60 60. Eternal Hell, Gear Five Shift
As the battle raged on at Naval Headquarters, another intense conflict was unfolding at Impel Down prison.
Blackbeard, utilizing the powers of the Dark-Dark Fruit, convinced the prison warden, Shiryu of the Rain, to join forces with him. Together, they acquired the antidote for Magellan's deadly poison.
Chaos erupted within Impel Down as Blackbeard unleashed a horde of criminals by opening all the prison cells to distract Magellan.
On the sixth floor, known as Eternal Hell, the atmosphere was tense. Blackbeard, with a sinister laugh, faced off against released inmates, offering them a chance to fight for their freedom.
Meanwhile, Crocodile, a former Warlord, freed himself from his seastone restraints and exchanged words with Blackbeard, expressing his disinterest in their confrontation.
Ignoring Crocodile's disdain, Blackbeard prepared to clash with him, accompanied by Shiryu. But before the fight could escalate, a towering figure emerged beside Blackbeard, towering over the scene.
Buggy, another infamous pirate, attempted to intervene but was swiftly silenced by the newcomer's overwhelming power, causing a tremor that reverberated through the prison.
Identified as Bullet, a formidable adversary from the past, he engaged in a tense exchange with Blackbeard, expressing his desire to settle their differences once and for all.
Tensions rose as Bullet exuded a palpable aura, leaving Blackbeard and Shiryu on edge, realizing the gravity of the situation.
Every inch of this man seemed to emanate a menacing aura.
"If you're up for it, let's see what you've got, thief, hahaha," Blackbeard taunted confidently.
Despite the tense standoff, Bullet hesitated to make a move and eventually backed down, acknowledging Blackbeard's formidable strength.
Aware that his priority was escaping the prison, Blackbeard urged Crocodile to join them, prompting the former Warlord to reluctantly comply.
Confusion brewed among Blackbeard's crew as Doc Q questioned their captain's decision to let Crocodile go without a fight. Blackbeard, however, recognized Bullet's overwhelming power and deemed it unwise to provoke him.
Douglas Bullet, a true monster in every sense, posed a threat beyond their current capabilities. Blackbeard understood that engaging with him could lead to dire consequences.
In a surprising turn of events, Byrnndi World, also known as the World Destroyer, swiftly evaded Blackbeard's notice and disappeared just as quickly as he had appeared.
Blackbeard realized the perilous nature of recruiting allies from the sixth floor of Eternal Hell, where formidable monsters lurked at every turn.
Shiryu of the Rain informed Blackbeard about Byrnndi World's survival, noting his enduring resilience and monstrous vitality.
Recognizing Byrnndi World's reputation as a legendary figure preceding even Whitebeard's era, Blackbeard understood the gravity of the situation.
With Byrnndi World and Bullet in the mix, Blackbeard acknowledged the limited number of powerhouses he could control on the sixth floor.
With determination, Blackbeard declared the start of the battle, igniting a fierce clash that reverberated with explosive force, forcing bystanders to retreat in fear.
The ground resembled a sea of molten lava, with streams of it flowing and cooling everywhere.
A fierce gust of air pushed the two combatants apart.
Akainu's face was partially obscured by magma, showing no signs of injury except for his tattered clothes from his transformation.
On the other side, Luffy remained composed, his fists bearing slight burn marks.
Akainu posed a greater threat than Kizaru due to the destructive nature of his Devil Fruit ability. Unlike Kizaru, whose speed could be countered with Observation Haki, Akainu's magma attacks were relentless and unavoidable.
Engaging Akainu meant facing a relentless onslaught of magma, requiring powerful attacks to overpower him.
Akainu, adept at psychological warfare, taunted Luffy, attempting to provoke him emotionally. He knew that even a momentary distraction could result in severe damage.
Luffy's gaze drifted to the execution platform, where Ace awaited his fate. Despite Akainu's words, Luffy remained focused.
Sensing Luffy's resolve, Akainu grew uneasy, realizing he might have underestimated his opponent.
