Deep within Mount Colubo.
The dense forest was deathly silent, the air so heavy it felt like it was pressing against their chests.
The three little ones were completely suppressed by that overwhelming presence, as if an invisible giant hand had pinned them down.
Luffy trembled all over, his teeth chattering.
His entire body curled into a ball.
Ace gritted his teeth, his eyes turning fierce as he suddenly reached out and yanked Luffy!
"Luffy!"
He kept his voice extremely low.
"Aren't you a rubber man?!"
"What are you afraid of? Go tell Gramps that Uncle Rock—"
Before he could finish, Luffy froze, as though he had suddenly been enlightened.
The next second—
"That's right!"
He abruptly raised his head, his eyes lighting up at once!
"I'm a rubber man now!"
"Gramps shouldn't be able to hurt me anymore!"
His confidence swiftly returned, even beginning to swell.
Ace and Sabo both fell silent, left with only one thought—this was bad!
But before they could stop him, Luffy sprang to his feet!
He planted his hands on his hips!
He puffed out his chest!
And faced Garp head-on!
"Gramps—!!!"
His voice was loud, filled with the courage he had just regained!
Garp paused slightly.
His Observation Haki had been searching the entire time, yet he had found no trace of Rock's presence, which had already put him in a foul mood.
Luffy's shout finally brought him back to his senses. He said impatiently, "Brat, what do you want?"
Luffy drew a deep breath, then loudly announced,
"Uncle Rock went out!"
"And—!"
He flashed a broad grin, revealing a row of white teeth.
"I got stronger!"
"I'm not afraid of you anymore—!!!"
The air instantly froze, and Ace and Sabo both stared blankly.
The next second.
"Idiot—!!!"
Ace's expression immediately shattered!
"I