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The battlefields of both worlds boiled over at the same time.
In the illusion world, every swing of Tot Musica's massive music-note body unleashed devastating sound waves.
Luffy was briefly knocked unconscious by that intense shockwave earlier and was urgently dragged to the rear by Chopper.
The Straw Hat crew, the Big Mom Pirates detachment led by Oven, and Marine Captain Coby along with Helmeppo could barely hold back the Demon King's assault.
Just as Robin had said, this scattered, unorganized attack was completely ineffective against a monster that existed simultaneously in two dimensions.
"We have to attack in sync!"
Nami swung her Clima-Tact to create a thundercloud barrier, blocking a wave of sonic impact, and shouted hoarsely, "The timing Robin mentioned… both worlds have to hit the exact same spot at the same time!"
Amid the chaos, Coby displayed impressive command talent.
While dodging sweeps from the music-note giant claws, he quickly analyzed the situation: "Brûlée-san! Please open the passageway to the Mirror World! Nami-san, Robin-san, cover the civilians' evacuation!"
Nami understood and swung her Clima-Tact to produce thick fog that obscured vision.
Robin crossed her arms in front of her chest: "Hana Hana no Mi: Gigantesco Mano · Tree!"
Countless arms sprouted from the ground, swiftly forming a temporary shelter passageway.
Charlotte Brûlée gritted her teeth and raised a mirror surface: "Hurry! Everyone, get in!"
The people who had been turned into toys stumbled and surged into the Mirror World for refuge under the guidance of the Straw Hat crew.
Some civilians, just before entering the mirror, glanced back at the Straw Hats desperately holding the line against Tot Musica, complex emotions flashing in their eyes.
These pirates, whom they had cursed as "demons," were now using their bodies to build a defensive line for them.
"They… really are different."
A mother holding her child murmured…
In the real world, the battlefield was equally fierce.
Katakuri's arrival brought a crucial turning point to the fight.
The moment this masterpiece of the Charlotte family set foot on Elegia's soil, his eyes beneath the scarf locked onto the twisted music-note giant shadow in midair.
"So that's Tot Musica?"
His voice was calm, but his arms had already begun to be coated in Armament Haki.
Yasopp fired shots to disrupt the Demon King's movements while saying in a low voice, "We need to match the attack timing from the illusion world, but we can't contact them right now!"
Katakuri didn't reply, simply closing his eyes slowly.
His Observation Haki fully expanded, and his ability to briefly foresee the future was operating frantically, trying to capture that subtle timing node between the two worlds.
Actually, Shanks had noticed this too, but the people inside hadn't yet sensed them or established the link!
Inside the illusion world, the Straw Hat crew quickly completed their tactical reorganization.
Franky and Jinbe acted as protectors, guarding the left and right flanks of the group, using their steel bodies and Fish-Man Karate to smash the endless waves of music-note minions.
Chopper guarded the unconscious Luffy and Gordon in his wheelchair, clutching a Rumble Ball tightly, ready to transform at any moment.
Coby and Helmeppo held the side, the two young officers coordinating perfectly, using Rokushiki and swordsmanship to clear out any stragglers.
Usopp held the high ground at the rear, his slingshot "Kuro Kabuto" fully drawn; every "Impact Wolf · Green Star" shot precisely struck Tot Musica's energy nodes.
At the front line, Brook's sword dance and Sanji's kicking techniques formed the first defensive line.
The true core of the attack fell on Zoro, Oven, and Trafalgar Law.
"Three Sword Style: Black Rope Dragon Twister!"
Zoro's three swords whipped up sword energy that tore through space.
"Hot Steam Fist!"
Oven's body steamed furiously as his scorching fist slammed into the Demon King's torso.
"ROOM · Amputate!"
Law's surgical space precisely excised chunks of music-note tissue.
However… the effect was minimal.
The destroyed parts regenerated rapidly, and Tot Musica even let out a mocking, piercing screech.
In the real world, the Red Hair Pirates and Katakuri were also locked in a bitter struggle.
Every one of Yasopp's bullets hit the Demon King's joints precisely, yet he complained aloud: "That idiot son… hasn't calmed down enough to sense it yet?"
As a top sniper, he could vaguely sense Usopp's presence in the other world.
It was a mysterious bloodline connection, but to achieve synchronized attacks, Usopp also had to detect that link.
Beckman directed the crew to cover civilian evacuation while calmly analyzing: "The attack frequency is off.
For every three effective hits on our side, the Demon King has one unnatural tremor—that's damage stacking from the illusion world. If we can sync precisely…"
"We need a signal."
Katakuri suddenly spoke, eyes still closed: "A signal that both worlds must initiate at the same time."
In the illusion world, Gordon watched Uta attacking madly in the distance, tears welling up again: "It's all my fault… If I had told her the truth back then…
If I hadn't hidden the real reason the Red-Haired Pirates attacked Elegia…"
"Hey, don't talk about yourself like that."
Sanji kicked away a lunging music-note soldier and landed beside Gordon.
He lit a cigarette, his voice unusually gentle:
"In a situation where the kingdom was destroyed, you raised Uta to adulthood and protected your promise to Shanks until now—that's already incredible."
