The gap.
Those two words loomed in Luffy's mind like two invisible mountains.
Though he still held the pose of throwing a punch, his body was trembling violently beyond his control.
The immense strain brought by Second Gear had turned his skin scorching hot, like red-hot iron, while his muscle fibers wailed under the unbearable burden.
Yet none of that compared to the coldness and helplessness in his heart.
The speed he had always been proud of seemed like slow motion before his opponent.
The heavy punch he had thrown with all his strength had been casually caught between two fingers.
He could not even resist the opponent's terrifying Conqueror's Haki at all.
This feeling was even more... despairing than being kicked away by Kizaru at the Sabaody Archipelago, or helplessly watching his companions get hunted by Pacifistas on Sabaody.
Because this time, he did not even have the right to touch his enemy.
"Puh."
Blood spilled from the corner of Luffy's mouth, dripping onto the cracked earth.
The light in his eyes was rapidly fading.
"Giving up?"
Chen Ye's calm voice rang out. It carried not the slightest ripple of emotion, yet it stabbed into Luffy's pride like the sharpest blade.
"If this is the extent of your resolve, then you've truly disappointed me, kid."
"How can someone like you talk about protecting your companions?"
"Companions..."
The word "companions" struck like a thunderclap, exploding through Luffy's crumbling mental world!
The boy's pupils abruptly constricted.
The dimness in his eyes, on a face covered in blood and sweat, was ignited once more!
No!
I can't give up!
Everyone is still waiting for me!
My companions are waiting for me somewhere in this world too!
If I fall here, if I can't even surpass the man before me, how can I