Chapter 16 : Moria's Trump Card

"Stand up again?"

Upon witnessing such a sight, even Straw Hat Pirates themselves found it hard to believe.

Even as a mere illustration, one could keenly sense the terrifying power held by Nightmare Luffy.

Despite the relentless beating he's endured, he still retained his mobility.

Oars... Truly, he is the terrifying entity that shook the world over 500 years ago!

Moria broke into laughter.

"Hahaha, my ace zombie can't be brought down so easily!"

"Victory in this battle belongs to me!"

"A bunch of rookie pirates think they can best me?"

"Perish, all of you!!!"

Moria's obnoxious and grotesque voice echoed throughout the chamber.

The immense pressure dissipated, replaced by arrogance. He brazenly wished death upon Luffy and his crewmates.

However, he had forgotten that there was a relative of Luffy present...

"Hm?"

Garp merely shifted his gaze slightly.

The sharp intensity in his eyes sent shivers down Moria's spine, leaving him momentarily stunned.

His earlier arrogance came to a screeching halt...

Damn, I got carried away. Almost forgot about this harbinger of doom still lurking!

[The sight of Oars standing up left everyone stunned.]

[All their aces and trump cards had been spent, yet not even Nightmare Luffy could overcome Oars.]

[What could they do next!?]

[Dawn was approaching. If they couldn't retrieve the shadows, they would be trapped in eternal darkness, including the Straw Hat Pirates.]

[Just when Laura and the others were sinking into despair, the Straw Hat Pirates... rose once more!]

[Every member, including the unconscious Luffy, stood up!]

[Their unwavering resolve, indomitable spirit, and the bonds among comrades deeply touched everyone.]

[After a brief discussion, Luffy, Zoro, and the others swiftly formulated a plan, following Chopper's proposal.]

[No matter how formidable Oars may be, no matter how impervious his defense, he was still bound by the fundamental rules of biology.]

[To render him completely immobile, there was but one way: break his spine!]

[In this moment, he would lose all capacity for movement, reduced to utter helplessness!]

[With the plan set, everyone sprang into action!]

[Zoro unleashed the Three Thousand Worlds to draw Oars's attention, while Nami, Robin, and Usopp lent their support.]

[Franky, Chopper, and Sanji employed massive equipment to entwine Oars with an enormous chain, restricting his movement.]

[As for Brook, he hoisted Luffy, who had only one blow left, to a vantage point high above Oars's head.]

[As everyone attacked, Oars found himself completely immobilized, and Luffy made his move...]

[Gomu Gomu no Giant Bazooka!!!]

[Luffy mustered his last ounce of strength, activating Gear Third, and descended upon Oars's head with a crushing blow!]

[Though Oars reacted in the nick of time, it was too late to evade the encircling chain.]

[The tremendous force sent Oars quaking, his spine snapping instantly, and he plummeted to the ground.]

[Regardless of his size, he disregarded the pain, striving to fend off the impending blow.]

[But, as a living creature, a fractured spine signified complete paralysis.]

[This time, Oars had truly been dealt with, lying powerless on the ground...]

"Defeated?"

In the territory of the Revolutionary Army, Sabo gazed skyward with uncertainty.

"No, it can't be that simple..."

"Indeed, Moria himself hasn't been defeated yet; Oars was just a tool."

"Moria remains the final obstacle in this battle!"

"He expended so much energy to take down just one Oars. I can't be too optimistic about this fight."

"Right, he's one of the Warlords after all; he can't be taken down so easily."

Sabo couldn't help but wear a faint trace of disappointment as he listened to the comments of the officials present.

For some inexplicable reason, he felt like he had never witnessed any of this before.

But looking at Luffy... there was a peculiar sense of familiarity.

He was absolutely certain he had never seen him before!

At least... during his time with the Revolutionary Army, he hadn't crossed paths with him.

Yet, this strange feeling of familiarity perplexed him.

In his heart, he wished fervently for Luffy's victory.

Sabo couldn't help but wonder if this stubborn straw-hat-wearing boy, who refused to admit defeat...

Could he be connected to the memories he once lost?

It seemed that after these live broadcasts concluded, he would journey to the hometown of this straw hat-wearing lad.

If he remembered correctly, it was known as...Windmill Village in East Blue.

[As Oars fell completely defeated, the crowd erupted in cheers.]

[But their celebration was short-lived as they faced a new dilemma.]

[Their top priority now was to rouse Moria, as only he could restore the shadows to their rightful owners.]

[Just as everyone contemplated how to awaken Moria and persuade him to relinquish the shadows...]

[Moria, on his own accord, rose to his feet!]

[Everyone was taken aback, for his enraged countenance revealed his intense fury.]

"You... all deserve to die!"

Moria's sinister voice resounded, and in an instant, innumerable shadowy tendrils surged forth from his body.

These tendrils swiftly extended in every direction, ensnaring one shadow after another, drawing them toward him...

The earlier Luffy had consumed a hundred shadows, but now Moria had devoured a thousand!

As thousands of shadows were assimilated, Moria's body underwent a drastic transformation!

His form rapidly expanded, contorting grotesquely, and a pair of massive horns sprouted from his head!

His size surpassed even Oars, and his oppressive presence exceeded that of his subordinate!

He now resembled a veritable... demon!

*****

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