Facing Luffy's mockery, the Gorosei were certainly enraged, yet surprisingly, they didn't retort!
Strong, too strong!
He was clearly just a seventeen-year-old kid, yet the strength he displayed reached such a level!
He could probably even contend with Kaido, the Strongest Creature in the World!
If it weren't for their 'immortality' mechanism, they would have likely been defeated long ago.
But even so, despite being five against one, they couldn't gain the slightest advantage over Luffy!
They hadn't fought in too long; their combat awareness had long been forgotten, relying solely on brute force!
So even if they had the stats of an Admiral, they didn't have the strength of an Admiral!!
The Gorosei exchanged glances and began to communicate telepathically.
"We can't deal with him in a short time, so we'll just have to resort to some tricks—Saint Varcolica."
"What?!"
"Isn't he trying to save Fire Fist? Satan Saint, go capture Fire Fist Ace and disrupt his mind—Saint Varcolica."
"But, here?"
"Don't worry, with our strength, stopping him... won't be a problem!—Saint Varcolica."
"Alright."
A strange red glow flashed in the eyes of the Gorosei.
Wild Boar roared, Armament Haki covering his entire body, his hide armor emitting an obsidian-like luster.
Dark purple Haoshoku tightly coiled around his tusks, transforming into sharp 'blades'!
He stomped his foot, suddenly flying up and crashing towards Luffy!
Itsumade flew up at the same time, its sharp claws reaching straight for Luffy!
But Luffy showed no fear, his arm suddenly stretching out, gripping Wild Boar's tusks tightly.
Two streams of Haoshoku intertwined, and Luffy powerfully crushed Wild Boar, suddenly exerting force with his arm.
Air swirled, and Wild Boar instantly became dizzy and disoriented; the immense power whipped up an endless storm.
"Bang!!"
Grabbing Wild Boar's body, Luffy violently flung him towards Itsumade!!
Crimson blood splattered like a fountain, and Wild Boar and Itsumade let out pained roars.
The two beasts were heavily slammed to the ground, kicking up large clouds of dust!
At this moment, crimson blood had already seeped from Luffy's lips, and his arms were torn and bloody, blood dripping steadily onto the ground.
Gasping for breath, a smile bloomed on his face.
"Hahahaha, Gorosei... you're nothing more than this!!"
Luffy's eyes burst forth with an incredibly fervent light, so excited that every muscle seemed to tremble.
"It's as if every moment is welcoming the arrival of death, and my heart pounds uncontrollably!"
Luffy's physique, strength, Haki, and even his Devil Fruit ability had all undergone a qualitative leap!!
Indeed, nothing hones one's will more than facing death!!
Hearing Luffy's laughter, the Gorosei were first stunned, then a hint of seriousness and apprehension flashed in their eyes.
It was a joy, an excitement for the kill; he was reveling in the thrill of dancing on the edge of a blade!!
A defiant, golden-haired figure simultaneously appeared in the Gorosei's minds!
—"Golden Lion" Shiki!!
The most important point was, whether it was an illusion or not, they always felt that the kid's strength seemed to grow stronger the more he fought!
Whether it was Haki or something else!?
Terrifying, incredibly terrifying!!
A hint of fear even flickered in the beast-like eyes of the Gorosei.
The regime that had stood for eight hundred years in the world seemed to have developed a huge crack!!
"—Go quickly!!"
Wild Boar charged ahead, rushing towards Luffy!
Ushi-oni took the opportunity to slip out of the battlefield... "—Stop!!"
A strange red glow flashed in Luffy's eyes; he dodged Wild Boar and rushed towards Ushi-oni.
"Garp's grandson, don't get too arrogant!"
Itsumade let out a sharp shriek, spreading its massive wings and soaring, its huge beak suddenly opening to unleash a vast crimson fire pillar, instantly intercepting Luffy!
It wasn't over yet; a cold gleam struck towards Luffy!
The First Generation Demon Slasher, imbued with red and blue, slashed across Luffy's chest.
Horse Bone, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro Saint, passed by, his voice exceptionally cold.
