Ultimate Fruit

Chapter 29: Gear Second!

Luffy glared at Blueno in front of him and the building behind.

“Robin is in that building behind you, isn’t she!? Get outta my way, Cow!”

“...It seems that all of you still haven’t noticed...This sort of thing...is a global scale grand offense.”

Though Blueno said that, Luffy didn’t quite understand. After all, to him, the flag of the World Government is just a flag. It wasn’t the same as their own pirate flag!

“What are you talking about?”

“In the oceans of this world, we boast influence in more than 170 affiliated countries. The gigantic organization known as the World Government owns this island. When you invaded this island...it meant you decided to revolt against all of the affiliated countries!”

Blueno’s tone was extremely grave.

He was already pissed off that they can’t do anything to Lucas, and now these bunch of kids show up and thinks they can defeat them!?

“The Government bears that dignity. You'd be marked criminals until all of you are caught. Then you’ll probably be given cruel deaths. At most, there are 10 of you...what a small amount of power! With Lucas not joining this fight...none of you stand a chance!”

Hearing Lucas’ name pop up, Luffy stopped listening and started warming up.

“I just told you...to get out of the way!”

“Whether or not I move, when you all entered the gates of Enies Lobby, all you did was seal your fate. Fighting is also useless against our Rokushiki. I think you could tell in the Galley-La mansion. The difference in our power…”

“That’s right...but, somehow, this time…”

Luffy’s arm twisted backward as he dashed towards Blueno.

“I don’t think I’m gonna lose!”

Gomu gomu no…!

“...Tekkai.”

Blueno sighed and casually performed Tekkai.

Luffy’s expression became fiercer as he fully concentrated his power on his fist!

...-RIFLE!!!

“!? Gah-!?”

For a moment, Blueno’s eyes whitened in shock as he vomited blood! He nearly fainted just now...what sort of power was this!?

When he fought Luffy back in the mansion...he clearly remembered that Luffy didn’t have this much power!

Seeing as his attack had caused damage, Luffy didn’t waste any time and continued with his Gatling Gun!

“Soru!”

Blueno dodged quickly! However, somehow, Luffy’s eyes followed his movement and...with a twist, he sent a solid punch right at Blueno’s chin!

“!?”

*BAM!*

The wall crumbled behind Blueno as he laid there, still confused at what had just happened.

Luffy held onto his Strawhat and spoke.

“As for the ways of the World Government, do whatever you want with ‘em! We only came to take Robin and Lucas back!”

Blueno’s face darkened!

“You fool! Forget Robin, if Lucas comes back to you lot...then you will all truly be doomed!”

“I don’t care! Give my friends back!”

Inside the Tower of Justice, Lucci’s room.

Lucci had handed two devil fruits which Spandam had kept to Kalifa and Kaku.

They can’t afford to be careless and it will be better to raise everyone’s strength for the upcoming battle.

Be it against the Strawhats...or against Lucas. As long as they continue to power up, they wouldn't be forced into something like the situation earlier where one man can decide their life and death!

Kalifa and Kaku looked at the fruits in front of them and hesitated.

“It’s hard to think that this fruit comes from this world...I feel some strange power from it, like a gravitational force. It wasn’t in my picture encyclopedia either.

Kaku said.

“Well, that’s normal. We can know the name of the fruit by the power it gives. But what kind of power we might get is completely up to luck.”

Kalifa also added.

“It must be a horrible life if you get some weird power. Plus, you become a hammer in water…”

“But if this fruit can counter Lucas’ ability…”

Kaku and Kalifa looked at each other.

If their ability can somehow be of use to defeat Lucas...then they won’t need to play this stupid game!

Lucci grinned.

“Regardless of the type of power, it all depends on how you use it. The chances of you weakening from it are very low. Besides, being a hammer isn’t that much of an inconvenience. There are plenty of people who sail their entire life looking for a single devil fruit.”

By the door, Jabra spoke, clearly against the idea.

