"Straw Hat Luffy, wait off to the side," Ma Chao said without turning his head, his voice icy. "Once I've dealt with these two small fry, I'll take care of you."
"Who are you calling small fry?!" Sanji roared, charging at Ma Chao again. "Diable Jambe: Memories of Hell!"
Even hotter flames burned around his legs, their heat so intense that the surrounding air warped. This kick contained all the strength he had gained from two years of training in the Kamabakka Kingdom, enough to shatter a small mountain.
Ma Chao snorted coldly and lightly tapped the ground with his spear.
"Zekrom: Thunderbolt!"
Countless bolts of purplish-black lightning shot up from the ground, forming a massive wall of lightning in front of Sanji.
Sanji's kick slammed into the lightning wall with an ear-piercing sizzle. Blazing flames collided with raging lightning, producing vast amounts of steam. Yet the lightning wall did not budge. Instead, countless tiny currents spread up Sanji's legs.
"Not good!"
Sanji's expression changed drastically. He tried to retreat, but it was already too late. Electricity instantly coursed through his entire body. Numbness washed over him, and he lost control of his body.
Ma Chao seized the opportunity. His figure flashed, and he appeared before Sanji in an instant. His spear tip, wreathed in lightning, thrust toward Sanji's chest.
"Sanji!"
Horror swept over Zoro's face. He immediately swung his swords at Ma Chao's back, trying to force him to defend. "Three-Sword Style: Demon Aura, Nine-Sword Style: Asura, One Mist Silver!"
Nine black slashes swept toward Ma Chao's back like phantoms.
Without even turning his head, Ma Chao thrust his spear backward.
Clang, clang, clang!!!
All nine slashes were blocked by that single thrust. Sparks flew everywhere. Zoro's arms went numb, and all three swords nearly flew from his grasp.