Chapter 58 : Hope!

With the time for the prize quiz coming to an end, the screen continued to broadcast.

"[A full 100 million volts of electricity, directly struck!]" 

"The terrifying thunder overwhelmed everything, and Enel personally directed it at Luffy!"

"Under such an immense onslaught of thunder, even steel would melt, but Luffy..."

"Remained unharmed!"

"Instead, he glared at Enel, who kept assaulting him with lightning, and shouted angrily, 'What... What are you doing?'"

"The lightning struck Luffy's body, causing no harm, but it clearly infuriated him, prompting him to retaliate with a punch!"

"Enel quickly retreated, flashing tens of meters away, and then a legendary scene unfolded!"

"Enel's expression had transformed into the first-ever 'emoji' in the history of the Grand Line!"

"How astonishing, how unbelievable..."

Not only was Enel bewildered, but his entire demeanor had turned into an 'emoji.'

Even the countless viewers watching the live broadcast shared his disbelief...

Perhaps ordinary viewers and civilians around the world didn't fully grasp the significance of 100 million volts. However, top figures like Garp, Whitebeard, Shanks, Dragon, and Kaido understood it perfectly.

With this level of electricity, even if they used their Armament Haki personally, they wouldn't escape unscathed!

All because of the immense power contained within 100 million volts... Beyond imagination!

This was the terror of the Goro Goro no Mi (Thunder-Thunder Fruit)!

The power to control one of nature's most formidable elements!

But now...

Luffy, who had withstood 100 million volts, emerged unscathed!

Incredible!

Not only did Enel find it hard to believe, but even Garp and Dragon were astounded.

"This... This!"

The Marines and Warlords stood dumbfounded, gazing at the sky, then at Garp.

No one uttered a word for a long moment.

Garp, too, was perplexed. He couldn't explain it.

Behind him, the same held true for Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu.

The Seven Warlords of the Sea and others shared the same sentiment.

Knowing the power of Enel's attack, they couldn't fathom how this was possible!

As for the Whitebeard Pirates...

Led by Ace, Marco, and several other captains, they sported a range of emotions on their faces.

Shocked, bewildered, stupefied!

In short, a variety of expressions adorned everyone's faces.

Including those who were well-informed, such as the mighty Whitebeard, they were equally baffled...

But after a prolonged moment of astonishment, a sudden realization struck!

"Luffy... Gomu Gomu no Mi."

"Enel... Goro Goro no Mi."

...

The Red-Haired Pirates!

"I've got it!"

Shanks exclaimed, snapping many of his crew members out of their daze as they gazed at the sky, bewildered.

He wore a surprised expression and continued, "Even though lightning is nature's most destructive force, rubber can insulate against it, rendering it powerless!"

"Luffy is the Rubber Man who consumed the Gomu Gomu no Mi!"

"So, no matter how fearsome Enel's lightning may be, it can't harm Luffy!"

At that moment, everyone comprehended and, simultaneously, felt their amazement deepen.

They had been fixated on a dead-end mindset, forgetting Luffy's ability all along.

They knew well that the Devil Fruit Luffy had consumed was originally their Red-Haired Pirate crew's treasure, and thus, everyone was aware that it was a rubber fruit!

Now it all made sense...

Rubber insulated against lightning!

Thus, no matter how many volts of electricity Enel discharged, it was as ineffective as a mere punch to Luffy.

No matter how terrifying and destructive Enel's lightning might be!

For Luffy, it was utterly useless!

Luffy, the Rubber Man, was, by nature, Enel's arch-nemesis!

Upon this realization, Shanks and the other Red-Haired Pirates were overjoyed!

It turned out that the turning point in this battle lay here!

Shanks and his crew finally grasped it...

Garp, the World Government officials, Whitebeard, Dragon, and the major powers of the seas naturally deduced it as well.

They had overlooked Luffy's devil fruit until now.

Now they saw that it was a key advantage!

Even though someone like Enel seemed overwhelmingly strong, it was not so easy to contend with Luffy in front of him.

Thinking clearly about this, Garp couldn't contain his excitement.

Despite Enel's formidable abilities, he seemed overly reliant on his Devil Fruit abilities.

Up to this point, he hadn't displayed any significant physical combat skills.

So when his Devil Fruit power became ineffective, his combat prowess would plummet!

This was a substantial advantage for Luffy!

As for Akainu, he was seething with frustration...

What kind of luck was this?

Running into an opponent on a sky sland who happened to have the perfect counter for him?

In an instant, Akainu wanted to curse – was this some kind of protagonist's aura?

Although countless Luffy supporters saw a glimmer of victory, they couldn't let go of their concerns about Luffy.

Because even if Luffy was inherently superior to Enel, they couldn't underestimate his other abilities.

His Observation Haki ability was formidable, and there could be more secrets to uncover.

Sitting in the position of the god of the sky island, Enel's strength couldn't be that simple!

But at least for now...

There was finally a glimmer of hope!

**********

Support me on my patreon and read upto 15 early chapters.

patreon.com/PirateKing24