The astonishing sight left everyone, who had still been immersed in the cheerful atmosphere, utterly dumbfounded. Their gazes converged on Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
Jūshirō Ukitake said in utter astonishment, "That brat actually made the head captain take him this seriously!"
At that moment, Luffy's expression grew slightly more serious as well.
Although his signature smile remained on his face, he was no longer as wildly unrestrained as before.
This was a principle his father had once taught him-he had to respect opponents he acknowledged!
Watching the surrounding air warp from the intense heat, Luffy rolled his neck and remarked, "You really are strong, old man! Just as I thought, my instincts weren't wrong. You're definitely one of the strongest people in this group."
A furious shout rang out: "Zanka no Tachi, East: Kyokujitsujin!"
With this technique, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto concentrated all the heat of Ryūjin Jakka's flames into the tip of his blade. It neither burned nor released explosive flames; it simply erased everything it touched without a trace.
Then Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto abruptly stepped forward, his masterful Shunpo carrying him before Luffy in an instant.
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's eyes were as keen as a hawk's, fixed intently on Luffy as though he meant to see right through him.
His low, commanding roar boomed like thunder: "Die, brat!"
As his words fell, the long blade in his hand suddenly swept into motion. Like a bolt of lightning cleaving the sky, it slashed down viciously at Luffy with unparalleled, razor-sharp force.
Faced with such a ferocious attack, Luffy did not dare let his guard down in the slightest.
He drew a deep breath, bent his knees into a slight crouch, and clenched both hands into fists, fully focused as he prepared to meet the blow.
In the blink of an eye,