The Tolling Death Knell!

"Beckman!!!"

Beckman's body collapsed onto Sanji. Only then did Luffy look in Sanji's direction, letting out a heart-rending roar.

There were not many elders in this world whom Luffy respected. Among the entire crew of the Red-Haired Pirates, aside from Shanks, with whom he was closest, Beckman—the calm and steady first mate—was Luffy's favorite.

The feelings those two had given Luffy during his childhood were entirely different. Shanks' optimism and free-spirited nature had influenced Luffy's growth, while Beckman's rationality and sternness had also left their own subtle mark on Luffy's character.

Before the Nika Fruit awakened, Luffy had not been purely foolish and simple-minded. On the contrary, whenever he and his crew encountered danger at sea, Luffy often displayed a calm and composed side.

But ever since the Nika Fruit awakened and Luffy gained immense power, his personality had changed without him even realizing it.

His willful, unrestrained side had been infinitely magnified, but the core of Luffy's character had not been completely changed by the Devil Fruit. Seeing Beckman's heart pierced through by Tsugikuni Yoriichi, rage rushed straight to his head as his eyes searched everywhere for Yoriichi.

"Anger has suppressed the Devil Fruit's influence. Has his own will taken control again?!"

Just as Luffy was searching for Tsugikuni Yoriichi, Yoriichi's voice suddenly sounded beside his ear. Startled, Luffy rolled sideways and hurriedly moved away, but his reaction was ultimately half a beat too slow. Yoriichi's blade had already swept across his back, leaving behind a shallow cut.

His white, flame-like vest was sliced apart by Yoriichi's long blade, exposing the wound beneath as threads of blood seeped out.

But in the blink of an eye, the white flames surrounding Luffy covered the wound and instantly healed the cut on his back.

After awakening the Mythical Zoan Nika Fruit,