Rumble… Rumble…
While everyone was deeply discussing the lingering mysteries of history, a thunderous roar erupted once more from the ice prison where Luffy's ancestor was confined!
A massive aura suddenly pressed down from the sky above Luffy and the others.
The Conqueror's Haki, accumulated over eight centuries, exploded all at once.
In an instant, even the powerful Luffy felt its effects slightly!
Not to mention Robin and Brook.
Sanji and Crocodile, whose spiritual endurance was naturally weaker, staggered, almost falling to the ground.
Zoro quickly stepped forward and caught Sanji, shouting sharply into his ear:
"Focus!!!"
"Ugh…"
Sanji painfully held his temples, but his handsome face lifted instantly. A demonic aura surged across his skin.
A chilling, devouring intent erupted from his body.
Luffy glanced toward Sanji in surprise…
Because he could feel the pressure of the Conqueror's Haki around him gradually disappearing!
As if…
it were being devoured!
Was this the power of the Gourmet Cells, the Munch-Munch Fruit, or… a terrifying combination of both!?
At that moment, Luffy realized he had seemingly created a fearsome demon with his own hands!
Whether sensing his spiritual power being consumed or some other reason, Luffy's ancestor suddenly retracted all of his overwhelming aura.
Through Observation Haki, Luffy instantly warned the others:
"Here it comes!"
BOOM!!!
Before anyone could prepare, a massive, unmatched shockwave surged from deep underground!
In an instant, the entire desert went wild!
Flying sand, raging winds, and a terrifying pressure that made the sky seem to cry.
Under this overwhelming power, even the world itself seemed to tremble!
"Luffy… what should we do?"
Just as everyone readied themselves, Crocodile hesitated slightly.
After the earlier discussion, he already knew this terrifying creature was Luffy's ancestor.
Now, before attacking again, he began to waver.
In the pirate world, bloodlines are deeply respected.
Or rather, this reverence originates from the very top: the World Nobles, the Celestial Dragons.
If Luffy truly belonged to one of the twenty royal families, whether to fight or not remained uncertain.
But Crocodile understood too little about the Starry Sky Pirates!
They were selfish—focused only on those they cared about and what mattered to them.
Moreover, this so-called ancestor had long lost his consciousness.
Or rather, he had lost even the most basic qualities of being human.
Now, he was merely a killing machine fueled by hatred.
A pitiful, tragic warrior.
The best choice was to give him a peaceful end.
Eight centuries of hatred should fall on those who deserve it—not on a kind-hearted princess who cares for her people.
Bloodline? Heritage?
These were never chains to bind Luffy.
What truly mattered to him was family, friendship, and love.
Everything else would never restrain him.
History's grievances—who is right or wrong—who can truly judge?
He would end this suffering personally for this poor ancestor.
So, in response to Crocodile's doubt, Luffy merely smirked, flashing a satisfied smile to the crew:
"We're killing him!"
"Oh!!!"
A chance to battle a warrior from eight centuries ago—opportunities like this are rare!
...
Moments later…
BOOM!
Sanji, attacking first, was sent flying backward even faster than before!
Luffy stared at the faintly twisted trajectories on his ancestor's body and shouted to the others behind him:
"Watch out! He's using his Devil Fruit!"
A long spear of condensed sand suddenly appeared amidst the swirling dust!
Under the raging wind, the sand spear—normally strong enough to pierce steel—made no sound, shooting straight toward Luffy's ancestor.
Its sharp tip plunged forward…
But the spear passed through the air as if nothing resisted it, barely causing a sound: puh.
As expected…
Luffy's eyes flashed with realization.
His guess was correct.
His ancestor was a Nature-type Devil Fruit user.
And not just any Nature-type…
An Air Fruit user!!!
Judging by his current state, the ancestor had now mastered the fruit's powers.
After all, a Devil Fruit, once eaten, becomes instinctively a part of the user's body.
Even if one wanted to forget, it would be extremely difficult.
Eight centuries of silence—who could forget so much?
BOOM!!!
At the center of Yuba, the ground, having barely settled from earlier tremors, erupted again with deafening shocks!
The island shook continuously, layers of sand waves roared like tsunamis, surging outward from Yuba with each colossal clash.
Nearby cities went into emergency alert; citizens scrambled desperately to escape the calamity.
At that moment, the entire Arabasta region experienced a massive earthquake!
From Yuba outward, fissures split the island as if scars, leaving the land shattered and chaotic.
An island housing millions now trembled under the hands of a few world-shaking warriors, on the brink of splitting and sinking.
...
Clang!!!
Zoro once again used his three bloodthirsty swords to block a heavy punch from the ancestor.
Under the immense force, Zoro was slammed uncontrollably toward the center of the desert.
A giant hand suddenly appeared, catching him and flinging him forward like a slingshot!
Meanwhile, the ancestor, confronting Sanji, turned instantly and raised one hand, aiming at the flying Zoro.
A tremendous wind pressure erupted from his palm!
The ground's golden surface was sheared away.
A flash of fire appeared!
Luffy seized the moment and flew behind the ancestor, raising both hands forward.
The vast energy of the Death Flame gathered in his palms!
A terrifying flame took form in Luffy's hands.
This massive energy sphere resembled a black sun, radiating divine power while consuming every bit of usable energy in the surrounding space!
"Burning Sky!!!"