“Kaku! Kalifa! Don’t do it! Nothing good will come of it! It tastes like shit, you know! Like shit!”

“Jabra just doesn’t want Kaku to power up.”

“Envy and jealousy hurt a man’s good name yoyoi!”

“Shut up! Think about it, you two! You could sell ‘em for hundreds of millions! But one bite might mean a lifetime of problems, you know!?”

Kaku and Kalifa didn’t bother to listen to his nonsense as they both took a bite.

“Hm...it would be fun.”

“...If its a winner, I’ll gladly welcome it.”

The instant they took a bite, their faces paled from the taste!

“Yuck!”

“It really does taste awful!”

Still, the two of them managed to finish eating the whole fruit as otherwise, they wouldn’t gain the power.

After they were done, both of them panted, clearly still disgusted by the taste.

“H-hey! Do something! What kinda power did you get!?”

“Haah...I don’t think anything has changed…”

“You’ll realize the change in due time...this is the birth of more Ability Users. I’m looking forward to it...so get a hang of your powers at least. Depending on the situation, you might be in battle soon. Blueno...couldn’t wait around so he went ahead to the festival.”

Lucci smirked and went towards where he had the prisoners kept.

It was time to move…

Back in Spandam’s office, Lucas stood up and watched from the window. He can see Blueno already fighting with Luffy.

It seems that despite Blueno using Soru...Luffy still manages to dodge properly!

Huh, did he awaken Observation Haki already?...No, it’s close, but this isn’t that yet...I guess I sped up his improvement with those games that I had him play…

Lucas chuckled in his mind.

Now, if only he knows how to train in Armament Haki as well...no matter. Once he’s a shichibukai, there will bound to be records of it that he can access or people he can ask.

Since he’s going to be a shichibukai anyway, might as well squeeze every advantage he can get.

“Hm?”

Suddenly, both Blueno and Luffy seemed to be in a standstill.

No one can beat the other and their strength seemed to be equal.

At this moment, Luffy bent down and held his knees as he pushed downwards.

His legs started to contract up and down…

Lucas smiled.

It’s finally, the inspiration he got that created his Heatman mode…

 

Luffy spoke.

“I have nakamas who’re not strong...but I still want them to be with me! So, I have to be stronger than anybody else...or I’ll lose them all!”

“...How foolish, you think you can surpass even Lucas?”

“I have to! Otherwise, he’ll keep on protecting us and sacrificing himself! I’ve thought of a way to fight with all my might...so I wouldn't lose anybody!...So I won’t ever have to lose anybody…!”

Suddenly, steam started to appear from his body.

Blueno looked shocked! This move...was similar to what Lucas did earlier!

But how!? Luffy wasn’t made of water like Lucas!

“You wouldn't be...able to follow me anymore!”

“...What?”

“All of my techniques...will evolve one step.”

GEAR...SECOND!

What followed next was…

“Gomu gomu no...Jet Pistol!!!”

*BOOM!*

Blueno didn’t even have time to use Soru!

He was hit and thrown to the back as he spurted blood from his mouth!

By the time he looked up...he’s no longer able to see Luffy! Blueno looked around but just as he did...Luffy sent another fist towards him!

“Jet Stamp!”

“Gah-!?”

While Blueno is being hit continuously, a scary thought appeared in his mind…

No way...there’s no doubt...that guy...surely…

Strawhat Luffy had learned how to use Soru! And just by watching him do it!?

This...this guy…

He remembered Lucas’ confidence in Luffy and his face darkened.

It can’t be...that this Luffy is really bound to get even stronger than that monster!? Even Lucas isn’t able to learn how to move with Soru!

If he continues to fight with Luffy...who knows what other techniques will be stolen from him!

Feeling a brush of wind from behind, Blueno no longer thought of anything and quickly used his Air Door to escape!

Luffy stood there and looked around.

“He disappeared…”

Suddenly, another air door appeared right above him as both of Blueno’s arms were ready to touch Luffy and use his door door fruit!

