Atop the mountain, Luffy faced off against the pirate.
The man stood roughly two meters tall, his lion-like red mane flowing wild. Golden armor, adorned with scale-like designs, clung to his shoulders and waist. Claws of gold gleamed on his hands, his appearance screaming strength.
A bounty of twelve million berries.
The captain of his crew, Eldrago, glared at Luffy with unveiled fury.
"Who the hell are you? What're you doing here?"
"Looking for gold."
"So, you came to steal my treasure, huh?"
His sharp fangs bared as he spoke.
Luffy tilted his head slightly.
"It's not your treasure. We're here for Woonan's gold."
"Same thing! Woonan's treasure is mine. No, not just Woonan's—I'll claim all the gold in the world! So you're trying to snatch my treasure, aren't you?"
"I'm not stealing. We're here for Woonan's gold."
"I just explained it, damn it!"
Their conversation didn't quite mesh.
Behind, Nami gritted her teeth, shielding Iwakura and Tobio.
When a treasure map's involved, such clashes are inevitable. Especially with Woonan, the East Blue's highest-bounty pirate, famed for amassing gold. Naturally, many would target it.
Still, they hadn't expected to run into this.
The enemy was raring for a fight, shoulders tensed with rage.
Luffy's words only fueled Eldrago's anger, unstoppable.
"You look like a lion. Those fangs are sharp."
"Shut up! It's my trademark!"
"Oh, you've already got gold on you. Then hand over Woonan's treasure."
"You're not listening at all! I said all the gold in this world will be mine!"
"Why's he gotta piss him off on purpose?" Nami muttered anxiously, but Luffy's demeanor stayed unchanged.
At the same time, Usopp returned from his call with Kiri and stood beside her.
"Any backup?" Nami asked immediately.
"Kiri said leave it to Luffy. But don't worry, I'll cover him!"
"So they're not coming. Are we really okay?"
"Luffy's strong, right? He slept through my village, but if Kiri says he's got this, he's got it."
"But there's more than one enemy. If they all rush us, we're in trouble."
Their gazes shifted past the arguing pair to the dozen or so pirates lined up behind.
The enemy outnumbered them.
Even if Luffy was strong, that many could exploit a gap.
"If they all come at us…" Nami started.
"Super scary," Usopp finished.
But the pirates showed no sign of moving—rather, they seemed to be keeping their distance from their captain. Confusion crept into Nami and Usopp's expressions.
Suddenly, Eldrago waved his arm, signaling his crew to back off.
They had no will to fight. Only Eldrago was eager, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Luffy, voice rising.
"Stay back! I'll handle this guy myself!"
"Alright, bring it. If I take you down, the gold's mine, right?"
Luffy cracked his knuckles, ready, while Eldrago spread his fingers wide.
Both poised, battle imminent.
Eldrago moved first, but not with an attack—at least, not what Luffy expected, causing a delayed reaction. Eldrago merely inhaled deeply.
His movements stopped, breath held.
Then, he unleashed a roar.
It didn't seem like an attack, leaving Luffy rooted. But what he saw was Eldrago's shout materialize—a massive, laser-like blast, a legitimate assault.
"GOAAA!"
"Whoa!?"
Luffy instinctively kicked off, leaping. The blinding attack tore through where he'd stood, its shockwave shaving the ground. Not just visually impressive—its power was beyond human. Clearly a Devil Fruit ability, though its nature was unclear.
Rolling to a crouch, Luffy scanned around.
The shockwave hinted at immense force. Touching it would be bad—obvious.
His crewmates, at a distance, were stunned, bodies rigid.
The Goe Goe Fruit—Eldrago's power.
No major physical change, just the ability to shout loudly.
It might sound trivial, but his roars turned into laser-like attacks. Mere shouts became formidable weapons.
Luffy, unaware of the fruit's name, understood one thing: this guy shot lasers from his mouth. Mouth lasers. An irresistibly cool concept.
For a moment, forgetting the fight, Luffy's eyes sparkled as he stared at Eldrago.
"Awesome! That's a beam! A mouth beam!"
"Wait, Luffy! I'm against calling that a beam. He just roared!"
"Huh, yeah?"
"Does a real beam come without a killer pose? Think about it. It's missing the launch device and a pose to make it a finisher!"
"Who cares! Shut up!" Nami snapped, cutting off Usopp's tangent.
Luffy quickly regained focus, his excitement fading as he eyed Eldrago coolly.
"Yeah, you're right… That's no beam."
"Why're you agreeing!? Focus!"
Fists raised, Luffy faced off again.
Eldrago was a Devil Fruit user—confirmed. But knowing only part of his power meant staying cautious, moving carefully.
Yet Luffy charged forward.
Waiting got nowhere. He'd carve his path with offense.