Luffy's demeanour shifted as he acknowledged the urgency of the situation. He was determined to defeat Akainu swiftly.
With a declaration to switch to his fifth gear, Luffy's body underwent a transformation. His massive form began to shrink and emit a soft white light, enveloping him in ribbons of steam.
The battlefield reverberated with the pounding of passionate drums, their rhythm cutting through the chaos of combat.
Amidst the clash of weapons, a joyous laughter echoed, spreading a sense of jubilation that seemed to cleanse the blood-soaked ground.
Kizaru, observing from afar, recognized the familiar white light emanating from Luffy's transformation. It reminded him of a powerful gesture he had witnessed before.
Sanji, recalling a similar display of strength in the Moby Dick, sensed Luffy's determination to unleash his full power.
On the execution platform, Sengoku and Garp watched in awe as Luffy's aura intensified, puzzled by the sudden surge in his grandson's strength.
Garp, torn between familiarity and confusion, struggled to comprehend Luffy's newfound power.
Meanwhile, Sengoku's frustration grew as he realized the extent to which the Straw Hat Pirates had disrupted their plans.
Yet, they remained immobilized, aware of the formidable figures observing the battle from afar—Whitebeard and Rayleigh.
Whitebeard, intrigued by Luffy's transformation, recognized the potential within him to change the world.
Rayleigh, convinced of Luffy's destiny, understood that he possessed the power to fulfil Roger's legacy.
As the battlefield unfolded, it became evident that Luffy's emergence as a true force to be reckoned with signalled a shift in the balance of power—one that would shape the course of history.
Rayleigh chuckled in response to Whitebeard's question. "Who do you think will emerge victorious, that youngster or Akainu?"
Whitebeard held a deep admiration for Akainu's unwavering resolve, particularly compared to the other Admirals. Despite their strength, Aokiji and Kizaru lacked Akainu's fierce determination.
"Without a doubt, Luffy," Rayleigh replied confidently, his belief unwavering.
"But are you certain? Akainu is no pushover," Whitebeard remarked, acknowledging the Admiral's formidable strength.
"You'll see soon enough. Luffy's true strength will shine through," Rayleigh assured, reminiscing about Luffy's remarkable progress since their encounter at Sabaody Archipelago.
As the conversation shifted, Whitebeard anticipated their imminent involvement in the escalating war.
"The climax of the battle draws near," Whitebeard observed, recognizing the pivotal role Luffy would play in determining its outcome.
Meanwhile, Rayleigh reflected on past encounters, expressing a longing for the thrill of battle, particularly against Garp.
On the battlefield, Luffy's transformation unfolded rapidly, though it seemed prolonged to onlookers. Akainu, recognizing the futility of intervening, prepared to face Luffy head-on.
Sengoku observed with seriousness as Luffy's appearance shifted completely, reminiscent of the form that had defeated Admiral Kizaru.
As tension mounted and anticipation grew, the fate of Ace hung in the balance, awaiting the pivotal moment that would decide the course of the war.
Radiating a gentle white light, Luffy's transformed form resembled that of a legendary deity, captivating all who beheld it with its awe-inspiring presence.
However, Akainu, ever defiant, challenged Luffy's new form with disdain, claiming it lacked the same impact as before.
Before he could finish speaking, Luffy disappeared from view, his movements too swift for Akainu to track.
With a thunderous impact, Luffy's fist connected squarely with Akainu's face, sending the Admiral hurtling through walls like a cannonball.
Unfazed by the attack, Luffy declared his intent to engage Akainu in a true battle, his laughter echoing through the chamber.
As Akainu struggled to his feet, blood staining his mouth from the blow, he realized the severity of Luffy's power. It was the most significant injury the Straw Hat had inflicted on him thus far.
But despite the pain, Akainu recognized the unprecedented level of strength displayed by Luffy's fifth gear. It surpassed his expectations in every aspect—speed, power, and Haki mastery.
At that moment, Akainu understood the true nature of the Straw Hat—a formidable monster capable of surpassing all expectations. Luffy's fifth gear stood as a testament to his unrivalled prowess—a monster among monsters.
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