Luffy and the others were locked in a bitter struggle against the Pacifistas, Sentomaru, and even Bartholomew Kuma.
In the One Piece World, bounties did not fully represent a person's strength. They were merely the World Government's assessment based on the level of threat they posed and what they had done in the past.
Luffy's bounty had soared like a rocket because he had continuously caused major incidents.
But when faced with the Seven Warlords of the Sea and the World Government's combat weapons, Luffy's crew was still outmatched.
Although Luffy had previously defeated Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, he had only succeeded under a series of specific circumstances.
Watching his companions get sent flying again and again, Luffy could not help growing anxious.
"Bastard, I'm your opponent!"
With an angry roar, Luffy activated Gear Second and charged at his opponent with a roar.
Bang!
Luffy was sent flying back at even greater speed. With a deafening crash, he slammed into a treehouse, and falling wood and rubble completely buried him.
"Luffy!" Roronoa Zoro shouted from afar. The instant he turned his head, Pacifista PX-1 struck him in the abdomen. The tremendous force made him feel as though his insides were splitting apart, and the long sword clenched in his teeth immediately fell.
"Don't lose focus, Zoro! These artificial weapons are incredibly strong!" Sanji continuously dodged while cautiously dealing with the Pacifista before him.
"Heh, it looks like the Straw Hat Pirates aren't doing too well."
Elsewhere, Kizaru used his light-based abilities to wage a battle of attrition against Rayleigh while launching a verbal offensive.
Rayleigh's poor-quality long sword was already covered in Armament Haki. While suppressing Kizaru, he glanced in Luffy's direction and smiled. "Don't underestimate these youngsters of the new era. They possess