Chapter 5

"But..."

"No buts! I don't want to listen to you! I'm going to the palace right now!" Luffy interrupted Mine and continued walking toward the avenue leading to the palace.

Mine and Tatsumi exchanged glances, realizing that persuading Luffy might not be easy. They decided to follow him and find a way to explain things later.

As they approached the palace, they saw a burly bald man stepping out from the shadows. With a scruffy beard and copper-bell eyes, he looked formidable.

"Are you trying to go to the palace to commit murder? Hahaha, then this road will not work," the burly man mocked.

Luffy clenched his fists, ready for a fight. The atmosphere became tense as the burly man revealed himself to be Sten, one of the Four Rakshasa Demons.

"And if it isn't a member of the Night Raid. What a delightful surprise," said Mez, another one of the Rakshasa Demons, appearing on a railing.

The situation escalated when Ibara, the boss of the Rakshasa Demons, emerged and knocked out Mine and Tatsumi with a single blow.

"Bastard!! Get away from them!!" Luffy roared, unleashing his Rubber Gun attack.

"Huh? Have you developed your body to the point where you can manipulate it at will?" Ibara questioned as he intercepted Luffy's attack.

As the confrontation unfolded, Luffy realized the gravity of the situation. He couldn't let his new allies be harmed. Determined to protect them, he thought about the manga in his hands and shouted, "I want to go in!"

In an instant, the surroundings changed, and Luffy found himself back in the dark night, witnessing the perilous scene. Now, armed with the knowledge from the manga, he had a plan to change the course of events.

"I'm going to beat Minister and the emperor, so hurry up!" Luffy declared, pushing Mine and Tatsumi toward safety.

Confused by Luffy's determination, Mine and Tatsumi reluctantly followed him, hoping to understand his motives and convince him otherwise. The night was fraught with danger, but the trio forged ahead, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them.

Luffy's words left Sten bewildered for a moment, his eyes narrowing in confusion. It seemed the eccentric young man before him was not one to adhere to formalities or conventional insults.

Ignoring the brief distraction, Luffy took advantage of the moment and unleashed another barrage of attacks. With incredible speed and agility, he darted towards Sten, throwing punches and kicks in a flurry of motion.

Sten, although amused by Luffy's audacity, responded with calm composure. He effortlessly dodged and parried Luffy's attacks, showcasing his superior combat skills and experience. The clash between the rubbery young pirate and the formidable Rakshasa Demon created a spectacle of speed and precision.

In the midst of their exchange, Luffy suddenly twisted his body mid-air, sending a swift roundhouse kick towards Sten's face. The unexpected move caught Sten off guard, and the impact sent him staggering backward.

"Huh? Not bad, kid. You've got some moves," Sten remarked, rubbing his chin with a hint of amusement. The tension in the air was palpable as Luffy prepared for the next assault.

However, before the confrontation could escalate further, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the alley. A shadowy figure emerged from the darkness, revealing a man with a muscular build and a menacing presence.

"Sten, you seem to be having fun," the newcomer said in a deep, resonant voice.

Sten turned to face the newcomer, a grin forming on his face. "Indeed, Captain Ogre. This kid here has some spirit in him. Want me to handle him for you?"

Ogre, the Captain, observed Luffy with a critical eye. Despite the intense situation, Luffy couldn't help but notice the aura of power emanating from Ogre. It was clear that the challenges he faced were about to reach a whole new level.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Sten unleashed the formidable Hundred Crack Fist, a martial art technique known for its devastating power. His fists moved like a relentless storm, striking at incredible speed.

Luffy, facing the barrage of punches, responded with his own unique style. He twisted his body, Morgant like a rubber band, and evaded the majority of Sten's blows. His rubber-like resilience allowed him to absorb and deflect some of the impact.

The clash between Sten's Hundred Crack Fist and Luffy's unconventional fighting style created a chaotic scene in the narrow alley. The air was filled with the sounds of impacts, echoing through the empty streets.

"Hahaha! Not bad, not bad at all!" Sten laughed heartily as he continued to throw punches relentlessly.

However, Luffy wasn't just dodging; he was adapting and learning from his opponent. In the midst of the intense exchange, he began to predict Sten's movements and counterattacks. The rubbery flexibility of his body proved to be a formidable asset in this high-speed battle.

As the battle unfolded, Suzuka watched with interest. Suzuka eyes narrowed, realizing that Luffy's combat skills were gradually improving as the fight progressed.

On the second floor, Mez, with her playful demeanor, clapped her hands and cheered, "Haha! It's getting more exciting! Keep it up, Sten!"

The confrontation continued, with both fighters pushing their limits. The alley became a stage for an extraordinary clash of powers, and Luffy's determination to protect his friends fueled his relentless pursuit of strength.

The clash between Luffy and Sten drew the attention of passersby who had ventured out to see what was happening. The onlookers, though cautious, were fascinated by the extraordinary display of strength and skill.

As the battle raged on, Luffy continued to endure Sten's powerful attacks. Each encounter contributed to his growth, accumulating valuable experience points and enhancing his proficiency with the Rubber Fruit powers and Haki.

Sten, thoroughly enjoying the challenge, showed no signs of holding back. His Cracking Rock Palm struck with relentless force, creating shockwaves that reverberated through the alley.