Aramaki's face practically overflowed with irritation as he stared at Luffy, who had forcibly stopped him with a kick and now stood opposite him, grinning.
He raised a hand to rub his slightly disheveled dark green curls, his gaze turning unreadable behind his sunglasses.
He spat out the cigarette clenched between his lips.
"Hey, hey, Straw Hat Boy," Aramaki said, his voice bristling with offended anger.
"Just because you've taken that so-called 'Four Emperors' seat doesn't mean you get to let it go to your head!"
"Act that cocky, and you're going to pay for it."
As he spoke, Aramaki flexed the arm that had gone somewhat numb from blocking Luffy's Heavy Strike.
"Sure, my position's a little special now, since I joined the Holy Knights..."
"But no matter how you look at it, I'm still a bona fide... former Marine Admiral, you bastard!!!"
He put heavy emphasis on "former Admiral," as though that title remained absolute proof of his strength and standing.
"Admiral?" Standing atop the rubble, Luffy curled his lips into an undisguised, cold smile at the word.
There was no contempt in that smile. It was more like a calm declaration from someone who had crossed an immense gulf in strength.
"Sorry, old man Moss Head." Luffy rolled his wrists, fighting spirit rising around him.
"But compared to two years ago... I'm countless times stronger now!"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means..." Luffy's gaze sharpened.
"An Admiral... isn't all that!"
The instant those words fell, Luffy took a deep breath instead of entering the stamina-draining Gear Fifth. His skin abruptly reddened, and scorching steam erupted from his entire body!
Gear Fourth: Snakeman Form!
His build became leaner and more streamlined, like a nimble snake poised to strike.
Without the slightest warning, his right arm stretched sharply