[Eustass Kid: How could it be that good-for-nothing? This is impossible!]
[Capone Bege: Completely unimaginable. What on earth did that long-nose do to become the key person?]
[Morgans: This is truly an astonishing piece of news!]
[Cavendish: It actually wasn't me!!! Those Worst Generation rookies are one thing, but why is that long-nose stealing the spotlight too?]
While everyone was reeling from the revelation that Usopp was indeed the correct answer, the rewarded Empress, Boa Hancock, smiled with a shy expression.
"It's all thanks to Luffy that this empress answered correctly."
At that moment, her sister, Boa Sandersonia, looked on curiously. "Sister, what exactly is the 'Petrifying Gaze'?"
The Empress turned and saw the same confusion on everyone else's faces, so she began to explain.
"The Petrifying Gaze is the ability of the legendary gorgon Medusa from another land. It is said her hair was made of countless venomous snakes, and her skin was like bronze scales akin to a serpent's. Her eyes possessed a mystical power capable of turning anyone who met her gaze into stone."
"Isn't that similar to your ability, Sister?" Boa Marigold asked, somewhat puzzled.
"No, it's different," the Empress shook her head and continued explaining.
"Although my Love-Love Fruit (Mero Mero no Mi) can also turn people to stone, it requires me to actively initiate it. The Petrifying Gaze ability, however, is passive. Anyone directly meeting this empress's gaze will turn to stone.
Those with strength greater than mine might possess some resistance, but if I maintain my gaze on them for a prolonged period, they will eventually succumb as well.
Furthermore, the ability granted by the system has been modified. It provided me with a restriction. Those chosen by me will not be affected by the Petrifying Gaze. This way, I need not worry about any of you being petrified."
Hearing the Empress's explanation, Boa Marigold was delighted.
"So that means Sister's power has grown even stronger!"
"Correct. With this ability, this empress can better protect Amazon Lily. Moreover, I can be of even greater help to Luffy now."
As the Empress thought of this, the shyness on her face deepened. Just then, the video began playing, revealing the answer.
〖Just as Bullet and Luffy were about to collide, suddenly, seeds on Bullet's body began to sprout and grow rapidly.
These seeds eventually transformed into tough vines, completely binding Bullet.
And it didn't stop there; the vines continuously constricted until Bullet's massive form was brutally snapped and contorted.
The scene then shifted to Usopp.
"Special Attack: Green Star: Snake Firework! Providing cover fire is a sniper's true domain!"〗
[Bartolomeo: Senior Usopp is too cool!]
[Monkey D. Luffy: 'Providing cover fire is a sniper's true domain.' Usopp, that's amazing!]
[Tony Tony Chopper: Usopp! Usopp! Usopp!]
[Sanji: You brat, you actually managed to show off successfully.]
[Franky: SUUUPER!]
[God Usopp: It was really me who did it... Ahem Ahem... I knew it all along. Keep it low-key, this is just standard operation for me.]
[Roronoa Zoro: Oh, not bad. Much better than some people who just stand around doing nothing.]
[Sanji: Moss-head, what do you mean by that? Looking for a fight? I clearly fought too!]
[Roronoa Zoro: How strange, I never mentioned you. Why are you admitting to it yourself?]
[Sanji: You!]
[Nami: Alright, stop arguing. Look, the focus is back on you guys.]
[Sanji: Yes, Miss Nami!]
[Buggy the Clown: Huh? That person... isn't that Rob Lucci from CP0 or CP9? He's here too?]
[Gecko Moria: Crocodile, what are you planning? As expected, your goal from the start was the Eternal Pose to Laugh Tale!]
After Bullet was broken by Usopp's vines, the others sprang into action.
〖Crocodile and Rob Lucci seized the moment while Luffy and the others were fighting, charging straight for the Eternal Pose.
But suddenly, someone blocked their path.
It was the Straw Hat Pirates' right and left hands, Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro and Black Leg Sanji.
"We can't let you interfere with our captain."
On the other side, Bullet, having returned to his normal form, stood up once again.
"Quite impressive, Straw Hat. Now let's see who is truly the strongest."
Facing Bullet, Luffy wore a look of unwavering determination.
"Now is the true moment to decide the outcome. You are indeed strong, but to protect what's important, I will definitely defeat you!"
With that, he met Bullet's attack head-on. Their fists collided once more, creating a violent shockwave.
"On this sea battlefield, only the resolve to survive alone represents truly invincible strength!"
Bullet roared, punching Luffy and sending him flying.
However, Luffy got back up the next second and launched another attack at Bullet.
Witnessing Luffy's tenacity, Bullet's eyes turned blood red, and Armament Haki once again enveloped his entire body.
"It's over, Straw Hat. Only one as powerful as I am can become the strongest man in the world the Pirate King!"
Luffy, hearing this, looked utterly unconvinced. "Someone like that could never become the Pirate King!"
He shouted his rebuttal and charged at Bullet. "Gomu Gomu no... Kong Gun Barrage!"
Countless Kong Gun fists rained down like a storm.
Bullet met them with furious counterattacks. "Die, Straw Hat! Ultimate Fist!"
Fists of red and blue Haki collided again, shaking the very sky and earth.
Bullet swung his fist, smashing it into Luffy's face.
"Only by standing alone can one truly conquer these seas! Only I am the world's strongest!"
Luffy withstood his blows, fundamentally rejecting his ideology.
"Stop spouting nonsense! How could anyone possibly survive on these seas all alone?"
Hearing this soul-piercing question from Luffy, Bullet was startled, memories flooding back of his time on the Roger Pirates, of how he once strove to earn Roger's recognition.
It was only for an instant he was no longer that person, even finding his past self somewhat laughable now.
But that split-second of distraction was all the opening Luffy needed.
A Kong Gun slammed directly into Bullet's face. Before he could even react, Luffy's next strike followed immediately.
Countless fists pummeled Bullet's body.
"I'm the man who will become the Pirate King!"
Luffy yelled, landing the final punch on Bullet. Ultimately, Bullet was sent crashing heavily to the ground, unable to get up again.
Simultaneously, Luffy deflated and fell to the ground, but Empress Hancock immediately ran over in concern and helped him up.
"Luffy~ are you alright?"
Luffy just laughed heartily. "I got it! The treasure of the Pirate King! We won!"〗