Two months later, Wano Country, Kuri Region, Udon Prison.
This massive prison, once belonging to the Beast Pirates, had been used to imprison and torture resistors.
After the Gourmet Navigation Group took over, its internal structure was significantly remodeled, and more defensive facilities combining technology and electricity were added to the exterior. However, its solemn and oppressive atmosphere remained unchanged.
Now, those imprisoned here were not ordinary criminals, but former feudal lords from various regions of Wano, representatives of the stubborn samurai class, and some underworld bosses.
These individuals were considered remnants of the old order and potential sources of instability, thus placed under centralized supervision and reformation.
The Straw Hat Pirates successfully infiltrated the outer perimeter of Udon Prison. Moving swiftly, they knocked out several patrol guards and gradually advanced towards the core area where political prisoners were held.
However, just as they thought their infiltration was covert and they were about to find the cells holding the samurai,
"Candle Wall!" An excited male voice shouted.
Immediately, a large amount of wax liquid cascaded down like a waterfall from the passageway above them, instantly solidifying into a thick, sturdy candle wall, blocking their path both forward and backward.
A man with a '3' hairstyle stepped out from the corner. It was the current warden of Udon Prison… Mr. 3, Galdino.
"You ignorant intruders! How dare you break into a restricted area managed by the Gourmet Navigation Group! Do you know whose territory this is?"
He puffed out his not-so-broad chest, trying to appear more imposing:
"I am the warden of Udon Prison, trusted deeply by Enel-sama! Surrender now, and maybe you'll save yourselves some suffering!"
"He's the Doru Doru no Mi user," Vivi reminded. (T/N: Wax-Wax Fruit.)
"Whatever wax." Luffy was already impatient. His rubber arm stretched out. "Gomu Gomu no… Pistol!"
"Don't underestimate my candle art! Candle Champion Cup!" Mr. 3 hurriedly created a large candle shield, trying to defend.
But with his strength, he was naturally no match for Luffy as he was now.
Seconds later, Mr. 3 was beaten black and blue, collapsing to the ground in a sorry state.
"You bastards!" Mr. 3 gritted his teeth. "Go ahead, hit me. This is the only time you'll get to be arrogant!"
"Enel-sama's Mantra covers the entire island! You think you can hide from his surveillance?"
As if to confirm his words, a dazzling golden lightning bolt exploded without warning in the narrow prison corridor.
The blinding light momentarily blinded everyone, the wild current writhing like countless golden snakes.
At the center of the lightning, a man with earlobes hanging to his chest, drums shaped like magatama on his back, and an arrogant, indifferent expression slowly descended, like a thunder god appearing.
His gaze swept over the Straw Hats, then fell upon the pathetic Mr. 3: "Useless. Can't even stop a few intruders."
"S-Sorry, Enel-sama!" Mr. 3 scrambled to a corner.
Enel ignored him, turning his attention to Luffy and the others: "Trespassing in a restricted area, assaulting guards, intent to break out prisoners. Multiple offenses combined."
"Attack together!" Zoro was the first to recover from the lightning's paralysis. His three swords were drawn instantly, a fierce sword intent rising. "Oni Giri!"
Sanji also turned into a black shadow, his blazing Diable Jambe kicking towards Enel's face.
However, Enel merely raised his hand slightly.
A more violent golden lightning pillar erupted omnidirectionally from him.
The terrifying current instantly engulfed the two, also blasting back Franky, Brook, and others who had tried to support them.
They slammed heavily into the candle wall behind them, spitting blood, bodies charred and smoking, immediately losing combat effectiveness.
"Ah! So scary!" The Weakling Trio trembled in fear. With just one attack, their main combat force was almost completely wiped out.
"Zoro! Sanji! Everyone!" Luffy's eyes were wide with fury, anger instantly overriding shock.
"Gomu Gomu no… Storm!" he roared, his rubber fists becoming countless blurs, raining down on Enel like a tempest.
A flicker of surprise passed through Enel's eyes.
He had clearly seen his lightning strike this guy, but besides some scorch marks on his clothes, he seemed unharmed?
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Luffy's fists connected solidly with Enel, producing dull thuds.
"Impossible?" Enel was not surprised by Luffy's Armament Haki, but shocked that he could penetrate the lightning armor covering his body.
The voltage of his lightning armor was as high as one billion volts.
He instinctively released high-voltage lightning again to strike Luffy.
But as the lightning faded, Luffy still stood there, shaking his arms and shouting, "It's no use! I'm a rubber man. Rubber is an insulator, so your lightning doesn't affect me!"
"Rubber? Insulator?" Enel repeated.
Then, his shock was replaced by absurdity and anger.
"Don't screw with me!" he practically roared. "This is one billion volts! Any rubber should be charred to a crisp by now! You're not a rubber fruit user!"
Luffy blinked at the outburst, scratching his head: "Huh? Is that so? But I'm really not afraid of electricity."
His 'innocent' reaction only infuriated Enel further.
He felt his intelligence and common sense were being insulted.
"Fine... very fine!" Enel laughed in his rage. The lightning around him stopped flickering, instead slowly receding into his body.
He cracked his knuckles, a ferocious grin spreading across his face.
"You don't think I only rely on my fruit ability, do you?"
Enel's figure blurred. Before Luffy could react, an unimaginable pain exploded in his abdomen.
"Gah!" His eyes bulged as he spewed a mouthful of blood mixed with stomach acid, flying backward at tremendous speed.
Luffy crashed through several layers of reinforced stone walls, finally collapsing in a cloud of dust, his chest caved in, countless ribs broken… severely wounded.
"Ah, feels good!" Enel couldn't help but let out a pleasurable sigh.
He felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction, as if avenging his Goro Goro no Mi.
Just as he was about to move forward to make the arrest, a charismatic voice sounded.
"Enel-san, let's stop here. Do me a favor and let them go, how about it?"
Everyone turned to see Shanks, accompanied by Beckman, Yasopp, Lucky Roux, and other core officers of the Red Hair Pirates, walking in from outside the wall Luffy had crashed through.
Shanks's expression was calm, his one hand resting on the hilt of his renowned blade, Gryphon. Though his tone was gentle, the immense pressure befitting an Emperor was already spreading silently.
Enel scoffed at this: "Favor? Besides our captain, there's no one in this world I need to give favor to!"