Lola watched as Moriah slowly stood up, her heart filled with anxiety, and immediately roared at Moriah, "Stop the nonsense! Give us back our shadows!" However, Moriah paid no attention to Lola's words. His gaze was fixed on Luffy as he said, "Straw Hat! You! You actually messed up my Thriller Bark..."
At this point, Moriah paused, took a difficult, ragged breath, and continued, "...made it such a mess..." As the shadows dispersed, the somewhat clumsy Luffy returned. He looked at Moriah, stood up as well, brushed the dust off his body, and loudly retorted, "You're the one who hindered our voyage! You're the one who lured us here! And you stole my shadow! Before the sun rises, you must give it back to me!"
Moriah looked at Luffy and let out a sinister laugh: "Kekekeke... Even if I let you continue your voyage, with your strength, it's just a dead end! You are no match for the New World! Although you have many potential subordinates, they will all eventually leave you!"
Moriah's expression became somewhat distorted, and his voice grew sharper: "Do you know why? I've found the answer from my own experience! Why I lost those famous and capable subordinates!
Companions! They are lost because they are alive! If they were dead zombies from the start! Then there would be nothing to lose! Zombies are immortal! Even if they are purified? They are infinite soldiers who can be used again! I will lead these dead legions! And once again aim for the Pirate King's throne!"
Countless shadows, like numerous agile black threads, connected to Moriah's feet. They seemed to possess a life of their own, slowly wriggling towards Moriah.
Moriah still stared intently at Luffy, his eyes emitting an extremely ominous red glow, sending shivers down one's spine.
Moriah loudly declared, "You should feel honored that your shadows can become my subordinates! Come on! All the shadows on Thriller Bark! Become my strength!"
As Moriah's words rang out, the shadows at his feet, like living vines, instantly transformed into countless branches, extending rapidly in all directions, precisely connecting to all the zombies.
Those shadows were like dark tentacles; the linked zombies quickly fell one by one, and all the shadows converged on Moriah's body.
Moriah gasped for air with great difficulty, each breath a struggle. His gaze was fixed on Luffy as he slowly said, "Straw Hat, there were about 100 shadows just stuffed into your body. So I will... 100... 200... 300... 400..." With each number Moriah uttered, his body underwent drastic changes. His physique seemed to be constantly pulled and expanded by a mysterious force, becoming increasingly massive and grotesque. As the numbers continued to increase, the aura emanating from Moriah became even more terrifying, making people tremble with fear.
"1000... Kekekeke..."
Everyone's eyes widened, their faces filled with disbelief, as they stared blankly at Moriah.
"1000 shadows absorbed into Moriah's body..." Everyone mumbled, their voices filled with shock and unease. The entire scene seemed frozen, the silence suffocating.
Moriah's body became even larger than Oars, his entire being like a balloon... it was up to his neck, Orochimaru couldn't bear to look... Zoro looked at Moriah, his expression incredibly solemn. His eyes revealed deep worry: "This is close to a rampage, isn't it? Completely out of control... What did Orochimaru say to make Moriah push himself so hard?"
Robin looked at the unaesthetic Moriah, a hint of disdain in her eyes. She slightly raised her chin and calmly analyzed, "He overestimated himself due to anger and foolish pride, perhaps."
Luffy resolutely stepped forward, his expression serious and determined. He loudly declared, "Hey... everyone... there's not much time left, I'm going to go a little crazy... I'll leave the rest to you... Orochimaru... when I wake up, you'd better give me a good explanation, I'm very, very angry right now."
Zoro looked at Luffy and analyzed, "The sun is about to rise... Moriah can only vent with this insane power for a short time. Whether we disappear first or Moriah brings about his own destruction first depends on Luffy's speed."
Luffy's eyes burned with fierce fighting spirit, and his aura suddenly soared. He activated Gear Second; blood roared through his body like a surging torrent, and an invisible aura seemed to churn around him.
Facing Moriah, Luffy was fearless. He bent his knees slightly, and the next second, he shot towards Moriah like an arrow from a bowstring. His speed was so fast that it left blurry afterimages in the air.
Moriah had already lost consciousness at this moment. Seeing Luffy approaching like lightning, he swung his giant arm, stirring up gusts of wind, and smashed it towards Luffy.
Luffy deftly dodged Moriah's attacks, his figure ghost-like as he weaved around Moriah. He seized the opportunity and unleashed a powerful Gum-Gum Pistol, his fist carrying a strong impact as it slammed into Moriah's body.
Moriah's body shuddered from the punch, and some shadows overflowed from his mouth. A pained expression appeared on Moriah's face; this blow, instead, made Moriah regain his consciousness.
"Shadow Box!"
Before Luffy could react, he was instantly trapped inside. The Shadow Box was like a dark cage, tightly binding Luffy within it.
"Crush it!!" Moriah's eyes widened in fury as he roared and threw a punch, slamming it hard into the Shadow Box. The powerful impact caused the Shadow Box to vibrate violently, and the box was deformed.
The Shadow Box containing Luffy slid to the ground with a dull thud. However, Moriah showed no sign of stopping. He lifted his foot and stomped on the box again and again, wanting to completely destroy Luffy. The Shadow Box continuously deformed under Moriah's stomping, making a chilling creaking sound. Moriah's face revealed a ferocious grin, breathing heavily with a confused mind, yet still stomping incessantly.
"This is a baptism!!! A baptism! What happens to a brat like you who acts so presumptuous in these waters?!
What happens when you defy a Shichibukai! Everyone underestimates me, thinking I can't beat you!
Especially Orochimaru! He actually thinks I'll absolutely never win! That's impossible! Since that's the case, once I win, Orochimaru, you'll be my Companion/Crewmate... Your small Pirate Crew will only waste his talent!
A trailblazer like you will only be eliminated, and I'll take your Companions!"
Just as Moriah was frantically stomping on the Shadow Box, believing victory was in his grasp, the Shadow Box suddenly let out a loud bang, and Luffy burst out of the box.
Luffy's appearance startled Moriah; he never expected Luffy to be able to escape from the Shadow Box.
Luffy's body leaned slightly forward, steam rising from him, ready to re-engage in battle at any moment.
"Brat or not! Trailblazer or not! I! Won't be defeated by anyone! Orochimaru is my Companion/Crewmate! If he dares to join your side! I'll drag him back and beat him up! If once isn't enough, then twice!! And I won't give you my other Companions either!!!"
????? Orochimaru, who was called out, looked at the two in confusion, not fighting but just blabbering... no, are these two crazy????? What does it have to do with him?
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