The explosives in Smash detonated on contact, kicking up a cloud of dust that obscured everything around it! The blast was powerful enough to tear a Sea King apart. Rob Lucci was certain Zoro could not have survived.
He did not care how many pieces Zoro had been blown into. He turned his gaze toward Nami and the others.
Then—
Thud!
"Gah!"
A fist suddenly shot out of the smoke and slammed into Rob Lucci's stomach! It carried rage at what he had done and fear for a friend. Even Lucci, whose Doriki Value had surpassed his original counterpart's and reached 5,000, could not help coughing up a great mouthful of blood!
"Was that Haki?!"
Lucci watched the owner of the fist emerge from the dust in disbelief. The muscles in his face twitched as he teetered between madness and reason.
Why?
I paid such a terrible price for this power. I underwent dangerous modifications and was locked up to kill or be killed like an animal in the Beast Arena!
And I still can't keep up with some kid who hasn't even been at sea for a year!
Why?
Luffy had few visible wounds. During the explosion, Sanji had shielded him with his body, and the blast had sent them both flying.
As a Rubber Man, Luffy had taken only the shock of the blast and was naturally unharmed. But Sanji had taken the Laser explosion almost head-on, leaving his entire back a bloody mess!
Luffy stared hard at Rob Lucci, took the Straw Hat from around his neck, and tossed it away. Then he wrapped an arm around Zoro and threw him over as well.
Nami caught the Straw Hat, while Chopper swallowed a Rumble Ball, took his human form, and caught Zoro.
"Luffy..."
"Chopper, Sanji's hurt. I