Thump, thump, thump—
Suddenly, a rapid drumbeat filled with strange joy rang out across the skies above the Sabaody Archipelago.
The drums seemed to come from another dimension, piercing through the smoke and heat waves and pounding deep within everyone's soul.
"Impossible..."
Beads of sweat dripped from Shamrock's forehead as he whipped around, his face instantly filled with incredulous shock.
Luffy, who had supposedly "died," was somehow already back on his feet.
Most horrifying of all, his snow-white, flame-like hair fluttered in the wind. Every wound on his body had vanished, and a ring of white cloud-like sashes drifted around him, giving him an aura of holiness and freedom.
"The Sun God... Nika!"
Shamrock ground out the name through clenched teeth, his hand trembling slightly around his sword hilt.
"It was clearly a Paramecia, yet it has developed Zoan traits. It doesn't matter. You won't escape death anyway."
Sakazuki remained unmoved, his face as cold as ever as he continued forward step by step.
"This sinful bloodline will be executed by my own hand."
"Hahahaha! I'm not the same as before!"
Luffy let out a bright, cheerful laugh.
He gently pushed aside Ace, who was still frozen in place.
He casually stretched out his arm.
Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki Coating wrapped around his fist at the same time. Black-red arcs of lightning raced between his fingers, filling the air with crackling explosions.
[White Pistol]!
Bang!
Akainu's prideful Haki Armor shattered like paper before that punch.
He violently coughed up a mouthful of blood, his chest caving deeply inward while a huge bulge protruded from his back, as though part of his body had been turned to rubber.
He flew backward like a kite with its string cut, crashing heavily into a distant stone wall and leaving behind a massive