Whoosh!
A golden trident sliced through the air, piercing Luffy's lower back like a burning spear.
Puff!
"Ugh! It hurts so much!" Luffy gritted his teeth, muscles taut as he tried to twist free from the blazing weapon. His skin sizzled under its heat.
"Yahahahahaha, Rubber Boy — your movements grow slower by the second," Enel sneered, his body scarred from many new wounds. Clutching the two tridents, he stared down at the pained Luffy with a threatening grin.
"Could it be your strange state is already fading? I foresaw that once it ends, you'll suffer dreadful after-effects."
"Whew… whew…" Luffy panted, clutching his bleeding waist, his eyes locked on Enel. "But if I defeat you before then, it won't matter."
He sprang upward, legs stretching into a deep red whip, whipping toward Enel.
"Gum-Gum Jet Whip!"
"You wish! Just endure a few more of my attacks — then your strength will fail." Enel's voice echoed. In a flash, he transformed into lightning and vanished, avoiding Luffy's strike altogether. Only mocking laughter remained.
"At that moment, Rubber Boy, you will be meat on the chopping block — at the mercy of this god."
"Enough talk! Face me directly!" Luffy shouted, anger surging. He could feel time slipping; his "Gear Second" was nearing its limit. He estimated only two minutes remained — enough for a final rush, but leaving him vulnerable after.
"If you refuse to face me… fine," Enel's voice drifted from all sides as electricity crackled. He leapt across the Ark, his form merging with the golden walls. "You're troublesome — can't just die quietly?"
Luffy turned sharply and dashed toward a nearby door, aiming to destroy the Ark from inside and draw Enel out. He heard Enel's sudden appearance at his threshold.
"Mantra is beyond your reckoning, commoner!" Enel shouted, thrusting the tridents at Luffy's head.
"Big Ears!" Luffy stretched his neck upward to avoid the jab, then flung both fists behind him. "You won't let me damage your airship, yet you wish to destroy the homes of innocents. Gum-Gum Jet Twin Pistol!"
Bang! The golden trident scraped his neck, but Luffy's fists slammed into Enel's chest in simultaneous strikes.
"Ugh… cough, cough…" Enel's eyes widened. His abdomen caved in, and he was thrown backward, crashing heavily into a golden wall.
"Bastard…" Enel spat, sliding down as crimson stained his lips. His prediction had failed completely.
"You are not afraid of death?" he spat, voice low and savage.
Even spitting blood, Enel stared gloomily at Luffy, now charging again. "My trident nearly pierced your neck just now!"
"Even if I die, I will defeat you!" Luffy roared. "Gum-Gum Jet Rocket!"
Enel's eyes curled with disdain. "Hmph, Rubber Boy, this golden Ark Maxim is my stronghold." Zap! He melded into the golden wall, dodging Luffy's aerial assault.
Boom! Luffy's fists left deep impressions in the wall, proof of his strength.
"It hurts…" Luffy gasped, flexing his battered hands, trying to locate where Enel lurked. "Big Ears, stop hiding! Show yourself!"
Then Enel appeared overhead, perched atop the Ark, smirking. "No need to continue fighting — I just need to make you fall off the Mantra." His voice trailed off as thunderclouds above him began dissolving.
"What! How did all my thunderclouds vanish?" Enel exclaimed, shock in his voice.
Lightning flashed and the skies around him fragmented. "Who dares steal my storm?" he roared into the sky.
"Of course, it's me." A calm voice answered. From within the dissipating clouds, a silhouette emerged. Shirogai Yamikuro's figure flickered into view, lightning cascading around him.
"Shirogai!" Enel roared, eyes blazing with fury. "You promised that if I defeated your companions, I could ride the Mantra and depart this place!"
"You did not fulfill the promise — you failed them all." Shirogai's lips curved into a cold smile. "By the way, would you care to turn around and see who's ignited your rage?"
Enel whipped around, his shock visible. Behind him hurtled a massive golden fist.
"Gum-Gum Jet Golden Giant Pistol!"
_____
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