Luffy and Franky finally caught up to Rob Lucci.
Spandam grabbed Robin by the hair and dragged her through a Door.
Luffy tried to stop Spandam, but Lucci stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
"Straw Hat… I'm impressed you made it this far."
"Franky, go after Robin. I'll deal with the pigeon guy," Luffy said.
" Go for it!" Franky replied, running toward the door.
"Shave."
Lucci appeared in front of Franky in an instant.
"You're not going anywhere."
Lucci attacked.
"Finger Pistol!"
Luffy jumped in the way and blocked the attack.
"Franky, go!" Luffy shouted.
Franky rushed through the doorway.
Luffy stood in front of Lucci.
Lucci looked at him like he was nothing.
"So you choose to fight me," Lucci said with a small grin.
Luffy cracked his neck.
"Yeah. I'm gonna beat you and save Robin."
Lucci walked forward, steps echoing.
"You're wasting your time. Straw Hat… you will die here."
Luffy rushed.
"Gum Gum-Pistol!"
Lucci tilted his head and the punch flew past him.
Lucci kick Luffy in the ribs, sending him sliding across the floor.
Luffy coughed, wiping blood off his lips.
"You're strong," Luffy said.
"But I don't care."
Lucci cracked his fingers.
"I'll show you real strength."
Rob Lucci closed his eyes for a moment.
His body started to change. Bones cracked. Muscles twisted.
Black and yellow fur burst out of his skin.
"Human-Beast Form…" he muttered.
His face stretched into a long leopard muzzle.
Claws grew from his fingers.
His tail whipped behind him, cutting the wind.
He opened his eyes.
Zoan Type- Model: Leopard.
Luffy crouched, resting his fists on the ground.
"You're strong, so I have to go all out from the start," he said, gritting his teeth.
He began pumping the blood through his body.
His skin turned bright red, his veins pulsing. Steam started rising from his body in waves.
"Second Gear!"
The two stared at each other.
Lucci attacked.
"Finger Pistol!" His attack shot through Luffy's body.
Lucci (thinking)- [Did he learn that guy technique? No… that would be impossible]
Luffy appeared behind him.
Lucci (thinking)-[ I see now! He's moving so fast he's leaving afterimages]
"Gum Gum Jet Gatling!"
Luffy's fists slammed into Lucci's back.
"Ahhh!"
Boom!
Lucci crashed into a pile of wooden boxes. He got up.
"Dammit… where did he go?"
"Gum Gum Jet Stamp!"
Luffy kicked Lucci hard in the back.
"Ahhh!"
"Gum Gum Jet Whip!"
Luffy kick hit Lucci in the ribs, sending him flying into the wall.
Lucci got up, smiling.
"More… give me more."
Lucci rushed forward.
They met in midair.
Punches and kicks flew fast, each strike making cracks in the air.
Clash! Bam! Wham!
POOF!
They slid back to opposite side of the room, breathing hard.
Lucci wiped blood from his lips. His eyes glowing red.
"You… think you can beat me?" Lucci said.
Luffy grinned. "I don't think… I know!"
Lucci lunged.
"Finger Pistol" His finger stabbed like a bullet.
Luffy twisted at the last second. The finger sank into a wooden post behind him.
Luffy stretched his arm back.
"Gum Gum Jet Bazooka!"
Both fists slammed into Lucci's chest. Bones cracked under the force.
Lucci screamed out, coughing up blood.
"Ahhh!"
He slammed into the wall.
Lucci roared, his human and zoan form flickered.
"You'll pay for that, Straw Hat!"
He charged, swinging claws.
Luffy dodged, but a fang caught his shoulder. blood ran down his arm.
"Gah!"
Luffy gritted his teeth, ignoring the pain.
"Gum Gum Jet Gatling!"
Fists pounded relentlessly into Lucci's chest and face.
Lucci stumbles back.
Luffy leapt back.
"You… you'll die for that!" Lucci shouted.
Lucci growled. His body began to twist again.
The black spots on his fur turned to red, glowing faintly. And he gained a second tail.
"Zoan Type: Model Leopard: Second Form- King Leopard!" Lucci roared.
He crouched low, claws digging into the ground. His tails lashed behind him, smashing the ground apart.
Luffy stared."…He's even worse than before."