Zoro and Sanji each adopted long-range attack strategies, their blades and kicks launching waves of Haki-infused energy.
Luffy, however, took the direct approach.
He coated his Elephant Gun with a six-centimeter layer of Ryou, a dense barrier of Haki designed to clash with the corrosive demonic energy protecting Ray's body.
The impact was thunderous.
After holding out for a moment, Ray realized his demonic energy barrier would soon dissipate if he continued passively resisting.
Unconsciously, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
He was rather pleased.
Finally, the combined attacks from the Monster Trio broke through the barrier.
Luffy's giant fist collided with Ray's Poison Claw.
Luffy felt his Ryuo sizzling as it was corroded, but he gritted his teeth and continued pressing the attack.
Zoro and Sanji exchanged glances before charging toward Ray's position.
"Three Sword Style: Purgatory Oni Giri!"
"Diable Jambe: Filling SHOOT!"
Unwilling to dodge and break the "invincible" facade, Ray accelerated his arm movements to a blur, simultaneously countering all three attackers.
"Now! Chopper! Usopp!" Luffy roared.
"Roger!" Usopp shouted, his giant slingshot already loaded.
The ammunition was none other than Chopper, who was currently chewing a Rumble Ball!
"Take this! Special Attack: Demon Star—Deer Demon Imprint!"
Propelled by the tremendous elastic force of the dragon tendon, Chopper shot rapidly toward Ray's position like a fuzzy cannonball.
"Rumble Ball Transform: Monster Point!"
Just as the small reindeer flew before Ray, he expanded explosively.
Suddenly shifting into his massive, ten-meter-tall Monster Point, his enormous claws were completely coated in shiny black Armament Haki.
With the enhanced kinetic energy, this strike proved significantly more powerful than Luffy's Elephant Gun.
The Monster Trio retreated the moment Chopper arrived.
The giant deer's hoof strike possessed unparalleled destructive force.
Ray threw a punch to meet it, and the tremendous impact actually forced him back half a meter, nearly slamming him into the large tree behind.
"Foolish!" Ray shook his head.
'Chopper, aren't you just charging straight to your death?'
Unexpectedly, the giant Chopper revealed a cunning, scheming expression.
"Take this! Slug Slime!"
While Chopper's right fist clashed with Ray's, his left hand flung a large mass of sticky fluid from a pouch between his legs.
This fluid possessed powerful corrosive properties and a pungent odor ten times more foul than Chouchou's poop.
Usopp had tested it; it could dissolve steel.
With his demonic armor not yet restored, Ray could only forcefully punch Chopper away with his right fist while simultaneously spinning his light whip to block the slime.
Unfortunately, some splatter still landed on Ray's pristine white kimono.
Of course, the corrosive property was completely useless against Ray's body.
But it was insulting.
And the smell... it was extremely foul.
No wonder Chopper had stuffed cotton balls in his nose.
Ray felt genuinely speechless!
At this moment, Ray felt some regret.
Standing still and holding back had been an oversight.
This disgusting trick was definitely Usopp's idea.
The purpose was likely to enrage "Sesshomaru," causing flaws to appear in his combat rhythm.
Sure enough, Usopp burst into loud laughter while feeling quite proud of himself.
With a dog demon's sensitive sense of smell, biological warfare was the perfect strategy.
"Take this! Special Attack: Stink Star Barrage!"
Before Ray's light whip could cease spinning, Usopp's Stink Star Barrage was already unleashed.
Dozens of pellets filled with concentrated skunk-yokai essence flew through the air.
While furious, Ray also felt a hint of approval.
'This kid's predictive attacks are becoming increasingly proficient.'
Recalling the disgusting nature of such moves, Ray transformed into an afterimage, dodging sharply to the right.
"Now's the chance! Thunderbolt Tempo!"
Seizing the opportunity, Nami released a lightning strike from Ray's left side—thick, massive, and blindingly bright.
It had clearly been charging for a long time.
For a moment, Ray appeared somewhat disheveled.