Chopper nodded vigorously beside him: "That's right! Gordon-san is a good person!"
Gordon stared blankly at them, then at the unconscious Luffy, his lips trembling: "Please… Luffy, please save Uta… She's just… in too much pain…"
At that moment…
Luffy's fingers twitched.
Then, he suddenly opened his eyes and leaped up from the ground.
"Uta…"
He murmured her name, his gaze gradually sharpening, becoming incredibly fierce.
He took off his coat and tossed it to Chopper. Then, he took a deep breath…
His right arm began hardening with Armament Haki, turning pitch black.
Gear Third: Bone Balloon… His arm inflated, followed by: "Gear Fourth!"
White steam exploded outward!
When the steam cleared, the Boundman form appeared before everyone.
Just like before—his body inflated like a balloon, skin gleaming with Devil Fruit patterns, but most striking were the white streamers swirling around him!
That was a special phenomenon born from the fusion of Haki and the fruit's traits.
"Boundman!" Luffy's voice echoed with a resonant buzz.
In God Valley, the Five Elders watching Luffy use this form again had their expressions freeze simultaneously.
"This form…" Saint Nusjuro gripped the hilt of his First Generation Kitetsu so tightly it creaked.
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter's face was as dark as water: "Though not as similar as the previous Serpent form, those white streamers… they're too close."
Saint Marcus Mars stared fixedly at the screen: "Zoan-type form transformation, Paramecia traits… the Nika fruit…"
Saint Topman Warcury slowly shook his head, killing intent chilling in his eyes: "This boy must not be allowed to live. His very existence is the greatest threat to the World Government's century-long rule."
The Five Elders' concerns were not unfounded.
Luffy's current form—the fluttering white streamers, the free and unrestrained posture—was growing ever closer to the terrifying memory they buried deepest in history: the "Warrior of Liberation."
Back to the battlefield.
In Boundman state, Luffy turned into a red afterimage and smashed a heavy fist into Tot Musica's chest!
"Gomu Gomu no… Ape King Gun!"
For the first time, the Demon King's massive body was knocked back several steps, clear cracks appearing in its music-note frame.
Effective! But not enough!
Just as Luffy prepared a second strike, he suddenly paused.
He looked up, not at Tot Musica, but in a direction that didn't exist in this world.
"Shanks…" he murmured.
At the same time, Usopp at the rear suddenly froze.
He lowered his slingshot, closed his eyes, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
"This feeling is…"
Usopp whispered, then his eyes snapped open in realization: "Dad?"
Because of Tot Musica's existence as a "connection point," the illusion world and real world were now producing a subtle resonance.
And the blood-connected Usopp and Yasopp became the first "signal nodes" to capture this resonance.
"Finally caught on, you dumb kid!"
Seeing Usopp finally get it, Yasopp gave a slight smile…
"Little ones!"
Luffy suddenly roared: "Focus! Prepare to attack!"
Almost at the exact same moment, in the real world, Shanks seemed to hear something, a smile curling his lips as he raised Gryphon high: "Little ones, focus… prepare to attack!"
Two worlds, two leaders, issued completely identical commands.
Usopp's eyes opened wide, unprecedented clarity flashing through them.
He leaped to a high point, slingshot aimed at Tot Musica: "Everyone, follow my lead! Synchronized attack begins!"
The perfect command of father-and-son snipers
"Zoro! Coby!"
"Beckman!"
Usopp and Yasopp's voices pierced the battlefield: "Right leg joint! Three, two, one—attack!"
In the illusion world, Zoro's three swords and Coby's Rokushiki erupted simultaneously.
In the real world, Beckman's bullet struck the exact same spot precisely.
Tot Musica's right leg armor shattered instantly!
"Jinbe! Helmeppo!"
"Lucky Roux! Hongo!"
The father and son, now fully in sync, stared intently at the battlefield: "Left hand! Now!"
Fish-Man Jujutsu: Over-Shoulder Throw, sword slashes, impacts—the attacks from both worlds synchronized perfectly.
Left arm armor disintegrated!
Usopp's commands rained down like hail, each one precisely matching the combat configurations of both worlds: "Attack the left shoulder!"
Oven, Katakuri—scorching steam and mochi giant fists struck in unison.
Sanji, Gaban, Limejuice, Mr. Rocks—center-left area!"
Kicks, monstrous strength, swordsmanship, and cannon fire intertwined.
Robin, Chopper, Benn Beckman, Monster—center-right!"
Hana Hana no Mi chaos, monster enhancement, punches and beast strikes.
"Franky! Bendik Snaj! Right hand final area—leave it to us!"
Usopp took a deep breath and raised his weapon in unison with his father far in the real world.
"Ultimate · Green Star · Devil!"
The father-and-son attack crossed the world barrier, precisely hitting Tot Musica's right-hand core node.
All armor, all defenses, all regeneration—in this perfectly synchronized siege—collapsed completely.
Tot Musica's true body, that core formed of countless twisted music notes, was exposed before everyone in both worlds.
It let out a final screech, attempting one last struggle.
But it was too late.
Usopp and Yasopp shouted hoarsely in unison: "Luffy / Boss—NOW!!!"
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