Nami leaned against Lina silently, both of their eyes filled with confusion as they watched the two figures preparing to fight.
Kuro crossed his arms and spoke casually, "He got beaten by a few of us earlier, so of course he's curious why Rolan is our Captain despite being so young."
Zoro took a sip of his drink. "Good. If we didn't knock some sense into him, he'd still think he was dreaming."
Crocodile traced the edge of his golden hook with a calm expression. He knew very well why he had joined the Ion Tempest crew in the first place. Rolan's overwhelming strength had been enough to make even him submit. Now, he watched the upcoming battle with genuine interest. He wanted to know just how far Rolan's power reached.
Wyper was equally eager. As a Shandia warrior who had once worshiped Enel as an unbeatable tyrant, he wanted to witness how this new "God" of Sky Island compared to the old one.
Rolan stood relaxed, hands loosely at his sides, staring at Enel with a faint, almost lazy smile. For him, this "challenge" was nothing more than a small distraction.
Enel recalled what happened earlier.
Kuro's speed that nearly matched his lightning, Zoro's overwhelming blade pressure coated in Armament Haki, Crocodile turning into sand, the unpredictable clouds from Nami, the scorching flames from Lina.
He had lost to every single one of them except Robin.
Rolan lifted his hand slowly, and with a flick of his fingers, he activated a technique.
"Electromagnetic Barrier."
A massive spherical barrier formed around them. Enel immediately widened his eyes. His Observation Haki hit the inner wall of the sphere and could not pass through. He felt trapped, suffocated, and astonished all at once.
Just this one move was enough to make him fear Rolan.
"Alright. Let's start. Use your strongest form, or you won't even get a chance to attack," Rolan said, voice calm and uncaring.
Enel clenched his teeth. He understood the implication and refused to underestimate him.
"Two Hundred Million Volts, Raigo!"
His body expanded violently, transforming into a towering figure of blue-white lightning nearly twenty meters tall. He extended a massive lightning arm, and in an instant, a fist appeared in front of Rolan's face.
Rolan didn't move an inch.
Bang!
The lightning fist smashed into his head and scattered instantly. The electricity rebounded off the Electromagnetic Barrier, forming a giant swirling sphere of lightning around them.
"Rolan!" Nami gasped, fear tightening her throat. She knew he had a Paramecia Devil Fruit, and normally, lightning of this level would vaporize an ordinary body.
But Kuro, Zoro, Crocodile and the others looked completely calm. None of them seemed worried.
Enel's breath caught. He could clearly feel it. Rolan was standing there, not even shifting his stance.
"How? How can your body endure a two hundred million volt strike?!" Enel shouted.
He didn't believe it. He punched again.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
Thunder roared repeatedly through the barrier. The entire sphere lit up with blinding lightning.
Enel's breath turned ragged.
Nothing made sense.
His lightning was absolute. His body was supposed to be invincible.
Yet this man, this Paramecia user, stood untouched in front of him.
"Why? Why can someone like you tank my lightning head-on? Even Kuro wouldn't take it directly," Enel yelled, panic creeping into his voice.
Rolan shook his head, as if explaining something trivial.
"My body didn't take your attack. My Devil Fruit ability naturally restrains lightning. Even without that, Armament Haki can block you."
He tilted his head slightly. "Any more attacks? If not, it's my turn."
Enel clenched his fists, but he knew it. He had already used his strongest move.
In a split second, Rolan vanished. Electromagnetic Instant Transmission.
"So fast…," Enel whispered in shock.
Before Enel could react, Rolan's fist struck his chest.
Bang!
The massive Raigo form collapsed instantly like a popped balloon. Enel's body reverted to normal and crashed to the ground, unconscious, blood spraying from his mouth. A massive, gaping wound opened across his chest.
The lightning in the barrier fizzled out.
Rolan lowered his hand and dispelled the barrier.
The spectators outside finally saw the scene inside.
Gasps echoed through the plaza.
"Hiss…"
"Hiss…"
"A-amazing…"
Rolan stood spotless. Not a speck of dust on him. Not a single strand of hair out of place.
Enel lay on the ground with a hole in his chest.
Lina covered her eyes. "Rolan, you hit him too hard…"
Nami turned away, unable to look at the blood.
"Oi, did he kill Enel?" Zoro asked, taking another drink. "I can't feel his heartbeat."
Kuro adjusted his glasses. "I'm not sure. Rolan must have had his reasons."
Then, suddenly…
Thump.
Creak.
Thump.
Creak.
Tiny sparks crackled in Enel's chest.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Kuro's eyes widened. "He's restarting his own heart."
Crocodile let out a slow smoke ring. "The Goro Goro no Mi is an insane power. Imagine how strong he'll be after he learns Haki."
Nami slowly turned back around. She had been terrified, thinking Rolan had somehow killed their newest companion. She knew Rolan protected anyone he considered his own, so seeing such a fatal wound had shaken her.
The Shandia warriors stared at Rolan, unable to hide their fear and awe. They silently gave thanks that they were no longer enemies.
Finally, Enel jolted awake.
"Cough… cough…" He tried to sit up, but pain forced him back down.
Rolan flicked a finger. A senzu bean shot straight into Enel's mouth.
Gulp.
The hole in his chest began to close. It was so large that even a senzu bean took ten minutes to fully mend it.
Enel let out a shaky breath. "Captain… that punch was too much. If I didn't have the Goro Goro no Mi, I'd be dead, right?"
Rolan shrugged, expression unfazed. "Maybe."
Lina and Nami hurried to Rolan's side.
Nami pressed her cheek against him. "Rolan, you scared me. Are you sure you're okay?"
Rolan stroked her hair gently. "I'm fine. See? Not even a scratch."
Enel groaned loudly. "Hey! We're companions, aren't we? Can someone care about me too?"
Robin smiled calmly. "Ah, I was about to announce that it's time for a feast."
"Hey! I'm alive, you know… cough!" Enel coughed up more blood, his face turning pale again.
The entire crowd broke into laughter.
________
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