"Nami!!!!!"
The Straw Hat Pirates stared at her in horror, fear written clearly across their faces.
Sanji kicked a guard away with brutal force, his expression twisted with rage as he clenched his fists.
"Damn it! I didn't even sense the bullet aimed at Nami!-san"
"W-w-w, Nami, are you okay?! Don't scare me like that!"
Chopper shrank back into his small form, tears streaming down his face as he ran around her in panic.
"..."
Luffy's body trembled as he slowly turned his head. His eyes were wide as he stared at Nami, who was leaning against the wall in a daze.
"Nami! Are you alright!!" he roared.
"I… I'm fine!"
Under everyone's anxious gaze, Nami shakily stood up. Her hand trembled as she opened her palm, murmuring in disbelief,
"I think… I sensed the bullet before it hit me. I covered my hand with gold and caught it…"
Sanji let out a long breath of relief and kicked another guard away in excitement.
"Thank goodness! Nami-swaan is safe!"
"B-but then why were you staring at your chest?" Chopper asked weakly, drenched in sweat. "I thought you were shot…"
"I… I was just doubting whether I really caught it," Nami replied softly, still looking confused. "It almost felt like an illusion…"
Was this Observation Haki, the thing Shirogai and Luffy had talked about before?
The feeling was strange, unfamiliar, yet undeniable.
Back then, she had thought the ghosts she encountered on that island were nothing more than Shirogai's prank. She never expected that the ability he spoke of would truly awaken within her.
Just before the bullet left the chamber, at the instant it was aimed at her chest, Nami felt an intense warning surge through her body.
There was no time to think.
Instinct took over.
She manipulated the gold around her body, coating her hand and reaching out toward the incoming danger.
And she caught it.
The bullet spun violently within the liquefied gold, struggling to break free, but in the end, it was restrained completely, resting quietly in her palm.
The moment she realized she was unharmed, her legs gave out and she sat on the ground, instinctively glancing at her chest to confirm she had not been shot.
That brief motion was what made everyone believe she had taken the bullet directly.
...
"That girl has just awakened Observation Haki," Rayleigh said calmly, watching from the stage. "That doesn't happen without guidance. Your influence is obvious."
Shirogai nodded with a faint smile, lifting his chin slightly.
"My companions are impressive, aren't they?"
"Compared to ordinary pirate crews, they are excellent," Rayleigh replied with a laugh. "But compared to you…"
He shook his head.
"They still have a long way to go."
"Yes, they do," Shirogai agreed, sighing lightly.
He had already decided to introduce truly powerful mentors to them in the future.
As for teachers like Rayleigh, he thought lazily, perhaps not worth the trouble.
"With their current strength, entering the New World would be painful," Rayleigh said as he took another drink. "Even your captain failed to notice that bullet."
"They're still young," Shirogai replied, his gaze shifting toward Luffy, who was marching forward with fury burning in his eyes. "Their future is limitless."
A small smile curved his lips.
"And even if he lacks experience, our captain's sense of responsibility surpasses most."
...
"Bastard!!! How dare you shoot Nami!!!"
Luffy roared as he charged straight toward Saint Charlos.
"Ah!!!"
Saint Charlos panicked, stumbling backward as he pointed his pistol at Luffy.
"You filthy pirate, what do you think you're doing?!"
"Run! Pirates are attacking a Celestial Dragon!"
"The Marines will send an Admiral! We have to get off this island!"
"H-hey! Don't run! The auction isn't finished yet!"
The spectators scattered in terror, ignoring the host's cries. The auction hall descended into chaos.
The slave auction was completely ruined.
Whoosh!
CP-0 Koma appeared in front of Luffy, blocking his path.
"Straw Hat, step back! A Celestial Dragon is not someone you can touch!"
"I've had enough of you!" Luffy snarled.
He bit down hard on his finger. His arm rapidly inflated as Armament Haki coated his massive fist.
"Gum Gum Elephant Gun!"
Boom!
The enormous fist smashed through the ceiling with a deafening roar and came crashing down toward Koma.
This was a technique Luffy had grasped early, inspired by battles against giants within the strange illusion he once experienced.
"So much power!" Koma sensed instantly.
He could not dodge.
Behind him stood Saint Charlos.
"Damn it… I'll take it head on!"
Koma inhaled sharply, activating a secret technique as his body expanded.
"Iron Body, Expansion!"
He raised his arms, hardening them with Armament Haki and bracing himself like a steel pillar.
"Haaah!!!"
For a brief moment, he stopped the descending Elephant Gun.
"Hmph! I'm not done yet!" Luffy shouted.
He bit the finger of his other hand, inflating his second arm as well. The compressed air surged, feeding into the already massive attack.
"Gum Gum Elephant Gatling!"
The fist grew even larger, its power multiplying explosively.
Crack!
The floor beneath Koma shattered under the pressure.
A sharp cracking sound echoed from his body.
I can't hold it…
Koma's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Aaaah!!!"
With a roar of frustration, CP-0 Koma was driven straight into the ground as the relentless Elephant Gatling overwhelmed him.
Boom!!!!
The impact crushed Koma completely and sent the three stunned Celestial Dragons flying.
"It's over… it's over!"
Disco screamed in despair as he turned and ran backstage.
"A Celestial Dragon was beaten by a pirate in my auction house! I'm finished!"
He staggered as he ran, his thoughts racing.
"No… there's still hope. I need to find Joker!"
"In this situation, only Joker can save me!"