"What's the matter, Great-Grandpa?! This guy you brought back is too weak! These moves are like a tickle! Hahahaha!" Luffy burst into a boisterous laugh, clutching his stomach as he shouted toward Rowan.
Rowan remained indifferent, but the expressions of those standing nearby weren't quite as calm.
Two hundred million volts... even Sengoku would have to exert some effort to withstand that level of power. Yet Luffy actually had the heart to stand there laughing!
"This great-grandson of yours is truly interesting, Lord Rowan... haha," Gion (Momousagi) giggled, leaning playfully against Rowan's arm.
"The brat just has good luck," Rowan replied flatly.
He wondered if the people of this world were simply unaware of the principle that rubber does not conduct electricity, or if they mistook Luffy's status as a natural counter to Enel for a display of his own raw strength.
Regardless, the goal had been achieved: Enel's towering arrogance had been dealt a severe blow. Rowan wanted him to realize that the world was full of experts; only by humbling himself could he truly progress.
That objective was clearly half-met already. The sheer horror in Enel's eyes reflected a soul-crushing moment of questioning his own existence.
"My turn!" Luffy kicked off the ground, leaping high into the air. "Rubber... Great... Machine Gun!" At the last second, Luffy swallowed the words "Great-Grandpa" back down.
A rain of fists descended from the sky. Enel watched the faint, metallic black sheen reflecting off the knuckles—the sign of Armament Haki—and his heart sank. An ominous premonition rapidly spread through his mind...
In the next instant, sharp pain exploded across his face, jolting his nerves!
It was a sensation of pain he hadn't felt in a long time. Aside from Rowan's fists, Enel had never experienced such a violent impact. The fact that this pain was coming from a "Blue Sea brat" filled him with unprecedented humiliation.
Enel was forced backward by the barrage of Luffy's "Gatling." Caught off guard, he strained to keep his footing and tank the hits. Luffy's punches were wild and chaotic, but every single one landed squarely on Enel's body.
"Whew..." Luffy panted slightly, looking at Enel's bruised and battered face with great satisfaction.
"Brat! Since lightning is useless against you, then taste my staff!" Enel's eyes were bloodshot—whether from the beating or pure rage, it was hard to tell.
"A staff, eh?" The corners of Rowan's mouth curled upward. It seemed Enel didn't rely entirely on his Devil Fruit; his potential for self-cultivation made him even more promising.
Rowan subconsciously felt the golden pole hidden beneath his cloak. The cool, smooth metallic touch told him it was a perfectly balanced weapon. But since the golden staff was currently in Rowan's possession, what was Enel going to use?
"Rubber... Great... Stamp!" In his excitement, Luffy almost added "Great-Grandpa" to the move again. Though he braked just in time, Rowan's expression already signaled: Wait until the match is over to taste my fist!
Luffy aimed for Enel's shoulder, but suddenly his foot hit nothing but air. The "Rubber Stamp" slammed directly into the training ground floor!
BOOM!
A massive crater erupted in the ground, sending debris flying as the concrete disintegrated.
"Huh? He escaped?" Luffy landed, looking at the empty hole in confusion.
He hadn't seen it, but the moment the "Stamp" descended, Enel's Mantra (Observation Haki) had perceived the target. He had moved with high-speed agility to the edge of the training ground, stopping by the metal railings.
"Damned brat," Enel cursed under his breath. He gripped the railing, the veins on the back of his hand bulging. He gave a violent heave...
SNAP!
The metal railing snapped effortlessly.
Oh? He wants to use that as a weapon? Rowan saw through Enel's intent instantly. However, a railing was clearly not as balanced as a customized golden staff, a fact evident from the look of disdain in Enel's eyes.
"So you're over there!" Luffy heard the sound of the metal snapping and found Enel's location. He bared his teeth in a grin, appearing thoroughly satisfied with his opponent.
"Take this!"
Enel was infuriated by Luffy's foolish, toothy smile. This moronic brat had not only proved immune to his "Thunder God" form but had also managed to strike him. Enel was determined to pay back that humiliation. Since lightning was ineffective, he would have to win through raw skill.
"A stick?" Luffy wondered aloud, but the metal rod was already in front of his face!
"Not good!"
Luffy quickly ducked to dodge, but while he evaded the tip of the rod, the other end was waiting for him...
"GAH!" Luffy was knocked to the ground by the follow-up strike!
Enel immediately flicked his wrist, bringing the rod vertically over Luffy's head. With lightning speed, he thrust it straight down!
BANG!
A violent impact echoed, and thick dust billowed across the training ground. Faintly, the jagged cracks spreading through the ground could be seen...
"Is Luffy really going to be defeated just like that?" Tsuru, watching the battle, finally couldn't help but speak up. As Rowan's great-grandson, Luffy was like a mischievous grandson to her as well.
Rowan, naturally, was not as worried as she was. "That brat isn't so easily taken down, Tsuru-chan."
"Yes, Lord Rowan's great-grandson should be capable. After all, he defeated Moria in the Florian Triangle and returned unscathed," Tsuru added with a hint of admiration. She respected Rowan's strength immensely, and by extension, she was fond of Luffy.
"So everyone already knows! Haha."
Rowan chuckled. It seemed the news of Luffy and Zoro taking down Moria had already spread. Having just returned from Jaya, he hadn't checked the news yet, but from Tsuru's words, the impact was significant.
"Phew... that was close."
Sure enough, Luffy's voice drifted out from the settling dust.
Enel looked down, his brow furrowed in rage. His rod should have pinned Luffy's head to the ground, but... Luffy had literally used his hands to pull his own head to the left by about a palm's distance. His neck was bent into two sharp curves like a flexible water pipe, connecting his head to his shoulders...
This was the unique advantage of the Rubber Fruit.
The perfectly aimed strike had missed, and it was the training ground floor that took the brunt of the impact.
"You!"
Enel lowered his eyes, glaring with pure fury at the lucky Luffy. His eyes looked like they were about to spray fire.
Luffy leaped up, baring his teeth, and stood casually opposite Enel. "One round even, shishishi."
"Dammit!" Enel's heart was consumed by rage. This feeling was even more infuriating than when he had been defeated by Rowan.
"Heavenly Thunder Rod! God's Wrath!"