"Alright, enough with the nonsense. Where are we keeping our gold... Commander?!"
Nami interrupted Luffy and directly asked Jonathan a question.
"Oh, you mean that... It's all over there!!"
Jonathan heard Nami's question, he pointed to a spot to the side and said...
"Hmm, you actually put them all here? You're not lying to us again, are you?"
Nami followed the direction his finger was pointing and saw the gold. She said in disbelief.
"It's all real gold and silver, you can check it yourself..."
Jonathan said in a deep voice, "To attract these big fish, I naturally used real bait, which is their gold."
"Yes... Nami, it's them, it's definitely our Gold Saints!!"
Luffy over and checked it out, then confirmed it to Nami.
"Oh, really? Then hurry up and pack them up, let's get out of here..."
When Nami heard that they were genuine, she Luffy to wrap them in a bag.
"..."
"Thank you so much, Fortress Uncle. We'll be leaving now and won't bother you any longer..."
After Luffy thanked him by carrying the huge package full of gold, he prepared to leave.
Jonathan then spoke up. During the whole process, he hadn't stopped them at all. It wasn't until Luffy had finished packing them up, hoisted Nami's Waver onto his shoulder, and was about to leave that he spoke up.
"That won't do, Straw Hat Luffy. If you get away from me like this, my Iron Fortress will lose all face!"
So, all of you stay here.
Jonathan shook his head and said to Luffy and the others.
"Hmm, what's up, Fortress Uncle? Are you going to start a fight? I'm not afraid of you!!"
Upon hearing Jonathan ask them to stay, Luffy around and spoke.
"You say you're not afraid of me? Of course I know that. Back when you defeated Crocodile, many important figures were already taking notice of you."
I'm no exception. If someone capable of defeating the Shichibukai were to feel fear, that would be utterly unreasonable.
I left you here not only to test your skills, but also to uphold the dignity of the entire fortress. This is my duty as a naval officer. Please forgive me!
Jonathan stood up and addressed them, then took off his cloak, preparing to Luffy.
"Hehe, since you've put it that way, uncle, I guess I have no choice but to take action. Don't blame me if you get hurt..."
Hearing Jonathan's words, Luffy also got off the Waver and placed the package containing the gold on Nami's Waver.
He was equally eager to accept Jonathan's challenge.
"Hey!! Wait, Luffy, don't fight him! Now that we've got the gold, let's get out of here quickly. Why do we still need to fight that commander?!"
Nami, puzzled, urged Luffy to leave with her, unaware that they had already been locked onto by Jonathan's powerful Observation Haki.
If they don't stop him, they won't be able to escape from here, and it's possible that no one else will be able to get away either.
"No, Nami, you don't understand. I have to stay here and stop the Fortress Uncle, otherwise none of us can leave. You go back first, I'll be there shortly..."
Luffy shook his head and told Nami that although he seemed a bit oblivious in some ways, his senses in battle were no weaker than anyone else's.
From the moment they stepped into this place, Luffy sensed something like a gaze locking onto him.
Although he didn't know what it was, he was certain that the owner of the beam of light, which resembled a gaze, was Jonathan, who was standing in front of them.
Moreover, they were completely unable to escape that beam of light, which is why he deliberately stayed behind to fight Jonathan.
"Hehehe, it seems that the pirates who can defeat the Shichibukai are not so simple after all. You probably haven't learned Haki yet, your senses are so sharp."
Jonathan chuckled a few times, then stepped forward and spoke to Luffy.
"Hmm, Fortress Uncle, you mean that Haki just now?!"
Upon hearing an unfamiliar word, Luffy said with some surprise.
"Hmm, but that's still a long way off for you guys right now. Enough with the chit-chat, Straw Hat Luffy, just try and see if you can escape from me."
Otherwise, you and your companions will be unable to leave this fortress. Show us your true skills!
Jonathan finished speaking, his body transformed into a streak of Flowing Light and sped towards Luffy.
That's exactly what I was thinking...
Luffy responded loudly and went to meet them as well.
Bang...
The collision of fists generated violent shockwaves that swept outwards, disrupting the airflow throughout the office and creating a deafening roar.
"Ah..."
Nami was thrown off her feet by the gust of air from the impact of the punches, and screamed as she covered her eyes with her arms.
"Hmph, you've got some skills, haven't you?! Monkey D. Luffy!!"
Having proven he could withstand his own attack, Jonathan had to give him a shout of praise.
"Hmph, this kind of attack is nothing to worry about..."
Luffy responded.
"Really?! Then how about this... Tekkai Armament: Black Fist!!"
As soon as Jonathan finished speaking, a metallic glint flashed in his hand, which then turned black. With a slight effort, he sent Luffy, punching him and Luffy away.
boom...
"Ah... Luffy, are you alright?!"
Seeing Luffy being sent flying by him, Nami quickly took a few steps forward and asked.
Bang...
The rocks covering Luffy's body were blasted away, and he stood up amidst the billowing smoke and dust.
"Cough cough... it hurts... just like when Grandpa punched me."
After coughing a few times, Luffy covered his right fist and began to speak.
"Hey... you're saying it hurts?! How is that possible? You're Rubber Man, how could you possibly feel anything from being punched..."
Upon hearing that Luffy had actually felt pain from Jonathan's punch, Nami said with an incredulous expression.
"Hehehe, this ability only comes from the latter half of the Grand Line. It's the nemesis of Devil Fruit User, but you just don't have the ability to access it yet..."
Jonathan raised his left hand and explained to them with a smile.
"Really? No wonder Grandpa has this ability too..."
Luffy reached up and pressed his Straw Hat down, speaking in a deep voice.
"Hmm, you said your grandfather also has this ability, that's really incredible. As far as I know, your hometown should be in the East Blue, right? Could there be a powerful figure living in seclusion there?"
Straw Hat Luffy, who is your grandfather?
Hearing Luffy say that his grandfather also possessed this ability left Jonathan very puzzled.
How could someone from the East Blue also know Armament Haki? So he asked him.
"Yes, my grandfather was also a naval officer. He wasn't some reclusive powerhouse; he was just a grumpy old man."
Thinking of his grandfather and what he had done to him, Luffy gritted his teeth and said.
"Navy? That's something only officers and colonels can learn. Judging by your grandfather's rank, he's not low-ranking either!!"
However, since your family are all in the Navy, why did you become a pirate? Didn't your family discipline you?
Jonathan became even more curious about Luffy after learning that his grandfather was also a Marine. How could someone from a Marine family become a pirate?