'Did they predict I'd dodge to the right?'
Seeing this, Nami laughed confidently.
"Sesshomaru only has one right arm! To use his right fist to block attacks promptly, he'd instinctively dodge to the right to keep his guard up. That means his left side is exposed. Even if he wants to defend, he'd have to turn around. And once he turns sideways, we can still find an opening!"
Sure enough, to counter the thunderbolt, Ray turned and swung a claw strike with his right hand, dispersing the massive lightning in one blow.
But simultaneously, another attack had already reached his armless left side.
It was dozens of arms from Robin, each holding a dagger, hidden weapon, or bomb crafted from yokai limbs, all coated with Armament Haki.
These projectiles had been launched toward Ray's position precisely half a second after Nami's thunderbolt was released.
'Great coordination!'
Ray couldn't help but marvel.
These guys had truly improved.
If it were any other yokai, they would likely have perished under the earlier lightning strike, let alone Robin's follow-up.
However, since their opponent was him, using Sesshomaru's body, these little tricks were bound to fail.
The instant Robin's attack arrived, Ray transformed into a sphere of Demonic Power and charged straight toward Luffy.
"Gear Second: Super Soru!"
Luffy's Gear Second speed was already comparable to Soru.
Over the past two months, to further enhance his speed, he had formally learned the technique from Sanji.
He vanished, his speed increasing to an extreme, narrowly evading Ray's assault.
The moment he dodged, Luffy threw a punch at Ray.
Unfortunately, there was still a gap in power and speed between them.
Ray caught his arm, kicked him in the abdomen, and sent Luffy flying hundreds of meters.
Seeing this, Sanji and Zoro immediately rushed forward to intercept 'Sesshomaru'.
Their duty was to stall him as much as possible.
The trick attacks had failed to deal significant damage, so now it was a battle of raw strength and endurance.
Both of their attacks were imbued with ryuo, unleashing a flurry of strikes from left and right against the one-armed dog demon.
Yet their speed still fell short—not a single blow landed on Ray.
After a brief delay, they were sent flying by two backhand slaps from Ray.
Now, Ray glared at the distant quartet of attackers—Nami, Usopp, Robin, and Chopper—killing intent radiating from him.
"Only you all remain! How dare you attack me with such filth? You're truly seeking death."
Feeling Ray's gaze, even Robin, who knew the truth, felt uneasy.
It truly felt like Ray intended to kill them.
Step by step, Ray advanced.
Chopper, still in Monster Point, waved his massive black hooves protectively in front of the three.
He glanced back at the navigator.
"Nami, is it ready?"
Nami nodded, clutching her Clima-Tact. "Yes. But Chopper, Robin... you must be careful."
"We'll do our best."
"Let's go!"
Relying on his enhanced strength and defense, Chopper charged alone toward 'Sesshomaru' like a lone, furry tank.
Ray frowned slightly.
'What wicked scheme is this little deer brewing now?'
Since he only intended to use Sesshomaru's inherent power, he hadn't employed his Haki.
"Armament Haki Hardening: Twin Black Gold Hooves!"
Seeing Chopper using only the simplest, most violent attack method, Ray thought it was too reckless.
He swung his claw to clash with Monster Chopper, shattering the Haki on Chopper's claws in a single strike.
Enduring the pain, Chopper slapped the ground as Ray passed by, stirring up massive clouds of dust.
Seeing this scene, Ray found it somewhat familiar.
'Planning to play dirty again?'
Sure enough, at that moment, Ray was suddenly grabbed by numerous black hands sprouting from his own body.
Robin.
It was clear that none of these four rear attackers had mastered ryuo.
'Robin, are you trying to get hurt? Then I'll oblige you.'
Ray sighed helplessly.
Just as he was about to release demonic energy to corrode Robin's arms, he paused.
He discovered his entire body was soaked.
'Did Robin.... splash water on me?'
Moreover, he realized several iron rods were stuck in his clothes... rods that were crackling with static.