Chapter 127 127: Despair!!
Facing Luffy's mockery, the Five Elders were furious—yet, unexpectedly, none of them refuted him.
He was strong. Too strong.
A mere seventeen-year-old brat, yet the power he displayed had already reached such a terrifying level.
He might even be capable of battling the "World's Strongest Creature," Kaido.
If it weren't for the mechanism of their immortal bodies, they likely would have already lost.
Even so, despite it being five against one, they had not gained even the slightest advantage against Luffy.
It had been far too long since they had last fought personally. Their combat instincts had long since faded—what remained was nothing but brute force.
So although they possessed Admiral-level stats, they lacked the true combat ability of Admirals.
The Five Elders exchanged glances and began communicating through telepathy.
[We can't defeat him quickly. Then we'll have to resort to tricks. —Warcury]
[What do you mean?!]
[Isn't he trying to save Fire Fist? Saturn, go capture Portgas D. Ace and disrupt his mind. —Warcury]
[But what about here?]
[Relax. With our strength, holding him back… won't be a problem. —Warcury]
[Understood.]
A strange red glow flickered within the Five Elders' eyes.
The Fengxi Demon Boar roared, its entire body coated in Armament Haki, its armor shining like obsidian.
Black-purple Conqueror's Haki wrapped tightly around its tusks, forming blade-like edges!
With a powerful stomp, it leapt skyward and slammed toward Luffy.
At the same time, Itsumade soared into the air, its razor-sharp claws lunging straight for him.
But Luffy showed no fear.
His arm suddenly stretched forward, gripping the demon boar's tusks tightly.
Their Conqueror's Haki clashed violently.
Luffy overpowered Warcury and, with a sudden burst of strength—
The air twisted violently.
The demon boar was spun into disorientation as a massive storm erupted around them.
BANG!!
Grabbing Warcury's massive body, Luffy hurled him straight toward Itsumade!!
Crimson blood sprayed like a fountain as the two beasts roared in pain.
They crashed heavily into the ground, kicking up massive clouds of dust.
At that moment, blood had already begun seeping from the corner of Luffy's mouth.
The skin on both his arms was torn open, blood dripping steadily onto the ground.
He panted heavily—
Yet a grin spread across his face.
"HAHAHAHA!!"
"Five Elders… you're nothing special!!"
Luffy's eyes burned with blazing excitement.
Every muscle in his body trembled with exhilaration.
It felt as if death could arrive at any second, his heart pounding wildly beyond his control!
His constitution, strength, Haki—even his Devil Fruit abilities—were undergoing a qualitative leap.
Sure enough—
Nothing tempers a man's will more than facing death itself!
Hearing Luffy's laughter, the Five Elders were momentarily stunned.
Then a trace of solemn fear appeared in their eyes.
That expression—
It was joy.
The thrill of battle.
He was enjoying the feeling of dancing on the edge of a blade.
At the same time, an image surfaced in their minds—
A rebellious blond pirate.
"Golden Lion" Shiki!!
More importantly—
They weren't sure if it was just an illusion…
But that brat seemed to be getting stronger the longer he fought.
His Haki… and everything else!
Terrifying.
Absolutely terrifying!
A trace of fear even appeared within the beastly pupils of the Five Elders.
The regime that had ruled the world for eight hundred years seemed to show its first massive crack!
"Move!!"
The Fengxi Demon Boar charged first, rushing toward Luffy.
Meanwhile—
Saturn, in his Gyuki form, quietly slipped away from the battlefield…
"STOP!!"
A strange red glow flashed in Luffy's eyes as he dodged Warcury and dashed straight toward Saturn.
"Grandson of Garp… don't get cocky!"
Itsumade let out a piercing shriek.
Spreading its enormous wings, the monstrous bird opened its massive beak—
And unleashed a vast pillar of crimson flames, instantly blocking Luffy's path!
But it wasn't over yet.
A flash of cold steel streaked toward him.
The Shodai Kitetsu, glowing with red and blue energy, slashed directly across Luffy's chest.
The skeletal demon—
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro—
passed by him coldly.
