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Facing Luffy's attack, Max stretched both arms behind him. "Gomu Gomu no… Rocket Cannon!!!"
Zoro and Sanji froze, disbelief written all over their faces."That move…""Don't tell me—!"
Two Rocket Cannons collided in midair, and the explosion that followed shook the sea itself.
BOOM!
The force of the impact rippled outward like a storm, sending waves crashing in every direction. The pirate ship rocked violently as the sea went wild.
Luffy felt a massive shock hit him and was blown backward through the air."Luffy!" Zoro and Sanji shouted, sprinting to catch him.
They managed to steady him before he fell into the ocean. But Max—He'd only stepped back four paces. The difference in strength was obvious.
Max stared down at his hands, stunned."My power… how did it increase so fast? Is this the effect of that freakish physique of mine?"
A grin spread across his face. His fighting spirit surged like a firestorm.
Luffy's eyes went wide. "Wait a sec… that was the Gum-Gum Fruit's power just now?!"
Zoro's and Sanji's faces darkened."You're not seeing things, Luffy. That was the Gum-Gum Fruit.""And it's not the only one. He's used three different Devil Fruit powers already.""His strength is bottomless."
Zoro stepped forward. "Admin, mind if I join in? My hands are getting itchy just watching."
Max knew exactly what he meant—Zoro was worried Luffy would take too much of a beating on his own. But right now, Max was in no mood to turn down a fight.
"Sure," he said with a grin. "Both of you, come at me."
...
[Live Chat - Bullet Screen]
Ace (One Piece world): "Did I see that right? He just used the Flame-Flame Fruit!"
Doflamingo: "Heh heh heh… shocking, isn't it? Even my String-String powers?"
Garp: "Sengoku, did you notice? At first, his moves were clumsy, but in an instant, he synced with the rhythm of battle. That learning speed is terrifying!"
Sengoku: "I've never seen anything like him. He grows stronger within a single fight!"
Goku (Dragon Ball world): "He's got itchy fists, huh? Tell him to come fight me next time!"
Natsu (Fairy Tail world): "Admin! I'm waiting for you to come brawl with me!"
Genos (One Punch Man world): "Sensei, I want to test myself against that admin."
Saitama: "…"
...
On screen:
Zoro clenched a sword in his mouth and gripped the other two tightly. "Luffy, let's go!"
"Three-Sword Style—Three Hundred Troubles!!!"
Blades flashed everywhere as sword energy filled the air. Max's eyes narrowed. He activated the String-String Fruit and shot into the sky.
"Foot Thread!" he shouted, kicking down at Zoro midair.
Zoro crossed his blades to block the strike. Sparks flew.
"Gomu Gomu no… Pistol!!!" Luffy roared, fists blurring into countless shadows that slammed into Max's body.
Flames burst from every impact point, holes glowing with heat across Max's body. But he didn't flinch. Instead, fire surged around his hands.
"Fire Gun!!"
Flaming bullets shot out like a machine gun. Luffy jumped back, dodging in a hurry.
Max smiled. "Let's finish you first!"
"Five-Color Strings!"
Five glowing threads lashed toward Zoro.
He blocked with both swords but was driven several steps back. Snarling, he tied his bandana over his head—his eyes sharp as blades.
"Three-Sword Style—Ox Demon!!!"
His aura exploded as he dashed forward faster than the eye could follow.
Max responded with another fiery barrage. "Fire Gun!!"
But every fireball Zoro passed simply vanished into thin air, sliced clean apart.
Zoro raised his blades again, gathering all his strength. "Three-Sword Style—Brave Claw!!!"
He vanished into a dark streak and slashed straight through Max's body!
A clean hit—through the chest.
Luffy grinned. "We did it!"
But his smile froze. "Zoro, look out!!!"
The Max Zoro had struck dissolved into a ball of fire and vanished.
Zoro's instincts screamed danger. He looked up—Max was above him.
"Birdcage!!!"
A net of glowing silver threads dropped down, trapping Zoro inside.
"ZORO!!!" Luffy roared, launching himself upward. "Gomu Gomu no… Rocket Cannon!!!"
Twin fists, packed with insane force, shot toward Max. But Max leapt away, gliding freely through the air with the String-String ability.
He smirked. "Looks like it's just you now, Luffy. So what's it gonna be—surrender or surrender?"
Luffy's face twisted in defiance. "I'll never give up!"
"Gomu Gomu no… Gatling!!!"
A storm of punches crashed toward Max.
BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!
Inside the Birdcage, Zoro shouted, "Luffy, run!"
Luffy looked up—and saw a blazing inferno descending from the sky.
"Fire Fist!!!"
The massive fire blast swallowed Luffy whole.
On the Sunny, the Straw Hats screamed, "LUFFY!!!"
Moments later, the flames faded. Max stood there, his flaming fist hovering just inches from Luffy's face.
He smiled gently. "Luffy, you lost."
He waved his arm, and the Birdcage around Zoro unraveled into threads of light.
Luffy grinned through the smoke. "You're strong, Admin… but I'm not giving up. Next time, I'll beat you."
Max bumped fists with him. "I'll be waiting."
A flash of white light enveloped him, and in the stunned gazes of the Straw Hats, Max's figure slowly disappeared from their world.
...
[Live Chat - Bullet Screen]
Ace: "That admin's strong. Wonder whose Fire Fist is hotter—his or mine?"
Frieza (Dragon Ball): "Just a child's game. Max, come find me next time if you dare."
Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach): "Admin, I'll be waiting. Let's see if your flames burn faster than my blade."
Sasuke (Naruto): "Tch. Boring fight. I could take him easily."
Naruto: "Yeah right, Sasuke! You'd be flattened in seconds!"
...
Across dimensions, powerful beings were fired up—each one eager for a chance to face the mysterious Admin. The chat was filled with challenge after challenge.
Max reappeared in the Super Video Editing Space, his heart still pounding from excitement.
Then, the cold voice of the system echoed in his mind:"Congratulations, Host. First battle completed. Physical attributes have greatly improved.""Please begin editing the next video. The strongest across dimensions await you."
Max took a deep breath, suppressing the rush of adrenaline, and got back to work.
After a full day of effort, the new video was finally done. On the screen appeared a man with black hair and calm, piercing eyes—Aizen, standing in the sky with a faint smile.
[Live Chat - Bullet Screen]
Aizen (Bleach world): "So, it's my turn now?""I thought I'd be the grand finale.""Well, since I'm here, I'll let all worlds witness my true power.""The earlier fights were nothing but warm-ups."
"..."
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