Fearless, he rushed straight at Eldrago.
"Raaa!"
"Hmph, you're quick. But don't think you can dodge so easily."
Eldrago opened his mouth wide, inhaling deeply.
Luffy, running, anticipated the next attack. He relaxed his body, ready to dodge instantly. His sharp instincts read Eldrago's movements, reacting almost animalistically, decisions made without thought.
Watching Luffy, Eldrago leaned forward, mouth agape.
He roared again.
"HAAA!"
This time, it differed. A shout, yes, but not a laser—just a massive noise. Yet far beyond normal. The deafening volume threatened to burst eardrums, forcing Luffy to stop and cover his ears, wincing.
The effect hit all four at a distance too.
A wall of sound. The intense roar rattled their senses, making them stagger.
Not direct, yet damaging—an invisible attack impossible to evade. Covering ears didn't block the overwhelming volume.
A clear opening was forced. In that instant, Eldrago closed in.
Charging roughly, he caught the dazed Luffy, swinging his right arm. Golden claws slashed Luffy's cheek, blood spraying as the impact knocked him down, unable to brace.
"Ugh!?"
"Ears hurting? Too bad. Feel the difference in power."
As Luffy fell, claws aimed downward.
Usopp, clutching his ears, shouted.
"Luffy, watch out!"
Luffy didn't hear—his hearing temporarily numbed.
He noticed the descending arm with his eyes.
Rolling instinctively, he barely escaped the sharp claws. They stabbed the hard ground, leaving marks without chipping—immense strength.
Luffy rolled a few times, springing up lightly.
His ears hadn't recovered. His body felt off, unsteady, floating. Time might heal it, but for now, he relied on sight, grimacing as he raised his fists.
Eldrago seized the moment, charging again.
"No escape, Straw Hat!"
"Whoa!?"
"I'll tear you to shreds!"
His claws sliced the air.
They'd cut like his cheek if they hit.
Luffy backpedaled, but Eldrago pursued, attacks relentless. Dodging was tough. One unavoidable strike tore his clothes, grazed his arm, and nearly hit his hat. The moment his straw hat was threatened, Luffy's expression shifted.
Stopping abruptly, he planted his feet, rearing back his right arm.
"Damn you…!"
"Huh?"
"Cut it out!"
Dodging deftly, he landed a counterpunch to Eldrago's cheek.
Eldrago gritted his teeth, but the impact staggered him.
Tobio and the pirates gasped.
Such a fierce blow—Eldrago's massive frame wavered.
Not stopping, Luffy stretched his left arm back for another strike.
Only then did they realize—he was a Devil Fruit user too.
Using his rubbery stretch, the attack shot toward Eldrago's gut.
"Gum-Gum Bullet!"
The blow sent the giant flying. The momentum left onlookers agape. Mid-air, Eldrago glared at Luffy.
Sensing danger, Luffy moved instinctively.
Another laser-like roar shot from Eldrago's mouth.
"WOOORAAA!"
"Gah!? That again!"
"Luffy, dodge!" Usopp yelled, but the laser hit Luffy's stomach.
The spiraling force was hard to evade, pressing forward with overwhelming presence. His planted feet couldn't hold. Worse, the soundwave vibrated his body's fluids—rubber or not, his human structure shook, brain rattled, nausea hitting. The immense impact blew him back, crashing hard on his back.
Teetering at the mountain's edge.
Coughing violently, vision spinning, he struggled to stand.
His rattled brain sapped his strength, collapsing repeatedly. Rolling to his stomach, he spat blood.
"Guh, cough! What's this…?"
"Luffy, get up! He's coming again!"
"Usopp? What're you saying? My ears are ringing—can't hear!"
"He's coming, damn it! Hurry!"
A shadow leaped overhead.
Luffy, desperate, rolled to dodge.
Eldrago landed, stomping where Luffy's head had been. Seeing him escape, he raised both arms to attack. Luffy sprang up, crouching, and kicked.
"Gum-Gum Whip!"
"Whoops."
Aiming for the ankles, but Eldrago jumped lightly, dodging.
Before landing, he inhaled deeply.
At that range, laser or eardrum-shattering roar—either was unavoidable, deadly.
Sensing danger, Luffy kicked upward without hesitation.
If he couldn't dodge, he'd stop it.
His kick caught Eldrago's jaw, forcing his mouth shut. Breathing cut off, no sound, no ability.
But it enraged Eldrago. Luffy leaped back to gain distance.
Hitting the ground and rising, Eldrago's eyes blazed with fury.
"Grr, you brat…!"
"Don't underestimate me!"
They paused, facing off, neither clearly advantaged. But to onlookers, Luffy seemed at a disadvantage—Eldrago's ear-destroying power was too much.
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