"A bunch of ignorant fools," Enel muttered with disdain.
"20 Million Volts!"
"AAAGH—!" Sudden, piercing screams filled the entire training ground. The nearby soldiers flinched, their startled eyes darting toward Enel, who stood in the center of the ring...
Zzzzt...
The sound of lingering static remained, but the Rear Admirals had all collapsed, unable to get up. Kameji struggled mightily, propping himself up on his knees, refusing to simply fall...
"Logia-type Devil Fruit..." he whispered to himself. The indignation in his heart had been crushed by the brutal reality of the power gap.
"Oh? One left standing, I see." Enel opened one eye and shot a sideways glance at Kameji. "Then... 40 Million Volts."
Thud...
The current surging through Kameji doubled. He could no longer hold on; his consciousness flickered out as he hit the ground.
"Enough. Stand down, brat." Rowan's voice, low and controlled, cut through Enel's continuous discharge. His voice sounded a bit displeased, though a faint smile lingered on his face.
"Old man, these guys are too weak," Enel said bluntly.
Sengoku's face turned a shade of green. The Rear Admirals he had meticulously trained were so fragile before this youth. At the same time, everyone's respect for Rowan deepened. In front of Rowan, Enel didn't dare act out at all.
"Sengoku-boy, this brat is in your hands now. Do as you see fit. Tsuru-chan was right—it's the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. The brat has developed it quite well, but relying too much on Devil Fruit powers is a dead end in the long run."
Rowan's words signaled to Sengoku that he placed great importance on Enel. Over-reliance on fruit powers was indeed a trap; physical strength and Haki needed to catch up.
"Rear Admiral Kameji, from now on, this man will follow you." At Sengoku's command, the fallen Kameji immediately scrambled to his feet.
"I refuse!" Enel snapped back instantly.
POW!
The next second, Enel was clutching his head, teeth gritted in pain.
"Be obedient," Rowan said, blowing on his fist. Enel swallowed his protest, nursing the fresh lump on his head.
Kameji was a bit flustered. Fleet Admiral Sengoku must have his reasons for this arrangement—even if the power gap was immense, it would provide Kameji with the ultimate motivation for his "hellish" training. Most importantly, Rowan hadn't objected!
"Hello, my name is Kameji. Please follow me," Kameji said politely.
Enel looked highly dissatisfied. He was about to retort when he saw Rowan raising his fist again. He could only swallow his pride and follow Kameji.
"Wait!"
Suddenly, Luffy's voice rang out from the edge of the training ground. Rowan gave a subtle smirk; he knew exactly what Luffy wanted without even thinking.
"Don't go yet! You're way too arrogant, being so rude to Rear Admiral Kameji! Kameji has helped us many times! For his honor, let me challenge you! E... E-Melon!"
Luffy bared his teeth in his signature wide grin. Enel, meanwhile, was fuming. This random brat had not only interrupted him but had butchered his name!
"You... you can't even remember this God's name..." Enel growled.
The atmosphere turned electric.
"Luffy, you're not his match. Go back," Sengoku advised, seeing Luffy's fearless, headstrong attitude. But Luffy was undeterred; words meant nothing to him.
"Lord Rowan, this..." Sengoku turned his gaze to the Old Man.
Rowan just smiled. He had expected this. A clash between Luffy and Enel was inevitable. Besides, it was a good way to let Enel realize the reality of the world. Rowan remained silent, and Sengoku understood the gesture.
"Keep it quick. No lethal moves."
Sengoku spoke to Enel as if his victory was a foregone conclusion. He stepped back to the sidelines with Rowan. Tsuru and Gion watched as well. Kameji gave Luffy a worried look before also clearing the area.
"Gomu Gomu no... Great-Grandpa Pistol!" Luffy shouted, pinning his right shoulder with his left hand...
"..." "AAAGH!"
Before Luffy could even launch the attack, a sharp pain shot through his back! He screamed and spun around to see who had blindsided him.
He saw Rowan's smoking index finger and promptly shut his mouth.
"Brat, don't go making up stupid names for your moves!" Rowan barked.
The original "Gum-Gum Pistol" had been modified by Luffy to include "Great-Grandpa." Rowan had immediately rewarded him with a Shigan (Finger Pistol) to the back.
"Hmph, this is no time to be distracted," Enel said, his eyes full of condescension. "100 Million Volts: Vari!"
The training ground erupted in shock. Against the Rear Admirals, Enel had only used 20 million. Even Kameji only took 40. But against Luffy... he opened with 100 million?! Was this a spar or an execution?
Everyone broke into a cold sweat for Luffy—everyone except Rowan.
Enel snuck a peek at Rowan with one eye, then closed it. "Vari!"
"Vari?" Luffy pouted, pondering the word just as the 100 million volts slammed into him.
"Huh? Is this a move? It doesn't really hurt, it's just burning my clothes..." Luffy looked around, confused.
The electricity crackled violently around Luffy, singing his red vest and making his hair smell like burnt toast. But his body... had absolutely no reaction.
"What?!" Enel snapped his eyes open, staring at Luffy in disbelief.
"Impossible!" Enel roared. "100 million volts can't have no effect! You..."
He felt a wave of frustration. Looking at Luffy's blank, unbothered expression, he was reminded of his encounter with Rowan on Skypiea... even his strongest bolts hadn't fazed the old man. Does this idiot kid have the same strength as Rowan?
No! It couldn't be!
"200 Million Volts! Amaru! Die!" Enel, trembling with rage, thrust both arms toward Luffy.
200 million! Double the previous power! Surely Luffy was finished! Some onlookers covered their eyes, unable to watch the boy be disintegrated by lightning...