Chapter 9

In the alley, Main and Tatsumi were completely shocked by Luffy's strength. Under the dim light, a long shadow suddenly covered Mine's silhouette.

"Ah~?"

Mine turned her head instinctively and immediately saw Ibara materializing like demons. Without hesitation, she raised Gun in her hand, ready to shoot.

Pew!

"Too slow~"

Ibara emerged behind Mine and Tatsumi, both elbows raised simultaneously as numerous sharp spikes appeared. Descending toward their heads, the spikes were about to pierce them.

"What!—"

Realizing they couldn't dodge, the two screamed.

Bang bang bang bang! ! ! !

The sharp spikes hit the ground, shattering the alley floor into pieces!

"Oh~?"

Ibara froze for a moment, then turned to look at Plaza Avenue. Luffy retracted his arms, holding Main with one hand and Tatsumi with the other.

"Hey?~ No... not dead..."

Tatsumi patted his head, but there was no blood, and he still felt the surreal sensation of being reincarnated.

"Saved!"

Mine was thrown to the ground and let out a long breath.

"It's amazing to actually save someone under my watch!"

Ibara walked out of the alley leisurely, fixing his gaze on Luffy.

During Luffy's battle with Sten and the others, Ibara had witnessed it all. However, being overconfident, he hadn't intended to intervene. In his opinion, the combined strength of the other three Raksha Four Demons couldn't match his own.

"He's the only one left. Let's take him down together!"

Mine got up from the ground, clutching Gun tightly, and assumed the temporary role of the battle commander. However...

Luffy stretched his hands back, sending Main and Tatsumi to the alley far away.

"Don't hold me back."

Luffy stared at Ibara, who was slowly emerging from the alley, with a deadly serious gaze. His battle instincts were sharp, and he could clearly sense that this person's aura was far stronger than the trio he faced earlier.

"Drag... ?"

Mine's expression immediately soured.

Damn guy! We're here to help you! Even if you saved our lives just now, there's no need to be so rude~~

On the contrary, Tatsumi accepted the reality with resignation. He sighed and sat down on the ground. "He's right. Our strength simply can't participate in such a battle. If we get close to him, we'll become a burden instead."

"Hey! Tatsumi! I won't allow you to say that!"

Hearing Tatsumi's agreement, Mine stamped her little foot, raised her Gun , and fired in Ibara's direction.

"I really don't know what to do~"

Facing Mine's sniper attack, Ibara moved and dodged swiftly. In the next moment, he appeared in front of Mine and Tatsumi.

"Ah!~~"

Seeing Ibara's elbows transform into numerous sharp spikes directed at them, Mine let out a scream.

Boom!

A terrifying shockwave erupted suddenly!

Ibara's figure abruptly retreated, and Mine and Tatsumi were sent rolling by Luffy's impact.

"I've said it all, don't drag me back. Why don't you listen~"

Luffy stood as an indestructible defensive shield, shielding Main and Tatsumi.

"And... saved us again..."

The corner of Tatsumi's mouth twitched; he felt like he had died several times today.

Mine was also feeling downhearted. "Well!~ I'm really useless~"

"It seems that to get rid of these two nuisances, we must first deal with you."

Ibara glanced at Luffy with surprise. Having fought Luffy himself, Ibara gained a new understanding of Luffy's strength. It seemed that when dealing with Sten earlier, Luffy hadn't used his full power.

"It's best that you understand this truth."

Luffy rubbed his fists, instantly closing the distance to Ibara.

"Rubber Jet Gun!"

He threw a punch, causing the air to explode violently. The speed surpassed his earlier state.

Hmm~?

Ibara frowned and quickly slashed down to block, but the speed seemed too fast to dodge.

Bang bang bang bang bang! ! !

Their attacks were like phantoms, continuously colliding.

"Imperial Fist · Acupuncture Assault!"

"Rubber Jet Gatling Gun!"

[Battle experience +1000!]

[Fruit proficiency +1000!]

[Haki prototype experience value +1000!]

...

Above Luffy's head, experience points kept appearing.

Boom! Boom boom boom! ! !

On the square, the two figures fought together for a while before separating to launch long-range attacks.

After a fierce collision, both rolled backward.

Ibara kicked back, stabilizing his body with a playful expression. "It seems our strengths are quite close. Although we can't determine the winner for now, with such a commotion, the imperial capital should dispatch a Teigu User soon. When they arrive, you'll be like meat on the chopping board~"

"No, he wants to buy time until reinforcements from the imperial capital arrive."

Hearing Ibara's words, Mine hastily warned Luffy.

"Hey hey hey hey! So what if you know? Are you able to leave? If you leave, the two of them will surely die." Ibara's sinister laughter was full of insidiousness.

As a seasoned killer, he knew how to disrupt the opponent's mood in battle. Of course, what he said wasn't entirely untrue.

"In that case, let's get rid of you quickly."

Facing Ibara's conspiracy, Luffy remained unmoved.

"Get rid of me? Hahahaha!"

"I saw it clearly just now. In the battle with Sten, ​​you suddenly used some ability to change state, greatly increasing your strength."

"And now, I can feel that your aura is getting weaker and weaker. If I'm not wrong, your strength improvement has a lot of side effects, right?"

"It's very difficult for you to maintain such strength now. What else do you want to use to defeat me?"

Please, if you want to lie to me, you're too young!

Huff~

Huff~~

Luffy gasped heavily. That's right; the other party guessed everything right!

Only...

"You're right; my gear shift does have side effects."

Luffy wiped the blood overflowing from the corner of his mouth, staring at Ibara. The corner of his mouth suddenly grinned. "But ah..., this state of mine has more than just the second gear..."

? ?

Ibara frowned, suddenly having a bad feeling.

Sure enough, the next moment!

Luffy squatted, placing his left thumb in his mouth.

Gaba!

"Gear...Third!!——"