Ron's words struck Luffy's heart like a heavy hammer.
Luffy's expression faltered slightly but quickly hardened again, his fists clenching tighter as unyielding flames burned in his eyes.
Ron watched Luffy impassively.
Unlike in cheesy dramas where characters might offer concessions like "I'll let you have three moves" or "if you can make me budge an inch, you win," Ron was a Pirate.
There were times when Pirates had to act like Pirates—where might made right!
Why was he standing here? Precisely because his fists were strong... the world of Pirates was cruel—only strength mattered!
His gaze returned to Luffy, his tone indifferent.
"Are you really challenging me?"
Without hesitation, Luffy met Ron's eyes with unwavering resolve. "I am."
Ron nodded, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. "Very well. However, I must remind you, Nami is not an object to be won by whoever emerges victorious. Her choices are her own freedom."
After speaking, he slowly stood firm, hands hanging naturally at his sides, his gaze calm as he looked at Luffy.
"We may begin."
Luffy's eyes instantly sharpened, his body leaning slightly forward, the ground beneath his feet slightly indenting under his power.
His fists clenched tightly, veins bulging prominently.
"Gomu Gomu no Pistol!" Luffy roared lowly, his fist shooting toward Ron like a cannonball, moving so fast it tore through the air with a sharp, piercing whistle.
Yet Ron remained standing in place, unmoving.
His gaze remained tranquil, as if Luffy's attack was utterly insignificant.
Just as Luffy's fist was about to strike him, a layer of pitch-black Armament Haki suddenly surfaced over Ron's body, like an impenetrable suit of armor.
Thud!
Luffy's fist slammed heavily into Ron's chest, producing a dull, heavy sound.
However, Ron's body didn't retreat even a centimeter, nor did he so much as furrow his brow.
His gaze remained unperturbed—Luffy's attack felt like nothing more than a light scratch, leaving not a single mark on him.
The diference in strength was glaringly obvious!
"Is this your full strength?" Ron said lightly, a hint of disappointment in his tone. "Luffy, if your power is only at this level, you are far from qualified to challenge me."
Luffy's expression shifted slightly, but he did not back down.
Instead, the fighting spirit in his eyes burned even more fiercely. He clenched his fists once more, preparing to launch another assault.
"Gomu Gomu no Gatling Gun!" Luffy bellowed, his fists raining down upon Ron like a frenzied storm.
His attacks were incredibly fast, each punch delivered with full force, aiming to completely overwhelm Ron.
Yet Ron still stood unmoving.
The Armament Haki covering his chest acted like an unbreakable barrier, deflecting every one of Luffy's strikes.
Each time a fist connected with his body, it produced a dull thud, but Ron didn't even flinch.
"Luffy, your attacks are too weak," Ron remarked indifferently, a trace of disdain in his voice. "If this is the extent of your strength, you are nowhere near capable of protecting Nami."
Luffy's face darkened further, but the fire in his eyes blazed even brighter.
He knew he had to become stronger—strong enough to protect his comrades, strong enough to bring Nami back.
"I won't give up!" Luffy growled, tightening his fists again, ready to unleash an even more ferocious assault.
Ron smiled faintly, his gaze casual. "Then hurry up. Show me your limits."
The atmosphere on the battlefield grew tense once more, all eyes fixed on Luffy and Ron.
This battle was not just about Nami's freedom—it was about Luffy's dignity and conviction as a captain.
No sooner had the words been spoken,
Luffy's body underwent a sudden transformation.
His skin turned pink, steam bursting from his pores as white, swirling currents enveloped his form.
His entire being was wrapped in a scorching, heated airflow.
Gear Second!
His speed, power, and reflexes instantly ascended to an entirely new level.
Yet, even so, Ron remained standing in place, his gaze calm, as if Luffy's improvement was nothing more than an insignificant change to him.
"Luffy, even though you've activated Gear second, you're still not enough as you are now," Ron said indifferently with a trace of coldness in his tone.
"In fact, you can't even defeat Nami in her current state."
Luffy didn't respond, his eyes burning with intense fighting spirit.
He knew the gap between him and Ron was like an insurmountable chasm, but he still refused to back down.
For Nami, for his crew, even if he knew he was no match, he would give it his all!
"Gum-Gum Jet Gatling!" Luffy roared, his fists raining down on Ron like a storm.
Punch after punch, his fists moved so fast they left afterimages, the air currents swirling and creating vacuums with each strike.
Yet, Ron remained standing in place, completely unmoved.
He felt a flicker of appreciation for Luffy's unyielding nature, but that was all.
Not giving up easily was a virtue, but knowing when to yield was true wisdom!
Ron's eyes held more coldness than anything else.
He raised his hand, forming a sword with his fingers, and a brilliant sword energy slowly gathered at his fingertips.
The sword energy gradually took shape—the blade, the hilt, even the intricate patterns on the sword became clearly visible, as if a true sword was being born in his hand!
"Heaven-Severing Sword Draw," Ron murmured softly, a hint of killing intent in his voice.
He didn't use Haki, because he knew that if he did, this single strike would be enough to kill Luffy instantly.
But even so, this strike was still enough to severely injure Luffy.
The Heaven-Severing Sword Draw—nothing it couldn't cut!
Just as Luffy's fists were about to hit Ron, Ron made his move!
A flash of sword light erupted, as if the entire world had been reduced to that brilliant gleam!
Before Luffy's fists could even touch Ron, they were struck by the sword energy.
A spray of blood blossomed in the air, and a horrifying gash appeared on Luffy's chest, blood splattering and staining his clothes.
If it had been any deeper, that strike would have severed Luffy's internal organs!
Luffy staggered backward, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth, but a smile appeared on his face—a smile tinged with relief, as if he had finally understood something at that moment.
"Luffy!" Sanji exclaimed, wanting to rush forward to support him, but Zoro stopped him with a firm grip.
Zoro's gaze was stern, his tone carrying an unshakable resolve.
"This is the captain's fight. We have no right to interfere."
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