"Your mind is in disarray! ...The huge difference between insects and gods is—[Gods] are not swayed by emotions!!"
Rampant Haoshoku and chilling demonic energy assailed Luffy's heart; he felt his blood instantly freeze!
Luffy propped himself up, flying into mid-air, his Haoshoku beginning to riot, countless black and red lightning bolts radiating outwards from him!
"—Kid, we won't give you another chance?!"
The demon Wild Boar let out an earth-shattering roar, then violently slammed into Luffy!
Luffy's pupils constricted; his hands instinctively crossed over his chest, taking the full impact of Wild Boar's meteor-like crash head-on!
Bang!
A magnificent wave of air exploded in ripples.
Luffy's figure flew backward like a cannonball, slamming into a mountain several thousand meters away.
"Cough cough!!"
Blood overflowed, Luffy shook his nearly mushy head, quickly regaining his composure!
"The World Government's eight hundred years of foundation are not something you can challenge!!"
A chilling voice rang out, and Luffy suddenly turned his head!
A mountain-sized shadow instantly enveloped him.
The giant sand worm opened its mouth, filled with wriggling teeth, and bit down fiercely on Luffy!!
Clang!
Luffy's Haki-covered hands gripped the sand worm's wriggling teeth tightly, but the skin and flesh of his palms were pierced by the teeth, dripping blood.
Yellowish-green viscous fluid dripped onto Luffy, its powerful corrosiveness causing white smoke to rise from his skin!
"—Ugh ah!"
Luffy's face became ferocious; Haoshoku tightly coiled as he threw a punch!
The air shattered, and the sand worm was instantly torn apart!!
"Die, you are no longer our opponent!!"
The First Generation Demon Slasher in the hand of the skeletal Horse Bone exuded an intense chill.
"Thud!"
The sword plunged into Luffy's chest, and inch by inch, pristine white frost gradually froze his blood!
Horse Bone pulled out the sword and fiercely kicked Luffy's body!
Luffy's thoughts became chaotic, his entire body stiff and unable to move!
"—Die!!"
Itsumade fell from above, its sharp claws wrapped in purple lightning, reaching for Luffy!!
Boom!!
Luffy's figure fell to the earth like a cannonball, creating a shocking giant crater.
The earth cracked and collapsed, and countless rocks flew up.
At this moment, Luffy looked as if he had been pulled out of a dye vat, covered in wounds and blood.
Frost, slashes, impacts, corrosive slime... there wasn't a single intact spot on Luffy's body!!
"Truly... too reckless!"
Rumble... Rumble... Four colossal beasts approached Luffy step by step, exuding an indescribable sense of oppression.
"You are truly strong, incomparably strong!!"
"In eight hundred years, your talent is undoubtedly the world's best! ...Now, I have no doubt that you will awaken that fruit!!"
"If you weren't nika, even if you publicly killed a Celestial Dragon, as long as you surrendered, we would absolutely grant you supreme power! ...What a pity!"
The Gorosei, standing at the pinnacle of power, actually showed regret; there was no doubt that if Luffy joined, the World Government's rule would be as solid as a fortress!
But they were destined to be... enemies!
Murderous intent surged in the eyes of the four.
However, they did not make a move.
"Didn't you want to save Ace? Then we will personally destroy your attachment!"
"Watch closely! Monkey D. Luffy, watch your brother die before your eyes!!"
"...And you, can do nothing!!"
The four beasts transformed into human forms, their faces twisted into perverted smiles!!
They stood before Luffy, domineering and arrogant!!
"—Heh heh, what a bunch of devils!!"
Luffy sat on the ground, blood flowing uncontrollably down his arms, but his mind was exceptionally calm!!
[The Secret of Observation Haki: No matter what happens, always remain calm!!]
Red light flickered in Luffy's eyes, and future scenes flashed one after another.
With each action Luffy made, the future underwent subtle changes!
But no matter the outcome, it couldn't avoid his and Ace's deaths.
Ultimately, what method was there?!
Sweat beaded on Luffy's forehead; his mental energy was rapidly depleting!!