"Your heart has wavered."
"The difference between insects… and gods…"
"Is that gods are not bound by emotions."
Violent Conqueror's Haki mixed with chilling demonic aura surged into Luffy's body.
For a moment—
He felt as though his blood had frozen solid.
Luffy forced himself upward into the sky.
His Conqueror's Haki exploded outward, countless black-red lightning bolts radiating from him in all directions!
"Brat… we won't give you another chance!"
The demon boar roared and rammed directly into Luffy!
Luffy's pupils shrank.
Instinctively crossing his arms in front of his chest, he took the meteor-like collision head-on.
BOOM!
A massive shockwave exploded outward.
Luffy's body was blasted away like a cannonball—
Slamming into a mountain thousands of meters away.
"Cough…!!"
Blood spilled from his mouth.
Shaking his head—nearly turned to mush—Luffy quickly forced himself back into focus.
"The World Government's eight hundred years of foundation…"
"…is not something you can challenge."
A cold voice rang out.
Luffy spun around.
A gigantic shadow loomed over him.
The enormous Sandworm opened its writhing maw filled with jagged teeth and bit down toward him!
CLANG!
Luffy's Haki-coated hands caught the sandworm's teeth.
But the jagged fangs pierced through his palms, blood dripping down his arms.
Yellow-green slime dripped onto Luffy's body.
Its powerful corrosive effect caused white smoke to rise from his skin!
"ARGH!!"
Luffy's face twisted in pain.
His Conqueror's Haki surged violently as he threw a punch!
The air shattered.
The sandworm's body was instantly torn apart!!
"Die! You are no longer our match!!"
The skeletal demon raised Shodai Kitetsu, freezing aura pouring from the blade.
SHLK!
The sword pierced directly into Luffy's chest.
Frost began spreading inch by inch through his blood.
The blade was pulled out—
And Nusjuro delivered a brutal kick!
Luffy's mind became chaotic.
His entire body stiffened, unable to move.
"Die!!"
From above—
Itsumade plunged downward, claws wrapped in purple lightning, slashing toward Luffy!!
BOOM!!
Luffy's body crashed into the earth like a meteor.
A massive crater exploded outward.
The ground shattered, rocks flying everywhere.
At this moment—
Luffy looked as though he had been dragged from a vat of blood.
His body was covered in wounds and crimson.
Frostbite.
Sword wounds.
Blunt-force trauma.
Corrosive slime.
There wasn't a single part of him left unharmed.
"…That was far too reckless."
RUMBLE… RUMBLE…
Four gigantic figures slowly approached Luffy.
The pressure they emitted was overwhelming.
"You truly are powerful."
"Unparalleled."
"In eight hundred years… your talent may very well be the greatest in the world."
"I now have no doubt that you would awaken that fruit."
"If you were not Nika…"
"Even if you had killed a Celestial Dragon in public—so long as you surrendered…"
"We would grant you supreme authority."
"What a pity."
The Five Elders, who stood at the pinnacle of power, actually expressed regret.
There was no doubt—
If Luffy joined them, the World Government's rule would become unshakable.
But they were destined to remain enemies.
Murderous intent flooded their eyes.
Yet they still didn't strike.
"You wanted to save Ace, didn't you?"
"Then we will personally destroy the one thing you care about most."
"Watch closely, Monkey D. Luffy."
"Watch your brother die right before your eyes."
"…And you will be able to do nothing."
"…Nothing at all."
The four beasts returned to human form.
Twisted smiles spread across their faces.
They stood before Luffy—arrogant and domineering.
"Heh… what a bunch of demons."
Luffy sat on the ground.
Blood continued to pour down his arms—
Yet his mind was abnormally calm.
The secret of Observation Haki: No matter what happens, remain calm.
A red glow flickered in Luffy's eyes.
Scenes of the future flashed before him.
With every action he considered—
The future shifted slightly.
Yet no matter the outcome—
Both he and Ace died.
There had to be a way.
Luffy's forehead beaded with sweat.
His mental energy was draining rapidly.
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