Amid the ruins.
Luffy got back to his feet.
Pizarro tilted his head.
"Coming again?"
Luffy did not answer.
He spread his feet apart, braced his right fist against the ground, and bent his knees slightly.
The next second.
His calves began pumping rapidly, his blood accelerating wildly through his body as wisps of white steam rose from his skin.
"Entering—"
"Gear Second."
Boom!
The rubble beneath his feet exploded, and Luffy vanished from where he stood.
Pizarro's beastly pupils narrowed slightly.
"Hmm?"
Bang—!
A fist wrapped in Armament Haki suddenly slammed into his chest.
"Gum-Gum Jet Pistol!"
For the first time, Pizarro's massive body truly took a step back.
But before he could steady himself, Luffy had already flashed to his side.
"Jet Whip!"
His pitch-black right leg swept across.
Bang!
Pizarro raised an arm to block it.
The next instant, Luffy's fists drew back sharply.
"Gum-Gum Jet Twin Pistols!"
Boom! Boom!
Fist shadows burst forth in succession. His arms moved so fast they were nearly impossible to see, forcing Pizarro back several steps.
Nami's eyes lit up.
"It's working!"
Chopper could not help poking his head out as well.
"Luffy's gotten so much faster!"
Within the dust.
Pizarro glanced down at his chest, then suddenly smiled.
"Interesting."
Crack.
Crack, crack!
The sound of bones cracking rang out one after another.
His already massive body grew taller again, brownish fur rapidly sprouting from beneath his skin.
A thick lion's mane burst wildly from around his neck, while his hands transformed into enormous beast claws.
A powerful lion's tail swung out behind him, heavily sweeping across the rubble-strewn ground.
His face gradually became more ferocious, with only the pair of white horns atop his head remaining conspicuous.
Cat-Cat Fruit, Ancient Zoan, Brutal Lion Form—Human-Beast Form!
Pizarro lowered his head, his