23. Shocked By Sentomaru, Kizaru Made A Move

"Seriously? PX1, PX2."

Sentomaru shouted from atop the wreckage, his face filled with disbelief.

Pacifistas, those mechanical soldiers made by the Marines, were crafted by Vegapunk after studying the Warlords.

Even in their basic form, they could easily handle pirates with bounties over 100 million, as shown in past trials.

But now, facing Roronoa and Black Leg Sanji, they'd be taken out in one hit. This wasn't the usual strength of Grand Line pirates.

"Did you order these attacks?" Luffy spotted Sentomaru, with the two Pacifistas seemingly at his back.

"Straw Hat!"

Senmomaru, striding like a sumo wrestler, stepped forward, extending his hand.

"Prepare yourself."

Sentomaru roared, thrusting his palms forward, sending an invisible shockwave towards Luffy.

"Haki?"

Luffy tilted his head just a bit, and the invisible shockwave left a massive crater behind him.

That sensation definitely Armament Haki. This guy, though he might look girlish, isn't weak. Only someone with exceptionally strong Armament Haki could release it like a shockwave.

But compared to him, it's still not enough.

"Second Gear."

Luffy flicked his arm while sprinting.

Like a pump, his rubbery arm bounced slightly. Then, his skin grew brighter, as if boiling at a high temperature, blood rushing through his veins like steam in a powerful pipe.

White steam enveloped his body and the area around him.

Using Second Gear, especially since Enies Lobby, puts a heavy strain on his body. Overusing it could even endanger his life. But now, after evolving, he has a better grasp and optimization of his abilities.

With the current Second Gear, there's almost no risk when activating it, just like entering a normal state.

Whoosh.

Upon entering Second Gear, Luffy's speed skyrocketed. He twisted slightly and vanished from sight.

"Vanished? So fast! Where?"

Sentomaru, Vegapunk's bodyguard, may not be as strong as an Admiral, but he's definitely no pushover. The moment Luffy disappeared, his vigilance peaked.

"Right in front."

Sentomaru's sharp senses caught a glimpse of Luffy.

He thrust his palms with force, his Armament Haki reaching its peak.

"Prepare yourself."

A potent wave of Armament Haki condensed into an invisible air column, striking forward.

Luffy's form flickered.

In an instant, he appeared before Sentomaru, covering an incredible distance.

A crimson light glinted in his eyes.

His Observation Haki, able to foresee the future, had already predicted this moment.

But he didn't bother to dodge. With his current strength, evasion wasn't necessary.

In midair, Luffy extended his left hand towards Sentomaru while his right hand clenched into a fist, gathering power.

He resembled a loaded gun, aiming with one hand and ready to fire with the other.

White steam enveloped his entire body.

"Gommu Gommu no, JET pistol."

In the blink of an eye, Luffy's body seemed to be struck by an unseen force, contorting and expanding outward.

His right hand remained in position, seemingly motionless.

Yet, before him, a deafening sonic boom erupted, etching the moment into memory.

It was as if an invisible barrier stood before Luffy, shattered by his punch.

"Is that Armament Haki? It's intense," Sentomaru exclaimed, visibly shocked.

In an instant, all of his armoured defences were shattered.

A more formidable Armament Haki, infused with compressed air, struck him directly in the stomach.

Despite preemptively hardening his entire body with Armament Haki, he couldn't withstand the overwhelming force.

"Ahhh!" Sentomaru roared, attempting to steady himself.

But his efforts were futile.

In a heartbeat, his feet sank into the concrete ruins, leaving a long trail as his body was sent flying.

However, he didn't soar too far.

A golden streak in the sky swiftly closed the distance and caught Sentomaru mid-flight.

Luffy's Armament Haki, not fully unleashed, was absorbed by an unseen force, dispersing into a shockwave.

After demolishing several towering buildings, the force dissipated entirely.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here, Sentomaru?" A carefree voice rang out, and a tall, gaunt man clad in a yellow and white striped suit appeared before them.

He sported sunglasses and a stubbly beard, giving him the appearance of a somewhat dishevelled and weathered uncle.

"Old man, you've finally arrived."

Sentomaru coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"If you were any later, you'd be collecting my corpse."

If it weren't for that Straw Hat kid just now, he wouldn't have bothered concealing his presence and would've launched a direct assault.

If it weren't for the Straw Hat kid only throwing one punch, and if Sentomaru hadn't hardened his body with Armament Haki in time for defence, that single blow would've rendered him powerless.

That's not the kind of power expected from rookie pirates in the first half of the Grand Line; it's too immense.

Even in the New World, it's rare to encounter such sheer force. Each blow is delivered by renowned heavyweights.

Though he's not solely a fighter, his strength is undeniable, and his defense top-notch. Yet, he was still sent flying with just one hit.

Straw Hat, he's a monster.

But even a monster has its limits.

Because the real monster is on his way.

Sentomaru knows full well that the Admirals represent a level of strength beyond ordinary comprehension.

And it's Kizaru who's arriving.

Of the three Admirals, he boasts the most seniority and mysterious prowess.

With the talent of the Straw Hat kid, given a few years in the New World to train, he might even surpass an Admiral. But facing one too soon is simply unfortunate.

"I've been searching for you as well, but this den-den mushi seems to be malfunctioning. No response," Kizaru lamented, scratching his head in confusion, paying no heed to anyone present.