One-on-One

"It hurts so much..."

From within the thick fog came Luffy's groan.

"No! Luffy is made of rubber, lightning shouldn't have any effect on him! Just like Enel did before..."

Nami noticed something was wrong.

She vaguely remembered that two and a half years ago, Luffy fought against that "Thor," and the opponent's lightning should have had no effect on him.

It shouldn't be like this, being bombarded down from above.

"We cannot look at Cifer's abilities with ordinary eyes. His attacks may seem like thunder, but their essence may not be."

Compared to them, Jinbe had spent more time with the people of Las Noches and naturally understood them better.

And it is precisely because of this that the more we learn about them, the clearer we become of their power.

Jinbe did not stop the fight because the two sides were friends, and it was just a challenge, not a life-or-death struggle.

"Gomu Gomu Rhino Grenade Launcher!"

The smoke and dust were instantly dispersed, and Luffy, covered in Luffy, leaped into the sky at an unprecedented speed, then kicked his feet toward Cifer's head.

"Too slow."

Cifer simply turned slightly to the side and easily dodged his rapidly shooting feet.

At the same time, he reached out and grabbed Luffy's calf, which was about to retract.

"Oops..."

Just as the latter was about to resist, he was Cifer through the air and spun around before being slammed heavily onto a stone pillar.

The powerful impact shattered the entire stone pillar, and then Cifer released it, flinging it away into the ruins.

"Luffy!"

Ace couldn't help but feel a little worried at this moment.

Although he knew that Cifer wouldn't kill Luffy, he still felt bad seeing his younger brother beaten up like this.

"Consider it Luffy's trial. If he wants to become the Pirate King, he must overcome the great mountain that is the Western Emperor."

Jinbe patted him on the shoulder to comfort him.

Even if their captain doesn't have the necessary skills, it won't be of any use if they find Road Poneglyph.

"Enter the Western Palace - Snake Man!"

Luffy burst out of the ruins, now in a different form, his original thin body back to normal.

His entire body was shrouded in smoke, and his eyes were as sharp as a cobra's as he stared at Cifer.

"Cifer, get ready! I'll be even faster than before!"

As soon as Luffy finished speaking, his body, like a compressed spring that had been released from its restraints, instantly appeared in front of Cifer.

"It seems to be just a tiny bit closer."

Cifer strolled around casually, blocking all of his attacks with just one hand.

"Not enough... I can go even faster!"

Luffy's attacks grew increasingly fierce, yet he still couldn't break through Cifer's defenses.

"Gomu Gomu King Cobra!"

After being knocked away again, he adjusted his position in mid-air, his arm extending rapidly like a bullet, and his fist, wrapped in Armament Haki, charged at Cifer.

The cyclone coiled around his right arm, briefly transforming into a snake-like shape, seemingly about to hunt him down.

"I know what you're trying to do."

As Cifer slightly tilted his head, the king cobra slithered past his face. Although it looked like it missed by a hair's breadth, the distance was far greater than he had imagined.

"Smack!"

Cifer reached out and caught Luffy's fist, which extended outwards and then circled back after accelerating continuously.

"It is indeed a bit faster than before, but the power is also much less."

Cifer pulled hard, his arm constantly retracting, but Cifer was completely wrapped in the air like a rope by Luffy, and then suddenly slammed down.

The already dilapidated ground collapsed violently once more, embedding Luffy deep into the rubble.

"Luffy!"

A group of people surrounded him and frantically dug him out of the sand and gravel.

At this moment, his body was covered with all sorts of abrasions, and even two of his front teeth had been knocked out by the impact.

"Luffy, let's just forget about it!"

Even knowing that his younger brother would never listen to him, Ace couldn't help but try to persuade him.

"No! I can still fight!"

Luffy took a few deep breaths, wiped the blood from his nose, looked at Cifer who was slowly descending to the ground, pushed aside the people around him and walked out, his eyes full of fighting spirit.

"Whether it's speed or strength, you and I are not in the same league. How do you expect to beat me?"

In his battles against him, Cifer never even drew his Banlong.

Use this!

Luffy glared angrily, bit his right arm, and blew air into it.

In the blink of an eye, it transformed back into its Bounce-Man form, and its arms, covered in Armament Haki, continued to expand.

Are you an idiot?!

Seeing this, Ace even wanted to punch two big bumps in his head. In the battlefield, who would give the enemy time to prepare for an attack?

"I'm giving you this chance."

To everyone's surprise, Cifer gave him this opportunity.

"Fr~"

Luffy remained silent, only blowing air into his arm, which was now larger than his entire body.

Not enough...

In his mind, he recalled the scene he had just witnessed: the battle between Cifer and Kaido, and the Conqueror's Haki that spread wildly as if it had become tangible.

If I could use it like that, maybe I'd have a chance.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Cifer!"

After blowing for an unknown amount of time, the enormous fist finally finished gathering its power.

"I don't mind waiting a long time, I'm just afraid you'll be disappointed."

"Gomu Gomu - King Kong Gun!"

Luffy forward and charged out across the flat ground as if flying, his fist crackling with wisps of black and red lightning.

"Should I call you a genius? If so, I can't afford to be too careless."

Seeing how easily he had mastered Conqueror's Haki Entanglement, it was hard to tell whether Cifer's words were praise or mockery.

However, given his ability to unleash Conqueror's Haki, this attack was indeed enough to injure him, and it was worth taking it a little seriously.

"Cero".

Seeing the attack looming before him, Cifer extended his index finger.

A dark green, almost black, flash of light burst forth from the fingertips, colliding with the fist wreathed in Conqueror's Haki.

"Ah!!!"

Luffy kept roaring, as if doing so would add even more power to his punches.

"Luffy!!!"

The Straw Hat Pirates crew cheered, hoping he would win this match, but unfortunately, Cifer did not grant their wish.

"How is that possible..."

After a brief stalemate, Luffy's King Kong Gun was defeated by Cero.

Luffy himself was also severely injured by the residual force and flew backward, collapsing to the ground unconscious with his eyes rolled back.

"You really show no mercy, Cifer!"

Ace immediately transformed into flames and rushed to his brother's side. After confirming that he was still alive, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"If things are already hopeless, the outcome of this battle is already clear: it's your captain's turn..."

"Bang bang bang bang~"

Just as Lucci was about to announce the winner, he was suddenly interrupted by a strange drumbeat.

"Luffy?!"

Ace heard it clearly; it was the sound of his younger brother's chest vibrating beside him!

Hehe~ Hahaha~