Feeling Robin's arms vanish and realizing the combination of water and iron rods clinging to his body, Ray knew perfectly well he was about to get struck.
There was no helping it—in this world, the aura of a Great Demon caused celestial phenomena.
And that sky full of lightning... it was prepared for Nami.
"BOOM!"
The moment Robin's arms disappeared, dozens of thick, jagged lightning bolts descended.
Guided by Nami using her Clima-Tact, they targeted Ray with brutal precision.
Compared to Enel's divine punishment, this was even more intense.
This was natural lightning, amplified by the environment Sesshomaru's own demonic power had created.
Because of the iron rods and the water Robin had drenched him with, Ray couldn't dodge.
He had been turned into a living lightning rod.
Zap! Crackle! Pop!
His silver hair smoked.
His body went numb, paralyzed by the relentless current.
His demonic energy flared, but it couldn't completely block an attack conducted directly into his skin.
Ray forcefully threw away the larger iron rods, only to discover numerous small iron beads still clinging to him—stuck in his clothing seams, his hair, even his tail fur.
Ray was speechless.
'Nami and Robin are truly.... ruthless.'
This lightning strike completely restricted his movement speed. Nami kept directing more bolts from nearby, maintaining the pressure. While the damage to Ray's current body wasn't lethal, the control effect was perfect.
Just then, Nami waved a single hand.
Several lightning bolts converged in the sky, pointing directly at a massive figure in the air.
While Ray was distracted attacking Chopper, Sanji and Zoro had launched Luffy skyward.
"Gear Third: Gum-Gum Thunder Axe!"
This move... tsk tsk.
Ray realized he now resembled Shiki the Golden Lion from the movies facing a plot-armored Luffy.
'This combat level is sufficient. Then let me test how powerful this Thunder Axe really is.'
A hundred-meter-long giant foot, wreathed in lightning, smashed down directly toward Ray's head.
Ray's Demonic Power surged violently, momentarily dispersing the paralysis enveloping his body.
Then, Ray threw a punch upward, colliding directly with Luffy's Thunder Axe.
CRACK-BOOM!
In an instant, lightning rampaged across the entire valley.
Usopp pulled out pre-prepared rubber blankets, wrapping Nami, Robin, and Chopper inside them.
After a dozen seconds, the lightning dissipated.
Centered on the battlefield, the area within two kilometers was utterly devastated. Smoke rose from the scorched earth.
Luffy and the others watched Ray's position tensely, chests heaving.
"We should have at least managed to injure Sesshomaru a little..."
"Not sure if Ray's consciousness can return."
"If Ray doesn't come back, we'll probably all perish here."
Despite using so many techniques, the actual combat time was less than three minutes.
In this high-intensity coordinated battle, every member of the Straw Hat Pirates was mentally strained to the breaking point.
Even while waiting, they maintained their combat stances—Usopp reloading, Nami charging clouds, the Monster Trio keeping Haki active.
As the dust settled, the figure of 'Sesshomaru' appeared.
His clothing was torn, traces of blood were visible on his body, and his eyes glowed with a demonic red hue.
Yet, moments later, the injuries inflicted by Luffy and the others began to knit together, healing completely before their eyes.
"I truly underestimated you all!"
'Sesshomaru' stared coldly at the Straw Hat Pirates.
Robin's heart sank.
'No way... is Ray still going to fight?'
Luffy and the others looked grave, immediately accelerating the flow of their Haki.
"Zoro, Sanji. We're going all out."
"Aye, Captain!"
"Hmph. So I'm going to die together with this Moss Head after all?"
They said this because 'Sesshomaru' had drawn his sword.
During the entire previous battle, he hadn't used a weapon.
If he now wielded the Tokijin, their chances of survival dropped to zero.
But fight they must.
Maybe dealing more damage would allow Ray to regain control.
...
Ray felt quite pleased inwardly.
The earlier exchange had demonstrated that with this level of strength, combined with his full power, the crew was sufficient to confront a Marine Admiral.
At the very least, they could withstand the shockwaves and provide assistance.
Moreover, he could sense that the individuals before him hadn't yet revealed their full power.
'So let's test whether they can withstand the Azure Dragon Break.'
Ray raised Tokijin, demonic power swirling around the blade.
This was the original Azure Dragon Break—even with suppressed power, it possessed attack strength comparable to an Admiral's.
"Azure Dragon Break!"
Pure demonic power in the form of a massive azure dragon erupted forth, tearing through the already ravaged land.
Luffy and the others steeled themselves, preparing to use their untested trump cards in a final, desperate stand.
But at that moment, a figure clad in red with white hair flashed before them.
A massive sword swept through the air.
"Backlash Wave!" (Bakuryūha)
Several gigantic tornadoes instantly formed, catching the powerful demonic power from the Azure Dragon Break and surging back toward Ray.
Within three kilometers, the world became a hellscape of demonic tornadoes.
This scene terrified Robin.
With such terrifying power reflecting his own attack, would Ray be killed?
"INU-SAN, STOP! That's Ray ahead, not Sesshomaru!"
When Inuyasha heard this, he was utterly bewildered.
The others were equally stunned.
But before anyone could ask questions, Inuyasha spoke up while grinning.
"Once I unleash my Bakuryūha, there's no stopping it! Let's see if he can block it. Don't worry, with his strength, he'll at most be seriously injured."
Inuyasha wore a clearly confident expression, looking quite pleased with himself.
However, just as the Bakuryūha was about to push the Azure Dragon Break back into Ray, Ray's Demonic Power erupted further.
The power of the Azure Dragon Break multiplied, forcibly pushing the tornadoes back.
Just as the combined energy was about to hit the Straw Hat Pirates, Ray withdrew his power, causing both attacks to explode simultaneously in the middle ground.
"Barrier!"
Inuyasha activated Tessaiga's scabbard barrier, protecting the Straw Hat Pirates from the shockwave.
Thus, the battle ended.
...
Fifteen Minutes Later.
Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, Nami, and Chopper were sitting in a circle, glaring discontentedly at Ray, Robin, and Chouchou.
"Hmph!" x5
"This is so frustrating!" x5
Seeing this scene, Robin quietly slipped over to Nami's side and joined the glare.
"Ray, you have to give us an explanation!" x6
Actually, Luffy wasn't angry.
After learning that Ray was unharmed, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"What's the big deal? It's good that Ray is fine."
With that, he immediately fell asleep.
Ray shook his head helplessly and had Chouchou explain his reasons to everyone.
After Chouchou finished explaining the real reason for the brutal training, Ray awkwardly added one sentence.
"I'm sorry..?"
Silence fell over the scene for over ten seconds.
Seeing everyone's reactions, Ray grew a bit nervous inside.
Just as he was about to force himself to say "sorry," everyone suddenly started making a ruckus.
"Haha! So that's how it is!"
"I can accept it. After all, I've trained to the point where I can kick Moss Head flying with one foot. The gains are significant."
"HUUUUHHH?"
"What?"
"Let's fight, you bastard!" x2
"Usopp, you were secretly cursing Boss Ray just now. Tsk tsk, that's too much of you," Chopper tattled.
"Hey, Chopper, don't talk nonsense! I was praising Ray for his foresight, okay?!"
Nami wiped away her tears and pulled Robin aside to whisper furiously.
Seeing his companions' reactions—their immediate forgiveness and return to chaos—Ray breathed a sigh of relief and felt much more at ease.
Just then, Inuyasha approached him with a serious expression.
"How is Sesshomaru now?"
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