Joining Forces to Capture Him: Punch of Clarity

"Haha, guys, look who's here!"

Franky, carrying Robin, had just quietly rescued her from the underground passage and jumped onto the Justice Tower, which was being torn apart by white 'vines'. Then what came into view was:

"Waaaaah~~ Everyone~~~"

Chopper, who was crying as he treated the others, and a row of seriously injured people on the ground.

"Hey, hey, hey, we're not dead yet, what are you crying about!"

Sanji lay there smoking while comforting Chopper.

"I... I can't go on... I see my mom waving at me..."

The Sniper King, groaning listlessly.

"That guy Roman."

Zoro chest was wrapped in bandages, clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Reliable as a comrade, but as an opponent... well, let's just say terrifying."

Although he didn't look scared at all.

"Young man, what's going on here...?"

Franky put down Robin, looking at the wounded men scattered around him with a puzzled expression. "This can't be," he thought. "These guys (Franky, 34 years old) are all quite strong. They were mostly on top against the CP9 members before. How come they're all lying down after I went to rescue someone?"

"It's Roman,"

Nami, standing next to him, rubbed her temples and offered a helpless explanation.

"In order to learn 'Life Return,' he drank something called 'Cell Will Awakening Potion.' And the result—"

Not only did he learn it instantly, he "knew" Guotou! He instantly transformed into a boss and utterly defeated the Straw Hat crew. Now:

"Luffy was only able to fight him thanks to his Luffy Second Gear, but..."

Second Gear consumes a tremendous amount of energy, while Roman clearly maintains his "storm-infused" state without any strain. Continuing this stalemate could be disastrous; if the Straw Hat crew were wiped out by their own side, wouldn't that be a laughingstock?

"Never mind, I'll help Robin unlock her handcuffs first."

Don't forget that Nami's profession before joining the crew was 'thief'. As she used a piece of white paper to turn into a key and unlock Robin's Seastone handcuffs, the group of people were speechless as they watched the battlefield next to them, which was filled with explosions and roars, but could only see two intertwined figures.

In this high-speed battle, they couldn't even intervene, could they? Nami gritted her teeth.

"I have a plan."

"Hahaha······"

"Second Gear?... That's all there is to it!"

Second Gear grants Luffy speed far exceeding his normal abilities, and speed itself generates power! Once in Second Gear mode, Luffy's strength instantly leaps to a new level. However—

"Gomu Gomu no Jet Gatling!"

As Luffy his fist, countless 'air' particles rained down like cannonballs! His speed far exceeded the limits of the naked eye; only Observation Haki could detect it. Alternatively:

"Life... Returned"

"Kami-e... Martial Arts!"

As Roman used this move, he instantly turned into a paper doll! He simply turned slightly to the side and disappeared from Luffy's sight, because from Luffy's perspective, there was only an imperceptible line in the air.

The countless fists landed squarely on empty ground.

"Kami-e... Demon Blade!"

Roman, still in his 'paper doll' form, swung his arm at Luffy! His arm, imbued with Armament Haki, was as sharp as any Great Grade Swords, instantly drawing a string of blood beads from Luffy's chest! This was the result of Luffy's high-speed dodge while in Second Gear.

"Tsk, that 'Roman' guy..."

When he attacked, his opponent dodged every time, and when the opponent slashed at him, he would bleed profusely. This kind of Luffy frustrated Luffy greatly, and as his stamina rapidly depleted, Roman on his opponent's side remained full of energy.

When did Roman's kidney deficiency start to last so long?

Fortunately, Roman didn't know what Luffy was thinking, otherwise he would have gone berserk again on the spot!

"Luffy! The four of us are here to help you—"

As Nami raised four fingers and waved her hand, Franky next to her turned his left hand to reveal a machine gun under his wrist.

"Weapon in left hand - spray mode!"

Da da da da!

?

A volley of bullets swept across the battlefield. Although they couldn't keep up with the two's speed, Franky, having exchanged information, wasn't afraid of friendly fire. Because Luffy, being Rubber Human, was completely immune to such attacks!

Roman shouldn't have been afraid of this kind of attack, but his current fighting style is completely different from his normal Roman. If the normal Roman leans towards the use and control of his "Super Creation," then the current Roman leans towards close combat and fighting using his "superpowers." He relies on dodging attacks and no longer has the habit of using his paper helmet to withstand attacks.

Simply put, Roman is usually a high-defense summoner, but now Roman's a high-speed, high-evasion assassin!

"···court death····"

In a flash, Roman swerved, abandoning Luffy Franky, intending to deal with this annoying guy first! However, this would allow his trajectory to be predicted. In other words:

"Ultimate Kill - Gunpowder Stars!"

??

A barrage of incoming ammunition enveloped the path of 'Roman's' attack, prompting him to impatiently wave his hand away.

"Kūshō".

Call!

