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"White Blow!!!"
WHOOSH!!!
A sheet of white smoke suddenly filled the battlefield already occupied by darkness, obscuring the figures of the three Straw Hats and causing Blackbeard to lose sight of his targets.
"Hmm!?"
Blackbeard, who was about to launch his next attack, was startled.
Immediately, a cunning look flashed in his gloomy eyes.
"Reinforcements, eh?!"
At the same time, watching the smoke that suddenly appeared on the battlefield, Luffy and the others were also momentarily stunned.
But they quickly realized...
"It's Smoker!"
Luffy laughed and said, "Are you here to help us?!"
"Idiot! Don't show such a relaxed smile at a time like this!"
In the smoke, Smoker's figure suddenly materialized in front of Luffy.
The next second, he growled at Luffy:
"Straw Hat, Red asked me to tell you and that Santoryu bastard to gather at his location immediately!"
"The ero-cook and I will take the lead here!"
"Eh?! Can you handle it?!"
"Stop talking! Time is limited, so hurry up!"
"Oh~!"
Although he didn't know what Red was planning, Luffy's body moved immediately without question.
Before leaving, he thoughtfully wrapped his arms around Zoro to prevent him from getting lost in the smoke.
"Zehahahaha... Straw Hat, where do you think you're going?!"
Along with a burst of unpleasant laughter, the smoke in front of Luffy was suddenly covered by darkness.
Blackbeard, guided by Observation Haki, instantly reached out with a large black hand to grab Luffy from behind.
But at that moment...
"White Launcher!!!"
BOOM!!!
A jitte wrapped in smoke suddenly struck Blackbeard's arm, blocking his attack on Luffy.
The next second, Smoker's figure condensed in front of Blackbeard, separating him from Luffy!
"Pirate, your next opponent is me!"
Smoker showed a ferocious look and spoke with venom in his voice.
A look of surprise flashed in Blackbeard's eyes:
"A Logia Devil Fruit user!?"
"You guys are really hiding your powers!"
"Bastard!"
Smoker looked furious:
"How many times do I have to say this!"
"I and they..."
"ARE NOT ON THE SAME SIDE!!!"
"Shadow Ball!!!"
WHOOSH~
As soon as the words left his mouth, Smoker stretched out an arm and pointed his palm directly at Blackbeard's face.
Purple-black energy fluctuations immediately condensed in front of his palm, forming a spherical shadow energy orb that suddenly launched forward!
BOOM!!!
A strange energy wave exploded at Blackbeard's head, introducing part of the energy into his body and causing a slight delay in the connection between his soul and physical form.
"Hmm!?"
Feeling the inexplicable changes in his body, Blackbeard was stunned momentarily.
"What kind of power is this!?"
From his battle with Luffy and the others until now, Blackbeard had experienced three status effects: burning, paralysis, and freezing.
But regardless of which abnormal state it was, they had affected his body, so as long as he covered himself with the power of darkness, it was enough to eliminate these effects.
But now, he felt a different kind of status effect from Smoker's attack.
What made it strange was...
This status effect actually directly affected his soul, making it impossible for him to dispel it through his Devil Fruit ability.
Looking at the dazed Blackbeard, Smoker's silhouette, having landed his blow, reverted to elemental form and distanced himself from his opponent. A secret smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Looks like I got lucky!"
Although he claimed not to be part of the Straw Hats, Smoker had finally been brought into the Pokémon world by Red!
Though it had only lasted a moment, after inexplicably learning a few moves, he had immediately returned to the real world.
But this had almost made Smoker cry with excitement!
How long had it been?!
He had known about the existence of the Pokémon world as early as the Twin Capes, but he still had to wait until now to gain the qualification to enter it.
And if it weren't for Red's murderous intention toward Blackbeard, he might not have qualified to enter the Pokémon world even now.
From this perspective, Smoker almost felt inclined to thank Blackbeard.
Of course, as a Marine, how could he thank a pirate?
Unless that pirate inadvertently gave him powerful and precious abilities!
Shadow Ball!
After leaving the Pokémon world, Red had briefly explained to him the uses and functions of the four Pokémon moves he had learned!
The effect of Shadow Ball was that it had a probability of affecting the connection between the opponent's soul and body, slowing their reactions and preventing them from making the most appropriate responses.
Obviously, Smoker's direct aim at Blackbeard's head, combined with Blackbeard's arrogance in not dodging, had successfully triggered the additional effect of Shadow Ball.
While Blackbeard was still surprised, Sanji quickly approached Smoker through the smoke.
"Smoke guy?! Why you?!"
He asked suspiciously.
But Smoker didn't answer his question. Instead, he suddenly took out a poison syringe that Usopp had given him and threw it directly to Sanji.
Smoker said: "You should have Facade in your moveset, right?!"
"This is a toxin extracted from an insect by the long-nose. It can cause abnormal itching after injection, but won't cause any other harm!"
"Use this toxin to trigger your Facade effect!"
"Strange! How do you know about Facade?!"
Sanji didn't doubt Smoker's words. After receiving the poison, he immediately injected it into his abdomen.
Blackbeard had hit this area twice before, leaving him with an unknown number of broken ribs and excruciating pain.
So even if there was some itching as a side effect, it wouldn't make much difference.
After hearing Sanji's question, Smoker's face showed a look of pride that couldn't be concealed.
He grinned widely:
"Yeah... why would I know?"
Immediately afterward, he quickly reached into his pocket and took out a poison syringe identical to the one in Sanji's hand, then injected it into his own shoulder without hesitation.
"Of course that's because..."
"Now, like you, I've gained power from the Pokémon world!!!"
Strange toxins flooded into the bodies of Sanji and Smoker, causing them to enter a poisoned state.
The next second, they both activated the same move—Facade!
A large amount of Pokémon energy surged through their bodies and filled their limbs, making them extremely powerful!
This was the effect of Facade!
Under abnormal conditions, Pokémon energy would be condensed to directly enhance the human body, improving combat effectiveness!
As for the degree of improvement, it depended on the individual's mastery of moves and physical potential!
"I seem to... have found the feeling!"
Sanji, who had been fighting Blackbeard for several rounds, looked stunned.
Under the effect of Facade, his physical condition now was even stronger than before the battle began!
The next moment, dark Armament Haki energy suddenly erupted from his body, coating him completely.
It was like wearing a suit of dark knight armor.
The raging flames ignited once more!
Sanji, who lit a cigarette without a lighter, showed a confident smile before looking directly at Blackbeard.
"I'm now stronger than ever!!!"
STOMP!!!
Sanji's feet pounded hard against Laboon's surface, and his entire body suddenly flew at Blackbeard like a flaming meteor!
Under the influence of Shadow Ball, Blackbeard's defense was indeed slower than before, and he had no time to use Armament Haki to harden the area where Sanji was about to strike!
BOOM!!!!
A burst of fiery energy swept through the entire area like a storm!
Blackbeard was actually kicked away by Sanji's blow and crashed hard into Laboon's body.
THUD!
Sanji landed again through the flames, all the tobacco in his cigarette consumed by the high temperature.
Strong as he was in this state, Sanji's lung capacity and the speed at which his flames burned far exceeded normal levels.
So naturally... it was a bit wasteful.
What's going on?!
Smoker, who had just made himself stronger through the Bulk Up move, blinked in astonishment.
Didn't we agree that it should be my turn now?!
Why is it still this perverted chef taking the spotlight?! Is there any justice?!
And Red... didn't you give me all those moves?!
How much do you want, just name it!
Can't I have my moment?!