Water Seven.
Night.
The alley was completely surrounded.
Pirates, Marines, shipwrights—everyone had been drawn into the narrow space. All eyes were fixed on a single figure.
The man in the black suit.
He stood there quietly.
Alone.
Yet facing everyone as if he were the one holding the advantage.
Luffy stood at the front, fists clenched, expression grave.
"This guy… he's really strong."
Zoro slowly drew his swords, veins bulging along his arm.
"If he moves again, I'll cut him down."
Nami supported Sanji, who was still unconscious. Her eyes never left the man. Fear, anger, hatred—everything twisted together in her chest.
Chopper swallowed hard.
"He's alone… but why does it feel so scary?"
Franky crossed his arms.
"Super troublesome opponent."
Robin observed in silence, eyes narrowing.
"This pressure… it's deliberate."
Raifeng stood several steps ahead of the Straw Hats, facing the man alone.
"You're surrounded," he said calmly.
The man in black glanced around, then laughed softly.
"Surrounded? That word doesn't really apply to me."
As his voice fell, the air grew heavy. A crushing intent spread outward like a tide.
The Straw Hats felt it instantly.
Luffy's pupils shrank.
"This feeling…"
Zoro clenched his teeth.
"…That pressure."
Raifeng's eyes sharpened.
"So you finally stopped holding back."
The man adjusted his gloves.
"Since everyone's here, there's no need to hide anymore."
Boom!
A burst of force rolled outward. Dust and debris exploded away as several bystanders staggered back.
"W-what is this?!" Usopp screamed.
Chopper trembled violently.
"I-I can't…!"
Luffy planted his feet firmly, eyes burning.
"You think you can take all of us on by yourself?"
The man smiled.
"Yes."
Luffy grinned.
"Then I'll beat you."
He stepped forward.
Zoro followed immediately.
"So will I."
Franky cracked his knuckles.
"Count me in."
"Be careful!" Nami shouted.
Raifeng raised his hand.
"Stop."
Everyone froze.
Raifeng looked at Luffy.
"This opponent… I'll handle him."
Luffy frowned.
"You don't have to do this alone."
"This is my responsibility," Raifeng replied.
The man in black laughed.
"Touching. Very touching. But it won't change the outcome."
In the next instant—
He vanished.
Bang!
The ground shattered beneath his step.
Raifeng reacted immediately, his figure blurring as he met him head-on.
Boom!
A violent collision erupted mid-alley. Shockwaves blasted outward, cracking the walls even further.
"They're even faster!" Zoro's eyes widened.
"So this is his real speed…" Luffy clenched his fists.
Raifeng blocked a heavy blow—his arms trembling slightly.
The force was far stronger than before.
The man smiled.
"Can you keep up?"
He struck again.
Bang!
Raifeng was launched backward, slamming into the wall. Cracks spread like a spiderweb.
"Raifeng!" Nami gasped.
Raifeng pushed himself up. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth—yet his gaze remained steady.
"That all you've got?"
The man raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
He vanished again and appeared behind Raifeng—
Clang!
Steel flashed.
A blade intercepted him.
Zoro stepped in, eyes fierce.
"You won't touch him."
The man leapt back lightly, amused.
"Hoh? Three swords… interesting."
Luffy charged in.
"Gomu Gomu no—!"
"Don't!" Raifeng shouted.
Too late.
Bang!
Luffy was struck mid-charge—hit cleanly in the opening created by his forward momentum.
He was sent flying and crashed into rubble.
"Luffy!" Nami screamed.
Dust billowed.
The man stood calmly, hands in his pockets.
"One at a time, or all at once. It doesn't matter."
His gaze swept across everyone.
"I can handle all of you."
Silence fell.
The Straw Hats stared at him—shock, anger, disbelief etched across their faces.
Raifeng stepped forward again, wiping the blood from his mouth.
"Then…" he said quietly, eyes turning colder than the night, "…I'll make sure you regret it."
The pressure between the two surged sharply.
The wind howled.
The decisive battle had truly begun.
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