69: Chapter 69 Luffy VS Aokiji, Luffy goes berserkOn the Going Merry, the three girls watched the dust kicked up by the fierce battle in the distance, tears welling in their eyes.At that moment, they hated their own weakness.Zoro and Sanji felt the same way after they dealt with the frozen parts of their bodies.Despite their rapid improvement in strength, they couldn't even withstand a single blow from an Admiral.Chopper and Usopp were in the bathroom, pouring hot water on Robin while praying for Luffy's triumphant return."You know you're no match for me, right?You've heard me say how dangerous that woman is, right?So why are you fighting so hard to protect her?" On the battlefield, Aokiji looked at the panting Luffy with some confusion.Luffy took a deep breath, using all his strength to shatter the frozen parts of his body, ignoring the warnings from his body, and said, "There's no why.Like I said before, I don't care how dangerous Robin is or how dark her past is.Now she's part of my Straw Hat Pirates.As the captain, shouldn't I protect my comrades?Lava Cannon!"
The attack, a fusion of fire and earth, was aimed at Aokiji.However, Aokiji simply waved his hand, and countless ice crystals surged forth.The lava cannon was frozen into an ice ball and smashed to the ground before it even got close to Aokiji.Taking advantage of this opportunity, Luffy arrived in front of Aokiji at lightning speed and launched a series of attacks at supersonic speed (the move that comes with the Gate of Life, Reverse Lotus).
However, even this speed was slow in Aokiji's eyes.Luffy's attacks were all dodged.Aokiji seized the opportunity, grabbing Luffy's fist when his attacks slowed down.He activated the Ice-Ice Fruit's power, and a layer of ice quickly covered Luffy's fist, freezing his entire arm at an extremely fast speed."What?" Luffy was shocked.He broke free from Aokiji's grasp and quickly retreated.After shattering the ice once again, Luffy could clearly feel the effects of the enhancement on his body starting to fade, and his consciousness began to blur.A thought of wanting to destroy everything around him kept assaulting him."Oh no, the host is going berserk due to the negative effects of Berserk!Host, wake up!"
The orb of light in Luffy's mind vibrated incessantly, constantly calling out to awaken him.However, Luffy's eyes grew increasingly bloodshot, and his aura became more and more ferocious.The system frantically spun around in Luffy's mind, explaining that after going berserk, he would lose consciousness and become like a wild beast, only wanting to defeat the enemy before him.In this state, he wouldn't care whether his body could withstand it; anything that could enhance his strength would be activated.Aokiji, seeing Luffy's increasingly ferocious aura, also noticed something was wrong and said calmly, "It seems you've suffered a backlash from techniques that can enhance your strength.But even so, you're no match for me."
Completely enraged, Luffy roared at the provocation and lunged at Aokiji with a burst of speed.Aokiji's eyes narrowed slightly; the speed and power had surpassed his previous strength.In the blink of an eye, Luffy was in front of him, his flaming fist slamming into Aokiji's abdomen."So what if you've become stronger?You're still just a beast that only knows how to fight," Aokiji said dismissively.However, the next second, he was slapped in the face.The scorching flames exploded inside his body.If Aokiji hadn't transformed into his elemental form in time, this attack would have either killed him or severely injured him.After regaining his human form, a trace of blood trickled from the corner of Aokiji's mouth.Seeing Luffy still charging at him, Aokiji waved his hand, and extreme ice instantly froze Luffy's feet.Caught off guard, Luffy.He slammed heavily to the ground, watching Luffy frantically pound his frozen feet.Aokiji sighed slightly, then flashed to Luffy's side.Just as Luffy attacked, Aokiji activated his ability, completely freezing Luffy into an ice sculpture.Looking at the still trembling ice block, Aokiji desperately wanted to kick it to pieces, but he restrained himself.It wasn't because he was afraid Garp would beat him to a pulp if he found out.After taking one last deep look at the shattering ice sculpture, Aokiji sighed, got on his bicycle, and rode away.After he left, the ice sculpture suddenly exploded.The unconscious Luffy, seeing no one around, roared and began to wreak havoc on his surroundings.The people who came to help exclaimed in shock, "Luffy!"
Hearing the commotion, Luffy immediately turned his attention to the group that had made the noise.Zoro and Sanji, sensing something was wrong, quickly stepped in front of the three girls.Sure enough, the next second, a barrage of punches rained down on them.Zoro and Sanji struggled to defend themselves, while the three girls behind them were already in tears.At that moment, Uta suddenly remembered something Luffy had told her back in the East Blue: "If one day in the future I become like a wild beast and lose control, the only one who can stop me is you, Uta."
Although Uta didn't understand what Luffy meant back then, she understood a bit more now, but still didn't understand why Luffy said only she could stop him.Just as Uta was at her wits' end, a flash of inspiration struck her.She suddenly remembered that shortly after setting sail, she had inexplicably learned a purification song.At the time, Uta hadn't understood it, but now, looking at the berserk Luffy, she instantly understood.Uta slowly began to sing, and the beautiful song surrounded them.The previously berserk Luffy, upon hearing the song, painfully clutched his head and knelt on the ground.Upon seeing the culprit, Luffy roared.With a roar, Luffy threw a punch at Uta.Zoro immediately rushed forward to block, but to Zoro's surprise, Luffy's fist didn't land.Looking closer, they saw that Luffy's other hand was tightly gripping the arm that was about to strike.Only then did everyone see that Luffy was covered in blood and frostbite everywhere.Nami and Vivi tightly covered their mouths to keep themselves from crying out.Although Uta was also in great pain, she ignored Sanji's attempts to stop her and went to Luffy, who was struggling in agony.Luffy, who had regained a sliver of consciousness, looked at Uta and squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth: "Uta, go away, I don't want to hurt you!"
Uta swayingDespite the blood and gore, she tightly embraced Luffy.The Purification Song echoed in Luffy's ears.In increasing pain, Luffy, to avoid harming his beloved girl, pierced his own hand with an ice spike, pinning himself to the ground.As the song ended, Luffy finally regained consciousness, collapsing weakly into Uta's arms.The others breathed a sigh of relief.Vivi and Nami rushed to Luffy's side, their hearts heavy with sorrow at seeing the once seemingly invincible boy now lying unconscious and covered in wounds in Uta's arms.Zoro and Sanji slumped to the ground, letting out a long sigh."That damn rubber man, he was too ruthless!"
Sanji rubbed the swollen spot Luffy had hit him and chuckled, scolding him.Zoro nodded; his wrist was numb.The two exchanged a glance and reached a consensus: they needed to become stronger; they couldn't always leave Luffy to face powerful enemies alone.After carefully carrying Luffy back to the Going Merry, everyone on the ship was shocked by Luffy's appalling injuries.Chopper immediately checked Luffy's injuries and was increasingly alarmed.Luffy not only had extensive frostbite on his body, but also multiple fractures and varying degrees of damage to all his internal organs.In short, his condition was extremely serious.Chopper immediately carried Luffy to the medical room for surgery.Everyone else looked grave.Zoro silently worked on the barbell on the deck, while Sanji, though outwardly indifferent, chain-smoked.The three girls stared intently at the door of the medical room, hoping for a miracle.