Chapter 345: Clash of Titans
Dialogue "sample"
Thoughts 'sample'
Author notes -sample-
Disclaimer: One Piece and all of its characters belong to Eiichiro Oda.
Chapter 345: Clash of Titans
"I was convinced I had killed you," Kaidou growled, his voice tinged with frustration and disbelief.
"Me too, hahaha!" Luffy laughed, his infectious grin spreading as he bounced on the ground with the elasticity of rubber.
"You seem to be transferring your rubber power to other things... I suppose you have awakened your Paramecia fruit, but this body transformation is not normal. It's like... you're a Zoan user," Kaidou remarked, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed Luffy's unconventional abilities.
Without warning, Kaidou lunged at Luffy, his massive form swallowing the Straw Hat captain whole. Inside Kaidou's formidable body, Luffy continued to move and bounce inside his dragon body.
"That was a bad idea," Vivi commented, her voice tinged with amusement as she watched the unfolding chaos.
"Yes, Kaidou is about to have a very bad time," Sanji added, a hint of satisfaction in his tone.
"Gomu gomu no... balloon!" Luffy's muffled voice echoed from within Kaidou's belly as the Emperor's body began to inflate and float into the air.
"How's he planning on getting out of there now?" Usopp asked, his brow furrowed with worry.
"Well, he only has two options," Robin replied, her expression calm and composed amidst the chaos.
"Then let's hope he chooses the mouth because I don't want to see the other option," Nami grimaced, her concern evident.
"What's wrong with me?" Kaidou muttered, his voice filled with confusion. "My body feels different, like I'm also made of rubber."
"Ohh, I see a light." Luffy said.
"Gomu gomu no…"
His hands came out of Kaidou's eyes and latched onto his nose.
"What?!"
"Don't tell me he is planning…"
"Escape rocket!" Luffy used Kaidou's nose as leverage to propel himself out of his mouth.
"Ouch... that must have hurt," Usopp winced. Almost feeling the pain that Kaidou must have just felt.
"I hope it did, after what that bastard put us through," Vivi exclaimed, her anger simmering beneath the surface.
Luffy went back into the clouds.
"Gomu gomu no…Giant!"
A towering Luffy descended upon Kaidou, his giant form casting a shadow over the Emperor as he stepped on him with his colossal feet.
Luffy then kicked the dragon and this one bit him in response.
"Gomu gomu no…" His giant hand grabbed onto its body.
"Jump rope!"
"You have to be kidding me!" Sanji said.
"He is using the Emperor as…a toy?" Robin was baffled.
"Is he serious?" Nami raised an eyebrow, her voice tinged with incredulity.
"Luffy, stop playing around and finish him!"
"I think it's his fruit," Vivi interjected, her eyes narrowed in concentration as she analyzed Luffy's behavior.
"His fruit? You mean the reason for his behavior?" Sanji questioned, his interest piqued.
Vivi nodded solemnly. "Our Captain likes to fool around, but he knows when it's time to get serious... He wouldn't behave like this during an important fight."
"She's right. His awakening seems to have changed more than just his appearance. It's like he's a different person," Franky added, his voice filled with realization.
Kaidou and Luffy continued their back and forth.
Their Captain kept showing more and more ridiculous moves.
"Despite how funny they look, those are some seriously dangerous attacks," Vivi noted, her gaze fixed on the titanic struggle unfolding before her. "The Captain is adding armament and conqueror's haki to all his moves, increasing their power exponentially. You would not want to get hit by one of those..."
"Kaidou has taken many already and is still standing... What a monster," Nami remarked, a hint of awe in her voice.
"Yes, that man is deserving of his reputation. But they must both be close to their limit now," Sanji added, his eyes narrowed in concentration.
"Yes, that awakening has to be taking its toll," Vivi observed, her expression somber.
"Who are you..." Kaidou gasped, his breath ragged as he struggled to remain upright.
"Who am I? I am Monkey D. Luffy, the man who will surpass you and become the King of the Pirates!" Luffy declared, his voice ringing with conviction as he faced off against his formidable opponent.
"Heh... at least your mind is still there. You made me lose a lot, Straw Hat... my followers, my factory, my army..." Kaidou muttered with a hint of respect in his tone despite the dire circumstances.
"That's not enough, I still have to beat you!" Luffy jumped inn the air, and as he did…a bolt of lightning descended upon him.
Unlike their expectations, Luffy was not hit by the lighting and instead, grabbed it with his bare hands.
"Gomu gomu no…lightning!"