Even for an Awakened Ancient Zoan, enduring an attack that terrifying was nearly impossible.
Amid the explosion, Ackroyd bled from all seven orifices. Blood streamed simultaneously from his eyes, ears, nostrils, and mouth—the impact had completely pierced through his monstrous durability.
"Lloyd?!"
The Bandaged Knight's eyes widened in shock.
He was too fast!
Once the effect of Observation Haki had been nullified, he simply couldn't react in time.
"That's one."
Luffy murmured emotionlessly and immediately rushed toward the bandaged knight beside him.
The blazing white flame forming in his palm erupted forward like an incandescent pillar, engulfing his opponent in an instant.
"Hm?"
Luffy frowned slightly.
"Even flames can be passed through?"
He felt no impact. No resistance. It was as if he had struck empty space.
In the next instant, the Bandaged Knight emerged through the flames, advancing instead of retreating. His right hand curved into a claw, aiming straight for Luffy's chest.
If I rip out his heart, no matter how strong he is, he'll die!
The voice echoed clearly in Luffy's mind.
His eyes remained cold.
He didn't move.
BOOM!
Before the claw could even touch his chest, an invisible force stopped it midair.
"What?!"
The knight's expression changed drastically.
In the next moment—
Crack!
His wrist was firmly grabbed by Luffy.
"Because of your ability, you think everything will go your way?" Luffy said with a faint smile. "In the end, it's just a Paramecia. And Haki… is enough to deal with that."
His voice was calm.
"That makes two…"
Just as he was about to finish the blow, darkness fell.
The Bandaged Knight, who had been caught in his grasp, dissolved into a ghostly black shadow, scattering like dust in the wind.
Luffy narrowed his eyes.
What was that…?
He turned his head sharply.
Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro's appearance had changed.
His body seemed taller. His neck elongated. His once-bald head had taken on a more grotesque, stretched shape.
Around him, a cloud of black flames—the mark of an Awakened Zoan—wavered like a supernatural aura.
His eyes glowed blood-red.
"So that's your ability…"
Luffy smiled faintly.
Finally.
The real player had entered the field.
"Fufufufufu…"
A laugh echoed through the sky.
Donquixote Doflamingo.
"He possesses an extremely rare ability that manipulates illusions!"
His voice could be heard… but his body was nowhere to be seen.
"Straw Hat Luffy… this is where you fall."
Suddenly, everything went black.
There was no light. No form.
It was as if the world itself had been swallowed by night.
Another Hito Hito no Mi?
Or a Mythical Zoan with illusion-based properties?
Luffy's expression grew subtle.
"Let's hope Chopper never finds out about this…" he muttered. "He'd probably faint on the spot."
Nusjuro's voice echoed within the darkness:
"I will personally pass judgment on you, rebellious pirate!"
A blade cut through the void.
Luffy closed his eyes.
In the absolute darkness, a red figure emerged—lunging forward with a lethal thrust.
Luffy stepped back half a pace.
He twisted his body and dodged by a hair's breadth.
"As a performance… I kind of like it."
There was a trace of excitement in his voice.
Just as Kaido had enjoyed fighting him…
Now Luffy felt the same.
The urge to fight, to hunt, to destroy.
Seeing Luffy dodge even with his eyes closed, Nusjuro's face twisted.
Inside the illusion, no one should be able to see.
Not even Observation Haki should work.
So how…?
"Enough games!"
He spun his sword.
The trajectory shifted, turning into a horizontal slash aimed at Luffy's head.
Luffy raised his arm.
DING!
The impact rang out like metal striking metal.
In the next instant—
BANG!
A kick struck Nusjuro in the abdomen.
He was sent flying like a ball, rolling hundreds of meters and bouncing across the ground several times before stopping.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Luffy advanced with calm, measured steps.
As if he were walking through a garden.
"Interesting…" he murmured. "My Observation Haki can't extend beyond this… this isn't just an illusion. It completely affects my senses."
It was like being in another space.
A separate domain.
"Even so… you can still fight in this state at your age… impressive."
Nusjuro slowly stood up, wiping the blood away.
His eyes locked onto Luffy.
"Doflamingo told you, didn't he?"
His tone was cold.
"That damn fool…"
He realized it instantly.
Luffy smiled.
"You just told me yourself."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Some people… are born with special abilities. Like mind-reading."
Nusjuro's expression changed drastically.
He knew such a possibility existed.
But he had never been certain… until now.
"Then… I can't let you live."
He charged again.
---
Meanwhile, elsewhere at sea.
Atop Whole Cake Castle, on Whole Cake Island.
The wedding had begun.
The hall was filled with guests, all focused on the stage.
Aladine and Charlotte Praline exchanged rings.
The pact was sealed.
"Mamamamama… now that's more like it!"
Charlotte Linlin grinned widely.
"Want a photo?"
Morgans adjusted his camera.
"Already got it! This will be on tomorrow's front page!"
He smiled excitedly.
"But even bigger news is waiting for me!"
Gild Tesoro stood up impatiently.
"Now that this is over… I'm leaving."
He hadn't come here to watch a wedding.
"BIG MOM!" Nami called out quickly. "Our captain is still fighting! You didn't forget the deal, did you?"
Linlin's expression darkened.
That girl… daring to pressure her?
"Fine! Charlotte Brûlée!"
"Yes, Mama!"
Brûlée clapped her hands.
A mirror appeared.
"Through this… you can go straight to the battlefield!"
She smiled strangely.
"That is, if you have the courage to enter my Mirror World!"
"Of course we do!" Nami replied without hesitation. "Go on, Zoro!"
Brook: "…"
Chopper: "Eh?!"
Zoro: "Tch… you're a demon."
Sanji shot back, "If Nami says go, then you go!"
Jinbe stepped forward.
"I'll go first."
He entered the mirror without hesitation.
"Luffy helped Fish-Man Island… now's not the time to hesitate over something like this."
Soon, members of the Straw Hat Grand Fleet began entering one after another.
Even Tesoro and Morgans followed.
Seeing this, Big Mom let out a sigh.
"You're all troublesome…"
She stood up.
Taking her commanders and main forces with her.
"Pudding!"
"Yes, Mama!"
"Prepare my favorite cake before I return!"
A new wave of reinforcements… was heading toward the battlefield.
---
(End of Chapter)