Sabaody Archipelago!
"Are you admitting defeat, Bullet?..."
Rayleigh's gaze held a myriad of emotions at that moment.
As a former first mate, Rayleigh understood Bullet better than Shanks and the rest.
As a man of strength, he was also a person who had weathered many years.
Rayleigh perceived things that Shanks and the others couldn't. Long ago, in Bullet's heart, surpassing Roger had been his ultimate aspiration!
But paradoxically, the one who revered Roger the most... was Bullet himself!
Every word uttered by Roger was etched deeply in Bullet's heart, leaving a profound impact.
Even amid the onslaught of numerous enemies, Bullet, with his might, would never concede defeat. After all, over a decade ago, it would have taken the combined might of Garp and Sengoku to vanquish Bullet.
Even now, it required the backing of the Buster Call to barely subdue him.
How could Bullet change after so many years of growth? Thus, the primary reason for his defeat now likely stemmed from what Luffy had proclaimed in the end!
Those resolute gazes and unwavering words that Luffy had uttered without hesitation.
In Luffy, Bullet saw a reflection of the old Roger. Perhaps it was this resemblance that prompted Bullet to relinquish his fixation and embrace defeat.
At that moment, even Rayleigh couldn't help but smile...
"Bullet, without us realizing, we've all become relics of the past era."
"The dawn of a new era belongs to individuals like Straw Hat!"
"However, I must admit..."
"Luffy... truly bears a striking resemblance to that man, Roger."
"Someone who carries on Roger's will, he's an intriguing individual..."
With Bullet utterly vanquished, the curtain fell on this scene!
The reverberations of this live broadcast's shock naturally rippled across the seas and the world. Not only were digital authorities stunned, but people everywhere were left incredulous!
They hadn't anticipated that Bullet, a force akin to a monstrous titan, would fall to Luffy's hands!
Following his triumph over Katakuri and his escape from Big Mom's territory...
Luffy's power had surged even further!
During this battle, all spectators keenly sensed Luffy's staggering rate of growth!
Simultaneously, the skyward live broadcast screen echoed once more.
[The pinnacle battle video concludes, with quiz rewards slated for distribution next!]
[Congratulations to Ace, Robin, and Zoro for selecting the correct answer!]
[Next, prizes and bonuses will soon be distributed!]
As soon as this announcement rang out, countless viewers and prominent figures were filled with envy.
Once again, we missed out on the prize-winning quiz! What a missed opportunity!
[Congratulations to Ace: You have been granted a reward, granting you immunity to death once in future events!]
[Congratulations to Zoro: He has received a reward, awakening the Black Blade, doubling his swordsmanship, and mastering the prowess of a great swordsman!]
[Congratulations to Robin: She has received a reward, awakening her Devil Fruit abilities, and gaining mysterious powers!]
The rewards were declared, leaving everyone astonished once more. What kind of extraordinary rewards were these?
Zoro awakening the Black Blade, doubling his swordsmanship, and mastering the skills of a great swordsman—his strength must have surged to an unparalleled level.
And Robin, awakening her Devil Fruit abilities and gaining mysterious powers—what could these powers entail? Speculations ran wild among the crowd.
But the most staggering reward was undoubtedly Ace's. Immunity to death once! Such a reward was unprecedented and unheard of.
What could be more vital than the gift of life?
As revealed in the previous live broadcast, Ace was already deceased, though the specifics remained unclear. Nevertheless, this reward now presented a golden chance for Ace.
The envy from numerous prominent figures was palpable, with nearly everyone longing for such a boon.
Of course, the ones most elated were none other than the two brothers, Sabo and Luffy, along with the entirety of the Whitebeard Pirates.
As Ace's body shimmered with a golden hue, no immediate change was apparent. However, such a reward would only come into effect during pivotal moments.
Before Ace could fully comprehend the magnitude of his reward, jubilant members of the Whitebeard Pirates surrounded him, tossing him into the air in celebration.
Waves of cheers filled the air...
To them, Ace had long been like family.
Everyone harbored unspoken worries about the possibility of Ace meeting his demise in the future. Yet, those concerns, unvoiced but deeply felt, now dissipated, replaced by profound joy.
Even Whitebeard, seated upon his throne, wore a smile that mirrored the relief coursing through the hearts of those around him.
However, within the depths of his resolve, Whitebeard remained unwavering.
Despite the safety measures in place for Ace, he remained committed to uncovering the source of the threat!
Who dared to target Ace? Whitebeard vowed to eliminate any entity that posed a danger to Ace's well-being...!!!
Simultaneously, aboard the Straw Hat Pirates' vessel...
Zoro and Robin also received their rewards.
Zoro, his mastery of the blade greatly enhanced, eagerly unsheathed his sword, eager to put it to the test.
With a swift stroke, his blade transformed into an ominous black hue, cleaving the sea asunder with a single strike!
The sheer force of this display left Nami and the others awestruck!
Meanwhile, Robin, ever understated, merely smiled. The crew's curiosity piqued by her enigmatic abilities.
With a serene smile, Robin assured them she would unveil her powers in due time.
[Next, Luffy's rewards will be distributed!]
[Congratulations to Luffy: As a reward, all forms in the fourth gear mode and all Haki abilities have been elevated to their pinnacle levels! ]
Once more, the announcement stirred exclamations among the crew!
Though Luffy's rewards may not appear as extravagant as Ace's and the others'.
Everyone understood the sheer potency of the fourth gear mode and the significance of Haki mastery.
Now, Luffy had ascended these abilities to their maximum potential, reaching the formidable pinnacle at the age of 19!
It was evident...
Luffy had attained an unparalleled level of combat prowess!
His power surge was nothing short of astounding!
Luffy himself was bursting with excitement. He dashed around the ship like a whirlwind, leaving Nami, Robin, and the others feeling utterly helpless.
If they weren't out at sea right now, they might not have any enemies to contend with.
Luffy was itching to find someone to spar with, eager to gauge his newfound strength.
Before long, the global communication link crackled to life.
"Everyone, get connected!"
But this time, there was no uproar accompanying the call.
Luffy simply went off for a private chat with his two brothers, as was his habit.
The rest of the crew remained in a state of stunned silence, barely exchanging a word for what felt like an eternity.
"Next up, get ready for a showdown like never before!"
"Dear viewers, brace yourselves for a moment."
With those words, anticipation soared to unprecedented heights!
All eyes turned skyward, remembering the monstrous clash with Bullet in the previous battle.
Now, who would step up to face Luffy in the next bout?
[Top 4: The stalwart of a bygone era. The Golden Lion Shiki!]
Boom!
Once again, the entire sea erupted in a frenzy!
**********
Support me on my patreon and read upto 15 early chapters.
patreon.com/PirateKing24