As the words fell, Luffy and the others didn't hold back.
With no chance of escape left, they had only one option: to fight with everything they had.
Luffy, Sanji, and Zoro exchanged a brief glance, then charged toward Ezra D. Vale.
"Second Gear, Gum Gum Jet Rocket!"
Luffy's right arm stretched violently, launching toward Ezra like a living cannon.
A sharp glint flashed in Ezra's eyes. His right fist shot forward with unrelenting force.
A scream erupted from Luffy as his rocket-powered arm was obliterated in an instant.
Taking advantage of the opening, Zoro closed in on Ezra.
Swish! Swish! Swish! Three waves of sword energy shot forward, merging into a phoenix-shaped slash that tore through the air.
"Three Sword Style, Thousand Pound Phoenix!"
Ezra's lips twisted into a cruel, devilish smile.
"Swordsmanship? Very well. Let me show you."
His right hand brushed the hilt of Ryujin Jakka.
"Fuu-Zan."
A white slash of energy, invisible to the naked eye, shot out with deadly precision. In the blink of an eye, it shattered Zoro's sword waves and slammed into him with full force.
Zoro's eyes narrowed. He crossed his three swords in front of him.
"Demon Spirit Nine Sword Style, Asura: Demon Nine Flash!"
His body spun violently, conjuring a vortex of sword energy to block Ezra's strike.
Ezra sneered. "Too naive."
Boom!
A deafening crash rang out. Blood streaked the corner of Zoro's mouth. Kneeling on one knee, he braced himself with his swords, a massive slash carved across his chest.
Meanwhile, Sanji charged in.
"Diable Jambe, Beast Meat Shoot!"
Spinning in the air at incredible speed, he unleashed a flurry of flaming kicks.
Ezra tapped the ground with his right foot, vanishing from Sanji's sight.
"What?!" Sanji froze in shock.
Seizing the moment, Ezra's left leg lashed out like a whip, connecting squarely with Sanji's face.
Wham!
The sound of an explosive impact echoed as Sanji's body flew into Luffy, who barely managed to catch him by inflating his body like a balloon.
Sanji was knocked unconscious from the sheer force of the blow.
In just a few minutes, the three strongest members of the Straw Hat Pirates had been decisively defeated.
Usopp and Chopper trembled beside them, forced to step in to protect their friends despite their fear.
Ezra shook his right hand, his gaze sweeping over the two frightened figures.
"Courage is admirable, but useless."
He advanced toward them.
"D-Don't come any closer!" Usopp shouted, slingshot raised, terror in his eyes.
Ezra's reply was cold, emotionless: "Stop struggling. None of you will leave this place today."
At that moment, a new voice echoed from afar, growing louder by the second.
"Is that so? I don't think so."
Ezra paused, sensing the presence.
Before Luffy, a figure appeared silver-haired, silver-bearded, wearing glasses, a vertical scar cutting through his right eye.
Ezra raised an eyebrow. "Red-Haired Rayleigh. You're joining this mess too?"
Rayleigh's glasses reflected a white light, concealing his eyes. Yet the slight lift of his lips radiated unwavering confidence.
"Admiral Ezra D. Vale, a new era is coming. I won't allow you to crush these budding sprouts."
With that, Rayleigh drew a Western-style sword from beneath his cloak.
He turned slightly to Usopp and Chopper. "Take Luffy and get out of here, now!"
The two nodded frantically, lifting Luffy and preparing to flee.
Ezra's expression darkened. "Don't bother. They won't escape."
He drew Ryujin Jakka from his side.
"But before that, I will send you to hell."
Shunpō!
In the blink of an eye, Ezra leaped above Rayleigh, swinging Ryujin Jakka with terrifying speed, aiming to strike him down.
"So fast!" Rayleigh's pupils contracted. He raised his sword just in time.
An explosive shockwave erupted between the blades.
Rayleigh's heart raced such immense force! He switched to a two-handed grip and exerted all his strength to repel Ezra.
"Admiral Ezra, you truly are the Navy's ultimate warrior. I am no match, but I can delay you, at least a little."
A glint flashed in Ezra's red eyes. "Your delay will be meaningless."
Rayleigh smiled faintly. "We'll see about that."
Ezra froze mid-motion, then noticed the large tree in the distance.
The tree where Bartholomew Kuma had been, embedded and waiting, now stood empty.
Ezra scoffed. "Bah, Bartholomew Kuma." He exhaled and fixed his gaze on Rayleigh.
"So you already know his identity?"
Rayleigh wiped his sword and nodded slightly. "I have a rough idea. One of Luffy's reckless old man's subordinates."
"Red-Haired Rayleigh… you are truly formidable."
Ezra's body suddenly erupted with an indescribable spiritual pressure.
Twice… that kid had escaped him twice!
Ezra's rage reached its limit.
A searing spiritual pressure swept across Port 13, crushing all the pirates within.
The weaker ones were pinned to the ground, helpless.
Rayleigh's forehead beaded with cold sweat. "What… kind of monster have I provoked?"
Ezra's crimson eyes blazed brighter than ever. His voice pierced Rayleigh's ears:
"All things, turned to ash. Ryujin Jakka!"
Boom!
Ezra's spiritual pressure surged geometrically, tearing the surrounding air apart.
The scorching heat dried the ground instantly. Plants withered, then ignited.
The pirates could do nothing but writhe on the scorching earth, feeling the heat climb relentlessly.
All they could do was scream:
"Kill me! Please, kill me!"
"It's so hot! Someone kill me!"
Within seconds, Port 13 had been transformed into a living hell.
What no one knew… this was Ezra unleashing only one-third of his full power.