The gigantic air hand intercepted the incoming projectiles and then violently pushed them back! A deafening explosion enveloped the Vice Admiral Sniper King, accompanied by a scream.

"Strong Right—"

This casual strike didn't even take 'Roman' 0.1 seconds; he had already swiftly advanced to Franky's side! The instant the other raised his right hand, 'Roman's' palm was pressed against Franky's chest.

Cyborgs made of metal? Then—

"Tremor Palm!"

This time, 'Roman's' attack wasn't a simple impact, but a strange high-frequency oscillation transmitted inward through Franky's modified mechanical body. These tens of thousands of subtle impacts, though not intense, were able to bypass the opponent's metal body and damage its weak points. After all, Franky was only a half-cyborg.

Puff!

A mouthful of blood mixed with cola spurted from his mouth, Franky's tall body swayed and fell backward, clearly severely injured. However, there was no trace of dejection on his face, but rather a smile.

"Super success!"

?

Electromagnetic Interference!

As Franky fell, Nami was revealed behind him. Without hesitation, she activated the book in her hand, and the coils of metal wires on the ground immediately electrified, sparks flying! Enveloping the area where Franky and 'Roman' were in a chaotic electromagnetic storm.

The attack wasn't strong, it couldn't even be considered an 'attack'. But Roman was in the middle of it, changed his expression! Because the electromagnetic fluctuations around him instantly interfered with his 'lightning enhancement' state, causing Roman was truly 'speeding Wind-Driven Lightning, ' to suddenly stop.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Roman."

"Thirty Petal Blooms - entwined!"

Arms sprouted out of thin air from Roman's body. Nico Robin's Flower-Flower Fruit requires a target to be locked onto before it can be used. Previously, it was impossible to use it when she couldn't even distinguish between Roman and Luffy.

"····woman--?!"

Roman, whose expression changed drastically, no longer cared about the arms on his body, because once he entered the "paper doll" mode, joint locks could not harm him, but another attack that could threaten him was already poised to strike!

Third Gear!

The series of attacks and defenses that just happened, while dazzlingly fast for an ordinary person, should have been over by now for Gear Second Gear Luffy. The reason he hadn't caught up was, of course:

"Rubber Giant Gun!"

Boom--

A fist as large as a house, accompanied by rolling thunder, came crashing down! Roman, whose buffs had been broken by Nami and who was now entangled by Robin's arms, was unable to dodge and could only grit his teeth and cross his arms in front of him to block. Then:

"Tekkai!"

"Armament Haki Hardening!"

Two defensive skills were unleashed in quick succession, and the massive fist slammed into 'Roman'! The entire battlefield suddenly shook, and a long, deep trench was carved into the ground by a tremendous force. At the end of that trench stood Roman, his arms crossed in defense!

The 'ground' beneath his feet rippled backward in a wave-like pattern, and large swathes of buildings and paper twisted and deformed in the air. Concrete, bricks, and paper were all thrown backward by this force, thus releasing the enormous impact.

"It... it was blocked?"

Roman lowered his trembling arms, and a look of wild joy gradually appeared on his still-shaken face!

Hahahaha!!!

After Luffy unleashed that punch, he was already panting heavily and lacked the stamina to immediately pursue. Sure enough:

"I am invincible—"

Click,

?

In an instant, a feeling of utter exhaustion washed over 'Roman,' who hadn't even finished his invincible lines, causing him to lower his head in disbelief.

On the ground nearby, a long, charred nose lay sprawled.

"Usopp?!"

Oh, I see. This is the four o'clock position...

However, 'Roman' reacted too late, because a handcuff was fastened to his ankle.

Robin's Seastone handcuffs!

"I·····"

Brush,

Before Roman could even come up with a witty remark, Luffy was already charging towards him. This speed, which would normally be considered a jog, was now...

Roman, who was bound by Seastone, had only turned halfway when Luffy suddenly pounced on his back, his hands and feet quickly wrapping around Roman's limbs.

"Rubber - Solidified Whole Body!"

Thud!

With his feet secured by Seastone and his limbs entangled by Luffy, he was thrown to the ground. Even the instinctive 'Roman' sensed impending doom.

"Let... let me go!!"

"Hehehe,"

Luffy was wrapped around Roman from behind, laughed heartily.

"I told you, I'm going to beat you until you come to your senses."

?

"... What are you going to use to beat me up—"

"Of course, they're partners!"

??

"Hehehe~~~" X7

Facing the Straw Hat crew members surrounding him, 'Roman's' lips twitched as he managed to utter a single sentence.

"You... don't have any pirate ethics..."

"Hehehe, you're my partner. I don't need to talk to you about morality—"

???

"Let's all charge in together!"

Ping ping bang bang!

"You... you've all brought this upon yourselves..."

Punching and kicking!

"Help! Someone! Help! Help!"

Crackling sounds!

"Don't hit me in the face..."