The Value of Garbage

Bang... rumble!!

At the exact moment the call was disconnected, an explosion suddenly erupted from the villa. Amid the roaring flames, an agile, monkey-like figure stretched out an arm, grabbed a protruding rock, and pulled himself out of the heart of the blaze.

Splash!

The torrents of water cascading from above surged past, and the spectacular sight of water and fire intertwining instantly filled the valley.

"That's... Straw Hat and Koby. So they really started fighting."

Ron grinned as he looked toward the villa.

"I have no intention of criticizing your way of life, but the existence of pirates is meaningless! Since this power has fallen into my hands, I will make it a companion of justice, Luffy!"

Whoosh!

As his words fell, a nimble figure shot up from the explosion. Borrowing the force of the fiery blast, Koby's speed was terrifying.

"Geppo!"

"Then... focus your will and pour the power of the flames into your fist... Don't think about controlling the Fruit Ability. Instead, merge it into yourself. I am fire, and fire is me..."

Launching himself beside Luffy, Koby's closed eyes snapped open as he roared.

"Extreme Martial Fist: Crimson Lotus Armor Piercer!"

The bursting firelight painted the world crimson. Flames gathered continuously around Koby's arm, like a blooming crimson lotus of hellfire.

"What kind of joke is this?!"

Luffy landed nimbly, pulling both arms back. "Ace's power isn't for you to use like this!"

Gear Third!

Armament Haki: Hardening!

His arms swelled like balloons. Since the air had been pumped into his bones, their violently expanded size did not make them seem fragile. Instead, they radiated crushing force.

A thick layer of Armament Haki wrapped around his hands, making them resemble two enormous steel cannonballs. Their power was obvious at a glance.

"The meaning of pirates, the