บท 108: 108. The Instantly Killed Aramaki
As the voice faded, Luffy's leg stretched like a spring, a bunch of lights appeared on his skin, looking like high-temperature steam escaping.
"If the fifth level of light is inside out, this steam is like high-temperature steam leaking out," Bullet thought. He saw how Luffy's blood pumped faster due to his rubbery elasticity, boosting his physical abilities.
Bullet, experienced in combat, grasped the essence of Luffy's condition instantly. But even he was shocked by what he saw. Straw Hat's Gear Fifth was already pushing his body to its limits, yet here he was, trying to push it further. It seemed insane.
The pressure on Luffy was immense, risking bursting his heart. But Bullet admired this madness. "Straw Hat Boy, you're becoming more interesting. Fighting is madness," he exclaimed.
His medium-sized robot, under a purple light, looked almost human, the pinnacle of science fiction. It was now covered in Armament Haki, distorting the air around it with its terrifying aura.
Boom! The robot's movements were like earthquakes as it charged towards Luffy. Luffy, then shifted to second gear with a roar, releasing some pressure.
In a split second, Luffy vanished and reappeared behind Bullet, moving at an incredible speed despite his massive size.
"Jet Pistol!" Luffy's attack was swift and powerful, reminiscent of his battle against Rob Lucci in Enies Lobby. Despite the intense pain, his will to fight remained unyielding. His fist struck Bullet's robot, denting its armour and leaving a sonic boom in its wake.
Speed equals power.
Although Luffy's physical strength hadn't increased much, his attack speed was way faster than his previous form.
With a swift strike, Luffy's blow sent Bullet's hefty robot flying.
"That's it, Straw Hat!" Bullet exclaimed, his purple light restoring the dents in his robot instantly.
With two more steel arms emerging, Bullet resembled an octopus, striking Luffy with six flexible steel arms coated in terrifying Armament Haki.
The strain was evident on Bullet, blood trickling from his nose and mouth as he pushed his body to its limit, combining his abilities and Haki.
As he grew stronger, the strain on his humanoid robot form increased, much like Luffy's own burden in his powered-up state.
"Six-Cannon Barrage!" Bullet bellowed as his arms, enveloped in Armament and Conqueror's Haki, pummeled Luffy, tearing through the air.
"Gomu Gomu no Jet Gatling!" Luffy countered with a barrage of punches, reminiscent of his final blows in Enies Lobby, each fist wrapped in Haki and blazing with high-temperature flame.
Boom boom boom! Shockwaves echoed across the sky, dark clouds gathering, lightning crackling, and winds howling as the sea churned violently.
Sanji, forced to descend from the sky, marvelled at the destructive power of their clash while Marco watched in awe at the courage and ferocity displayed by both combatants.
The air crackled with their intense clash, lightning ripping through the battlefield, each blow threatening to tear reality asunder.
Despite the wounds and strain, both Bullet and Luffy continued to fight with unyielding determination, pushing themselves to their limits.
As they neared their breaking point, it became clear that if no one intervened, the outcome would be catastrophic.
The situation grew more dire as both combatants faced imminent danger to their lives, drawing the attention of onlookers.
Sanji and Usopp, with their strong Observation Haki, noticed a Marine warship approaching, accompanied by several powerful auras.
"Please proceed, Mr. Aramaki," the relaxed Aramaki, smoking a cigarette, addressed Aramaki with a carefree smile.
Kizaru couldn't help but caution, "Are you sure about this, Aramaki? It's wise to reconsider."
Despite his dissatisfaction with Aramaki's attitude, he hesitated to intervene directly, motioning for Aramaki to handle the situation.
Aramaki, unsheathing his sword, unleashed a powerful gravitational attack towards Aramaki.
"Gravity Blade, Raging Tiger!" The purple gravitational force surged towards Aramaki, who seemed undeterred.
Seeing the imminent danger, Sanji foresaw a brief future, but the Aramaki's swift arrival caught them off guard.
With a commanding voice and a massive tree, Aramaki emerged and headed straight for Luffy and Bullet, intending to claim their heads.
Amidst their intense battle, Luffy and Bullet were furious at the interruption, directing their anger towards the newcomer.
Their combined attacks, Medium Bullet's Ultimate Cannon and Luffy's Gommu Gommu no, Jet Bazooka, aimed at Aramaki with overwhelming force.
Realizing the imminent threat, Aramaki's panic was evident, cold sweat beading on his face as he faced the onslaught.
Boom! The combined shockwave surged upwards, narrowly missing Wano's surface, leaving onlookers relieved that the island was spared from destruction.
As the dust settled, the massive tree vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
"What in the world was that?" Luffy gasped, blood soaking his body as he struggled to catch his breath. His colossal form began to shrink rapidly, unable to sustain the strain any longer.
"I have no clue. It vanished in a flash, too weak," Bullet wheezed, his body also battered and bloodied. With laboured breaths, the massive medium-sized Bullet crumbled apart, its steel armour melted, and most of its mechanical arms broken.
Exhausted and at their limits, both Luffy and Bullet locked eyes, knowing their battle wasn't over yet despite the sudden interference.
"That interloper needs dealing with," Crocodile remarked, his expression dark as he conjured a sandstorm to deflect a laser aimed at Kizaru. The blast missed Kizaru, but the shockwave was still felt.
"Even after being defeated by the Straw Hat Pirates and imprisoned in Impel Down, you side with them? Strange move," Kizaru quipped, standing on the warship.
"My grievances with them are my own. It's none of the Marines' business," Crocodile retorted, unfazed by Kizaru's taunt.
Crocodile was a complex character, known for his schemes and ruthlessness, yet he held onto old-school pirate principles, refusing to let Marines dictate terms.
"Crocodile, you're a piece of work," Usopp muttered, surprised by the former Warlord's unexpected stance.
"I may be a bastard, but I have my principles," Crocodile replied, his gaze meeting Marco's as the Phoenix approached.
"Don't misunderstand. I'm not fighting for you, Straw Hat Pirates. I just despise the Marines," Crocodile stated proudly, earning a nod of respect from Marco.
"Enough of this talk. Ace, take Zoro and the others. We'll handle the Marines," Marco declared, spreading his wings.
Kizaru sighed at the turn of events. "Troublesome indeed. I didn't plan on fighting."
Yet, they couldn't abandon Aramaki. Rescuing him was imperative, even if it meant facing embarrassment over his recruitment in the midst of battle.
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