Chapter 24: Chapter 22: The Guardian of Mordor.
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The massive beast loomed before them, its molten eyes glowing with an ancient, unrelenting rage.
Its obsidian-covered body cracked and hissed, releasing plumes of black smoke into the air. The ground beneath it melted, leaving behind scorched earth with every step.
Sanji flicked his cigarette away. "Tch. That thing looks like a walking volcano."
Usopp's knees shook violently. "Luffy, I change my mind! Maybe we shouldn't fight the giant lava monster!"
Luffy cracked his knuckles, grinning. "Too late! We're already here!"
The beast let out a deafening roar, shaking the very sky.
And then—it charged.
---
The Battle Begins
BOOM!
The guardian slammed its fist into the earth, sending a shockwave through the ground. The Straw Hats scattered, dodging the erupting flames that shot up from the cracks.
Zoro unsheathed his swords. "Looks like we're in for a real fight."
Sanji's eyes sharpened. "Fine by me."
The guardian swung its massive arm toward Luffy—but he leaped high into the air, dodging with ease.
"Oi, big guy!" Luffy yelled, pulling back his fist. "Gomu Gomu no… Pistol!"
His stretching punch slammed into the beast's face—
BOOM!
—but the impact barely made it stumble.
Robin's eyes widened. "Its body is absorbing the impact…"
Legolas fired several arrows, each one piercing through the cracks in its armor. The creature roared in anger, but it wasn't slowing down.
Zoro rushed forward. "Then we'll just have to cut it down!"
He swung his swords in an arc—"Rengoku Onigiri!"
The attack landed—but his swords barely left a mark on its stone-like flesh.
Zoro's eyes narrowed. "Tch. Tough bastard."
Sanji vanished in a blur, appearing above the creature's head. "Diable Jambe… Flambage Shot!"
His flaming kick crashed into the beast's skull—this time, the attack burned through, forcing the creature to stagger back.
"That did something!" Chopper yelled.
Usopp aimed his slingshot. "Then let's give it more! Usopp's Exploding Star!"
A massive explosion engulfed the creature's shoulder, making it roar in pain.
The guardian's rage exploded. Its chest began to glow with a deep red heat, and suddenly—
It unleashed a wave of molten fire!
The Straw Hats barely had time to react as the flames surged forward, consuming everything in their path.
Nami gritted her teeth. "We need to stop that thing now!"
Gandalf suddenly stepped forward, raising his staff. His voice echoed with power—"YOU SHALL NOT PASS!"
He slammed his staff into the ground, and a barrier of light erupted, blocking the flames just before they could reach the crew.
Luffy grinned. "Whoa! That was awesome!"
Gandalf smirked. "Now, my boy—finish this."
Luffy's eyes darkened with resolve. He took a deep breath, then vanished in an instant.
"Gear Fourth… Boundman!"
His massive, muscular form appeared in the air, steam billowing around him.
The guardian turned just in time to see Luffy's fist pull back—
"Gomu Gomu no… King Kong Gun!"
Luffy's fist slammed into the creature's chest—
CRACK!
A massive shockwave ripped through the air. The guardian's obsidian armor shattered, and for the first time—it screamed.
The force of the attack sent it flying backward, crashing into the mountainside with a deafening explosion.
Silence fell over the battlefield.
Smoke and dust filled the air as the crew watched, waiting for any sign of movement.
Finally, the massive beast collapsed, its glowing eyes flickering—
And then… they dimmed forever.
Luffy landed on the ground, breathing heavily.
Zoro smirked. "Guess that's one problem solved."
Legolas lowered his bow. "That was no ordinary guardian. If creatures like this still roam Mordor… then we must be prepared for much worse."
Robin dusted off her hands. "Then let's not waste any time."
Gandalf turned to the group. "We move forward. The deeper we go… the closer we get to the truth of the One Piece."
Luffy grinned. "Then what are we waiting for?"
And with that, the Straw Hat Pirates took their first step deeper into Mordor.
The adventure was just beginning.
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To Be Continued in Chapter 23 : Whispers in the Ashes.
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If you want to read more up to 3 or even 7 chapters
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Thanks for the support. And please read my second work ( Spider-Verse : The Web of Deception. )