The alley.
The air froze.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on Luffy.
Luffy stood at the front, fists clenched tightly, gaze locked firmly on the man in the black suit.
"You…" he said slowly. "You're strong."
The man smiled faintly.
"You're not bad either."
He paused.
"But unfortunately…"
His eyes sharpened.
"You're still far too inexperienced."
Luffy frowned.
"What did you say?"
The next instant—
The man disappeared.
Too fast.
So fast that even Raifeng's pupils shrank.
"Luffy!" Raifeng shouted.
But it was already too late.
Bang!
A dull, heavy impact echoed.
Luffy's eyes widened.
The strike drove straight into his abdomen—precise, merciless, timed to break his stance.
All the air in his lungs blasted out at once.
His vision went white.
His thoughts snapped.
Boom!
Luffy's body flew backward like he'd been yanked by a cannon rope, smashing into the ground.
Dust exploded into the air.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The entire alley fell deathly quiet.
Nami's pupils contracted.
"…Luffy?"
Chopper froze.
"No…"
"No way…"
Zoro's eyes widened, breath catching for a heartbeat.
"That bastard…"
Sanji lay unconscious, unaware of everything.
Robin's expression changed for the first time.
"That speed…"
Usopp's legs went weak.
"H-He got knocked out…?"
In one move.
Straw Hat Luffy—
Had been taken down.
Raifeng clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms until blood seeped out.
"You…"
The man slowly withdrew his fist and looked at Luffy's motionless body. Then he shook his head slightly.
"So fragile."
"Disappointing."
Zoro stepped forward, veins bulging in his forehead.
"You bastard…"
"I'll kill you."
The man glanced at him.
"You?"
Zoro drew his swords. Killing intent surged.
"Don't underestimate us!"
He lunged.
"Zoro—!" Raifeng shouted.
But Zoro was already moving.
Three Sword Style—
Bang!
Another dull impact.
Zoro's body was knocked sideways, slammed hard into the wall.
Cracks spread instantly.
Blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.
"…Tch."
He slid down the wall, unable to stand.
"Zoro!" Nami screamed.
The man exhaled, almost bored.
"One after another."
"Too slow."
Fear spread.
Real fear.
The Straw Hat Pirates—
Were being completely suppressed.
Raifeng stepped forward, eyes cold to the extreme.
"You've crossed the line."
The man looked at him.
"Oh?"
His smile returned.
"Angry?"
Raifeng's presence surged. The air trembled.
"I won't forgive you."
The man smiled wider.
"That's good."
"I was getting bored."
He took a step forward, facing Raifeng directly.
The pressure between them detonated.
This alley—
Had become a battlefield beyond comprehension.
And the Straw Hat Pirates—
Had truly realized it at this moment:
This enemy was far more terrifying than they had imagined.
And Luffy—
Had fallen.
In a single exchange.
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