Luffy collapsed onto the ground, his body shriveled and drained, every ounce of strength gone.
"Thump… thump… thump…"
His heart thundered like a war drum, and his body began to swell again as if about to recover.
Bang!
Without hesitation, Chiga drove his fist into Luffy's chest. The heartbeat stopped cold.
He had held back, not intending to end Luffy's life, but the strike was enough to silence the so-called "Drums of Liberation" that fueled the Nika form.
Looking down at him, Chiga said calmly, "That little sit-up routine doesn't work on me."
The divine drumming faded, and with it, Luffy slipped out of his Nika state. He blinked, and the first thing he saw was Chiga's indifferent gaze.
Terror shot through him. He sprang up, crying out exaggeratedly, "Chiga-onee!"
Ace and Sabo froze. This was the Luffy they knew.
Luffy stood stiff, wide-eyed, like a child caught making trouble.
Chiga folded his arms, studying him. He'd suspected it earlier—there was another will inside the Nika Fruit, something guiding Luffy's instincts. It reminded him of the way Ashura's will had likely influenced Naruto. Otherwise, how could someone endure so much pain without breaking?
Now, stripped of that influence, Luffy looked like his usual "idiot" self.
Chiga stepped closer. The normally carefree Luffy didn't even dare to breathe loudly. The memory of Chiga's power pressed too heavily on him.
"So now you remember to call me 'onee'?" Chiga asked coolly. "I saw you trying to prove yourself just now."
"Gulp… Chiga-onee," Luffy stammered. "I don't know what came over me. I just started fighting Ace and Sabo, then I even attacked you. I'm sorry…"
Ace and Sabo limped closer, still battered. Luffy glanced at them and nearly laughed at the sight of his brothers beaten into beggars by his own hands. But he bit his lip and held it in.
Unfortunately, the forced restraint looked worse than laughter. Veins bulged on Ace and Sabo's foreheads.
"Luffy…" Ace ground his teeth. "You beat us up like this, and you're proud?"
"Uh, no!"
"Idiot! Fist of Love!"
Bang!
Ace's punch sent Luffy spinning through the air. He landed hard, groaning, too weak to get back up right away.
Clutching the lump on his head, Luffy yelled, "Damn it! That's Grandpa's move! Why did he teach you that!?"
Ace smirked, withdrawing his smoking fist. "I came up with it myself. Perfect for dealing with you!"
His expression shifted instantly. Looking at Chiga with awe, Ace shouted, "Chiga-onee! You're finally back!"
Chiga smiled, patting his shoulder. "It's been a while. You've grown a lot."
"Hehe…" Ace scratched his head, grinning sheepishly.
For Sabo, it was the first time seeing Chiga this close. Unlike Ace, his noble upbringing showed—he bowed respectfully. "King, my name is Sabo. I currently serve as a Rear Admiral in the Navy."
Chiga nodded. "I know you. Dragon's most capable subordinate. You're impressive… much steadier than these two."
The unexpected praise made Sabo flush with pride. Beside him, Ace pouted, jealousy plain on his face.
But Sabo quickly remembered the strangeness in Luffy's transformation. His eyes turned serious. "King, what happened to Luffy? He didn't feel like himself before."
Chiga's gaze fell on Luffy. "It's nothing serious. He was just possessed."
With a flick of his hand, he pulled Luffy over. Placing a palm on his forehead, he yanked hard.
A white, humanoid spirit was ripped free.
"Waaah!" Luffy screamed. "Is that my soul!? I'm gonna die!"
Ace grabbed his face and stretched it long, roaring, "Idiot! Do you look like you're dying right now!?"
Luffy blinked, dazed. "Yeah… guess not…"
Chiga gave him a withering look.
The spirit struggled. Features formed on its blank face, eyes glaring at Chiga.
"You," it hissed. "You are the one who aided Im. The one who imprisoned this world!"
Luffy gasped. "That voice! It's the same one I kept hearing in my head!"
The spirit turned sharply to him. "You are my successor. Restoring the kingdom and liberating the world is your duty. I am guiding you!"
"Who the hell are you!?" Luffy shouted.
"I am Joy Boy! The true King of this world!"
Ace bristled immediately. "What nonsense! Chiga onee is the true King of the world!"
"He is no King," Joy Boy's spirit snarled. "He and Im are the same—despicable thieves!"
"Bastard! I'll—" Ace lunged, but Chiga's hand twitched.
The spirit shattered into countless motes of white light, fading into nothing.
Dusting his hands, Chiga said flatly, "If you're dead, then stay dead quietly."
He cast a sharp glance at Luffy. The boy straightened at once, standing to attention like a soldier.
"Tell me," Chiga asked. "Do you still want to be a Pirate?"
Luffy froze. The old Luffy would have shouted "yes" without a second thought. But now, he realized he didn't truly want the crown. All he'd ever really wanted was adventure.
After a long silence, under Ace's stunned gaze, Luffy muttered, "I… don't want to anymore."
Chiga's lips curved faintly. The heavy task of curing Luffy's obsession with the Pirate King title was complete.
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