Chopper was scared unconscious just like that, leaving Maud completely baffled.
Even if Maud's appearance had been far too sudden, Chopper's mental fortitude was just too pathetic.
Maud had no idea what kind of terrifying image he had created for Chopper all the way from Alabasta onward, so naturally, he could not understand how Chopper felt.
"Chopper..."
Seeing Chopper collapse, Luffy thought Maud had done something. His eyes narrowed, and he suddenly moved.
Without even looking, he threw a punch toward his side.
But just as his arm extended, it abruptly stiffened and could move no farther.
"What's going on... Why can't my body move...?"
Luffy froze.
No matter how hard he exerted himself, his body was as immobile as if he had been struck by a paralysis spell.
"Your shadow has been 'stepped on' by me. Do you know what that means?"
Maud calmly watched Luffy maintain his punching stance and said indifferently, "It means that as long as I wish, I can make you fall and stay down at any time."
As he spoke, while Luffy struggled until the veins on his forehead bulged, Maud reached out and hooked an arm around Luffy's shoulder.
"I heard from Sunny that Sabo chose to stay on the island and help train you all. But from the looks of things, setting everything else aside, your Observation Haki hasn't improved in the slightest."
"Damn it..."
Luffy frantically drove his strength, but his body showed no response and remained completely immobile.
"If only I could use Gear Fourth..."
Luffy shouted inwardly.
Maud looked at Luffy's face, which was filled with unwillingness.
Although he had restrained Luffy through his shadow, every struggle Luffy made was faithfully transmitted to Maud.
Strictly speaking, given the difference in strength between them, the shadow's restraining effect was not