However, Luffy was still calm and used Soru to escape quickly.

“!?”

“When you...moved so fast, as if you disappeared, I saw you kick the ground more than 10 times in a moment before you moved. I got the hang of it and I’m so glad to know that there’s a way to move like that.”

Lucas, who was observing the fight and using his Observation Haki to listen in, faltered.

Dammit, kicking the ground more than 10 times...how is that something you can easily do!?

Truth is, Lucas also wanted to be able to use Soru as it is convenient but doing it is harder than it sounds...he wasn’t like Luffy who had a huge battle potential at all.

Most of Lucas’ battle attacks rely too much on his ability…only Observation Haki could be said to be partially his own ability.

...I guess I’ll train on it in my time as a shichibukai…

Having thought that, Lucas stopped thinking about it and continued to watch.

Right now, it seems that Luffy’s about to use his strongest attack against Blueno’s strongest defense.

“Gomu gomu no…!”

“Tekkai! Gou!”

“...Jet Bazooka!!!”

*BOOM!*

Blueno staggered a few steps back as he continued to glare at Luffy.

Seeing as Blueno was still standing, Luffy sighed and bit on his thumb.

“You really are tough...then, I’ll show you something even more interesting. Watch this...Gear-...”

Just as he was about to make his next move, Blueno’s body swayed to the side...and fell!

It seems...Blueno was no longer able to fight!

Lucas smiled.

That’s one down…

Then, he saw Luffy stand on top of one of the pillars and breathed deeply.

“ROOOOBIIIIN!!! LUUUCAAAS!!! I’VE COME FOR YOU TWO!!!”

“...Oh this adorable idiot captain…”

Lucas laughed.

Good thing that he somewhat knew what he was about to do and had his camera ready.

Un, when I go back someday, I’ll show this to Luffy. At that time, I’m sure it would be funny.

Lucas smiled. However, he can’t return to them just yet...there are still things he needed to do…

Hearing the shout as well, Spandam ran over to the window and looked!

“Is that...Blueno!? He defeated Blueno!? What the hell is Lucci and the others doing!? Someone! Tell Lucci and the others to stop playing around and deal with the Strawhats!!!”

“Y-yes sir!”

The marines station nearby saluted and ran out.

Actually, he didn’t have to give such an order, what with how loud Luffy was, Lucci and the others had already heard him and planned to move.

Using Soru and Geppo. The CP9 jumped out the window and headed to the balcony above.

Lucci was holding onto Robin while Fukurou had Franky.

Seeing the CP9, Spandam laughed.

“Wahahaha! Glad you’re all here, CP9!”

“Oh? Our enemy is just Strawhat himself?”

“Yoyou! Even if he’s alone, he came this far. And that’s praiseworthy!”

“Right, Blueno got owned. Gyahaha! What an idiot!”

“I guess he’s lost his touch...after being a bar owner for 5 years.”

“Even if he lost his touch, would he lose that easily?”

“He lost!”

All the remaining 6 of the CP9 had arrived!

Lucas’ eyes narrowed. It seems he still underestimated Lucci’s arrogance...they actually took the time to get back here instead of going to the Gates of Justice earlier...well, there’s also that the envoy ship is still not there yet, so it's useless but…

...Anyway, let’s see how this goes...so far, there isn’t too much change yet other than Franky is still tied up.

Suddenly, the floor behind Luffy broke and three figures appeared.

Chopper...Nami...and Zoro!

Then, one more person broke the floor...Sanji!

And then...Usopp came in flying!

“...”

Looking at these bunch still at their own pace despite facing the World Government is really…

Lucas smiled wryly but didn’t reveal himself yet.

Luffy shouted.

“I beg of you, Robin! I don’t care what you want! Whether you choose to live or die...but whatever you decide...say it while you're with us!”

“That’s right, Robin-chan!”

“Robin, come back!”

Seeing all six of them standing on the pillars as they faced against the World Government, Robin’s heart warmed…

“Now, leave everything to us!!!”