Kin'emon was knocked back by Jack's curved sword, and blood from his tiger's mouth flowed down the hilt of the sword, splashing onto the ground in small, dark red flowers.
His breathing was heavy, like a broken bellows, each breath carrying the stench of blood, but his eyes remained fixed on Jack.
"Asshole--"
Just as Kin'emon was about to step forward again, a figure moved even faster than him.
A crimson figure swept past Kin'emon, the resulting wind causing the hem of his kimono to flutter loudly.
That's Luffy.
This isn't the usual Luffy who laughs and jokes; it's not the Luffy whose eyes light up at the sight of meat; it's not the Luffy who pouts when arguing with his crew.
He half-squatted on the ground, pressing his arms against the ground for cushioning, and looked up at Jack without saying a word.
"Another one."
A disgruntled smile played on Jack's lips as he twirled the scimitar in his hand.
"You guys are all here today—"
He stopped halfway through his sentence.
He recognized the kid in front of him.
" Straw Hat Boy."
Jack's smile faded, and he looked Luffy up and down twice.
"I heard that Doflamingo was defeated by you?"
Luffy didn't say anything.
His Straw Hat covered most of his face, leaving only his taut chin visible.
Kin'emon, clutching his bleeding hand, got up from the ground. He was about to say something when Luffy's voice preceded him.
" Kin'emon, step back."
"And you guys--"
Luffy his straw Straw Hat, turned around, and looked at Inuarashi and Cat Viper, as well as the battered Musketeer Squad and the Guardians members behind them.
"Everyone, step back."
As soon as Luffy finished speaking, the Straw Hat Pirates members, who had been watching the show with amusement, all turned serious.
"Ahh!"
"I knew this would happen!"
Zoro shook his head, and three swords were instantly drawn.
"You're not scared, are you, Moss Head!"
Sanji's right foot ignited with the flames of the Diable Jambe.
"Ah! Super!"
Franky's arms turned into cannon barrels.
Robin crossed her arms in front of her chest, while Chopper, though his legs were trembling, clenched his fists.
Nami stood at the back of the group, clutching her Clima-Tact. Although her face was filled with fear, she didn't take a single step back.
"You're Straw Hat Luffy?"
Inuarashi wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "Do you have a grudge against the Beasts Pirates?"
"No."
Luffy paused for a moment, then turned to look at Kin'emon.
But his friends are my friends.
My friend got beaten up—this debt needs to be settled.
Kin'emon's lips trembled as if he wanted to say something, but his throat felt like it was blocked by something.
He recalled what Oden had once said—
True friends need no words.
This young man in the straw Straw Hat, whom I've only known for a few days, has already become my friend.
"Friend..."
Kin'emon, tears streaming down his wrinkled face.
He wiped his face haphazardly with his sleeve, then gripped his katana tightly again.
" Straw Hat Lord—please allow me to fight alongside you!"
"No."
Luffy put it very directly.
"Why don't you help the cats and dogs over there first?"
Kin'emon opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a word.
Zoro carried the Wado Ichimonji and walked forward, patting Kin'emon on the shoulder.
"That guy may be an idiot, but he's never ambiguous when it comes to fighting."
He told you to step back, so you stepped back.
Kin'emon and finally retreated to the back.
The Mink Tribe warriors also retreated, forming a human wall around the perimeter of the battlefield.
Only Jack and the Straw Hat Pirates remained on the battlefield.
Jack looked around at the young people who were assuming fighting stances, and suddenly burst into laughter.
"Interesting! Very interesting!"
Jack twirled the two curved swords in his hands, the blades pointing at Luffy.
"Kid, do you think your bunch can beat me?"
Luffy did not answer the question.
He simply raised his right arm, clenched his fist, and Armament Haki spread from his fist, turning his entire forearm into a jet-black sheen.
" Gum-Gum-- "
" Elephant Gun!"
Luffy was launched forward, his right fist expanding to be larger than a person due to the stretching effect of the Gum-Gum Fruit.
A black luster, imbued with Armament Haki, slammed down towards Jack's head.
Jack didn't dodge.
He held the curved sword in his left hand above his head and took Luffy head-on.
The fist slammed into the blade, producing a piercing metallic clang.
The shockwave spread in all directions, scattering all the surrounding rubble and fallen leaves.
The ground beneath Jack's feet was cracked, but his body remained completely still.
"Not bad, kid. You've got some strength."
Jack grinned, and swung his right-hand scimitar horizontally.
Luffy's pupils contracted, and his body leaned backward at the last second.
The blade grazed the tip of his nose, and the wind it created left a shallow bloodstain on his face.
He used one hand to push himself up and did a somersault, putting distance between himself and Jack.
Before he could even steady himself, Jack's massive figure was already in front of him.
Luffy didn't have time to dodge.
He crossed his arms in front of his chest, gathering Armament Haki to its maximum on his arms.
The scimitar struck his arm.
"Clang--!!!"
Luffy was sent flying by the slash, his body tracing a straight line through the air before crashing through several large trees before finally coming to a stop.
Wood chips and leaf fragments danced in the air, filling the air with dust.
" Luffy --!!!"
Nami's screams echoed across the battlefield.
The smoke and dust cleared.
Luffy crawled up from a pile of broken logs, a new scar appearing on his arm.
Blood trickled down his elbow, splashing onto the ground in small, dark red blooms.
But there was a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth, though his face showed no sign of pain.
"Wow, that's amazing."
Luffy wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
"You're really amazing."
Jack frowned.
Luffy raised his arm again, and this time his expression changed.
It wasn't anger, nor fear, but a pure and utter seriousness.
He bit his thumb and blew air into it.
" Gear Fourth - Boundman!"
Luffy's body began to swell.
His forearms and thighs bulged, the muscle lines clearly visible beneath his skin, and his body was enveloped in a layer of light red Armament Haki.
He was a whole size bigger than before, looking like an inflatable doll, but the sense of oppression was real.
Armament Haki covered his arms and legs, and in his Boundman form, the dark lines looked like totems etched on his skin.
"This is the one they were talking about in the newspaper..." A hint of surprise flashed in Jack's eyes.
Sanji spat out his cigarette butt and exchanged a glance with Zoro; a hint of surprise flashed in both of their eyes.
Unexpectedly, with just one strike, the big guy in front of him was able to force Luffy card.
Luffy bent his knees slightly and pushed off with his feet.
" Gum-Gum-- "
" King Kong Gun!"
Luffy was launched at a speed several times faster than before.
Jack raised his scimitar to parry, Luffy's fist slammed into the blade, causing it to bend slightly this time.
Jack snorted and was about to retaliate when Luffy's other fist came crashing down.
Then came the third punch, the fourth punch, and the fifth punch.