Enel's Thunder Kirin made Luo Xing think of a certain "second young master" from the ninja world.
But compared to that man's Lightning Release: Kirin, Enel's Thunder Kirin was clearly far larger—and far more destructive.
Roar!
The thunder beast, hundreds of meters tall, plunged downward.
Lightning overflowed wildly, scorching the towering mangrove trees of Sabaody into charred black husks.
"How terrifying… the Rumble-Rumble Fruit."
Kizaru clicked his tongue.
Between light and lightning—which was stronger?
That question was truly hard to answer.
"Then let this old man test it."
"Let's see which is superior—the Glint-Glint Fruit or the Rumble-Rumble Fruit."
Kizaru brought his hands together and once again unleashed Yasakani no Magatama toward the Thunder Kirin.
This time, the number, range, and power of the light bullets were far greater than before!
"I'll lend a hand as well, Borsalino."
The Thunder Kirin's attack range also covered the CP0 agents. Their leader could not simply stand by.
He was a peak physical-combat expert who had mastered the Six Powers to near perfection—his strength no weaker than a Marine admiral.
He lifted his leg and slashed violently through the air.
"Rankyaku!"
A blade-like shockwave over a hundred meters long tore forward.
Together with Kizaru's countless light bullets, it slammed into the Thunder Kirin.
BOOOOOOM!
Golden light, blue lightning, and razor-sharp air blades collided.
A terrifying explosion erupted.
A point of blinding white light expanded outward from the center.
Buzz—!
Wherever the light passed, everything was reduced to dust.
"T-this is… too terrifying!"
The Supernovas stared in utter shock.
So this was the power of the world's top-tier fighters?
The gap between them was simply immeasurable.
The shockwave from the explosion was equally horrifying.
Countless buildings collapsed. Trees were uprooted and blown away.
Even Zoro and Rayleigh were forced to halt their duel, each retreating to opposite sides.
Zoro had suffered minor injuries—but his face was filled with excitement.
His physique was already incredibly tough.
After the enhancement of Dragon-level Monster Cells, his body had reached a monstrous level.
Such injuries meant nothing.
Compared to that, crossing blades with a peak legend like Dark King Rayleigh—that was what truly mattered.
Rayleigh himself was uninjured, but his breathing had clearly quickened.
He smiled bitterly inside.
"Looks like I can't deny age anymore… I've only fought for a short while, yet my stamina's already failing."
He glanced at Zoro.
The young swordsman reminded him of someone—
Douglas Bullet, the "Demon Heir" who once sailed with Roger.
That boy had possessed a beast-like body as well, insanely battle-hungry, and had reached frightening heights at a young age.
And now, the man before him…
Was eerily similar.
Rayleigh then looked toward Enel in the sky, who resembled a thunder god.
Finally, his gaze fell upon Luo Xing, who had remained calm from beginning to end.
He couldn't help but sigh deeply.
"The future… truly belongs to the young."
Unfortunately, these young men did not walk the same path as him.
And the youth he wished to protect was not among them.
After a long while—
The aftermath of the explosion finally faded.
A massive crater hundreds of meters wide was left in the ground.
Enel felt deeply embarrassed.
He had unleashed an attack worthy of divine punishment—yet still hadn't killed his enemies.
Were there really this many powerful people in the Blue Sea beneath the sky islands?
Once again, Enel realized just how foolish his former self had been.
But since following the Young Master—
Though he was no longer a "god,"
His strength had soared,
His horizons had broadened.
All in all, the gains far outweighed the losses.
"It's about time to leave this place and proceed to the next step."
Luo Xing's eyes flickered.
His reason for appearing so openly in Sabaody had been to draw the attention of the Marines and the World Government—to execute a feint.
Now the Marines had dispatched an admiral.
The World Government had even sent CP0, the strongest shield of the Celestial Dragons.
This was likely the maximum force they could mobilize with Whitebeard's war imminent.
His objective had been achieved.
There was no need to remain in Sabaody.
But before leaving—
He wanted to try something.
To see whether he could kill the so-called child of destiny—
Straw Hat Luffy.
Luo Xing was not bloodthirsty.
But toward someone destined to become an enemy, he would never show mercy.
His principle had always been simple:
If he didn't strike, fine.
But once he did—
He would eradicate all future trouble.
However, standing here were Dark King Rayleigh and the Revolutionary Army officer Bartholomew Kuma, both willing to die to protect Luffy.
And then there was Kizaru—
That man's stance was always maddeningly ambiguous.
In the original timeline at Sabaody, Kizaru had countless chances to capture the Straw Hats.
Yet he waited until Rayleigh arrived.
At Marineford, he could have shot Luffy in the head—but instead shot the tiny key.
When Luffy was at death's door, one laser would have ended him—yet Kizaru kicked him toward Whitebeard instead.
