Mihawk looked at Buggy, a flicker of understanding flashing in his eyes before his expression returned to its usual indifference.
He knew that Buggy's Chop-Chop Fruit indeed allowed him to ignore slashing attacks.
Even so, Mihawk remained far too powerful for both Buggy and Luffy, the gap in their strength still as vast as heaven and earth.
Without the slightest hesitation, Mihawk sheathed his Black Blade and struck Buggy's chest hard with its hilt.
Thud!
Buggy was sent flying by the immense force, crashing heavily onto the icy surface.
While his Devil Fruit ability could ignore slashes, it offered no defense against blunt-force attacks.
Mihawk's strike left him seriously injured.
With Buggy dealt with, Mihawk raised his Black Blade once more, his gaze locking onto Luffy again. Another sharp slash shot toward Luffy with devastating force.
By now, all of Luffy's support had vanished.
Without any surprises, he would be struck by the slash, severely wounded, or even killed.
But coincidentally, a certain troublemaker had long wanted to make up for the regrets of his past life.
He wanted to see what would happen if the Luffy of the future appeared at the Summit War.
Would the outcome of the Summit War be changed by Gear Fifth Luffy?
And so, the next moment.
A massive figure suddenly plummeted from the sky, landing in front of Luffy.
It was a towering blue giant, radiating an aura of world-destroying pressure—Uchiha Madara's Susanoo!
Clang!
Mihawk's slash struck the Susanoo's armor with tremendous force, tearing through its outer layer, but it quickly repaired itself.
Mihawk stared at the suddenly appearing Susanoo, his expression shifting from the casual ease he'd shown toward Luffy to one of extreme vigilance.
He instinctively took several steps back, his gaze fixed intently on the colossal figure, his entire body on high alert.
But the giant's master paid no attention to Mihawk.
Uchiha Madara looked down at Luffy, his tone calm:
"Not bad, kid. You've got spirit, courage, and determination. You'll likely become a strong one in the future."
He paused briefly before continuing, his voice tinged with temptation:
"But you're too weak right now. With your current strength, forget rescuing Ace—even surviving on this battlefield is a luxury.
And I have a way to let you obtain the power of the future right now, to give you strength capable of rivaling the top fighters.
So, do you want power?"
Upon hearing these words, an intense longing flashed in Luffy's eyes.
Struggling to stand, he replied urgently and without hesitation:
"I do! I want power! As long as I can save Ace, as long as I can become stronger, I want it—no matter what kind of power it is!"
He craved strength so desperately, longed so fiercely to rescue Ace.
Time and again, his own weakness had left him unable to protect his comrades or keep his promises.
This sense of powerlessness tormented him endlessly.
Now, faced with an opportunity to gain immense power instantly, he would never let it slip away.
Nearby, Buggy finally managed to climb up from the ground. Hearing his words, he also revealed an excited expression.
He quickly moved closer and shouted loudly at Uchiha Madara:
"I want it too, I want power too!
Lord Buggy will definitely be strong in the future, I want to become stronger!
I want to become the King of the Pirates, to possess endless wealth and power!"
Throughout his life, Buggy had pursued wealth and power. He had always yearned to become strong, to have his own status on this vast sea.
He wanted to prove that he was no less than that annoying guy, Shanks.
Now, hearing Uchiha Madara say that he could grant him the power of the future, he instantly grew excited. Without the slightest hesitation, he voiced his thoughts.
Uchiha Madara looked at Luffy and Buggy, a faint smile appearing on his face, his eyes carrying a hint of amusement.
High in the sky, Ivan saw this scene, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes.
He shouted loudly at Uchiha Madara:
"Uchiha Madara, what are you trying to do?!"
Uchiha Madara raised his head, looking up at Ivan in the sky, and taunted:
"Ivan, from now on, your enemies won't be me, but these two."
After speaking, without waiting for the confusion of those around him, Uchiha Madara lowered his head again, his gaze fixed on Luffy and Buggy:
"Since you both want power, I'll grant it to you.
However, I must remind you that power is never free. While gaining power, you must also pay the corresponding price.
Because you are drawing on power in advance, your Life Span will be reduced to a certain extent.
Are you ready?"
Luffy nodded without hesitation, resolutely saying:
"I'm ready. No matter the cost, I want to gain power, I want to save Ace!"
Buggy also quickly nodded, his face full of excitement and anticipation:
"I'm ready too! Lord Buggy isn't afraid of any cost. As long as I can become stronger, as long as I can gain wealth and power, I'm willing to pay any price!"
What drawing on the future, what reducing Life Span.
Lord Buggy didn't care!
He had long grown tired of this weak body!
He would rather burn his life in a short time, like Captain Roger, than live a cowardly life!
He wanted everyone in the world to know.
Lord Buggy's life would burn, would roar!
Mihawk stood to the side, watching the scene before him, a trace of curiosity appearing in his eyes.
He did not intervene to stop it but quietly remained where he was, wanting to see what kind of power Uchiha Madara would give to Luffy and Buggy.
He wanted to see what changes would occur in Dragon's son after gaining power.
On the battlefield, all eyes once again focused on Luffy, Buggy, and Uchiha Madara.
The fighting between pirates and marines temporarily ceased. Everyone was curious about what Uchiha Madara would do.
After gaining the power of the future, would Luffy and Buggy become another variable in this war?
Luffy looked firmly at Uchiha Madara, his heart filled with anticipation.
And Buggy, his face full of excitement, was filled with longing for the future.
He seemed to already see himself possessing great power and endless wealth.
Uchiha Madara looked at the two, the smile at the corner of his mouth growing even more pronounced.
He slowly raised his hands, placing them on Luffy's and Buggy's heads respectively.
The next moment, a dazzling burst of intense light erupted with Uchiha Madara, Luffy, and Buggy at its center.
A pure white halo swept out in all directions, and the chaotic battlefield fell into a brief, deathly silence under its radiance.
With every passing moment the light spread, Uchiha Madara's aura visibly and rapidly diminished.
In stark contrast, the auras of Luffy and Buggy surged wildly, like erupting volcanoes.