we have to leave now."
"Tsk... always in a rush," Zoro replied, but relented.
With a quick motion, both disappeared from Sentomaru's sight, like gusts of wind.
When Law and Moria returned to the meeting point, still panting, they saw Luffy and Zoro already waiting in Area 11.
Law nearly choked on his own words.
"You… weren't fighting Akainu?!"
Luffy simply nodded, unconcerned.
"Ah, him? I threw him into the sea. Maybe he's already drowned. Shishishi! Come on in. Let's go. Don't you think that was a fun ride?"
Everyone boarded the Polar Tang, which plunged into the deep waters.
But, in each of their minds, the same question echoed in silence:
Who the hell kills three Celestial Dragons, defeats an Admiral, and still calls it a fun ride?
(End of chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."