Even the infamous "Yasakani no Magatama" conveniently shattered Aokiji's ice, allowing Luffy to escape.
All in all—
Straw Hat Luffy carried far too many buffs and plot protections.
Luo Xing's lips curled into a faint, mocking smile.
This destiny theory… this bloodline nonsense…
It truly made one sick.
He moved.
With an unimaginable burst of speed, he shot straight toward Luffy.
Rayleigh's face changed drastically.
"Stop! Stop right now!"
"You're the one who should stop!"
Zoro once again blocked Rayleigh's path.
Rayleigh was furious.
Luffy was facing imminent death—he could not afford to be delayed any longer.
"Green-haired brat! If you don't move, don't blame this old man for being ruthless!"
Facing the threat of the Dark King himself, Zoro showed no fear.
Instead, he grinned.
"That's exactly what I want!"
"Demonic Aura—Nine-Sword Style!"
"Asura — Piercing Might!"
Rayleigh could only grit his teeth.
Though he was still stronger than Zoro, his aged body and rapidly draining stamina made it impossible to defeat him quickly.
He could only watch helplessly as Luo Xing drew closer and closer to Straw Hat Luffy.
"My, my… the big shot finally makes his move."
"But his target is just a kid. How strange."
Kizaru raised his finger, aiming at Luo Xing.
"Don't forget—my mission is to eliminate you."
"That's a direct order from the Five Elders."
The CP0 leader also extended his finger, preparing a Finger Pistol to strike alongside Kizaru.
"Oi, you bastards!"
"Dare to attack the Young Master—are you tired of living?!"
Crackle!
A flash of lightning erupted.
Enel appeared in front of Kizaru and the CP0 leader.
Lightning raged wildly around him, his expression ferocious.
"One Billion Volts — Thunder God!"
His body suddenly expanded, growing over ten meters tall.
His entire form turned ash-gray, blazing with lightning.
Thick layers of thunder armor covered his Thunder God body.
With this defense, Enel forcibly tanked Kizaru's laser and the CP0 leader's Finger Pistol.
Then—
He stimulated every cell in his body with electricity.
His speed exploded.
Like a lightning beast, he charged straight at Kizaru and CP0.
"So fast!"
The CP0 leader was shocked.
It was even faster than Soru.
Even Kizaru was taken aback.
His Glint-Glint Fruit specialized in speed—
Yet Enel's lightning could actually rival it.
Light and lightning…
Truly hard to distinguish superiority.
With Zoro and Enel holding the line—
Luo Xing reached the Straw Hat crew without obstruction.
"Don't touch our captain, you bastard!"
"Diable Jambe!"
Sanji was the first to attack.
Luo Xing casually swatted him away and said calmly:
"For your sister's sake, I'll spare you this once."
Sanji crashed heavily into the ruins, completely stunned.
Sister?
He only had one sister—
Vinsmoke Reiju.
Had this man been to Germa Kingdom?
Did he have ties to those monsters?!
Sanji being casually sent flying filled the rest of the Straw Hats with terror.
Sanji was already among their top three fighters.
Luffy clenched his fists tightly, his chest burning with anger and humiliation.
Anger at his own weakness.
Before such a monster, he was utterly powerless.
Luo Xing spoke indifferently:
"Straw Hat, for now, you and I bear no personal grudge."
"I want to kill you for only one reason."
"To see whether the Sun God's life is really that tough."
Luffy roared:
"What nonsense are you talking about?! Sun God?!"
"I'm the man who's going to become Pirate King!"
Luo Xing laughed softly, recalling Doflamingo.
Enma slowly rose.
"The last man who shouted about becoming Pirate King in front of me…"
"Didn't even leave ashes behind."
Vast Haki poured into Enma.
Black lightning crackled through the air.
Conqueror's Haki coating.
Rayleigh's pupils shrank violently.
His heart sank in panic.
That Fifth Emperor—
He was going to use supreme Conqueror's coating to kill Luffy?!
Then Luffy was truly doomed!
Rayleigh no longer cared about Zoro.
He unleashed his own Conqueror's coating and blasted Zoro away.
Then he rushed desperately toward Luo Xing.
"Stop! If you want to fight—fight me!"
As Roger's right hand, Rayleigh naturally possessed Conqueror's coating as well.
But with his aged body, using it placed immense strain on him.
Just like Whitebeard at Marineford—
Age was an unavoidable enemy.
Rayleigh's speed had already dropped sharply.
There was no way he could reach Luo Xing before the attack was released.
At that critical moment—
The Revolutionary Army officer and Warlord, Bartholomew Kuma, used his Paw-Paw ability to instantly appear in front of Luo Xing.
He stood before Luffy.
Both hands raised.
He intended to repel the incoming sword technique.
Luo Xing's expression remained calm.
He softly uttered:
"Purgatory Cross Slash."
Two black sword arcs—like blades from hell itself—
Burst forth.
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