While Werther fought Luffy, several figures had already appeared on a distant rooftop.
They were Doffy, Sugar, and others. But there was someone else besides the Donquixote Family: Golden Lion.
Golden Lion floated in midair with a Top-Grade Cigar between his teeth.
"That kid's strong. Even at my peak, I wouldn't have been much stronger than him."
Golden Lion wasn't boasting. At his peak, he had been fierce enough to go head-to-head with Roger and Whitebeard. And that Whitebeard was nothing like the one at the Summit War. He had been in his prime.
Werther's slashes came faster and faster. At first, Luffy could still dodge now and then, but before long, he was completely on the defensive.
Dense waves of Sword Aura soon formed a net of blades that nearly enclosed Luffy.
Blood sprayed as Luffy kept retreating.
He left broad streaks of blood wherever he went. Even in Gear Fourth, all he could do under Werther's overwhelming strength was hold on.
Werther used no lightning-based moves against Luffy.
Rubber was an insulator. Lightning could still hurt Luffy, but it would do little good.
Slash.
Werther's sword cut into Luffy's shoulder. He had aimed for Luffy's throat, but Luffy sprang aside at the last moment, leaving only his shoulder wounded.
Boom. A powerful blast of air erupted beneath Luffy's feet, and he seized the chance to put some distance between himself and Werther.
On a distant rooftop.
"Straw Hat's about to lose. Four minutes have passed. He'll be dead before five, though I'll admit he's pretty strong."
Doffy crouched on the rooftop, surprise showing in his eyes behind his Sunglasses.
"Young Master, Werther isn't going all out. He's most terrifying when his hair turns white."
Sugar spent a lot of time with Werther and knew his fighting style well.