Vergo turned around, stunned. He was certain he had broken both of Sanji's legs, yet Sanji stood there lighting a cigarette as though nothing had happened.
He frowned. Something about Sanji seemed different, but he couldn't tell what had changed.
Sanji said in a low voice, "I used to fear this change. But now I've realized there's nothing frightening about it. I can proudly tell everyone that I'm still me—just a firework of a different color!"
Sanji launched himself forward with Soru and appeared in front of Vergo, sweeping a kick toward his head.
Vergo swung Demon Bamboo, intending to break Sanji's leg again. But to his shock, Sanji took the blow without budging.
Vergo gritted his teeth and thrust Demon Bamboo forward again and again like a sword. Sanji guarded his head with both arms and took more than a dozen strikes.
"How is that possible?"
As Vergo's barrage faltered, Sanji's right leg burst into flames. His First Meat Kick struck Vergo in the face. Even though Vergo had coated his entire body in Armament Haki, the kick shattered his sunglasses.
Vergo flew backward, then quickly got to his feet.
"What are you? Your Haki hasn't grown stronger, but your muscles and bones have changed beyond belief."
Sanji said slowly, "My Haki is still far weaker than yours. But my body has helped close the gap!"
Rubick said, "Sanji, we're out of time."
"Got it!" Sanji replied.
Sanji vanished from Area A. Vergo searched frantically with Observation Haki but still couldn't find him. He immediately fixed his eyes on Rubick. Rubick had been stronger than him to begin with, and now that Vergo was badly wounded, he would have no chance of surviving if Rubick attacked.
Just then, an astonishing heat descended from the sky. Vergo looked up in